Top Pick for
Overall steam mop
Best steam mops in Australia
Our team has found the 7 best steam mops for a sparkling clean home.
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Top Pick for
Steam mop for tiles
Top Pick for
Steam mop for wood floors
Top Pick for
High-end steam mop
The best steam mops in Australia
- Best overall steam mop: PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner
- Best steam mop for tiles: BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop
- Best steam mop for wood floors: BISSELL Steam Mop Select
- Best budget steam mop: Maxkon 13-in-1 Steam Mop Cleaner
- Best high-end steam mop: Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop with Removable Handheld Steamer
- Best steam vacuum: BISSELL Vac & Steam 1997E
- Best cordless steam mop: BISSELL SpinWave Cordless Hard Floor Expert
A steam mop, as the name suggests, uses steam to remove dirt from floors. It has a water reservoir that heats water, which sends a jet of steam to its pad, killing bacteria and dust mites more effectively than manual mops.
There are different steam mop options suited for any need. Some brands offer options specifically for hard floors, wood floors and tiles. Cordless models are also available if you want a tool that is easier to manoeuvre. Apart from price, you should factor in the water tank's capacity, heat-up time, cloth material and the mop's head shape when shopping for a steam mop.
For this list, we evaluated numerous steam mops available on Amazon. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings. We also chose the units for each category based on key product features, such as value for money, heat-up time and cloth material.
Read our full methodology below.
PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner
Best overall steam mop
Not yet rated
Pros
- Claims to be child and pet-safe
- Quick heat up
Cons
- Cord is too short for some customers
- Water reservoir is a bit small
This 10-in-1 steam mop allows you to clean your entire house in a jiffy. It features a handheld steam cleaner and flexible hose to reach every dirty nook and cranny of your home. It also works as a window and glass cleaner as well as a handy garment steamer. Apart from being pet- and child-safe, this mop works on tiles and hardwood floors, leaving them squeaky clean without the use of chemicals.
Customers gave positive feedback on PurSteam's versatility, value for money and ease of use. It is lightweight and manoeuvrable with 3 adjustable modes to cater for any cleaning needs. It features a water reservoir with a 340ml capacity that is good for up to 25 minutes. Users wish it had a longer cord to reach a larger surface area, but this seems to be a minor issue.
BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop
Best steam mop for tiles
Not yet rated
Pros
- Helps neutralise odours
- Easy to use
Cons
- Produces low steam even on the highest setting
- There are cheaper alternatives available
The PowerFresh Steam Mop promises to eliminate up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria when used as directed. It thoroughly removes dirt, stains and even the most caked-on grease, leaving your floors shiny without any sticky spots. It also has a SmartSet digital variable steam control for a customised cleaning experience.
With a quick heat-up time and powerful cleaning ability, BISSELL's PowerFresh Steam Mop is the perfect workhorse for any household. It takes about 30 seconds to produce steam that removes dirt, grime and bacteria from any surface. You can also choose from 3 levels of steam depending on your needs. It has odour eliminating fragrance discs that help neutralise odours for a fresher clean as well.
BISSELL Steam Mop Select
Best steam mop for wood floors
Not yet rated
Pros
- Won’t break the bank
- Removable tank
Cons
- Mop head is small
- Some buyers had issues with durability
BISSELL's Steam Mop Select has a triangular mop head that easily reaches narrow areas for a deeper clean. It also comes with 2 washable triangle microfibre mop pads to fit any cleaning requirement. One of the mop pads is soft, while the other has built-in scrubbing strips to help remove stubborn dirt. The water tank is also removable for easy refills.
The general sentiment is that this steam mop is a lightweight and easy-to-use option that won't break the bank. Users said it heats up in about 30 seconds, producing a strong stream that removes dirt and grime in no time. The slimline design also makes manoeuvring a breeze as it doesn't leave behind any build-up or leak. Some customers found the mop head too small for their liking but added that it still does the job extremely well.
