Steam Mops: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentThis detailed comparison review by a resident of Austin, Texas, is highlighted amongst other owner-written reviews of steam mops at Amazon.com. Reviewer "A. Chandler" enlists her neighbors in a comparison test of seven steam mops and uses a commercial cooking thermometer to measure the temperature of the steam from each mop. The Bissell and Shark steam mops are judged uncomfortably short, require manual pumping or trigger pulling to release steam and don't get hot enough to sanitize. Also, the Bissell requires removal of the tank to refill the water. Top ranking goes to the Eureka Envirosteamer, for sturdy build, light weight, a longer handle, hot steam and the longest running time between refills (more than 20 minutes). The Euroflex Monster Floor Steam Cleaner is judged a close second. Though heavier and more expensive, it does have attachments to clean carpets. The review also covers a Haan steam mop (apparently the FS20), which is judged too flimsy.

Our AssessmentNone of the five steam mops tested elicits enthusiasm from the reviewer, though all are in the $100 price range. Three of the mops do a better job of cleaning stains: the Reliable Steamboy T1, Shark Steam Mop Deluxe and Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501. (The Shark Steam Mop Deluxe S3102 is a version of the Shark Steam Mop S3101 offered at certain retailers that has a larger water reservoir, a longer power cord and comes with three extra cleaning pads.) Tests here find the H2O Mop Ultra hard to push, while the Bissell 1867-7 Steam Mop leaves the floor visibly wet.

Our AssessmentAmazon.com invites consumers to post candid reviews of the products they own. These reviews and ratings often cover several years of use, making it easier to compare steam mops for durability, performance and ease of use. Several brands get high average ratings here, with most owners satisfied, but the complaints highlight specific drawbacks. The Haan SI-35 Slim & Light Sanitizing Steam Mop gets the highest average rating here with more than 80 percent rating it 4 stars or higher out of 5. The Bissell 1867-7 ranks a close second. The Shark Steam Mop is criticized for the effort required to pump out the steam and for a flimsy design. As for steam vacuums, the Bissell Steam & Sweep 46B4, the Haan SV-60 Steam Vacuum and the Shark Vac-then-Steam are all given middling reviews with complaints about suction power and varying steam capabilities. Of note, the Shark Vac-then-Steam is the only steam vacuum that is incapable of using both of those features at the same time.

Our AssessmentEpinions.com invites consumers to post reviews of the products they own, and you can sort the models by their average rating to find the top-rated models. Unfortunately, only a few steam mops have accumulated enough owner-written reviews here to make their average ratings significant. For example, at the time of our report, the Haan FS-20 earns a perfect 5-star rating, but from only three owners. The Bissell 1867-7 Steam Mop is the most popular steam mop and rates 4 stars, though some users complain that it leaves streaks on their floor. The Shark Steam Mop S3101 rates average, but many complain about its poor cleaning and the handle pump mechanism required to release the steam.

Our AssessmentBest Buy sells the most popular brands of steam mop, but only some of the models have accumulated enough owner-written reviews to make their average ratings significant. The top rankers include Bissell 1867-7 Steam Mop, Eureka Envirosteamer 313A, the Haan FS-20 Sanitizing Steam Mop and the FS-20 Plus. The Haan FS-20 Plus is the same steam mop as the FS-20, but it includes a sanitizing tray for carpets, six microfiber pads and a short handle attachment. The Shark Steam Mops have too few reviews to make a significant determination.

Our AssessmentThis comparison chart covers the features and ratings of four Haan steam mops plus the Reliable Steamboy T1, the Gruene Handheld Steam Cleaner and Mop and the SteamFast Steam Mop SF140, the only steam mops sold here. Each steam mop gets a detailed review plus reviews and ratings from owners. The top rating here from AllergyBuyersClub.com's expert reviewer and customer reviews goes to the Haan SI-35 Slim & Light Sanitizing Steam Mop, with users citing its ease of use and the large variety of surfaces on which it is effective. The remaining Haan models, FS-20, FS-30 and FS-50 are given high reviews as well. The Reliable Steamboy T1 and the Steamboy packaged with the handheld Pronto are both reviewed well, while the Gruene Handheld Steam Cleaner and Mop and the SteamFast Steam Mop SF-140 rank lowest, though both with still average reviews. The Haan SV-60 Steam Vacuum does not have any user reviews, but it does receive a good rating from the site's experts.

Our AssessmentThis brief review includes a link to a video showing tests of the Shark Steam Mop on tile and wooden floors. The tester, who usually cleans floors on her hands and knees, says the Shark "steams the dirt right out of" the grout and leaves the floors noticeably cleaner -- so the Shark earns the highest possible rating here.

Our AssessmentReporter Lauren Keith puts the Shark Steam Mop through extensive tests, first in the bathroom and kitchen of a Sikeston, Mo., insurance company, then on a wooden floor in another tester's home. The Shark requires several passes to remove caked-on dirt from a tile floor, but it removes scuff marks that other tools hadn't been able to get off. The Shark makes quick work of sticky soft-drink spills and grease spots on a wooden kitchen floor. Floors dry quickly after use. Though there are no disposable pads to buy, the tool still seems pricey to the testers, so the overall grade is a B-plus.

Our AssessmentThis blogger does an excellent job of highlighting the pros and cons of a Shark Steam Mop S3101. The reviewer, a computer programmer and mother of four, tests the Shark in her home and finds that it cleans about as well as a standard mop. She notes that it works well on her wood floors and that you can refill the tank without waiting for the mop to cool. She lists the required handle pump action for steam as a benefit because it gives her arm a workout. However, the mop stops working after three years, and she decides that she doesn't miss it enough to purchase a replacement. Many readers add comments pro and con.

Our AssessmentAt the time of our report, only a few steam mops have accumulated enough owner-written reviews here to make their average ratings significant. The SteamFast SF-140 Steam Mop ranks highest with users noting its ease of use, but many wish it had a longer power cord and a larger water reservoir. The other SteamFast models, the SF-292 and SF-141, rank high as well. The Haan FS-20 Sanitizing Steam Mop beats the Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 here, but only a handful of owners review each.

Our AssessmentThe choices here are apparently based on features and owner-written reviews, with no actual testing documented. Because the reviews include links to so many owner-written review sites, this can be a good place to check out ratings once you've narrowed your choice to two or three steam mops.

Our AssessmentThis site offers user reviews and ratings, but its main attraction is the question-and-answer section, in which owners answer specific questions from prospective buyers. Only two steam mops and one steam vacuum have a significant number of user reviews from which to draw a consensus: the Haan SI-35 Slim & Light Sanitizing Steam Mop, the Haan FS-20 Sanitizing Steam Mop and the Shark Vac-then-Steam MV2010Q. Users praise the Haan SI-35 Slim & Light's ease of use and versatility, though reviewers have variable results with the steam mop on grout. In addition, the users that post negative reviews often report the steam mop breaking within the first year. The Haan FS-20 is close to the Slim & Light in ratings and has similar praises and complaints. The Shark Vac-then-Steam receives an average rating, with complaints about the vacuum being loud and having poor suction.