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Rid your floors of dirt and grime while killing germs.

This review of best steam mops was updated in January 2022 to provide more details on how the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tests steam mops, report on newly a tested models from Shark and Reliable and replace sold out models with in-stock retailer links.

For sparkling clean floors without the need for buckets, floor cleaning products or worse, hands-and-knees scrubbing, a steam mop could be the answer. Instead of traditional chemical cleaners, steam mops turn plain water into hot steam to dissolve grime, remove tough, dried-on stains and zap scuffs and everyday dust and dirt. As an added benefit, because the steam is so hot, these mops can sanitize germy areas like bathroom floors and pet spaces in a way that other floor cleaners like vacuum cleaners, regular mops, robot mops and hardwood floor cleaners just can't.

When we test steam mops in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, we base our tests on industry standard protocols according to ASTM, an industry group of appliance engineers and technical experts. For steam mops, we time how quickly they heat up, measure how much steam they produce and assess how thoroughly they remove dried-on sticky foods and beverages, like orange juice, cola and spaghetti sauce, and greasy messes like salad oil, along with regular dust and dirt from ceramic and vinyl test floor tiles.

We allow these stains to set and dry on for 14 hours then pass the mops across them until clean or we reach a maximum of 30 strokes, whichever comes first (n our last test of 17 steam mops, that added up to over 1,000 forward and backward mopping strokes!). We time how quickly the floor dries after cleaning and how easy the mops are to fill, use, clean and store. For mops with reusable pads, we launder the pads multiple times to make sure they continue to perform after washing. Any special features, like scrubbing brushes or handheld attachments are also evaluated.

Below, you'll find more about the steam mops that have done well in our tests or models from brands we know and trust, plus information on the features we've found to be most helpful. Here are our favorite steam mops for any mess:

Reliable irons are known for billowing out lots of steam in GH Cleaning Lab tests, so it makes sense that their steam mops perform well, too. And they do! This model's triangular triangular swivel head makes it especially well-suited to cleaning in corners and it even comes with a scrubber brush to plow through stuck-on messes and clean dirty tile grout better than steam alone can do.

We like that the package includes two microfiber pads, so a clean one is always ready and a glide that snaps onto the head for freshening carpets. The slim design and large grip handle make it easy to carry up and down stairs and the on-demand steam button is easy to access. You'll barely lift a finger!

This updated version of Shark's original steam mop is a great starter model for new homeowners or recent grads starting out on their own and a great value. Amazon reviewers loved the super-easy set-up, too — just snap the pole and top handle into place and fill the tank to use. The water tank is removable for easy filling at the sink and the steam is dispensed on demand when you want it.

This steamer locks in the upright position for easy storage—unlike some others that annoyingly fall over—and the 18-foot cord means no corner is out of reach. Our tests on the original Shark steam mop proved it to be a good, easy-to-use mop at a reasonable price. We haven't tested this specific model, but based on the improvements we've noted, we expect it to be even better.

With almost 1,000 5-star Amazon reviews, this Bissell steam mop is a hit. We like its slim body design for easy storage and large cleaning head to cover more ground with each pass. Dingy grout or stuck-on stains are easy to rectify with this model: Simply step down on the foot pedal, remove the steamer from the head and use the built-in SpotBoost brush to scrub messes clean. Yes, other steamers have scrub brush attachments, but we like this all-in-one design, especially for grout.

For added freshness, fragrance discs come with this steamer. Slip them into the head or microfiber pad to add a subtle, yet noticeable scent to your room. In our testing, a previous model Bissell Lift-Off steam mop got good cleaning and very good steaming and absorbency performance scores, and many Bissell vacuums and carpet cleaners are Good Housekeeping Seal stars.

At a quick glance, this Reliable steam mop could almost pass for a stick vacuum. The removable water tank, motor and weight are up top and attached to an almost four foot extension pole with triangular cleaning head and microfiber pad. We tested this new Reliable steamer for our Good Housekeeping 2021 Best Cleaning Products Awards and with its great performance and consumer tester kudos, we selected it as a winner!

We found it produced abundant steam, heats up quickly and was easy to fill, use and maneuver into corners and low places other mops can't reach. The removable handheld unit on top is well designed for cleaning tile, faucets, grills and more and with its array of brushes and adjustable steam levels, you'll find many of your own uses for it. The Pronto comes with a wall-mountable caddy that holds the steamer, accessory bag of attachments and has a wrap for winding the cord.

This Shark does double duty as a steam mop and above-the-floor steam cleaning tool. In mopping mode, it works with adjustable continuous steam and has a Steam Blaster nozzle for zapping stuck-on stains that need extra muscle on-the-go without having to stop cleaning to scrub them. In our tests on a previous model of this same design, we got a high steam rate and found it was easy to glide across floors and left little water behind.

Other helpful add-ons include a triangular scrubber head, a soft microfiber pocket pad for delicate surfaces and a double-sided mopping pad for more cleaning time between pad changes. And speaking of the pads, they can be changed hands-free for less mess.

