The 10 Best steam cleaners

1. Shark Steam Pocket Portable

This portable version of Shark's floor cleaner is able to shift stains as stubborn as dried-on pasta sauce and sticky jam on just about every kind of surface. It even has a garment-steaming attachment for curtains and clothes.

Ј89.99, lakeland.co.uk

2. Efbe-Schott Delta Head

This is the bestselling steam mop in the UK, not least because it's so quick. It's not great for hard-water areas because it lacks a lime-scale filter, but it's quiet, easy to use and will  remove everything from muddy footprints to sticky stains.

Ј59.99, efbeschott.com

3. Hoover SteamJet Steam and Sweep

If you need some serious convincing to trade in your mop and bucket, this machine will almost certainly persuade you. It's powerful, lightweight and incredibly easy to twist and steer. It also has two different-sized cleaning heads and a removable handle.

Ј74.99, hoover.co.uk

4. Bissell Steam Mop

Even tiles with serious dirt and stains prove no problem for this steam cleaner, making it a great buy for your kitchen or bathroom. The controls are nice and simple and it's ready to go in just 30 seconds.

Ј69.99, argos.co.uk

5. Karcher SC5.800 C

This environmentally friendly machine doesn't come cheap, but it revolutionises home cleaning, tackling stains with genuinely professional results, thanks to a number of unique features such as the vapo-hydro function that enables the hot water to be mixed with the steam for deep, stubborn dirt and stains.

Ј349.99, karcher.co.uk

6. Home-Tek Light 'n' Easy

Home-Tek has an excellent reputation in the world of steam cleaners and their latest model removes dirt and grease in minutes. It works on tiles, vinyl and wood laminate floors, while the carpet glider sanitises carpets and rugs.

Ј99.99, hometek.co.uk

7. Oreck Steam Glide

This super-light machine has a three-point head that's designed to fit into the tightest corners of your home. Fill it up with tap water, switch it on to generate steam within 30 seconds and then get busy cleaning your floors with 15 minutes of continuous steam time.

Ј94.99, oreck.co.uk

8. Thane Housewares H20 Mop X5

Standout features of this all- purpose steam mop include the ability to remove pet odours and creases from upholstery. It also converts into a hand-held steamer that can blast ovens and surfaces clean.

Ј99.99, thanedirect.co.uk

9. Vax S7 Duet 2-in-1

This lightweight floor steam cleaner can be used on carpet and hard floors, as well as transforming into a detachable hand-held unit to steam everything from furniture to upholstery.

Ј71.52, qvcuk.com

10. Polti Vaporetto Evolution

This cylinder steam cleaner comes equipped to tackle floors, wall tiles, glass and ovens. It also has an iron and heat mat, which means it's more versatile than most. It has a decent amount of continuous steaming and is good at getting wall surfaces sparkling.

.independent.