Best mop: 10 top buys for squeaky clean floors

Remember the days when the best mop was the only mop on sale at your local supermarket? They all were pretty much the same and not much fun to use – heavy, easy to break, and heavy after being soaked in a bucket. Now, though, it's a completely different story: mops can spray water for you; they can wring themselves, or even sanitize your floor with hot steam. Cleaning floors has just got that little bit more fun.

So which mop should you choose? From spray mops to sponge mops, we researched and reviewed the top mops so your floors will be gleaming in no time. Read on for our in-depth reviews.

Dirty carpets, too? Check out our guide to buying the best vacuum.

If you're after one of the more expensive mops on our list, It's Black Friday very soon, and they will be on sale. Keep checking this page for reduced prices. 

The best mop 2020

Inexpensive and convenient, the O'Cedar Easy Wring Spin Mop is is a classic string mop with some thoughtful upgrades. 

What we like about it 

The built-in wringer, controlled by a foot pedal, makes it super easy to dry the mop out so you don't end up soaking your floors. And once you’re finished, that efficient wringing helps minimize any residual mess. 

Not only is it simple and reliable, but the triangle-shaped microfiber head is designed to make it easier to get into corners and pick up 20 percent more dirt than a standard cotton mop head. Also: The microfiber material sops up 99 percent of bacteria with just water. 

Things to note

The head is easily machine washable, or you can purchase an additional mop head whenever you need it. The bucket is included as part of the set, and features a water indicator to prevent overfilling. 

The O'Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop mop offers the very best in spot cleaning for hard floors: robust, durable, and easy to operate, it's the best floor mop for everyday spray cleaning.

What we like about it

This mop is durable, makes cleaning easy, and has a trigger right in the handgrip to release cleaning solution, helping you target tough stains for maximum impact. The microfiber pad lifts dirt off the floor rather than pushing it around and is machine washable. The water cartridge is very easy to refill, and the pivoting mop head not only makes it easy to flip the double-sided microfiber head from one side to the other, it also allows you to easily clean corners and under furniture.

Things to note

While this mop doesn't come with any extra features, it is affordable and very robust — so we can't really complain. We've had ours for two years running and it's still going strong.

If you’re not into using harsh chemicals to sanitize your floors, the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop sterilizes them with water only.

What we like about it

This mop takes just 30 seconds to heat up and, because it requires no cleaning solutions, is ideal for allergy sufferers. The microfiber pads that come with it are double-sided — an ideal setup 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 the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop on all sealed hard floor surfaces from marble to laminate and also tiles, and it has a steam blaster mode to tackle stubborn stains with ease. Please note: Hardwood floors are too porous for steam mops, so don't use a steam mop like this on your wood flooring.

Things to note

If you have a large area to clean (or want to deep clean), the 15-20 minutes this mop lasts before you need to refill the tank may not be enough. Just something to think about. Also, the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop is corded — so be sure to check that there's an electrical socket near wherever you'll be cleaning.

Also, always verify that a steam product (or any cleaning product) is safe for use on the type of flooring you have. A steam mop is suitable for using on most floors regularly, but as already mentioned it should not be used on hardwood floors, and to be on the safe side it should only be used intermittently on limestone or marble. 

With an easy-wring handle and a super-absorbent (and replaceable) 10" sponge on the end, this classic Casabella mop is an oldie but a goodie. We think it's one of the best floor mops if you regularly deep clean.

What we like about it

First of all, the Casabella original mop is made from steel — so it's both durable and rust-resistant. It's also super-easy to wring out, as opposed to other wring-style mops that turn rinsing water from the mop head into a serious workout. 

This mop's spongy head picks up dirt like nobody's business, and a heavy-duty lever mounted on the mop's handle/shaft makes it easy to wring the mop head out, giving you peace of mind that you're not just spreading grime around your home. This also ensures the mop head is as dry (and as clean) as possible after each use.

Things to note

The Casabella original mop only comes with one mop head. Yhey can be reused, but being made of sponge means that eventually they'll break down from simple wear and tear; so it's worth keeping at least one extra sponge on hand. Other than that, this fuss-free mop is amazing.

The iRobot Braava Jet 240 is the design to go for if you don’t want to spend time mopping your home. 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 head or a reusable microfiber 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 it uses, and how many vibrations are required to clean your floor. It automatically senses floor types including hardwood, tiles, or stone. Spilled coffee? The iRobot Braava's jets tackle almost any stain with ease. 

The thing we love the most about this robot mop is how it senses where your furniture is, then automatically avoids it. You can select certain areas or rooms for it to stay away from, too — for example, the area near the dog’s food and water bowls. The last thing we’re going to rave about is its battery life. It lasts for a whole two hours from a single charge, so it can mop all you need it to in one fell swoop.