If you're looking for one appliance to both vacuum and steam clean your floors, the Bissell Symphony Pet is the perfect choice. Use it just as a vacuum for dry debris like pet hair, as a steam mop to wet clean or sanitize or as both at the same time. And because dry pickup stays separate from the wet dispensing, there's no mess inside the machine.

The dust cup is super easy to empty without getting your hands dirty and in our GH Cleaning Lab tests, the Bissell was easy to use and maneuver, lightweight and comfortable to hold. We especially like that it comes with both reusable microfiber pads and disposable pads for cleaning up super icky messes and has multiple levels of on-demand steam. All of these plusses and more helped make it one of our most recent Good Housekeeping Seal stars!

Part buffer, part steamer this Shark model uses rotating microfiber pads combined with steam to scrub floors clean. We tested this Shark steamer as part of our 2021 Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning Awards and were super impressed. We found it very easy to use and so simple to maneuver, it practically moves itself across the floor. All you have to do is guide it. The machine washable pads are a cinch to attach and remove and held up well to laundering. The water tank is large and with three steam levels — light, normal and deep clean — even the stickiest, stubborn stains are history.

If you like the idea of using steam to clean more than just your floors, this Black + Decker is up to the job. Simply pop off the attached handheld steamer and with or without the included accessory hose, use it to steam clean shower walls and doors, the grill, kitchen surfaces, appliances, glass and mirrors and even de-wrinkle draperies and clothing with its garment steamer attachment.

While we have not tested this specific model, Black + Decker steam irons. handheld vacuums and portable carpet cleaners are all tops in Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab tests. It has several steam settings and produces continuous steam, so there's no trigger or button to press.

Both the Bissell Big Green and Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaners are GH Cleaning Lab favorites and though we haven't tested this steamer, we expect nothing less here. It you have large areas of floor to clean, the 50-foot heavy duty cord on this model will give you expansive reach without constantly unplugging and plugging in the cord. And this model produces continuous steam.

There's a brush on the back that can be lowered when scrubbing is needed and a convenient handle that makes carrying the steamer from room to room and up and down the stairs easier. It comes with three washable, reusable microfiber pads — two soft pads and one for scrubbing — that are also treated with Microban to minimize bacteria growth and keep them smelling fresh.

✔️A steam mop is an all-in-one system: There are no separate cleaners to buy and store and no heavy buckets to fill and empty. Steam mops work with a reusable microfiber pad or a disposable cloth attached to the head that helps disperse the steam across the floor. As the steam penetrates and softens the grime on your floor, the pad picks it up and traps it. Then, you either toss the disposable cloth or wash and reuse the pad. And since the pad gets tossed or washed when you're done, steam mops are neater and easier to store than messy, drippy string or sponge mops.

✔️Steam mops can actually kill germs. Unlike just about every other type of floor mop, steam mops reach temperatures high enough kill germs and bacteria on hard surfaces. Just pass them slowly—for 20 seconds or 15 passes—in areas you want to sanitize to give the steam time to do its job. Steam mops can also provide a deeper clean in homes where kids or pets like to play and lie on the floors. And the fact that they kill germs can give you peace of mind that your floors are really clean for these family members.

Consider switching to a steam mop if you have a busy household with lots of foot traffic and need to wash your floors often, as it will streamline your cleaning routine and save you from having to buy and stock up on floor-cleaning formulas. Or, if you just want to cut down or eliminate some of the cleaning products in your home, switching to a steam mop is an easy fix!

First, you'll have to choose from the main types of steam mops:

Then you'll want to keep these shopping tips in mind:

Think about what type of floor you're cleaning. Steam mops are generally safe to use on sheet vinyl, ceramic and porcelain tile floors, however it is always a good idea to check with your flooring brand to be sure using steam won't void your floor's warranty. And keep in mind that most steam mops alone likely won't whiten dirty or stained grout lines. You'll need a powerful steam blast or a brush or scrubber for that.

Consider the mop's features. We recommend looking for removable, easy-to-fill water tanks with large openings, a swivel head to more easily navigate around corners and table and chair legs, a low profile design to maneuver under cabinet toe-kicks and low furniture, an extra-long cord for extended reach and multiple cleaning pads so you always have a clean one to put on when the one you're using gets too dirty.

Who doesn't need a steam mop? Anyone with hardwood floors. Even though mop manufacturers claim it is safe, we do not recommend using steam mops on wood and laminate floors, even on the lowest steam settings. Few wood floors are completely sealed and in the pristine condition needed to keep the steam from penetrating the finish and warping the wood. Never use a steam mop on waxed, unsealed, peeling or glued vinyl tile or unfinished floors.

Are there cordless steam mops? In a word, no. To heat to the high temperatures needed to produce steam for cleaning and sanitizing, steam mops need a cord and electricity. Don't be fooled by online reviews that claim to compare cordless steam mops: Once you read them, you'll find out that cordless mops don't produce steam and steam mops all have cords.