The Best Steam Mops For Every Type Of Hard Floor
Mops that clean sealed laminate and tiled floors with nothing but hot water.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best steam mop is the Shark Klik n’ Flip. It steers round furniture easily, the double-sided pad saves a change halfway across the floor and three steam settings cover laminate through to tiles. On a tighter budget, the Vileda 157171 Steam Mop is the one to buy, as it heats quickly, runs longer per fill by Vileda's figures and has a two-year warranty.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Shark Klik n’ Flip
- Check price of Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix
Best Performing
Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFixHard water areas and anyone who wants fine control over the steam
- Check price of H2O X5 Steam Mop
- Check price of Vileda 157171 Steam Mop
- Check price of Hoover Steam Capsule Mop
Best All-Rounder
Hoover Steam Capsule MopLarge open-plan floors where runtime matters more than handling
- Check price of Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean
Best Budget Runner-Up
Russell Hobbs Steam and CleanSmall kitchens and bathrooms on the tightest budget
Check the floor before the mop. Tiles, sheet vinyl and sealed stone take steam happily, but some laminate and LVT makers rule it out in their care guides, and unsealed or waxed wood should never see it. Once you know the floor's fine, the trade-off is tank size against handling, since the longest-running mop here is also the hardest to steer.
We clean laminate, Karndean, vinyl and hardwood across our rentals and Airbnbs, and the six picks span a budget triangle-head mop to a Kärcher with a descaling cartridge.
How We Tested These Steam Mops On Our Own Floors
Between our homes and the rentals and Airbnbs we manage, we clean a real mix of hard floors, including laminate, Karndean luxury vinyl tiles, sheet vinyl and sealed hardwood. A mop and bucket still has its place, but steam does the same job with no chemicals and leaves far less water sitting on the boards.
We've used steam mops on laminate and wood floors, and these are the things we judged them on:
- Performance: How well the mop lifted everyday dirt from sealed floors
- Heat-up and runtime: How quickly it was ready and how long a tank lasts
- Steam control: Whether the steam can be turned down for laminate and up for tiles
- Handling: How easily the head steers around furniture
- Extras: What comes in the box beyond the mop itself
- Build, warranty and value: How solid the mop is for the money
The yellow handheld and the zigzag-pad mop in these photos aren't tied to a specific product in our list. Heat-up times, tank sizes, power ratings and runtimes come from each manufacturer, and we've said so where a figure is the brand's rather than our own.
The Best Steam Mops We Recommend
Every mop below is designed for sealed hard floors and runs on plain water. Where a mop handled better or worse than the rest in our testing, we've said so in its write-up.
Best Overall
Shark Klik n’ Flip
Best for: Most homes with a mix of laminate, vinyl and tiled floors
Check Price On AmazonThe swivel steering on the Klik n’ Flip is what impressed us most in testing. The head turns around table legs and kitchen units without being lifted and put back down, which makes it an easy mop to live with day to day.
The pad is double-sided, which means you flip the head over when one face gets grubby and carry on, cleaning twice the floor before a pad change. Shark gives it three steam settings plus a Steam Blast button for a burst of hotter steam on dried-on spills. It's quick to get going, with Shark quoting a 30 second heat-up from its 1,200W heater, and the 8 metre cord lets you do most of a room from one socket. The 380 ml tank is the limit, as Shark quotes up to 15 minutes of steam from it. Two pads come in the box, so one can be in the wash while you use the other.
What we like
- Swivel steering made it easy to work around furniture in our testing
- Double-sided pad covers twice the floor between changes
- Three steam settings plus a Steam Blast boost
- Long 8 metre power cord
- Heats up in 30 seconds according to Shark
- Two pads supplied so one can be washed while the other is used
What to know
- Costs more than the Vileda and Russell Hobbs budget mops
- A 380 ml tank gives around 15 minutes of steam, so bigger floors need a refill
Our verdict
Easy steering is the reason the Klik n’ Flip tops this list, and the double-sided pad means you're not stopping halfway across a kitchen to change it. With three steam settings, you can drop the output for laminate and turn it up for tiles. The 15 minute runtime is its weak spot, so anyone with a large open-plan ground floor should look at the Hoover Steam Capsule Mop.
