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Oct 29, 2024

The Best Mops We've Ever Tested

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Whether you prefer a traditional mop and bucket or an electric spin mop, these

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Whether you prefer a traditional mop and bucket or an electric spin mop, these picks will get your floors sparkling clean.

In This Article

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

With the right mop, achieving spotless floors can be satisfyingly simple. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly mop with disposable pads or a high-quality electric mop for hardwood floors, we found the best mops for every household's needs after bouts of rigorous testing.

To determine the best mops in different categories, we tested 91 options in our Des Moines lab and at home, evaluating them on type, size, weight, price, floor compatibility, and accessories. We also consulted four experts: Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids & A Mop; Nathaly Vieira, a cleaning expert and founder of InspireClean; Chi Ip, a cleaning expert and owner of Tidy Here; and Vera Peterson, group president at Neighborly.

It has excellent maneuverability and a convenient wringing feature.

The instructions could use some clarity and the bucket can be a bit heavy once it’s filled with water.

As our pick for the best overall mop, we love the Bosheng Flat Floor Mop’s maneuverability and convenient wringing feature that makes it easy to wash and maintain. In our testing, we were impressed with how well it absorbed and cleaned wet and dry messes. Our favorite part of this mop was the bucket—it has two openings, one for rinsing and one for drying, each with scraping blades to thoroughly clean the microfiber pad. We also love this mop's versatility—you can also use it to clean baseboards and windows thanks to its lightweight frame and 360-degree rotating head.

The only downsides we noticed during testing are that the instructions weren't straightforward and the bucket was heavy once filled with water (especially if going up stairs). Still, we easily overlooked these flaws thanks to this mop’s overall stellar performance and handy wringing feature, making it a breeze to clean and maintain.

Type: Flat mop and bucket | Handle Length: 48.6 inches | Weight: 3.87 pounds

Real Simple / Jessica Juliao

This lightweight pick has disposable mop pads.

It’s not suitable for heavy-duty messes.

The Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry + Wet Starter Kit comes at an impressively reasonable price, but still keeps your floors clear of light spills and debris. During testing, the lightweight design maneuvered well under furniture and in tight spots.

We also liked how effective it was on light spills and dry messes. For this reason, we think it's ideal for quick daily cleaning without much maintenance or prep. The disposable pads were easy to remove and replace (this kit includes 19 refills), ensuring a sanitary clean every time. The dry pads trap dirt and dust, while the wet pads wipe up footprints and liquid spills. Although this mop is suited to various surfaces, it’s not as effective on heavy-duty messes. We recommend this pick as a budget-friendly mop for those who live in small spaces or prefer light daily cleaning.

Type: Flat mop | Handle Length: 48 inches | Weight: 1.14 pounds

Real Simple / Jessica Juliao

It can get in between the seams of hardwood and laminate floors.

The mop pad struggles to effectively absorb oils.

Your hardwood floors need special care and maintenance, which is why we love the Bona Premium Spray Mop. This mop has an extra large microfiber mop pad that swiftly cleans large surfaces and targets the spaces between plank flooring. During our testing, the mop pad didn’t absorb oil and butter as well as other stains, but with a few extra sprays of the cleaning solution, the issue was mostly resolved. We also liked that the cleaning solution sprays in a wide, even area almost as large as the mop, and that the head swivels for maneuverability around nooks and crannies.

Unlike other mop pads that might move around as you clean, this pick stays attached thanks to a hook-and-loop closure. The mop pads are also machine washable, and each kit includes a spray mop, a reusable mop pad, a cleaning solution bottle, and a refill of the EPA Safer Choice-certified cleaning concentrate. Compared to our older Bona model, this one boasts a stronger spray output and larger mop head, allowing it to tackle bigger areas more quickly. We were also pleased to find that the mop heads endured no shrinkage post wash,

After six months of weekly use, this mop is working just as well as it did on day one. The spray solution remains effective, it has maintained its maneuverability, and nothing has broken off. Additionally, this mop has excellent portability (with a small hook at the top of the handle that allows you to hang it up for easy storage) and doesn’t drip or leak when you pick it up or move it around.

Type: Spray mop | Handle Length: 51.5 inches | Weight: 5.8 pounds

The handheld steamer attachment effectively cleans grout.

You'll need to refill the tanks fairly often.

