Just add water! The best steam cleaners for 2025 make easy work of sanitizing your space and tackling stubborn sludge and stains. (Amazon)
A handheld steam cleaner is a powerful tool for naturally disinfecting surfaces, small goods and appliances (like washing machine interiors). The heat component not only sanitizes but also works to break down dirt molecules, loosening and lifting grime like magic. You can use them alongside your favorite cleaning products, but in many cases, you don't have to — just water will do.
After consulting with four professional cleaners, we landed on our top picks; we also scoured product descriptions and reviews to find the best handheld steam cleaners according to real customers. Farther down, you'll find tips for what to look for when shopping, along with answers to FAQs.
Updated, Sept. 15, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for best handheld steam cleaner remains unchanged.
Tank capacity: 11.8 oz. | Weight: 4.3 lb. | Run time: 8-12 minutes | Accessories: 3 nozzles, 4 brushes, plus five others | Solution included? No
For a more affordable steamer option, this shot-style steamer from Phueut comes top-rated, with more than 4,000 perfect ratings for its light weight, budget-friendly price tag (typically marked down) and streamlined application.
"... I was looking for something to help me do some deep cleaning but didn’t want to break the bank," shares one of the steamer's five-star fans. "I can say, after a few uses, the Phueut Multi Purpose cleaner has proved to be worth the money."
The reviewer adds that the Phueut Pressurized Handheld Steamer is "easy to use, quickly heats up and has helped me get rid of some stubborn dirt and grime buildup in hard to reach places. The high pressure steam has done a great job on my bathroom, washing machine and on a grill grate. I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family."
Tank capacity: 8.5 oz. | Weight: Unknown | Run time: 10 minutes | Accessories: Delicates bonnet and 2-in-1 silicone band and bristle brush | Solution included? No
A clothing steamer can help smooth wrinkles and eliminate odors in fabrics for a quick, detergent-free refresh. And Zachary Pozniak, a fourth-generation dry cleaner and author of The Laundry Book, counts this one from Conair among the best.
"It heats up really quickly, is quite light given that it's an all-in-one handheld system and there is minimal 'spitting' (when the water comes out in large drops, which can cause water rings)," he explains. "The Conair 2-in-1 also has a metal plate, which means you can basically touch any fabric to provide a bit of ironing!"
The small but mighty handheld packs 1,875 watts of steaming power for killing 99.9% of bacteria and has four steam settings, ranging from low (for delicates) to turbo (for powerful crease release).
Safety callout: This Conair steamer is also designed with a smart sensor that stops the steam when the steamer is placed on a flat surface for added peace of mind.
Tank capacity: 48 oz. | Weight: 9.95 lb. | Run time: 45 minutes | Accessories: 1 nozzle, 8 brushes, plus 9 others | Solution included? No
Topping our list is the McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner, beloved by more than 18,000 customers for its heavy-duty steaming power, large tank capacity, long run time and extensive suite of accessories for sanitizing every nook and cranny of the house.
"It’s powerful but still fairly light and easy to use and comes with tons of attachments," adds Logan Taylor, president of The Dazzle Cleaning Company, a home cleaning service based in Seattle.
Taylor notes that the professional-level steamer is particularly good at cleaning shower grout: "Showers, especially ones with glass shower doors, and even more specifically old ones, usually build up a lot of grime in the tracks. Use the jet nozzle to blow it all out of there — it is by far the fastest, easiest way to get all this gunk out."
Among the attachments are eight brushes for combining the steam with a little scrubbing action, which can help loosen tougher messes. Unlike other steamers on this list, the McCulloch steamer also has an extendable wand that can be used with the included mop head or squeegee, particularly great for steam-cleaning flat and/or vast surfaces, such as walls and floors, and hard-to-reach areas.
Tank capacity: 64 oz. | Weight: 13 lb. | Run time: N/A | Accessories: 2 cleaning tools, plus drying tool | Solution included? Yes
When it comes to deep-cleaning carpets and upholstery, Bissell is one of the biggest names in the game, with the brand's latest steamer (the HydroSteam Pet) its most powerful to date.
"I use it to clean all types of fabrics throughout the house — my living room furniture, dining room chairs and carpets," shares MaidPro franchise owner Andrea Ponce.
She notes that the HydroSteam Pet comes with a people- and pet-friendly cleaning solution for deeper cleaning — and that a little bit of formula goes a long way. "Less is more when it comes to detergents. If you have stubborn stains, you can do multiple cleans to get them out, but they will come out. Best practice: Always try a small spot first before cleaning the entire surface."
To operate the steamer, you just add water and cleaning solution to the "clean" tank and attach your desired tool (there are two for cleaning and one for drying). You can select from three cleaning modes: Steam for refreshing upholstery, Wash Mode for pet and other everyday messes and SteamWash for oily stains that are harder to get out.
I also own one of these and can attest to its deep-cleaning capabilities. It saved my rug after I spilled a (venti!) iced coffee all over it on one eventful morning. I also witnessed the SteamWash function in all its glory at a product demonstration, removing gooey substances like honey and chocolate syrup from shag carpeting in as little as a few passes.
