Steam mops come in barrel/canister form as well as the more typical stick type and we define both types as being steam mops (steam mops can sometimes be referred to as steam cleaners or steam systems). Steam cleaners which have suction abilities are not part of this category.

We recommend currently available steam mops with a CHOICE expert rating of 75% or higher, and an ease of use score of at least 75%.

This score is made up of ease of use (80%) and floor wetness (20%).

The higher the score, the drier the floor. Note that models tested year to year (see "year tested") can't technically be directly compared as we changed our floor wetness scoring method, but results should be similar.

The ease of use score is made up of: mop head moving score, ease of using the controls, mop reach and replacing the mop pad.

The model has a claimed origin somewhere on the model itself. This ought to be taken with a grain of salt, given it's rare that all the materials for a product came from the one country.

'Tested model' refers to steam mops that are currently available in shops and online. 'Discontinued model' refers to steam mops that are no longer available in shops, but may be available in second-hand stores.

Recommended retail or typical price.

Capacity of the steam mop's water tank. Canister/barrel models, by design, have a larger capacity and will require less topping up.

Rather than just the length of the cord, this figure is the distance between the power point and the tip of the steam head, and includes the power cord (and hose and wand, if applicable).

How long you can use steam mop for before the tank is empty.

We measure the actual wattage of the steam mop.

Generally refers to manufacturer website.

A carpet glider attachment is designed to freshen up and rejuvenate your carpets, although we find they won't actually clean them.

Does the steam mop extend out with a telescopic wand?

Some steam mops can be used in a hand-held mode using accessories that help you reach difficult areas such as shower cubicles.

Attachment that's suitable for cleaning small, hard to reach areas like behind toilets or in corners.

Whether you can refill the unit "on the go". Some barrel-type cleaners have a huge capacity so this won't be a crucial function if you have one of these models.

Does the mop have an indicator that says when its ready to work/function with a full head of steam?

A steam lock switch is handy so you don't have to keep holding down a button to release steam.

If the tank is clear, then this won't be necessary.