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Best Wallpaper Removers In 2022

This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Last Updated May 15, 2020
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
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Removing old wallpaper can get tricky and messy. Sure, just about any kind of scraper with the right brute force can get you there if you don’t mind how bad your wall will look eventually. But, if having a neat wall after removal is the aim or you don’t want to lose the wallpaper either, then a good wallpaper remover is a must-have.

If you are looking for good wallpaper remover, then you should look at the ease of application, speed, effectiveness, affordability, etc. Since there’s a lot to consider, allow our carefully researched list of the best wallpaper remover guide you so you don’t get stuck with the wrong removal tool.

The Best Wallpaper Remover

1
Wagner Spraytech Steam Wallpaper Remover

wagner spraytech steam wallpaper remover

When it comes to cleaning surfaces, whether it’s the wall or floor, tiles, or concrete, Wagner is a go-to option. The Wagner Spraytech Steam Cleaner itself is an impressive piece of tech that gets the job done effectively the first time. Combining 120volts of electric power, internal hot water storage, a 915 power steam generator, and a jet nozzle, the Wagner releases pressurized steam onto stuck wallpaper.

In turn, it effortlessly releases the hold of the strongest adhesives out there. Yes, it’s that simple. Just water, there’s no need for chemicals that will leave your surfaces discolored or even residue that may affect pets or children. This is all thanks to the pressure release mechanism and heating system capable of heating up water to a temperature of 212°F within 10 minutes. As such, the job is done faster than it would be with non-pressurized devices. 

That’s good news for professional cleaners who have many clients to serve within a time frame. That’s not all, at that temperature, the Wagner also doubles as an effective sanitizer capable of destroying bacteria on walls and other surfaces susceptible to heat damage. As for usage, the package is loaded with different attachments for tailor-fit purposes.

For wallpaper removal, just attach the steam plate which features a sufficiently large area of coverage to strip off even double-layered wallpaper. Simply power up the machine, a red light indicator comes on when the water attains a temperature of 135°F, while a  green light indicator signifies the steam generator is ready for action. And depending on the job, match either the continuous or intermittent steam release operation. What’s more, if you need to move around from one end of the room to the other, that’s easy; the stylish wheels aid easy movement on the floor as you clean. No doubt, it’s a versatile device that finds other cleaning applications in bathrooms, kitchen, floors, etc. If there are some leftover stains, you can always use one of the best stain removers from our list to deal with them.

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Key Features:

Chemical-free steam cleaning

48 ounce water tank

Versatile use

High temperature

Long runtime

Easy to use

Specification:
  • BrandWagner Spraytech
  • Model0282014
  • Weight13.8 Pounds
Pros

Chemical-free

Minimal cost operation (water)

Large water reservoir

Cons

The power cord may be too short

Not good for wood finish surface

Risk of scalding by steam

BUY ON AMAZON

2
Wagner Spraytech 715-Power Wallpaper Remover

wagner spraytech 715 power wallpaper remover

The Wagner 715-Power Wallpaper Remover is an efficient, versatile cleaner that’s quite popular among professionals, cleaners, and homeowners alike. This is all thanks to its easy-to-operate features and affordability. Like other Wagner impressive designs, this one also adopts cheap, readily available water as it’s a cleaning agent. Just run simple tap water into the tank and off you go after heating. What’s more, the Wagner 715 is not only portable and lightweight but it’s also quite easy on the pockets.

More so, this wallpaper remover shines in terms of efficiency, with a  water reservoir tank that can take nearly a gallon of water and can conveniently discharge steam for 70 minutes straight before the need to refill it arises. Now that’s convenient usage without refill-interruptions. Furthermore, this chemical-free cleaner is equally designed to accommodate multiple nozzle cleaning attachments that turn this device into a versatile one-stop unit. 

There’s also a larger 8×11 inch steam plate that’ll allow you to strip large sections of a wallpaper at a go and a smaller 3×6 inch steam plate to take smaller, difficult-to-reach sections. Furthermore, the incredible lightweight design, at only one pound, makes it easy to carry. You can even take advantage of the 12-foot long hose to make cleaning and wallpaper removal of areas such as ceiling and high-up sections of the wall even easier.

This works simply by discharging hot steam on the wall surface which softens the adhesive glue between the paper and the wall so you can easily strip it off. More so, you can equally use this anywhere without worrying about any chemical reactions, toxic contamination, or smells that could affect folks with respiratory challenges. If you love products that help you keep your home spotless, check out our list of the best commercial vacuum cleaners as well.

