steam cleaning a faucet

Vapamore MR-100 vs McCulloch MC 1275: In-Depth Comparison Guide

*As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The price to you remains the same.

Both are black and yellow, and both are pretty powerful.

But that’s about the only similarity they have. Welcome to my comparison guide to two of the foremost option in the world of steam cleaning: Vapamore MR-100 vs McCulloch MC 1275. These powerful cleaners are well-known for chemical-free cleaning but differ in benefits and uses.

In this article, I’ll talk about their power, reliability and safety, and why you should (or shouldn’t) choose either one.

Let’s pick a solution that’s best suited for you!

Vapamore Mr-100 vs McCulloch Mc-1275: Overview

SpecificationsVapamore Mr-100McCulloch Mc 1275
Main usesKitchen, bathroom, living room/bedroom, clothing/fabric, cars, outdoors/garageCarpets, upholstery, hard floors, tiles, granite, grout, cars, garage
Steam temp210 – 220 degrees F212 degrees F
Steam pressure72.5 PSI43 PSI
Operating time50 – 60 minutes45 minutes
The time it takes to heat11 minutes8 minutes
Water tank size54 oz.48 oz.
Power cord length18 ft.15.7 ft.
Hose length6 ft.9.8 ft.
Warranty periodLifetime limited warranty2 years
Accessories2018

The Power of Steam Is on Vapamore MR-100 Side

vapamore mr-100 steam cleaner

Unlike other cleaning products, steam can penetrate hard-to-reach places and tiny pores on various types of surfaces. Vapamore MR-100 has a stainless-steel boiler, which is commonly seen in commercial-grade steam cleaning machines.

It heats normal water to powerful dry steam, which sanitizes without alcohol, loosening the dirt and getting rid of mold, dust mites, fungi, bacteria and even viruses.

But that’s what McCulloch does too! (As well as any other steamer, for that matter.)

Their steam temperatures are roughly the same too. But where Vapamore really shines is the sheer power of the steam.

Remember those pressure numbers you saw in the specs above? Without throwing PSIs at you, let’s just say that the Vapamore has an amazing pressure compared to some 90% of other steamers in this price range. Almost twice as high as the McCulloch’s!

Frankly, it’s surprising when you see this power packed up into such a small unit.

And take it from a professional cleaner: pressure is WAY more important than any other feature. It’s basically the main thing that can make a difference in super dirty things such as moldy tile grout or barbecue grill with like 10 layers of scorched grease.

This thing alone would have been enough to make up my mind. But not everything in our households is about beating away stubborn dirt.

McCulloch MC-1275: Way More Popular With a Reason?

McCulloch MC-1275 heavy-duty steam cleaner uses ordinary water heated up to 212F to clean and sanitize various surfaces. This temperature is a bit lower than the Mr-100 Primo, however, it also kills germs, dust mites, mold, and bacteria.

If there’s one feature many people really love about the McCulloch series, it’s their multiple attachments for different situations and purposes.

But here’s what happens most of the time. You try out all of them the first couple of times. And then end up using the mop, the nozzle, the grout brush, and the squeegee. (The rest of them will just sit in the box for the rest of eternity.)

To be honest though, I also kind of like the triangle brush, which works wonders for corners and tough angles.

And if you’re into detailing your car, you’ll also use all the nylon and brass brushes that come with both steamers.

Anyhow, the Vapamore is slightly better when it comes to accessories, but as I said, it doesn’t make much of a difference.

mcculloch steamer

What you’ll notice, however, is that this particular model of McCulloch is insanely popular. You could almost say that it’s a classic in the world of steamers!

The main reason?

I’d say it boils down to the general presence of the brand in the consumer marketplace. Vapamore is superior in power, but to my knowledge, the brand only has a couple residential options. McCulloch, on the other hand, is a pretty well-known manufacturer. And it generally offers a decent bang for the buck. 

Vapamore MR-100 Primo vs McCulloch MC 1275 – Which Is Safer?

vapamore mr-100 vs mcculloch mc 1275

Those high temperatures often sound intimidating. And not without a good reason!

That’s why Vapamore has a cool safety feature: it automatically switches off when the internal temperatures go over 250F.

This reduces the chance of overheating and damaging your surfaces.

But here’s an even more important thing that’s often overlooked.

Vapamore also has a locking system that prevents accidental operation and twist-lock motions to secure the attachments. Now, this is super important for human safety, especially if you’re new to steam cleaning! A sudden jet of piping hot steam on your skin isn’t fun at all.

Bottom Line: Who’s the Winner?

Drum rolls, please!

If you’ve made it this far, you won’t be surprised to learn that it’s the Vapamore MR-100 Primo.

I also like the McCulloch MC-1275, but the Primo offers way more power and just feels more robust and dependable.

McCulloch is more agile, though, thanks to its much longer hose. Hauling a heavy steamer all over the house isn’t fun, even with all the wheels and handles!

But Primo still beats it in general convenience. Its 54-ounce water tank gives you up to 60 minutes of power – pretty handy as refilling is arduous (and lengthy) work! It has a red-light indicator showing that the cleaner is on and is currently heating the water. When ready, it turns green.

Vapamore MR-100 Primo is perfect for large houses with lots of foot traffic and is more beneficial as it can be used even beyond cleaning the house. Plus it beats the dirt with rare efficiency. Although it’s a bit pricey, you’re paying for quality. And a lifetime warranty that backs it up!

Top Picks