Best Performing
Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix
Best for: Hard water areas and anyone who wants fine control over the steam
Check Price On AmazonKärcher built its name on pressure washers for patios and cars, and the SC 3 Upright EasyFix brings the same focus on cleaning power indoors. It has six preset steam levels, so you can keep the steam low on laminate and turn it right up on quarry tiles or a grubby utility room floor.
What sets it apart is the descaling cartridge in the water path, which catches limescale before it can choke the mop, and that matters in hard water areas. Kärcher quotes a 20 second heat-up and around 15 minutes of steam per fill, and says the steam removes 99.9% of common household bacteria from hard surfaces. There's also a carpet glider that slips over the head for freshening up rugs. It's the most expensive mop in this roundup, so it makes most sense if you'll use the extra steam settings.
What we like
- Six preset steam levels for different floors
- Heats up in 20 seconds according to Kärcher
- Descaling cartridge to catch limescale from hard water
- Carpet glider for freshening up rugs and carpets
- Kärcher says it removes 99.9% of common household bacteria
What to know
- The most expensive steam mop in our roundup
- Around 15 minutes of steam per fill is short for the price
Our verdict
The Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix is for anyone who wants fine control over the steam and lives in a hard water area where the descaling cartridge earns its keep. If you'd rather not pay the premium, the Shark Klik n’ Flip costs less, and the Hoover Steam Capsule Mop runs for much longer between fills.
Most Versatile
H2O X5 Steam Mop
Best for: Homes that want one machine for floors, tiles and worktops
Check Price On AmazonThe X5 is the one to pick if you want more than a floor mop. It converts into a handheld steam cleaner for tiles, grout and worktops, and it comes with a set of attachments for jobs around the rest of the house.
On the floor it behaves like a standard steam mop, with variable steam control so you can turn the output down for laminate. H2O quotes 1,300 watts, a 15 second heat-up and around 15 minutes of steam from the 400 ml tank. The brand says it suits all types of flooring, but as with any steam mop, check your floor manufacturer's care guide before using it on laminate, unsealed wood or luxury vinyl. It comes in red or green.
What we like
- Converts into a handheld steam cleaner
- Set of attachments for cleaning beyond the floor
- Variable steam control
- Heats up in 15 seconds according to H2O
- 400 ml water tank
- Choice of red or green
What to know
- Dearer than a floor-only mop if you won't use the handheld mode
- Runtime of around 15 minutes is no longer than the Shark
Our verdict
Choose the H2O X5 if you want one machine for floors, shower screens, grout and kitchen surfaces and don't have space for a separate steam cleaner. If floors are the only job, a floor-only mop such as the Vileda 157171 costs far less.
Best Budget
Vileda 157171 Steam Mop
Best for: Flats and smaller homes buying a first steam mop on a budget
Check Price On AmazonThe Vileda is the mop for anyone who wants steam cleaning without paying for extras they won't use. It's light and simple, with one job to do, and it does it well on sealed hard floors such as tiles, vinyl and sealed laminate.
Vileda quotes a 15 second heat-up and up to 28 minutes of use per fill, which is a longer runtime than the dearer Shark and Kärcher manage. Two microfibre mop heads come in the box along with a carpet glider for rugs, and it's backed by a two-year warranty. The trade-off is build quality, which isn't up to the dearer mops here, so treat it gently when you're pushing into corners.
What we like
- Up to 28 minutes of use per fill according to Vileda
- Heats up in 15 seconds
- Two microfibre mop heads included
- Carpet glider for rugs
- Two-year warranty
- Light and easy to carry upstairs
What to know
- Build quality feels less solid than the dearer mops in this list
Our verdict
For a first steam mop in a flat or smaller home, the Vileda 157171 is hard to argue with. You get a quick heat-up, a longer run per fill than the Shark or Kärcher and two years of warranty cover for very little outlay. The build won't take rough treatment, so spend more on the Shark Klik n’ Flip if the mop will be used hard every day.
