The best electric mops for washing floors: 2021 rating of TOP-6 models, technical features, pros and cons, customer reviews

The Karcher steam mop is designed for cleaning floor surfaces with a jet of steam, which is supplied through spray nozzles in the nozzle. The product is connected to a steam generator mounted in a separate housing. Heated steam disinfects surfaces; to improve the quality of cleaning, it is recommended to pre-clean the floor with a vacuum or washing vacuum cleaner.

Rating of the TOP 6 best electric mops for cleaning floors in 2020-2021

Features and principle of operation

A typical electric mop consists of:

• handles with switches and built-in steam generator;
• a set of nozzles for washing various surfaces;
• a set of rags and napkins for cleaning;
• water containers;
• power cord or battery.

The principle of its operation is similar to the principle of operation of an electric iron with a boost of steam, that is, water poured into the reservoir of a steam mop heats up quickly enough (most models require no more than 30 seconds to heat up), the resulting steam is supplied under pressure to the lower part of the mop, where - through the holes in its sole - it gets onto the coating, softening the dirt, which is immediately removed with microfiber or other fabric attached to the nozzle itself.
A cloth attached to a steam mop absorbs excess moisture and scrubs away dirt, but it is not able to collect and retain dust and debris. Therefore, before steam cleaning, the floor should be swept or vacuumed.

The steam power can be adjusted, which allows you to carefully clean mirror surfaces with an electric mop at minimum power, and stable porcelain tiles at maximum power.

High-temperature steam, in addition to cleaning, also disinfects the coating, removing fungus, mold and germs, which makes the operation of a steam mop environmentally friendly and useful.

Also, according to the owners, such “steam” treatment of the floor leads not only to cleanliness, but also to good humidification of the room, which is especially valuable in winter, when the air in apartments is dry.

Design and principle of operation

The Karcher mop is a special attachment equipped with a clamp for installing a microfiber cloth that absorbs water and removes fine dust from surfaces. The tool is mounted on an extension rod or steam gun connected to the purifier body. The steam is generated in a special boiler equipped with an electric heating element. The supply of distilled water is in a separate tank, the liquid is supplied to the boiler by an electric pump (on some models the tank is combined with the boiler).

An electric mop cleans floors using a jet of steam, which separates dirt and condenses on the surface. There are special buttons on the gun handle that allow you to adjust the steam output. At minimum power, it is possible to wash laminate floors or surfaces coated with oil-based paint.

Before starting to process delicate surfaces, it is recommended to ensure that the material is resistant to hot steam and moisture.

The Karcher company produces special equipment for the home that allows you to mechanize wet cleaning. The compact BR4300 unit is equipped with a special clamping device that improves cleaning of the floor covering. The design of the product does not include a steam generator; water and a vacuum pump are used to clean the floor. The dirty liquid is collected in a separate tank and then drained into the sewer.

Karcher also offers professional mops that are connected to washing units of the K2-K7 series. The tools contain special nozzles that create a stream of water under high pressure; a built-in scraper removes contaminated liquid from the surface being treated. The nozzles are used for cleaning industrial premises or for washing cars.

How to choose?

When choosing an electric mop, you should carefully study its technical characteristics, which directly affect the quality of cleaning and the simplicity and ease of use of the device.

Key indicators to consider when choosing a steam mop:

Power

Typically, the power value varies from 400 W to 1700 W.

This indicator directly affects the heating speed: for example, devices with a power of 1200 W require 45-60 seconds to heat up, while 1500 W devices need 10-30 seconds to prepare to start working.

However, modern technologies can reduce this time and sometimes even low-power electric mops provide good heating time.

Battery-powered steam mops occupy a special place. In this case, the battery capacity matters: the larger it is, the longer you can use the mop without additional charging.

Weight

Usually ranges from 1.5 to 5-6 kg.

This parameter affects the ease of use of the mop for auxiliary purposes: steaming curtains, washing tiles in the bathroom, or cleaning the hob.

The heavier the mop, the more difficult it will be to keep it suspended during such cleaning.

Steam pressure

The value for different models ranges from 1 to 3 bar. The higher it is, the better the mop will clean stubborn or old dirt.

Models with a steam pressure of 1 bar are better suited for cleaning relatively clean surfaces, but with a pressure of 3 bar it is quite possible to clean carbon deposits from the oven and wash heavily soiled floors.

Steam flow rate

Standard intensity values ​​range from 25 to 50 g/min.

This value shows the volume of water that the device heats and supplies in 1 minute of operation. On the one hand, the greater the intensity of the steam flow, the faster the dirt will be washed off; on the other hand, the attached fabric nozzle will not be able to absorb too much moisture, and accordingly, the floor will remain “wetter” at this intensity.

