5 Best Hand Held Steam Cleaners

Up until the turn of the millennium, women were not so empowered as they are today. For them, life revolved around cooking, cleaning, and raising children. If we’re being honest, this was a full-time job. The wealthier families even had servants and maids to help out.

As a modern-day person (probably working), you will find that housekeeping is harder than ever. You need all the help you can get, which is why there are so many machines and chemicals for the purpose. 

Steam cleaners have gained so much popularity because they enable thorough, efficient and fast cleaning with sanitization. They are the ultimate cleaning machine for any home.

Hand-held steam cleaners are a great option for regular domestic cleaning purposes due to their ease of use and versatility. You can use them on almost any surface so long as it is waterproof. Even with their modest power, they can clean out every type of soil. 

However, finding a good model among all those available can be a nightmare. This list of the 5 best hand-held steam cleaners is put together by experts to help you find the best fit for your needs.

BISSELL 39N7A/39N71 Steam Shot Deluxe Hard-Surface Cleaner

The Bissell 39N7A/39N71 Steam Shot is the best handheld steam cleaner according to user reviews. It gives you the best functionality and convenience, including a whole range of attachments for different surfaces.

With more than 1700 positive ratings on Amazon, this is a product that is tested and proven in terms of functionality and reliability. 

Features 

High-Powered for Fast Steam Time

Despite its small size, the Bissell Deluxe is ready for use within 30 seconds of filling the tank and putting it on. You won’t waste any time waiting for steam to be produced.

The fast heat-up is enabled by its 1000W heating element which produces dry steam within the shortest time possible. 

6.6oz Tank Capacity and 20ft Power Cord

One possible shortcoming for this product is its small water tank. It holds about 195ml or 6.6 US fluid ounces, which gives you about 5 minutes of cleaning time at full steam.

However, this is all part of the design, because being a handheld device, it has to be light enough for continuous use. It also allows the fast steaming time.

Besides, it draws its power from a mains socket through a 20ft long power cord (6m), which allows unrestricted cleaning.

Versatile, Includes a Full Set of Attachments

There are many surfaces in your home which need thorough cleaning. These may include tiled bathroom surfaces grout, kitchen surfaces with granite or marble tops, oven and grill tops, glass, curtains, and upholstery.

All these can be cleaned easily and sanitized with a handheld steam cleaner, but they need special attachments for effectiveness. The Bissell Steam Shot Deluxe also comes with an extension cord, directional nozzle, grill grate cleaner, squeegee tool, detail brush, and two microfiber cloth towels.

Powerful Steam Blast

You will be surprised at just how powerful the pressurized steam is as it comes out of the nozzle. One demonstration shows it cutting right through a 1 ½ inch block of ice as if it were butter. This is the power you get to blast through hard caked soil and grime.

Sanitizes Everything it Touches

The Bissell heats steam to 212F (1000C), which is hot enough to kill over 99.9% of bacteria and other nasty microorganisms. Chemicals always leave unhealthy smells and residues, which could even result in rashes and allergies. If you need to sanitize sensitive areas like the kitchen, children’s toys, the washroom, etc, steam is the way to go. 

Why Buy the Bissell Steam Shot Deluxe

Bissell Homecare is a well-known name in the US and is the number one producer of floor care products in North America. It is known for its highly reliable products, of which the Steam Shot Deluxe is no less. 

You might be surprised to learn that with all the good things that can be said about it, it comes in at a very affordable price.

 

Vapamore MR-75 Amico Hand-Held Steam Cleaner

The Vapamore MR-75 from Amico is the best high-end steam cleaner. Amico is an Italian company, whose name many in the US will be familiar with. Its reputation is beyond question, and the Vapamore MR-75 is the absolute best you can get in terms of functionality. All that for a price of just below $100.

One of its major selling points is that it produces a consistent stream of high-temperature steam (200-210F, or 93.3 to 98.80C). This is hot enough to kill microorganisms and bacteria. Besides, it kills nasty intruders like fleas, bedbugs, mites, as well as mold and mildew.

Features

Best Quality With a Lifetime Warranty

Part of Italian pride is attention to detail. The Vapamore MR-75 is of the best quality possible, built and tested to rigorous standards to ensure a reliable and safe product. 

Amico has so much confidence in this product that it gives a lifetime conditional warranty with exceptional customer service. No matter how much you use it, it will always deliver beyond your expectations.

