If you have hard flooring, a cordless wet and dry vacuum makes cleaning easier. For tiled surfaces, one equipped with a steam function improves the cleaning process. If you’re in the market for the best cordless wet and dry vacuum featuring steam, the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam should be a prime contender.

I was an admirer of the S9 Artist Steam’s predecessor when it was released in 2023. The Tineco Floor One S7 Steam made me long for more tiled areas to clean, as its results made bathroom cleaning highly anticipated. However, the S7 Steam had drawbacks such as ineffective front edge cleaning and challenges in reaching beneath furniture.

Luckily, the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam resolves many of these concerns while presenting a more streamlined, attractive design.

Tineco’s Floor One S9 Artist Steam brings both functional and aesthetic enhancements.

The Floor One S9 Artist Steam is a recent addition to Tineco’s Floor One lineup, moving from the S7 series. Similar to the S7 Steam, it achieves steam temperatures as high as 284°F (140°C), can mop without steam, and includes a self-cleaning function for straightforward upkeep. Both versions come with color-shifting sensor lights that change from blue to red when debris is spotted, improving the cleaning experience. Unlike the S7 Steam, the S9 Artist Steam emphasizes both design and efficiency. Although the LED display might seem superfluous, the vacuum’s stylish appearance is undeniable.

A significant distinction between the S9 Artist Steam and S7 Steam lies in their construction. The S7 Steam’s 800-millilitre clean water tank is located on the front handle, whereas the S9 Artist Steam adopts the S7 Stretch’s design by positioning its larger 880-millilitre tank on the vacuum head. This redesign gives the S9 Artist Steam a slimmer profile, a notable enhancement over its bulkier predecessor.

With the S9 Artist Steam’s capability to swivel 90 degrees, the redesign facilitates easier navigation compared to the S7 Steam, as the vacuum supports the weight of the water. Maneuvering the motor-driven vacuum head around obstacles is smoother, providing a seamless gliding motion.

Tineco has extended the battery life of the S9 Artist Steam, claiming it lasts up to 75 minutes per charge (or 30 minutes when using steam). In comparison, the S7 Steam offers a maximum of 40 minutes, or 20 minutes in steam mode. I found myself keeping an eye on the S7 Steam’s battery during a post-steam self-clean, but this wasn’t a concern with the S9 Artist Steam. Charging is rapid, with the battery reaching 50 percent in roughly half an hour based on testing results.

There are plenty of enhancements to be grateful for in the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam’s usability improvements.

Tineco has incorporated several pragmatic features into the sleek design of the Floor One S9 Artist Steam.

Taking cues from the Floor One S7 Stretch, the S9 Artist Steam can lie flat for cleaning, allowing access to hard-to-reach spaces and sliding under furniture. For the S9 Artist Steam to fit beneath furniture, it needs to be at least five inches (13 centimeters) off the ground, which is relatively tall. This improved maneuverability simplifies cleaning beneath tables, chairs, and vanities, increasing the utility of the S9 Artist Steam.

While the Floor One S7 Stretch can also lie flat, it does not have a steam feature, only heating water up to 185°F (85°C). Now, users do not need to compromise between steam capability and accessing difficult areas.

The S9 Artist Steam’s redesign could aid in preventing aesthetic damage. The S7 Steam often acquired visible marks on its transparent clean water tank from colliding with edges while mopping under furniture. The S9 Artist Steam’s greater maneuverability may reduce such incidents. The 750-millilitre dirty water tank will still gather marks from cleaning while in a flat position, but these are less apparent on the back of the vacuum.

Another significant enhancement is the S9 Artist Steam’s improved front edge cleaning, addressing one of the S7 Steam’s annoying flaws. While it still cannot clean right up to baseboards, it diminishes the gap left by its predecessor, getting closer to one inch rather than two.

One of my favorite new attributes is the revamped dirty water tank emptying system. The S7 Steam required users to forcibly remove the dirty water tank lid, whereas the S9 Artist Steam includes a blue handle for simple detachment. This reduces the risk of spillage and streamlines the process, offering a firm grip point. It’s a thoughtful enhancement that improves the user experience. Emptying the dirty water tank is typically the least pleasant aspect of using any wet and dry vacuum, so minimizing friction here is noteworthy.

The Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam has its limitations.

Although I appreciated the S9 Artist Steam, I found myself missing some features from the S7 Steam, particularly the boost steam mode. Tineco clarified that the S7 Steam’s regular steam mode operates with six jets, while its boost mode utilizes a single jet for a concentrated spray. The S9 Artist Steam lacks