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Hard flooring surfaces are durable and easy to care for, especially when you have the right tools, like an efficient vacuum and an easy-to-use mop, and know the best way to mop a floor.
For years, we have put the highest-rated mops through the wringer, scrubbing, steaming, Swiffering, and spin mopping through layers of grime on multiple hard flooring surfaces. Through our research and testing, it’s become apparent that certain mops are more effective (and enjoyable) to use.
Our favorite mop for homes with multiple hard flooring types is the Libman Tornado Spin Mop System. It features a machine-washable XL mophead that’s safe for all sealed floors and an easy-to-use bucket and wringer system. Eight other models that fit different needs also passed our rigorous tests and made our best mops list. Keep reading to find out how each performed.
- BEST OVERALL: Libman Tornado Spin Mop System
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST STEAM MOP: Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DISPOSABLE MOP PADS: Swiffer WetJet Mop Starter Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ELECTRIC MOP: Bissell SpinWave Pet Hard Floor Spin Mop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST VACUUM MOP: Shark VacMop Pro Cordless Vacuum Mop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ROBOT MOP: Roborock Q Revo Robot Vacuum Mop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WET/DRY: Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry and Wet Starter Kit
↓ Jump to Review - MOST VERSATILE: Libman Wonder Mop
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 9 |
| Time spent testing | 5 weeks |
| Tests performed | 10 |
| Price range | $19 to $900 |
Our Top Picks
The best mop for the job often depends on cleaning preferences and the type of flooring. The products below have undergone extensive testing and proved their ability to keep hard floors spick-and-span.
Best Overall
Libman Tornado Spin Mop System
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: String/spin
- Mophead: Microfiber
- Wet or dry: Both
What We Like
- Mop and bucket included
- Suitable for hardwood floors
- Machine-washable mophead
- Easy to wring out
What We Don’t Like
- No separate chamber for dirty water
- Bucket lacks wheels
If your home has multiple hard surface floors, and you’re looking for a mop that can effectively and safely clean them all, the Libman Tornado mop and bucket is a standout. It features an XL deep-cleaning microfiber head that can fit up against baseboards and cabinets, lifting dirt and grime. It also has a 2-gallon bucket with a stainless steel spin chamber to make wringing a breeze.
We used this mop on our hardwoods, luxury vinyl plank, linoleum, and ceramic tile, and after use, our floors were left visibly cleaner. The mop also removed dried-on pasta sauce and a spilled sticky drink from each floor type without much effort on our part. Every time we emptied the bucket after cleaning, we were amazed at just how dirty the mop water had gotten.
The Libman Tornado spin mop bucket features a pour spot on the end, which made it easy to dump our dirty water without making a mess. Its mopheads are also washable, so you don’t have to worry about repurchasing often. When we were finished mopping, we detached the mophead, put it in the washing machine, and let it air-dry so it was ready for the next use.
Get the Libman Tornado mop at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.8/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Spray
- Mophead: Microfiber
- Wet or dry: Both
What We Like
- Refillable spray bottle
- Machine-washable microfiber mop pad
- Battery-free spray mop
- Can remove 99 percent of bacteria with water only
What We Don’t Like
- Comes with only 1 mop pad
The O-Cedar ProMist microfiber mop features a flat, double-sided microfiber mophead and a refillable spray bottle. The microfiber mophead can remove up to 99 percent of bacteria from floors using only water.
This mop was easily maneuverable, fitting up against baseboards and under low-to-the-ground furniture. The trigger that disperses the cleaning solution was easy to squeeze, allowing us to concentrate the cleaning solution where we needed it, like on tough messes. When we accidentally squirted too much cleaning solution on the floor, we were able to flip the mophead over and absorb the extra moisture.
After mopping our floors once, the white mophead turned brown, a good sign that it lifted the dirt from our floors. We threw it in the washing machine afterward and then let it air-dry so it was ready for the next use. We appreciated the eco-friendly features the O-Cedar has to offer: It doesn’t take batteries, and it has a reusable mophead and a refillable water bottle. This saves money and eliminates waste compared to mops with disposable pads and single-use cleaning solutions.
