CLEANING your hard floors has never been easier, thanks to the latest generation of powerful steam mops.
Forget spending ages scrubbing at stubborn mud and persistent stains – today’s best steam mops use intense heat to break down dirt effectively without harsh chemicals, slashing your cleaning time in half.
Price points vary widely across the market, with brilliant budget options for the cost-conscious and premium models packed with advanced features for those wanting cutting-edge cleaning tech.
In our time-starved world, appliances that give us precious minutes back deserve a spot in every home. These steam cleaners leave floors hygienically spotless in minutes – something we can all appreciate.
The simplicity of modern steam mops means floor cleaning becomes less of a dreaded chore, and you’ll likely find yourself reaching for it more often. With spotless floors just minutes away, what’s stopping you?
Read on for our reviews of the top steam mops currently available in the UK.
Best steam mops at a glance:
- Best overall: Kärcher Steam Mop SC1 Upright
- Best budget: Russell Hobbs Steam & Clean Lightweight Steam Mop
- Best premium: Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop
- Best for laminated floors: Black & Decker 8 Piece Steam System Mop
How we tested steam mops
We put each steam mop through its paces in real homes with real messes – from muddy footprints to sticky kitchen spills and everything in between.
Each model was tested across multiple floor types, including tile, laminate, and hardwood, to assess versatility.
We measured heat-up times, steam power, ease of use, and the rate at which the floors dried afterwards.
Special attention was paid to manoeuvrability around furniture and into tight corners, because what good is a steam mop that can’t reach where dirt hides?
For our complete testing methodology and to understand how we review all products, check out our dedicated testing page.
The best steam mops in 2025, tried and tested
1. Kärcher Steam Mop SC1 Upright
Kärcher Steam Mop SC1 Upright[/caption]
Kärcher Steam Mop SC1 Upright, £79.99
Pros: Easy to use, powerful steam, rotating head, fast heat-up
Cons: Handle is long so could be a problem for some people, slightly too much rotation
Rating: 4/5
This is a great steam mop if time is of the essence, as it heats up super quickly. It’s also simple to use, and your floor dries soon after cleaning, leaving it shiny and spotless.
I found the mop to be easy to assemble, and helpful videos are available on the Kärcher website if you’re unsure about fitting the cartridge, as I was.
The handle is long and can’t be adjusted, so some people may find it difficult to manoeuvre. However, aside from that, it works well, gliding effortlessly around the floor.
It’s useful in the kitchen because it moves easily, and the mop head rotates smoothly. However, in larger spaces, this becomes a little more challenging, as the head tends to rotate with every movement, making it more difficult to maintain a straight line.
The mop can be a bit fiddly to clean as you have to attach the fibre cloth to the mop head, but I just pop the cloth in the washing machine after every use.
The Kärcher Steam Mop is also ideal for small homes, as it doesn’t take up much room, and the cable winds around the mop, keeping it out of the way when not in use.
Weight: 2.1kg, Capacity: 200ml, Heat up time: 30 secs, Cable length: 5m
2. Russell Hobbs Steam & Clean Lightweight Steam Mop
The Steam & Clean is super light and easy to carry around the home[/caption]
Russell Hobbs Steam & Clean Lightweight Steam Mop, £39.99 £32.99
Pros: Lightweight, long power cable, easy to use, well-built, washable mop heads, affordable
Cons: Struggles with corners, front water loading is tricky, small water tank, no steam trigger switch
Rating: 3.5/5
The Steam & Clean is one of Russell Hobbs’ top sellers in its cleaning category, and it’s easy to see why (it even did well in our side by side testing against the Dyson electric mop!).
At 2.3kg it’s lightweight, which is a plus and it was ready to go in 15 seconds – something the manufacturer claims and I’m happy to confirm.
It’s a lifesaver for my bathrooms and kitchen, and it punches way above its weight class in terms of value.
However, it does struggle to get into corners and tight spaces, such as those around the toilet and sink. That’s not a dealbreaker, though, as many more expensive mops also struggle with small spaces.
The water tank isn’t very large, so you’ll need to refill it if you’re washing multiple floors. However, you should get around 15 minutes of steam time before it needs refilling again.
Another minus – the bottom attachment is a bit of a faff, but generally speaking, it does the job it’s supposed to. It’s compact, easy to use, and the Velcro mop pads are machine washable.
You can also use it to refresh carpets, as it comes with a glider attachment. I’ve even been known to use it on my bathroom wall tiles.
