Gentle Steam, Mighty Clean: The Best Steam Mops

Power through dirt on tile, wood, LTV or laminate floors with our handpicked selection of steam mops.
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Written & Tested By: Richard Morgan | Updated:
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Compared to standard mops, a steam mop uses the power of hot steam to effortlessly clean all types of dirt from floors without the need for detergent. Whether you need to clean tile, wood, LTV or laminate floors, they’ve certainly made cleaning floors easier.

It’s important to note that steam mops and steam cleaners aren’t the same because the mop is designed for cleaning floors only and they do a far better job at it too. They are also more affordable, lightweight and easier to use on all types of flooring.

To assist you in selecting a steam mop, our handpicked selection lists top-performing models, chosen based on our first-hand experience cleaning a range of stubborn dirt on all types of flooring. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Shark Klik n Flip
Best Overall: Shark Klik n’ Flip
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Kärcher SC3 Easyfix Steam Mop
Best Performing: Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix
Read More
H2O X5 Steam Mop
Most Versatile: H2O X5 Steam Mop
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Vileda Budget Steam Mop
Best Budget: Vileda 157171 Steam Mop
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Hoover Steam Capsule Mop
Best All-Rounder: Hoover Steam Capsule Mop
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Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean
Best Budget Runner-Up: Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean
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How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Steam Mops

As we own several properties (rentals and Airbnb’s), we find ourselves cleaning various types of floors such as laminate, Karndean, vinyl and hardwood quite regularly.

Although a standard mop and bucket can do a great job, steam mops make the task of cleaning floors far more easier and satisfying and they also require no harsh chemicals.

During our ongoing testing of the steam mops, we analyse the mop’s performance, runtime, ease of use and all the functionality that it provides. We also tested them on a range of flooring from wood to laminate floors.

best steam mop for laminate floors

Richard Morgan/DIY Works
best steam mop uk

Richard Morgan/DIY Works

To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest steam mops (for this article), we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new and improved model, we will attempt to upgrade our steam mops where possible for testing.

As well as our testing and experience with multiple steam mops, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the mop’s performance, the time it takes to heat up, runtime, steam setting, additional functionality, build quality, warranty and value.

The Best Steam Mops

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Shark Klik n’ Flip

(How We Review →)

Shark is well-known for their high-quality cleaning machines and the Klik n’ Flip follows that great reputation and is built to the highest of standards. For improved cleaning, a standout feature of this model are the three intelligent direct steam controls that allow you to provide consistent and targeted cleaning without leaving any streaks across the floor.

Another unique and intuitive feature of this mop are the double-sided cleaning pads. The purpose of this design is that you can quickly flip the mop head and clean twice the area you would when compared to a single-sided mop.

Pros
  • Heat output of 1,200W
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  • Choice of three steam settings
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  • Supplied with 2 dirt drip pads
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  • 8 metre long power cord
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  • "Steam Blast" technology for a blast of super heated steam
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  • During testing, we found it to be easy to use thanks to the swivel steering for manoeuvrability
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  • Provides up to 15 minutes of steam (380 ml capacity)
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  • Takes 30 seconds to fully heat up
Cons
  • Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives

Although expensive, the Shark Klick n’ Flip is the ultimate steam mop that ticks all the boxes and is suitable for all types of floors. For complete peace of mind, it also comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty too.

2. Best Performing: Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix

(How We Review →)

Karcher is a highly reputable brand and well-known for their pressure washers. However, they do produce many other premium products such as the SC3 Easyfix, which is a powerful steam mop with a choice of 6 steam settings.

According to Karcher, this steam mop can heat up in just 20 seconds and provide super-heated steam that removes 99.9% of all common household bacteria on hard surfaces.

Pros
  • Heats up in 20 seconds
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  • Provides 15 minutes of steam
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  • Descaling cartridge
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  • 6 predefined steam settings
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  • Carpet glider for easy movement on carpets or rugs
Cons
  • Most expensive within our roundup

To conclude, the Karcher SC3 Easyfix is a high-performance steam mop that’s capable of producing powerful steam that can be set at 6 different power settings. If it wasn’t for the premium price tag, it would definitely be one of the best. However, if budget isn’t an issue, the SC3 Easyfix is a great choice that’s produced by the reputable Karcher brand.

