Beth Mahoney
Best Mops: Quick Menu
1. Amazon mop deals
2. Mop reviews
3. Things to consider
4. FAQs
5. Where to buy a mop
6. How we review
On the hunt for the best mop? If you are in the market for a floor scrubber, then we've got a few worth introducing you to. You might think that a mop is just a mop. They're all manufactured to help us clean our floors, whether we have tile, linoleum, stone, or hardwood. But, there are a few things that set bad mops apart from better models — how easy they are to use, and how they perform.
The Real Homes team has tried and tested these floor mops, all of which are worth their price. There are different types of mops to choose from. If you're living it up in a small space, then consider a flat or spray mop, as these are easier to store. For larger homes, you might want to go for a 2-in-1 mop — that's a cordless vacuum cleaner and a mop — so you won't have to store two tools or walk around your home twice when cleaning.
Otherwise, a string mop will make this chore faster for you. For good measure, we've also included a brilliant robot mop for anyone who hates this chore and would rather not do it.
Amazon mop deals
Our top 10 best mops to blitz through housework
The best mops to buy
The mops featured below have either been reviewed by our team, or they've been chosen based on brilliant customer reviews. Either way, they're all fabulous enough to earn a space next to your amazing cleaning supplies.
The best mop for wood floors
Type: Spray
Head: Microfiber
Reusable? Yes
+ Durable
+ Great for wood floors
+ Soft edges
+ Includes solution
- Not adjustable in height
- Can only be used with Bona solution
This specially designed floor mop is reviewed and approved by us if you have hardwood floors that need some love. It's even safe enough to use on unwaxed, unoiled, and polyurethane-finished wood floors. It comes with one pad and cleaning solution, which is pH neutral, non-streaky, and non-dulling. The easy-to-use mop, washable pad, and solution all work as a team to rejuvenate grimy, dusty floors. The mop head is pretty large and has soft edges to protect your baseboards. It comes equipped with a 1 liter bottle.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best mop for large homes
Type: Mop and bucket
Heads: Microfiber
Reusable? Yes
+ For all floor types
+ Easy to wring
+ Triangular head for corners
+ Works with water only
+ Extendable handle
- Requires bucket
- Difficult to store
Our reviewer noted that this mop excels at cleaning busy households, whether it's full of roommates, pets, or kids. The O'Cedar EasyWring only needs water to work and comes equipped with a bucket for filling (and an easy spout for emptying). With the addition of a foot pedal, it's a piece of cake to wring out the mop and avoid soaking your floors. The triangular-shaped microfiber head lets you get right into the corners and clean your baseboards with ease, plus the covers are machine washable.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best eco-friendly mop
Type: Flat
Head: Microfiber
Reusable? Yes
+ Super affordable
+ Works with water only
+ Lightweight
+ Extendable handle
- Not for larger homes
- No bottle/bucket
Super affordable, very easy to use, and impressive in action, this eco-friendly mop doesn't have a water tank, instead, it cleans your floors using its microfiber mop head only. It's best for smaller apartments or homes since it's slim enough to store anywhere. The washable head, once wet and wrung out, can remove 99% of bacteria from your floors in one sweep. It's also durable yet lightweight, with an adjustable handle spanning 59 inches for those hard-to-reach places. We've used this mop at home for years now, and it's never failed us.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best mop vacuum
Type: Vop
Head: Roller brush
Reusable? Yes
+ Vacuums too
+ Easy to use
+ Gets into corners
+ Auto adjusts to your floors
+ Dries floors
- Struggles to reach underneath furniture
- Requires maintenance after each use
Opt for the Tineco Floor One S5 if you're looking for a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to clean your floor and do the job a mop of a mop. Our reviewer Alex claims it makes your floors cleaner than you thought possible, coating the surface. It has a battery life of 35 minutes and is self-propelling, so it essentially just allows you to tag along for the ride. In auto mode, it adjusts suction power, roller speed, and water flow depending on how dirty your floors are. She found that the max mode is best for dealing with heavy messes and spills. It's not the best for getting into tricky spaces, though. It can connect to your phone via an app and it comes with a compact charging base that can hold the extra brush roller and HEPA filter, as well as the 3-in-1 cleaning brush.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best mop for tile floors
Type: Spray
Head: Microfiber x 1
Reusable? Yes
+ 2-in-1 design
+ Large head
+ Great for spills
- Not adjustable in height
Designed with dual functionality, the pet-approved Oxo Microfiber Spray Mop is just what you need to clean a busy home if you don't want a mop that needs a bucket. Otherwise, it's a great secondary mop that you can use solely for spills. Its large microfiber pad makes everyday mopping easier than ever, while the slide-out scrubber is perfect for tackling mud and dirt. It has a plentiful tank and makes the job of mopping easy, all while being simple to store. Even better, you can use it with any cleaning solution you like.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best mopping robot
Type: Robot
Head: Cloth or microfiber
Reusable? Yes
+ Can set boundaries
+ App controllable
+ Can get into corners
+ Can be scheduled to clean
+ Takes itself to charge
- Pricey