Things to note

The iRobot Braava Jet 240 does need to be charged, but that's as simple as removing the battery and plugging it into a wall socket. 

Looking for an eco-friendly mop? Your search is over. This E-cloth Deep Clean Mop requires no chemicals to leave your floors sparkling clean. The only thing it needs is enough water to wet the microfiber mop head. 

What we like about it

The mop itself is made from durable, lightweight aluminum, with a telescoping handle that extends up to 63" for those hard-to-reach places. It's also said to remove over 99 percent of bacteria from your floors, using nothing but water — no chemicals needed. You can also buy different mop heads to tackle specific problem areas. If you have pets, there's a special duster mop head to efficiently remove dust, fluff and hair from hard floors. 

All in all, we find this chemical-free, reusable E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop to be eco-friendly cleaning at its finest.

Things to note

You'll need to either purchase a bucket for water or use a spray bottle to wet the floor.

The Bona Hardwood Floor Spray Mop is specifically designed to clean your hardwood, laminate or other wooden flooring with care. 

What we like about it

We like this mop's machine-washable cleaning pads and an easy-use trigger that sprays cleaning solution out of a cartridge-load reservoir. It's a great value for the money, and we love that it turns a chore as mundane as mopping into something completely stress-free.

This mop is meant to work hand-in-hand with refillable cartridges of Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, and that solution deserves its own shoutout for being pH-neutral, non-streaky and non-dulling. It's safe for use on all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane-finished wood floors. 

Things to note

This mop is best used with Bona Wood Floor Cleaner, and the only downside is the fact that you might not find it in your local grocery store (though more specialty retailers like The Home Depot and Bed, Bath & Beyond stock it). 

However, it's worth noting that the mop comes with a refillable cartridge of this specialty cleaner to get you started, and once it's empty you can always choose to fill the bottle with your own cleaning product. We still recommend using the Bona Cleaner because it's one of the best options around for hardwood floors, and you can buy it in bulk bottles of up to 160 oz. 

We also feel the need to mention the fact that the Bona Hardwood Floor Spray Mop has been used to clean places such as Westminster Cathedral, The National Portrait Gallery, Nike Headquarters, and the Singapore Art Museum. How's that for a series of distinguished endorsements? 

The same company also sells another mop called the Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Spray Mop which is ideal for those who have several types of flooring around their home.

Designed with dual functionality, the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Spray Mop is just what you need to clean various floor surfaces, including those areas that are often considered hard-to-reach.

What we like about it

This mop's large, microfiber pad makes everyday mopping easier than ever. It also sprays the cleaning solution of your choice; just fill the reservoir and squeeze the handle to activate the spray.

But the really clever part of the OXO Good Grips mop is its slide-out scrubber, which is perfect for tackling tough stains or getting into hard-to-reach places. It's designed so that you can easily detach the large mop head, hands-free, which leaves a sturdy scrubber attached to your mop handle. Scrub away at the tough spots, then slide scrubber — and handle — back into place in the mop head. 

Things to note

If you like this mop as much as we do, check out a lookalike for its scrubber insert, the OXO Good Grips Extendable Tile Scrubber, for keeping your bathroom clean.

Been scouring the web for plastic-free mops that also work well? Although we haven't been able to find a completely plastic-free model, the Full Circle mop comes very close — and all its plastic content is from recycled sources.

What we like about it 

Firstly, the eco-friendly credentials: the handle on this mop is made from bamboo, which is a sustainable and biodegradable material. The head attachment is made from recycled plastic, and the microfiber mop head is machine-washable. 

But an eco-friendly mop isn't worth much if it doesn't do its job well. Happily, users report that the Full Circle mop is easy to use, lightweight, and works particularly well on wooden floors.

Things to note

Bamboo is sturdy stuff. But we've seen a few concerns that if you get too rough with this mop, the handle can snap.

The Tineco iFloor 3 isn't technically a mop — it's a cordless floor washer or wet/dry vacuum. This relatively new category combines the tasks of a mop and vacuum cleaner into one, making light work of keeping your wood floors or other hard surfaces dust- and dirt-free.

What we like about it

The best part about this floor-washer is how effortless it is when compared to traditional mopping. We've been known to break a sweat while mopping the floors, but the Tineco doesn't take much elbow grease. 

This floor washer reminds us of a carpet cleaner for hardwood floors, in that it has a clean water tank that you fill with water and cleaning solution, and a dirty water tank that fills up as you mop. Another one of our favorite parts about the iFloor3 is seeing just how much grime ends up in the dirty water tank, even after cleaning our floors with a different mop just hours earlier. 

