Best Steam Cleaners for Cars
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The best steam cleaner in 2024 is the Wagner Spraytech 905e due to its many useful attachments, easy-to-store design, and large tank capacity.
- Among the 12 steam cleaners we tested, the Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam was the best at removing embedded stains.
- According to our team’s research, steam cleaners for cars can range in price from about $35 to $350. More expensive steam cleaners are typically easier to use, include more attachments, steam longer, and have solid construction.
A versatile steam cleaner with a big tank and many attachments.
A lightweight steam cleaner suited for quick spot cleaning.
A carpet vacuum with a steam cleaner attachment that deep cleans upholstery.
A handheld steam cleaner that is a less expensive alternative to the MR-75.
Need to deep clean your car’s upholstery? You can’t put your car seat in a washing machine, but the best steam cleaners for cars can bring the washing machine to your car. Steam cleaning is an eco-friendly means to remove allergens, bacteria, mold, and bad odors. It’s also a fast and gentle means to remove exterior grime like bird droppings and tree sap.
But which type of steam cleaner is best for cars? A portable handheld model, or a heavy-duty cleaner with a large capacity and more attachments? We reviewed both to help you determine which is the right for your needs and vehicle.
Best Car Steam Cleaners
The best car steam cleaners are the Vapamore MR-100, Bissell SteamShot, McCulloch MC1375, Grobell Swift Vapore, and the Wagner Spraytech.
Best-Rated Steam Cleaners
Each car steam cleaner in this review was thoroughly tested and evaluated based on several categories, including ease of use, versatility, and portability. You can find more specifics regarding our rating system here.
The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars. Each steam cleaner’s ratings, including their overall ratings and awards from our team, are highlighted below:
| Brand/Model | Cost | Overall Rating | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wagner Spraytech 905e |
$100 |
4.5 |
Best Steam Cleaner |
|
Vapamore MR-75 Amico |
$100 |
4.3 |
Best Handheld Steam Cleaner |
|
Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam |
$230 |
4.0 |
Best for Pet Messes |
|
Vivibyan Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner |
$50 |
4.0 |
Budget Pick |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
For those interested in learning more, we’ve provided a detailed review of each of the best steam cleaners for cars in the sections below:
1. Wagner Spraytech 905e: Best Steam Cleaner for Cars
- Our rating: 4.5 stars
- Cost: $100
- Weight: 9.8 lbs.
- Tank capacity: 40 ounces
- Time to pressurize: 10 minutes, 27 seconds
- Steam time: 33 minutes, 47 seconds
- Power cord length: 96 in.
The Wagner Spraytech 905e has a large tank and a long steam time—enough to thoroughly clean a couple of vehicles in one session. This cleaner is purpose-built for automobile steam cleaning and so includes some of the best attachments for this purpose, like a fabric steamer and device that gets into your car’s crevices. Though it isn’t handheld, the Wagner is portable and stores easily.
Here’s how the Wagner Spraytech 905e performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4.5 |
| Versatility | 5.0 |
| Portability | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.5 |
We think the 905e is the best option for anyone who plans to regularly steam clean their vehicle. It provides over 30 minutes of steam and includes attachments designed for vehicle upholstery. On the other hand, a larger tank means it takes longer to pressurize and is less suitable for cleaning a quick mess compared with a smaller, handheld option.
- Lockout trigger
- Long steam time
- Built-in storage compartment
- Takes a while to pressurize
-
- Extension nozzles (2)
-
- Replacement O-rings
-
- Soft nylon brushes (2)
-
- Stiff nylon brushes (2)
-
- Squeegee
-
- Angled crevice nozzle
-
- 7-in. wide nozzle
The Wagner Spraytech 905e doesn’t have unique features or a unique design, but most aspects of this steam cleaner are better than the competition. The attachments lock more snugly into place and there are built-in compartments for the accessories and power cord.
The 905e comes with two types of nylon brushes (for spot scrubbing), an angled crevice nozzle (for cleaning crannies), and a wide squeegee (for steaming an entire seat). There are also replacement O-rings and replacement nylon brushes.