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Key Features:

Chemical free operation

Softens adhesive wallpaper backing

Two steam plates included

Offers up to 70 minutes of usage time

Lightweight design

12-foot cool-touch hose

Specification:
  • BrandWagner Spraytech
  • Model0282036
  • Weight1 Pound
Pros

Easy to carry

Affordable price

Longer operation time before refill

Cons

No wheels

Risk of overheating (no auto fail-safe)

Risk of scalding by steam

BUY ON AMAZON

3
Bates Choice Wallpaper Remover

bates choice wallpaper remover

When you are on a budget, the most basic yet effective wallpaper remover you can get is the scraper. It might seem like a crude tool, but make no mistake, it does the job if you can position it well and at the right angle. One of the advantages of scrapers, you’ll probably agree, is that they are easy to use right out of the box as long as it’s for a small section of a wall. What’s more, they don’t require any chemical agent, electricity, or even water.

Furthermore, whether you are a professional or just the handy-guy around the house, you’ll find the Bates Choice Wallpaper Scraper highly useful for a whole bunch of things besides scraping wallpaper off the wall. Made out of quality high carbon steel, the Bates Choice wall scraper can withstand pressure and not bend under use. That’s not all, high carbon also ensures the blade is rust-resistant, so you’ll be using this for a long time. The 1.5 mm thick blade is also designed as a multifunctional tool. So, asides the horizontal top adapted to scrape off wallpaper, paint, and caulk, the side of the blade is also curved making it suitable as a bottle opener.

In terms of usage, the handle is designed for an easy, comfortable grip so that long term usage won’t result in any discomfort. And for easy safekeeping, the handle is furnished with a hole to hang it on a wall rack. Your purchase is equally protected by a full warranty so if it’s broken, the scraper will undoubtedly be replaced.

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Key Features:

Professional quality build

Multiple uses

Stainless steel blade

Comfortable and durable

Lifetime guarantee

Easy to maintain

Specification:
  • BrandBates Choice
  • Model55054
  • Weight7.2 Ounces
Pros

Easy to use

No need for electricity

No need for solvent

Cons

Brute force required

Wall may not remain the same

Not suitable for large wall

BUY ON AMAZON

4
WP Chomp 52016 Wallpaper Remover

wp chomp 52016 wallpaper remover

Are you on a tight budget yet you want to get that old wallpaper off your wall? Not to worry, the Wp Chomp 52016 Wallpaper Scraper is what you need. In case you’ve never used this kind of tool to strip-off wallpaper before it’s normal to wonder how you’ll get it done at the right angle. After all, the aim is to minimize damage and scratches.

Altogether, WP Chomp designed this one for professionals and the do-it-yourself folks. With this handy contraption, don’t need to position the tool at an angle to get the wallpaper at its edge. Thankfully, the blade is already pre-fitted at an angle and fitted with an ergonomic handle for easy stripping of wallpaper. And in terms of durability, the blade is made out of quality steel that comes sharpened for immediate out of the box use. You can also re-sharpen if blades become too blunt for continuous use. 

In case you don’t want the hassle of sharpening, complete blade replacement is also an option at an affordable price. This can be done by easily detaching the blade from the orange-colored handle which is made of quality durable plastic with an ergonomic design that delivers a firm and right- angle grip minimizing hand fatigue.

And with a lightweight design and a dimension of 2.8 x 5 x 11 inches, you can easily keep this one in your pocket or work jump-suit. Furthermore, it isn’t just a wallpaper remover, you can easily use it as a paint, decal or caulk remover. If your plan is to paint your home, browse through these amazing electric paint sprayers that could make your life a lot easier.

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Key Features:

Premium sharpened dual-edge blade

Resharpenable blade

Multi-purpose tool

Pre-set blade angle

Eco-friendly construction

Easy grip design

Specification:
  • BrandWp Chomp
  • Model52016
  • Weight3.2 Ounces
Pros

No need for electricity of batteries

No need for solvent

Easy to use

Cons

Requires force to strip wallpaper

The blade needs periodic sharpening

Wall may not remain neat

BUY ON AMAZON

5
Goplus Wallpaper Remover

goplus wallpaper remover

With a reservoir tank capacity of 4.5 liters resulting in an impressive continuous operation of almost three hours, Goplus Wallpaper Cleaner is what you need for your wallpaper removing jobs. It’s even better than this device works on large walls that normally take tons of time. For this purpose, the Goplus cleaner adopts simple tap water as its cleaning agent. As such, there’s no toxic chemicals released, no need for a respirator mask, and also no need to keep pets or children away.

