The 9 Best Mops to Buy for Squeaky-Clean Floors

By Corrie Pelc

When you’re cleaning bare flooring like hardwood, tile, and laminate, do you reach for a vacuum or a mop? Chances are good you would probably reach for the vacuum first since it’s just easier to use — there’s no water involved, no dirty sponges to squeeze or change out.

While vacuums can do a great job at picking up loose surface dirt off of flooring, you’ll still need a mop to remove any dirt or debris, such as mud and food and beverage spills, stuck to the flooring and its crevices. Additionally, when using the right cleaner you can effectively remove more germs and bacteria from the flooring — and your home! — with a mop.

Mops have come a long way over the years and there are now lots of different options to choose from, whether you're looking for the best mop for kitchen floors, the best mop for bathroom floors, or the best mop for hardwood floors. Here’s a look at the best-rated mops available in 2022.

Types of Mops

First off, let’s talk about all the different types of mops available today. They include:

Sponge Mops

Probably the most traditional type of mop, these mops will be a long handle made of plastic or metal with a sponge at the end. Like your normal kitchen sponges, mop sponges are generally made of cellulose with possibly a scrubber on one side for grimier spots. It's important to store sponge mops in an area where the sponge can completely dry out so it doesn't become a breeding ground for bacteria. And sponge heads on these mops will need to be replaced frequently as they tend to crumble with continual use.

String Mops

These are the mops you'll fondly remember your school custodian cleaning the hallways with. Made from cotton "strings" of fibers, they are highly absorbent, generally inexpensive, and do a great job at mopping floors, but can be hard and messy to wring out in a bucket.

Strip Mops

With these mops, the "strings" on a string mop have been replaced by strips of microfiber.

Flat Mops

These mops have the same structure as a sponge mop, but instead of a sponge head there is a reusable or disposable pad attached, usually by velcro or a gripper. Flat mops can be used as either a dry dust mop (see below for more info on that) or a wet mop. Flat mops are a great option for quick cleaning — just attach a mop head, clean to your heart's content, and then either throw away the disposable pad or toss the reusable pad into the washing machine.

Dust Mops

These mops are very similar to flat mops, but their disposable or reusable mop heads are meant to be used dry. Most times dust mops also have long or telescoping handles to allow you to clean ceiling corners and dust from ceiling fans.

Spray Mops

Spray mops have a tank built-in to the handle that holds a floor cleaner of your choice. You simply pull the trigger on the handle to spray the cleaning solution and then run the mop head over the cleaner.

Steam Mops

These mops are built and operate very similarly to spray mops, but instead heat up plain water in their tank to produce steam. That steam is then released onto the flooring to disinfect the floor and loosen up debris for the mop head to tackle.

Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Mops

Here are the test factors we used to determine our list of the top-rated mops out there today:

• Price: There is a mop out there for every budget, and we factored that into the ones we picked for this list.
• Mop Type: We addressed what type of mop each one is, which might be important to make an informed user decision.
• Mop Head Type: While we considered mop type, we also considered what type of head the mop has, which tells us if it's removable and washable.
• Mop Head Material: Is the mop head a sponge? If not, is it made of microfiber or another type of material? The material of the mop head can also determine which flooring types the mop can be used on.
• Cleaner Distribution: Does the user have to spray the floor with cleaner first or does the mop have its own sprayer?
• Weight: We considered weight an important factor because the lighter the mop, the easier it is to maneuver around the home.
• Handle Length: We looked at handle lengths. Having the right handle length is important and will be different for each user, and some mops come with adjustable handles while others are static.
• Power: How is the mop powered — manually, plugged in, or battery?
• Flooring: We looked at which types of flooring each mop can be used on. Can the mop be used on any type of bare flooring, or is it suited for specific types like only hardwood?

Let’s get down to it — here are the best floor mops you can buy in 2022.

If you have hardwood flooring, then the Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hardwood Floors is the best pick for your home. This mop and its attached cleaning solution are specially designed for use on unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors. Featuring an extra-large mop head with a washable microfiber pad, the mop easily glides across the floor thanks to its head that swivels 360 degrees. The microfiber cleaning pad features "dual zone" cleaning where the dark blue outer fibers break up dirt stuck to the floor, and the lighter blue inner fibers trap and absorb the mess. There are flexible rubber corners on the ends of the mop head to ensure your baseboards and furniture are not damaged during mopping. The spray mop comes with a bottle of Bona's Hardwood Floor Cleaner, which is sprayed out as a fine mist onto flooring when triggered and has a retractable hook so it can store easily.

