10 Best Steam Cleaners

The Vax SpotWash Home Pet-Design is a compact and user-friendly spot cleaner especially suited for pet owners who need to tackle stains and odors on carpets, sofas, stairs, and car interiors. It comes with a 1.1-litre water tank, which is a reasonable size for quick cleaning tasks but may need refilling for bigger jobs. Instead of traditional steam pressure, it uses a SpinScrub hand tool with rotating bristles to lift dirt effectively, making it great for deep cleaning fabrics.

The included cleaning solutions have antibacterial properties, which help reduce bacteria and neutralise pet odors, adding a hygienic touch to your cleaning routine. Its slim design and 1.4m hose make it fairly portable and easy to manoeuvre, although at 4.5kg it is a bit on the heavier side for a handheld device, so it might feel bulky during extended use. It excels with its range of attachments, including tools designed for carpets, hard floors, crevices, and pet stains, giving you versatility for various surfaces and messes.

With a 2-year manufacturer warranty and included solutions, you can start cleaning immediately with peace of mind. This machine is ideal if you want a dedicated spot cleaner mainly for fabric and pet-related stains rather than a heavy-duty steam cleaner for whole-house deep cleaning.

The Vax SpotWash Home and Pet Spot Cleaner is designed for targeted stain removal, especially useful for homes with pets. While it is battery-powered and doesn’t use traditional steam pressure like some steam cleaners, it delivers deep cleaning using a SpinScrub hand tool with rotating bristles, which helps remove dirt from carpets, upholstery, and rugs effectively. Its water tank capacity is 250ml, which is on the smaller side, meaning you might need to refill it more frequently during extensive cleaning.

The product is compact and portable, weighing 4.5kg, making it easy to carry around the house, clean stairs, or even the car interior. It comes with several attachments including a 2-in-1 tool for various surfaces, a crevice tool for tight spaces, and a hard floor attachment, adding versatility for different cleaning tasks. An added bonus is the antibacterial cleaning solution that claims to remove over 99% of bacteria and the antimicrobial coating on the tools to keep them hygienic.

One possible drawback is that it’s not a full-sized steam cleaner, so it’s more suited for spot and small area cleaning rather than large floor spaces. If you need a lightweight, handheld machine for quick pet-related stains and household messes with good antibacterial features, this Vax model is a solid choice. For those requiring more powerful steam pressure or a larger tank for whole-house steam cleaning, other options may be more suitable.

The Shark Floor & Handheld Steam Cleaner stands out with its versatility, offering both a steam mop for hard floors and a handheld cleaner for various surfaces like tiles, taps, and glass. Its Klik n' Flip technology allows double-sided cleaning, making it efficient for larger areas without frequent pad changes. The steam cleaner features intelligent steam control with two settings, catering to different cleaning needs from light dirt to stubborn grime, thanks to the Steam Blast mode. This feature, combined with machine-washable Dirt Grip pads, ensures hassle-free maintenance.

It comes equipped with multiple accessories, including a garment steamer and a range of tools like a scrubbing tool and copper brush, enhancing its multi-functional use beyond floors. With a water tank capacity of 0.5 litres, it might require frequent refills for extensive cleaning tasks, and the heat-up time isn't specified but generally, Shark products are known for quick start-ups. Weighing 2.8 kg, it strikes a balance between robustness and portability, though it may feel a bit heavy during prolonged handheld use.

The 6m power cord offers a decent operating radius, minimizing the need for constant socket changes. This steam cleaner is ideal for those seeking a comprehensive cleaning tool for both floors and various household surfaces, though users should consider the tank capacity for larger spaces. Its performance is well-rated, indicating reliability and user satisfaction. The Shark S6005UK provides solid cleaning power with thoughtful design features, making it a competitive choice for multifunctional home cleaning.