Searching for the best mop to help leave your floors shining? Buying a mop for the very first time? We're here to help. We've been trying and testing a load of mops across the Real Homes team, and here's our honest verdict, below.
Whether you are searching for a spray mop for ease of use and simple storing, or perhaps you want a classic mop and bucket combination for deeper cleaning? Owning one of the best mops ought to make this chore a little easier, and it can help get into those corners and crevices that are otherwise hard to reach.
From Vileda to Shark, OXO and E-Cloth, keep reading for the ultimate guide on the best floor mops you can buy right now. Yes, we've even listed one of the best steam mops in our guide, for those who want a deeper clean.
Just before we get into the nitty-gritty, we've explained the different types of mops you can buy below.
Which type of mop should I choose?
There are lots of different types of mop. The more complex the design, the more you can expect to pay for it. Also factor in that some need the heads replacing every now and then.
Here are the main types of mop, before we get started:
- 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.
- Dust mops require no water and can be used to clean walls, lights and furniture and of course, 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.
The best mops as rated by the experts
The best mop you can buy
"Hands down the easiest mop I've ever used, this stick mop squeezes in perfectly inside my small flat. It's hassle-free to use with a spray trigger, plus its water tank is plenty sizeable. It also makes an easy job of cleaning around furniture feet, the toilet and underneath my bed. I just pop the heads in the washing machine after each clean. It's that simple!" – Annie Collyer, UK Shopping Editor at Real Homes
We own and use this mop several times a week in our home, to clean our laminate flooring and tiles – and to make our floors sparkle. Budget-friendly, too, this spray mop is also very convenient to store with no bucket required, just a pull of the trigger to wet your floors.
What we like about it
There are several things we love about this spray mop, those being that it's inexpensive, convenient to use – thanks to the fact it's a spray mop – and also slim to store. This mop has a built-in water tank to prevent you from carrying a bucket around while mopping, and the microfibre heads that come with are machine washable to make mopping your home waste-free.
What we're not keen on
The only thing to note is that if you have a larger home, you may have to refill the water tank twice while cleaning.
Things to note
The water tank can hold 350ml of water and cleaning fluid, the mop comes with two microfibre heads and it's very lightweight.
The best mop for laminate floors
Designed to provide a cold steam clean for your floors with its spray head, this versatile mop can be used with plain water or a cleaning solution, or dry as a floor duster.
What we like about it
The microfibre pad aims to pick up dirt dust and hair in one easy motion, and the pad is reusable time and time again. It can also be used wet or dry for your convenience. It comes in three different colours if you're concerned about style, and it can be used to clean wood and vinyl floors too. If you don’t get on with traditional mops, this is a great space and time saver for the home as it's two in one.
What we don't like about it
The only thing we will mention is that the price of this mop is more than our best spray mop, the Beldray Spray Mop – just something to think about.
Things to know
It comes complete with two cleaning pads and a pad renewer brush to help revive old-looking cleaning heads.
The best mop for small homes
"It's pretty easy to use, once you've got the knack for securing the lid back on. I lift the blue lid off, fill it with water from a plastic measuring jug and usually throw in a dash of Zoflora (although that's not necessary). I use it on the lino flooring of my kitchen and bathroom and it does a great job. I like how it's quite a compact design and feels like less of a faff than a traditional mop. After using it, I put the head in the wash with my microfibre cloths and it's as good as new." – Millie Hurst, News writer at Real Homes
This Mrs Hinch approved Vileda mop is a must-have for smaller homes with a teeny amount of storage space – or for those who live in a flat. It's easy to swivel around furniture and rugs, plus it has a built-in water tank for easy cleaning.
What we like about it
Its size! This super-compact spray mop is super easy to store in a small cupboard, with no water tank sticking out – and no bucket needed. There's also the bonus that the thick, microfibre heads are machine washable to cut down on waste. Plus, you needn't even clean with detergent, too, since a special cleaning spray sits inside the tank and releases when you clean, so as to kill 99.9% of bacteria.
What we don't like about it
It can be fiddly to fill up. Your best bet is to fill a jug that has a spout with water and then carefully tip the water from here into the mop tank. Also, make sure you pop the lid back on tight.
The best mop for tile floors
Designed with dual functionality, the OXO Microfibre Spray Mop is just what you need to clean various floors surfaces, including those areas that are often considered hard-to-reach.
What we like about it
Its large, microfibre pad makes everyday mopping easier than ever, while the Slide-Out-Scrubber is perfect for tackling tough stains. To use, you simply fill the bottle attached to your spray mop with your floor cleaner of choice, squeeze the handle and mop away; there's minimal effort required.
