Best Steam Mop for Vinyl Floors: A Detailed Insight into Top Picks

Bissell has been a trusted name on the house-cleaning market for decades now. Within the company’s impressive portfolio of steam mops, there’s the PowerFresh 1940A. We’ve found that it offers a decent balance between performance, design, and pricing. For most home-owners, this model will do the trick nicely.

First, before we delve into it, we have to briefly discuss the characteristics of vinyl floors. Although it sure is beautiful and quite durable, the material is vulnerable to heat and moisture. If too much of either is applied, damage to the flooring is almost unavoidable.

The trick is to employ heat and moisture in as small a quantity as possible. A good steam mop must only apply gentle heat to the floor and, more importantly, use only a low amount of moisture. Under no circumstance should the mop straight out wet and saturate the floor with water.

As you can see, this is the reason why picking a good steam cleaner for vinyl floors is so difficult. Not every model meets these criteria.

Fortunately, we found the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A to meet these exact criteria (and some others criteria) well.

In terms of performance, Bissell claims that the 1940A is able to “eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria without harsh chemicals”. This claim can’t be reliably verified. Nevertheless, we did notice that the steam mop was able to take out caked-in mud and debris quite well on our test floor.

A flip-down scrubber can be found on the cleaning head. It gives you more scrubbing power for when you need to tackle stubborn dirt.

This best steam mop for vinyl floors has a variable steam control system. Depending on the kind of floor you’re cleaning, you can set the steam level between three modes: Low, Medium, and High. Of course, for vinyl floors, we highly recommend using only the Low setting.

For there to be steam, there must be water. The PowerFresh 1940A draws water from a 16-ounce water tank. This is a decent water tank size for a steam mop of this design and price range.

The cleaning head of the 1940A accepts microfiber mopping pads. When you first purchase the steam mop, you will find in the box one soft pad and one scrubby pad. The soft pad has a smooth, non-abrasive texture that’s best used for cleaning sensitive floor types. On the other hand, the scrubby floor pad is better for cleaning tougher floorings and for dealing with stubborn debris.

Since vinyl floorings are quite sensitive, you should use the soft pad at all times. We’ve tested this type of mop on our floor and found that it doesn’t leave any scratch or damage.

The mopping pads can be washed and reused. However, after some time, the pad will become worn out. When that happens, you have to buy replacement mopping pads. Bissell sells them for quite cheap.

Being 6 pounds heavy, the PowerFresh 1940A is neither light nor too heavy. If you need a comfortable steam mop that won’t hurt your back after some time, this is a good option. To seal the deal even further, the ergonomics handle at the top is easy to hold onto and doesn’t make our testers’ wrists ache even after an hour of cleaning.

The steam mop is powered via a 23-foot long power cord. This is the average cord length for most steam mops.

Last but not least, the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A supports the use of “fragrance discs”. Basically, these are solid blocks of fragrance that can be inserted into the machine. As you mop the floor, the disc will refresh the smell of the floor. It's extremely helpful for pet owners, who have to deal with pet smells and urine stains often.

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Coming up very close behind the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A is the Shark S7001.

The main selling point of the S7001 is that it’s not just a regular steam mop, it’s also a powered mop, as well. You don’t have to push and pull the mop around to lift dirt and debris off of the floor. Just push the button, maneuver the mop on top of the stain spot, and the rotating mops will do all of the work for you.

According to Shark, the rotating mops can deliver 150 scrubs per minute. This is a pretty high rotation rate. We wouldn’t blame you if you’re worried whether it would scratch your floors. Fortunately, we’ve tested the Shark S7001 on our test vinyl floors and can confirm that it’s vinyl floor-safe.

Contributing a huge deal to this positive result is the fact that the Shark S7001 uses soft microfiber mopping pads. The soft pads aren’t abrasive and can treat the sensitive surface of the vinyl floor just right. These pads are washable and replaceable.

Since you’re looking for the best steam mop for vinyl plank floors to buy, you’re probably more interested in the steam cleaning function. Similar to the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A, it has a 3-mode steam control system. You can select between Low, Medium, and High steam mode, depending on the type of floor you’re cleaning.

For vinyl floors, always go for the Low mode.

