Black & Decker vs Vax Steam Cleaners

Black & Decker and Vax cover a wide price gap in steam cleaning. The Black & Decker BHSM1610DSM-GB portable steam cleaner costs £131.99. Vax offers the S85-CM Steam Clean Multi at £49 and the Steam Fresh Home CDST-SFXS at £139, which includes a steam boost function, free cleaning solution and a quick drying time.

The Black & Decker has 1600W of power, a 0.5-litre tank and 180° swivel steering, with a 20-second heat-up. Vax's Steam Fresh Home says it kills 99.9% of bacteria, and its steam boost adds extra heat for tougher spots. The S85-CM provides variable steam control, comes with a nine-piece multipurpose tool set and is suitable for hard floors. Vax's steam range generally uses a 1.6-litre water tank and heats up in under two minutes, with the brand's machines weighing about 3.7kg.

Black & Decker suits a householder who wants one well-powered steam cleaner that heats quickly and handles hard floors, tiles and small areas. Vax suits buyers who want more tools for the money, especially the S85-CM with its nine-piece set. The Steam Fresh Home is the better fit for households that want to use less chemical cleaner, since Vax markets its steam cleaners as chemical-free. Black & Decker is the more portable of the two, with a 0.5-litre tank and 180° swivel steering that suit moving between rooms. The S85-CM at £49 costs £82.99 less than the Black & Decker unit, so households that steam only occasionally may find the Vax enough, while frequent steaming favours the faster, more powerful Black & Decker.

Bottom line: choose Black & Decker if you want a portable 1600W unit that is ready in 20 seconds at £131.99. Choose Vax if price is the main concern, with the S85-CM at £49, or the Steam Fresh Home with free solution at £139.