Modern Castle is supported by readers. When you buy with our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Dirt Devil Versa Steam Mop Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Ever wondered what it would be like to have a steam mop that could clean both floors as well as other upright surfaces, like furniture or fabrics? It’s time to check out the Dirt Devil Versa steam mop.

The Dirt Devil Versa steam mop functions as both a floor mop and a handheld steam cleaner, but is performance still solid?

Continue reading below to discover if the Dirt Devil versa is the right steam mop for you.

A Lightweight Steam Mop

moderncastle-fs-table__image

Dirt Devil Versa

The Dirt Devil Versa steam mop is a lightweight, 2-in-1 steam mop. A high degree of maneuverability and versatility, as the name suggests, allows users to switch from steam mopping to a handheld steam cleaner. That said, the performance is not top of the line when compared to other mops we have tested. If you need the cheapest steam mop available it could be a possibility, but for most people there are other options we’d recommend.Check Price

Pros

  • The Versa is able to function as both a steam mop for floors and handheld steam cleaner.
  • This mode is one of the least expensive steam mops on the market.

Cons

  • This Dirt Devil steam mop has a small water reservoir.
  • During our cleaning performance tests, the Versa struggled with sticky substances.

Contents

  1. Design
  2. Cleaning Performance
  3. Maintenance
  4. Value
  5. Specs
  6. Summary

Dirt Devil Versa Design

The design of the Dirt Devil Versa is basic, but does have areas where it stands out. It stands tall, much like a stick vacuum, but it is lightweight and slender, allowing it to maneuver into smaller, tighter spaces.

The head of the mop is built in somewhat of an arrow shape, which helps reach into corners and crevices.

Dirt Devil Versa steam mop
Dirt Devil Versa steam mop

The Cord

Along the back side of the Versa steam mop is where the cord sits. Two small hooks are used to wrap the cord around for cleaner storage when the mop is not being used.

The Water Tank

On the front of this Dirt Devil steam mop is the water tank. This tank can be removed and filled before cleaning.

The Cleaning Pad

The cleaning pad attaches to the head of the steam mop and can be removed and washed.

Dirt Devil Versa steam mop fully assembled
Dirt Devil Versa steam mop fully assembled

The Style

When is comes to aesthetics, the Versa steam mop is not really anything to write home about. Dirt Devil implemented what seems to be their staple red and black color scheme. The bright red is nice, but there is not much else to the look of this mop other than the bright colors.

How Dirt Devil Versa Cleans

The Dirt Devil Versa cleans through one primary method, steam. Steam is produced from the water poured into the water tank and heated. This steam works to lift and remove dirt and debris off of your floors. That said, this Dirt Devil mop can be used to clean in a few different ways.

A small water flask included with the Versa can be used to fill the water tank

A small water flask included with the Versa can be used to fill the water tank

  • Floor mop – The Versa has a stick configuration, allowing it to be used to clean your floors, much like a standard steam mop does.
  • Handheld mop – This Dirt Devil can also be broken down into a handheld steam mop, which gives users the ability to steam clean other surfaces.
  • Carpet cleaning – There is a carpet glide attachment that can be placed on the Versa to allow for carpet cleaning as well.

Each of these cleaning styles still use steam. Yet, only the stick configuration on hard floor surfaces and carpet uses the microfiber cloth. When this Dirt Devil is used as a handheld steam mop, the steam is directly sprayed out of a small nozzle.

How big is the Dirt Devil steam mop?

The Dirt Devil Versa is not a large steam mop. The total length of this unit is 43.5″, the width is 9.8″ and the depth of the unit is 8.5″. Additionally, the Versa weighs 3 pounds.

  • Length – 43.5″
  • Width – 9.8″
  • Depth – 8.5″
  • Weight – 3 pounds
Dirt Devil Versa steam mop dimensions

What accessories come with the Versa?

The Dirt Devil Versa steam mop does not include a ton of extra parts and accessories, but it includes the necessary pieces required to use the mop.

Nozzle attached to the Versa when used as a handheld steam cleaner

Steam tip attachment: The steam tip can be attached to the unit when in handheld mode, therefore allowing users to spray steam directly onto the surface or area you’re trying to clean. Great for cleaning stove tops and hard to reach sections of burners.