What we don't like about it
While we can't complain about the price as it's still affordable, this mop is still more expensive than our other spray mop picks, most probably because it's two mops in one, essentially.
The best mop for wooden floors
The Bona Wood Floor Spray Mop is specifically designed to clean your hardwood, laminate or other wooden flooring with care.
What we like about it
Not so much the mop itself, but the solution it comes with needs its own shoutout as it's pH neutral, non-streaky and non-dulling. However, the two do work hand in hand. Both can be used on (sealed or unsealed) laminate, hardwood and even French-polished floors to keep them looking as good as new. The pads are also machine washable. Not only is it easy to use thanks to its trigger which sprays the solution on the area that needs cleaning, it's great value for money, and worth it because it makes such a mundane chore completely stress-free.
What we don't like about it
This mop is best used with Bona Wood Floor Cleaner, and the only downside is the fact that it can't be purchased in high street shops. However, it's worth noting that you could fill the bottle with your own cleaning product if need be, but that kind of defeats the point of purchasing the mop essentially. Also, you can bulk buy the cleaner in 4 litre bottles for an affordable price.
Things to note
This product comes with 850ml of Bona Wood Floor Cleaner included as well as a microfibre cleaning pad. Also, we feel the need to mention the fact that it has been used to clean places such as Westminster Cathedral, The British Museum, The National Gallery and Edinburgh Castle before. Also, they also sell another mop called the Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Floor Spray Mop which is ideal for those who have several types of flooring around their home.
The best steam mop
If you’re not keen on using harsh chemicals or you simply don’t want the additional expense, this steam mop uses water to sterilise your floors.
What we like about it
It takes just 30 seconds to heat up, it requires no cleaning solutions, is ideal for allergy sufferers and the microfibre pads that come with it are double sided. Ideal if you want to clean your kitchen and bathroom at the same time but don't want to use the same pad to do so. You can use it on all sealed hard floor surfaces from marble to laminate and also tiles, and it has a steam blaster mode to tackle those stubborn stains with ease.
What we don't like about it
If you've a large area to clean (or want to deep clean), 15 minutes may not be enough charge. Just something to think about. Also it's corded so be sure to check that there's a plug socket near your wherever you're cleaning (in the bathroom can sometimes be a pain to get to).
Things to note
A steam mop is suitable for using on most floors regularly, but to be on the safe side, should only be used intermittently on limestone or marble. Always check that the product is safe to be used on the type of flooring you have.
- Save on this product and more with our Shark discount codes
The best mop and bucket
"The Vileda Turbo is a brilliant all-round mop for a busy household. The pedal-operated wringer works really well and leaves just the right amount of moisture on the mop. The mop heads are super absorbent and easy to clean, and the bucket is sturdy and feels good quality. The only downside is the size - the bucket is pretty large, so it wouldn't be suitable for smaller homes with no pantry or utility to hide it away in." – Content Director, Real Homes
Inexpensive and convenient, the Vileda Easy Wring and Clean Turbo Microfibre mop and bucket combo is perfect for getting any mopping job done.
What we like about it
The bucket comes with a spout which makes it easier to empty, and the foot pedal aims to make it super easy to dry the mop out so you don't end up soaking your floors, and once you’re finished, mess is minimised. Not only is it simple and reliable, but the triangular shaped microfibre head is designed to make it easier to reach corners and pick up 20 per cent more dirt than a standard cotton mop head.
What we're not keen on
The mop handle does feel a little flimsy, but in terms of longevity, there's nothing to worry about.
Things to note
The head is easily machine washable or you can purchase an additional mop head whenever you require it. It also comes with the bucket included which features a water indicator to prevent overfilling.
The best robot mop
The iRobot Braava Jet 240 is the design to go for if you don’t want the time and effort of using a regular floor mop. To get the mop ready, all you have to do is fill up its water tank, pop in a mop head (either a single use or microfibre version) and you’re set. The mop works by using a mixture of vibration and pressure to clean floors.
What we like about it
We’re fans of pretty much everything about this mop – especially the fact that it’s very easy to operate. Once on, it will use its intelligent software to adjust how much water needs to be used, and how many vibrations are required to clean the floor type, which could be hardwood, tiles or stone. Spilled coffee? Using its jets, the machine can tackle the stain with ease.
The thing we love the most is how the machine knows where furniture is, and how to avoid it. You can select certain areas or rooms for it to stay away from, too – for example, the area near the dog’s bowls. The last thing we’re going to rave about is its battery life. It lasts for a whole two hours from one single charge so it can mop all you need it to in one go.