Weight: 2.3kg, Capacity: 350ml, Heat up time: 15 secs, Cable length: 5m
3. Black & Decker 8 Piece Steam System Mop
The Black & Decker mop can reach hard corners[/caption]
Black & Decker 8 Piece Steam System Mop, £99.99
Pros: Larger 500ml tank, pivoting heads, good handheld option
Cons: Slightly more expensive
Rating: 4/5
This Black & Decker is an eight-piece steam system that includes a useful 360-degree pivoting head, which makes handheld, portable cleaning a breeze.
The device features a generous 500ml tank, allowing for a long clean time, and the pivoting head ensures you reach hard-to-access areas.
During testing, I appreciated the variable steam flow feature, which allowed me to easily switch between high and low steam settings for general cleaning or tackling hard-to-remove, stubborn stains.
I found this especially useful when changing between floor types in the house, as I have a mixture of wood, laminate and tiling.
Weight: 2.7kg, Capacity: 500ml, Heat up time: 15 secs, Cable length: 6m
READ MORE:
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- Bissell Hydrowave review
- Best handheld clothes steamers
- Karcher electric wiping mop review
- Henry quick review
4. Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop S6003UK
The Shark Klick’n’Flip is advanced and a worthy investment[/caption]
Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop S6003UK, £169.99
Pros: Innovative click system for mop heads, precise steam controls
Cons: Expensive, heavy
Rating: 4/5
Billed as Shark’s most advanced steam mop, I loved the Klik’n’Flip’s versatile head that can be adjusted to alter the size of your mop, as well as allowing you to direct a blast of steam at stubborn stains.
I found it could be a little fiddly to get right, as the cleaning pad must be positioned properly in the casing, but it’s a nice feature that, once I got the hang of it, sped up my entire cleaning and mopping process.
You’ll need a bigger budget for this, as it’s one of the more expensive options on this list, but I found it to be sturdy and well-made, with intelligent steam controls and excellent cleaning cloths.
Weight: 2.7kg, Capacity: 350ml, Heat up time: 15 secs, Cable length: 6m
5. Vax ONEPWR Glide 2
The Vax ONEPWR is ideal if you’re short on time.[/caption]
Vax ONEPWR Glide 2, £299 £248.98
Pros: A great clean, innovative, dries floor while cleaning
Cons: Bulky, expensive
Rating: 4/5
The ONEPWR is something a little different. Although not a steam mop as such, it warrants inclusion here as it’s an innovative solution for cleaning hard floors around the home.
It uses a brush system and heated water in a tank to mop the floor and, upon release of the handle, it then sucks up the water into a different waste tank to help dry the floor, picking up any dirt and debris on the way.
It’s an incredibly powerful system and I’d recommend this for larger homes.
The battery lasts a while and it provides a fantastic clean, however, you have to be prepared for a larger initial outlay cost-wise and a heavier unit; it is not quite as portable as the other steam mops featured in this list and I found it quite heavy lugging it between the floors in my house.
For more on how the Vax stacks up against other mops, take a look at our comparison.
Weight: 5.4kg, Capacity: 750ml, Heat up time: N/A, Cable length: Battery powered
6. Beldray Detergent Steam Cleaner
Beldray Detergent Steam Cleaner, £44.99
Pros: Separate dual-tank detergent design
Cons: Not very powerful, slow heat-up time
Rating: 3/5
The Beldray Steam Cleaner uses a dual tank system, which means that the water tank is chemical-free, while the separate detergent tank allows you to add cleaner to achieve a bacteria-busting, deeper clean.
The heat-up time is slightly longer than some of the other models on this list at 25 seconds, but the capacity means it allows for continuous steam output for 15 minutes, which I found useful for cleaning larger floors.
This mop has a rectangular head rather than the more conventional triangular shape, but I still found it useful for getting into most nooks and crannies around the house.
If you have an older house without perfectly straight edges and right angles, I’d still gravitate towards the more commonly used triangular head shape.
Weight: 0.3kg, Capacity: 350ml, Heat up time: 25 secs, Cable length: 5m
7. Vax Steam Fresh Combi Steam Mop
The Vax Steam Fresh is so easy to use[/caption]
Vax Steam Fresh Combi Steam Mop, £100
Pros: Deep cleaning, excellent handheld mode
Cons: No replacement cloth, heavy
Rating: 4/5
Vax has put countless years of experience into this steam mop, which happens to be their best-selling model.