- Requires non-closet storage space
Rated our best robot mop, the Braava Jet M6 offers convenience all around. You need only fill its water tank, pop on a mop head and you’re all set. App and voice controllable through Alexa, it maps your home so that you can set boundaries, and it even takes itself to charge when low on battery. Our reviewer Molly scored it 4.5 stars in our iRobot Braava Jet M6 review. It's definitely a great buy if you're someone who finds themselves mopping every day or once every two days. It can be scheduled to clean, too, and you can keep it mopping from certain areas (such as where your dog's bowl sits). Otherwise, you will need a regular mop as well as this one — for spills and fast clean-ups. And don't forget that it requires floor space near a plug.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best mop for small homes, dorms, and apartments
Type: Flat
Head: 19 pads/cloths
Reusable? No
+ Pads are recyclable
+ Under $20
+ Works wet or dry
- Not for larger homes
- No bottle/bucket
- Not adjustable in height
Don’t be fooled by the budget-friendly price tag of this simple dry and wet mop. While it’s not electric, it’s the perfect manual cleaning tool for small apartments and dorms and is backed by our editor-in-chief and 50,000 five-star reviews. On days when a deep clean isn’t necessary, but there’s dirt or hair to clean up (or maybe an accidental coffee spill), it’s so much easier to pull this lightweight mop out of the closet for a speedy clean. The little scrubber strip on the mop pads is stronger than it seems for tackling sticky spots. Additionally, Swiffer has set up a recycling program for the pads. And you can buy ones for wooden floors, for pet owners... you get the idea.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The best mop for laminate floors
Type: Stick (with bucket)
Head: Microfiber x 3
Reusable? Yes
+ Extendable handle
+ Easy to maneuver around and under furniture
+ Great for all-sized homes
+ Sizeable water tank
- Extra storage space required for bucket
This is the best-rated mop and bucket combo on Amazon, and in case you've been living under a rock, this type of mop is going viral on TikTok. It's the exact same as your standard stick mop, except it comes with a bucket to use with it. Yes, this is something extra to store but this clever bucket holds your clean water and it features an integrated wringer to clean your mop head as you move around your home and to ensure you never soak your floors. The bucket has a handle for easy carrying, and this particular model is Amazon's Choice, with more than 5,000 happy reviewers raving about how much they love it. Its swivel head makes easy cleaning of pretty much everything, from floors to ceilings, walls, and even baseboards.
The best electric mop
Type: Spray (battery-operated)
Head: 10 pads
Reusable? No
+ Pads are recyclable
+ Great for pet owners
+ Lightweight
- Not the best for the environment
- Has to be used with Swiffer solution
This stick mop takes the hard work out of cleaning your floors. It's battery-powered so all you have to do is fill up its water tank, pop a head on, and you're ready to go. Yes, this means it automatically sprays the solution onto your floors as you are cleaning. Some people might prefer to have control over this, but others will rejoice at not having to pull the trigger constantly. It can be used on all finished floors, and it works with disposable pads that you can recycle. Because of this, it's a really handy mop to have if you're a pet owner, for cleaning up quick messes. If you're eco-conscious, then this will be one to steer clear of, but it does work well and it leaves your floors cleaner than ever. A total of 40,000 Amazon reviewers gave it 4.7 stars out of five and they think it's genius.
The best affordable mop
Type: String
Head: Microfiber x 1
Reusable? Yes
+ Budget-friendly
+ Integrated wringer
+ Machine washable head
+ Easy to store
+ Bucket required but not included
Coming in at around $10, if you need a cheap but helpful mop then this one from Libman is a great contender. You'll need to have a bucket on hand, but it's pretty easy to use otherwise. It has an integrated wringer so that you don't end up soaking your floors. Otherwise, its microfiber string head is designed with trademarked Gripstrips — to help scrub away tough dirt and grime from your floors. This head is washable up to 50 times to help save money and to be kinder to the environment. Refills aren't expensive, either, which makes this a great all-rounder no matter your situation. It's great for dorm rooms, for cleaning bathrooms only, or even as a second mop for larger homes. Reviewers say it's great value for money.
Things to consider when buying a new mop
1. Head material
When you’re deciding on a floor mop, check the material of the mop head. The most popular choice is microfiber as it's soft, hygienic, and fast drying. Sponge heads are also a good choice as they're breathable and absorbent and work well on flat untextured flooring. Most mop heads are washing machine friendly, too, giving them longevity and being kinder to the environment, but do check first.
2. Does it require a bucket?
If you're after a quick and easy-to-use mop, it's best to steer clear of ones that require a bucket. Instead, opt for a spray mop for a faster finish; these mops-without-buckets also cut down on the amount of storage space you need to keep them — all you need to do is fill up the bottle with hot water and your chosen floor cleaner, attach it to the mop and you're away.
3. Weight
Important if you're less able, some mops can be weighty when loaded, so consider this when you're choosing. Note: spray mops might be heavier than classic mops, but you won't have the weight of the bucket to lug around.
