Best (and Worst) Steam Mops of 2025
The best-performing models put the squeeze on traditional sponge mops when it comes to floor cleaning
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Steam mops, aka floor steamers, come with the promise an easier, more convenient way to clean tile floors than ordinary squeeze mops. Unlike the traditional approach, which involves dragging around a bucket of water and a drippy sponge or string mop, a steam mop heats water inside a refillable tank and applies the steam produced directly to the floor. But our tests of over two dozen models have found that while these products are handy to use, not all are equal in cleaning ability.
We’ve found that steam mops generally do a better job of cleaning up certain messes, such as coffee stains, mustard, and ketchup, than they do for stickier spills like jam. We also noticed that if a mop comes with different mop pads, the pads with rougher, more bristly textures are more effective at removing stains than the softer ones. And we’ve seen an improvement in the cleaning performance of steam mops over the past few years.
Here we review six of the top steam mops from our tests, listed in alphabetical order, as well as one of the worst (which just might send you searching for that bucket and sponge mop). CR members can check out more options from among the nearly 30 models in our complete steam mop ratings. You can also read our steam mop buying guide to learn more about how these mops work and helpful features. For more floor-cleaning help, check out our buying guide and ratings for vacuums and carpet cleaners.
The top steam mops in our ratings excel at removing stains. Most feature a ready light, which indicates when the steam has reached the optimal temperature and the mop is ready for use.
The Aspiron Professional AS-CA044’s ability to clean stains is impressive. Unlike most steam mops, it has a tank that can be filled with detergent (although we test the cleaning power of steam mops only using steam). It comes with a carpet glider accessory that allows it to be used on carpets, although to be safe, you should consult the care instructions of your carpet or rug before using a steam mop on it. The mop’s convenience rating is just decent because it has a cord that’s on the shorter side and comes with only one steam level.
In our tests, the Euroflex Vapour M2R proved outstanding at cleaning tiles and adequate at producing steam. Its convenience score, however, is on the lower side because it takes longer to heat its water than the other models in our ratings. Once it’s fully heated, this steam mop is capable of producing high-temperature steam, and its run time lasts around 20 minutes. It comes with a five-year warranty.
The Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix is an all-around high performer. The model wowed us with both its cleaning performance and its steam production. Its run time, however, is on the shorter side, averaging around 18 minutes on its highest steam setting. This steam mop comes with a ready indicator light and a carpet glide for use on carpets and area rugs. It also features a descaling filter that removes minerals from water, allowing you to use tap water instead of demineralized water. According to the manufacturer, the model is currently out of stock, but we’ll update our shopping links once the status changes.
The Kenmore S200 Series SM2060 excels in cleaning messes and producing a large amount of steam. What makes it unique is its scrubber tool, which is built into the mop and can be used to remove dirt and grime from tiles once the mop head is detached. This mop features two distinct steam settings. Its run time is around average, and it doesn’t have features such as an empty indicator light, so its convenience scoring is only middling. But that doesn’t stop it from landing at the very top of our ratings.
The budget-friendly Steam & Go Housekeeper 10-in-1 SAG806D earns a stellar rating in our cleaning tests, though its steam production is only mediocre. You can use it as a detachable handheld steamer and pair it with different cleaning attachments to clean counters, sinks, and grout, and even steam clothes and curtains. A slight inconvenience is that it lacks an indicator light to let you know when the mop is ready for use.
Lowest-Rated Steam Mops
The lowest-rated steam mops in our ratings are difficult to use and leave a considerable amount of debris behind in our tests.
Among the three models with an unsatisfactory Overall Score, the Shark S1000 is the worst offender, sitting at the very bottom of our steam mop ratings. We found it does an awful job at cleaning stains and is lackluster at producing steam. It’s the only mop we tested that lacks a motorized pump, which means you have to constantly pump the handle yourself to create steam. Not surprisingly, our testers gave this model a rock-bottom score for convenience. Shark also makes the second-worst model in the ratings, the Shark Steam Pocket S3501, which uses a similar pumping mechanism.
How CR Tests Steam Mops
To test how well a steam mop cleans, CR’s engineers smear mustard, one of the toughest stains to clean, on ceramic tiles. After the mustard dries, we take photos, and then a machine pushes the steam mop over each tile in 10 even back-and-forth strokes. We use photo-imaging software to accurately record the amount of soil removed.
To gauge the amount of steam a mop produces, we fill the water tank, measure its weight, use the mop for 5 minutes, and then weigh it again. We calculate the amount of water that has disappeared to extrapolate the amount that’s been converted to steam.
For our convenience rating, we consider multiple attributes that make a steam mop easy to use, such as its steam time, run time, cord length, steam rate options, and whether it has an indicator light that shows when the mop is ready to use or needs refilling. Other factors we consider include how easily the mop’s water tank can be refilled and emptied, how quickly its mop head can be removed, and how easily its cord can be stored when not in use.
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