Maxkon 13-in-1 Steam Mop Cleaner
Best budget steam mop
Not yet rated
Pros
- Comes with heaps of attachments
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Slow heat-up time
- Bulky design
Featuring a powerful motor and up to 30 minutes of continuous steam, this steam mop can clean floors, windows and mirrors easily. It comes with heaps of attachments, allowing you to use the unit on hardwood floors and carpets. You can even transform the steam cleaner for use on garments.
Numerous buyers were impressed by the steam mop's powerful motor, durability and versatility. It is suitable for tiles, carpets, glass, curtains and many other surfaces that need to be thoroughly cleaned. The 5-meter-long power cord also lets you reach a large surface area. It does have a slower heat-up time compared to more expensive models, but customers said it's not really a deal-breaker.
Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop with Removable Handheld Steamer
Best high-end steam mop
Not yet rated
Pros
- Versatile
- Durable build
Cons
- Handheld unit is heavy according to reviews
- No continuous steam function
Featuring 10 tools and a handheld mode, this Hoover steam mop can tackle any cleaning task at hand. It has a dual tank system and a 12.8L water capacity. Additionally, it comes with 2 washable scrubbing pads, a carpet glide attachment, an angle crevice tool and a grout scrub brush as well as other attachments.
This heavy-duty steam mop is the perfect cleaning companion for people with pets. It claims to clean and deodorise pet messes for a fresh-smelling home. Heat-up time is also relatively quick, allowing you to remove dirt, grime and other messes with minimal wait time. Users also said it is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre to reach narrower areas. However, it doesn't have a continuous steam function.
BISSELL Vac & Steam 1997E
Best steam vacuum
Not yet rated
Pros
- Claims to eliminate up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not cheap
- Heavy
The BISSELL Vac & Steam 1997E provides a powerful cyclonic action clean that vacuums and steams at the same time. This makes the cleaning process a lot quicker without compromising quality. It has a Drop It dirt tank that allows for easy debris and hair disposal without getting your hands dirty.
With a 0.4L water tank and adjustable controls, the Vac & Steam 1997E is the ideal household tool for people with a busy lifestyle. It combines the power of vacuum and steamer to provide squeaky clean results without the use of chemicals. The cord is long and the mop head picks up dirt quite easily.
BISSELL SpinWave Cordless Hard Floor Expert
Best cordless steam mop
Not yet rated
Pros
- Comes with different accessories to make cleaning a breeze
- Suitable for hard floors, tiles, vinyl and wood
Cons
- Subpar battery life
- You need several passes to completely remove caked-on dirt
Powered by an 18V lithium-ion battery, the SpinWave offers up to 20 minutes of cordless cleaning. It has an on-demand spray that allows you to control how much solution goes on the floor. It is also suitable for sealed tiles, linoleum, vinyl and hardwood.
According to reviews, this nifty tool is perfect for spot and quick cleaning. It comes with 4 soft-touch pads and 2 scrubby pads to address any needs. The soft pads are great for removing spills and messes, while the scrubby ones are ideal for getting rid of sticky spots and dirt. Because it is cordless, the SpinWave is also easy to manoeuvre to clean hard-to-reach areas. It requires multiple passes to completely remove more stubborn dirt, which can be time-consuming.
Amazon prices last updated on 23 May, 2022 at 12:29 ameBay prices last updated on 22 May, 2022 at 10:29 am
Methodology
12Brands considered
58Products compared
7Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
For this list, we analysed steam mops listed on Amazon. We evaluated models from the following brands:
- BISSELL
- Black & Decker
- Bona
- H20
- HAAN
- Hoover
- Karcher
- Maxkon
- PurSteam
- Shark
- Stealth
- Vileda
We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of March 2022). We also considered each model's key product features like capacity, price, heat-up time and design. We came up with what we believe are the 7 best steam mops available online.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.What is a steam mop?
