Which steam cleaner is better to choose, rating and review of 15 models

The modern household appliance market offering a fairly wide choice, it is important to know how to choose the right steam cleaner. Thanks to this device, you can easily remove the most stubborn dirt from all surfaces and at the same time disinfect them. Plus, you don't need to use harsh household chemicals and a lot of effort.

Device and principle of operation

This device works on the basis of steam, which is generated in a separate compartment. Once the flow valve is triggered, steam rushes to the surface to be cleaned. The design contains a flexible nozzle or hose. Thanks to the internal pressure, the device provides a powerful burst of steam.

Areas of use

Steam cleaners are used for complex cleaning of the whole house or specific surfaces.

Cleaning of glass surfaces

The steam cleaner can clean all glass surfaces: mirrors, windows and all small glass parts.

Remove stubborn dirt from dishes and household appliances

The unit eliminates contamination of any complexity from kitchen utensils and household appliances, if they withstand high temperature processing.

Disinfection and cleaning of upholstered furniture

This device is often needed to remove pathogenic microbes from children's toys and upholstered furniture.

Clean bedding from dust mites and allergens

This device can be used to remove dust mites and allergens from mattresses and bedding.

What cannot be cleaned

The instructions define a list of items and surfaces that should not be steamed.

Surfaces that may warp under high temperatures

This list includes: parquet, which is covered with wax, varnished surfaces, as well as delicate fabrics (products made from natural wool and linen).

Electrical appliances

The cleaning of electrical appliances with hot steam is excluded, as it is dangerous for humans.

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Soft plastic

Children's toys and other small soft plastic items should not be cleaned as they may become deformed.

Types and their characteristics

Steam cleaners designed to clean the house can be divided into three groups.

vacuum cleaners

The steam device replaces several household appliances at once for complex cleaning. Equipped with iron accessories for clothes, a mode for dry cleaning carpets.

Compact

A household steam cleaner is suitable for complete cleaning of the house. They combine a large tank volume, high power, multiple nozzles and minimal heating time.

Manual

They are used for clothing care, short-term cleaning around the house and surface disinfection. They differ in low cost, simple design, but low power.

Key parameters when choosing

When choosing the right household appliance, it is important to take into account a number of key parameters.

Power

This parameter determines the quality, cleaning speed and heating time of the liquid. Devices with a power of 1000 watts or more clean surfaces better and resist stubborn dirt. Portable compact models have a capacity of up to 900 watts.

Steam boiler volume

This indicator determines the operating time of the steam cleaner. The volume of the tank can range from one liter to five.

You need to choose a device based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200ba apartment or house. One liter is enough for about half an hour of work.

Declared weight

The weight of the device directly depends on its type and functionality. Thus, manual models will be quite bulky and light, but this is subject to a small water tank.Floor-standing appliances and vacuum cleaners will be heavier.

Nozzles and their function

The number of nozzles determines the area of ​​use of the steam cleaner. The necessary set includes brushes for cleaning floors and furniture, sponge covers for cleaning windows and kitchen utensils, a nozzle for small objects and deep cleaning of corners, an iron for clothes steamed.

Power Cord Length

The length of the cord determines the comfort of working with this device. It is better to give preference to models with a cord length of 5 meters.

Hose length

Floor models have fairly long flexible hoses - about three meters. It is not worth choosing too long pipes, because in this case the steam has time to cool considerably until it reaches the nozzle.

Dimensions (edit)

You can choose hand-held and large-capacity devices, as well as vertical mops, the size of which corresponds to full-fledged vacuum cleaners. The choice depends on the intended use and the requirements for the duration of the cleaning.

Heating time and maximum temperature

The heating time is determined by the power of the model. The indicator can vary from 30 seconds to several minutes. The optimum temperature for the device is 135 degrees. If the device is purchased for clothes and carpets, 100 degrees will be enough.

steam pressure

This indicator determines the productivity of the purchased steam cleaner. The standard value is between 3 and 8 bar. As a rule, the optimal value starts from 4 and above. It is important to take into account the intensity of the device.

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type of heating

There are two types of this device - with direct flow and steam heating or with a built-in steam generator. Their main difference is in the intensity of the steam supply and the final temperature directly at the outlet.

Material selected for production

It is recommended to give preference to models with internal aluminum boilers. Such material heats up faster, and also accumulates less with scale. Direct flow units have only one material of construction and the water tank is exclusively plastic.

Additional functions

More expensive models have many additional advantages: a removable tank, a temperature and steam supply regulator, a safety valve, a control on the handle of the device, as well as a continuous steam function for cleaning large enough surfaces.