Just power it up after filling the 4.5-liter tank with water and off you go once the steam is ready. The Goplus can equally heat water to a temperature of 212°F using a maximum time of 20 minutes. With the steam released, multiple-layered wallpaper stands no chance. Furthermore, it’s a little bulky at first glance but waits till you pick it up, it’s surprisingly light-weighed. That’s good news if you have several foot-long walls to clean.

Furthermore, the Goplus is furnished with a 10foot long steam discharge hose so you can clean hard to reach places like the ceiling and sections of the wall close to the ceiling. Unlike other chemical-free wallpapers removers which are prone to overheating when the water level drops, Goplus furnished this one with an automatic safety cut-out device, so this isn’t one of those devices that will keep running when you forget to refill with water.

And before the water evaporates completely from the tank, the device shuts down. But there’s more; the reservoir tank is also designed with a water level indicator so you can fill your tank easily and know when the water level is low for a refill. You may also be interested in some of the best carpet tapes from our list, so take a moment to check them out.

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Key Features:

Chemical-free cleaning

Safety cut-out device

High temperature

4.5 liter tank

Easy for hard-to-reach areas

Versatile application

Specification:
  • BrandGoplus
Pros

Longer hours of running

Easy to carry

Cheap, available cleaning agent (water)

Cons

Risk of steam burn

Not suitable for Formica-finish surface

Heating takes a longer period

BUY ON AMAZON

6
HomeRight C800880 Steam Wallpaper Remover

homeright c800880 steam wallpaper remover

Whether it’s double or triple-layered wallpaper, very old or recent, the HomeRight C800880 Steam Wallpaper Remover is equipped to separate paper glued with the toughest adhesive. Powered by 120 volts of electricity, a 40 ounces water tank, heating-element, jet nozzle, and a steam plate, this wallpaper remover discharge pressurized steam as the only mode of effective wallpaper removal for fast and effective cleaning.

Furnished with different nozzle attachments, this versatile cleaner is capable of not just wallpaper removal, but it also works in showers, kitchen stove-tops, bath-tubs, and grills. For different modes of cleaning, the device is equipped with a pistol-lock mechanism to promote continuous or intermittent steam discharge operation. And once water is heated up to a boiling temperature, the HomeRight C800880 discharges steam continuously for 45 minutes before a refill is needed. 

This device is put together and compactly finished yet it’s surprisingly fitted with a built-in chamber for easy storage of detachable cleaning nozzles. That way, none of them can get misplaced easily.

Also, the nozzle attachment can easily be reached when needed. Attachments include a steam square-plate for wallpaper removal, floor mop for cleaning of tiles and concrete floors, brass/nylon brush, and a jet nozzle.

More so, the discharge hose is about 8ft long; it’s not the longest on the market, but it will give you extended cleaning without having to carry the device near a power socket. And For easy movement while cleaning, the HomeRight C800880 is fitted with wheels. Even more, for safety purposes, since the device isn’t furnished with an automatic cut-off mechanism, the level of water must be continuously monitored to ensure it doesn’t evaporate completely before the next refill. If you don’t do this, it could damage the device. If you love the simplicity of cleaning with steam, make sure to check out our list of the top steam mops for your home!

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Key Features:

8ft long steam discharge hose

Wheel support

Multiple nozzle attachments

Lightweight design

Specification:
  • BrandHomeRight
  • ModelC800880.M
  • Weight8 Pounds
Pros

Easy to carry

Easy movement while in use

Heats up faster

Cons

Small reservoir tank

Discharge hose may be too small

No automatic cut-out device

BUY ON AMAZON

7
Wagner Spraytech-0282018-705-Wallpaper Remover

wagner spraytech 0282018 705 wallpaper remover

Wagner is one of the most trusted names in the Wallpaper remover tech market so be rest-assured the Spraytech-0282018 won’t come short of the Wagner magic. Wagner Spraytech-0282018 Wallpaper Remover is a chemical-free wallpaper remover that adopts cheap, readily available tap water to produce steam for effective separation of paper from the wall.

It does so with a wide 8×11 inch steam plate which is placed directly on the wall to discharge steam to soften the adhesive. What’s more, the reservoir unit is made of a tough plastic material containing a 705- power steamer. At just 5.6 pounds, the entire package is easy to carry and move around when in use. In addition, the reservoir has a capacity of 1 gallon of water, that’s about enough water to convert to steam and discharge for 70 minutes running time. The good news is you can work on a large wall space effortlessly with this unit. 

Functionally, within ten seconds of placing the steam plate on the wall, the steam will penetrate the wallpaper, making the process a walk in the park. Furthermore, an eleven-foot long discharge hose is designed with the tank to make it difficult to reach the area easily. The Wagner 705 Steamer wallpaper remover purchase is protected by a 365day  limited warranty for residential use. If you love modern and efficient home cleaning devices, don’t forget to take a look at these amazing robotic vacuum cleaners! 