Get the O-Cedar mop at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Steam Mop
Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Steam
- Mophead: Microfiber
- Wet or dry: Wet
What We Like
- Kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria
- 3 levels of steam
- Slim mophead and swivel steering
- Leaves floors noticeably cleaner
What We Don’t Like
- May not be suitable for all floor types
Steam mops make light work of clearing sticky spots, stuck-on food, and other grime from sealed hard floor surfaces. The Bissell PowerFresh steam mop is one such model that can clean the dirtiest of floors, killing 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria in the process. It features three steam settings (low, medium, and high) and comes with two washable microfiber mop pads, two fragrance discs, and a carpet glider.
Thanks to this mop’s swivel steering, slim mophead, and extra-long power cord, we were able to reach all the nooks and crannies in our home. The mophead fit nicely under our cabinet overhangs, maneuvered around toilets, cleaned up against baseboards, and the high-powered steam left our floors spotless. This Bissell mop also came out on top in our pasta-sauce-and- soda cleaning tests. The steam did the work for us, loosening the stuck-on substances from the floor and absorbing them into the mop pad.
According to Bissell, the PowerFresh steam mop is safe for most sealed flooring surfaces. However, many laminate and hardwood manufacturers caution against using steam on their products, so if you’re worried about compatibility, check your flooring manufacturers’ instructions before use.
Get the Bissell PowerFresh mop at Amazon or Bissell.
Best Disposable Mop Pads
Swiffer WetJet Mop Starter Kit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Value 4/5;
Product Specs
- Type: Spray
- Mophead: Disposable microfiber-like material
- Wet or dry: Wet
What We Like
- Fine-mist spray feature
- 10 mop pads included
- Suitable for multiple floor types
- Convenient for quick cleanups
- Mop pads lock in dirt
What We Don’t Like
- Mist spray function may clog over time
- Not as eco-friendly as comparable options
- Included mopping solution doesn’t last long
This Swiffer WetJet mop is one of our favorites for quickly cleaning messes or spot-cleaning floors. It features ultrafine mist spray nozzles near the mophead, which offer greater control of solution dispersal and help coat floors evenly. The removable pads are made with a microfiber-like material that cleans all sealed floors without fear of scratching.
Assembling the Swiffer WetJet was a breeze. A few clicks connected the mop, and after inserting batteries, adding the mopping solution, and attaching a cleaning pad, we were ready to scrub. We first used this mop on our luxury vinyl plank, and it left it clean and smelling fresh. We appreciated the scrubby pad in the middle of the mophead, which allowed us to remove stuck-on messes. We were also impressed by how well the mop pads locked in dirt.
The Swiffer WetJet starter kit is affordable. However, replacement cleaning pads and solutions (specific to flooring material or the all-purpose option) are sold separately. The included mopping solution doesn’t last long, so you’ll want to purchase additional bottles to continue using this mop.
Get the Swiffer WetJet mop at Amazon (10 pads), The Home Depot (5 pads), Walmart (5 pads), or Target (5 pads).
Best Electric Mop
Bissell SpinWave Pet Hard Floor Spin Mop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Electric spin mop
- Mophead: 2 soft touch and 2 scrubby
- Wet or dry: Wet
What We Like
- Swivel steering for easy maneuverability
- Comes with machine-washable mop pads
- On-demand cleaning solution spray
- Leaves floors spotless
What We Don’t Like
- Thicker mophead doesn’t fit under all low furniture
The Bissell SpinWave Pet is an electric spin mop with two rotating heads. It comes with two types of washable mop pads: a pair of scrubby pads for cleaning sticky messes and a pair of soft-touch pads for more delicate floors. It also includes two 8-ounce bottles of multisurface cleaner, although you can use any mopping solution in its refillable clean-water tank.
Thanks to its electric-powered spinning mopheads, the Bissell SpinWave feels self-propelled, making it effortless to maneuver. What we were most impressed with, though, was how clean our floors looked every time we used it. The rotating scrubbing action removed even the toughest of messes, and the on-demand spray button allowed us to control how much cleaning solution hit the floor. The mop pads extended from the mop slightly, so we were even able to clean against baseboards.
Since this mop has circular pads and a thicker mophead, it was difficult to mop corners and under particularly low furniture. Also, since it’s corded, it’s not the most convenient mop to pull out for quick spot-cleaning. We’d recommend the Bissell SpinWave for deep-cleaning. Its electric mopping is gentle but effective, safe for all hard floor surfaces, and will leave your floors spotless.
