We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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You wouldn't think it would be that hard to choose a tool for simple cleaning duties, but not all mops work for every mess. Picking the right mop for your needs can help make cleaning up messes and spills a lot more efficient.
A good mop will help you achieve a spotless home, and you won't mind pulling it out when something needs to be cleaned up. Contrary to popular belief, mops don't simply move dirty water around. Not if you choose a good, quality mop and follow some no-nonsense cleaning tips.
Our guide provides all of that and more to help you get your floors sparkling clean. We think the O-Cedar RinseClean Spin Mop & Bucket System is a convenient, easy-to-use option for most people's needs. It features two separate tanks, one for dirty water and one for clean, to help make your floors look and feel fantastic.
Editors’ Favorite
Mop Type: Spin | Mop Width: 10” in diameter | Handle Length: 48” to 51” | Mop Cloths: Washable
More than just a mop, the O-Cedar RinseClean is a complete system that simplifies cleaning all types of hard flooring. It features a mop with a round microfiber mop head that easily glides across floors and reaches tight spaces for safe and effective cleaning. It’s reusable and machine-washable, too, which saves money.
This mop comes with its own unique bucket that has two tanks: one for clean water and one for rinse water for removing dirt and residue. What’s more, the built-in spin system is foot-pedal operated, so you can remove excess water from the mop without bending over or touching it.
The handle of the RinseClean mop is also convenient, as it’s telescoping and can adjust up to 51 inches in length for comfort and leverage during use. We think the comprehensive feature set makes this one of the best mops on the market.
Great Value
Mop Type: Battery-powered spray | Mop Width: 15” | Handle Length: 28.47” | Mop Cloths: Disposable
With a recognizable name and a user-friendly design, the Swiffer PowerMop is a must-have tool for keeping hard floors clean without breaking your budget. Powered by just two AA batteries, this inexpensive mop has a pump that delivers the cleaning solution with the touch of a button. It’s safe to use on all hard flooring and leaves behind a fresh scent with the included cleaning solution.
The PowerMop features a wide mop top that works with disposable pads that have scrubbing strips and multiple layers that lock in dirt for reliable cleaning. The swiveling design makes it simple to clean around furniture, walls and other objects. You’ll also appreciate the grip on the handle that provides comfort while you clean.
When it’s time to add more Swiffer PowerMop cleaning solution, you’ll find a selection of six options with delightful scents. Each one lasts for multiple cleanings. Additionally, you’ll find the solution in two-packs and the mop-top replacements in multipacks to help you save money on your hard-floor cleaning needs.
Best for Hardwood Floors
Mop Type: Manual spray | Mop Width: 17 inches | Handle Length: 50 inches | Mop Cloths: Washable
Gentle yet effective, the Bona Hardwood Floor Spray Mop is an excellent choice for cleaning hardwood floors. It's a manual model that sprays Bona’s cleaner by pushing a button. In addition to being available at a budget-friendly price, the cleaning solution is made with 95% biobased ingredients for safe yet effective cleaning of wood floors.
The microfiber cleaning cloth that comes with this mop is gentle enough to use all types of hardwood and other floors. It’s soft yet durable and can be washed and reused time and again.
Lightweight and easy to maneuver, this mop has a 50-inch handle with a coated grip for added comfort. The mop head is 17 inches wide, so you can cover large swaths of flooring with each push. To help get you started, one cartridge of cleaning solution is included and contains 34 ounces of cleaner.
Best Steam Mop
Mop Type: Steam | Mop Width: 12 inches | Handle Length: 46.06 inches | Mop Cloths: Washable
When it comes to serious cleaning, the Shark SteamSpot Steam Mop is designed to impress. While it produces consistent, powerful steam, the electric-powered SteamSpot gets its name from targeted steam technology that delivers a boost of extra steam when it’s needed for stubborn messes, dirt and stains. Although powerful, it’s safe to use on all types of hard flooring.
The SteamSpot doesn’t require a cleaning solution, as the steam it produces sanitizes and kills up to 99.9% of germs. It has three steam modes for different cleaning needs. The removable tank simplifies refills and is easy to clean. What’s more, it comes with a dirt grip and a scrub pad that are washable and last through numerous cleanings.
Despite being powerful, this steam mop is easy to maneuver. It weighs around 5 pounds and has a swivel head that glides around objects and tight spaces easily for hassle-free cleaning.
Best for Washable Pads
Mop Type: Manual spray | Mop Width: 16.5” | Handle Length: 48” | Mop Cloths: Washable
No batteries and no electricity are needed to clean your hard floors with the Rubbermaid Reveal mop and cleaning kit. This budget-friendly bundle includes the mop, a bottle for cleaner and three reusable and washable mop pads, making it one of the best mops available in terms of value.
It’s easy to use, too. By filling the bottle with your favorite floor cleaning solution, attaching it to the mop and pulling the trigger on the handle, you can clean your floors fast and effectively.
In addition to being lightweight and highly maneuverable, this mop has a 16.5-inch cleaning path to tackle your floor cleaning tasks in minutes. The mop head pivots to reach most areas, including tights spots around objects. And at 48 inches in length with a padded grip, the handle is comfortable to hold while you work.
BestReviews started with 30 models when we set out to find the best mops to recommend to shoppers. We looked at different types, including spray, manual and steam, and noted the width of the mop heads and length of the handles. We also consulted with our cleaning expert to assess features that users need. These included handles, materials, mop tops and weight.
