Buyer's Guide Table of Contents (Click To Expand)
According to our tests, the McCullock MC1230 is the best handheld steam cleaner. It gives you the freedom to clean large areas, and effectively steams and sanitizes better than many other options in its price range.
To see all of the steam cleaners we tested, keep reading.
Steam Cleaner | Summary |
|---|---|
Lambow Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner  | If you want a powerful steam cleaner with a high level of safety, then this is the best option for you. This is ideal for parents or those who want to make sure that the boiling water used doesn’t hurt anyone. |
Mlmland Handheld Pressurized Cleaner  | With up to twenty minutes of steam in just three to four minutes, this powerful cleaner is ideal for a wide variety of surfaces. There are also eleven different accessories for the ultimate cleaning experience. |
McCullock MC1230  | If you want to forgo the need to recharge your device, then the 15-foot power cord allows you enough room to clean throughout your home. You also get eleven additional accessories to get those hard to reach spots. |
Paramound Home Handheld Steam Cleaner  | Nine accessories are included with this handheld steam cleaner to get an advanced clean without having to spend a lot of money. There is also a satisfaction guarantee that secures the return of your money if anything goes wrong. |
Vapamore MR-75  | If you want to not only clean your home but kill things like bed bugs, allergens, and dust mites, then this is a great option for you. There is also a lifetime warranty for this handheld steamer. |
Our Picks For Handheld Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaning is a proven method of cleaning up messes and ridding your home of germs without having to use chemicals. This is important for anyone like parents and pet owners who are looking to reduce their use of chemical exposure.
Steam cleaners take chemicals completely out of the equation. It uses the steam from boiling water around 200 degrees Fahrenheit to kill all the germs in the area, while also getting rid of grime and stains as it goes. This way, you also minimize the amount of scrubbing at the same time.
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Pros:
- Comes with nine different accessories
- Can handle a wide range of surfaces
- Child lock for added safety
Cons:
- Not as durable as you may want
More About The Lambow Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
If you are nervous to use a pressurized steam cleaner, then the safety features from Lambow might help to put you at ease. It features a safety cover and child lock to prevent any unwanted users from exposing themselves to the boiling water and getting hurt.
With versatility in mind, there are also nine separate accessories included. They are a funnel, measuring cup, nylon brush, window cleaning tool, towel cloth, jet nozzle, upholstery tool, towel sleeve, bent nozzle and a flexible hose with a gun nozzle. With all these add on attachments, you can take on a wide range of surfaces like sinks, stoves, countertops, toilets, pet trays, car seats, barbeques, toys, clothing mattress liners and much more.
This device also provides you with twenty minutes of use at a time and a powerful 1050 watts of steam pressure.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
PurSteam  | Comforday  |
Sienna Steam Birdie  | Steamfast SF-370WH  |
Pros:
- Eleven separate accessories included for the best cleaning experience
- 1050 W of power with water at 250 to 270 degrees Fahrenheit
- Can be used to clean a wide range of areas and items
Cons:
- Could hold more water
More About The Mlmland Handheld Pressurized Cleaner
If you are looking for a versatile steam cleaner, Mimland has just the device for you. It takes only three to four minutes to have your water boiling between 250 and 270 degrees Fahrenheit and provides you with up to twenty minutes of use at a time.
You can take on almost any floor type and can clean everything from kitchen counters to kids’ toys, and even clothing. This makes it a fantastic way to clean almost anything and the eleven attachments allow you to take on more complex locations.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
PurSteam | Comforday |
Sienna Steam Birdie | Steamfast SF-370WH |
Pros:
- A locking steam trigger keeps a continuous flow going as you need
- Comes with eleven different accessories to get the most efficient clean
- Has a 15-foot power cord to prevent waiting to recharge
Cons:
- Only ten minutes of continuous steam
More About The McCullock MC1230
McCulloch's American made handheld steam cleaner is a durable, yet comfortable device to use. There are eleven separate attachments to choose from to make sure you get the best cleaning for the individual jobs. There is also a 15-foot power cord to allow you to move freely as you clean without needing to stay too close to an outlet.
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RElated Products | |
|---|---|
PurSteam | Comforday |
Sienna Steam Birdie | Steamfast SF-370WH |
Pros:
- Can clean a wide range of surfaces and items
- Produces 1050 W of 250 to 270-degree Fahrenheit water
- Money back guarantee
Cons:
- Could have a longer running time
More About The Paramound Home Handheld Steam Cleaner
A powerful steam shot is produced from this compact handheld steam cleaner with 1050 watts for ideal pressure. This allows you to quickly and efficiently clean a wide range of objects and surfaces without needing to scrub, mop or use chemicals. There is also a safety cap and lock to prevent unwanted use from children. There is also a sensor light to let you know when the water levels are getting low.