Carpet glide attachment included with the Versa

Carpet glide attachment: A carpet glide attachment is included with the Versa. This piece slides onto the head of the mop to help the unit glide across your carpets when steam cleaning.

Microfiber cleaning pad included with the Versa

Cleaning pad: A washable microfiber cleaning pad is also included. This cleaning pad has an elastic band that slides over the unit. It’s machine washable.

While there may not be a ton of extras included with this Dirt Devil steam mop, the pieces included are enough to give users different options when cleaning.

Handheld Steam Cleaner

The handheld attachment is a neat accessory, as it applies a burst of steam to a localized area, allowing users to get a powerful clean on counters or other above ground surfaces.

However, we did find using the handheld steam cleaner a bit awkward. Once turned on the unit will heat up and blast out a short burst of steam every several seconds (taking breaks in between to heat up more steam).

Not having a trigger or button to activate steam as needed wasn’t great. However, given the price point I suppose that’s understandable.

RELATED – Would you rather sit on your couch and let a robot do your cleaning for you? Well you may want to see our full list of robot vacuum reviews and our favorite robot mops (Braava Jet 240 and Braava 380t)

Cleaning Tests

The following tests are designed to show how the Dirt Devil Versa performs as both a mop and a sweeper.

We tested the Dirt Devil Versa as a mop on tile flooring, spreading three different debris types across the floor and attempting to mop them up over the course of three separate passes.

Next, we tested the Dirt Devil Versa as a sweeper, sweeping on a dusty hardwood floor. After doing so, we took a look at the floors and made our assessment of the Dirt Devil Versa’s cleaning performance.

Mud

90%

Honey

70%

Soda

70%

Sweeping

95%

For starters, the mop test contains three debris types:

  • Dirt / mud
  • Honey
  • Soda

Each of these debris types offer a different level of stickiness and consistency, allowing us to test the Dirt Devil steam mop against a light, heavy, and liquid substance. All three debris types are spread across our testing lane in three separate sections.

What our testing lane looked like before mopping with the Dirt Devil Versa
What our testing lane looked like before mopping with the Dirt Devil Versa

Throughout our mopping tests, we try to give real life examples and be as consistent and fair as possible. The mopping test procedure goes as follows:

  1. Measure out 3 oz of soda and spread the soda across the back of the testing lane.
  2. Squirt honey in the middle of the testing lane, covering a majority of the width of the lane.
  3. Create a muddy substance from dirt and water then spread the mud with a shoe.
  4. Make a pass across the testing lane and compare the amount of each debris type mopped up on pass one to the untouched debris.
  5. Make pass number two across the lane and analyze the amount of each debris type mopped up.
  6. Make a third pass, if necessary.

Mopping Tests

The mopping tests on the Dirt Devil Versa steam mop were less of a success than I originally expected. The mud was not much of a challenge for the Versa, but both the honey and soda were difficult for the mop to clean up.

Soda Cleaning

For starters, the microfiber cleaning cloth used on the Versa was not able to soak up all 3 ounces of soda. After soaking up about 1.5 ounces, the remaining 1.5 ounces were pushed to the back of the testing lane.

From there, I made another pass over the soda and found that it was simply being spread out across the lane, creating a bigger mess than we originally had. The microfiber cleaning pad just isn’t large enough / absorptive enough for that quantity of liquid.

Mud & Honey Cleaning

Mud was not much of a threat to this Dirt Devil mop. After a single pass across the mud, the Versa was able to lift and remove most of it. After another pass, there was no visible dirt left on the testing lane.

After two passes across the mud, the Dirt Devil was able to lift it off of our testing lane
After two passes across the mud, the Dirt Devil was able to lift it off of our testing lane

As we moved onto the honey, it was a different story. The honey was so sticky that the Dirt Devil’s steam was almost not enough to move the mop across our testing lane.

In fact, the microfiber cleaning cloth popped off of the head of the mop at one point, simply because the honey was too sticky.