Steam is produced by drawing water from an internal water reservoir. Shark doesn’t publish the exact capacity of this reservoir, but we’ve estimated it to be around 20 ounces. This is a good size for a water tank in a steam mop.

From a design perspective, the S7001 is a major step-up from the cheap-looking design of the PowerFresh 1940A. Although it’s still made from plastic, the fancy paint job that it’s got makes it look like a premium product. You can confidently display this best steam mop for vinyl floors somewhere visible in the house. It could be a pretty good looking decorative piece!

Due to the addition of the motor to rotate the mops, the S7001 is a fair bit heavier than the PowerFresh 1940A at 7.5 pounds. This is approaching a pretty hefty weight for a steam mop, so do watch out for that if you’re looking for a lightweight model.

Thankfully, Shark has made the using experience a comfortable one with the ergonomics handle. The well-balanced design also helps, too. We noticed that the weight of the steam mop doesn’t concentrate at the top and pin down on the wrist. It reduces fatigue significantly and our testers can clean for an hour without feeling much fatigue.

The power cord for the Shark S7001 is 22 feet long. It’s a bit shorter than Bissell PowerFresh 1940A, but it’s still long enough that most people won’t have any issue using it without an extension cord.

A small, yet notable feature that the S7001 also has are the arrays of LED headlights at the front of the cleaning head. The lights will be helpful when you clean underneath furniture.

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Although the more budget-friendly Shark S3501 doesn’t have the same luxurious finishing or packed full of features like the S7001, it’s still a very good mop to buy. For the price, this is a surprisingly high-performing steam mop.

To start, its performance may seem… questionable on the surface. Specifically, the Shark S3501 doesn’t have a steam control system. This is typically a dealbreaker for people searching for a vinyl floor steam cleaner. Without control over the steam flow, it’s very easy for the steam mop to go overboard and apply too much heat onto the floor and inadvertently damage it.

As a result, when we received this best steam cleaner for vinyl floors in the lab, we tested it much more carefully than other models in this list. The result is quite encouraging: the default steam mode is gentle. As long as you continuously move and don’t stay in one place for too long, your floor won’t be damaged.

Imagine it like a clothing iron. You don’t want to let it sit for too long on your clothes, else it would burn a hole through the fabric. Same thing applies for this steam mop.

The internal water reservoir can hold roughly 12 ounces of liquid. Inside the box, you’ll find a filling flask that can help you top up the reservoir with the exact amount. Once you’ve pitched the water into the tank, it takes around 20-40 seconds (depending on the water’s temperature) for the in-built heater to turn the water into steam.

The design is very simplistic and lightweight. It weighs around 4.5 pounds in total which, combined with the ergonomic handle, makes for a very comfortable using experience. Maneuverability is high thanks to the jointed cleaning head. You can easily weave the mop into tight, cramped spaces without much issue.

The power cord is quite short at 18 feet. You may have to rely on an extension cord to get the extra range!

To scrub the floor clean, the Shark S3501 uses microfiber mopping pads. The special part about this type of pad is that it has a double-sided design. When one side becomes dirty, you can flip the pad to the other side and keep on cleaning. No need to pause and swap out.

The soft material ensures that the vinyl floor won’t be damaged. We’ve confirmed the non-abrasive property of the pad on our stretch of test vinyl floors.

These pads are replaceable and washable.

Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly steam mop, we think the Shark S3501 is going to be a great option to choose!

   ➜ RELATED: Best Vacuum for Pet Hair and Hardwood Floors: Top Rated Models

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If you’ve ever used a convertible stick vacuum before, then the Shark Lift-Away Pro S3793D basically has the same core design. When fully assembled, it looks like any other mop: long enough for you to comfortably clean the floor while standing upright. However, this also presents a teeny dilemma. What if you want to clean above the floors?

That’s where convertible steam mops like the Shark S3793D come into play.

When needed, you can detach the main body of this best steam mop for vinyl floors and use it separately. Detached from the frame, the handheld unit becomes very lightweight and portable. You can carry it around the house and use it with only one hand. The more portable form factor makes it easier to clean shelves, tables, and stairs. No need to lug the full steam mop around!

