Wallpaper Steamers That Strip Old Paper Faster
The Wagner Spraytech 715 Power Steamer is our top pick because its large tank and wide plate strip a room without constant refilling. The HomeRight SteamMachine is the flexible multi use option, and the Earlex SS77 Steam Master suits large or stubborn jobs.
For a full room strip the Wagner Spraytech 715 is the steamer we would pick, with the HomeRight SteamMachine for smaller jobs that double as cleaning and the Earlex SS77 for big stubborn walls.
Wallpaper steaming looks simple until you are twenty minutes in, refilling a small tank every quarter hour while the wall cools down again, and vinyl or painted over paper refuses to release at all. We compared these seven on tank capacity and continuous run time, how long they take to produce steam, the size of the stripping plate, hose length and reach, and whether the machine has any use once the paper is off, based on published specifications and what decorators consistently report.
What matters most
Score the paper before you steam it Modern wallpapers often have a vinyl or washable face that steam simply cannot penetrate, which is why people conclude their steamer is useless. A scoring tool perforates that face so the steam reaches the paste underneath. Use it in light circular passes rather than pressing hard, since gouging the plaster creates filling work later. On old paper backed with several layers, expect to score and steam more than once.
Tank capacity decides how the job feels A small tank on a machine that heats in thirty seconds sounds fine until you realise a wall takes forty minutes and you are refilling every eight. Bigger tanks mean fewer interruptions and less waiting for the boiler to catch up. Look at stated run time per fill rather than tank volume alone, since output rate varies, and remember most units must cool before you can safely open the cap.
Protect the room and manage the moisture Steaming puts a large amount of water into the air and onto the floor along with wet paper. Lay heavy dust sheets or plastic, take the sockets and switches out of the equation by isolating the circuit at the consumer unit, and open a window to let humidity escape. Wear gloves and safety glasses, because steam plates get extremely hot and condensate drips off the wall at exactly head height.
Let the plate dwell, then work in sections The common mistake is moving the plate constantly and stripping nothing. Hold it in one place for twenty to thirty seconds, move it to the next section, then scrape the area you just heated while it is still hot and damp. That rhythm turns steaming from a fight into a steady process. Use a wide flexible scraper and keep the blade shallow so you lift paper rather than dig into the plaster.
The top picks, ranked
Wagner Spraytech 0282014 715 Power Steamer
The 715 is the machine most decorators reach for because the large tank runs for a long stretch before refilling and the wide plate covers meaningful wall area per placement. It heats up in a few minutes and includes accessories that turn it into a general steam cleaner once the paper is gone. It is bulky, so plan where it sits while you work.
Pros
- Long run time between refills
- Wide plate covers more wall per placement
- Doubles as a steam cleaner afterwards
Cons
- Bulky unit to move around a room
- Hose length limits how high you can reach from the floor
HomeRight SteamMachine C800880
The SteamMachine is a general purpose steam cleaner that includes a wallpaper stripping plate, which makes it a better buy for anyone who will strip one room and then want a tool for grout, ovens and upholstery. Tank size is smaller than a dedicated stripper so expect more refills on a large wall. Heat up is quick and the accessory set is genuinely extensive.
Pros
- Useful long after the wallpaper is gone
- Wide range of included attachments
- Lighter and easier to carry than dedicated strippers
Cons
- Smaller tank means frequent refills
- Steam output is gentler than a dedicated stripper
Earlex SS77 Steam Master
Earlex built the SS77 around one job, which is stripping a lot of paper without stopping, and it shows in the tank capacity and the steady output. The large plate and long hose let you work a wall methodically rather than in short bursts. There is little value here beyond stripping, so it suits people with several rooms to do rather than one accent wall.
Pros
- Sustained output for whole house jobs
- Large plate speeds up big flat walls
- Long hose reduces how often you move the unit
Cons
- Limited use outside wallpaper stripping
- Takes longer to reach working temperature
McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
The MC1275 is a canister steam cleaner with serious output and a long run time, and it includes a wallpaper stripping accessory in the kit. That extra pressure is what gets through painted over paper and vinyl faces that gentler machines struggle with. It is heavier than the dedicated strippers and comes with more accessories than most people will ever use.
