If you are a homeowner, you must know just how frustrating it can be to clean some of the toughest spots of grime and dirt around the house. Not only that, but it always seems like there is a creased shirt around every corner. What is there to do? Do you hire experts to clean your house and take all your laundry to the dry-cleaners? You could, but luckily you don’t have to! There is a great variety of handheld steam cleaners on the market. Of course, however, you don’t want to lug around a heavy piece of equipment all over the house just for this. And what about when you travel and need to steam your clothing? A big piece of equipment just won’t do! Luckily there is a great assortment of small, handheld steam cleaner for you to choose from.
We have spent many hours researching and analyzing dozens of handheld steam cleaners and below are the best you can always count on.
PurSteam World’s Best Steamers
Versatile, Convenient and Easy to Use
This handheld steam cleaner has won the hearts of many people, which is evident in the hundreds of positive reviews it has. It is designed with a versatile, compact, and ingenious design which ensures that it produces 30% more effective steam than any other steam cleaner in the market. The steam cleaner is easy to use, travel with and just offers good value for the money. And with a performance that is like no other, the steamer still comes at a price that only a few in its class can come close.
Best Handheld Steam Cleaners 2022 To Buy
9. McCulloch MC1230 Handheld Steam Cleaner
Price: Affordable.
Special features: Quick heating time, versatile accessories, greater reach, superior support, direct fill tank, power jet nozzle, lockable steam trigger.
Power: 900 watts.
The McCulloch MC1230 Handheld Steam Cleaner is a great device that will help you clean the surfaces in your home to perfection. This multi-purpose handheld cleaner can be used for indoor and outdoor surfaces making it the perfect machine to get for your home cleaning exercise. It raises the temperature of ordinary water to up to 200 degrees F, and this way, it effectively cleans and sanitizes various surfaces in your home. It heats up very quickly and in just 3 minutes, the cleaner will be ready for use.
It comes with 11 accessories that can be used for different cleaning applications. It has a lockable steam trigger that allows you to operate the cleaner in a safe manner. The jet nozzle is very powerful to ensure a strong flow of steam to effectively remove the dirt and germs on your surfaces. It has a 6 ounce tank that fills directly to ensure a continuous supply of steam for your cleaning purposes. The extension hose is 34 inches and this allows you reach all the areas in your home with ease. It also comes with attachment utility brushes that you will use to clean stubborn surfaces in your home.
Pros and Cons
- Long extension cord allows you to reach far off areas in your home
- Comes with multiple accessories for different cleaning applications in your home
- Heats up quickly to simplify the cleaning exercise
- Some users say the trigger does not function properly.
8. MOSCHE Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
Price: Affordable.
Special Features: Wide application, Multiple nozzles, Safety cup, High-pressure cleaning, Long power cord.
Power: 900-1050W.
Handheld steam cleaners don’t get better than this pressurized steam cleaner by Mosche. It is designed with overheat protection and a unique safety lock design to guarantee you extra protection during use.
That’s not all when it comes to safety. This handheld steam cleaner uses water to naturally clean using only water and no harsh chemicals. This is thanks to the high-temperature steam that cleans effortlessly, making it a suitable option for people with pets and small children.
With a powerful 900-1050W motor and a tank capacity of up to 350ml, this handheld steam cleaner emits pressurized hot steam at 250-270F for up to 20 minutes. This undoubtedly cuts through any grout, grease, and stain for spotless cleaning.
The icing on top is that this handheld steam cleaner will adequately clean most if not all surfaces from the sealed kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathrooms. Don’t forget fabric and car parts like windows.
Lastly, you do not have to wait for hours for this handheld steam cleaner to heat up to achieve this level of cleaning – three to four minutes is all it takes. You will also love the nine accessory pieces that adapt steam cleaner to indoor and outdoor cleaning.
Pros and Cons
- Powerful and efficient
- Great value for money
- Highly versatile
- Might not be ideal for people with arthritis.
7. Comforday Multi-Purpose Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Extension hose, lockable steam trigger.
Power: 1050 Watts.