Things to note

Since it's cordless, the iFloor 3 does need to be charged — so you'll need a closet or out-of-the-way spot to house it on the charger when not in use. We like that this device comes with a power-saving mode designed to tackle average jobs while preserving battery life.

We also found that, when cleaning multiple rooms with hardwood floors, the water tanks needed to be emptied/filled multiple times. However, that empty/refill process was still easier than wringing out a mop every few minutes.

What is the best mop?

We think the best mop you can buy is the O'Cedar Easy Wring and Clean Turbo Microfiber Mop and Bucket Set, however, if you're after a spray mop, we think the ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop — also by O'Cedar — is a good choice. Keep scrolling for the full reviews.

How to buy the best mop

There are lots of different types of mops. The more complex the design, the more you can expect to pay for it. When you're calculating costs, don't forget to factor in the cost of replacement mop heads. Here are the main types of mop:

• Flat mops or spray mops have a spray mechanism inside; they may use either a single-use, disposable cleaning pad or a washable, reusable pad.
• String mops tend to be made of cotton or microfiber. These are durable, and some come in spin versions that wring as much water out of the mop head as possible. Heads up, this type of mop also requires 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, or to dry-mop your floors. 
• Steam mops are the best option if you're after something to help you deep clean and sanitize, although they do come at a higher price.

Which material?

The material in your mop head can make a big difference in your cleaning results. The most popular choice is microfiber, as it's soft, hygienic and fast-drying; microfiber mop heads generally do a great job of swooping up dirt, water, and bacteria.

If you're dealing with tough, stuck-on stains, you may need a slightly more abrasive mop head to help with scrubbing. These may be made from stainless steel, plastic or microfiber. While these are excellent at removing stains and embedded dirt, they shouldn’t be used on limestone, marble, or hardwood floors; they’re just too rough. 

Sponge mops are also a great choice if you're dealing with smooth, flat flooring; it's hard to beat their absorbency and gentle scrubbing power. However, keep in mind that any sponge mop head will eventually wear down and need to be replaced. 

Most non-sponge mop heads are machine-washable, which means you can reuse them many times. Of course, there's the extra security of knowing you're starting with a clean mop, too. With that said, always double-check to make sure your mop head is meant to go into the washing machine.

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, choose a spray mop for a faster finish; these mops-without-buckets also cut down on the amount of storage space you need. 

Spray mops have a built-in bottle that you fill with a mix of hot or warm water and your chosen floor cleaner. Once that'd done, using the mop is as simple as squeezing the trigger (usually built into the handle or hand-grip) to dispense the cleaning solution, then scrubbing away.

Weight

While weight might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about mops, it can be important if you have mobility or hand issues. Some spray mops, in particular, can feel heavy when loaded — but then again, using a spray mop saves you the strain of lugging a water-filled bucket around or, worse, trying to empty it when you're done. Keep those considerations in mind as you shop for a mop.

Extra features

Some mops come with a free bucket, extra mop heads, or other accessories that can be useful for cleaning your home. But eventually those freebie replacement mop heads will run out, so always check much it'll cost to buy your own. 

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 or E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop. This is because 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 is the best mop to clean laminate floors?

A spray mop is the best choice for cleaning laminate floors. This is because laminate floors aren’t generally water-resistant, and a spray mop gives you fine control over the amount of water that ends up on your floor. We suggest the OXO GoodGrips Spray Mop, the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop or even the iRobot Braava Jet 240.

What is the best mop to clean linoleum floors?

The key to washing linoleum floors, much like others, is to not soak them. Using the O'Cedar Easy Wring and Clean Turbo Microfiber Mop, you can make your mop head as dry as you like. Another good option for linoleum floors is the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop.

What is the best mop for cleaning tile floors?

Since tile floors are usually either non-porous or sealed, you have more option when it comes to choosing the best mop. Our top-pick O'Cedar Easy Wring is a great choice, as is the Shark Steam Pocket Mop.

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 or you've got small children living with you. We get it.

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 after two to three years of use, depending on how worn it is. 

DIY floor cleaner recipes to use with our mops

There are two main DIY floor cleaners that you can use with most floor mops — one for wood floors, and another for everything else. Heads up: It's very important that you don't use the all-floor cleaner on wood floors. 

For cleaning wood floors, simply dilute some Castile soap in hot water. Make sure you get the "real deal" Castile soap, which should be made from olive oil. But don't use straight olive oil, as that'll probably ruin your expensive mop.

For all other floor types, use the following: 

1. Plain dish soap without enzymes, bleach, or coloring;
2. White vinegar, about 6-7oz.
3. Rubbing alcohol, 8-9oz. Dilute in a bucket of hot water. 

Mix those ingredients together, add the mop of your choice, and you're good to go on tile, vinyl, and laminate.

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