I was really impressed with its quality and versatility, and it was one of the easiest mops to use of those I tested.
The mop ships with a detergent that provides an excellent deep clean, and the handheld accessories make it easy to clean surfaces, stovetops, hobs, and smaller areas, such as ovens, with ease.
Weight: 3.7kg, Capacity: 260ml, Heat up time: 20 secs, Cable length: 8m
Steam mop FAQs
- Where can I buy steam mops in the UK?
- Alternatives to steam mops
- What is a good brand of steam mop?
- Does a steam mop really clean floors?
- Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors?
Where can I buy steam mops in the UK?
You can find steam mops on the high street in stores such as Robert Dyas and John Lewis, as well as at discount retailers like Home Bargains.
You may even find a small selection in larger supermarkets, especially during the early part of the year when ‘spring cleaning’ is popular.
Online, check out large retailers such as Amazon, Argos and Wayfair, as well as individual brand websites.
Before buying, consider the size of the floors you wish to clean and the type of functions you need to perform.
The best steam cleaner for you will be the one that meets the requirements of your household.
We found the steam mops tested in our feature at:
Alternatives to steam mops
Steam mops make light work of cleaning hard floors, but of course, there’s always the old-fashioned alternative of a manual mop and bucket!
For those seeking something more high-tech, numerous impressive options don’t utilise steam.
Kärcher offers excellent alternatives – check out our review of the Kärcher EWM2 Wiping Mop if you’re looking for something different.
If you’re looking for something more versatile than even the best vacuum cleaner, Tineco and Swan both make brilliant hybrid cleaners that vacuum and steam clean in one go. Meanwhile, the TurboClean Floor Cleaner from Lakeland sweeps, cleans, polishes, and buffs hard floors all in one device.
If you’re ready to fully automate your floor cleaning, robot vacuum and mop combos are revolutionising how we maintain our homes.
The Dreame X50 Ultra is a game-changer that can vacuum and mop your floors while you relax.
For more options, consider the impressive Tado robot vacuum and mop, featured in our roundup of the best robot vacuum cleaners.
For tiled floors specifically, consider a spray mop rather than a steam mop – these clean both the grout and the tile surface, providing a more thorough clean in one go.
What is a good brand of steam mop?
When it comes to steam mops, several brands consistently outshine the competition.
Bissell’s PowerFresh range is brilliant for tackling stubborn stains with minimal elbow grease – they’re proper powerhouses that won’t let you down.
Shark is another winner, especially their clever Klik n’ Flip models with double-sided cleaning pads that give you more bang for your buck. Their steam controls are spot-on for different floor types, too.
If you’re watching the pennies, Russell Hobbs offers fantastic budget-friendly options without skimping on cleaning power – their Steam & Clean Lightweight mop heats up in a lightning-fast 15 seconds!
For German engineering that lasts, Kärcher models are solid investments with exceptional steam output.
Meanwhile, PurSteam has made waves with their 10-in-1 multi-taskers that clean more than just floors.
BLACK+DECKER combines reliability with value, while Vax excels with its vacuum-steam combo models for homes with various flooring types.
Does a steam mop really clean floors?
Absolutely! These nifty gadgets use scorching hot steam to blast away stubborn dirt and kill those nasty bacteria lurking on your tiles and floorboards – no harsh chemicals needed!
What makes them brilliant is how they tackle dried-on messes that would normally have you scrubbing for ages.
The best bit? Your floors dry in a fraction of the time compared to traditional mopping. No more tiptoeing around wet floors for hours!
They’re particularly fantastic on sealed hard floors, such as tiles and vinyl, but be cautious with certain wooden floors, as the steam can sometimes cause damage if not handled carefully.
If you’re after a quicker clean that actually sanitises as it goes (killing 99.9% of germs!), a steam mop is well worth adding to your cleaning arsenal.
Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors?
Before steam cleaning your laminate floors, consider a few key points.
Laminate floors are made of multiple layers, including a fiberboard core, which is vulnerable to moisture.
Therefore, when using a steam mop on laminate floors, it’s a good idea to adjust the steam output to one of the lower settings.
This minimises moisture exposure and prevents excess water from sitting on the floor surface.
Keep the steam mop moving to prevent moisture from penetrating the laminate, and ensure your microfibre cloth or pad is clean and a good fit.
These are designed to trap moisture and stop it from seeping into the seams of the laminate.
It’s also worth trying out the mop on an inconspicuous area before using it on the entire floor; that way, you can ensure there’s no damage or warping.
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