Most of the mops in our list are two-in-one models that also double up as handheld units for cleaning hobs and tiles.

With cylinders and two-in-one models, we also test their attachments. We use the scrubbing brushes to remove dried food from the hob and clean tiles and grouting, and we put the squeegee to work brightening windows and glass shower doors.A padded tool features a spatula-shaped plastic frame, which is covered with a removable and washable pad that’s microfibre on one side and metallic fibres on the other. This tool is only to be used with the pad attached, and is meant for “small, uneven surfaces, corners, and edges”. However, it also works for smoother surfaces, such as mirrors and shower screens. There are three main types of steam cleaner. To help you choose the right one for your home, here’s all you need to know. It’s a steam cleaner that looks good, too, with a high-gloss, grey-and-white chassis, an ultra-slim handle and flexible mop heads with a chevron design which wouldn’t look out of place on a racing car (the jury’s out on whether or not this will speed up your cleaning sessions). It feels incredibly tactile, with an ultra-smooth finish and extra cushioning in all the right places, such as the top of the handle. We used Shark’s floor and handheld steam cleaner on a wide range of surfaces, ranging from stone flooring and hardwood to tiles and vinyl. A before and after finger test proved just how much grime it removed from an area of dark stone flooring (as well as, scarily, how much dirt the stonework had concealed) and it worked equally well on vinyl, for which we took a cautious approach and switched to “low” mode rather than “high.” However, we’d still advise following Shark’s guidance and consulting your flooring manufacturer if using it on this type of material. The handle and the frame both feature hooks for storing the generously long cable; you can easily release the cable by turning one of the hooks. Additionally, the handle has a smaller side clip, which helps to keep the closest bit of cable out of the way when mopping.

Compact and lightweight, steam mops are easy to set up and use. They work like regular mops but are much more powerful cleaners. Their handles have built-in water tanks that heat up in about 20 seconds. They'll need refilling more often than cylinder cleaners (below) as they're smaller, but this makes them far easier to manoeuvre around your home. Many come with a swivel head for reaching under furniture and kitchen appliances. We test steam mops on hard flooring, noting how long it takes to remove food stains and muddy deposits. We also look at how easy it is to move the mop around awkward areas and judge whether the floor looks shiny and streak-free after cleaning. I had more mixed results using the cleaner as a handheld appliance due to only one available steam setting.

Steam power

I started by mopping up muddy prints from a textured wooden floor. On the Lo setting, some pressure was required. But switching to the Hi setting, the floor head slid along with ease. Most of the water residue was confined to the grooves in the wood, and there were no noticeable marks once this had dried. The majority of steam cleaners come equipped with attachable accessories suited to an array of household chores. Standard steam mops that don’t have a detachable handheld unit usually only come with additional cleaning pads.