Best Steam Mop (2026): 7 Essential Picks for Tile & Wood

Quick answer

The best steam mop for most homes is the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A: three steam settings, a flip-down scrubber for grout, a 23-foot cord and a 30-second heat-up listed. For a lighter, simpler mop pick the Shark Steam Pocket S3501 (under 5 lb with two double-sided washable pads), and for tile and grout with stuck-on spills pick the Shark Steam & Scrub S8001 with rotating pads. Steam only on sealed floors, and check your floor maker’s warranty before you steam hardwood, laminate or vinyl. If your warranty says no steam, the O-Cedar EasyWring spin mop or the Tineco iFLOOR 5 wet-dry cleaner below are safer choices. For everyday upkeep between deep cleans, a self emptying robot vacuum and mop can handle light mopping on its own.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our top 3 picks:

1. Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop (1940A)

Best for: Most homes with sealed tile, stone and sealed hardwood; 3 steam settings and a built-in scrubber

Check current price on Amazon →

2. Shark Steam Pocket Mop (S3501)

Best for: Quick weekly mopping, small homes and anyone who wants a light mop (4.87 lb listed)

Check current price on Amazon →

3. Shark Steam & Scrub (S8001)

Best for: Tile kitchens, grout and dried-on spills; rotating pads and LED headlights

Check current price on Amazon →

Best steam mop for sealed hard floors: a woman mopping a bright white floor in a sunny living room

A steam mop heats plain water into steam and pushes it through a microfiber pad, so it lifts sticky kitchen grime without a bucket of dirty water or a strong cleaner. On sealed tile it is hard to beat. On wood, laminate and vinyl it can be the wrong tool, and that is the part most “best steam mop” lists leave out. We read the listings line by line, compared tank size, heat-up time, steam settings, pads and cord length, and added a floor-by-floor safety chart so you know when to steam and when to reach for something else.

Below you will find a quick comparison, a spec table built only from the Amazon listings, short reviews of 7 picks (five steam mops plus two non-steam alternatives), and the practical guides: steam vs spin mop vs wet-dry vacuum, how to wash pads, why distilled water helps, and a holiday spill cleanup routine for the busy weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year. For spills on rugs, stairs and the couch, where a steam mop cannot go, see our best spot cleaner for carpet and upholstery guide.

Best steam mop picks at a glance

Use this table to shortlist the best steam mop for your floors, then read the full sections for your top two. Model names link to the Amazon listing so you can check the current price and delivery date.

Pick	Best for	Why it stands out
Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Best Overall	Sealed tile, stone, sealed hardwood	3 steam settings, flip-down Easy Scrubber, 23 ft cord	Check current price on Amazon
Shark Steam Pocket S3501 Best Lightweight	Small homes, quick weekly mopping	4.87 lb listed, 2 double-sided washable pads, swivel steering	Check current price on Amazon
Shark Steam & Scrub S8001 Best for Tile and Grout	Tile kitchens, dried-on spills	Rotating pads (150+ scrubs per minute listed), LED headlights, 4 pads	Check current price on Amazon
Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop S3972BRN Best 2-in-1 with Handheld	Floors plus grout, stovetops, upholstery	Detachable handheld steamer, 3 steam modes, 4 tools	Check current price on Amazon
Amazon Basics Steam Mop Best Budget Lightweight	Apartments, first steam mop	3.99 lb listed, 3 pads, 20 ft cord, self-standing	Check current price on Amazon
O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop Best No-Steam Mop for Sealed Wood	Floors whose warranty says no steam	Foot-pedal wringer, washable microfiber refills, no heat	Check current price on Amazon
Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze Complete Best Cordless Wet-Dry Alternative	Crumbs plus spills in one pass	Vacuums and mops at once, dual tanks, self-cleaning	Check current price on Amazon

Spec comparison: heat-up time, water tank, steam settings, pads and cord

Every number comes from the product’s Amazon listing (feature bullets and the product details table). “Not listed” means we could not find the figure in the listing, not that the feature is missing.