Unfortunately, while the handheld form is great, its usability is greatly limited by its short power cord, which is only 18 feet long. Use an extension cord if you need more range.

The Shark S3793D, as expected, has very good steam cleaning performance. Like most other best steam cleaners for vinyl floors on this list, it has a steam control function. You can tune the steam mop’s heater so that it produces either low, medium, or high-heat steam. Vinyl floors go with the lowest setting.

Using a switch on the handle, you can control the steam blaster at the working end of the steam mop. Spray heated steam whenever you need to dislodge stubborn dirt or disinfect a spot on the floor. This function gives you much better control over the steam flow. It reduces the chance of accidentally over-saturating and damaging the sensitive floor.

The water tank is around 20 ounces. You get a fill flask in the box. The flask makes refilling the mop a lot easier.

Microfiber mopping pads ensure that the mop won’t abrase and scratch your beautiful vinyl floors. The pads are washable and replaceable. However, do note that we’ve received information that replacement pads are getting more difficult to come by. Keep that in mind before you purchase.

A very smart design from Shark is the “Intelli-mop head”. After you’ve scrubbed the floor clean, the mop will surely get very dirty. It’s not hygienic to grab onto the mop with your bare hands.

The Intelli-mop design basically shaped the cleaning head like a claw. Press a button and the claw will release the dirty mop into a hamper. To replace the mop, simply place the clean mop onto the floor, then lay the claw on top. Fit the claw into “pockets” on the mop, press the button, and it will grip onto the mop.

You can detach and attach mops without ever having to touch them at all!

Accessories include a 3-foot hose to help you clean above the floor more easily. You can attach it to the mop when it’s in handheld mode.

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Heated steam isn’t just useful for floor-cleaning. Other surfaces in the house like shelves, countertops, and stairs can use a bit of heat to clean off all the grime and bacteria, too. The PurSteam Therma Pro 211 can fulfill that role for you, if you’re looking for a multi-functional, multi-surface steam mop.

The selling point of this best steam mop for vinyl floors is the detachable design. Similar to the Shark S3793D, the PurSteam Therma Pro 211 can be converted into a handheld unit at will. In this smaller, more portable form, you can clean above-floor surfaces with much greater ease and convenience.

Performance-wise, the PurSteam Therma Pro 211 has adjustable steam control. Like other models on this list, there are three modes in total: Low, Medium, and High. Always use the lowest steam mode when you clean vinyl floors due to its sensitivity.

The water reservoir inside of the mop has a capacity of around 11.5 ounces. According to PurSteam, this is enough to sustain the mop for around 20-25 minutes. This is the result we got during our test, too.

It uses a microfiber mopping pad to scrub the floor. Since it is soft and non-abrasive, it won’t damage the flooring. We’ve tested the Therma Pro 211 on our vinyl floors and didn’t record any damage. However, we did notice some light streaking. We gave the floor a brief, second mopping with a mild floor cleaner and the streaks were taken care of right away.

Aside from being lightweight and convertible, the Therma Pro 211 also has a very ergonomic design. You can clean for long periods with this steam mop. You won’t get an achy wrist afterward.

It has a 23 feet long power cord. This is a decent length.

The Therma Pro 211 comes with a large variety of accessories. You get some extra microfiber mopping pads, a window squeegee, a straight steam nozzle, a bent steam nozzle, and some nylon brushes. These accessories are the things that elevate the Therma Pro 211 into a multi-functional steam mop. They will help you clean a lot more surfaces than just the vinyl floor.

For a sub-$70 convertible steam mop, that’s not a bad deal!

   ➜ RELATED: A Simple Guide on How to Clean Vinyl Floors

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Anything that’s considered “heavy duty” is often a huge red flag if you want to clean sensitive floorings such as vinyl. Fortunately, we’ve tested this one out and was pleasantly surprised to see that it actually does a good job at cleaning vinyl floors in spite of its name.

The premier selling point of this steam mop is its variable performance.

Using the steam control system on-board, you can adjust the steam flow so that it’d be gentle enough to scrub vinyl, linoleum, or sealed hardwood floors without damaging them. However, when needed, you can crank the steam up to clean tougher surfaces like cement and bricks, too. These surfaces are often found outdoors.

