Steam mops are suitable for hard floors and look like an upright mop with a water tank. They can be used for hard floors such as tiles and some models have variable steam control making them suitable for laminate and wood floors as well.

Cylinder steam cleaners are more versatile and are suitable for not only mopping floors but for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. Cylinder steam cleaners tend to offer longer steaming times than steam mops due to their larger water tanks, but they are not as quick to use. They can come with a variety of tools that allow you to clean grouting, ovens and floors, as well as steam creases out of clothes and curtains.

Handheld steam cleaners are cheaper and more portable. They come with a variety of tools for doing jobs around the home, however they have relatively small tanks which need re-filling more often.

The capacity of steam cleaners is measured in litres (l). Higher capacity steam cleaners mean that you need to refill them less often. Steam time will give you an indication of how long the tank of water will last for.

Cylinder steam cleaners have the largest capacities, making them ideal when you have a large surface to clean. However, this also means they can take longer to heat.

Although steam mops have smaller capacities, they will also heat up quickly. Many also have removable water tanks, so you can fill the tank directly from a tap without needing to use a cup and funnel.

To find the steam cleaner that is right for you, you should consider what is important to you; speed or capacity. You may be able to find a steam cleaner with the perfect balance for your tasks.

The steam time is the time the steam cleaner can produce steam for before it runs out of water and needs refilling. It is measured in minutes.

Handheld steam cleaners have smaller capacities and so can only produce steam in short bursts and will need refilling more often. This makes them suitable for spot cleaning and other short tasks.

Larger steam cleaners such as cylinder cleaners generally have longer steam times thanks to the larger capacity of their water tanks. This means you can use them for longer without needing to refill them.

The heating time is the time it takes for the steam cleaner to heat up and be ready to use.

The time it takes for a steam cleaner to heat up depends on the capacity of the cleaner, as larger capacity cleaners will take longer to warm to the required temperature.

Handheld steam cleaners and mops heat up quickly, so you can start using them sooner. Cylinder cleaners take longer to heat up, but thanks to their larger capacity tanks you will also be able to steam clean for longer.

Steam mops often include washable mop pads, which can be cleaned in the washing machine after you have used them. Steam mops that come with two pads mean you can always have a clean one to use while the other is being washed.

Some of the pads come with Microban® Product Protection, which helps to kill odour-causing germs and bacteria. This keeps your pads fresher for longer so they can be used time and time again.

Many steam mops and steam cleaners come with tools so you can clean many different surfaces. You can clean grouting and ovens, and some can also help you to remove creases from clothes and curtains.

Cylinder steam cleaners are ideal for more intensive cleaning such as bathroom cleaning as well as freshening surfaces.

However, each model has its own suitability to tasks. You will need to consider what you will be using your steam cleaner for before you make your decision.