Model	Heat-up (listed)	Water tank	Steam settings	Pads included	Cord	Listed weight
Bissell PowerFresh 1940A	30 seconds	16 fl oz (XL, removable)	3	Not listed in the details we read	23 ft	6.2 lb
Shark Steam Pocket S3501	As little as 30 seconds	450 ml (15.2 fl oz)	Not listed	2 double-sided microfiber Dirt Grip pads	“Long power cord” (length not listed)	4.87 lb
Shark Steam & Scrub S8001	Not listed	11.83 fl oz (removable)	3 (Light, Normal, Deep)	4 Dirt Grip Soft Scrub pads	Not listed	6.9 lb
Shark Lift-Away S3972BRN	Not listed	12.85 fl oz	3 steam modes	1 double-sided Dirt Grip pad + flat pad tool	Not listed	7 lb
Amazon Basics Steam Mop	30 seconds	15 oz	3 (low, medium, high)	3 washable microfiber pads	20 ft	3.99 lb
O-Cedar EasyWring (no steam)	None needed	Bucket with wringer	No steam	Mop head + 2 extra refills	Cordless (manual)	Not listed
Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze (no steam)	None needed	0.8 L (dual-tank system)	No steam (wet-dry roller)	2 brush rollers	Cordless, up to 35 min	Not listed

Two quick takeaways. A bigger tank means fewer trips to the sink, but 11 to 16 ounces covers a typical kitchen and bath in one fill. And a long cord matters more than people expect: the Bissell’s 23 feet and the Amazon Basics’ 20 feet let you mop a whole open-plan floor from one outlet.

The 7 best steam mop picks and alternatives, reviewed

The order runs from the best steam mop for most homes down to the two non-steam options for floors that should not be steamed. Each section says who should buy it and what the listing does not promise.

1. Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop (1940A): Best Overall

Best Overall

The Bissell PowerFresh is our pick for the best steam mop for most homes because it covers the jobs people actually buy a steam mop for. Three steam settings let you use a light mist for a quick refresh and more steam for sticky kitchen spots, and the flip-down Easy Scrubber on the head works on dried-on drips and grout lines without leaning on the handle. Bissell designed it for sealed hard floors and names sealed hardwood, tile and ceramic, granite and marble.

Good to know: The listing gives a 30-second heat time, a 16 fl oz XL removable tank you fill at the sink, a 23-foot cord, 1500 watts and a listed weight of 6.2 lb. You can add Bissell scent discs for a light fragrance. On sanitizing, the listing says it “kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria, & viruses when used as directed”; follow the manual if that matters to you. It comes with a two-year limited warranty. Watch out: It is about 1.3 lb heavier than the Shark Steam Pocket, and the details we read did not state how many pads come in the box, so plan on buying a spare pad.

Best for: Most homes with sealed tile, stone or sealed hardwood (where the floor warranty allows steam), kitchens with sticky spills, open-plan floors

Check current price on Amazon →

2. Shark Steam Pocket Mop (S3501): Best Lightweight

Best Lightweight

The Shark Steam Pocket is the best steam mop for keeping it simple: no scrubber, no app, just steam, a swivel head and a pad you flip over when one side is dirty. At under 5 lb (4.87 lb listed) it is easy to carry upstairs and to steer around table legs and toilet bases. Two double-sided microfiber Dirt Grip pads come in the box, which means four clean faces before you need to do laundry.

Good to know: The listing says it starts steaming in as little as 30 seconds, holds 450 ml of water, runs at 1050 watts and comes with a filling flask and a quick-release cord wrap. The listing says it removes 99.9% of common household bacteria with steam, using just water, and Shark points to the manual for the conditions. One-year limited warranty. Watch out: The listing does not name steam settings or the cord length (only “long power cord”), so it is less flexible on delicate floors than a mop with a low setting.

Best for: Small homes and apartments, weekly mopping of sealed tile and stone, anyone who wants a light mop

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3. Shark Steam & Scrub (S8001): Best for Tile and Grout

Best for Tile and Grout

If you are shopping for the best steam mop for tile floors, the Steam & Scrub is the one built for it. Instead of pushing a flat pad back and forth, the head spins two round pads at over 150 scrubs per minute (per the listing), so the mop does more of the scrubbing on grout, mudroom tile and that patch in front of the stove. Three modes, Light, Normal and Deep, let you match the steam to the mess, and LED headlights show crumbs and hair on a bright floor.