Get the Bissell SpinWave mop at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Vacuum Mop
Shark VacMop Pro Cordless Vacuum Mop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 3.8/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Vacuum mop
- Mophead: Microfiber-like material
- Wet or dry: Both
What We Like
- Includes disposable pads and cleaning solution
- No-touch pad disposal
- Suitable for hardwood floors
- Affordable price point
What We Don’t Like
- May not pull stains from grout between tiles
- Not suitable for deep-cleaning
- Must purchase additional disposable pads
For ultimate ease while cleaning hard floors, Shark’s VacMop is both lightweight and cordless. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it vacuums and mops simultaneously. A disposable pad traps dirt and debris, and the no-touch disposal system allows users to release the soiled pad into a trash receptacle without touching it. It comes with four disposable mop pads and a 12-ounce bottle of Shark’s multisurface hard floor cleaner.
We found the Shark VacMop handy for suctioning crumbs and spot-cleaning messes on our hardwoods. Pulling a trigger on the handle activated the vacuum, and pressing a button allowed us to disperse the cleaning solution. It took some back-and-forth scrubbing to remove dried-on food messes, but the Shark mop was able to handle regular dirt buildup without issue.
There’s no doubt that this vacuum mop is convenient. Still, it wouldn’t be our top pick for deep-cleaning floors; the disposable mop pads didn’t leave our floors looking as clean as some of the other mops on our list. This model is best for those who like to maintain their floors in between deep-cleans and are looking for a fast and easy way to remove crumbs and dirt.
Get the Shark VacMop mop at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Kohl’s.
Best Robot Mop
Roborock Q Revo Robot Vacuum Mop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Type: Robot mop
- Mophead: Microfiber
- Wet or dry: Wet
What We Like
- Vacuums and mops simultaneously
- Includes a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying dock
- Creates a map of your home
- App allows for cleaning schedules
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive compared to other mops on our list
- Not suitable for homes with lots of carpet
The Roborock shines among robot vacuum and mop combos. It features 5,500 pascals of suction, two rotating mop heads, and vacuums and mops the floor simultaneously. As it works, it periodically returns to its multifunctional dock, where it washes and dries the mop pads so that they don’t develop mold or bacteria. It also auto-empties the vacuumed-up debris and fills the mop with fresh water as needed.
When we first received the Roborock Q Revo, we downloaded the compatible app and ran the robot so that it could create a map of our house. We could then access the map through the Roborock app, create cleaning schedules, and set “no-go” zones for the robot to avoid.
To test the suction power, we littered our hardwoods with flour, rice, and cookie crumbs, and the Q Revo vacuumed them all up. The mop pads picked up dirt in addition to the pasta sauce and soda we’d let dry on our floors. There were rugs in some of our rooms, and the Roborock automatically detected them and lifted the mop pads so the rugs didn’t get wet.
If you’re looking for a hands-off way to keep your hard floors clean, the Q Revo delivers exceptional cleaning power. However, it may not be suitable for homes with lots of carpet.
Get the Roborock mop at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Wet/Dry
Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry and Wet Starter Kit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.3/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Flat
- Mophead: Dry-sweeping and wet-mopping cloths
- Wet or dry: Both
What We Like
- Comes with dry and wet pads
- Suitable for light cleaning
- Lightweight and compact for storing
What We Don’t Like
- Must purchase additional mopping and sweeping pads
- Not suitable for deep-cleaning
The Swiffer 2-in-1 mop can be used as a wet or dry mop and is perfect for small homes with limited storage space. This mop is simple—it’s a basic flat mop with removable pads. Simply attach a dry pad for dust mopping or a wet pad for cleaning. You can purchase replacement wet and dry cleaning pad refills as needed.
The Swiffer dry-sweeping pads are ideal for picking up pet hair and dust, but they won’t pick up large debris like a vacuum will. We used these to keep our first floor tidy in between vacuuming. The kit also came with three heavy-duty mop pads and two regular mop pads. The heavy-duty pads did a phenomenal job cleaning regular dirt buildup, dried-on pasta sauce, and sticky messes from our floors.