4. Extra features
Some mops come with a free bucket, some extra heads, or other accessories you may reach for when cleaning your home. If they don't, then be sure to check how much replacement heads cost before you buy.
FAQs
What is the most effective type of floor mop?
There are lots of different types of mops to choose from. The more complex the design, the more you can expect to pay for it. We rate the string mop as the best for actual cleaning since you use it with a bucket and wring out the dirty water from each room. However, with this comes the need for more storage space and you need to lug around a bucket as you clean, too.
Here are all of the different types of mops:
- Flat mops or spray mops have a spray mechanism inside. Use them with a reusable head or a one-use pad.
- String mops tend to be made of cotton, are durable, and some come in spin versions to wring out as much water as possible, but they require a bucket.
- Sponge mops are good for getting into tiles and normally feature a wringer mechanism to ensure you don't soak your floors.
- Steam mops are the best option if you're after something to help you deep clean, however, they do come at a higher price tag, and some need to be plugged in.
- Robot mops will do the cleaning for you, with the only thing needed from you is the push of a button.
What is the best type of mop to use on hardwood floors?
Your best option for hardwood floors is a mop with a flat microfiber head that won't disperse too much water, such as the Bona Hardwood Floor Mop, which you can buy from Target. It's specially designed for wooden floors and it comes with a special solution. Plus, microfiber soaks in water and other liquids a lot more easily and quickly than other materials — and the one thing you don’t want to do is soak your hardwood floors.
What type of mop is best for floor tiles?
In our tests, we discovered that the Oxo Microfiber Spray Mop is brilliant for cleaning tiles. This is a spray mop but it has a clever slide-out scrubber that you can use for cleaning the grout in between your tiles. It also makes scrubbing tiles a total breeze. You can buy this OXO mop from Amazon.
How often should I replace my mop?
That'll depend on how often you use yours, and whether the mop head is replaceable or detachable and washable. If the mop head is replaceable, discard yours after about six to eight months of use — sooner if you clean very often.
After a while, your mop will just be redepositing dirt and bacteria back onto your floor. If you have a detachable, washable head, pop it in the wash every month or so, and discard it after two to three years of use, depending on how worn it looks.
Where to buy a mop
Still not found the right mop for you? See below for where you can browse for a new floor mop and continue your search below.
- Amazon mops
- Bed Bath & Beyond mops
- Best Buy mops
- The Home Depot mops
- Lowe's mops
- Macy's mops
- QVC mops
- Target mops
- Walmart mops
- Wayfair mops
How we review mops
OXO mop in review
Seven out of the 10 mops featured in this guide have been hands-on tested by a member of the Real Homes team. All of these mops are used for a number of weeks inside our homes until we feel we are at a point to make a judgment. We try to test these mops on all flooring types, from lino to tiles and laminate. When using these mops, we consider everything including:
- Size — and how easy is it to store?
- Maneuverability — and is it easy to use to clean underneath furniture
- Quality — does it feel like it would last for years of use? Does it do the job without soaking your floors?
- Price — for what it includes, is it affordable? Are refill heads expensive?
- Is it eco-conscious? Depending on the mop's head, some are machine washable and others work with disposable pads.
The three mops we haven't (yet) tested have been included because of their stellar customer reviews. Real people have claimed that these mops are among the best on the market, hence why we wanted to feature them too.
Meet our mop testers:
Our editor Melissa was previously a big fan of the Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Mop for cleaning her floors and she found it super convenient to not have to machine wash a super dirty pad.
Our head ecommerce editor Annie has tried and tested (and loves) the Oxo Microfiber Spray Mop. It's easy to maneuver and it has a large head to cover more space in less time. Its bottle is nice and big and its slide-out scrubber is great for tough dirt, too.
Jenny is our former senior digital editor, and she loves using the bestselling O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop (branded as the Vileda Turbo in the UK) in her family home. She loves its integrated wringer and that its foot pedal can control how wet (or dry) your floors will be. She also uses it with only water.
Our former ecommerce writer Molly Cleary, who is now ecommerce editor over at Ideal Home, has tested the iRobot Bravaa Jet M6, featured last (but not least) on our list. Yes, it's an investment but its technology is super impressive. It was reviewed in an apartment and essentially, it cleans your floors on demand. Plus, it's discreet looking.
Jen was previously our appliance editor and is now homes editor at Tech Radar. She uses the Bona Wood Floor mop in her home. She'd been searching for a hard floor cleaner to use on her restored wooden floors but didn't want to spend much and this mop gave incredible results for a fraction of the price of others on the market.
Anna was previously our content editor, and she's a fan of one of our most sustainable picks, the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop, which has a washable head. It has lasted her a long time and it cleans her floors well, especially since it doesn't require cleaner — only water — to do its thing.
Alex is a freelancer for Real Homes, and she reviewed the Tineco Floor One S5 for us. Alex lives in Texas and her home is roughly 1,600 square feet in size and is fitted with hard flooring throughout. She doesn't have any pets.
Once you're set up with a brand-new mop, you're going to have to tackle the rest of the house. See the best cleaning supplies our team recommends for getting the job done the right way.
