The Best Steam Cleaners

In our tests, cleaned very well thanks to its built-in boiler that produces hot, dry and pressurized steam. And because the steam is drier than with non-boiler models, surfaces dry quickly and messy splashing and splattering is minimized too.

The pressurized steam blast on the Dupray is noticeably more forceful so it did clean more quickly and with a bit less effort. Keep in mind that when steam hits a cold surface, it condenses so expect to sop up the water it leaves behind. I had to do this with both steamers, though somewhat less with Dupray's drier steam.

The Reliable produced powerful steam, was very easy to steer and hold and included an impressive array of attachments for a steamer at this very affordable price.

It did a great job cleaning grout and removing crayon and ink stains from our Cleaning Lab's ceramic tile floor and quartz countertop. The Dupray very intuitive to use and the attachments are easy to put on and take off.

We especially liked its sleek, modern design, retractable carry handle, and the fact that it weighs only 9 pounds, light enough to move around easily, even when the tank is full. Its 54-ounce water tank delivers up to 53 minutes of continuous steam.

The spray pressure doesn't make as much of a mess as we usually expect (or that we saw with other favorites). Everything is quick and easy, and the noise level is subtle enough that we could have conversations while the steam cleaner was in use.

I loved the ease of use and the power. I think the key for me is the simple design of the applicator, which is lightweight and easy to use. It worked well and was effective in getting the job done.

After a full 10 minutes of steaming, the tank was still about half full, plenty to do multiple floors in a home. The large water tank was easy to remove, refill at the sink and replace.

Setup is a breeze, just snap the pole and handle into place, fill the removable water tank, and you're ready to go. Steam is released on demand with a button on the handle. We love that the 18-foot cord ensures no corner is out of reach, and the mop locks upright for hassle-free storage.