Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner Review: Eliminate Dirt and Grime With Superheated Steam

This handheld steam cleaner outperforms its competition with superheated steam and an array of premium accessories for whole-house deep cleaning.
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The Dupray Neat steam cleaner on a wood dining table with its included accessories
Photo: Katie Barton for Bob Vila

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Steam cleaners dislodge dirt and sanitize, using only water. Some models work as mops or handheld units, while others offer the versatility of both. I recently tested nine of the best handheld steam cleaners, and the Dupray Neat steam cleaner outperformed them all.

The Dupray steam cleaner is portable and uses superheated steam that reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with 17 accessories, making it suitable for whole-house cleaning, including appliances, floors, showers, grout, and more.

To test this model, I rigorously cleaned several areas of my home, assembling an upholstery test board; staining carpet scraps and jeans; and tackling hard-to-clean areas like grout, the inside of my oven, and dried-on food on the floor. The steamer’s ample output made cleaning quick and efficient, especially on hard surfaces.

Read below to find out which tests the Dupray Neat steam cleaner passed and how I think it could be better.

Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner: At a Glance

The Dupray Neat steam cleaner with its hose wrapped around its body
Photo: Katie Barton for Bob Vila

Rating: 9/10

SPECS

  • Weight: 9 pounds
  • Accessories: 17 pieces
  • Tank capacity: 54 ounces

PROS

  • Superheated steam reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit and quickly dislodges dirt and grease
  • Features a handle and wheels, making it portable and easy to maneuver
  • Includes extension wands, microfiber pads, and attachments for whole-house deep cleaning

CONS

  • Larger capacity and output make it loud in comparison to smaller models and those that don’t deliver as much steam
  • Steam can saturate clothing or fabric, especially when held too close to what you’re cleaning

Get the Dupray Neat handheld steam cleaner at:

What is the Dupray Neat steam cleaner?

The Dupray Neat steam cleaner is a multipurpose steamer that cleans dirt and grime, sanitizes, degreases, and deodorizes. Its superheated steam reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature high enough to quickly remove stuck-on substances and kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses.

The Dupray steam cleaner comes with 17 accessories, including two extension tubes, a floor tool, three mop pads, a microfiber cloth and bonnet, a steam lance, a triangle tool, a window tool, a brass brush, and five nylon brushes.

The unit has a modern square design with a handle at the top and wheels at the bottom. At 9 pounds, it’s not as lightweight as other handheld models, but its retractable handle makes it easy to carry, and its 6.5-foot extension hose and wheeled bottom make it maneuverable. The Dupray features a 54-ounce water tank that provides up to 50 minutes of cleaning time before needing to be refilled.

According to Dupray, this model can clean floors, grout, kitchen appliances, car interiors, sinks, toilets, and showers. It can also remove odors and some stains from upholstery, kill dust mites and bed bugs on mattresses, and refresh fabric.

Is the Dupray steam cleaner easy to clean with?

The Dupray Neat steam cleaner is easy to use. I had no problem changing the attachments, and unlike some of the other models I tested, none of the attachments leaked at the joints. The extension tube allowed me to mop the floors and reach high up, which helped me clean crown molding and get wrinkles out of curtains.

I didn’t use the extension tube for cleaning grout, sinks, or other easy-to-reach areas. Instead, I hooked the attachments up to the flexible 6.5-foot-long hose, which gave me plenty of maneuverable length.

One of my favorite features that genuinely made a difference on big jobs was the ability to lock the steam trigger in place. When testing handheld steamer models with triggers, I barely made it through a foot of grout before my hand got tired. The design of the Dupray steam cleaner allowed me to use the trigger for small jobs and the continuous steam for larger ones, which I appreciated.

One of the downsides to Dupray Neat steam cleaner is that it sometimes spits out water when first powered on. I didn’t expect this when testing it on upholstery and clothes, and it caused me to oversaturate the fabric. To prevent this, I now use the trigger to blast the steam a few times before I begin cleaning to ensure it won’t spit water on my fabric.