It is advisable to choose those models that are equipped with a power regulator that allows you to select the desired intensity of steam flow.

Volume of the tank

Steam mops are usually equipped with a water container with a capacity of 350 to 500 ml. The large volume of the tank allows you to completely clean a 2-4 room apartment “at once,” however, such a mop will be more bulky and heavy, which will exclude the possibility of its use by teenagers or older people.

The small volume of the tank, although it makes the mop lighter and more maneuverable, is designed for a small area of ​​the room: it is enough for only 15-17 minutes of operation of the device, after which water needs to be added.

A good “plus” will be the removable tank , which allows you to quickly remove it, fill it and continue cleaning, while the built-in tank will require the mop to cool completely before adding water.

Manufacturers recommend pouring distilled water into the mop to avoid the appearance of scale and possible damage to the device. The most expensive models are equipped with a built-in filter that allows you to pour water directly from the tap.

Cord length

Typically, mops are equipped with a cord 5 to 10 meters long. A longer cord will provide greater mobility and less frequent interruption of work in order to move the plug to another outlet.

Sole shape

There are mops with triangular and rectangular sole shapes.

A triangular sole with a good range of rotation is preferable for cleaning small rooms furnished with furniture. But rectangular nozzles are suitable for cleaning large areas of relatively free space.

Additional functions

When purchasing an electric mop, you should consider the presence or absence of additional functions such as:

• automatic shutdown when there is no water in the container;
• adjustable handle height;
• method of fastening napkins: cheap, but less durable - with Velcro, more reliable - with a drawstring or ribbons;
• availability and ease of changing additional attachments: scrapers for washing glass and mirrors, a cone for spot cleaning, reinforced brushes for difficult dirt, attachments for fabrics (carpet and upholstered furniture), etc.;
• the ability to detach the steam generator from the handle for compact use, for example, for cleaning car seats or steaming curtains;
• the presence of auxiliary accessories: for example, a protective hand glove, which will allow you to quickly change attachments during the cleaning process, without waiting for them to cool down.

Specifications

Household steam mops, working in conjunction with compact generators, are designed to work with steam having a pressure of up to 4 bar. Boilers use safety valves that release pressure to the atmosphere. The equipment is carried by hand or equipped with a standard housing with a wheeled chassis. On some steam mop models, it is possible to install an additional iron with replaceable soles and a steam temperature regulator.

The equipment heats the steam to +135°C; when water evaporates, salt impurities settle on the walls of the boiler, heater and steam lines, forming a dense scale. Minerals impair thermal conductivity and increase energy consumption. Some steam mop models are equipped with an automatic descaling unit. With other modifications, the user removes plaque independently.

Equipment technical parameters:

• power - up to 2000 W;
• steam pressure - up to 4.2 bar;
• steam boost - up to 100 g/min;
• tank capacity - up to 1.5 l;
• area of ​​the cleaned room - up to 100 m²;
• weight - up to 4.1 kg.

Similar models

Competitors of Karcher equipment:

• Kitfort KT908, heating steam to +98°C in 15 seconds. The set includes additional tools for processing clothing and glass surfaces.
• MIE Juno, equipped with a 1.1 liter tank and delivering steam at a pressure of up to 5 liters. The kit includes extension tubes and attachments for cleaning floors and walls.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Karcher steam mops:

• steam cleaning of surfaces with simultaneous disinfection;
• processing fabric floor surfaces with a tool with a carpet attachment;
• treatment of leaves of indoor plants (removing dirt and moistening the surface);
• separation of old dirt from tiles;
• adjusting the intensity of the steam jet;
• In addition to the floor nozzle, the kit includes small brushes and point nozzles.

Equipment disadvantages:

• before shutting down, it is necessary to remove steam from the boiler cavity;
• clogging of the boiler cavity with scale (when using tap water);
• there have been cases of grout being washed out of tile joints by a jet of steam;
• does not cope with dried grease stains;
• small supply of liquid (disadvantage applies to manual models);
• no cable winding reel is used;
• overheating of the steam hose during prolonged operation;
• It is required to hold down the steam start button (only for the manual version).

The best electric squeegees

Here is a rating of the 6 most popular models of electric mops.

Xiaomi SWDK Electric Mop D260

Cordless steam mop with long operating time and fast charging. No power cord

– a huge plus of such models. It is worth noting that this is one of the best models of 2021.

A small water tank is enough to clean a 2-3 room apartment. The presence of lighting will help in cleaning under cabinets or under the bathroom.

