We know that purchasing a vapor steam cleaner is an important decision, and not a simple one. There is a choice of names and sizes, but also different features and prices. Why is one cleaner more expensive than another? Which features should I look for? How can I judge the quality of a steamer? And, most importantly, how do I know which system is right for me?
The answer is not clear-cut. There are a number of manufacturers of steam cleaners with each bringing something different to their lineup. We’ve tested nearly all of them, and market only the ones that passed our toughest tests. We’ll give you a rundown of these steam cleaners to give you a good idea of which one would work best in your home or business.
We encourage you to read the individual product reviews by clicking on the provided links. People just like you wrote these reviews, and seeing how they rated our steamers may help you decide which one is right for you.
Ladybug Steam Cleaners
The first thing we can say about Ladybug steam cleaners is that they pretty much outclass every steam cleaner on the market today. They are designed and built in Italy by experienced technicians who are as passionate about building the finest steam cleaners as you are in owning one. Ladybug’s attention to detail is unmatched in the industry, and their strict testing policies guarantee a product that will last. Ladybug offers two categories of steam cleaners: with TANCS or without TANCS.
What is TANCS?
TANCS, or Thermo Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation, allows consumers and businesses to effortlessly use proprietary water treatment with nano crystals to destroy microorganisms, eliminate biofilms, kill bacteria and disinfect almost any surface thousands of times better and quicker than most chemical disinfectants.
Does that mean steamers without TANCS do not disinfect?
Absolutely not. All Ladybug steam cleaners disinfect. But only steamers equipped with TANCS have been scientifically tested and certified by Nelson Labs of Utah. Because of this third-party certification, Ladybug steam cleaners outfitted with TANCS qualify as a disinfection device with the U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA).
Do I need TANCS?
That depends. TANCS is ideal for many commercial settings—like dental offices, restaurants, nursing homes and hospitals—where the highest level of cleanliness is required. However, that level of clean is not important to some consumers. That being said, the vast majority of our customers choose TANCS because of the free 8-year boiler warranty (3 years on other internal pats) it carries.
Now it’s time to compare the various Ladybug models. All are lightweight and on wheels that maneuver quickly and easily to effortlessly move from room to room, and all feature a boiler that produces steam drier than any other steam cleaner on the market today.
The Ladybug 2150 is ideal for those wanting the excellence of a Ladybug in a compact unit at an affordable price. It’s ideal for smaller homes and apartments. Like all Ladybug steam cleaners, it features a continuous flow operation. Just like you never open your car radiator when the engine is hot, you never remove the safety cap on the boiler of a steam cleaner when it’s hot. Ladybug steam cleaners have a second non-pressurized tank where you can add water at any time. This reservoir continuously feeds water to the boiler so that you never have to stop cleaning to cool the system down to add water. The TANCS option is not available with the Ladybug 2150.
The Ladybug 2200S boasts the same premium features as the Ladybug 2150 buy also offers the TANCS technology option and a gauge for boiler pressure measurement. Unlike power washers, steam cleaners are designed to operate at low pressure, usually around 60 psi.
The next step up is the hugely popular Ladybug XL2300. The principal difference between the XL2300 and the 2200S is an onboard tool caddy, which conveniently carries a collection of accessories right on the steamer and at your fingertips, preparing you for just about any cleaning assignment. The XL2300 also prides itself on an incredible tip temperature approaching 300° F.
The crème e la crème of the Ladybug series is the Ladybug Tekno 2350. If “amazing” weren’t already a word, we’d have to invent it. This incredible cleaning device is our top-seller and offers the features to look for when buying a steam cleaner for serious home or commercial use—technology, reliability and durability. Combining exceptional cleaning and disinfecting power with compact size, the Tekno 2350 offers pressure up to 90 psi and comes standard with TANCS, which makes it especially suitable for schools, hotels, restaurants, contract cleaning, nursing homes and medical offices, yet it remains light and compact enough for use in the home. Simply put, the Ladybug Tekno 2350 reflects not only your sense of style, but also your desire to own the very best steam cleaner of its kind. The Tekno offers an optional trolley.
Reliable Steam Cleaners
If you have researched the top vapor steam cleaner choices then you have undoubtedly heard of Reliable. Reliable steam cleaners are manufactured in either Romania or Italy, and are considered mid-range steamers a step ahead of the competition.
Reliable has an expanded line, including a new commercial model, ready to tackle any cleaning job. One thing that separates Reliable steamers from the pack is price, which is lower than most other steam cleaners of comparable design and construction.
The Reliable EnviroMate E3 is a top performer virtually indistinguishable from steam cleaners costing hundreds of dollars more. Unlike Ladybug steam cleaners, the E3, manufactured in Romania, does not have a non-pressurized reservoir that automatically refills the boiler when the water level drops. This means you have to cool down the system to generate more heated steam after about 45 minutes of cleaning.
The Reliable EnviroMate E5 offers all the features of the E3 with the addition of a non-pressurized reservoir for continuous fill.
The Italian-made Reliable EnviroMate GO E20 promises to go were clean has never gone before. With 1700 watts of power, it features a higher psi than the Reliable E3 and E5 for those extra tough jobs (72 compared to 58) and a 16-foot electrical cord. The GO E20 does not provide a continuous fill operation.
The Reliable EnviroMate Viva E40 is similar to the GO E20 but boasts a super fast heat-up time (5 minutes compared to 11 minutes) and features a non-pressurized second tank for continuous cleaning without having to cool down to add water.
Combining a continuous fill operation with a vacuum of advanced efficiency, the Reliable EnviroMate Tandem EV1 both kills dust mites on contact and vacuums up their feces and remains. If you are allergic to dust mites then a HEPA filtration system like that of the Tandem EV1 is essential.
Suitable for many small businesses, the Reliable EnviroMate Pro EP100 features continuous fill and a whooping 87 psi.
Vapamore Steam Cleaners
Vapamore is a lesser-known company that is making a big name for itself with a fantastic, entry-level steam cleaner that packs a lot of punch. Like Reliable, price sets Vapamore apart.
The Vapamore MR-100 is compact and lightweight. Made in China, it features a regulator control that lets you adjust pressure to 58 psi for optimal cleaning performance, and comes with a versatile accessory kit. The MR-100 does not provide continuous fill.
