The 11 Best Steam Cleaners, According to People Who Really, *Really* Love Them

1. Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

Best Overall Steam Cleaner

With its 17-piece accessory kit, the Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner can remove grime from just about any surface. Truly. After getting mesmerized by TikTok videos showing how the machine cleans window screens, stoves, floors, countertops and refrigerator handles, we had to try it out firsthand. With nearly an hour's cleaning time per fill up, we were able to deep clean a sofa, ottoman and all of the windows and mirrors in a two-story house.

While it didn't get out every sofa stain—admittedly, five-year-old ink stains are wishful thinking to remove at this point—it was remarkable (and horrifying) to see how much grime the microfiber bonnet picked up that other stain removers and vacs did not. Also impressive: The Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner's ability to remove hard water stains from shower walls. That said, its versatility—paired with its results—earned it our pick for the best overall steam cleaner.

2. Pursteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner

Best Steam Cleaner Under $50

If you’re looking for an affordable steam cleaner to get into those hard-to-reach places in your home and spot-clean all kinds of surfaces, the PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner is calling your name. Not only is it less than $40 with more than 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon, but it comes with a nine-piece accessory set designed to remove grease, grime, mold and stains. Don’t let the lower price and small size fool you though: “This little steamer packs one powerful punch,” one reviewer wrote. “This cleans grout like nobody’s business and is absolutely incredible at removing grease. I also used it to clean kitchen cupboards in preparation of a touchup staining…JUST BUY IT!” Well, if you insist.

3. Pursteam Multipurpose Steam Mop Cleaner

Best Steam Cleaner Under $100

Looking for a steam cleaner that can clean triple the surface area for just about double the price? PurSteam has you covered with that one, too. Their Multipurpose Steam Mop Cleaner is lightweight and easy to maneuver, plus its various accessories make it easy to clean floors, windows, mirrors, glass, furniture, and even—wait for it—clothes.

4. Mcculloch Canister Steam Cleaner

Best Indoor/Outdoor Steam Cleaner

Sometimes when you have one project in mind, you buy a solution for that problem specifically. But what if we told you there’s a steam cleaner that can do it all, so spending the extra money would be a worthwhile investment (for the cleanliness of your entire home and sparing you from a closet full of gadgets)? On top of its rave reviews, this heavy-duty cleaner comes with 20 different accessories so you can steam anything your heart desires, indoors and out. It tackles hard floors, showers and cabinets just as easily as it cleans barbecue grills and patios. Something to keep in mind, though: While this McCulloch can use steam to loosen stains in your carpet, it doesn’t have suction technology, so it's not great for heavy-duty carpet cleaning.

5. Hoover Powerdash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner

Best Steam Cleaner for Pet Owners

There’s no denying furry family members make life better, but when they have an accident or slobber all over your favorite rug or irreplaceable carpet, you might start to wonder why you decided to become a pet person instead of a plant person. Thankfully, the Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner is one reviewers swear by to remedy pets’ mishaps. Patty, an Amazon reviewer who runs dog services (like boarding and daycare) from her home, says “it picks up a CRAZY amount of deeply imbedded [stet] debris, dirt, stains, and hair. The difference in how much cleaner my carpet is after using it is OUTSTANDING!” Plus, it’s lightweight, easy-to-store, great for high-traffic locations and small spaces. And if it also works for Roush the Doberman, we’re convinced this is the steam cleaner every pet owner needs.

6. Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine

Best Steam Cleaner for Families

Of course, if your family members have two legs instead of four, having a steam cleaner to clean up after them is also a necessity. Hoover’s Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner makes being a parent a little less hard on the home (no offense, kids). In case the sale price isn’t enough to make you hit “add to cart,” check out the before and after pictures (spoiler alert: They’re so satisfying).

7. Bissell Proheat 2x Revolution

Best Steam Cleaner for Carpets

If you’ve ever considered replacing your old carpets because of how dirty they are but didn’t want to spend the money on new flooring, please watch this TikTok video. We had to literally stop ourselves from watching it (another) 50 times because the transformation is that remarkable. In the video, you can watch as the steam cleaner takes a rug covered with milk stains, dirt and dog poo, and makes it look brand new. While that exact model is unfortunately no longer available, the Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution is just as amazing (if not better), with one reviewer going as far as to say “it’s just like the commercials.”

8. Shark Genius Hard Floor Steam Mop

Best Steam Cleaner for Hard Floors

Yet another best-selling steam cleaner just under $100, the Shark Genius Hard Floor Steam Mop comes with dirt grip pads that are washable, reusable and extra-absorbent to deep clean hard floors, whether yours are sealed wood, ceramic, linoleum, granite or marble. In addition to having dual-sided mop pads that can be flipped when one side gets dirty, this steam cleaner also has touch-free technology that allows you to attach and detach the pads without even having to use your hands. Might seem like a small addition, but the little things are always the gamechangers.

9. Bissell Spotclean Proheat Portable Spot And Stain Carpet Cleaner

Best Portable Steam Cleaner

Perhaps the most frustrating stains are the ones in tricky places, like carpet-covered stairs or the nooks and crannies of your car. No matter what you’re trying to reach though, the long hose on Bissell’s SpotClean ProHeat portable steam cleaner is ideal for permanently removing deep and tough stains. It even includes tools to help with each (this TikTok video of it is truly impressive). Not to mention the fact that it being portable makes storage more convenient and lugging it around (especially up and down stairs) a breeze.

10. Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner

Best Steam Cleaner for Wine & Food Stains

Since this spot cleaner is designed for dealing with pets' messes, that means it's great at removing tough stains and odors—like the milk your toddler dumped on the loveseat or the spaghetti sauce that splashed on your rug. A dual-tank system keeps dirty and clean water separate, and its small size and carpet-friendly wheels make it easy to pull out at a moment's notice to clean up spills immediately.

11. Bissell Little Green Proheat Steam Cleaner

Best Steam Cleaner for Furniture & Upholstery

After witnessing how the Bissell Little Green ProHeat cleans up this family’s favorite white chair, you won’t need any other reason to invest in this steam cleaner. But, in case you don’t feel like watching the video—or need a little more convincing—we’ll break it down. The steam cleaner uses HeatWave Technology to maintain a consistent water temperature so it can easily zap away stains on upholstery, leaving it looking brand new.