Pros
- Strong output for stubborn coverings
- Long run time from a single fill
- Rolls on wheels rather than being carried
Cons
- Heavy compared with purpose built strippers
- Accessory storage is bulky
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
Dupray’s Neat is built to a higher standard than most of this list, with a stainless steel boiler and a long continuous run time from one fill. It is primarily a cleaning machine, so wallpaper stripping is done through accessories rather than being its main purpose. Choose it if you want a tool that will still be working in ten years and the wallpaper job is incidental.
Pros
- Stainless boiler built for long service
- Very long run time per fill
- Excellent general cleaning performance
Cons
- Not designed around wallpaper stripping first
- Costs more than dedicated strippers
PurSteam Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner
PurSteam packages a canister steamer with a long accessory list at a modest outlay, and it is enough machine for a single room of standard paper. Steam output is reasonable rather than exceptional, so allow more dwell time on each section. It is a sensible choice if you want a tool that earns its keep on kitchen and bathroom cleaning afterwards.
Pros
- Lots of tool for a modest outlay
- Useful for household cleaning afterwards
- Straightforward to assemble and use
Cons
- Needs longer dwell time on tough paper
- Hose and connectors feel lightweight
Bissell Steam Shot 39N7A Handheld Steam Cleaner
For a border, a patch behind a radiator or the last stubborn corner, a handheld unit is far easier than dragging a canister around. The Steam Shot heats in about thirty seconds and comes with a scraper attachment that suits small stripping jobs. The tiny tank rules it out for whole walls, so treat it as a finishing tool rather than the main machine.
Pros
- Ready to use in about half a minute
- Easy to control in tight corners
- Cheap and useful for household cleaning
Cons
- Tank empties in minutes
- Not practical for a whole room
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Tank | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wagner Spraytech 0282014 715 Power Steamer | Large capacity, extended run time | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | HomeRight SteamMachine C800880 | Medium capacity | Best multi purpose | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Earlex SS77 Steam Master | Large capacity for extended stripping | Best for large jobs | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner | Around 48 ounces | Best steam pressure | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner | Stainless steel | Best build quality | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | PurSteam Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner | Medium capacity | Best value | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Bissell Steam Shot 39N7A Handheld Steam Cleaner | Around 6.6 ounces | Best for small areas | 8.0 | Check price |
Frequently asked questions
Do wallpaper steamers damage plaster walls?
They can if you overheat one spot or scrape aggressively with a sharp blade. Keep the plate moving between sections rather than parking it, hold the scraper at a shallow angle, and be especially careful on old lime plaster and on plasterboard, where prolonged steam can soften the paper facing.
How long does it take to strip a room with a steamer?
For a standard room with one layer of ordinary paper, a few hours is typical. Painted over paper, vinyl faces or several layers can easily double or triple that. Tank size matters here because refill stops add up quickly across a whole room.
Do I need to score the wallpaper first?
Only if it has a waterproof or vinyl face, which most modern papers do. Plain paper takes steam directly. If the first section is not releasing after a decent dwell time, scoring is almost always the missing step.
Can I use a general steam cleaner to strip wallpaper?
Yes, provided it comes with or accepts a wallpaper plate. Output is usually gentler than a dedicated stripper so expect longer dwell times, but for one room it works and leaves you with a useful cleaning tool afterwards.
Should I put anything in the water tank?
Plain water only unless the manual says otherwise, and in hard water areas distilled water reduces scale build up that shortens boiler life. Never add cleaning products or additives to a steamer tank, since they can damage the boiler and produce fumes.
Is steaming better than a chemical stripper?
Steam is faster on large areas and adds no chemicals to the room. Stripping solutions are less bulky, quieter and better suited to small patches or rooms where you cannot manage the moisture. Many decorators use both, steam for the bulk and solution for stubborn remnants.
How do I stay safe while steaming?
Wear gloves and eye protection, keep the plate away from your body, isolate the electrical circuit for the wall you are working on, and never open the tank cap until the unit has cooled and depressurised. Steam burns are the most common injury in this job.
What do I do about the mess?
Lay plastic sheeting along the wall base and gather wet paper into a bin bag as you go, because it dries into a solid mass if left. Wipe residual paste off the wall with warm water before decorating, since old adhesive will show through fresh paint.
Our take
The Wagner Spraytech 715 is the wallpaper steamer we would choose for a full room, because the large tank and wide plate mean fewer interruptions and steady progress. Pick the HomeRight SteamMachine if you want a tool that keeps earning its place once the walls are bare, and step up to the Earlex SS77 when there are several rooms of stubborn paper ahead.