Tile floors and grout are notoriously challenging to deep clean. During testing, the Hoover Steam Complete Pet Steam Mop was our favorite mop for tile and grout, as it completely removed various stains from dirt to syrup. We liked that this mop heated up almost immediately (within approximately 5 seconds), that the controls were intuitive and easy to operate, and that it never leaked when we left it in place or carried it around. We were also surprised by how light this mop was even when we filled the two-tank system with water. The mop’s cool-down was also quick, making it easy to disassemble and clean.

Depending on the surface, we found this mop fairly easy to maneuver. While it moved a bit slowly on our floors, the handheld function proved more agile, effectively navigating nooks and crannies. We've used it to clean spills around our stove top and microwave, loosening the grime so that we only had to run a wet rag over it afterward. Plus, the handheld steamer is also suitable for upholstery, appliances, and windows.

After six months of use, we've noticed no changes in quality. In fact, we've gotten better at using the mop over time. Our only complaint involves the low-capacity water tanks. Due to their small size, we had to refill them even for smaller tasks. Although the process of refilling was simple, the frequent breaks may disrupt your cleaning flow.

Type: Steam mop | Handle Length: Not specified | Weight: 6.8 pounds

It has the longest handle of any product on our list.

The mop pads aren’t as effective at absorbing liquid messes.

There are few things more frustrating than bits of dust, pet hair, crumbs, and other debris left behind after sweeping. Dry mops like the Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop collect debris instead of pushing it around the floor. We love this pick for its long handle and large microfiber pad that clings to dry messes. In our testing, we noticed that it was streaky when used as a traditional mop (plus, the flat mop pads aren’t meant to be wrung out), but did a great job picking up debris like dust and spices.

If you already have a reliable mop or want to upgrade your broom, this pick is an excellent addition to your cleaning arsenal. It’s lightweight and slim, so it doesn’t take up too much space, and the microfiber pads are machine washable. We also like that the handle is long enough to reach the ceiling and window corners.

Type: Flat mop | Handle Length: 6 feet | Weight: 3.65 pounds

The slide-out scrubber is great for tough messes.

The handle is not adjustable.

Spray mops, like the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Spray Mop, make cleaning floors almost effortless. It performed impressively across our Lab tests, especially when we used the handy slide-out scrubber for stuck-on messes. We particularly loved how efficiently the mop cleaned everything, from ketchup to butter on grout and hardwood floors (although we did need to use the scrubber a few times). We also like how portable and lightweight it is. While it does not fold or disassemble into a more compact size, it’s slim enough to store just about anywhere.

While OXO offers mop pad refills for this spray mop (it includes one mop head and a cleaning solution bottle), we found that the pads held up well after six months of use, looking good as new after washing them by hand and in the washing machine. Thanks to their durability, you won't have to repurchase pads very often. This spray mop also maneuvers well under furniture and in hard-to-reach spots, but it’s important to note that it does not have an adjustable handle. Still, we were impressed with this spray mop’s reliability and effectiveness on all floor types and messes.

Type: Spray mop | Handle Length: 53 inches | Weight: 3.29 pounds

It has a convenient wringing and squeegee feature.

It has limited maneuverability, and replacing the sponge can be challenging.

If you don’t want to manually scrub your floor with a sponge to remove tough stains, opt for the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Butterfly Mop. This lightweight mop has a built-in lever on the handle so you can easily wring out dirty water without getting your hands dirty or spreading stains and messes on your floor.

While it was difficult to maneuver during testing, we were still impressed with its cleaning power and easy-to-use wringing feature. This mop also does not include sponge refills, and removing the sponge from the mop head requires some work. Still, this mop is great for bathroom floors and cleaning up messes where a sponge would be most effective.

Type: Sponge mop | Handle Length: 50 inches | Weight: 1 pound

It wipes up a variety of messes with little effort.

The handle retracts as you clean, and the microfibers stick together after washing.

One of the most time-consuming parts of mopping is manually wringing the mop head. Our pick for the best spin mop eliminates that task so you can focus your efforts on cleaning. The O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop System impressed us during our testing, as it easily removed various stains from grouted and hardwood floors. It has a two-tank system—one for continuously refilling fresh water from the outer bucket and the other with a foot pedal-powered spinning wringer to keep the mop head clean and dry. We also liked the triangle-shaped base of the mop head, which made it easy to maneuver into tight corners.