Tank capacity: 37 oz. | Weight: 2.3 lb. | Run time: Unknown | Accessories: Brush tool | Solution included? Yes
Need something a bit more compact? Rozalyn Early, director of housekeeping at Conrad New York Downtown, relies on this steamer from Bissell for getting a handle on unexpected messes at home, and stat.
"A few months ago, I had a red wine spill on a light-colored couch — a dreaded nightmare for any fabric furniture owner," she shares. "First, I lightly blotted the stain to remove excess liquid, then used the machine’s powerful suction tool to lift the stain completely. Within minutes, the couch looked as good as new — no lingering discoloration or odor."
Like the Bissell HydroSteam Pet, the Bissell Little Green Proheat Portable Cleaner comes with a cleaning solution and features two tanks: one for holding clean water and solution and another for capturing the mess. The coordinating brush attachment and hose clip on to the machine for easy carrying.
Tank capacity: The bigger the tank(s), the more fuel for steaming and/or cleaning, particularly helpful for bigger jobs and homes. Steam cleaners typically contain two tanks — one for clean water/solution and one for dirty/discarded — whereas more traditional steamers tend to have a smaller, singular tank, with less capacity and are therefore easier to hold (more on this below).
Steamer type:
Traditional steamers (or sanitizers) are typically used with water solely, ideal for disinfecting — and uprooting dirt in/on — ovens, washing machines and dryers, as well as counters, suitcases, toys and (disinfecting and de-wrinkling) bedding and clothes.
Steam cleaners (often designed for carpets and upholstery) are typically used with a combination of water and a cleaning solution. They have a hose and more cleaning-focused brushes and tools for loosening/uprooting, suctioning and cleaning dirt, stains and gooey messes in one go.
Accessories: Like the best vacuums, quality steam cleaners come with attachments to help you tackle grooves and messes of different magnitudes. We suggest prioritizing steamers and steam cleaners with at least a few tools, including nozzles and brushes of different sizes, for greater versatility and value.
We scoured product descriptions and reviews for helpful features that impressed shoppers most. We also spoke with four experts, including professional cleaners and dry cleaners, to find out which steam cleaners they rely on at home and on the job. Lastly, we included picks that we, home editors who spend our livelihoods evaluating products, have had the opportunity to test-drive ourselves.
Carefully! Handheld steam cleaners typically consist of a body (where the power button and mechanics are located), a tank for water and a nozzle (interchangeable with brushes and attachments). Most steam cleaners that are made to clean (not just disinfect) also have a hose (for water and/or cleaning solutions to travel through) and a separate tank for dirty solution.
You typically operate a handheld steamer by filling up the tank(s) with water and/or cleaning solution (many feature fill lines for added convenience). Then you attach the tank to the machine, attach the desired tool, plug in the steamer and pres power, allowing some time for the water and/or solution to heat up. Some attachment tools, such as brushes, may warrant direct contact with a surface whereas nozzles can typically be used at a slight distance. Either way, you should leave some distance between your body and the the steam to avoid burns.
Yes, at least in most cases. Look for one that's specially designed for steam-cleaning carpets, ideally prioritizing one that can be used in conjunction with floor cleaner solutions and comes with accessory tools for tackling dirt and stains.
Depending on the tool, steam cleaners can be used to sanitize and clean not only carpets but most, sealed surfaces (like counters, floors and walls), textiles and upholstery (such as clothing, bedding, sofas and rugs), appliances (i.e. laundry machines, dryers and ovens) and smaller goods like baby accessories and pet toys.
Hot steam also breaks down molecules in stickier substances, making it especially helpful for loosening and lifting price tags, wallpaper and gooier messes (like chocolate syrup or honey).
One of the benefits of using steam to clean is that the hot water should serve to disinfect on its own (rendering it a non-toxic alternative to using chemicals). That said, cleaning solutions can be used in addition to water for combatting tougher — and especially gooier — messes.
Many brands offer cleaning solutions designed specifically for their steam cleaners, sold separately and/or as an added bonus with purchase. Otherwise, adding a few drops of a natural detergent should help. Just be careful to ensure any cleaning solutions you integrate are safe for the area you're applying, particularly around kitchen appliances or food.
Traditional steamers heat water up to high temperatures as a natural way to sanitize — and, with the help of attachment tools and hoses, loosen and lift stubborn or sticky dirt from — various surfaces.
Suction-style carpet cleaners use cleaning solutions (without steam), in addition to attachment tools and hoses. And steam cleaners combine cleansing agents and steam, plus attachment tools and hoses, for loosening stains and cleaning at once.
Rozalyn Early, director of housekeeping, Conrad New York Downtown
Andrea Ponce, franchise owner, MaidPro
Zachary Pozniak, fourth-generation dry cleaner and author, The Laundry Book
Logan Taylor, president, The Dazzle Cleaning Company