This is a multipurpose handheld steam cleaner that has a small and compact shape. Its capacity of 350 ml and a powerful heating system that is powered by 1050 Watts of power has demonstrated excellent results. It can run for up to 20 minutes giving users tip-top performance in handling multiple tasks including garment steaming, bathrooms, furniture among other applications.
If you are looking for a high-powered cleaning tool, then this handheld steam cleaner won’t disappoint. For its low price tag, you are getting a good bang for the buck.
Pros and Cons
- It can be used on multiple purposes.
- It is durable, thanks to its durable construction.
- Not the best for deep cleaning.
6. Rowenta DR8080 X-Cel Steam Powerful Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Removable water rank, Ergonomic design.
Power: 1500 watts
The DR8080 X-Cel Steam Powerful Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer by Rowenta has a sleek, ergonomic design that allows for an easy grip and comfortable use. It has a 1500 Watt output which allows it to heat the water into steam in just 45 seconds! The removable water tank can contain enough water to allow continuous steam for up to 10 minutes.
With a variety of accessories, this handheld steamer is clearly a major contender, and one can count on it to deliver in cleaning any task they intend to use it for.
Pros and Cons
- Can be used on multiple cleaning tasks.
- It boasts being one of the most powerful steamers.
- It is more garment oriented and isn’t the best in other tasks.
5. DBTech Handheld Multi-Purpose Pressurized Electric Steam Cleaner
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: 9 different accessory set, Quick heating functionality.
Power: 1,050 Watts.
The Handheld Multi-Purpose Pressurized Electric Steam Cleaner by DBTech, while not one of the best on the market, is definitely one that should be up for consideration. It is fairly small, holding only 8 ounces of water, but that makes it perfect for mobility. It takes about 2-3 minutes for the water to heat up by using it’s 1050 Watt heating system. Its steam will last you between 15 – 20 minutes, which is great for all kinds of jobs.
It includes an incredible 9 different accessories and is completely chemical free, making it both safe and versatile.
Pros and Cons
- It is versatile and very easy to operate.
- Can be effectively used in multiple purposes.
- Its quality could be better.
4. Steam Shot Hard-Surface Cleaner – Bissel
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Grouge brush, Angle Concentrator, Measuring cup, Scrubbing brushes.
Power: 1000 Volts.
The Steam Shot Hard-Surface Cleaner by Bissel creates powerful, high pressure steam by using its easy-to-press trigger. It has a 1000 Watt power output and comes with a 16 foot power cord. Not only is it perfect for cleaning those tough spots on floors and surfaces, but it does so without the use of any chemicals! It also includes a variety of accessories including a grout brush, fabric steamer, window squeegee, angle concentrator, and an extension hose (to name a few).
Bissel’s amazing handheld steam cleaner is one of high quality and high power. Any homeowner would do well to have one of these nearby.
Pros and Cons
- It is compact, lightweight and very portable.
- Handling and cleaning it is very easy.
- It is not very efficient in deep cleaning.
3. LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Multi-Functional steam mop
Price: Fairly priced.
Special Features: Steam setting, Touch sensor, Smart switch, Detachable handle.
Power: AC.
The best handheld steam cleaner doesn’t get better than this number by LIGHT ‘N’ EASY. It features a smart switch that allows you to momentarily attend to other things like answering phone calls by simply placing it upright to stop the steam or slant and glide to emit powerful steam.
Another outstanding feature is the ability to detach into an individual handheld steam cleaner for cleaning upholstery, garment wrinkle remover, upholstery refresher, bathroom/kitchen deep cleaning.
Various heat settings including high, medium, and low guarantee to make your cleaning even more enjoyable and better suited for your specific cleaning tasks. This is even better when coupled with a 212°F steam that is adequate for removing stains and sticky messes, not to mention that it is fast drying.
Pros and Cons
- Highly efficient machine that conserves energy
- User-friendly design for effective use
- It is a versatile unit that can be used for different roles
- It is prone to malfunction.
2. iSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Unique 360° technology, Ergonomic design.
Power: 1000 Volts.