We took into account the durability of each mop and whether you would need to purchase new mop tops regularly or if the mop top was washable and reusable. We also asked our expert for advice on how to use and maintain mops, and she provided tips to help readers get the most out of their mops. Finally, we analyzed prices and customer feedback so customers can make informed decisions before they buy.
Mops are relatively simple cleaning tools, but there are some elements you should pay attention to when selecting one for your cleanup needs.
Mop handles can be made of wood or plastic. Wood is more durable, but it can potentially splinter or break if mishandled, and it's heavier than plastic. Plastic is much more lightweight, and most plastic mop handles are ergonomically constructed, often with padded grips, for comfort.
To mop effectively, you need to be able to move the cleaning tool vigorously back and forth across a surface. Scrubbing off stubborn dirt can take a lot of effort, so a mop should be easy to maneuver.
Cloth string mops are the heaviest of the bunch and take quite a bit of strength to handle.
Sponge and microfiber mops with plastic components are much easier to move around. Their lighter weight makes it easier to clean with them for extended periods of time and suitable for all types of homeowners.
Not all mops can be used forever. Some cloth string types cannot be washed; instead, they must be replaced over time.
Mops with reusable pads can last a long time, since the pads can easily be replaced.
Plastic handle mops are less durable, since plastic parts can snap and break, especially when pressure is applied. Wood handle mops are much more durable, but are heavier to move around.
Mops are made of various types of materials. Cotton string mops are probably what you picture when you hear the word “mop.” String mops are harder to rinse and keep clean, and are not the ideal cleaning tool for at-home users. String mops can also be made of rayon or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. They are the best choice for cleaning very large areas, which is why you'll often observe janitorial staff using them.
For the home, sponge or spray mops with disposable (or washable) pads are better options. Microfiber and sponge mops tend to be less bulky than your traditional string mop, so they're easier to maneuver. This makes them suitable for users with less upper body strength, such as elderly persons or those with back issues and ailments. Because they are easier to handle, they’re more effective at scrubbing. Sponge mops are easy to wring out, too. Mops with disposable or reusable pads are easy to keep clean, since the part of the tool that gets wet either gets thrown away or quickly washed.
There are also dust and steam mops available for purchase. Dust mops are useful for cleaning hardwood floors — they utilize tacky pads to pick up dust and dirt. Steam mops are great for lifting stuck-on messes from all types of surfaces. Steam helps to loosen dirt, so it can be cleaned more easily.
While most mops are inexpensive, there are fancier options available that offer more features to help make cleaning a little bit less annoying.
Spray and steam mops are more expensive than their more basic counterparts, and can retail for well over $50.
High-quality, commercial-grade mops are made to clean up big messes and retail for a pretty penny, but most homeowners shouldn't need that kind of mop.
It's essential to maintain your cleaning tool to ensure it lasts years down the road. Don't just stuff it away in a closet right after you've finished cleaning. Make sure to keep the mop itself clean, and clean it right away, don't wait. If you wait, your mop can begin to smell. If your mop uses pads, remove them right away and throw them in the washing machine to avoid lingering smells. Don't forget that if you're using a mop with a bucket, that bucket needs to be sanitized, too.
If you're using a cloth-string mop, it's likely that it can't be washed. Wring it out with clean water and cleaning solution after you're done cleaning. Keep an eye on your string mop, too, to spot whether it needs to be replaced. If fibers are starting to come off en masse, it may be time to get a new mop. The same goes for sponge mops. If pieces of sponge are coming off, it's time to think about buying a new one.
Mopping seems like a no-brainer cleaning activity, but plenty of folks make mistakes when using a mop to clean their floors.
Don't start mopping before you sweep or vacuum. You'll likely end up moving a lot of dirt and gunk around instead of cleaning your floors.
Move furniture out of the way to make mopping easier and to ensure you get every inch of a room clean.
Block off the area you'll be mopping. You don't want pets and kids tramping in with dirty feet.
Use warm water if you're mopping with a bucket and not a spray mop.
Make sure to use a cleaning solution that's safe for your floor type.
Start from the edge of a room, so you don't get trapped while mopping
Don't be tempted to use a soaking wet mop. Too much water doesn't equal better cleaning. Too much water can make things dirtier, believe it or not.
If using a bucket, change the water when it starts to look dirty. Don't reuse dirty water. It spreads germs around.
If you can, go with a rectangular bucket. It will give you more room to dunk your mop.
Flush that murky water down the toilet. It's the most sanitary option.
Allow air to circulate in your home, so your floors can dry quickly once you're done mopping.
A. You're using too much cleaning solution. Try a smaller amount next time you mop. If you reduce the amount and this keeps happening, make it a point to mop the area with plain water before you sit down to relax. It'll get rid of some of that build up that's making your floor feel sticky.
A. Although it's tougher to clean and can be harder to handle, a string mop is excellent for picking up debris and dirt. These types of mops also hold a lot of water which is good for cleaning larger rooms.
A. Yes. It'll make your life a lot easier. A mop can pick up some debris from the floor, but it's not meant to pick up all that loose dust and dirt. If you choose not to vacuum or sweep, your mop will spread all that gross stuff around your floors. It'll dry there, and you'll still need to vacuum or sweep once your floors are dry.