This steam cleaner can produce a little over 30 minutes of steam on a full tank, which is more than enough to thoroughly steam clean a vehicle. The handle has a lockout switch that keeps the trigger depressed so you can continuously deliver steam without maintaining a tight grip.
Amazon review score: 4.3 out of 5.0 (approx. 17,000 ratings)
The 905e is the most thoroughly-reviewed product among our recommendations. We were able to find a number of compliments from customers who claim to have owned this steam cleaner for a year or longer.
We were also able to find some reviews from those claiming that this steam cleaner failed after a year. One person specifically mentioned that the attachments wore out in that time, though the steam cleaner continued to work well.
2. Vapamore MR-75 Amico: Best Handheld Steam Cleaner
- Our rating: 4.3 stars
- Cost: $100
- Weight: 6.1 lbs.
- Tank capacity: 7 oz.
- Time to pressurize: 2 minutes, 32 seconds
- Steam time: 6 minutes, 27 seconds
- Power cord length: 128 in.
Vapamore manufactures some of the best steam cleaners, a couple of which we tested for this review. The Vapamore MR-75 Amico is our choice for best handheld steam cleaner because of its durable and compact design. The MR-75 also includes a large number of nozzle attachments of various sizes, ideal for getting into a car’s nooks and crannies.
Here’s how the Vapamore MR-75 Amico performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 3.5 |
| Versatility | 4.5 |
| Portability | 5.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.3 |
We think the MR-75 is an ideal detailing tool for its small size and high power. While it provides a lot of steam time for its size, you may want to consider something larger if you regularly detail multiple vehicles. The fast pressurization time makes it a good tool for quick treatments.
- Small and lightweight
- Large number of useful detailing attachments
- Durable construction
- No trigger lock
- Small tank capacity
-
- Extension hose
-
- Small nylon grout brushes (2)
-
- Replacement O-rings
-
- Angled jet nozzle
-
- Scraper
-
- Fabric squeegee
-
- Cloth pads with elastic (3)
-
- Small brass brush
-
- Large brass brush
-
- Large nylon brush
-
- Large stainless steel brush
-
- Straight nylon grout brush
The MR-75 functions like a handheld spray bottle, and steam is released by holding down a button with the thumb. Unfortunately, there is no lockout feature, so producing continuous steam requires holding that button in a position that becomes uncomfortable after a minute.
A light on the Vapamore turns red while the unit is pressurizing, and green once it is ready to steam. Pressurization takes about two and a half minutes, the fastest time among steam cleaners we tested.
Steam cleaners range in the number of included attachments, and Vapamore cleaners generally come with the most. The wide fabric squeegee works well on upholstery while the nylon brushes are excellent at removing dirt from side panels. Each attachment locks neatly into place and is easy to remove. Importantly, Vapamore includes a small carrying case for these attachments.
Amazon review score: 4.1 out of 5.0 (approx. 500 ratings)
We couldn’t find any reviewers who claimed to own the MR-75 for more than a few months, but most report that this cleaner holds up faithfully over its first uses. Many online reviewers note this steam cleaner was able to remove stains that’d been in their cars for years.
3. Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam: Best for Pet Messes
- Our rating: 4.0 stars
- Cost: $230
- Tank capacity: 56 oz. water, 8 oz. cleaning solution
- Weight: 16.6 lbs.
- Time to pressurize: 5 minutes
- Steam time: 47 minutes, 59 seconds
- Power cord length: 180 in.
The Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam is less a steam cleaner than a carpet vacuum cleaner with a steam attachment. That said, this product steams as well as any other steam cleaner and in our testing, it eliminated some stains that no traditional steam cleaner could.
Here’s how the Little Green Hydrosteam performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4.0 |
| Versatility | 4.0 |
| Portability | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.0 |
We think this steam cleaner is a great option for those with pets or ancient stains in their vehicles. The Little Green Hydrosteam can be used with or without chemical cleaners to work out the deepest embedded messes. However, the Hydrosteam is not designed specifically for car use and only includes a couple of attachments.