From there, we replaced the cleaning cloth and tried again. Eventually, we were able to get through the honey and lift if off of the lane. Yet, it was not the easiest process.

Honey was difficult to remove with the Versa, as it took several passes to clean it up.
Honey was difficult to remove with the Versa, as it took several passes to clean it up.

Personally, I would’ve liked to see the Dirt Devil Versa pump out more steam in order to lift the honey. Yet, it seemed as if the steam level never changed, which caused an issue.

Being able to blast steam directly on the honey would have helped (as we recently saw with our Shark Genius steam mop review).

To Dirt Devil’s credit, we could have used the unit in handheld mode, but that felt a bit out of place for a floor cleaning test.

Overall, the cleaning performance was not terrible, but also not something to write home about.

As noted above, in my opinion, more steam could be pumped out, which would allow the Versa to clean more effectively.

The testing lane after using the Dirt Devil Versa
The testing lane after using the Dirt Devil Versa

Sweeping Tests

The Dirt Devil steam mop performed much better while sweeping hardwood floors than our tile floor testing lane.

After making quite a few passes across a high foot traffic, hardwood floor area in my home, I found that the Dirt Devil Versa did well lifting and removing dirt and dust off of the floor.

Dirt Devil Versa Floor cleaner

In general, I feel like the Dirt Devil Versa is great if you are doing light touch up cleaning and looking to sanitize your floors with steam. However, when it comes to deep cleaning serious messes it leaves much to be desired.

If you are looking for a deeper floor cleaner see our best mop page.

Is the Dirt Devil Versa Easy to Use?

Using the Dirt Devil Versa is easy. The steps to using this steam mop are as follows:

  1. Place microfiber cloth on the head of the mop
  2. Fill up water reservoir
  3. Plug the unit in

Once you have completed these three steps, you are ready to use the Versa in any of its modes.

The Versa steam mop is connected together by push pins on the head and stick

The Versa steam mop is connected together by push pins on the head and stick

Setting Up the Mop

There is a small setup required with the Versa steam mop, but it is extremely short. Snap in the handle to the body and snap the body into the cleaning head. No tools are required and the full assembly process can be completed quickly. It may take longer to remove everything from the box and unwrap each piece than it will to assemble to mop.

Now when it comes to using the Versa, it can be use in a few different ways.

  1. Use it as a steam mop.
  2. Use it as a handheld cleaner.
  3. Use it as a carpet cleaner.

Steam Mop Mode

First up, using it as an upright steam mop is the most traditional way. Push the mop around using the stick and cleaning head attached to the body.

Handheld Mode

As you move to handheld mode, you will have to attach the steam nozzle to the end of the base, which will allow steam to be produced through the nozzle and onto your surface. This is not a difficult transition, just another option offered by the Versa.

The Versa can also be used as a handled steam cleaner
The Versa can also be used as a handled steam cleaner

Carpet Mode

Lastly, there is a carper glider tool that can be attached to the bottom of the cleaning head to allow for smooth passes across carpeted surfaces.

Overall, the Dirt Devil Versa pocket steam mop has a good variety of options and is quite easy to use.

RELATED – The Bissell Crosswave is another multi-surface floor cleaner. It cannot clean carpets, but does clean area rugs and all hard surfaces. It can provide a deeper clean as compared to the Dirt Devil Versa.

How Versatile is the Dirt Devil Versa?

The Dirt Devil Versa maneuvers well, is lightweight, and can be broken down into a handheld steam mop for increased maneuverability.

  • Weight: 3 pounds
  • Power: 16′ cord
  • Tank Reservoir: 0.3 L
  • Modes: 3

Shape

One of the unique characteristics about the maneuverability of the Versa steam mop is the diamond shaped head. By having a diamond shaped head, the mop is able to get into corners and crevices much easier. This design allows this Dirt Devil to mop flush up against the walls and baseboards of your home.

Weight

Additionally, the lightweight build of this steam mop makes it easier to push around. Once the handheld is removed and used, it is even lighter due to the removal of the cleaning head and the stick.

