Best steam cleaners in Australia 2024

We read hundreds of customer reviews to find the 5 best steam cleaners in Australia that you can buy online.

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The best steam cleaners in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team has picked the products featured in the list based on real customer reviews found on Amazon Australia and other reputable sites. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the steam cleaners with the highest review within the criteria judged.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Karcher SC3 EasyFix Steam Cleaner

Best overall steam cleaner

Karcher SC3 EasyFix Steam Cleaner
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Fast heat-up time
  • Produces chemical-free results on most hard surfaces

Cons

  • Some surfaces take longer to dry after mopping
  • Can leave water spots on some surfaces

If you are looking for a powerful steam cleaner, the Karcher SC3 EasyFix Steam Cleaner fits the bill. With 736 reviews amassed to date on Amazon Australia, the Karcher SC3 model garnered an average of 4.4 stars out of 5. Of those, nearly 70% of the reviews returned a perfect 5-star score.

Providing a fast heat-up time, the Karcher SC3 contains an integrated descaling cartridge. This is practical as you can clean while ensuring the prevention of the build-up of limescale. More importantly, the SC3 EasyFix produces excellent chemical-free results on any hard surface whether it be tiles, hobs or exhaust hoods.

With the SC3 EasyFix, there is a simple fixation system that ensures fast hands-free cloth removal. The product is corded electric and has a power capacity of 1,900 watts.

Polti Vaporetto Go Steam Cleaner

Best handheld steam cleaner

Polti Vaporetto Go Steam Cleaner
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Comes with great accessories, including shoulder strap
  • Has an anti-slacked safety cap

Cons

  • Clips that hold the cloths could be more secure
  • No water indicator so difficult to tell how much water is in tank

If you are considering buying a handheld steam cleaner, you should consider the Polti Vaporetto Go Steam Cleaner. Customers flocked to Amazon Australia to write up reviews and close to 1,000 have been published. With an average of 4.3 stars out of 5, customers were very happy with the product and praised it for being flexible and easy to use.

This steam cleaner – which comes in two different colours – is lightweight and comes with a safety cap. In terms of accessories you can expect to find, there is a small brush containing bristles to remove grease and stains. A floorcloth also accompanies the steam cleaner as well as a shoulder strap to make it easy to transport the device while cleaning.

The maximum pressure is 3.5 Bar and the boiler volume is 1.1 litres, while the steam output is 100 grams per minute. The Polti Vaporetto Go Steam Cleaner which comes in a blue and white hue, has a cord length of 5 metres and weighs 3.2 kilograms.

Moolan Steam Mop

Best steam cleaner for carpet

Moolan Steam Mop
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Fast steam ready in 15 seconds
  • Variable steam control dial

Cons

  • Water can run out quite quickly on the highest setting
  • Can be difficult attaching the extension hose

Finding a reliable steam cleaner can be a daunting task; however, the Moolan Steam Mop is worth taking a closer look at. So far, there have been 996 reviews published on Amazon Australia and the product has generated an average of 4.1 stars out of 5. And 56% of these reviews earned a perfect 5-star score. Customers claimed it was a useful tool and complimented it for being an essential home cleaner.

The Moolan Steam Mop is very versatile and works effectively on most surfaces, including carpet, marble, glass and laminate. Providing a 100-degrees-centigrade hot steam that can kill 99.9% of all bacteria, the steamer is an all-in-one mop that can be used in any room.

You can use distilled water in your steam mop if the area you live in has hard water. The tank capacity of the product is 450ml and it weighs just over 3kg.

BISSELL SpotClean

Best steam cleaner for cars

BISSELL SpotClean
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Easy to store
  • Removes some of the toughest stains and spots

Cons

  • Cleaner can be very noisy
  • Suction could be more efficient

With its ability to remove some of the toughest stains, Amazon Australia has been deluged with reviews about the Bissell SpotClean. There have been nearly 900 ratings attached to this product and 74% of the reviews gave a full 5-star score. It's small and portable, making it suitable for cleaning car seats, caravans, camping equipment and more.

