A steam mop heats water into steam and pushes it through a washable pad, so you can clean sealed hard floors without a cleaning spray. Here’s how to choose one, plus four steam mops from the top 15 of the Floor Steam Cleaners Best Sellers.
Quick answer
Affiliate links (paid links) below. Details
Use a steam mop on sealed hard floors, and check Health Canada’s recall notices for the brand and model before you plug one in. Health Canada’s dust advice is to clean floors with a damp mop or cloth. It has also recalled BISSELL Steam Shot handheld steam cleaners because steam or hot water could escape and burn people.
A simple place to start: the BISSELL PowerFresh Slim, ranked #7 in Floor Steam Cleaners when we checked. Its product page lists a 25-foot cord, a lift-off handheld steamer and a grout tool. Want three steam settings? The Shark SteamSpot is ranked #5 and has Light, Normal and Deep modes.
Four steam mops, by what matters to you
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| BISSELL PowerFresh Slim 3-in-1 steam mop (2075A) | Best if you want one machine for floors, grout and clothes. It has a lift-off handheld steamer, an extension for above-floor cleaning and a 25-foot cord. Listed at 2.72 kg, 1050 watts and a 0.36 L tank. #7 in Floor Steam Cleaners when we checked. | See price |
| Shark SteamSpot steam mop (S2001C) | Best if you want a choice of steam strength. It has three steam modes (Light, Normal and Deep), a steam blaster for stuck-on spots and two washable pads. Listed at 3.56 kg, the heaviest of the four. #5 in Floor Steam Cleaners when we checked. | See price |
| Aspiron 12-in-1 steam mop (AS-CA039) | Best if you want fast heat-up. Listed with a 15-second heat-up, 1500 watts, a 385 ml tank and a detachable handle. Listed at 2.72 kg. #13 in Floor Steam Cleaners when we checked. | See price |
| Mxnsewr steam mop with 11 accessories (MxC021) | Best if you want a bigger tank. Listed at 450 ml, with 1200 watts, a 20-second heat-up and 11 accessories. Listed at 2.82 kg. #9 in Floor Steam Cleaners when we checked. | See price |
Weights and features come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
What does Health Canada say about steam cleaners?
Two sets of Health Canada pages are worth a look before you buy.
- Dust and dust mites: Health Canada says to clean your floors and household surfaces with a damp mop or cloth. It doesn’t mention steam cleaning.
- Recalls: Health Canada recalled the BISSELL Steam Shot handheld steam cleaner (models 2994B, 2994C, 2994D, 39N7C, 39N7H, 39N7J, 39N7X and 39N7E) because steam or hot water may escape while it heats or is in use. More than 350,000 were sold in Canada, and the notice lists 44 incident reports and 37 injury reports in Canada.
- A second recall covers Steam Shot Omni and OmniReach attachments (models 4171B, 4171C, 4171D, 4171J, 4171H and 4171X), which can detach and release hot water or steam. Health Canada says to stop using them and contact BISSELL for free replacements.
- Neither notice lists the PowerFresh Slim (model 2075A).
How do you pick a steam mop?
- Floors: steam mops are for sealed hard floors. The Shark product page recommends sealed hard floors, and the BISSELL page lists tile, hardwood, laminate and sealed floors. Check what your floor’s maker says about steam before you buy.
- Weight: you’ll push it room to room. The product pages list 2.72 kg for the BISSELL and the Aspiron, 2.82 kg for the Mxnsewr and 3.56 kg for the Shark.
- Tank: a bigger tank means fewer refills. The product pages list 360 ml for the BISSELL, 385 ml for the Aspiron and 450 ml for the Mxnsewr. The Shark page calls its tank XL and removable but gives no size.
- Heat-up and cord: the Aspiron lists a 15-second heat-up and the Mxnsewr 20 seconds. The BISSELL has a 25-foot cord.
- Extras: the BISSELL turns into a handheld steamer with a grout tool, the Shark has a steam blaster for stuck-on spots, and the Mxnsewr comes with 11 accessories.
- Safety: steam can burn, as the recalls above show. Read the manual before the first use.
Common questions
Is a steam mop better than a damp mop? Health Canada’s advice is a damp mop or cloth and it doesn’t mention steam. A steam mop is one way to get a hot, damp pass over sealed floors. A plain damp mop works too.
Has Health Canada recalled steam cleaners? Yes, BISSELL Steam Shot handheld steam cleaners and attachments, as listed above. Search Health Canada’s recall notices for your brand and model before you buy or use one.
What floors can you use one on? Sealed hard floors such as tile, laminate and sealed hardwood, according to the BISSELL and Shark product pages. If you’re not sure, ask your floor’s maker.
Which of these four is the lightest? The BISSELL PowerFresh Slim and the Aspiron, both listed at 2.72 kg. The Shark is the heaviest at 3.56 kg.
Before you buy
- Make sure your floors are sealed hard floors.
- Look up the brand and model in Health Canada’s recall notices.
- Decide what matters most: a handheld steamer, steam strength or tank size.
- Cleaning carpet too? See our carpet cleaner guide.
- Want a vacuum first? See our upright vacuum guide or cordless stick vacuum guide.
Sources: Health Canada, Dust and dust mites; Health Canada recall, BISSELL Steam Shot handheld steam cleaner; Health Canada recall, Steam Shot Omni and OmniReach attachments. Product details come from the manufacturers’ and retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
Get new buying guides by email.
We send new guides only, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
