Steam mop vs. wet dry vacuum mop: running cost
A steam mop is cheaper to run: about $2 a year versus $3 for a wet dry vacuum mop at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $0 difference.
| Steam mop | Wet dry vacuum mop | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,300 W | 560 W |
| Watt range | 1,000–1,600 W | 60–600 W |
| Typical use | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | 15 minutes a day, 2 days a week |
| Energy per year | 12 kWh | 15 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 16¢ | 10¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.6¢ | 0.7¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.18 | $0.22 |
| Cost per year | $2 | $3 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $5 | $6 |
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What drives the difference
- Steam mop: Steam mops draw 1,000-1,600 W while making steam; a 15-minute session uses about 0.25-0.4 kWh.
- Wet dry vacuum mop: Corded wet-dry floor cleaners like the Bissell CrossWave draw about 560 W; cordless models like Tineco charge a ~0.1 kWh battery at roughly 50-80 W.
Ways to cut either cost
Uses no electricity for routine cleaning, saving the steam mop for sanitizing.
See options on AmazonNo electricity for quick touch-ups between deep cleans.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a steam mop or a wet dry vacuum mop?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a wet dry vacuum mop costs about $3 a year versus $2 for a steam mop. That's $0 more, or 1.2× as much.
How many watts do steam mop and wet dry vacuum mop use?
A steam mop typically draws 1,300 W (range 1,000–1,600 W). A wet dry vacuum mop draws 560 W (range 60–600 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.