The Versa is able to turn sharply and go underneath furniture in your home
T he Versa is able to turn sharply and go underneath furniture in your home

Turning

Turning radius is another positive feature of the Dirt Devil Versa steam mop. This mop is able to turn 90° around furniture and corners in your home.

All in all, the Versa maneuvers well and is simple to swap from upright mode to handheld mode.

Cost to maintain the Dirt Devil Versa?

The following table indicates the frequency at which you will likely want to replace the various parts and components of the mop. However, your individual experiences may vary.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
Cleaning PadAs neededCheck Price

The only required maintenance tasks associated with the Versa steam mop are changing the cleaning pad and refilling the water tank.

  • Change the cleaning pad – Dirt Devil includes two cleaning pads with the Versa. These pads can be removed and washed, but they are a thin pad that will need to be replaced over time as they wear out.
  • Refill the water tank – Refilling the water tank is crucial. There must be water in the tank for the Versa steam mop to function properly.

Maintaining the Dirt Devil Versa steam mop will cost around $7 / year. This will cover replacing the cleaning pad 2 times a year.

Is the Dirt Devil Versa worth it?

The overall value of the Dirt Devil Versa 2-in-1 steam mop is severely lacking, in my opinion. For most consumers I don’t think the Dirt Devil Versa is worth it at all.

Although the price is low, the performance does not stand out enough to make the price worth it.

You are better off spending a little more money and purchasing a steam mop of higher quality, with a stronger cleaning performance.

Cleaning

Dirt Devil steam mop review

Through-out our cleaning tests, the Versa handled mud with ease, but struggled with both honey and soda. The mud was a light enough substance that the steam from the Versa was able to lift it up without any issues.

However, the honey was simply too thick and sticky and the soda was too much liquid for the mop to handle. We were eventually able to remove all of the honey, but it was a tough task. In the end, there was still some soda remaining on the lane.

That said, the Dirt Devil Versa did do a nice job of sweeping on the hardwood floors. When there were no debris for the Versa to mop up, it was able to move swiftly across the floor and did a nice job of mopping up light dust and steam sanitizing.

Mobility

A positive note about the maneuverability of this steam mop is its ability to break down from an upright to a handheld.

If you’re someone who needs to steam mop the floors, but also wants to steam clean certain above ground areas in your home, the Versa may be a good fit. Aside from that, I’m not really sure what benefit the 2-in-1 design has

Warranty and returns are both standard for Dirt Devil. The warranty is 1-year and the return period is 30-days, via Amazon.

Specifications

Below is a complete list of important specifications and features included on the Dirt Devil Versa :

Specifications
TypeSteam Mop
ManufacturerDirt Devil
ModelVersa 2-in-1
Length43.5"
Width9.8"
Weight3 lbs.
Floor TypeAll hard floor (indoor) & some carpets
Water Reservoir0.3 L
CordlessNo - 16' cord
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Who Should Buy the Dirt Devil Versa Steam Mop?

The Dirt Devil Versa is a 2-in-1 steam mop that handles light dirt and messes fairly well, however, it does struggle absorbing large liquid volumes, cleaning super sticky substances, and removing other large messes.

I would recommend the Dirt Devil Versa if you’re looking for the following features in a mop:

  • Want a 2-in-1 steam mop – The Dirt Devil Versa steam mop can be used as an upright steam mop or a handheld steam cleaner.
  • Want something cheap – if you just need something that’s super inexpensive, and you don’t mind some of the performance issues we’ve noted above.
  • Want to clean light messes + sanitize – if you are mostly looking to clean up light messes (dirt, dust, etc.), while also being able to sanitizing your floors, this unit can serve you well.

For more information on the Dirt Devil Versa visit here.

You Get What You Pay For
  • Design - 85%
    85%
  • Performance - 75%
    75%
  • Quality - 85%
    85%
  • Usability - 88%
    88%
  • Value - 80%
    80%
83%

Summary

The Dirt Devil Versa is a 2-in-1 steam mop with a good degree of maneuverability. This Dirt Devil mop offers a decent value, as the price is low, but the performance is not the most impressive. That said, the overall quality of this mop is about average, and could be used as a secondary mop for quick fixes and cleaning above the ground. It probably will not replace your primary mop.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.