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Key Features:

Compact design

11ft discharge hose

8x11inches steam plate

1-gallon reservoir tank

Specification:
  • BrandWagner Spraytech
  • Model0282018
  • Weight5.63 Pounds
Pros

Warranty available

Lightweight

Cost-effective

Cons

No anti-overheating mechanism

Risk of steam burn

Not adaptable for another cleaning

BUY ON AMAZON

8
McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner

mcculloch mc1385 deluxe canister steam cleaner

With over 20 accessories for different cleaning options, the McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner is one of the most versatile pieces of wallpaper remover in the market. Talk about efficiency, this impressive piece of engineering can discharge steam continuously for 120 minutes; all thanks to the reservoir tank which can take lots of water. Surprisingly, the water is ready to produce steam with only 12 minutes of heating time.

It’s further equipped with a trigger lock option so you can discharge water in continuous or intermittent mode depending on the kind of cleaning operation. Furthermore, the McCulloch Deluxe has one of the longest discharge hoses and power cables on the market. At 18 and 10 ft respectively, you can clean difficult to reach areas easily like walls very close to the ceiling. 

It’s also worth noting that the mechanism of cleaning is by pressurized steam, so be rest assured that more than wallpaper is coming off. Stains, grease, mold and so much more comes off with this baby. It is even equipped with a pressure gauge monitor so the device can be maintained at the right operating conditions. Even more, at a finished weight of 13 pounds, it’s not your regular lightweight wallpaper remover.

However, for easy movement, this is furnished with wheels and an ergonomic handle. Another thoughtful feature is the inbuilt compartment for safekeeping of all 23 accessories and easy retrieval when ready use. More importantly, your purchase is backed up with a two-year warranty for you to rest easy. Altogether, this is a keeper. If you want not only your walls but also your windows to look perfect, choose one of these robotic window cleaners!

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Key Features:

Large water tank

Wheel support

10ft discharge cable

18ft power cable

Specification:
  • BrandMcCulloch
  • ModelMC1385
  • Weight13 Pounds
Pros

Highly versatile

2hrs continuous steam release time

Low heating time

Cons

Risk of steam burn

Pricey

Prone to overheating

BUY ON AMAZON

Wallpaper Remover Buying Guide & FAQ

Features To Look For In Wallpaper Removers

Capacity - Most wallpaper removers that operate with the principle of steam production are usually furnished with water reservoir tanks. Let’s not beat around the bush, the larger the tank, the more the water it will hold. This means you will be able to produce more steam for a longer period before the refill.

But there’s a catch; if you have a small tank with a small quantity of water, it heats up faster so you don’t have to wait for too long. On the other hand, a large volume of water takes more time to heat up. It’s a small trade-off that will prove to be quite important if you are a professional cleaner that works on large wall spaces. In that case, a larger tank will be more important than after heat up time.

Safety - Professional or otherwise, safety is key in every operation. As steam is produced during the wallpaper removing process, the water level in the tank starts to drop. If you're not careful it could dry up and start to melt the containers especially if it's made of plastic and this could cause more damage.

It’s, therefore, necessary to opt for devices that have a safety cut-out mechanism that stops the heating element when overheating is detected as a result of water shortage.

Water level monitor - This is also a feature that can contribute to safety. As the device is in use, a water level indicator will simply show the level of water in the tank. Altogether, this guides the user on when to bring the process to a halt.

wallpaper remover

Types OF Wallpaper Removers

Steamers - Steamers are removers that use steam to soften the adhesive between the wall and paper for easy and quick removal. While steamers do more work with less effort, and in a shorter time, they do have a downside; electricity is always needed. The risk of steam burn and overheating is also present, not to mention the fact that they are relatively costlier.

Scrapers - These are the most basic wallpaper removers when it comes to the price and by the principle of operation, which is brute force. Here, a flat steel blade with a good handle is applied at a good angle to force paper off the wall. While they seem easy to apply right out of the box, scrapers are not ideal for large walled spaces, multiple-layered wallpapers, or hangings that have been on the wall for a long time. In addition, the walls may be damaged by the scrapers.

Wallpaper Remover FAQ

Q: What’s the easiest way to remove old wallpaper?

A: Removing old wallpaper can get really messy especially with the wrong tools. While scrapers are quite cheap and don’t involve the use of any solvent, it’s harder to use and will not get the job done quickly and neatly. A steamer, on the other hand, is ideal for old wallpaper since steam will easily penetrate the adhesive and separate the old paper from the wall, saving lots of time and effort.

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