Throughout testing, this mop effectively removed stubborn kitchen stains, dirt, and scuffs with ease. While we've tried it with essential oils, white vinegar, and soap, we suggest using it with just water to avoid any streakiness. Just keep in mind that your floors may take longer to dry after using this mop than with a steam mop, though this is to be expected.

The mop head is made of highly absorbent microfiber, which extends the time between mopping and wringing out the mop (although we recommend wringing it out frequently to avoid spreading stains and debris). However, after six months of use, we observed that the fibers stick together after laundering. We also grew a bit frustrated by the handle, which kept retracting as we mopped. Despite these grievances, and the fact that this model doesn't have wheels, we still think it’s one of the best spin mops for regular cleaning.

Type: Spin mop | Handle Length: Up to 51 inches | Weight: 6.69 pounds

It’s battery powered and works effectively on various floor types.

It cannot thoroughly clean grout.

The Bissell SpinWave Cordless Hard Floor Spin Mop has two battery-powered rotating mop heads to thoroughly scrub your floor with little elbow grease needed. This spin mop comes with four machine-washable mop pads (two microfiber pads and two scrubbing pads), a charging adaptor, a storage tray, and two small bottles of cleaning solution, so you have everything you need to get your floors sparkling.

Although the handle is not adjustable, during testing it was set at a comfortable height to maneuver it easily. We were impressed with its performance on hardwood floors, laminate, tile, linoleum, and other sealed hard floors. We only had to spray a small amount of solution to remove most stains, with the exception of some mud that remained in the grout.

After six months of use, this mop is still exceeding our expectations. Despite its higher price tag, we think it’s worth it for those who want an efficient electric spinning mop that does most of the deep cleaning for you.

Type: Electric spin mop | Handle Length: 45 inches | Weight: 11 pounds

It removed a variety of stains quickly and easily.

The mop head flips up when cleaning extra sticky messes.

Steam mops are best for cleaning and disinfecting without the use of harsh chemicals. Our pick for the best steam mop is the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop for its impressive cleaning power, reasonable price, and handy included attachments and accessories. During testing, it effectively removed all types of stains, from chocolate milk to syrup, on many floor types. The mop is lightweight and easy to maneuver, and we also liked that it quickly heated and cooled. If you want this steam mop for particularly sticky and stuck-on messes, keep in mind that the mop head flips up slightly (for us, however, this wasn’t a deal breaker).

In addition to the included handheld steamer, which you can use on clothing and upholstery, the 10-piece accessory kit includes small brushes, a squeegee, a nozzle, and a scraper so you can steam hard-to-reach crevices. We also like that the handle has a hook that keeps the cord out of the way as you clean.

After six months of use, this mop is performing as well as it did when we took it out of the box. The intensity dial still works perfectly, and we've noticed a significant difference between the high and low settings. Overall, we think this is a great value, especially considering all the extra attachments and high-quality performance.

Type: Steam mop | Handle Length: 50 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds

It effectively cleans rugs, carpets, and hard flooring.

It’s loud, heavy, and the long cord may get in the way.

Vacuum mops are great for cleaning hard surface flooring, rugs, and carpets, and the Bissell CrossWave Wet Dry Vac is no exception. In our testing, it had quick and efficient cleaning power and maneuverability, making smaller and larger tasks a breeze. The mop head did struggle a bit navigating tight crevices, but we think its power makes up for it.

This pick has dual water tanks for clean and dirty water, a motorized brush roll to pick up debris and minimize tangled hair, and LED lights to illuminate dark spots while you clean. We like that there is a handle on the plastic debris filter, making it easy to pull out and dump the water. That said, you may still need to touch the debris if it gets tangled.

After six months of use, we've noticed no changes in quality or performance. The mop still works well on various surfaces including grouted floors, laminate, and hardwood. While there have been some setbacks—like its cumbersome, long cord, heavy design, and high noise level—they weren’t deal breakers for us. This vacuum mop cleaned up messes in under 30 seconds and dried immediately, so if you want to invest in an efficient vacuum mop, this pick is for you.

Type: Vacuum mop | Handle Length: Not specified | Weight: 11 pounds

Our top pick is the Bosheng Flat Floor Mop & Bucket Set for its maneuverability and bucket with convenient wringing feature. If you want a less expensive mop that is great for light spills and messes, we recommend the Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry + Wet Starter Kit—though you will need to purchase new pads once you run out.

