Bissell has been a household name for decades, and the Powerfresh Steam Mop is an elegant yet simple entry into the home cleaning arsenal. While it may lack many of the bells and whistles of more expensive products, the Powerfresh does what it does and does it well. While its lack of features may be a turn off for some, the unit has proven to be a hit with consumers and critics alike.

Performance:

The Bissell Powerfresh is a no-nonsense but powerful steam mop, offering variable steam control that purports to clean surfaces twice as fast as competing mops. Weighing 8.3 pounds, it is light and portable. As well, the steam power kills 99.9% of germs, making sanitizing your floor incredibly easy. The interface offers exceptional ease of use; simply plug it in and the indicator will tell you when it's ready to go. A drop-down "easy scrubber" can be deployed for extra cleaning power to tackle harsh dirt, and the ability to add Febreze fragrance disks ensure you'll be left with a freshly scented area. One great thing about the Powerfresh is that it excels on multiple surfaces, and the variable steam control makes it safe even for wood floors. But where the product really shines is with grout - customers rave about its ability to clean off residue stuck between tiles. Powerfresh comes with two pads, one soft and one designed for scrubbing, and both are machine washable. One downside is the lack of accessories, meaning no extra telescopic handles or tools for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

Special Features:

Cleans twice as quickly as comparable steam mops

Kills 99.9% of germs

While lacking the brand name recognition of Bissel, the Shark Steam Pocket Mop is a serviceable mop that should get the job done. Lightweight and coming equipped with a directional nozzle, this steam mop is worthy of attention..

Performance

The Shark Steam Pocket Mop sports a swiveling head with detachable carpet glider that allows you to clean tight corners. The carpet glider is a welcome accessory, seldom seen in products of this price range. The interface is extremely simple, making for good ease of use. Lightweight and portable (it weighs a mere 4.9 pounds) and mobile, this mop will easily allow you to wield it around. The water heats up quickly, in as little as 30 seconds according to the manufacturer, and sports a large water tank that extends the cleaning range and time. While larger tanks can affect a mop's weight, the overall lightweight construction of the Shark seems to negate this as a factor. And it is rated for multiple surface types, specifically tile, linoleum, and wood flooring. The pads are detachable and are machine washable. While it does offer varying steam intensity, it lacks the direct steam variable control of the Bissell, opting instead for a system requiring you to press harder for more steam. This can be a bit of a nuisance, since adding extra pressure can be a challenge for some users. As well, it lacks the cleaning power of some comparable models, many at a similar price point.

Special Features:

Directional nozzle to get into tight corners

Fast heating time, ready to use in as little as 30 seconds

One of the oldest steam mops on the market, the Eureka Enviro Steamer is a higher-priced product that has a difficult time competing with its lower-cost brethren. While still an effective steam mop, it lacks features and usability that makes it a questionable purchase.

Performance:

The good news about this product is that it's relatively easy to maneuver. It's lightweight (7.9 pounds) and portable, making it comparable to the Bissell. And the addition of an adjustable, telescoping handle is one feature which seems to be lacking on many units and is a definite plus. As well, the user interface features only a power button, the epitome of simplicity, making it easy to use. It is rated for most floor types, although the manufacturer states that laminate flooring should be avoided. And the pads can be placed in the wash for cleaning. However, the positive aspects of this device pretty well end there. It's otherwise been rated a clunky process to fill the tank since the included measuring cup is only half the size of the receptacle, requiring multiple fills. Additionally, changing the pads can be a bit of a process and lacks the ease of both the Bissel and the Shark. The lack of scrubbing pads gives it less than effective cleaning power. It's not very good for corners, either, as the head lacks the ability to swivel. Some consumers report that the unit doesn't produce much steam, and it lacks the ability to vary the steam intensity. Finally, one would expect that the mop would come with some accessory tools considering the price, but alas that is not the case.

Special Features:

Large cleaning head

Telescoping handle