Besides a steam control system, the steam blaster at the end of this best mop for vinyl floors is controllable. You can use the switch on the handle to add heated steam to the floor whenever you want. The accurate control will reduce the chance of you accidentally damaging the floor by applying too much steam to the floor.

The Bissell 2685B steam mop uses microfiber mopping pads to scrub the floor. They are washable as well as replaceable. Additionally, they’re non-abrasive. We’ve tested the abrasion property of the pads on our vinyl floors and found no damage. No streaking was observed, either.

One complaint that we got about this steamer is the small water tank. Though it has strong performance, the water tank only holds 6 ounces of water. This will still be enough to clean a small home. However, for larger projects, you may have to stop and refill the mop every once in a while.

As for the design, this Bissell mop weighs 6 pounds and is quite comfortable to use. Turns out “heavy-duty” doesn’t actually mean heavy at all! Our testers were quite pleased with the slick way that this mop handles as well as its great portability.

Speaking of portability, the Bissell 2685B heavy-duty mop also has a handheld function. You can detach the main body of the mop from the rest of the frame and use it as a handheld steamer. This makes it easier to clean above-floor surfaces as well as exteriors of vehicles, outdoor patio furniture and deck.

Power cord has a great length, measuring 25 feet.

Lastly, to drive the point home that this is a multi-function, heavy-duty steam mop, Bissell bundles it up with 29 different accessories.

You get a variety of brushes and attachments that you can use to improve the mop’s cleaning efficacy. The brushes can help you scrub dirt from out of dusty shelves. Different lengths and designs of steam heads can help you deliver heated steam into hard-to-reach areas, like the underside of vehicles.

All of the accessories can be stored using an on-board accessory holder.

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Pets are awesome creatures that give away their love for free …  but in return, you’ll have to feed and clean up after them. One of the most challenging things of being a pet owner is cleaning pet hair. They get absolutely everywhere and not all cleaning tools are able to deal with them.

If this is what you’re struggling with, the Bissell PowerFresh LIft-Off 1544A can help you (it’ll also help you manage dirt and dust on vinyl floors, too).

The Bissell 1544A also comes with a steam control system, but it’s a little bit less comprehensive than other models on the list. Instead of getting three modes, you only get two: Low and High. Nevertheless, we think that’s enough for most people. For cleaning vinyl floors, you don’t need anything above the low steam setting.

1544A draws water from a 13.5-ounce water tank to produce steam. The size is decent. You can go through a whole cleaning session without having to stop to refill.

You can choose between one of two types of mopping pads: soft and scrubby. Both are included in the box. The soft microfiber pad is preferred for cleaning vinyl floors. Scrubby pads are more abrasive and you’re at higher risk of scratching the surface, but they’re a great help when you have to scrub out caked-in mud and the like.

The design is aesthetically pleasing and looks quite futuristic with its sharp edges and sleek lines. We also really like the bright paint job that it’s got. The steam mop got a very funky look with the vibrant white and orange coloring.

1544A measures 10 pounds heavy, which is relatively hefty. Fortunately, you can significantly reduce the weight by activating the handheld mode. You can detach the body of the Bissell 1544A and use it separately as a handheld steamer.

The power cord measures 25 feet long. It’s a good enough length that we project most people won’t have to use an extension cord.

The accessories are the most interesting parts of this steam mop. In the box, you get 13 tools in a tool bag. Many of the tools are designed specifically to help you clean up pet-related messes:

• Window squeegee tool: Can help you clean up pet’s droll on windows and glass surfaces.
• Fabric steamer: Allow you to refresh the fabric of pet’s beddings and upholstery.
• Flat scraping tool: Make it easier to scrape out food bits and pet hair from dog bows, carriers, toys, and other places.
• Angle tool: Extend the reach and flexibility of the mop, allowing you to clean the pet carriers and toys more easily.

Other than these tools, you also get different brushes and tools. Check the user manual after you’ve received the mop to see what comes with the mop and what doesn’t.

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On vinyl floors, vacuuming and steaming are both tough jobs. If they’re not done right, they can ruin the floor. So, when we first received the Bissell Symphony 1543A in our lab, our reviewers were quite wary of its performance.

