When filled with water, this steam mop weighed just over 5 pounds, and the water heated up in just 17 seconds (faster than the manufacturer’s estimate of 30 seconds). Even after six months, we found that the mop looked and worked just as well as it had when we first took it out of the box. It also performed particularly well on grout, thanks to the brush attachments that make it easy to scrub the nooks and crannies. In our Lab tests, the steamer was able to remove all the stains we tested it on in less than 10 passes-even stubborn syrup and hot sauce stains.

The PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner came out on top in our testing, in part because it comes with numerous attachments for cleaning just about anything in the home-from flooring to mirrors to garments. There are a lot of attachments to keep track of. “You can remove up to 99 percent of germs using a steam cleaner with a reusable microfiber cloth.” McCoy says steam mops can both clean and sanitize floors using water alone: “These handy appliances don't rely on typical cleaning solutions to kill germs, but instead, use water to steam-sanitize your floors and sealed surfaces,” says McCoy. For expert insight, we tapped Gary McCoy, Lowe’s store manager serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. We also considered factors such as cord length, weight, and steam output.

To find the best steam mops, we tested 27 popular models in our Lab and evaluated each on its ease of use, effectiveness, portability, ease of cleaning, maneuverability, and value. Plus, no mop bucket or hands-and-knees scrubbing is required-what more you could ask for? These appliances can remove stains, get rid of grime, and deep clean your floors with little effort on your part. A steam mop is an effective tool for killing germs and bacteria without using harsh chemicals.

Soft bristle push broom