- Excellent for stain removal
- Steams and vacuums
- Exceptionally long steam time
- Few accessories
- Pressurization light inaccurate
- No trigger lock
-
- 8 fl. oz. Bissell Pet Pro OXY Spot & Stain Urine Eliminator with StainProtect.
-
- 5-in. scrub head (nylon bristles, ideal for car upholstery)
-
- Multi-surface head (nylon bristles), wedge-shaped for crevices
At first, we thought the Little Green Hydrosteam was broken. It boasts a 30-second pressurization time and an indicator light illuminated 30 seconds after we powered it. However, it didn’t steam at this time. We don’t know precisely how long it took the Bissel to pressurize, but after five minutes it was able to produce steam.
Given that the Little Green Hydrosteam has a 64 oz. tank, 5 minutes is a very fast pressurization time. This is quicker than our top recommendation, which has a smaller tank. This means the Hydrosteam’s indicator light is unreliable, and you need to wait about three to five minutes before using steam.
We noticed that there were only two included accessories—two brushes that are good for car upholstery, but no crevice nozzle.
Despite these drawbacks, the Little Green Hydrosteam is an exceptional steam cleaner for removing stains. We tested this not only on our car’s upholstery but also on old carpet stains in a house. In both cases, this cleaner removed the stains with ease.
The directions advise that you use water and a cleaning agent (a small bottle of which is included) with the Hydrosteam. This chemical is likely what helped remove the embedded stain. But for those who choose steam cleaning specifically to avoid chemicals, you can still use the Hydrosteam with water only.
We wish that this steam cleaner included a lock for the trigger, especially since it can run for nearly an hour. We had to get creative with rubber bands to keep the steam coming long enough for the tank to deplete while sparing our hand muscles.
Amazon review score: 4.4 out of 5.0 (approx. 550 ratings)
We weren’t able to find any customers who mentioned owning the Hydrosteam for a year or longer, though many have owned other Bissel products for several years. There are four reviewers who claim the steaming function stopped working after a few months. Two reviewers say they owned the steamer for several months with no issues.
4. Vivibyan Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner: Budget Pick
- Our rating: 4.0 stars
- Cost: $50
- Weight: 4.1 lbs.
- Tank capacity: 9.4 oz.
- Time to pressurize: 3 minutes, 18 seconds
- Steam time: 9 minutes, 59 seconds
- Power cord length: 108 in.
The Vivibyan Handheld is similar to the Vapamore MR-75 Amico in overall design and function. It has a slightly larger tank and steam time but includes fewer attachments. Though the Vivibyan isn’t as well-built as the Vapamore, it is a decent steam cleaner that surpassed our expectations, given its low price tag and brand name.
Here’s how the Vivibyan performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 3.0 |
| Versatility | 4.0 |
| Portability | 5.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.0 |
If you’re looking for a low-cost steam cleaning option, the Vivibyan is a safe bet. We can’t speak to the longevity of this cleaner, but out of the box, it works great.
- Lightweight and portable
- Low cost option
- Small tank capacity
- No trigger lock
-
- Flexible hose nozzle (22-in.)
-
- Ironing brush (5.5-in.)
-
- Window squeegee (8-in.)
-
- Jet nozzle
-
- Stiff nylon round brushes (2)
-
- Cloth cover for upholstery squeegee
-
- Extension nozzle for jet tip and round brushes (6-in.)
The Vivibyan begins to pressurize immediately after being plugged in and a button at the thumb dispenses steam.
Once it begins to steam, the Vivibyan works similarly to the Vapamore. It has a larger tank and takes longer to pressurize, but is less efficient (getting fewer minutes of operation per fluid ounce). That said, 10 minutes is a long time to keep your thumb on a handheld steam cleaner. As with some other steam cleaners on this list, a trigger lock would be greatly appreciated.
The attachments all worked as expected. They lock into place using a push-and-twist design. Overall, this felt like an acceptable B-tier replacement to the MR-75.