Good to know: The listing says the rotating pads give “up to 2x better stuck-on stain removal” versus a traditional Shark steam mop (their own test against the S1000). The removable tank holds 11.83 fl oz, the mop weighs 6.9 lb listed, and four machine-washable Dirt Grip Soft Scrub pads are included. Watch out: Spinning pads plus steam is a lot of action for wood or vinyl; keep this one for tile and stone unless your floor maker says steam is fine. Heat-up time and cord length are not listed.

Best for: Tile kitchens and baths, grout lines, mudrooms, homes with kids and pets that track in sticky messes

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4. Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop (S3972BRN): Best 2-in-1 with Handheld

Best 2-in-1 with Handheld

The Lift-Away is the best steam mop in this guide for jobs beyond the floor: it has a handheld steamer you pull off the stick, so one machine does floors and the jobs above the floor. Shark includes a grout brush for tile gaps, a nylon precision brush for stovetops and oven racks, a scraper tool for baked-on food, and a two-sided flat pad tool for upholstery, counters and car interiors. Three steam modes are listed.

Good to know: The tank holds 12.85 fl oz, the unit runs at 1200 watts and weighs 7 lb listed. The box includes one double-sided Dirt Grip pad, a fill flask and the tool set. As with the other Shark models, the listing says it removes 99.9% of common household bacteria from sealed hard floors using just water. Watch out: Only one floor pad is included, so buy a spare if you mop more than one room at a time. Heat-up time and cord length are not listed. Test the handheld on a hidden spot before steaming fabric.

Best for: Homes that want one steamer for floors, grout, stovetops and car seats; holiday kitchen deep cleans

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5. Amazon Basics Steam Mop: Best Budget Lightweight

Best Budget Lightweight

The Amazon Basics is the best steam mop on a tight budget and the lightest mop here at 3.99 lb listed, and it still has three steam levels (low, medium and high), a 15 oz tank and a 20-foot cord. It heats in 30 seconds, stands up on its own for storage, and comes with three washable microfiber pads, a filling flask and a plastic scrubber tool for clearing hair and dirt off the pads.

Good to know: The listing names sealed hardwood, tile, laminate, vinyl, stone and marble, and says it is designed for tap water only, chemical-free cleaning. It runs at 1200 watts. On sanitizing, the listing says it “eliminates 99.9% of bacteria”; we did not test that claim. Watch out: A steam mop listing saying “laminate and vinyl” does not override your floor maker’s warranty, so check that first. The listing gives no warranty length in the details we read.

Best for: First steam mop, apartments and dorms, renters with sealed tile, anyone who finds heavier mops tiring

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6. O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket: Best No-Steam Mop for Sealed Wood

Best No-Steam Mop for Sealed Wood

Not every floor should be steamed, and this is the pick for those floors. The O-Cedar EasyWring uses a microfiber head, a bucket with a built-in spinning wringer and a foot pedal, so you control how damp the mop is. A well-wrung microfiber mop leaves far less water on the floor than a soaked string mop, and there is no heat at all, which is why it is our answer for sealed hardwood, laminate and vinyl owners whose warranty rules out steam. The listing calls it safe on all hard floors, including finished hardwood, laminate, tile and vinyl.

Good to know: The triangle head rotates 360 degrees to reach corners and along baseboards, the splash guard keeps spray in the bucket, and the microfiber refills are machine washable. This set includes two extra refills, so you can give the kitchen and bathroom their own heads. The listing says it removes over 99% of bacteria with just water. Watch out: You still carry a bucket and change the water when it gets dirty, and it will not lift dried-on grime as fast as steam does on tile.

Best for: Sealed hardwood, laminate and LVP floors where the warranty says no steam; renters; big homes on a budget

Check current price on Amazon →

7. Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze Complete: Best Cordless Wet-Dry Alternative

Best Cordless Wet-Dry Alternative

A cordless wet-dry floor cleaner vacuums crumbs and washes the floor in the same pass, which makes it the better tool after a messy dinner when there are both dry crumbs and wet spills. The iFLOOR 5 Breeze keeps clean and dirty water in separate tanks, so you always wash with fresh water, and a flat scraper squeezes dirty water off the roller as it turns. The listing says it suits sealed hard floors including hardwood, tile, marble and laminate.

