A handheld steam cleaner is a powerful tool for naturally disinfecting surfaces, small goods and appliances (like washing machine interiors). The heat component not only sanitizes but also works to break down dirt molecules, loosening and lifting grime like magic. Got moldy grout or a greasy oven? The best handheld steam cleaners can easily tackle them — plus they’re a game-changer when it comes to de-gunking adhesives: Anyone who’s ever used a steamer to remove price tags, stickers or wallpaper knows what it can do!
Many come with a variety of nozzles for tackling different areas and getting into grooves as well as hoses that can suction and lift away tough (and particularly gooey) stains from carpets and upholstery. You’ll feel like a professional cleaner using all of the accessories.
Speaking of professionals, we made our selects by consulting with cleaning and health experts; we also scoured product descriptions and reviews to find the best steam cleaners according to real customers. If you keep scrolling, you’ll find some tips for what to look for when shopping, along with answers to common FAQs. (For more good, clean fun, here’s our guide to the 12 sprays, soaps and other products everyone should own).
Table of contents:
The best handheld steam cleaners for 2025
Amazon
Tank capacity: 48 oz. | Weight: 9.95 lb. | Run time: 45 minutes | Accessories: 1 nozzle, 8 brushes, plus 9 others | Solution included? No
Topping our list is the McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner, beloved by more than 18,000 customers for its heavy-duty steaming power, large tank capacity, long run time and extensive suite of accessories for sanitizing every nook and cranny of the house.
“It’s powerful but still fairly light and easy to use and comes with tons of attachments,” adds Logan Taylor, president of The Dazzle Cleaning Company, a home cleaning service based in Seattle.
Taylor notes that the professional-level steamer is particularly good at cleaning shower grout: “Showers, especially ones with glass shower doors, and even more specifically old ones, usually build up a lot of grime in the tracks. Use the jet nozzle to blow it all out of there — it is by far the fastest, easiest way to get all this gunk out.”
Among the attachments are eight brushes for combining the steam with a little scrubbing action, which can help loosen tougher messes. Unlike other steamers on this list, the McCulloch steamer also has an extendable wand that can be used with the included mop head or squeegee, particularly great for steam-cleaning flat and/or vast surfaces, such as walls and floors, and hard-to-reach areas.
$150 at Amazon
Amazon
Tank capacity: 64 oz. | Weight: 13 lb. | Run time: N/A | Accessories: 2 cleaning tools, plus drying tool | Solution included? Yes
When it comes to deep-cleaning carpets and upholstery, Bissell is one of the biggest names in the game, with the brand’s latest steamer (the HydroSteam Pet) its most powerful to date.
“I use it to clean all types of fabrics throughout the house — my living room furniture, dining room chairs and carpets,” shares MaidPro franchise owner Andrea Ponce.
She notes that the HydroSteam Pet comes with a people- and pet-friendly cleaning solution for deeper cleaning — and that a little bit of formula goes a long way. “Less is more when it comes to detergents. If you have stubborn stains, you can do multiple cleans to get them out, but they will come out. Best practice: Always try a small spot first before cleaning the entire surface.”
To operate the steamer, you just add water and cleaning solution to the “clean” tank and attach your desired tool (there are two for cleaning and one for drying). You can select from three cleaning modes: Steam for refreshing upholstery, Wash Mode for pet and other everyday messes and SteamWash for oily stains that are harder to get out.
I also own one of these and can attest to its deep-cleaning capabilities. It saved my rug after I spilled a (venti!) iced coffee all over it on one eventful morning. I also witnessed the SteamWash function in all its glory at a product demonstration, removing gooey substances like honey and chocolate syrup from shag carpeting in as little as a few passes.
$230 at Amazon
Amazon
Tank capacity: 8.5 oz. | Weight: Unknown | Run time: 10 minutes | Accessories: Delicates bonnet and 2-in-1 silicone band and bristle brush | Solution included? No
A clothing steamer can help smooth wrinkles and eliminate odors in fabrics for a quick, detergent-free refresh. And Zachary Pozniak, a fourth-generation dry cleaner and author of The Laundry Book, counts this one from Conair among the best.
“It heats up really quickly, is quite light given that it’s an all-in-one handheld system and there is minimal ‘spitting’ (when the water comes out in large drops, which can cause water rings),” he explains. “The Conair 2-in-1 also has a metal plate, which means you can basically touch any fabric to provide a bit of ironing!”
