Portable Handheld Steam Cleaners in 2022

Updated July 29, 2022
Why Trust Steam Cleaner Master?

Steam Cleaner Master spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own.

Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best

Bissell

PowerFresh 2075A Steam Mop & Handheld

Bottom Line

bottom line
Editor's Choice Transformative and mulitfunctional to kill 99.9% of germs. A 25-foot cord and every attacmhment imaginable makes it easy to use everywhere.

Pros

pros
  • This product functions as both a steam mop and a handheld device
  • The steam mop makes it easier to remove dirt and grim from your floor than using a traditional mop
  • Numerous accessories are included for cleaning more surfaces and items around the house

Cons

cons
  • If you’re on the taller side, you may feel that the handle is too short
Best Bang for the Buck

Vapamore

MR-75 Handheld Steam Cleaner

Bottom Line

bottom line
Runner Up Lightweight and able to clean everything inside and out from appliances to toys. Can also be used to kill bed bugs and pests safely.

Pros

pros
  • It weighs 5.9 pounds
  • 17 different accessories are included with your purchase to keep you equipped to tackle any task
  • A lifetime warranty is included with your purchase

Cons

cons
  • The steam only gets up to 210 degrees Fahrenheit

Mosche

9-Piece Portable Steam Cleaner

Bottom Line

bottom line
Runner Up This includes a 360-degree nozel with many features designed to keep you safe. It has a safety lock and automatically turns off if the tank is empty or too hot.

Pros

pros
  • Various safety features, such as a safety lock and auto shut off, are included with this item
  • The steam gets hotter than some other products on the market
  • You can use the steamer to get into tight corners

Cons

cons
  • Some other models heat up more quickly

Dr. Purifier

10 in 1 Portable Steam Kit

Bottom Line

bottom line
Runner Up Variable temperatures and 9 attachments make light work for multiple tasks. Comes with safety features for automatic shut-off.

Pros

pros
  • You can use this product to simplify the task of cleaning numerous surfaces
  • The nozzle rotates 360-degrees
  • The upholstery attachment can be used to steam clothing

Cons

cons
  • You may need to stop frequently to refill the water tank to ensure you have enough steam
Highest Performance

Bissell

SteamShot Hard Surface Steam Cleaner 39N7V

Bottom Line

bottom line
Runner Up Easy to hold and operate, this has a unique on demand trigger for steam release. Heats up ultra fast in 30 seconds and comes with a 20-foot cord.

Pros

pros
  • The 20- cord reduces the number of times you'll need to move the unit to a different outlet
  • It only takes 30 seconds to heat up
  • Bissell makes a donation to help homeless pets when any of their products are purchased.

Cons

cons
  • The cleaner does not automatically shut off or let you know when the water tank is empty

How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Click here for testing insights >
11 Models
Considered
378 Consumers
Consulted
38 Hours
Researched
Buying guide for
Portable Handheld Steam Cleaners in 2022

The moment you first use a portable steam cleaner, it quickly becomes your new favorite tool. These devices are designed to simplify a lot of cleaning tasks. The best steam handheld cleaners have attachments for myriad of unique and often tough-to-reach applications that larger up-right steamers can’t access.

Where handheld steamers really shine includes toilet cleaning, window cleaning, annual air conditioner cleaning, and evening steaming your clothing to remove wrinkles. If the wrinkle or dirt is stubborn then steam is your best bet at removing it.

On this page, we’ve compiled a review of the s5 best handheld steamers on the market this year to help you make the best decision possible when it comes time to make a purchase decision.

Top Performing Steam Handheld Cleaners

Handheld Steamer Buyer’s Guide

A handheld steamer can be a very useful purchase. They are designed to clean and sanitize many different surfaces and items around your home, which can have a dramatic impact on your cleaning routine.

Since there are many different models and features to consider, we suggest you take some time to think about what you’d like to see in the product you purchase.

Tank Capacity/Steam Time

One thing you should look for before purchasing a steam cleaner is the capacity of the water tank. Products with a larger capacity can produce more steam before needing to be refilled. This makes it possible for you to work for longer periods of time before needing to stop and refill the water tank.

Included Accessories

Next, you should look at what accessories are included with the different models you’re considering. Will you receive enough tools to clean all the different surfaces in your home that you’d like to?

Weight

Since you’ll be holding the steamer in your hand as you work, you should also consider the weight of each item. If you choose a product that is too heavy, you may not be able to comfortably hold it long enough to complete the various cleaning tasks you’d like to tackle.

Safety Features

Finding a product that offers features designed to ensure your safety is also important. Some features you may want to look for include an automatic shut-off when the water tank gets emptied and a safety lock to prevent hot steam from accidentally burning you when you’re working.

Other Steam Features to Consider

Some other features you may want to look for include a long power cord, a rotating nozzle, and storage space for the tools on the unit. Additionally, you may want to consider getting a more versatile product that can function as both a steam mop and a handheld steamer.

Finally, be sure to look for whether the manufacturer offers any warranties or guarantees that can provide you with more confidence to purchase a particular product.

Verdict & Review

After compiling the six reviews above, we have concluded that the Bissell PowerFresh 2075A is our clear winner. We think you’ll find that this multitasking powerhouse comes in very handy around the house and can simplify many of the cleaning tasks that you dread.

For smaller tasks and ultimate portability the Dr. Purifier is also a great option. It’s great for small odd jobs and quick clean ups, but the limited size that makes it so easily portable also constrains it with larger cleaning tasks like floors, large windows, or walls.

FAQ

Q. How do portable steam cleaners work? A. Steamers in general can be very powerful cleaning tools. They emit hot bursts of steam to loosen and release stuck-on dirt, grime, and bacteria from a variety of surface or objects within your home. The attachments that are included with most cleaners make it possible to clean just about any sealed surface including flooring, tiles, toys, appliances, grills, and more.
Q. Will handheld steamers kill bed bugs? A. Yes, you can use a handheld steam cleaner to kill bed bugs. These products can heat up the surface area of the mattress enough to kill bed bugs in all stages of the life cycle. In order to kill the bed bugs and prevent damaging your mattress, you want the surface temperature on the mattress to get between 160- and 180-degrees Fahrenheit. In order to ensure the surface gets hot enough, without getting too hot, try using an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature immediately after passing your steam cleaner over a section. If you find that the temperature is too hot, you should move the steamer more quickly. If you find that the temperature is not hot enough, try moving the steamer more slowly to let it get each section hot enough to kill the bugs.
Q. What can I use a steam cleaner for? A. Handheld steamers can be used in every room in your house for variety of cleaning tasks. Here are some examples of what you can clean: Sealed flooring Grout Appliances Showers and tubs Counters Door knobs Toilets Pet messes Baseboards Doors Ceiling fans Mattresses Sheets, pillows, and blankets windows Grills Car interiors In addition to cleaning, you can also use your steam cleaner for with other tasks around the house, such as: Steaming clothing Removing wrinkles from curtains Defrosting a freezer Killing bed bugs

Other Products We Considered

The Steam Cleaner Master editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.

Our Top Products

About the Author Angela

Angela is the founder of Steam Cleaner Master. With two kids at home, she knows it's a struggle to keep things clean — which is why she is here to share her tips and tricks with you.

Scroll to Top