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
PurSteam | Comforday |
Sienna Steam Birdie | Steamfast SF-370WH |
Pros:
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Allows you to clean and remove stains, grease, grime, and dirt
- Is able to kill bed bugs, dust mites, allergens and germs
Cons:
- Could be more affordable
More About The Vapamore MR-75
While the water tank does not need any chemicals to clean, this Vapamore MR-75 goes beyond just cleaning and disinfecting, but also killing several unwanted pests. This includes eliminating germs, dust mites, allergens, and even bed bugs. There is also a lifetime guarantee on this device that allows you to return it at any time if something goes wrong, or you just aren't happy.
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
PurSteam | Comforday |
Sienna Steam Birdie | Steamfast SF-370WH |
Features to Consider
Tank size
The size of your steamer's tank will affect how long it takes you to complete your chores. A larger tank can hold more, which means that it can run for a longer time before it needs to be refilled. However, if you don't have a large space to cover, a small tank might do the trick.
This is dependent on your unique situation and cleaning needs. However, it’s also a matter of preference. There are no rules regulating whether you buy a big tank or a small one, so choose whichever suits you best.
Warm up time
Generally, most handheld steam mops are designed to warm up within just a few minutes. Regardless, it's still good to double-check the warm-up specs of your potential steam cleaner. The longer your steam cleaner takes to warm up, the less likely you are to turn to it.
Available attachments
Any quality handheld steamer will come with attachments. Seemingly unnecessary, some attachments are actually pretty handy. A few attachments that are commonly paired with handheld steamers include brushes for removing dirt and grime, squeegees that can be used on glass, and scrubbing pads.
To decide which attachments are best suited for your unique needs, take note of where you plan to use your steamer and what you want to use it on. Go from there.
Weight
Most handheld steamers are relatively lightweight. Although, certain models do weigh considerably less than their already lightweight counterparts. This is something to take into consideration if you’re looking for portability. After all, a heavy machine is more likely to be replaced by a lighter model and/or sit in the closet and collect dust.
Overall power
It might not be glaringly obvious, but different models of steamers do have different power levels. If you’re trying to tackle tough grease and stubborn stains, you’ll need to make sure that the steamer you buy has a lot of power. This means that you need to find a device that has a high-powered, focused steam output. This kind of output is great for spot cleaning, as well as difficult jobs.
Reasons to Own a Handheld Steamer
Storage is easy
One thing that prevents many people from investing in a steam cleaner is that since they are traditionally very bulky tools, they are hard to store. They take up a ton of room. Handheld steamers, however, are designed with storage in mind. They can be housed in cupboards or closets, and some models even fold up to be even more compact.
More affordable
When compared to traditional models, handheld steam cleaners are much more affordable. Since they are smaller, they come with smaller price tags, which is something that many homeowners appreciate.
Multi-purpose
Another great thing about these handy tools is that they can be used in a variety of places. They can be used on small bathroom windows or grubby tiles, kitchen counters, the living room floor, or in the office lounge. They can also be used on several different surfaces including glass, tile, carpet, marble, and hardwood.
Ease of use
In addition to being versatile, compact, and modern, they are also easy to use and very user-friendly. Most steam cleaners come with just a few buttons and clear instructions that make learning to use them simply. They can be mastered within one or two uses.
Usage Tips and Techniques
Be aware of the temperature
By this, we mean that it’s generally a good idea to avoid using a hot steam cleaner on something that is very cold or vice versa. For example, attempting to team clean a frosty window in the middle of winter using a high-power steam cleaner could result in the shattering of your window...and a giant mess. Before steam cleaning, be sure to think about the temperatures in your immediate area.
Be careful with the placement of your hot steamer
After you’ve finished using your handheld steamer, make sure that you do not set it down on top of a carpet or surface that is easily damaged. Even after you’ve disconnected and turned your steamer off, it will still be both hot and moist for a few minutes. During this time, it’s best to place it on top of something metal, such as a garbage can.
Disconnect before refilling
Before you refill your steamer or try to switch attachments, make sure that the steamer has been turned off and that the power cord has been unplugged. This will ensure that the device doesn’t get damaged and that you, the user, stays safe and avoid injury.
Use distilled water
Distilled water is easier on your steamer. If you have hard water, it’d be a good idea to purchase distilled water specifically for use with your steamer. Distilled water is easier for your steamer to utilize and, therefore, better for your steamer’s lifespan.
In addition, there is some evidence that using distilled water may also be better for the surfaces you’re using it on as well.
Conclusion
With handheld steamers so readily available, there are dozens of them to choose from. When trying to decide on one for yourself, remember the tips outlined above.
When using the steam cleaner you choose, stay safe and keep our usage tips at the front of your mind. Be cautious of the hot temperature, place your steamer in a safe location to cool, never try to fill or attach parts when the tool is plugged in, and opt for distilled water over hard water.
