Updated Sep. 07, 2024
We put the Wagner steam cleaner through a series of tests to find out how well it lifts dirt, stains, fingerprints and mud from various surfaces.
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The best steam cleaners lift dirt without feeling like you’re lifting a finger. A good steam cleaner can tackle everything from mold-ridden grout to mildewy bathrooms to coffee-stained couches.
According to our product testers, the Wagner 925e Steam Machine Elite is one of the best out there. They have tested nearly a dozen steam cleaners in multiple hands-on tests, and the Wagner 925e shines. In this Wagner steam cleaner review, we’ll detail this machine’s features and compare it to other top options.
(Psst: Don’t miss these steam cleaner sales.)
Officially, the product we’re reviewing here is called the Wagner Spraytech 925e Steam Machine Elite. It’s an upright, corded steamer that comes with nearly 20 accessories and can produce steam for 40 minutes per clean. When you buy the Wagner steam cleaner, you’ll get:
The Wagner steam cleaner scored highly with our product testers and aced almost every test we put it through.
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A top-notch steam cleaner with endless accessories and attachments
Pros:
Cons:
Here’s a rundown of the most important features to consider before buying the Wagner steam cleaner. (Learn what to know about steam cleaners in our guide.)
The 925e Steamer scored an impressive 4 out of 5 points for ease of use and intuitiveness: Anyone could open the box and get it to work. Setup is easy, according to our testers, who said you “simply fill and plug in, attach the tool head of choice and press the trigger to activate steam.”
Attachments snap on instead of twisting on, which is great, they said. The steamer can stand up on its own, but if you don’t set it down gently enough, it’ll fall over. Our testers also loved the fold-down handle and trigger lock.
Post-steaming cleanup is easy, too. Our testers said: Just dump water out of the top. “Our only note is to make sure it’s cooled down like all of the steam cleaners. The tools under the hood stayed in place because the door stays secure.”
According to the manufacturer, the water heats to temperature in nine minutes. Our product testing team found that statement to be accurate.
The Wagner 925e Steamer is a corded model, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re looking for something portable. However, the cord is long at 192 inches or 16 feet. Plus, it has wheels (though not 360-degree) that allow users to roll the steamer easily.
The hose is 77 inches, or about 6.5 feet, when fully extended. Between the hose and cord lengths, our testers determined that this steamer can reach anywhere in a typical home.
The Wagner steam cleaner scored exceedingly high on almost every test we put it through. It earned 5 out of 5 points on the coffee stain test for removing coffee stains from upholstery in an impressive 15 seconds. It was “amazing, exceptional work,” according to our product testing team.
Additionally, this steamer pulled dirt off of tile and unsealed grout incredibly well, earning 5 out of 5 points from our testers in that regard, too. The Wagner also earned a perfect score for our vinyl cleaning test, cleaning muddy footprints off of the flooring in 30 seconds.
Our testers loved the unique triangular attachment for flooring, noting that it’s excellent for edge-to-edge cleaning. It also has a plastic piece that glides over the carpet and two fabric pieces for cleaning hard floors.
It didn’t score quite as high on our glass-cleaning test. When using it to clean toothpaste and fingerprints off of a mirror, our testers said it “left some streaks but, overall, got the job done.” They gave it 3.5 out of 5 points for this test.
Our testers awarded the Wagner steamer another 5-out-of-5 score for the de-wrinkling test because it removed all of the wrinkles from our test curtains in just 90 seconds.
The Wagner steam cleaner’s cleaning pads are machine-washable, though our testing team hand-washed all the pads. The brushes can be washed in the sink.
One perk our testers loved was the onboard tool storage under the steamer’s hood. They noted (happily) that all of the attachments fit inside without issue. One of their favorite attachments was the large triangle mop head, which they said is excellent for steaming fabrics or cleaning large surfaces.
Our product testing team put the Wagner 925e Steamer through a battery of tests. They rated its performance in the following scenarios:
Additionally, our team of product testers rated a variety of other criteria, including:
The Wagner 925e Steamer is incredibly capable. Our testers used it to clean coffee stains from upholstery, remove dirt from tile and unsealed grout, mop up muddy vinyl flooring and remove fingerprints and toothpaste from glass mirrors.
The Wagner 925e Steamer, which we tested, can hold a maximum of 40 ounces of water. Other models may hold more or less.
To fill the Wagner 925e Steamer with water, simply open the top and pour water in or use a sink or hose to fill it.
Customer reviews of the Wagner 925e Steamer are mostly positive, with some critical ratings mixed in. On Amazon, the steam cleaner has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, with more than 17,500 total ratings as of this writing. For the volume of ratings, a 4.3 average is exceptional.
The top positive review on Amazon raves about the steamer. The buyer states they could pull grime and mold out of their grout and clean the entire kitchen with just one tank (40 ounces) of water. This buyer also felt that the Wagner steam cleaner helped them achieve a cleaner bathroom than they could previously achieve.
Even the top critical review is rather positive: The buyer notes several things they loved about the steamer but also points out that they wish it had cleaned their grill better, wasn’t so large and had a water tank level indicator.
Dupray is another popular home cleaning product manufacturer. Our product testing team also tried the Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner, putting it through the same battery of tests that they put the Wagner 925e through.
There are a few things our product testers liked more about the Dupray over the Wagner, including:
On the other hand, the Wagner beat out the Dupray in some categories. For instance, the Dupray has no place to wrap the cord or hose when not using the unit, which makes it a bit cumbersome to store. Additionally, it didn’t perform too well on the glass-cleaning test. Our testers said the squeegee skips a lot and gets stuck, and for certain types of cleaning, the pressure coming out of the machine is too much.
Overall, the Wagner 925e Steamer performed really well on all of our tests. “It’s highly maneuverable and has a triangle mophead for cleaning corners,” our testers said. “The pressure was outstanding, and it would be great for indoor or outdoor projects alike.”
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A top-notch steam cleaner with endless accessories and attachments
The Wagner 925e steam cleaner goes for about $170. It’s available on Amazon and at The Home Depot.
Originally Published: August 14, 2024