What we don’t like about it
There really isn’t anything we don’t like about this robot mop, but we’re very aware that the price tag doesn’t suit everyone. Stack its cost up against that of getting the cleaning done for you, though, and you might think it’s worth the investment.
Things to note
It does need to be charged, but it’s simple to do as the battery is removable and can be plugged into a wall socket.
The best eco-friendly mop
"Overall, it's a decent mop that has lasted a long time, and it cleans well whether you use a floor cleaner or just water. It is a little difficult to use it with a bucket because of the swivel head, and it performs better if you machine wash regularly." - Anna Cottrell, Consumer Editor at Real Homes
Looking for an eco-friendly mop? Your search is over. This E-cloth Deep Clean Mop requires no chemicals to leave your floors sparkling, just water to wet the microfibre mop head.
What we like about it
The mop itself is made from durable, lightweight aluminium and it has an adjustable handle spanning 1.5m for those hard to reach places. Said to remove over 99 per cent of bacteria from your floors, it's also recommended by Allergy UK. You can also buy different mop heads to use on it to save space storing another item. Those who have pets should opt for the duster mop head, which removes dust, fluff and hair from hard floors with ease. Eco-friendly cleaning at its finest.
What we don't like about it
We personally don't mind not using cleaning products as it's better for the environment, however, we can imagine there are some people who prefer using products for peace of mind that bacteria is being killed/eliminated. Also, it doesn't have a spray mechanism which makes your job slightly harder.
Things to note
You'll need to either purchase a bucket for water or a spray bottle and use it at the same time. Just something to think about price wise.
The best mop for vinyl floors
With an easy-wring handle and a super absorbent (and replaceable) sponge on the end, the OXO Good Grips mop is a bestseller for a reason. We think it's is one of the best floor mops to use on vinyl flooring, since you can wring it out so as not to accidentally soak your floors. That being said, it can obviously be used on other floor types including tiles and linoleum.
What we like about it
It's super easy to wring out, as oppose to other wring-style mops that basically require a workout to rinse water from the head. And thanks to its spongy head, this mop picks up dirt and wrings it out with help from its heavy-duty lever, giving you peace of mind that you're not just spreading it around your home. It also makes the mop head as dry (and as clean) as possible after each use, meaning your floors will dry in no time.
What we don't like about it
There's no spray mechanism and it doesn't come with a bucket, so you will need your own.
Things to note
It doesn't come with a change of head (they can be reused but eventually they'll break from wear and tear due to the fact they're sponge). It's also quite large, so may need a larger bucket than the one you currently have.
The best mop for Amtico flooring
This brilliant string mop is an ideal buy for keeping your Amtico flooring clean. They say that you should clean your Amtico flooring every now and again with a mop, only lightly, and this one will do just that.
What we like about it
With a flexible viscose head, this mop makes an easy job of cleaning corners and getting into those hard-to-reach spaces. It's easy to steer with a stable steel handle, and after use, you can throw the mop head in your washing machine at 60ºC. Just twist the mop head into the wringer to drain excess water and pour away dirty water with ease, using the bucket's spout. The softness of this mop's head ought to look after your Amtico flooring brilliantly, and the fact it can be wrung out properly means you won't risk soaking your lovely flooring.
Good to know
Obviously, you will have to carry a bucket around your home with you whilst cleaning, which can be a bit of a pain. Replacement mop heads are sold separately, while in the box comes a bucket with a wringer. The mop has an eyelet hole for hanging when storing.
The best wet and dry mop
"This double-sided mop is undeniably handy for cleaning and dusting your floors, although I will admit that it can sometimes be a pain since you need to charge it. Other than that, it's easy to use and easy to store – and you needn't buy cleaning fluid to use with it." – Annie Collyer, UK Shopping Editor at Real Homes
This brilliant mop from Beldray not only uses the power of salt and electricity to sanitise your floors, but it has a dual head for both wet and dry mopping. This means that you can go over your home once with the dry mop, and then a second time with the wet side and solution. For spotlessly clean results, requiring zero products and little effort – besides plugging the mop in for 5 minutes.
What we like about it
The convenience of not having to buy floor cleaner, or throw away plastic bottles of floor cleaner, is great when it comes to this mop. It also has a double head for both wet and dry mopping so you needn't buy two separate mops. It's pretty lightweight in terms of lugging up a staircase and once you've added the salt, plugged it in and pressed the button, it takes 5 minutes to do its thing. After that, this solution can kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria. This also makes it safe to use around pets and children since it's only water and salt, and the pad is washable after every use. The 400ml bottle is a pretty great size, too.