Good to know: Tineco lists up to 35 minutes of runtime, a 0.8 L capacity, edge cleaning down to 0.20 inches from the baseboard, and a hands-free self-clean that rinses from roller to tubing, then spin-dries the roller. Two brush rollers, two bottles of cleaning solution and a charging base come in the box. Watch out: It does not use steam, so it will not do grout the way the Steam & Scrub does. You have to empty the dirty-water tank after each use, and the listing asks you to clean the filter once a month.

Best for: Busy kitchens with crumbs and spills, homes with kids and pets, anyone who hates the sweep-then-mop routine

Check current price on Amazon →

Which floors can you steam? Floor compatibility chart

Steam is heat plus moisture. On a sealed, non-porous surface it cleans and evaporates quickly. On anything with open seams, a soft finish or no seal, heat and moisture can get in and cause swelling, cupping, clouding or a lifting edge. This chart is general guidance, not a promise for your floor: the floor maker’s care instructions and warranty always win.

Floor type	Steam it?	Why	Better tool if not
Sealed ceramic or porcelain tile	Yes	Non-porous glazed surface; steam is ideal for grout lines	Any steam mop; Steam & Scrub for grout
Sealed natural stone (granite, marble, slate)	Yes, low to normal steam	Sealed stone handles steam; re-seal if water starts to darken it	Steam mop, then dry-buff
Sealed hardwood (polyurethane finish)	Check the floor maker’s warranty	Many wood floor makers and finishers advise against steam; heat can work into seams over time	O-Cedar spin mop, well wrung
Engineered wood	Check the floor maker’s warranty	Thin wear layer over plywood; seams are the weak point	Damp microfiber or spin mop
Laminate	Check the floor maker’s warranty	The fiberboard core can swell if moisture gets into the click joints	Spin mop or wet-dry cleaner on low water
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and vinyl tile	Check the floor maker’s warranty	Heat can soften adhesive or open click seams on some products	Wet-dry cleaner or spin mop
Sheet vinyl and linoleum	Check the floor maker’s warranty	Glued-down sheets and natural linoleum can react to heat	Damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner
Unsealed wood, oiled or waxed floors	No	Steam strips wax and oil and can raise the grain	Dry dust mop, maker-approved cleaner
Unsealed stone, terracotta, Saltillo, concrete	No	Porous surfaces soak up moisture and can stain or effloresce	Seal first, then decide
Cork and bamboo	Usually no	Both are moisture sensitive; follow the maker’s guide	Barely damp microfiber

How do you know a floor is sealed? Put a few drops of water in a low-traffic spot. If it beads and sits on top for several minutes, the surface is sealed. If it darkens or soaks in, it is not, and you should not steam it. If you are planning to refinish old floors anyway, our hardwood floor refinishing cost guide explains finish options and what they mean for cleaning.

Best steam mop for tile floors

Tile is where steam mops shine. Glazed ceramic and porcelain do not absorb water, and steam softens the greasy film that builds up in kitchens and the soap residue in bathrooms. The best steam mop for tile floors is the Shark Steam & Scrub S8001 if your grout is dirty, because the rotating pads scrub while they steam. If your tile is mostly clean and you just want a quick weekly refresh, the Bissell PowerFresh with its flip-down scrubber or the lighter Shark Steam Pocket is enough.

Vacuum or sweep first. Steam turns loose grit into mud and drags it into grout.
Work in small sections and let the head sit for a second or two on stubborn spots instead of scrubbing hard.
Use the higher steam setting for grout lines and the lower one for glossy tile, which shows streaks.
Swap to a clean pad when the first one looks gray, or you will spread the dirt around.

Best steam mop for hardwood floors (and when not to steam)

This is the question we get most. Many hardwood makers and the wood flooring trade advise against steam on wood, even when it is sealed, because heat and moisture can work into the seams over time. Some finishes and some engineered floors are approved for it. So the honest answer is: read your floor maker’s care guide or warranty first. If it allows steam, the best steam mop for hardwood floors is one with a true low setting and a big, flat pad that keeps moving, which is why we point you to the Bissell PowerFresh (3 settings) or the Amazon Basics (low, medium and high).

If the warranty says no steam, or you cannot find it, do not risk a floor that costs far more than a mop. Use the O-Cedar EasyWring spin mop wrung almost dry, or the Tineco iFLOOR 5 on a light water flow, and dry any puddles with a towel. Never leave a steam mop parked on wood while it is on; set it on its tray or a tile floor.