Amazon review score: 3.9 out of 5.0 (approx. 60 ratings)
There aren’t many Amazon reviews for this steam cleaner, and only a portion of them include written comments. Only one mentions the longevity of the Vivibyan steam, citing a broken brush right out of the box.
Most people buy this steam cleaner for deep cleaning, removing set stains, and embedded dirt, and report that the Vivibyan achieves those goals.
Steam Cleaner Buying Guide
A steam cleaner can destroy mold and bacteria, dislodge built-up gunk and grime, and make upholstery and carpet look brand new. While many steam cleaners are designed for home use, they work well for automobile upholstery and plastics. Steam cleaning is used by many auto detailers and helps cut down on chemical use.
Compare Steam Cleaners for Cars
| Brand/Model | Tank Capacity | Pressurize Time | Steam Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wagner Spraytech 905e | 40 oz. | 10 min. 27 sec. | 33 min. 47 sec. |
| Vapamore MR-75 Amico | 7 oz. | 2 min. 32 sec. | 6 min. 27 sec. |
| Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam | 56 oz. water, 8 oz. cleaning solution | About 5 min. | 47 min. 29 sec. |
| Vivibyan Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner | 9.4 oz. | 3 min. 18 sec. | 9 min. 59 sec. |
If you decide to purchase a steam cleaner for your vehicle, some factors to consider when comparing options (aside from cost) are the size of the steam cleaner and included attachments.
Steam Cleaner Size
Handheld steam cleaners are portable but may not have the tank capacity to clean your entire vehicle in one go. If you don’t want to refill the tank several times, look for a steam cleaner with a large tank. How quickly a steam cleaner’s tank depletes depends partly on the design and the nozzle attachments. Based on our limited testing, the typical steam cleaner can operate for about one minute for each ounce of water.
Steam Cleaner Attachments
If you’re looking to use a steam cleaner as an interior car washing tool, you’ll want to find something portable that includes useful attachments for auto detailing. Some steam cleaner attachments aren’t useful for auto detailing (like a steam mop), while others are necessary.
Look for steam cleaners that have stiff brush attachments for the small crevices in your vehicles. Also useful are wide triangle brush heads for stain removal on your car’s upholstery.
Steam Cleaner Cost
Steam cleaners cost from $40 to over $200. As of this article’s publication, our cheapest recommendation costs around $50.
In our testing experience, low-cost steam cleaners can steam as well as costlier units but are not as well built and don’t include many useful attachments. Our budget choice for a steam cleaner is a good option for those who only occasionally clean out one vehicle. If you are working on multiple vehicles or especially tough pet stains, something like the Little Green Hydrosteam (around $230) is your best bet.
How to Steam Clean Car Interior
If you decide to steam clean your vehicle, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Prepare your steam cleaner: Fill your steam cleaner with distilled water (tap water has minerals that can degrade the interior), and plug it in near your vehicle. Most steam cleaners take about 10 minutes to pressurize.
- Clean out your vehicle: Remove all items from your consoles, seat pockets, floor, and doors.
- Vacuum: Before steam cleaning, remove as much debris as possible using a shop vac or handheld vacuum cleaner. If you have embedded pet fur, you should use a stiff brush in conjunction with your vacuum.
- Steam: Use a steam cleaner along with a cleaning solution that’s suitable for your car’s interior and upholstery.
While steam cleaning, make sure that you don’t apply steam to the same spot for too long. The hot steam has disinfecting properties but can damage rubber and plastic. If you make sure to keep the steamer moving while you’re sanitizing your car, you can safely and easily clean your vehicle.
How to Steam Clean Car Exterior
Many steam cleaners include an attachment for glass cleaning. We tried this on our vehicle and do not recommend steam-cleaning your car windows unless you have a background in this already. In our experience, it can leave spots that make a windshield more difficult to see through than if it were never steam cleaned at all. We recommend using one of the best pressure washers for cars to clean your vehicle’s exterior.
Best Steam Cleaners for Car Detailing: Bottom Line
A steam cleaner is an incredibly useful device to have around. While we didn’t see much merit in steam-cleaning the exterior of the vehicle, using one inside is perfect for chemical-free interior detailing.