Designed to look like most garment steam cleaners, the iSteam steamer offers multipurpose functionality, thanks to its versatile design that employs a unique steamer technology. It comes with a ready-to-go water tank which heats up quickly an can last up to 10 minutes on continuous steaming.
although it is mostly designed and meant to be used on garments, this handheld steamer has also proven to be an invaluable cleaner for bathrooms, cars, kitchens, face cleansing and pretty much anything you would want to use a steamer for.
Pros and Cons
- It is easy to hold and operate.
- The steamer is portable and easy to carry anywhere.
- The steamer overheats and could pose a potential danger with extended usage.
1. PurSteam World’s Best Steamers
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: 9 piece accessory, Anthracite, Ergonomic design.
Power: 1,000 Watts.
This Pursteam steamer lives up to its name, and it surely is one of the best there is. It has been designed with a simple but effective bottle design which is easy to hold and operate. The technology used in the steamer makes this one superior in that it produces up to 30% more steam without sacrificing anything else.
To create such a sophisticated handheld steamer yet still maintain a low price is a big achievement and an experience that every user will love. It is a good steam cleaner that can be used for multiple purposes.
Pros and Cons
- It comes with high customer ratings than most in the market.
- The steam cleaner is easy to operate and carry around.
- The instructions it has could be much better.
Choosing The Best Steam Cleaners
Here are some of the things to look for when you are choosing the best steam cleaners to buy.
Capacity
Steam cleaners are designed with bottles which have different capacities and their size can mean a lot. The higher the capacity of the steam cleaner, the more steam you will be able to heat and the more steam cleaning tasks you will be able to handle. Most of the advanced steam cleaners have a capacity of between 200 ml to 500 ml and this is expected to last between 8 to 15 minutes on a continuous steaming operation. Before getting a steam cleaner, understand the kind of work you will be using it for and know which one to get based on the capacity.
Ease of Use
The designs of the steam cleaners in the market are different and that can as well spell the difference in how they are handled. Some are more complex to use than others which makes it a major problem. You’d want to make sure that you only invest in a steam cleaner that is easy to operate and has straightforward controls that will also ensure that you are safe.
Power & Wattage
The power used by a steam cleaner will determine how much you can expect in terms of steam temperatures. The higher the steam temperatures, the more efficient the steam cleaner is in handling various cleaning tasks. Getting rid of bacteria and other micro-organisms can be challenging if you do not have the right temperatures. Most advanced steam cleaners have wattage power rating of 1,000 Watts or more.
Portability
Lastly, you’d want to make sure that whatever steam cleaner you are getting is suitable for your work. They come in different sizes and shapes which can affect handling. If you are someone who travels a lot and wants to bring the steam cleaner with you, then you have to make sure that it is compact, small enough, and can be easily carried.
Final Verdict
Steam cleaning has been proven to be a very effective way of dealing with common issues such as dust mites, molds, bed bugs, bacteria among other hygiene problems. To achieve this, you need to get a good steam cleaner. Shared above are some of the best handheld steam cleaners that one can get on the market. If you may want to check out more about home cleaning equipment, here is our article about carpet cleaner machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a steam cleaner?
A: A steam cleaner or steamer as it is known by many people, is a device designed to clean using pre-heated water. They have a container which is filled with water and after being heated, it produces steam which is used to clean a number of items.
Q: How do steam cleaners work?
A: As aforementioned, steam cleaners have a container part which is usually filled with water. After that, they are heated using electric power which then turns the water into hot steam vapor. The vapor is then directed and sprayed through a nozzle which then steams the object being cleaned.
Q: What do steam cleaners do?
A: Steam cleaners can either be dry or cool depending on how it has been designed and the technology behind it. They however, do the same task of cleaning. They can be used to clean a lot of things including removing dust from objects, removing molds, fungus and doing deep cleaning. The performance and capabilities of a steam cleaner depend on the temperatures and how hot it can heat the water. The hotter the steam, the more one can expect.
Q: Does steaming kill bacteria?
A: Steam cleaning is very effective and with more advanced steamers that produce high heat, killing bacteria isn’t a problem. Research has shown that steam cleaning can kill up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and micro-organisms. This makes it useful in dealing with common home cleaning applications.