Steam mop for vinyl floors and laminate: what to know

Can you use a steam mop on vinyl plank flooring? Some LVP makers allow it on a low setting and many say no, because heat can soften the adhesive or open the click joints. Laminate has a similar problem: the fiberboard core swells if moisture gets into the seams. A steam mop for vinyl floors is only a good idea when the floor maker’s care guide says so; even then, use the lowest steam, keep the head moving and do not go over the same strip again and again. Otherwise, a damp spin mop or a wet-dry cleaner gets vinyl and laminate just as clean with far less heat.

Steam mop vs spin mop vs wet-dry vacuum

Three tools, three jobs, and the best steam mop is only one of them. Here is how a steam mop vs spin mop vs cordless wet-dry floor cleaner compare in daily use, so you can buy the right one, or the right two.

	Steam mop	Spin mop (O-Cedar)	Cordless wet-dry cleaner (Tineco)
How it cleans	Hot steam through a microfiber pad	Damp microfiber you wring with a pedal	Spinning wet roller plus suction
Heat	Yes	No	No
Best floors	Sealed tile and stone	All sealed hard floors, including wood the maker says not to steam	Most sealed hard floors
Picks up crumbs and hair	No, vacuum first	No, sweep first	Yes, in the same pass
Cleaner needed	Water only	Water, or a floor-safe cleaner	Water plus maker’s solution
Water left on floor	Very little, dries fast	Depends on how well you wring	Very little, the suction pulls it back
Upkeep	Wash pads, descale if needed	Wash refills, rinse bucket	Empty dirty tank, run self-clean, clean filter
Good for holiday spills	Dried-on gravy and sticky drinks on tile	Quick wipe of wood floors	Wet spills plus crumbs at once

Our take on steam mop vs spin mop: if most of your house is tile, buy the steam mop; if most of it is wood, laminate or vinyl, buy the spin mop or a wet-dry cleaner and keep steam for the bathroom.

Steam mop vs spin mop vs wet-dry vacuum: a cordless wet-dry floor cleaner picking up a water spill on a wood-look floor — Photo: Unsplash

How to wash steam mop pads

Clean pads are half of a good result. A dirty pad just moves hot, gray water around.

Let the pad cool, then pull it off and shake loose hair and grit outside or into the trash.
Machine wash warm with a regular detergent. Skip fabric softener; it coats the microfiber and makes it push dirt instead of grabbing it.
Wash pads with other microfiber cloths or towels, not with fuzzy items that shed lint.
Air dry, or tumble dry on low if the care label allows it. High heat can melt microfiber loops.
Rotate two or three pads per session for big homes, and replace pads when they feel flat or stop absorbing.

Distilled water in a steam mop: do you need it?

Tap water contains minerals. In hard-water areas those minerals build up inside the boiler and can clog the steam outlets, which shows up as weaker steam, spitting or white spots on dark floors. Many makers suggest distilled or demineralized water if your water is hard, while some listings, like the Amazon Basics and Shark models above, say plain tap water is fine. Our advice: check your manual, use distilled water if you see white crust in the kettle or shower, and never add vinegar, scented oils or floor cleaner to the tank unless the maker says you can. Empty the tank after each use so water does not sit inside.

Holiday spill cleanup routine

Holiday cooking and parties mean more traffic and more spills. Even the best steam mop is only one step. This routine works for most sealed floors; switch the steam steps to a damp spin mop on wood, laminate or vinyl that should not be steamed.

Blot first. Soak up wine, gravy or punch with paper towels right away. Do not rub.
Scrape solids. Lift dried cranberry sauce, frosting or candle wax with a plastic scraper. For wax, harden it with an ice cube first.
Pick up crumbs. Vacuum or sweep the area. A wet-dry cleaner like the Tineco does this step and the next one together.
Steam or damp mop. On tile and stone, steam on the higher setting for a few seconds over the sticky spot. On wood, use a well-wrung microfiber mop.
Dry it. Wipe any leftover water with a towel, especially near seams, door thresholds and the dishwasher.
Entry mats. Winter slush and salt are the other holiday mess. Put a washable mat by the door; our guide to whether washable rugs are worth it helps you choose one.

Keep cords out of walkways when you steam during a party, and unplug the mop before you refill it. The NFPA’s holiday safety tips are a good reminder for busy kitchens.