Best All-Rounder
Hoover Steam Capsule Mop
Best for: Large open-plan floors where runtime matters more than handling
Check Price On AmazonThe Hoover is built for big floors around a large 700 ml tank. Hoover quotes up to 50 minutes of steam from a fill and a 30 second heat-up, so you can work through a large open-plan kitchen and hallway without stopping to top up.
That tank has a cost, though. In our testing the Hoover felt heavy and was harder to manoeuvre than the other mops we've used. An electronic control switches between low, medium and high steam, and it has a 1,700W heater. A glider, a scrubbing nozzle and two mop pads come in the box, and the handle comes off for storing it in a cupboard. Hoover backs it with a 12 month guarantee.
What we like
- Large 700 ml tank
- Up to 50 minutes of steam according to Hoover
- Low, medium and high steam settings
- Glider, scrubbing nozzle and two pads included
- Removable handle for compact storage
- 1,700W heater
What to know
- Felt heavy and harder to steer than the other mops in our testing
- Shorter 12 month guarantee than the Vileda
Our verdict
Runtime is the whole story with the Hoover Steam Capsule Mop. Up to 50 minutes from a fill, by Hoover's figures, gets a big open-plan floor done in one go, but it's heavy and slow to steer. Smaller rooms full of furniture suit the Shark Klik n’ Flip far better.
Best Budget Runner-Up
Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean
Best for: Small kitchens and bathrooms on the tightest budget
Check Price On AmazonRussell Hobbs keeps the Steam and Clean simple, with a trigger on the handle to release steam only when you want it and an automatic switch-off for safety. The head tilts as you push, which keeps the pad flat on the floor as you change direction, and it's light enough to carry between floors.
Russell Hobbs quotes a 25 second heat-up and up to 25 minutes of steam, and two microfibre pads come in the box. The one thing that bothered us in testing was the triangular head, which is awkward in certain areas. A rectangular head would have made cleaning along skirting boards and around kitchen plinths easier. The 5 metre cord is also shorter than the Shark's, so you'll swap sockets more in a big room.
What we like
- Trigger control releases steam only when needed
- Automatic switch-off
- Tilting head keeps the pad flat on the floor
- Up to 25 minutes of steam according to Russell Hobbs
- Two microfibre pads supplied
What to know
- Triangular head was awkward to use along edges in our testing
- Shorter 5 metre cord than the Shark
Our verdict
The Russell Hobbs Steam and Clean is a sensible cheap mop for small kitchens and bathrooms where a trigger and a light body matter more than edge cleaning. If you clean a lot of straight skirting and plinths, the swivel head on the Shark Klik n’ Flip is easier to work along the edges.
What To Look For In A Steam Mop
Most steam mops look alike on the shelf, but the differences show once you've done a few floors. Before buying one for a home or a rental, we look closely at five things.
Check Your Floor Can Take Steam
Steam is safe on glazed tiles, sheet vinyl and sealed stone, and it's brilliant on kitchen floors that get greasy. Laminate, luxury vinyl tiles and wooden floors need more care, because heat and moisture can work into the joints and lift the edges of the boards. Some laminate and LVT makers say not to steam their floors at all, so read the care guide before you start, and our complete guide to Karndean flooring explains how that brand looks after its own floors.
Unsealed wood, waxed floors and anything with gaps between the boards should never be steamed. On sealed laminate, use the lowest steam setting and keep the mop moving so the heat doesn't sit in one place.
Tank Size And Runtime
Runtime comes down to tank size and how hard you run the steam. The Shark and Kärcher give around 15 minutes per fill, the Vileda quotes 28 and the Hoover quotes up to 50 from its 700 ml tank. For a flat or a kitchen and bathroom, 15 minutes is plenty. For a big open-plan ground floor, a larger tank saves several trips to the tap.
Steam Settings And Heat-Up Time
A choice of steam levels is more useful than it sounds. Low steam suits laminate and vinyl, while high steam shifts grease on tiles and sticky patches by the bin. The mops here heat up in 15 to 30 seconds according to their makers, so heat-up time is rarely the deciding factor.
Hard water matters too. Limescale builds up inside a steam mop over time and cuts the steam flow, which is why the Kärcher's descaling cartridge is handy in hard water areas. If your manual allows it, filtered or distilled water slows the build-up on mops without a cartridge.