A person lifting the handle of the Dupray Neat steam cleaner
Photo: Katie Barton for Bob Vila

How does the Dupray steam cleaner perform on hard surfaces versus fabric?

I put the Dupray steam cleaner through rigorous testing on hard surfaces and fabric. It exceeded my expectations on hard surfaces but didn’t do as well on fabric. In fact, none of the steam cleaners I tried could lift all of the fabric test stains.

My hard-surface tests included degreasing an oven, removing mineral deposits in a dishwasher, and cleaning grout. The Dupray steam cleaner passed all of these tests with flying colors, producing faster results than the other models and providing a more comfortable cleaning experience. Many of the other steam cleaners I tested only reached temperatures of 212 to 230 degrees Fahrenheit, which means they take more time to produce similar cleaning results.

To see how well the Dupray could clean soft surfaces, I put it through three tests: upholstery (tan microsuede), carpet (white shag), and clothing (light-wash jeans). I stained each with dirt, coffee, red wine, vegetable oil, chocolate sauce, and tomato sauce. The Dupray steam cleaner removed the red wine, dirt, and coffee, but it didn’t make much of a difference in the vegetable oil, chocolate sauce, or tomato sauce.

Based on my tests, I don’t recommend the Dupray steam cleaner for removing upholstery stains. While it can tackle minor light staining, it doesn’t do well with dark or oil-based stains. For upholstery, this model is best for removing wrinkles, sanitizing, and killing dust mites.

Is the Dupray Neat steam cleaner worth the money?

At around $150, the Dupray Neat steam cleaner is worth the price. It’s a mop, upholstery steamer, and hard-surface cleaner in one. And because it reaches steam temperatures higher than most other household steamers, it’s a more efficient product than many other models.

Over the last several months, I tested 24 related products, including steam mops, upholstery steamers, and the best handheld steam cleaners. In terms of versatility and power, the Dupray steam cleaner is unrivaled.

Looking at long-term costs, switching from regular household cleaners to steam is a money-saving move. The Dupray requires only water and comes with three microfiber mop pads, a microfiber cloth, and a microfiber bonnet, all of which are machine washable and reusable. Additional mop pads are available as a five-pack for about $30.

Since the Dupray cleans and sanitizes, it can eliminate the need to purchase disinfectants, degreasers, mopping solutions, and tub and tile cleaners. However, those with hard water may want to purchase and use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup in the machine.

The Dupray Neat steam cleaner with its hose wrapped around its body
Photo: Katie Barton for Bob Vila

Is the Dupray Neat steam cleaner right for you?

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a steam cleaner, and the most important is desired use. Those who want a mop-only model may prefer the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop, which has three steam levels and is easy to maneuver around toilets, baseboards, and cabinet overhangs. But if whole-house deep cleaning is the primary goal, the Dupray Neat steam cleaner is a better choice.

The other eight handheld steam cleaners I tested and reviewed include lighter-weight options, but their biggest con is that most rely on a trigger and don’t offer continuous steam like the Dupray. My favorite lightweight trigger steam release models include the Kiato Handheld Steamer, the Bissell Steam Shot, and the Phueut Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner. All three come with attachments but have a much smaller water tank capacity.

The Dupray is also a good fit for those who appreciate aesthetics. Its unique square design is modern and has built-in cord storage on the bottom. Many other handheld models don’t have cord storage, which I found frustrating since I like keeping my house (and cleaning tools) neat and tidy. I’d recommend the Dupray as an upgrade to small handheld models and for anyone who wants to deep clean their home without lugging around multiple products.

Where to Buy the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

Get the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner at:

Meet the Tester

Katie Barton has over 10 years of experience in product writing, has tested dozens of cleaning products, and has authored hundreds of articles for major media outlets. Her cleaning and organizing advice has been featured on a variety of popular home and finance websites. She takes an unbiased approach to product testing, using each product multiple times or for several days/weeks.

 

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Katie Barton

Contributing Writer

Katie Barton is a home improvement freelance writer based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been writing for the Bob Vila team since July 2022 and specializes in topics such as cleaning, organizing, and gardening.

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