This particular steam cleaner has in-built heatwave technology that helps keep a constant water temperature while cleaning. It can tackle all kinds of spills and even set-in stains which are notoriously more difficult to tackle. The product comes with two sample bottles of Bissell's compact carpet shampoo.

Aside from that, the dirt capacity is 1.4 litres while the water capacity is 1.1 litres and the cord length is 4.6 metres. The Bissell SpotClean weighs 3.86kg.

Check out more Bissell cleaning products featured in our roundup of the best steam mops.

Jet USA Portable Steam Cleaner

Best cheap steam cleaner

Jet USA Portable Steam Cleaner
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Product is chemical-free
  • Comes with a useful assortment of cleaning attachments

Cons

  • Can be difficult unscrewing the lid
  • No manual accompanies the steam cleaner

Deemed to be environmentally friendly, the Jet USA Portable Steam Cleaner is a practical way to clean your home and it has been very well received. Customers were delighted with the product and it averaged 4 stars out of 5 from the 29 reviews published on Kogan.

Weighing a mere 2kg, the Jet USA Portable Steam Cleaner is lightweight and easy to carry around your home. Accompanied by six different attachments, this product removes stubborn dirt and grime from most surfaces, including windows and shower doors. Included with each steamer will be a surface and glass cleaning attachment as well as a funnel and steamer cloth.

Providing 1,000 watts of power, the Jet USA Portable Steam Cleaner has a tank capacity of 450ml and a steam flow of 28g per minute. In terms of product dimensions, the Jet USA is 16cm width by 19.7cm in depth and 27cm in height.

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Amazon prices last updated on 20 November, 2024 at 07:01 pm

Methodology

  • We compared major steam cleaning products found in online retailers.
  • We excluded brands that aren't widely available in Australia.
  • The products featured on this list are chosen by our editorial team and not selected based on commercial relationships

Why you can trust our picks

We considered the following steam cleaning brands:

  • Bissell
  • Karcher
  • Moolan
  • VAX
  • Beldray
  • Belaco
  • Morphy Richards
  • Polti Vaporetto
  • Euroflex
  • Samsung
  • Kmart
  • SHARK

We then took into account a wide range of reviews (as of March 2021) and assessed several key factors, including usability and price, before determining which steam cleaners should feature on this list.

What is a steam cleaner?

Steam cleaners have become more and more popular over the last few years due to their versatility and chemical-free cleaning ability. They produce a dry steam that lifts grease and dirt to keep surfaces clean, sanitised and germ-free, and they're better for both your family's health and the environment than using a regular mop and floor cleaning product.

You'll find that steam cleaners look similar to other cleaning products that you already use like a vacuum cleaner or mop, but the difference is that steam cleaners have a water tank that enables them to produce steam while you clean.

Types of steam cleaners

There are three main types of steam cleaners: cylinder steam cleaners, steam mops and handheld steam cleaners.

Cylinder steam cleaner

A cylinder steam cleaner looks similar to a cylinder vacuum cleaner with the main body being a water tank. They are able to break down and remove dirt and grease from your floors before cleaning and sanitising. They also get rid of dust mites and allergens, so are worth having in a household of asthmatics and allergy sufferers to keep health problems at bay.

The one downside of cylinder steam cleaners is that even though they store more water, they do take longer to heat up, which may be frustrating when you're in a hurry. However, you can expect to get about 45 minutes worth of steam from one tank, which should enable you to do a lot of cleaning around the home in one go.

Since there are a number of different attachments that you can buy, you can use your steam cleaner for cleaning things like your oven, windows and hard-to-reach places. One thing that you shouldn't use a steam cleaner on is your clothes, but you can buy special garment cleaners that take out all the wrinkles out of your clothes after you've washed them.

Steam mop

A steam mop is lighter than a cylinder steam cleaner and works the same way as a normal mop. It has a water tank on the handle, but as it only produces about 15 minutes of steam, this will need to be filled up more often.

Steam mops are suitable for use on laminate, tile or wood floors (depending on the variable steam control), and some come with an attachment that allows you to use them on low-pile carpets. You should look for models that can heat up in 15-20 seconds and that have a swivel head for easy manoeuvring.

Check out the best steam mops in Australia.