Head Shape Weight And Steering
The head decides how close you get to skirting boards, toilet bases and kitchen plinths. Rectangular heads get tight into straight edges, and a swivel joint like the Shark's lets you steer around furniture. In our testing the Russell Hobbs triangle head was awkward in places and the heavy Hoover was harder to manoeuvre, so weigh up handling against tank size.
Pads And Extras
Two pads in the box means one can go through the washing machine while you use the other, and most microfibre pads wash well at a warm setting. A carpet glider freshens up rugs, but it won't deep clean carpet like one of the best carpet cleaners for stubborn stains. For tiled walls and dirty grout lines, a handheld steam unit like the H2O X5 helps, and our guide on cleaning bathroom tiles and grout covers the rest of the job.
Steam Mop Questions From Our Readers
Can you use a steam mop on laminate flooring?
You can use a steam mop on sealed laminate if the flooring manufacturer allows it, but some laminate brands advise against steam because heat and moisture can swell the board edges. Check the care guide first. If steam is allowed, use the lowest setting, keep the mop moving and never leave it standing on the floor while it's switched on.
Can you put floor cleaner in a steam mop?
No, most steam mops are made to run on water only, and adding floor cleaner or disinfectant can block the steam jets and void the warranty. The heat of the steam does the cleaning on its own. If you want a scent or a stronger clean, check whether your model accepts the manufacturer's own fragrance discs or cartridges, and use only those.
Should you use tap water or distilled water in a steam mop?
Tap water is fine in most steam mops, but in a hard water area limescale builds up inside the boiler and slows the steam. Some manufacturers recommend mixing tap water with distilled or demineralised water to cut the scale, and mops like the Kärcher SC 3 use a descaling cartridge instead. Your manual will say which water your model needs.
Do steam mops work on carpet?
Steam mops can freshen up carpets and rugs when fitted with a carpet glider, which lets the head slide over the pile. That lifts surface dust and smells but won't remove deep stains or ground-in dirt. For a proper carpet clean, a dedicated carpet cleaner that sprays and sucks back water does a much better job.
Is the Hoover Steam Capsule Mop too heavy for a small kitchen?
For a small, furniture-filled room, yes. In our testing the Hoover felt heavy and was harder to manoeuvre than the other mops we've used, and its 700 ml tank is the reason. Hoover quotes up to 50 minutes of steam from a fill, so it earns its place on a large open-plan floor. For smaller rooms, the Shark Klik n’ Flip steers far better.
Is the Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix worth paying more than the Shark?
Only if you'll use its extra features. The Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix is the most expensive steam mop in our roundup, with six preset steam levels and a descaling cartridge that earns its keep in hard water areas. The Shark Klik n’ Flip costs less and has three steam settings, which cover laminate through to tiles.
Can the H2O X5 replace a separate steam cleaner?
For light jobs, yes. The H2O X5 converts into a handheld steam cleaner for tiles, grout and worktops, and it comes with attachments for jobs around the house, so it suits anyone without room for a second machine. If floors are the only job, a floor-only mop such as the Vileda 157171 costs far less.
Is the Vileda 157171 tough enough for a rental property?
It's fine for a flat or smaller home, but it won't take rough treatment. The Vileda 157171 has a two-year warranty, runs for up to 28 minutes per fill according to Vileda and comes with two microfibre mop heads. The build feels less solid than the dearer mops, so spend more on the Shark Klik n’ Flip if it'll be used hard every day.
Our Pick Of The Steam Mops
The Shark Klik n’ Flip is the steam mop we'd buy for most homes, as its swivel steering gets round a furnished room easily and the flip pad saves stopping mid-job. If budget comes first, the Vileda 157171 cleans sealed floors well and runs for longer per fill than the Shark.
For a big open-plan floor, the Hoover Steam Capsule Mop goes furthest between refills, as long as you can live with its weight.
Richard has spent years renovating properties and turning them into rentals and Airbnbs. Like a lot of people he started out as a beginner, and these days there isn't much DIY he won't take on.