The small but mighty handheld packs 1,875 watts of steaming power for killing 99.9% of bacteria and has four steam settings, ranging from low (for delicates) to turbo (for powerful crease release).
Safety callout: This Conair steamer is also designed with a smart sensor that stops the steam when the steamer is placed on a flat surface for added peace of mind.
$69 at Wayfair
Factors to consider when choosing a handheld steam cleaner
Tank capacity: The bigger the tank(s), the more fuel for steaming and/or cleaning, particularly helpful for bigger jobs and homes. Steam cleaners typically contain two tanks — one for clean water/solution and one for dirty/discarded — whereas more traditional steamers tend to have a smaller, singular tank, with less capacity and are therefore easier to hold (more on this below).
Steamer type:
Traditional steamers (or sanitizers) are typically used with water solely, ideal for disinfecting — and uprooting dirt in/on — ovens, washing machines and dryers, as well as counters, suitcases, toys and (disinfecting and de-wrinkling) bedding and clothes.
Steam cleaners (often designed for carpets and upholstery) are typically used with a combination of water and cleaning solution. They have a hose and more cleaning-focused brushes and tools for loosening/uprooting, suctioning and cleaning dirt, stains and gooey messes in one go.
Accessories: Nozzles and brushes of different sizes help you tackle grooves and messes of different magnitudes. We suggest prioritizing steamers and steam cleaners with at least a few attachment tools for greater versatility and value.
How we chose these handheld steam cleaners
Thoughtfully! We scoured product descriptions and reviews for helpful features that impressed shoppers most. We also spoke with experts, including professional cleaners and dry cleaners to find out which steam cleaners they rely on at home and on the job. Lastly, we included picks that we, home editors who spend our livelihoods evaluating products, have had the opportunity to test-drive ourselves.
How to use a handheld steamer
Carefully! Handheld steam cleaners typically consist of a body (where the power button and mechanics are located), a tank for water and a nozzle (interchangeable with brushes and attachments). Most steam cleaners that are made to clean (not just disinfect) also have a hose (for water and/or cleaning solutions to travel through) and a separate tank for dirty solution.
You typically operate a handheld steamer by filling up the tank(s) with water and/or cleaning solution (many feature fill lines for added convenience). Then you attach the tank to the machine, attach the desired tool, plug in the steamer and pres power, allowing some time for the water and/or solution to heat up. Some attachment tools, such as brushes, may warrant direct contact with a surface whereas nozzles can typically be used at a slight distance. Either way, you should leave some distance between your body and the the steam to avoid burns.
Handheld steam cleaner FAQs
Can I use a handheld steam cleaner on carpet?
Yes, at least in most cases. Look for one that’s specially designed for steam-cleaning carpets, ideally prioritizing one that can be used in conjunction with floor cleaner solutions and comes with accessory tools for tackling dirt and stains.
What things can you clean and sanitize with a steam cleaner?
Depending on the tool, steam cleaners can be used to sanitize and clean not only carpets but most, sealed surfaces (like counters, floors and walls), textiles and upholstery (such as clothing, bedding, sofas and rugs), appliances (i.e. laundry machines, dryers and ovens) and smaller goods like baby accessories and pet toys.
Hot steam also breaks down molecules in stickier substances, making it especially helpful for loosening and lifting price tags, wallpaper and gooier messes (like chocolate syrup or honey).
Can you add cleaning solution to steam cleaners?
One of the benefits of using steam to clean is that the hot water should serve to disinfect on its own (rendering it a non-toxic alternative to using chemicals). That said, cleaning solutions can be used in addition to water for combatting tougher — and especially gooier — messes.
Many brands offer cleaning solutions designed specifically for their steam cleaners, sold separately and/or as an added bonus with purchase. Otherwise, adding a few drops of natural detergent should help. Just be careful to ensure any cleaning solutions you integrate are safe for the area you’re applying, particularly around kitchen appliances or food.
What’s the difference between a steam cleaner and a carpet cleaner?
Traditional steamers heat water up to high temperatures as a natural way to sanitize — and, with the help of attachment tools and hoses, loosen and lift stubborn or sticky dirt from — various surfaces.
Suction-style carpet cleaners use cleaning solutions (without steam), in addition to attachment tools and hoses. And steam cleaners combine cleansing agents and steam, plus attachment tools and hoses, for loosening stains and cleaning at once (aka a greater offense against gooier messes).
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