To find the best mops on the market, we tested 91 popular options in our Des Moines lab and at home. We tested different types of mops to account for their unique features and functionality, but the testing process overall remained similar. All of our tests aimed to evaluate the mops’ effectiveness, portability, maneuverability, ease of cleaning, and overall value.

For all mops we tested, we first assessed how easy they were to set up and/or assemble. With steam mops, we filled the tank with water and set it to its highest mode, recording how long it took to heat up.

To evaluate the mops' effectiveness, we created messes using spices, potting soil, water, apple juice, butter, mustard, and canola oil, often allowing the stains to dry to replicate stubborn, stuck-on messes. We also tested on different floor types, including hardwood, tile, laminate, concrete, and grouted floors.

Then we cleaned these messes, noting how many passes were needed to capture every last bit of debris. We evaluated the mops' maneuverability, too—we moved all flat mops, spin mops, and spray mops around a mock dining area to simulate cleaning in real-world conditions, assessing whether the mops could easily reach into crevices, around corners, and under furniture.

If the mops had reusable or removable attachments, we cleaned them and noted whether any stains were left behind and how easy it was to maintain the mop after each use. Finally, we left the mops to dry for 24 hours—when we returned, we checked whether they were dry and if the mop had any residual odor. For long-term insights, we brought the mops home with us, evaluating their performance after two and six months of real-world use.

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

The most popular types of mops have different functions and features, and deciding on the best one for you can depend on a few factors, including your budget, lifestyle requirements, floor type, and the kinds of messes you regularly clean.

“When shopping for a mop, make sure the mop is safe for the type of flooring you have,” ​​says Peterson. “Some steam mops, for instance, can penetrate some types of flooring and be easily damaged.”

The size and weight of your mop mainly depend on your space, storage limitations, stairs, and mobility. Vieira recommends considering the size and weight of your mop to ensure that it’s comfortable and easy to use. For those with limited storage space or small apartments, opt for a compact pick like flat mops, spray mops, string mops, or sponge mops. Those with ample space or large homes can opt for a heavy-duty option like vacuum mops or steam mops.

Mops often come with attachments and accessories, such as scraping tools and brushes, to thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas or tough, stuck-on messes. Despite increasing the overall cost of your mop, Ip says additional accessories can help enhance performance.

That said, it's worth nothing that certain features are better suited for certain floor types. "Be mindful of mops with plastic scrubbing nubs,” says Cohoon. “These are ideal for scrubbing grout or loosening dirt on more rugged stone floors but can scratch hardwood and other more delicate floors if not used properly."

Swiffer PowerMop Multi-Surface Kit: If you’re looking for a lightweight spray mop with disposable mop pads, the Swiffer PowerMop may be the right fit. Each mop pad has more than 300 tiny scrubbing strips that clean dust, grime, and sticky messes, which target stains on hardwood and tile floors with just a couple of sprays. Though this spray mop may not fit under narrow spaces, its cleaning power is worth it.

Ip and Vieira agree that spin mops are the favorite mop type among cleaning experts for their convenient wringing feature, easy maintenance, reusability, and compatibility with most floor types. Ip and Peterson also recommend steam mops because they can clean and disinfect without harsh chemicals. “Steam mops offer ease of use and sanitize floors without chemicals, which is a big plus,” says Peterson. That said, it’s worth noting that some floors, like hardwood, are too sensitive for a steam mop and require mops made specifically for hardwood floors.

Investing in a high quality mop is your best bet for an effective cleaning tool that lasts, according to Vieira. More expensive mops are often higher quality, so they can last for years and keep your floors sparkling longer.

“Higher quality mops have better absorbency, meaning they can soak up more of the dirt and debris that accumulates on floors,” Vieira says. “A good quality mop is not just an investment in cleanliness, it can also save money in the long run as it will require fewer replacements.”

Depending on the mop type, its quality, and how often you use it, Vieira says a mop can last anywhere between six months and two years. Regular care and maintenance for certain mops, such as vacuum or electric spin mops, can extend their lifespan.

This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Real Simple with three years of experience writing lifestyle content and product reviews, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list, we tested 91 mops in our Lab. We also consulted Nathaly Vieira, cleaning expert and founder of InspireClean; Chi Ip, cleaning expert and owner of Tidy Here; Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids & A Mop; and Vera Peterson, group president at Neighborly.

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.