If you've ever felt that your floors don't get properly clean with an ordinary mop, a steam mop is worth considering. Steam mops use steam to loosen dirt and grime and wipe them away with minimal effort.
Steam mops look similar to normal mops but have a water tank and a water boiler that produces steam, which is released from the cleaning head. This process kills dust mites and bacteria, without the nasty chemicals found in a lot of floor cleaners.
However, while they can clean and freshen up hard floor surfaces, steam mops are not suitable for cleaning up large spills nor should they be used for removing heavy stains. Even though a steam mop will pick up small bits of dust and dirt, you should still use a vacuum cleaner over your floors before steaming to pick up as much debris as possible first.
What floors do steam mops work on?
Steam mops are suitable to use on most hard floors such as stone, marble, ceramic tiles and lino. They are not recommended for unsealed timber or cork tiles as the steam can cause the wood to expand or buckle over time. Steam can also weaken the adhesive used for vinyl tiles.
Before using a steam mop, make sure to check the suitability for your specific type of flooring for peace of mind. You can read more about our recommended steam mops for laminate, tile and hardwood floors.
How to compare steam mops
When deciding which steam mop is the right one for your home, consider the following points to compare different models.
Cost
Budget models cost around $50 while high-end models cost over $500. The more you spend on a steam mop, the more features you will get, but a middle-priced mop may be sufficient for your needs.
Water tank
The more water your steam mop holds, the more cleaning you will be able to do without needing to fill up. If you have a larger home, you should look at one of the larger water tank capacities, but smaller homes should do fine with an average tank.
A water tank should be able to be filled up without having to wait for the steam mop to cool down, so you can get through your cleaning without too much hassle.
Steam heat-up time
If you don't like to wait, a steam mop with a fast heating time is important so you can get on with cleaning relatively quickly. Look for a mop that says it will heat up in 30 seconds or less and that has an indicator that lets you know when it's ready.
You should also check if there is a lock switch for continuous steam, rather than having to hold a button down.
Cloth material
The material that sits on the bottom of the mop can be made from different materials, but microfibre gives the best performance. As well as being able to trap dirt better than other types, it washes easily and lasts a long time.
Mop head shape
Your steam mop should have a swivel joint for the head so that you can manoeuvre it easily around furniture. A triangular head helps to get into tight corners, so you can clean more effectively.
Power cord
So you can clean more of your house without having to plug and unplug the power cord often, look for a longer cord that will allow you to move freely from room to room. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker though as you can purchase an extension cord to use with your mop.
Adjustable telescopic wand
Having a telescopic wand that is easily adjustable makes cleaning easier for people of different heights. If you are tall, check that the wand can be extended to a length that will reduce your need to bend your back while cleaning the floors.
Attachments and accessories
Some attachments and accessories come with the steam mop when you purchase it or can be bought separately. These include the following:
- Carpet glider. A carpet glider attachment enables you to use your steam mop over your carpets to keep them fresh. For more effective cleaning, you can spray on a little carpet stain remover before steaming.
- Pad rest. Leaving the steam mop sitting on the floor while you take a quick break can cause damage if left on, so ensure your model has a pad rest to hold the mop.
- Window cleaner. For simple streak-free cleaning, some steam mops come with an attachment to make light work of windows, mirrors and glass.
- Brush and jet nozzles. If you have a brush or jet nozzle to put onto the end of your mop, you can clean hard to reach places such as in between tiles, ovens or shower cubicles.
3 things to consider
- If you live in a hard water area, you should make sure that your mop has a filter for the water tank. This will increase the life of the mop and reduce any build-up or blockages. If you don't have a water filter, use distilled water.
- Mop cloths can get dirty very easily, especially if you haven't cleaned your floors for some time. You should expect to use at least 2 or 3 cloths while doing a full clean of a large house, so it's worth having 4-6 cloths on hand at all times.
- Microfibre cloths should be washed regularly but they cannot be dried in sunlight as this can damage the material.