Main technical characteristics:

• power type – battery;
• power – 35 W;
• battery: capacity – 2000 mAh, operating time – 50 minutes, charging time – 180 minutes;
• brush shape – rectangular;
• water tank volume – 230 ml;
• weight – 2.4 kg.

pros

• beautiful, comfortable, silent;
• sufficient tank capacity, enough to clean a room of 70 sq.m.;
• good battery capacity - on one charge you can clean a room of 200 sq.m.;
• there is a backlight;
• fast battery charging.

Minuses

• poor build quality;
• the handle “plays”;
• high price.

KARCHER FC 3 CORDLESS

Cordless mop from a well-known manufacturer. Suitable for cleaning small spaces due to

short operating period and long charging time.

Equipped with two separate tanks - for clean water and for dirty water sucked from the floor. There is a self-cleaning function: only clean water is supplied to the rollers.

Due to the small size of the stand, it washes the floor under tall sofas and cabinets.

Main technical characteristics:

• power type – battery;
• power – 40 W;
• Li-lion battery, operating time – 20 minutes, charging time – 240 minutes;
• brush/roller rotation speed – 500 rpm;
• brush shape – rectangular;
• tank volume: for clean water – 360 ml, for dirty water – 140 ml;
• weight – 2.4 kg.

pros

• light;
• silent;
• minimum water consumption.

Minuses

• forms lumps of dirt that have to be removed separately;
• the quality of washing depends on the surface: it washes smooth surfaces well, uneven ones - worse;
• Dirty water from the tank may spill onto the floor and leave streaks.

KARCHER FC 5

A reliable device that can cope with any dirt on a flat floor surface.

It is heavy and not very mobile due to its large dimensions and significant volume of water tank, but it scrubs parquet and tiles until they shine and squeak.

Main technical characteristics:

• type – electric mop;
• power – 460 W;
• brush/roller rotation speed – 500 rpm;
• brush shape – rectangular;
• tank volume: for clean water – 400 ml, for dirty water – 200 ml;
• weight – 4.6 kg.

pros

• washes well;
• compact;
• energy-intensive.

Minuses

• heavy;
• flimsy design of the rollers: if you press a little harder, they lock;
• Animal hair gets clogged into the microscopic holes and the mop stops working.

Karcher FC 5 Premium

An improved analogue of the previous model, equipped with an additional soft bumper to ensure

safety of furniture during cleaning. Heavier unit. Suitable for small apartments or you will have to add water several times during the cleaning process. This is one of the highest quality models for 2021.

Main technical characteristics:

• type – electric mop;
• power – 460 W;
• brush/roller rotation speed – 500 rpm;
• cleaning area per tank refill – 60 sq.m.;
• brush shape – rectangular;
• tank volume: for clean water – 400 ml, for dirty water – 200 ml;
• weight – 5 kg.

pros

• if the floors are not dirty, a tank of 60 sq.m. enough;
• washes laminate flooring.

Minuses

• does not wash away stubborn dirt;
• vacuums poorly;
• heavy;
• the design is not thought out, flimsy.

KARCHER FC 3 CORDLESS PREMIUM (WHITE)

Reliable cordless cleaning mop from a well-known manufacturer. Cleans the room thoroughly and easily

goes into hard-to-reach places. Equipped with a self-cleaning system, that is, the floor is always washed exclusively with clean water.

Main technical characteristics:

• power type – battery;
• power – 40 W;
• battery – Li-lion, operating time – 20 minutes, charging time – 240 minutes.
• brush/roller rotation speed – 500 rpm;
• brush shape – rectangular;
• tank volume: for clean water – 360 ml, for dirty water – 140 ml;
• weight – 2.4 kg.

pros

• collects fine dust;
• looks reliable;
• chemicals can be added;
• the rag is clean due to the supply of only clean water to it;
• reduces cleaning time.

Minuses

• works little, takes a long time to charge;
• the floor does not “shine”;
• the price is very high.

KARCHER FC5 Cordless Premium

Premium analogue of the previous model. The kit includes additional rollers and two types of detergents. Simultaneously

carries out wet cleaning and dirt collection. Easily cleans under furniture and cleans corners. Cleans any floor coverings.

Main technical characteristics:

• power type – battery;
• battery – Li-lion, operating time – 20 minutes, charging time – 240 minutes.
• cleaning area per tank refill – 60 sq.m.;
• brush/roller rotation speed – 500 rpm;
• brush shape – rectangular;
• tank volume: for clean water – 400 ml, for dirty water – 200 ml;
• weight – 4.37 kg.

pros

• collects dust;
• reliable manufacturer;
• chemicals can be added;
• cleans quickly and efficiently.

Minuses

• a little heavy, difficult to control;
• no additional battery included;
• good for flat floors.