What we found when we ran the 1543A through the battery of tests is encouraging. The steam function does not damage our vinyl floors. When we switched to the vacuum mode, we also didn’t notice any visible damage to the floor, as well.

So, be assured that the Bissell Symphony 1543A can act both as the best steam mop for vinyl floors and a vacuum cleaner!

Switched to low steam mode, the Bissell Symphony 1543A’s 1,100-watt heater can produce a very gentle flow of steam. The steam has just enough heat to cleanse the floor and remove any trace of dirt and debris. Other than that, it doesn’t over-saturate with water or messes up the flooring with the heat.

The water tank inside the mop can hold around 12.8 ounces of water.

Like other Bissell steam mops on this list, you can choose between a soft microfiber pad or a scrubby microfiber pad when you clean. The soft type is preferred for vinyl floors. But if you have something particularly tough that you need to scrub clean, the scrubby pad can be used, instead.

We tested both pads on our vinyl floors and didn’t see any scratches or scuffing.

As for the vacuuming function, the Bissell Symphony 1543A can sweep up dust, dirt, and pet hair. However, don’t expect it to have the same level of performance as heavy-duty vacuums. It can do a decent job cleaning bare floors, but the 1543A won’t be able to help you clean high-pile carpets or shaggy rugs.

To support the vacuum function, there is a small dust cup inside of the 1543A. This cup holds all of the dirt and debris that the vacuum collects while it’s working. It has a hands-free emptying function that allows you to hygienically empty the cup without being directly exposed to the dirty content.

The design of the 1543A is that of a standard vacuum cleaner (and it is) with a dust cup other than a water reservoir. Due to all of the extra components, the Symphony 1543A is quite heavy at nearly 10 pounds.

Catching onto the weight issue, Bissell has done a good job at improving users’ comfort by including an ergonomic handle. The weight balancing of the vacuum/steam mop is also done very well. All in all, you won’t feel as tired or achy after spending some time working with the 1543A.

The power cord is 25 feet long, which affords the 1543A a good range.

Accessories aren’t plentiful. You get a few mopping pads and one disposable mopping pad. But, notably, you get some odor-eliminating scent discs to clear up pet odors. You’ll also get some scent waters to help you refresh the smell of your floor after you’re done mopping and sweeping it.

   ➜ RELATED: The Best Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair: Best Products of This Year

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The POLTI Vaporetto has a very distinctive design that sets it aparts from all the other steam mops on this list. Instead of having a form that’s similar to a stick vacuum cleaner, the POLTI looks a lot like a wheeled canister vacuum.

There are many advantages to this form factor. For one, you don’t have to bear the full weight of the vacuum. The canister — which holds all of the heavy components like the heater and electronics — sits on the floor. When you move around the house to clean, just tug on the hose and the canister will roll behind you on wheels.

That can reduce fatigue significantly and improve comfort.

Since the manufacturer doesn’t have to focus on making the steam mop as lightweight as possible anymore, the POLTI comes with a very capable heater. The heater is supported by a very large water tank, which can hold 67.6 ounces of water.

Plug in the POLTI and the heater will get to work boiling up the water. The machine will be ready for use in around 2 minutes. This is quite a long time compared to other steam mops on this list. However, do keep in mind that the water tank in the POLTI is several times larger, too.

You can control the steam level setting through the control panel on the canister. Set steam power to the lowest level. We’ve tested the POLTI on our floor and the lowest steam setting is gentle enough that it doesn’t damage or negatively affect the floor in any way.

Microfiber mopping pads are provided in the box.

The whole steam mop weighs 19 pounds in total. It is easily the heaviest steam mop on the list, but keep in mind that it sits on the floor most of the time. Weight isn’t going to be a significant problem.

It sits on a pair of large wheels. The wheels here are non-abrasive. We’ve rolled it on top of vinyl floors and the wheels left no scuff marks or scratches. The wheels can traverse over rugs and carpets without being stuck, too.

Unfortunately, the power cord is very short at only 13 feet. There’s a real possibility that you may have to use extension cord to reach all parts of the house.

This cleaner comes with a variety of accessories. You can use them to enhance the cleaning performance of the mop. You get different tools and several different kinds of brushes.

