Best handheld steam cleaner Handheld steamers cost less than larger canister-type machines, and their compact size comes in handy if you have limited storage or working space. They're also highly portable. Some resemble a water pitcher, with an opening for adding water to the internal boiler and a steam trigger near the handle. We don't see a lot of love for handheld steam cleaners from owners. Some of that is due to design flaws that are inherent in all handheld steam cleaners: they have short run times, performance is inconsistent, they don't have much power (which means you'll still have to do some scrubbing), and they tend to leak. Still, some of those reviews are simply unfair because many of those low ratings are due to unrealistic expectations. In other words, people buy a handheld steam cleaner and expect it to perform like a canister-style cleaner. It's like giving a Kia a poor review for not accelerating from zero to 60 as quickly as a Porsche. Handheld steam cleaners are intended only for small jobs, like removing stickers, cleaning around small areas like faucets, or cleaning toys -- not for detailing an entire bathroom or getting a large grill spotlessly clean.

If you need a big job done, see our discussion of the best steam cleaners elsewhere in this report, otherwise, keep your expectations realistic and you won't be disappointed with a handheld steam cleaner. One last caveat when it comes to reviews for handheld steam cleaners, we did some with exceptionally high ratings, but a close read revealed that they had been given in exchange for a free product. We can't accept those at face value and we suggest that you don't either. However, when all that is taken into account, the Reliable EnviroMate Pronto P7 (Est. $100) turns up as a solid choice. It gets good feedback from owners for producing 15 minutes of continuous, consistent steam. Its 10-ounce reservoir can be refilled while it's still hot and a flip-up cap makes those refills easy. Knowledgeable experts strongly recommend the Reliable EnviroMate, and say it's an excellent performer and a really great value. Users agree that the Reliable EnviroMate Pronto P7 handheld steam cleaner does a great job, although you may still have to scrub the toughest grime.

We found a few scattered durability complaints, but the Pronto is still praised for its performance, and it has a one-year warranty plus lifetime coverage on the boiler. Other notable features on the Pronto P7 include a "steam ready" indicator light and a 32-inch steam hose to help you get into tight places. It also comes with a good assortment of attachments: brass and nylon scrub brushes, angle and taper nozzles, a window-cleaning squeegee, a fabric accessory and the aforementioned 32-inch steam hose. A carry bag helps you keep it all together. For half the price of the Pronto, the Bissell Steam Shot (Est. $50) is a good choice if you just need to steam clean small spaces. It suffers from many of the same issues as we see with all handheld vapor cleaners, which means that it will mostly loosen gunk, but you'll probably have to do some scrubbing to get the best results. The 6-ounce reservoir provides anywhere from five to 15 minutes of continuous steam, and the few accessories included -- an angle concentrator, detail brush, brass cleaning brush and fabric cleaning tool -- seem to do their jobs well.

We did find some concerns about this bargain steam cleaner's durability, but it's covered by a one-year warranty. The Steamfast SF-210 (Est. $36) costs even less than the Bissell, but earns ratings that are similar. professional carpet cleaners for sale ukIt takes about 3 minutes to heat up, then provides 10 minutes of continuous steam. pool cleaner targetThe Steamfast includes several accessories, including a jet nozzle and several different-sized brushes. carpet cleaning for allergiesUsers say it works very well for such a small, inexpensive steamer. best way to clean grout in kitchen tiles

Although it's not for heavy jobs, owners say it definitely cuts their cleaning time down on smaller jobs, like cleaning appliances, counters and pet carriers. Steamfast responds to durability complaints from customers, offering to make it right for them.carpet cleaner rental college stationSteam cleaners seem to be all the rage at the moment, and sales have apparently been booming. carpet cleaning ct reviewsJohn Lewis, for example, is reporting a 64% year-on-year rise. Assistant buyer Chloe Harris said: "Steam cleaning is growing in popularity as a solution for removing bacteria and grease, as well as helping to eliminate dust mites and allergens in the home." Most are detergent-free, meaning money can be saved by avoiding expensive cleaning products. With high-pressure steam penetrating the surface, all unwanted stains are attacked with force.

With spring-cleaning still fresh in our minds, we look at the available options and what you need to spend. Steam cleaners vary, but many fall into one of three types: handheld, mop and cylinder. Details below give an idea of the differences. However, each model varies and the attachments tincluded are key to their versatility, so check what's included before you buy. Handheld: These are portable cleaners, so are easy to store and useful for small areas with many good for tiles, hobs, windows and upholstery. Mop: These are upright with a long handle where the water is usually stored, used primarily for cleaning floors. Cylinder: These are often the heaviest of the three, but usually carry more water so you don't need to refill them as often. Combining a bendy hose with different nozzles and attachments, they can often be used to clean several different surfaces including floors, oven doors, taps, grout and upholstery. Many of the machines come with attachments for varying cleaning requirements and some retailers sell additional heads to allow you to adapt your machine for other surfaces.

Cloths need to be cleaned regularly and plenty are machine-washable, but replacements will be required – at a cost. The larger the water tank, the longer you can clean before refilling and reheating. A small tank could last for less than 10 minutes, while larger ones can potentially last 30 minutes or more. The combination of power and temperature is important; the higher the pressure the more powerful the steam that hits the surface. Some users complain about machines leaving excess water on the surface that is being cleaned. If you want to avoid this, look for one where the steam stops immediately after the trigger gun is released. None of them can be used as carpet cleaners – some can be used to "refresh" carpets or for "spot cleaning". However, to carry out a deep cleanse you would need a dedicated carpet cleaner. There are many products available. Here we have chosen four popular models and found that you can save as much as £90 by shopping around.

The Polti Vaporettino Lux Steam Gun is compact and easy to handle, weighing 1.8kg. It releases 3bar of pressure and can be used to clean the hob, oven, grout, glass and bathroom fixtures among other areas. It can hold 0.2 litres of water and comes with several accessories. It can be bought from Pixmania for £29.99 including postage, or buy in-store from John Lewis for £34.95.Best Buy last year, the Bissell 90T1E or 1005-E works on a variety of hard floors. says it is "suitable for hardwood, laminate, vinyl, ceramic-tile, marble and stone floors and it's ready to clean in just 35 seconds, after which you'll get a respectable 14 minutes of steaming". Kaleidoscope offers the best price at £68.99 including postage, though if you use a code from Savoo or Vouchercodes it becomes postage-free, reducing the price to £65 (the 20% off with those vouchers does not apply, as it is already discounted). If you are a new customer, Kaleidoscope offers a further discount for the mop, taking the price to £62.49.

The Vax S2 can be used on different floor types including sealed wood, lino and sealed laminate. It can also refresh carpets or rugs with a carpet glider tool and has a steaming time of about 10 minutes and a heat-up time of a minute. Competition is hot here, but avoid one seller charging £79.99 when you can buy it in-store at Argos or John Lewis for £59.99. The Kärcher SC1.020 works on many surfaces including floors, tiles, work surfaces, taps, mirrors, shower screens and extractor fans. It comes with a few attachments including a nozzle for floor and detail, as well as a hand tool for small surfaces. Heat-up time is eight minutes. Thurgo is offering this steam cleaner at £95.72 including postage, or you can purchase it at Currys for £99.99. Both are infinitely better prices than the £159.99 one major outlet is charging. The Polti Vaporetto Evolution Steam Cleaner Kit with Iron has the British Allergy Foundation's seal of approval. It works on floors, tiles and windows among others.