The Swiffer 2-in-1 wet-and-dry mop has long been a popular option for keeping hard floors clean, and it’s easy to see why. This lightweight mop doesn’t take up much space, is convenient to grab in a pinch, and the disposable pads trap in dirt so that it doesn’t spread around the floor.
Get the Swiffer Sweeper at Amazon (19 refills), The Home Depot (10 refills), Walmart (10 refills), or Target (10 refills).
Most Versatile
Libman Wonder Mop
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4.2/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Strip
- Mophead: Microfiber
- Wet or dry: Wet
What We Like
- 4 refills included
- Built-in wringer mechanism
- Good mop for laminate floors
- Absorbent microfiber strip mophead
What We Don’t Like
- Wringer may be difficult to use
If you need a basic, compact mop that’s reasonably priced and has a machine-washable mophead, the Libman Wonder Mop is a great pick. It comes with a built-in wringer, so there’s no need to touch the cleaning solution or mucky water. The mop strips are antibacterial and extra absorbent, making it easy to mop excess moisture from the floor.
We first used the Libman mop on our ceramic tile. It maneuvered well around the toilet and under cabinet overhangs, leaving our floor clean. While we appreciated that this mop had a built-in wringer, it wasn’t easy to use. Pushing the wringer over the mophead took some power, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone lacking arm or grip strength.
This floor-cleaning mop worked well on all of our hard floor types. We used it in conjunction with hot water and a multisurface mopping solution, and were able to scrub dried-on food and sticky spots from the ground. Once we were finished mopping, we tossed the mophead in the washing machine, and it cleaned up well. It also comes with three mophead replacements, each of which can be washed up to 50 times.
Get the Libman Wonder mop at Amazon, The Home Depot (2 refills), Walmart (no refills), or Target (no refills).
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested Mops
To find the best mops in each category, we reviewed winning models from our past tests and considered newer, highly rated products. After narrowing down our top contenders, we put each mop through a series of tests to ensure it was easy to use, effective, and a good value in relation to its cost.
Our first tests included mopping regular dirt and stuck-on food and drinks. We also evaluated any included features or accessories, washed the mopheads (if applicable), and repeated our tests on multiple hard flooring surfaces. At the end of testing, we tallied up scores and awarded each mop a category based on its performance.
What to Consider When Choosing a Mop
Before purchasing a mop for floor-cleaning, think about the floor material it’s intended for. Mops are available with different features, and not all mopheads are created equal. Additionally, consider wet or dry functionality and whether you prefer a wringer mechanism in the handle or bucket.
Types of Mops
The most common hard floor mop varieties include string, strip, flat, sponge, steam, robot, and vacuum mops. Each has its pros and cons, and some will work more effectively than others depending on your floor.
Manual
Most people are satisfied with a standard mop that doesn’t have the steam or vacuum features of an electric model. These basic manual tools get the job done without breaking the bank.
- String mops are the traditional go-to mops for residential and commercial cleaning. The mophead is made from strands or loops of string, usually cotton. These mops are very absorbent and effective at cleaning large surfaces. However, they can be tough to wring out or fully dry because the strings absorb a lot of water and can become rather stinky as a result.
- Strip mops are very similar to string mops, but the mophead consists of strips of fabric rather than cotton strings. The fabric strips are usually made of synthetic materials. These mops tend to absorb less water and dry more quickly, so they’re less likely to stay damp and develop an odor.
- Flat mops have a flat head with a cleaning pad. The mopping pad can be disposable, reusable, or machine washable. A lightweight and easy-to-use option, flat mops are a popular pick for daily home cleaning.
- Sponge mops feature a spongy head that is useful for scrubbing. One possible drawback to a sponge mop is that it may push dirty water into grout lines. For this reason, those who have light-colored tile grout might want to consider a different mop type.
- Spray mops eliminate the need to tote around a mop and bucket as you clean. This type of mop has a bottle of cleaning solution mounted on the mop handle. At the squeeze of a trigger, the solution sprays on the floor for easy cleaning.
Electric
If you’re looking for a mop upgrade, consider an electric model. These mops are usually cordless and battery-operated, so they offer the same flexibility of movement as a basic mop. Electric mops usually have a runtime between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on battery power.