The POLTI is rather expensive and is definitely a high-end product. Though the price is high, its performance, design, and vast array of features can make the POLTI a good investment if you’re not worried about budget.

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A triangular mop head design is super useful for reaching into difficult-to-access places and cleaning them out. Unlike steam mops with a rectangular or a round-shaped mopping head, the side of the triangular mopping head can fit perfectly into tight corners.

One of the better models that we’ve discovered on the market with this mopping head design is the O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop.

Steam cleaning performance is decent. You can control the steam power via a knob at the top of the mop. Choose the lowest setting when you clean your vinyl floors.

The internal water tank is quite small. We estimate that it holds around 6.5 ounces of water. From the moment you plug in the mop, you only have to wait for around 20 seconds before steam is produced and the mop is ready to be used.

The microfiber mopping pads that come with the O-Cedar (or “refills”) are high-quality. They soak up a decent amount of moisture and prevent the floor from being soaking wet (the last thing you’d want to happen on vinyl floors).

Since this is a pretty budget-friendly best steam mop for vinyl floors, the design doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing. Nevertheless, the using experience is good. At 5 pounds, the O-Cedar mop is lightweight. The curved handle at the top is ergonomic and is quite comfortable to hold onto. Our testers didn’t report much fatigue after using the O-Cedar for an hour.

The power cord is 19 feet long, which is below average.

The O-Cedar doesn’t come with many accessories. It has a carpet glider, which allows it to be used on carpets and rugs.

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What to Look for When You’re Buying a New Steam Mop for Vinyl Floors

Adjustable Steam Control

This system can be found on most vinyl floor steam cleaners. What it does is that it allows you to control the strength of the steam flow being produced by the mop. As we’ve said several times through the review section above, you should only use the lowest steam setting while you’re cleaning vinyl floors.

If you purchase a steam mop without this system, there’s a greater risk of the mop accidentally ruining your floor. The default steam mode could be too strong for the floor to handle.

The only model in the review section above without a steam control function is the Shark S3501. Fortunately, we’ve tested this model and found that its steam flow is gentle enough to clean vinyl floors without warping the flooring.

Water Reservoir Capacity

Every steam mop will come with a water reservoir. When you plug in the mop, it will draw water from here to boil and produce steam. Larger reservoirs will give you the ability to work for longer without having to stop and fill it back up.

A good size for a water reservoir in a steam mop is around 10 ounces and up. There are many models on the market that have supersize water reservoirs, like the POLTI Vaporetto. The POLTI can hold up to 67.6 ounces of water. Such steam mops are great if you have a large space to clean.

Detachable Steamer

Some steam mops are convertible. It can go from a full-size steam about the size and shape of an upright vacuum cleaner, to a small and portable handheld unit with the press of a button.

In this more portable form, you will be able to clean additional surface types other than the floor. You can use it to clean tall shelves, the interior and exterior of your car, the stairs, and so on. It can be useful for people who want a multi-functional steam mop that can do other tasks than just scrubbing the floor.

Power Cord Length

The length of the power cord will decide the range of your steam mop. The longer the cord, the wider the area that you can clean without having to resort to an extension cord. The power cord of most steam mops on the market are between 20 to 25 feet long.

Extra Accessories

Look in the user’s manual to see if the steam mop comes with any extra accessories. More accessories will allow you to clean more surfaces. It will also add extra functions to the steam mop, such as cleaning out grout lines and cleaning windows.

Conclusion

And that’s ten of the best steam mops for vinyl floors that we’ve found on the market so far! Although every model has its own merits, we’ve decided to pick the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A to be the leading model in our article.

The 1940A has a good balance between performance, design, and pricing that we think would satisfy the demands of most users. Its variable steam control system and soft, non-abrasive microfiber mopping pads mean it’s less likely to damage your floor.

The lightweight and ergonomic design of the steam mop will give you an easier time working with it. It has a decent power cord length and offers enough range for most people (if you need more, you can always use an extension cord).

But like we said, every model on this list has their own merits. The best steam mop for vinyl floors has to suit your needs. So, if you like the budget-friendly Shark S3501 or the multi-functional PurSteam Therma Pro 211 better, pick them up. There’s no wrong choice here!