Good to know
It's not the best for quick clean-ups since you need to wait 5 minutes before it's ready for use. It also has to be plugged in before which can be a tad annoying. It can be used on pretty much every surface out there, although it is quite expensive for what it is. You can transform the water tank into a handheld spray with ease if you'd rather use that, or if you want to use this solution to spray your kitchen sides or whatnot.
The best plastic free mop
Been scouring the web for plastic-free mops (that also work well)? We've tried a bunch, and this is the one in our opinion.
What we like about it
If you want a truly plastic-free mop, this fits the bill: it's made from wood, galvanised steel, and cotton. It also feels nice and sturdy when you're using it. It's all a matter of preference, and if you like a thorough mopping session with a bucket, then this is a classic mop made from quality stuff that will do the job well.
What we don't like about it
There are no bells and whistles here – you'll have to wring this mop by hand. Also, the amount of plastic it comes wrapped in is appalling, and we do wish that it came with no packaging at all – it's a mop!
Things to note
With traditional mops, it's all about drying them properly afterwards: let you mop completely dry out before putting it back in the cupboard.
How we test the best mops
We've tested a range of these best mops inside our homes, on our floors that are used on a regular basis and made messy from children, pets, muddy shoes and more. So, rest assured we can give you our honest opinion on how they work. All of the mops we test will be used for a number of weeks inside our homes until we feel we are at a point to make a judgement. We try to test these mops on all flooring types, from lino to tiles and laminate.
Whilst testing these mops, we consider everything from size to price, manoeuvrability, ease of use, cleaning quality and most of all: does it do the job without soaking your floors? Scroll back up for our verdict.
What to consider before buying a mop?
Where to buy a mop...
Which material?
When you’re looking for the best floor mop, check the material of the mop head. The most popular choice is microfibre, as it's soft, hygienic and fast drying. Some mop heads are slightly abrasive and are made from stainless steel, plastic or microfibre. While these are excellent at removing stains and embedded dirt, they shouldn’t be used on limestone or marble as they’re too abrasive. Sponge is also a good choice as it's breathable and absorbent, and works well on flat untextured flooring.
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. Most mop heads are washing machine friendly too, giving them longevity (and, for you, cleaner floors), but do check first.
Weight
Important if you're less able or elderly, some mops can be weighty when loaded, so weigh that up (sorry) when you're buying. Note: spray mops might be heavier than classic mops, but you won't have the weight of the bucket to lug around.
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.
Do I need a mop or a broom?
The answer is: preferably both. However high-tech your mop, if your floor is full of debris, then you'll end up just smearing all that dirt around, and worse, potentially scratching your hard flooring as you go along. Ideally, you want a soft brush for hard flooring that will pick up larger bits of dirt and dust: then go in with the mop after that. If you can't afford both, then do a dry run with your mop first, then add water.
Mops, steam mops, and steam cleaners: which is better?
Very much like when looking for the best vacuum cleaners to clean carpets, there's such a variety of product types out there that it can be easy to get confused between them. Steam mops are a great option for hard floors that don't get very dirty and just need a weekly refresh – and they also eliminate the need for floor cleaner products. Just don't expect a steam mop to completely replace the occasional deep clean with a regular mop. Steam cleaners tend to be much more advanced (and many times more expensive) than mops, and usually can tackle all kinds of surfaces, from flooring to upholstery and even kitchen appliances. They do tend to be fairly heavy, so bear that in mind.
How often should I mop my floors?
Other sites may say you only need to mop your floors once every two weeks, but we say, do it whenever it’s needed. It’ll depend on whether you have pets, children and how many people come in and out of your house a week, after all. If you’re looking for a number, our tip is to mop your floors once a week, or after each time you vacuum. Of course, some weeks you may want to clean twice if have people coming over. We get it.
How often should I replace a 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.
DIY floor cleaner recipes
There are two main DIY floor cleaners that you can use with most floor mops – it is important not to use the all-floor cleaner on wood floors. For cleaning wood floors, simply dilute some Castile soap in hot water. It has to be the real stuff, made from olive oil. Don't use neat olive oil, as it's likely to ruin your expensive mop. For all other floor types, use the following:
1. Plain dish soap without enzymes, bleach, or colouring;
2. White vinegar, about 200ml;
3. Vodka or rubbing alcohol, 250ml Dilute in a bucket of hot water.
You're good to go on tile, vinyl, laminate, and pretty much any type of mop.