Assembly area

It is important to pay attention to the manufacturer.Little-known brands, as a rule, do not provide products with optimal unit characteristics and high-quality assembly.

Review of the best models for the home

The market for modern household appliances offers a wide variety of devices for different tasks.

Karcher SC 1

One of the most popular models. The pressure power is 1200 watts, the tank volume is up to 0.2 liters. The compact device is lightweight, equipped with a safety valve and a long power cord. However, the downside is the small number of attachments.

MIE always clean

Steam device with a large tank volume. It has high power, modern design. The set includes four useful accessories.

Polaris PSC-1101C

Inexpensive device with a comfortable handle; Suitable for cleaning windows, mirrors, sanitary ware and ceramic tiles.Medium tank, high power and pressure. Relatively light, heats up quickly.

Grand Master GM-VSC 38

Refers to portable handheld devices. Differs in high vapor pressure, but relatively low power.

The machine is efficient and consumes little energy. Heating time - 4 minutes. Equipped with fuse and four nozzles.

Smile ESC 1026

Little assistant, ideal for cleaning windows and glass surfaces. The power is less than a thousand watts, the tank capacity is 350 milliliters. Equipped with a long cord, several accessories, a long power cord and overheating protection.

Karcher SC 2

Refers to floor cleaners, has useful features: you can adjust the steam supply, install child protection, prevent the appearance of limescale. Compact, has several attachments, power - within 1.5.

Speed ​​VS-330

This device belongs to manual steam cleaners and has the following characteristics: steam pressure - 3.5 bar, power - 1200 watts, water tank volume - 0.48 liters. Continuous working time - 15 minutes. The set includes 4 nozzles.

Karcher SC 5

A device with reliable functionality and high pressure that can clean even stubborn dirt. Equipped with two water tanks, descaler, hand nozzle, steam hose, floor cleaning kit. Heats up in 3 minutes.

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Kitfort KT-909

Suitable for home use, made of high quality plastic. Power - within 1500 watts, heating time - 15 minutes. Equipped with a spacious water tank, a horizontal iron, three nozzles and a handle.

Ariete Multi Vapori MV 6.10

This steam cleaner has a high steam pressure of 4 bar and a power of 1600 watts.Has a fairly large water tank, which is sufficient for thorough cleaning. Adjustable steam supply. The set includes 4 nozzles.

Marta MT-1172

A compact steam model that combines the functions of a mop, a vacuum cleaner for floors and windows, an iron and a disinfector. The execution time is 40 minutes. The set includes many nozzles, horizontal steam.

MIE Bello

A fairly powerful device with several nozzles and a vertical iron for ironing and steaming. Power - under 1.7, the tank holds 1.7 liters. The only drawback is the plastic wheels, which are prone to mechanical damage.

Grand Master GM-Q7 Multi Elite

A device supplied with cleaning accessories and an iron. Removes limescale, smooths dense fabrics, cleans stone floors. Has a horizontal steaming function. The tank is 2.3 liters and the capacity is 1.95.

Kitfort KT-1003

A steam mop with an abundance of attachments for cleaning various surfaces. The power of the device is 1500 watts, the water tank is designed for 450 milliliters, the cord length is 5 meters. Includes overheating protection.

Magic Vapor Rovus

This 3-in-1 vertical steam cleaner has a power of 1650 watts. The heating time is only 30 seconds, the steam temperature reaches 200 degrees, the water tank volume is 0.3 liters . Additional nozzles and steam adjustment.

Bissell 1897-N

The vertical steam mop has a modern design. The volume of the tank is 0.4 liters, the length of the cord is 7.5 meters, the power of the unit is 1500 watts. Eight accessories and three additional functions. Heating time - 30 seconds. Weighs 5 kilograms.

Answers to questions

After the purchase, owners of steam cleaners are concerned about a number of problems associated with the operation of this device.

Can I replace a vacuum cleaner

The steam cleaner is not able to completely replace the vacuum cleaner, because it works according to a different principle and does not suck up dirt.

What water to fill

For a steamer, running water is a suitable option. But if it is of poor quality or too hard, distillation is allowed.

Is there excess humidity in the house?

The steam generated by the device evaporates quite quickly and only slightly humidifies the air, without causing excessive humidity. In the cold season of the year, this is even necessary.

What is the difference between a steam iron and a classic steam iron?

The iron of a steam cleaner has the following advantages: it is much easier and faster to smooth out creases with a nozzle, and damage to delicate fabrics is also excluded.

How to descale

As a rule, the set includes special sticks - Anti-limescale, which dissolve in cold water. Some models use cartridges.