How to choose the best steam mop for your home

Floors first: mostly sealed tile and stone means a steam mop is a great buy. Mostly wood, laminate or vinyl means check the warranty, and you may be better off with a spin mop or wet-dry cleaner.
Steam settings: a low setting matters on stone and approved wood; a high or deep setting helps on grout. The Bissell, Shark Steam & Scrub, Lift-Away and Amazon Basics all list three.
Weight: under about 5 lb (Amazon Basics 3.99 lb, Shark Steam Pocket 4.87 lb) is easier on stairs and for anyone with sore wrists.
Cord length: 20 feet or more (Amazon Basics 20 ft, Bissell 23 ft) cuts down on outlet changes in open-plan homes.
Pads: more pads in the box means fewer mid-clean laundry runs. The Steam & Scrub includes 4 and the Amazon Basics 3.
Extras: want to steam grout, stovetops or car seats too? A 2-in-1 with a detachable handheld like the Shark Lift-Away earns its space.

Pair your floor cleaner with a good vacuum, since every mop works better on a floor that is free of grit. If you are still choosing one, see our best cordless vacuum under 300 guide, the Dyson V15 vs V8 comparison, or let a robot do the daily pass with our best robot vacuum for pet hair picks and the Roomba vs Roborock breakdown. A robot vacuum-mop handles light daily dirt; the best steam mop is still the tool for a weekly deep clean on tile.

How we chose these steam mops (not tested)

We did not test these mops hands-on. We started from popular Amazon listings in the steam mop and floor cleaner categories, kept well-known brands (Bissell, Shark, Amazon Basics, O-Cedar and Tineco), and picked a spread of styles: a do-it-all steam mop, a lightweight flat mop, a scrubbing mop for tile, a 2-in-1 with a handheld, a budget pick, and two non-steam alternatives for floors that should not be steamed.

For each one we compared only what the Amazon listing states: heat-up time, tank size, steam settings, pads and tools included, cord length, weight and the floors the maker names. Where a listing did not give a number, we said so. Any sanitizing claim is quoted as the listing says it, not as our finding. The floor chart, pad care, distilled water and spill routine are general guidance; always follow your floor maker’s care guide and your mop’s manual. We will update this guide when listings change.

Helpful resources: NFPA: electrical safety in the home (cords and outlets for corded mops) and NFPA: winter holiday safety.

Best steam mop: frequently asked questions

What is the best steam mop?

The best steam mop for most homes is the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A, with 3 steam settings, a flip-down scrubber, a 16 fl oz tank, a 23-foot cord and a 30-second heat-up listed. For a lighter mop choose the Shark Steam Pocket S3501, and for the lowest weight on a budget choose the Amazon Basics Steam Mop at 3.99 lb listed.

What is the best steam mop for tile floors?

The best steam mop for tile floors is the Shark Steam & Scrub S8001, because its rotating pads scrub grout and dried-on spills while they steam, with Light, Normal and Deep modes and four washable pads included. The Bissell PowerFresh with its Easy Scrubber is a strong second choice.

What is the best steam mop for hardwood floors?

First check your floor maker’s warranty, because many hardwood makers advise against steam. If steam is allowed, the best steam mop for hardwood floors has a true low setting and a flat pad, like the Bissell PowerFresh or Amazon Basics. If it is not allowed, use the O-Cedar EasyWring spin mop wrung almost dry.

Is a steam mop for vinyl floors safe?

Only if your vinyl or LVP maker’s care guide allows steam. Heat can soften adhesive or open click seams on some products. If it is allowed, use the lowest setting and keep the head moving. If not, a damp spin mop or a cordless wet-dry cleaner like the Tineco iFLOOR 5 is the safer choice.

Steam mop vs spin mop: which is better?

For sealed tile and stone, a steam mop is better: it lifts sticky grime with water only and dries fast. For sealed wood, laminate and vinyl that the maker says not to steam, a spin mop is better because there is no heat and you control how damp it is. Many homes use both.

Should I use distilled water in a steam mop?

Use distilled or demineralized water if you have hard water or your manual recommends it, because minerals build up inside the boiler and weaken the steam. Some listings say plain tap water is fine. Never add vinegar, oils or cleaners to the tank unless the maker allows it, and empty the tank after each use.