The best steam mops: kill bacteria and clean your home quickly and easily with steam

Steam mops remove all kinds of grease and grime from the home, leaving your floors and surfaces twinkling clean in minutes. Using steam to effectively mop up dirt, from the main sections to tiny crevices, they are a quick, easy and super-efficient piece of equipment designed to take the pain out of cleaning.

Most steam mops can be used on hard-sealed floors, including wood, tile and laminate, while some can target a greater variety of surface types, such as carpets, upholstery, kitchen tops and windows. Each model can differ in its features, such as heat-up time, steam settings, attachments and versatility.

To help guide you and save you time, money and stress, The Recommended has searched the internet to find the best steam mops on the market to get your house in tip-top condition. Read on for our top picks.

The best steam mops at-a-glance:

• Best lightweight steam mop: Russell Hobbs RHSM1001-G Steam and Clean Steam Mop
• Best hygienic steam mop: Shark Klik n' Flip Automatic Steam Mop
• Best multifunctional steam mop: Vax Steam Clean Multifunction Steam Mop
• Best portable steam mop: H2O HD Steam Mop and Handheld Steam Cleaner
• Best powerful steam mop: Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop
• Best universal steam mop: Vileda Steam Mop Plus
• Best steam mop with attachments: Moolan Steam Mop and Handheld Steam Cleaner
• Best all-in-one steam mop: Neo 10 in 1 1500W Hot Steam Mop Cleaner

The best steam mops

Best lightweight steam mop: Russell Hobbs RHSM1001-G Steam and Clean Steam Mop

Kills 99.9% of bacteria and germs

Use the measuring jug provided to fill up the tank and tackle the hard floors and carpets in your home with this super speedy and easy-to-use steam mop.

Taking just 25 seconds to heat up, this steam mop then has a 15-minute steam time to cover large spaces and features a useful tilt axis head, taking the hassle out of cleaning. It comes complete with a handy five-metre power cord and two machine-washable microfibre pads.

Best hygienic steam mop: Shark Klik n' Flip Automatic Steam Mop

With ‘klick’ and flip technology

Leave your floors dazzling in no time with this quick-drying steam mop, featuring dirt grip technology to collect any nasties on the double-sided microfibre pads.

Featuring a six-metre power cord, this steam mop will reach all the nooks and crannies across your home, cleaning 99.9% of common household bacteria. There are three steam settings to target all hard floor types without leaving streaks, including a Steam Blaster mode to give a direct blast of superheated, concentrated steam.

Best multifunctional steam mop: Vax Steam Clean Multifunction Steam Mop

Lightweight and versatile

This hard floor steam mop doubles as a handheld device, ideal for steam cleaning kitchen counters, bathroom tiles and windows, and household upholstery.

Featuring a nine-piece multipurpose tool and accessory kit, this mop will target dirt in every small corner and last for 15 minutes at a time. Alternate between the variable steam controls and reuse the washable microfibre pads each time.

Best portable steam mop: H2O HD Steam Mop and Handheld Steam Cleaner

Compact and foldable

Heating up in just 15 seconds, clean your entire home in minimal time with this steam mop, thanks to its extra large swivel mop head.

This steam mop has a large, easy-to-fill removable water tank, complete with a water filter to prevent limescale. Run for up to 25 minutes, use the quick-release button to switch to its handheld option and pack away neatly with the foldable handle.

Best powerful steam mop: Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop

Simple to use

This steam mop will lift and remove all kinds of dirt off your hard-sealed floors and can reach all tricky corners with its eight-metre power cord.

Featuring two power pads that rotate 150 times per minute, this mop will target the toughest of stains with chemical-free cleaning. Switch between the two automatic steam settings and use with ease for sparkling results. The grip pads are machine washable to be used time and time again.

Best universal steam mop: Vileda Steam Mop Plus

Light and slick

This newly designed steam mop has three different steam settings to perfectly clean all types of floors, from tiles and wood to carpets and rugs.

Light and easy to manoeuvre, with a comfortable gripped handle, this steam mop can kill up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, and target the smallest of spaces with its triangular-shaped frame. Monitor the water levels through the window on the tank and detach the handle for easy storage.

Best steam mop with attachments: Moolan Steam Mop and Handheld Steam Cleaner

Reach those hard-to-access spots

Transform your home with this multifunctional steam mop, complete with 12 different accessories to combat all types of dirt in every corner.

This steam mop will heat up in just 15 seconds and has adjustable steam levels, reaching up to 230°F. Swap from upright to handheld in seconds and take care of everything from your hard floors and carpets to your windows, garments and kitchen worktops.

Best all-in-one steam mop: Neo 10 in 1 1500W Hot Steam Mop Cleaner

Glide, scrape or jet wash

This steam mop will cover all bases with ten attachments, from cleaning hard floor surfaces and windows to refreshing your carpets and upholstery.

Alternate between the different tools to leave your home looking spick and spam. This versatile steam mop features a triangular-shaped base for targeting the toughest of areas, and its compact design makes it easy to store away. Available in purple, green and blue colours.

If you want to read more expert-recommended round-ups and product guides, check out our Household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the best bathroom scales, and the best kitchen bins.