Any of these steam cleaners can help to transform the inside of your car to look like new:
- Best Steam Cleaner for Cars: Wagner Spraytech 905e
- Best Handheld Steam Cleaner: Vapamore MR-75 Amico
- Best for Pet Messes: Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam
- Budget Pick: Vivibyan Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
Steam Cleaners for Cars: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about steam cleaners for cars:
Are steam cleaners good for cars?
Yes. A steam cleaner is an excellent way to detail your car. It can destroy mold and allergens, as well as quickly remove caked-on gunk and grime. Using a steam cleaner can cut back on chemical use.
Will steam hurt car paint?
Steam will not damage your car’s paint. However, a steam cleaner can damage rubber and plastic components if used improperly. Do not blast a single area too long, as the hot steam can damage components. As long as you keep your steam cleaner moving, you should not damage your car’s interior.
Can you steam clean a windshield?
We do not recommend using a steam cleaner on your vehicle’s windshield. Instead, use a glass cleaner or ammonia solution and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth.
What steam cleaner do auto detailers use?
There is no single steam cleaner all auto detailers use. Most use a larger steam cleaner with a high-capacity tank and stiff brush attachments such as the Vapamore MR-100, Wagner Spraytech, or McCulloch MC1375.
Car Steam Cleaner Reviews: Our Testing Process
Our testing team meticulously examined, operated, and observed 12 different steam cleaners to prepare this review. Each steam cleaner was filled and used according to the included directions. We tested every attachment to clean the exterior and interior of our testing vehicles, which had fabric seats.
In addition to testing each steam cleaner on upholstery, we completely filled each steam cleaner and allowed them to run continuously. We timed how long each steam cleaner took to pressurize, as well as how many minutes it could produce steam from a full tank.
These products were tested on a Ford Fusion Hybrid SE and a Subaru Impreza. During testing, we noted how easy the steam cleaner was to use, its versatility, and its portability. Each steam cleaner for cars was rated out of 5.0 stars based on this criteria.
Ease of Use
Steam cleaners come in different shapes and sizes. Not all are equally easy to fill and use. While none of the cleaners we tested were especially difficult to operate, some have convenient features like retractable power cords or storage containers for the attachments.
Steam cleaners that score highest in this category have straightforward instructions, heat up quickly, and are easy to pack away when not in use.
Versatility
Our versatility score is based on the number of attachments included with each multi-purpose steam cleaner. Different attachments are useful for cleaning different areas of your vehicle. A wide brush can quickly steam down a seat, while smaller brushes with stiff bristles are good for nooks and crannies.
Steam cleaners that include several attachments and have large water tanks for extended steaming score best in this category.
Portability
Lightweight and portable steam cleaners are most convenient for detailing your car. We also considered cord length and hose length when assessing portability. It’s important that a steam cleaner can reach every part of your vehicle.
Handheld steam cleaners that have long power cords, and/or long-reaching hoses score best in this category.
How We Score Products
Every steam cleaner we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here’s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:
- 5.0 Stars: A 5.0-star rating means a steam cleaner is among the best in a category. It heats up nearly instantly, includes integrated storage for nozzles of every variety, or is handheld.
- 4.0 Stars: A 4.0-star rating means a steam cleaner performs better than average in a category. It heats quickly, has wide, narrow, and bristle steam nozzles, and may not be handheld, but has a long retractable power cord.
- 3.0 Stars: A 3.0-star rating indicates what is average or typical for a steam cleaner, based on our testing experience. It is not difficult to operate, includes a few attachments, or has a long power cord that is not retractable.
- 2.0 Stars: A 2.0-star rating indicates the steam cleaner performs poorer than the average. It is difficult to handle, is missing important attachments for detailing, or has a short extension cord or hose.
- 1.0 Star: A 1.0-star rating indicates that the steam cleaner performs well below expectations in a category. It does not work reliably, has no additional attachments, or cannot reasonably be used in an automobile due to size or cord length.
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