1000W Power, 3m Cord Length

The heater element has a power rating of 1000W, meaning that it is powerful enough to give you the steam you need as fast as you want it. It takes about 4 minutes to get ready once the tank is full and the power is on.

It may seem like a lot of time compared to some models that claim 30 seconds of readiness time. However, this is measured with warm-up time included. Subsequent refills will be much faster, which is what other manufacturers measure.

The power cord is a little disappointing because it is only 10ft (3m) in length. A longer one would give you more freedom.

6.7oz Tank

The water tank on this little beast is about 198ml in capacity, or 6.7 US fluid ounces. This is the average you can expect on most handheld models and can give you 5 minutes of full steam before needing a refill. 

The tank is not detachable but instead features a measuring cup with custom pouring lip for easy refills.

Powerful Steam

You will hear many users refer to the Vapamore MR-75 as a ‘little beast’. This has to do with its powerful steam jet. Due to its high-quality construction, it doesn’t leak and thus has the most powerful steam jet of all.

When it comes to blasting away grime and caked soils, the Vapamore MR-75 will be your best friend.

Versatile, With the Widest Range of Accessories

This steamer comes with the widest range of accessories and attachments. They’re too many to list here, but they are found on the Amazon product page.

Why Buy The Vapamore MR-75 Amico Hand-Held Steamer

It might be more expensive than most other models, but the Vapamore MR-75 is the real deal. Some lazy manufacturers are content to produce cheap knock-offs, but if you want powerful steam and impeccable reliability, get this one.

 

PurSteam World’s Best Steamers 9-Piece Steamer Set

PurSteam is, without doubt, the best-selling hand-held steam cleaner on Amazon. It is a favorite with users because of its affordable price and better features compared to most competitors. 

For example, it has a much larger water tank and gives more steam at a higher temperature. It is easily the best value for money when it comes to affordable and efficient hand-held steam cleaners.

Features

Plenty of Powerful Steam

The PurSteam should not fool you by its size; it is a powerful cleaning machine. It pumps out steam at 3 bars (3 times atmospheric pressure). At this pressure, the steam is powerful enough to blast through any type of soil in the house.

At such pressure, the steam is superheated (temperature will be over 289F) and dry. This means less wetting and over 99.9% antibacterial effectiveness. That makes it perfect for sanitization and eliminating domestic pests like fleas, mites, bedbugs, etc. It is also great for cleaning after pets.

Large Water Tank 

Unlike most other handheld steamers which feature less than 200 ml (7oz) tank capacities, the PurSteam World’s Best has a 350 ml (11.8oz) capacity. This is big enough that you rarely need a refill for most cleaning routines.

The tank is non-removable, but you get a measuring cup with a custom pouring lip.

Fast Warm-Up and 9.8ft Cord

The Pursteam handheld steamer features a fast warm-up time, taking only 3-4 minutes from the time you fill the tank until it is ready for use. It may seem long in comparison, but it is necessary since the tank has more water and it also needs to build up the pressure.

Steam is released by pressing a steam-on-demand nozzle, which makes sure that you don’t waste any when it is not needed. 

However, the power cord is a little short at 9.8 ft (2.9m). It is a little restrictive, especially when in confined places like cars.

All Essential Attachments and Included

To enable you to clean every surface in your house, the Pursteam also comes with the most widely used attachments and accessories. These include a squeegee too, cloth steamer, directional nozzle, extension hose, wire brush, scraper tool, microfiber cloth, among others.

Why Buy The PurSteam World’s Best Handheld Steamer

There is no better meter of the reliability of a product than the reviews of previous users. Thousands of people already love the PurSteam, and so will you. Plus, the larger water tank and higher steam pressure will allow you to do your cleaning and sanitization more efficiently.

 

MLMLANT Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner

The MLMLANT handheld steam cleaner is made by MLMLANT, a subsidiary of Maryant Inc. It is a mid-range steam cleaner that has earned a spot among the top five due to its powerful steam, large tank, and positive reviews.

While it is a relatively new product that was introduced in 2018, the MLMLANT steam cleaner has made a record as a reliable device that can help you clear away even the toughest stains. 

It is versatile enough to help you work on any surface in the home. While it is not the most powerful, it is more than enough for domestic applications.

