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A steam mop cleans floors with plain water and heat, so you don’t need a bucket or floor cleaner. It’s great for sticky kitchen tile and bathroom floors. One big catch first: steam is only for sealed hard floors. Read the floor check below before you buy.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop
- Best budget pick: Shark Pro Steam Pocket Mop
- Best for sticky kitchen floors: Shark Steam & Scrub
Check your floor first
Use a steam mop only on sealed floors: ceramic and porcelain tile, sealed stone, vinyl, and sealed hardwood. Don’t use one on unsealed or waxed wood. For laminate and vinyl plank, check what the floor maker says first, because some say no steam. Not sure if your wood is sealed? Put a drop of water on it. If it soaks in or darkens, skip steam.
How we picked
We compared popular steam mops sold on Amazon.ca by steam control, tank size, weight, pads and what owners say after months of use. We haven’t used these ourselves yet. If that changes, we’ll say so here.
1. Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop: best overall
A simple, well-liked steam mop with three steam levels, so you can go gentle on vinyl and stronger on tile. The water tank comes off to fill at the sink, and it stands up on its own between rooms. It comes with a soft pad and a scrubby pad for stuck-on spots.
Good to know:
- Three steam settings for different floors
- Easy-to-fill removable tank
- Downside: a little heavier than budget models
Skip it if: you want the lightest mop you can find.
2. Shark Pro Steam Pocket Mop: best budget pick
A lighter, lower-priced mop from Shark, sold in a Canadian version. It has three steam settings you pick with a touch control, and washable pocket pads that slip over the head, so you’re not buying refills.
Good to know:
- Light and easy to carry up stairs
- Washable pads, so no throwaway refills
- Downside: the pads need washing after every clean, so it helps to own a spare set
Skip it if: you want spinning pads that scrub for you. Look at the Shark Steam & Scrub.
3. Shark Steam & Scrub: best for sticky kitchen floors
Two round pads spin as you mop, so it scrubs while it steams. That helps with dried spills and sticky spots near the stove and fridge. It has three modes and lights on the front so you can see what you’re cleaning.
Good to know:
- Spinning pads do some scrubbing for you
- Good on tile and sealed floors with grime
- Downside: smaller tank, so you may refill partway through a big house
Skip it if: you only have a small bathroom to clean.
4. Bissell PowerFresh Slim 3-in-1: best for tile, grout and more
This slim steam mop has a handheld steamer that lifts right off, plus a grout tool and a clothing steamer in the box. That means one tool for floors, grout lines, the bathroom and wrinkled shirts. It has a 25-foot cord, so you can do a big room without changing outlets.
Good to know:
- Lift-off handheld steamer for grout, tubs and corners
- Long 25-foot cord
- Downside: more pieces to store and keep track of
Skip it if: you just want a mop and nothing else.
Side by side
| Mop | Best for | Steam control | Handheld steamer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell PowerFresh | Most homes | 3 levels | No |
| Shark Pro Steam Pocket | Budget, light | 3 settings | No |
| Shark Steam & Scrub | Sticky kitchen floors | 3 modes | No |
| Bissell PowerFresh Slim 3-in-1 | Tile, grout, bathrooms | Check listing | Yes, lifts off |
What to look for
- Steam settings: more than one level lets you go gentle on vinyl and stronger on tile.
- Tank: a removable tank is easier to fill. Bigger tanks mean fewer refills.
- Pads: washable pads save money. A scrubby pad helps with dried spills.
- Weight: lighter mops are easier on stairs and in small spaces.
Questions people ask
Can I put cleaner in a steam mop?
Most say water only. Adding cleaner can clog the mop and may void the warranty. Check the manual.
Should I use tap water or distilled water?
If you have hard water, many makers suggest distilled or a mix to cut down on mineral build-up. Again, check the manual for your model.
Do I still need to sweep first?
Yes. Vacuum or sweep first, or the pad just pushes crumbs and hair around.
Bottom line
The Bissell PowerFresh is the easy pick for most homes. For the lowest price and lightest weight, go with the Shark Pro Steam Pocket Mop. If your kitchen floor gets sticky, the Shark Steam & Scrub does more of the scrubbing for you. Whatever you choose, use it only on sealed floors.
