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Rid your floors of dirt and grime while killing germs.

This article was updated in July 2022 to replace previously untested models with reviews of newly tested models from Black & Decker and Euroflex. We also answered frequently asked consumer questions about buying and using steam mops, and explained why you should trust Good Housekeeping's product recommendations.

For sparkling clean floors without the need for cumbersome buckets, floor cleaning products or, worse, hands-and-knees scrubbing, a steam mop could be the answer you are looking for. Instead of traditional chemical cleaners, steam mops turn plain water into hot steam to dissolve grime, remove tough, dried-on stains and zap everyday dust and dirt with the help of washable, reusable microfiber pads, so there's nothing to toss or dispose of. 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. Plus many convert into handheld models with an assortment of brushes and other attachments to clean moldy grout, greasy grill grates and dirty windows and even de-wrinkle fabrics.

When we test steam mops in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we time how quickly they heat up, measure how much steam they produce and assess how thoroughly they remove dried-on sticky foods, greasy messes and regular dust and dirt from ceramic and vinyl floor tiles. We time how quickly the floors dry after cleaning and how easy the mops are to fill, use, clean and store. We launder the reusable pads and check special features, like scrubbing brushes or handheld attachments.

At the end of this article, you'll find more information on how we test steam mops, how steaming compares to regular mopping, how to use a steam mop correctly and more.

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 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 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! • Steam output: On-demand • Cord length: 21 feet • Adjustable steam: Yes • Attachments: Yes

This updated version of Shark's original steam mop is a great starter model for new homeowners or anyone who wants to spend less for cleaner floors. 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. • Steam output: On-demand • Cord length: 18 feet • Adjustable steam: No • Attachments: No

With a 4.6 out of 5-star Amazon rating, 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. And tough stuck-on dirt is easy to tackle with the all-in-one SpotBoost scrub brush: Simply step down on the foot pedal to remove the steamer from the head revealing the SpotBoost brush underneath. Yes, other steamers have scrub brushes included, but we like that you don't have to swap attachments here, especially when you're cleaning 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 performance scores.

• Steam output: Continuous • Cord length: 25 feet • Adjustable steam: Yes • Attachments: No

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 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, found it was easy to glide across floors and it 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.

• Steam output: Continuous • Cord length: 22 feet • Adjustable steam: Yes • Attachments: Yes

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 and 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.

• Steam output: On-demand • Cord length: 25 foot • Adjustable steam: No • Attachments: No

At a quick glance, this Reliable steam mop could almost pass for a stick vacuum. The removable water tank and motor are up top and attached to an almost 4-foot extension pole with a triangular cleaning head and microfiber pad. We tested this new Reliable steamer for our Good Housekeeping 2021 Cleaning 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. 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.

• Steam output: Continuous • Cord length: 19 1/2 feet • Adjustable steam: Yes • Attachments: Yes

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 Cleaning Awards and were super impressed. We found it very easy to use and so simple to maneuver, that 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.

• Steam output: Continuous • Cord length: 22 feet • Adjustable steam: Yes • Attachments: No

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 unit and use it to steam clean shower walls, doors and grout, the grill, kitchen surfaces, appliances and even glass with its squeegee attachment.

In our tests, we found it easy to use and compared its maneuverability to the latest stick vacuums. We especially liked the fingertip controls that were easy to access and the soft grip handle that made it comfortable to hold. It did an impressive job removing stubborn shoe scuffs from our ceramic tile and vinyl lab flooring and the extension pole works for both tall and short users. And we've never seen a steamer with a mini mop head for counters and tiled walls. Genius! • Steam output: Continuous • Cord length: 25 foot • Adjustable steam: Yes • Attachments: Yes

Well made and built to handle tough jobs, the Euroflex has a built-in boiler which means it produces hot, dry and pressurized steam for heavy-duty cleaning jobs. Remove the two wands and it converts into an easy-to-carry handheld steamer for cleaning grills, grout and more.

In our tests, we found it cleaned very well and the front steam jets gave it a head start dissolving stuck-on soils. Because the steam is drier than with non-boiler models, floors dried quickly, too. The heated bottom plate boosts cleaning, and the controls on the handle can be set for continuous or on-demand steam output. The parking pad is a great place to rest the steamer while it cools, and it comes with a bevy of useful attachments.

• Steam output: Continuous and on-demand • Cord length: 23 foot • Adjustable steam: No • Attachments: Yes

When we test steam mops in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, we base our tests on industry-standard protocols established by ASTM International, 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 tile and vinyl test floors.

We allow these stains to set and dry for 14 hours then pass the mops across them until clean or we reach a maximum of 30 strokes, whichever comes first. In 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.

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!

Unlike just about every other type of floor mop, steam mops reach temperatures high enough to kill germs and bacteria on hard surfaces. Just pass them slowly over areas you want to sanitize — for 20 seconds or 15 passes — 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.

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.

It may be, especially if you want to clean your floors without chemicals. But first, there are some things you'll have to consider.

✔️ 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 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.

Yes, they do. In our tests, we've found they do a great job deep cleaning certain types of floors without cleaning products, a lot of work or a big mess.

The main types of steam mops are:

After spending more than 20 years on the ASTM vacuum cleaner committee, Carolyn Forté is a floor cleaning expert. She heads up Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab and has tested and written about every type of floor cleaning appliance imaginable, including steam mops. And she practices what she preaches. All she uses to clean the vinyl and ceramic tile floors in her home is steam (and she never lets it get near her hardwood floors).