Traditional deep-cleaning methods add chemicals to water, which can leave behind wet surfaces, strong odors, or residue that aggravate allergies and leave behind a less-than-ideal level of cleanliness. A steam cleaner uses only water to keep your home clean, sanitized, and safe for allergy-sufferers. Whether used for residential, commercial, or industrial applications, a steam cleaner delivers excellent results in maintaining a high level of cleanliness.
Take a look at the 5 Best Steam Cleaners of 2025 that can improve your cleaning routine at home.
- What is a Steam Cleaner and How Does it Work?
- Best Overall Steam Cleaner of 2025
- Best Value Steam Cleaner
- Best Steam Cleaner for Narrow Windows
- Best Steam Cleaner for Clothing
- Best Bathroom Steam Cleaner
- Do I Need a Steam Cleaner?
What is a Steam Cleaner and How Does it Work?
A steam cleaner, also known as a vapor steamer, contains an internal boiler that heats water to a high temperature of at least its boiling point of 212 degrees F, which creates steam that penetrates microscopic pores on various surfaces. This pressurized steam loosens grime, grease, stubborn stains, bacteria, and dirt, so you can simply wipe it away. With such high temperatures, steam cleaners also sanitize surfaces, effectively killing germs, dust mites, and household bacteria on contact.
Some steam cleaners can heat water to over 375 degrees, resulting in a dry steam vapor that dries within seconds. This method is vital when using steam to clean and sanitize bedding, upholstered furniture, and pet beds.
However, most steam cleaners do not have a removal function, so you will need to vacuum, sweep, mop, or wipe away the dirt and debris afterward.
For more information, take a look at Sylvane's Steam Cleaner Buying Guide and Frequently Asked Questions About Steam Cleaners.
Best Overall Steam Cleaner of 2025
Change up your cleaning routine with the multi-purpose McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam System. In just 10 minutes, the water is heated to over 200 degrees F and is ready to go. It features 90 minutes of continuous steam control through the nozzle, which supplies a 58 PSI water stream for effortless cleaning on indoor or outdoor surfaces, like windows, patio furniture, sealed flooring, gardening equipment, and more. This cleaner provides efficient operation with 20 included accessories and an 18-foot-long power cord giving you plenty of room to roam.
- Water Tank: 1.5 quarts
- Heat-Up Time: 10-12 minutes
- Running Time: 45 to 90 minutes
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
Why We Picked It: The versatile functionality of this steam cleaner makes it stand out among the rest, with the capability to switch from handheld to floor just by switching attachments. With over 50 years in workshop and garden products, the name brand of McCulloch delivers reliable products.
Best Value Steam Cleaner
Equipped with advanced technology, steam mops get the job done with a lot less mess. The Bissell Power Fresh Multiple Surface Steam Mop is simple to use and straightforward in cleaning your floors, and even includes a carpet refresher attachment to freshen up rugs and carpets. Choose from three steam levels and add a fragrance disc to deodorize carpets while cleaning them. When you need to clean delicate flooring types like laminate or sealed hardwood or to remove tough stains on sturdier flooring, reach for one of the included microfiber mop pads. The lightweight swivel design makes it easy to maneuver this steam cleaner, and a 23-foot-long power cord helps you cover a large area at once.
- Water Tank: 0.5 quarts
- Heat-Up Time: 30 seconds
- Running Time: 25 to 30 minutes
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
Why We Picked It: This no-nonsense steam mop effortlessly clean and sanitizes hard floors, eliminating up to 99 percent of germs without using harsh chemical detergents. If you need a reliable appliance without fancy bells and whistles to ensure your floors are clean, this one is a great addition to your routine.
Best Steam Cleaner for Narrow Windows
Small but versatile, the Steamfast SF275 Canister Steam Cleaner packs chemical-free cleaning within its mobile and heavy-duty design. A 6.5-foot-long hose helps you reach tight corners and narrow areas, for either quick clean-ups or for larger spaces, with its canister design, carrying handle, and large wheels. Various included accessories help you sanitize your home's multiple surfaces, like bathroom tile, glass, hard floors, toys, grills, upholstery, and more.
- Water Tank: 1.5 quarts
- Heat-Up Time: 8 minutes
- Running Time: 45 minutes
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
Why We Picked It: This mighty little canister steam cleaner packs a punch when cleaning small and narrow spaces, but it can do so much more than just that. You're in control of its heavy-duty power with a fingertip steam trigger, so you can penetrate stubborn grime and grease.
Best Steam Cleaner for Clothing
Get that professionally-steamed look for your clothes in the comfort of your home with the Reliable Vivio Series Garment Steamer. A convenient hook holds the hanging garment so you can utilize every moment of the two hours of run time. A seven-foot-long power cord and 360-degree non-skid casters slide easily to be exactly where you need it. You can choose a steamer with a strong PVC steam head with a removable fabric brush for napped fabrics or a metal steam head with a “stay cool” wooden handle, as the metal acts as an iron for stubborn creases and wrinkles.
- Water Tank: 1 gallon
- Heat-Up Time: Under 2 minutes
- Running Time: 120 minutes
- Warranty: 3-year limited
Why We Picked It: Press your clothes to perfection with this garment steamer, as Reliable Vivio has been a trusted brand for clothing retailers for over 20 years. This commercial-quality steamer is built for durability and user-friendly controls, making it ideal for homeowners and professionals alike.
Best Bathroom Steam Cleaner
Thanks to its lightweight and portable design, the McCulloch Handheld Steam Canister is ideal for cleaning bathrooms but can handle dirty jobs all around the house, and even outside ones, with the array of included accessories. A powerful jet nozzle releases steam heated to over 200 degrees F to clean and sanitize grout, appliances, tile, patio furniture, and more. You can click and lock in the trigger to activate a continuous stream of on-demand steam for 10 minutes, which is especially helpful for giving your hands a break when cleaning.
- Water Tank: 6 ounces
- Heat-Up Time: 3 minutes
- Running Time: 8 to 10 minutes
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
Why We Picked It: It's a tough task to get those hard-to-reach spots for a thorough cleaning, so the lockable trigger for a 10-minute-long reliable steam output makes this the best handheld steam cleaner for bathrooms. Its flexibility to use all around the house for other surfaces, including window sills, stovetops, and spot-cleaning fabrics and upholstery, is a nice bonus to round out this top choice.
Do I Need A Steam Cleaner?
While we want to ensure that our home is clean for our families, using harsh chemicals can often have negative side effects such as skin irritation or lowered air quality. A steam cleaner only uses tap or distilled water to create the high-temperature, sanitizing steam without leaving behind any lingering chemical residue or odor. If you or someone in your household is sensitive to those factors, a steam cleaner can make a world of difference.
Other traditional deep-cleaning chemicals and supplies just end up going down the drain and in the trash, making the financial investment in a steam cleaner one that saves you money over time and with healthier results.
While you can clean almost everything in your home with a steam cleaner, there are a few things that should definitely not be steamed:
- Unsealed hardwood floors
- Unsealed stone surfaces
- Paper products
- Delicate fabrics (velvet or silk)
- Painted walls
- Cold glass (rapid temperature change can cause cracking)
For more tips, check out our What You Can Clean with a Steam Cleaner and What NOT to Clean with Steam Cleaners blog posts.
If you're looking for a commercial or industrial steam cleaner to cover larger areas and handle rigorous daily use, check out the US Steam vapor cleaning systems or our other commercial and industrial steam cleaners.
Have more questions about steam cleaners? Chat with our experts by calling us at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help make your indoors healthy, clean, and comfortable.