Handheld steam cleaner

For small cleaning tasks around the home like cleaning curtains or giving the bathroom tiles a quick once over, a handheld steam cleaner might be suitable. While you can store them easily and they don't take long to heat up, their small water tank means that you won't get a lot of steam out of one refill.

How to compare steam cleaners

With many brands and models to choose from, take some time to understand what you should be looking for when you compare steam cleaners. The first step is to decide between a cylinder steam cleaner, a steam mop and a handheld cleaner.

Next, think about the size of your home. While steam mops may be good for smaller spaces, a cylinder steam cleaner is more suitable for a large home.

Finally, consider the following factors:

Cost

Steam cleaners come in various models and sizes, with options ranging from $80 through to over $1,000. The average price of a steam cleaner for a normal sized home that you'll be using regularly sits at around $250-$350. If you don't think you'll use your steam cleaner that much or you only have a small area to clean, then you can opt for a cheaper product, but if you need a more powerful cleaner for a busy household, then you may want to consider one of the more expensive models.

Steam output and pressure levels

The more steam your cleaner outputs, the better clean you will get, so a good measure to look for is 100g per minute or more. Choosing a model that has variable steam output means that you can use it on different types of floor finishes. The pressure level is also important, and again, the higher this is the better performance you will see.

Water tank capacity

The greater your water tank capacity, the more steam and more cleaning time you will get. Cylinder steam cleaners have the largest tanks, but if you would prefer to have a steam mop or handheld cleaner, opt for the biggest tank size that you can find for less frequent refilling. Do remember though that smaller tanks are quicker to heat up, so you may need to compromise on water tank size if you don't like to wait.

Size and weight

While steam mops and handheld steam cleaners are lightweight and portable, some of the larger cylinder steam cleaners are heavier, especially with a full tank. If you are interested in one of these, check the specifications for the weight to ensure that you are able to comfortably lift and maneuver it around your home.

Attachments and accessories

Some steam cleaners have various attachments and accessories that can make cleaning your home that bit easier. You may find these included or you could have the option of buying them separately.

  • Cleaning pads.Usually made from microfiber, these clean your floors.
  • Carpet glider.This helps to make your carpet look like new again and removes trapped odours for a fresh smell. You can use a carpet glider after using a carpet stain remover to help with the last traces of a stain or fluff the carpet back up.< li>
  • Scrubbing brush.A brush can make removing stubborn stains much easier as it breaks up grease and dirt.
  • Nozzle.An angled jet nozzle helps to clean those hard to reach corners.
  • Squeegee.If you have a squeegee attachment you can also clean your windows, which saves you time and effort.
  • Fragrance discs.By putting a fragrance disk into the water tank of your steam cleaner, you can enjoy a fresh smell throughout your home after cleaning.
  • Scrubbing pad.You can use these pads to break down grease in your oven for easier cleaning.< li>

Can you use tap water?

Some steam cleaners state that you need to use distilled water to fill the water tank as salts and minerals found in tap water can leave a buildup over time or wear down the metal. However, if you want to use tap water for convenience, it's possible to find special filters instead of having to use distilled water. Check the specifications for the steam cleaner you are interested in to see what is required.

This guide to the best places to buy appliances has a list of retailers where you can shop for your new steam cleaner.

Three things to consider

  1. Even though the cleaning pads on steam mops are usually machine washable, you'll need to replace them as they get worn out. Check to see what the price of these are so you are prepared for the ongoing cost.
  2. It's worth checking that the water tank can be detached from the body of the cleaner, otherwise you'll probably find that filling and emptying it is tricky.
  3. When using your steam cleaner on your floor, make sure to vacuum first to remove as much dust and debris as you can for best results. Want to save time? Invest in a robot cleaner and let it do the hard work for you.

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Contributor

Charles Perrin is a contributing writer at Finder. Previously the Daily Express' online overnight sports editor, and with over 10 years of experience in the field, Charles regularly writes for a multitude of different clients working remotely. Charles is hugely passionate about all sports and has a particular focus on golf, tennis and football. He graduated from De Montfort University, Leicester with a 2:1 honours in History and Journalism and is fully accredited with the NCTJ (National Training for the Council of Journalists). See full bio

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