3. Most Versatile: H2O X5 Steam Mop

(How We Review →)

The H2O X5 is one of many steam mops that the brand offers and it has a clever design that converts into a powerful steam cleaner. It also comes with a range of accessories for cleaning other areas of the home other than the floor.

In terms of performance, the brand state that it takes just 15 seconds to heat up and it provides 15 minutes of steam.

Pros
  • Heats up in just 15 seconds
    •
  • Variable steam control
    •
  • Available in red or green
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  • 1,300 watts of power
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  • 400 ml water tank capacity
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  • Suitable for all types of flooring
Cons
  • Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives

If you require both a steam mop and a standard cleaner, the intuitive H2O X5 is by far the best option. It works on all soft, hard or sealed floors and it comes with a range of accessories for cleaning other surfaces in your home too.

4. Best Budget: Vileda 157171 Steam Mop

(How We Review →)

By far the most popular steam mop in the UK is by the Vileda brand and it’s designed for those on a budget but still require performance. This is because although it’s a cheap steam mop, it’s still able to heat up in just 15 seconds and run for up to 28 minutes. Another great benefit of this steam mop is that it can be used on all types of flooring too.

Pros
  • Heats up in 15 seconds
    •
  • Can be used for up to 28 minutes
    •
  • Supplied with a carpet glider attachment
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  • Suitable for all hard sealed floors
    •
  • Supplied with two microfiber mop heads
    •
  • Backed by a two year warranty
Cons
  • Construction quality could be improved when compared to the alternatives

Compared to any of the alternatives on the market, it’s the best budget steam mop in the UK that also comes with a two-year warranty. It’s lightweight, easy to use and heats up quickly for cleaning all the floors in your home.

5. Best All-Rounder: Hoover Steam Capsule Mop

(How We Review →)

The Hoover Steam Capsule is the brand’s new and improved steam mop that’s suitable for all floors and guaranteed for 12 months. What makes it unique when compared to other options in our roundup is that it features a large 700 ml tank, which heats up in just 30 seconds and provides an impressive runtime of up to 50 minutes.

In terms of controlling the steam power, it has an electronic control that allows you to choose between low, medium or high steam to best suit your cleaning requirements.

Pros
  • Natural floor cleaning without detergents
    •
  • Suitable for cleaning all floors
    •
  • Low, medium and high power steam modes
    •
  • Supplied with a glider accessory, scrubbing nozzle and 2 mops
    •
  • 1,700W heating output
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  • Heats up in 30 seconds
    •
  • Max steam time of 50 minutes
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  • Compact storage with removable handle
Cons
  • During testing, we found it to be quite heavy and more difficult to manoeuvre when compared to other steam mops we've tested

Overall, the Hoover Steam Capsule is an excellent all-round steam mop that provides great performance and can be used for extended periods. Whether you are using it on parquet, stone or laminate floors, this mop won’t disappoint.

6. Best Budget Runner-Up: Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean

(How We Review →)

Another popular budget steam mop is the Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean. For the money, it offers great performance, a two-year warranty and an intuitive design that’s lightweight and easy to use.

Pros
  • Heats up in 25 seconds and provides up to 25 minutes of steam
    •
  • Tilt axis head for ease of use
    •
  • Trigger control and automatic switch off
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  • 5 metre power cord
    •
  • Supplied with 2 microfiber pads
    •
  • Backed by a one year warranty
Cons
  • During our testing of this steam mop, we found that the triangular base made it awkward to clean certain areas (a rectangular shape would've been easier)

To conclude, the Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean is one of the cheapest steam mops on the market that’s actually worth buying. Unlike similarly priced alternatives, it’s backed by a reputable brand and also comes with a two-year warranty.

Conclusion

Investing in a quality steam mop is highly recommended for those with hard flooring around. This is because they are a natural method of cleaning floors and they benefit from not requiring any detergent whatsoever. All that you need to do to use a steam mop is simply pour water into the tank, allow it to heat up, choose the steam setting and you are good to go.

All of our recommendations within our roundup are suitable for all budgets and designed to clean all types of flooring. However, if you require further information regarding our steam mop recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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