Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix

The SC 3 Upright is the pick to pay a premium for if hard water or whole-house cleaning is your reality. Its removable 0.5 L tank can be refilled at any time for uninterrupted cleaning, and a built-in descaling cartridge autonomously decalcifies the water to protect the steam jets over time — the single biggest advantage over the plastic-tank rivals here. At 1,600 W with roughly 30-second heat-up, it has more heating power than the Shark's 1,200 W, and 3-stage steam pressure control keeps it rated for sealed wood, parquet, laminate, tiles and carpet. The trade-offs are the price and the lack of a hands-free pad release; it carries a two-year manufacturer warranty.