- Steam mops feature a refillable water tank. When steam mops are turned on, the water heats up and turns to steam, which spreads through the mophead and onto the floor. The hot steam is effective at disinfecting and cleaning tough messes. Steam mops are good mops for sealed ceramic and porcelain tiles.
- Vacuum mops are another electric option, offering dual vacuum and mopping functions at a higher price point. This cleaning tool contains a mopping pad connected to a cleaning fluid container and spray mechanism. Suction from the vacuum draws in debris through a narrow opening that runs parallel to the pad and into a dirt container. While not as effective as a true vacuum, these mops are useful for small messes that would usually require vacuuming first.
- Robot mops tend to be the priciest models, but they are also the most advanced. These autonomous units mop a floor for you, usually with a mopping pad and spray function. Robot mops include high-tech features like programmable cleaning times, smartphone operation, and voice control.
The only real downside to these units is their added cleaning requirements. Steam mops must be taken apart regularly for cleaning to prevent mold and mildew buildup, while vacuum mops require emptying the dirt container.
Wet vs. Dry
Mops fall into one of two categories: wet or dry. Wet mops use water and a cleaning solution in order to cut through dirt and grime. Dry mops, also known as dust mops, use no water. Instead, dry mops are designed to sweep loose dirt, dust, and debris from the floor.
The ideal is to use both types of mops on hard surface floors. Essentially, dust mops for floors are used to remove fine particles from the surface in preparation for wet mopping. Some mops are designed for wet or dry functionality, so you can choose based on the floor type.
Mophead Material
Mopheads are made from different materials, and each comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.
- Cotton: This material is the most economical and it’s extremely absorbent. However, it dries slowly, which makes mops prone to mildew and quick deterioration if they aren’t dried thoroughly after each use. Cotton is good for cleaning up large spills.
- Cotton and synthetic blend: This combination offers a good balance of affordability and performance. Cotton blends are a good choice for everyday cleaning and disinfecting.
- Synthetic: Man-made mop fibers provide the greatest strength of all the available materials. Synthetic fibers are resistant to mildew, are lint-free, and can be bleached without damage. Synthetic mopheads are popular in health care facilities.
- Microfiber: This type of fiber is highly absorbent and offers good cleaning power. Though they tend to be more expensive, microfiber mops are durable and the heads can be laundered without deteriorating. Microfiber is a premium choice for general-purpose cleaning.
Wringing Mechanism
The wringing mechanism for a mop is designed to press the excess water out of the wet mop, preventing floors from becoming overly saturated and slippery. Mops have the wringing mechanism on either the handles or on their buckets.
Mops with handle wringers are popular choices for home use due to their versatility and ease of use. The wringers on mop handles will have either a lever or a built-in ratcheting system. Lever wringers are usually found on sponge mops. They work by pressing down the lever, and then a mechanism on the sponge presses against the sponge and folds or rolls over it, squeezing excess water back into the bucket.
Self-wringing mops are generally easier to use and involve a ratcheting twist action to remove excess water. The ratchet system also allows for better control of how wet or how dry a mophead is with a simple twist.
Mop buckets with built-in wringers use levers to either squeeze or spin the moisture from mopheads. Most mop buckets with a built-in lever are made for commercial use and are not practical for use in the home because they are large and heavy. Spin mop cleaners are sold with their own specialized mop buckets that use a lever mechanism to spin out the moisture in the mophead.
FAQs
If you still have lingering questions about mops, such as how to maintain them, consult the answers provided below.
Any floor space that encounters significant foot traffic should be mopped once per week. Biweekly mopping is fine for most other areas. Spaces that are rarely used (such as guest rooms) may only require mopping once a month.
There are a few reasons you may be left with a dirty floor after a mopping session. It’s important to rinse the water frequently as you mop and to start off with a clean mophead.
For the most part, detachable mopheads and pads can be placed in the washing machine, but check manufacturer instructions. If the mophead is machine washable, choose a gentle cycle and allow it to air-dry.
Replace your mop when the mophead shows damage or won’t come clean. Mops with replaceable heads or mop pads have a longer lifespan than those without.
Meet the Tester
Katie Barton is a freelance writer and product tester with over a decade of experience. She specializes in home improvement and cleaning content.
Additional research provided by Debbie Wolfe and Kat Hodgins.