Features

Large Water Tank, Fast Warm-Up Time

The MLMLANT carries a capacious 350ml water tank, which is large enough to give you about 20-25 minutes of continuous steam before refilling. A steam-on-demand button is available just above the handle, which only releases steam when pressed. This way, you can do a lot of cleaning before a refill is required.

Once filled, it warms up in about 4 minutes. You also need to remember that during refills, any steam cleaner needs about 5 minutes of cool down for safety reasons.  Due to the large tank, you will rarely need one.

Versatile, Can be Used on Any Surface

Just like most handheld steamers, it comes with a variety of attachments and accessories that allow cleaning different surfaces. These include windows, tiles, grout, floors, carpet stains, countertops, among others.

Powerful Jet of Hot Steam

The unit emits a high-pressure steam jet at a temperature of between 250F and 270F, which blasts through any soiled surface and eliminates microorganisms for sanitization.

Why Buy The MLMLANT Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner

This is not the best steam cleaner you can find, but it has a lot of power for the size and lies at the lower end of the price spectrum. If you are looking for a cheap model with decent functionality, this is it.

 

McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner

If you want heavy-duty cleaning, the McCulloch MC1275 is the way to go. It features a main body with wheels that stays stationary and a long hose for the steam. 

This way, it gives you the convenience of a handheld steam cleaner without any of its limitations. You get a larger tank, more pressure, and more cleaning options. For reference, it has 18 attachments for various cleaning operations.  In a nutshell, this is the heavy artillery of domestic steam cleaning.

Features

Large Water Tank

One of the immediate advantages of this machine is its large 48oz tank (1419ml or about 1.4 liters). This is large enough to give you up to 45 minutes of cleaning time before a refill is required. 

8 Minute Warm-Up Time, Plenty of  Pressurized Steam at Boiling Temperatures

The McCulloch MC1275 takes about 8 minutes from the time you fill the tank to properly heat up. Given that you will rarely require a refill, it is worth the wait.

Additionally, it does not have to be tight on steam. Instead, you get a lot of it: 33-37g/minute which is ejected at 43 psi (2.9 bar). The amount and pressure of the steam will break up even the toughest dirt and oily grime that other steamers have trouble with.

The temperature of the steam is over 200F (93.30C) at the point of contact, which is hot enough to kill 99.9% of microorganisms that could cause disease.

Long Steam Hose With 18 Different Attachments

It is fitted with a 9 foot (2.7m) long to give you all the freedom you need. Besides, the power cord is over 15ft (4.5m) long, so that you can reach the farthest corners without restrictions.

It comes with 18 attachments to suit various cleaning operations. Due to its power, it is more versatile and can be used to clean carpets, rugs, cars, and other demanding surfaces. The accessories include floor mops, nylon brushes, brass brushes, scrub pad, squeegee tool, among others.

Superior Build

McCulloch has designed this product to be extra powerful, so it is built to perfection. It comes with a two-year hassle-free warranty so that if you encounter any problem with it, you will get personalized service from the McCulloch customer care center.

Why Buy the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Cleaner

McCulloch thinks that the rest of the steam cleaners are too ‘soft’, and that is why we have this product. Buy it if nothing else has worked for you, or if you feel that your cleaning needs are more than a typical handheld steamer can handle.

 

Benefits of Handheld Steam Cleaners

No doubt, steam cleaning is an amazing way to get your house, car, office, carpet, etc sparkling clean without the use of chemicals. Initially, steam cleaners were huge machines mounted on trucks, but handheld models have put this power in the hands of everyone.

Despite a few limitations, handheld steamers have many advantages over traditional cleaning methods.

• Low operating costs. All you need is soft or demineralized water and electricity.
• No chemicals in use whatsoever, which makes it perfect for pets and babies.
• Sanitizes and kills pests.
• Light and compact.
• Very easy to use.
• Safe, so long as instructions are followed.
• Steam at sufficient pressure can blast through caked dirt and oily grime, as well as penetrate hard surfaces such as grout and granite.

Conclusion

Handheld steam cleaners are your best friend when you want to do your deep cleaning quickly, as well as when sanitizing surfaces and things. You already know that using chemicals is not a good option, especially if you have a baby or pets around. 

These devices give you the versatility you need to clean every part of your house. However, there are many models in the market, some being original while others are cheap knockoffs. 

After reading this review, you can go out and buy the best handheld steamer for your home. It will completely change the way you do your cleaning.