Although laminate is a popular choice for flooring in homes due to its price and durability, what a lot of people don't know is that laminate is porous, which means it can be damaged if too much water sits on it for too long. For that reason, a mop like the O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop is a great choice for cleaning laminate flooring as you have total control over how much water and cleaning solution you use. The mop's dual-sided microfiber head can be flipped over during cleaning, so you don't have to stop to change the mop head when it gets dirty. The microfiber head can also be used dry for dust mopping and is also washable and reusable up to 100 times before you need to purchase a new one. The one-touch release makes the mop a breeze to refill, and its comfort grip handle and trigger are easy to operate to ensure you get the exact amount of cleaner you need.

Not only do the best mops for tile floors get all the stuck-on grime off your tile flooring, but they can also scrub clean the grout in between the tiles. Enter the HOMTOYOU Spray Mop for Floor Cleaning — this manual spray mop that features a reusable microfiber mop pad made from braided microfiber and carbon fiber that can scrub with a soft texture that will not cause your floors any harm — super important for scrubbing tile grout clean — and efficiently trap and absorb anything they pick up. The 360-degree swiveling mop head makes it easy to get around anything in the way and the mop's slim profile makes getting under low items like cabinets or couches easy. The mop also has a built-in sprayer designed to spray evenly to help save you time and money, which is easily refillable with your cleaner of choice and features an ergonomic handgrip control and two replacement pads.

With over 92,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, it's easy to see why the O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket System is our top pick for a mop and bucket duo. While at first you would think most moppers would prefer the ease a spray mop offers, the benefits this mop and bucket duo provide makes it worth the extra effort. To begin with, the mop head features absorbent microfiber that can remove over 99 percent of bacteria from floors by just using water. The mop head can be removed, cleaned in the washing machine, and reused for up to three months before needing to be replaced. And while mopping, you never have to worry about having too much water on the mop head as the bucket is specially designed with a foot-activated spinning mop wringer that wrings out the mop without you ever having to touch it. The mop features an adjustable height handle and its triangular-shaped head makes it easier to get into corners.

Mops are not always the most environmentally friendly cleaning tool, as they often use a lot of plastic in their construction, and disposable mop heads are not always biodegradable. The most eco-conscious mop we've found is the Full Circle Mighty Mop 2-in-1 Wet/Dry Microfiber Mop. This mop uses lightweight yet durable bamboo, rather than plastic, to construct its handle, and recycled plastic is used to make its 360-swiveling head attachment. The mop's microfiber flat mop head is washable and reusable and can be used as a dust or wet mop. Additionally, the microfiber mop is made without any potentially harmful coatings, dyes, plastics, or chemicals.

This highly-rated steam mop has almost 33,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon thanks to its versatility and cleaning power. The steam mop can eliminate 99.9 percent of bacteria and germs from sealed hard flooring by just using plain old water. Plug in the mop and choose from three steam powers, and the water heats up in just 30 seconds. The steam mop comes with both microfiber soft and scrubby pads — you can flip the scrubber down to help clean stubborn grime. The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop also comes with two fragrance discs to add a fresh scent as you steam clean.

If you like a lightweight, battery-powered spray mop to get your floors clean, then definitely consider the Homitt HM389AW Electric Spin Mop Floor Scrubber. This best electric spin mop features two washable microfiber mop heads that spin at speeds between 120-150 rotations per minute to efficiently clean laminate, hardwood, marble, and tile flooring. The mop's large water tank can be filled with your cleaning solution of choice and is easily sprayed by the push of a button. The rechargeable dual batteries on the mop provide 40-50 minutes of cleaning time per charge, and a less than three-pound weight makes this electric spray mop easy to maneuver around the home, even up and down stairs. The mop’s handle is adjustable between 40 to 46.5 inches, and comes with two soft and two scrubby pads.

With over 12,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, the Tineco iFloor3 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner is the best pick for homeowners who like to both vacuum and mop their hard flooring. With the ability to vacuum and mop at the same time, this combo product can clean both dry and wet messes. The machine's microfiber brush roller helps ensure floors are left almost dry and streak-free, so you don't have to worry about water sitting on your flooring. The vacuum-mop also has a unique self-cleaning feature — with the push of a button, the machine will auto-clean the brush roller and tubes. As you clean, you can keep an eye on battery life, power level, and when it’s time to empty the water tanks through the machine’s digital display.

If you seriously hate the thought of mopping and would love someone to do it for you, your wish has been granted with the iRobot Braava Jet 240 Robot Mop. This robotic mop offers dry sweeping, damp mopping, and wet mopping on finished hard floorings, such as tile, stone, and hardwood. It has a vibrating cleaning head that lifts up and cleans away stuck-on dirt and stains, and its slim profile makes it easy to slip under furniture and get around toilets to ensure every inch of your flooring is clean. Once you attach the cleaning head you want to use, the robot vacuum automatically selects the cleaning method it will use. If the bot detects that cleaner is required, it auto-sprays cleaner to loosen up dirt before mopping over it. You can set an invisible barrier system to ensure the robot mop only cleans where you want it to. And once it's finished, the mop's cleaning pads are ejected by the push of a button without you needing to touch them.

What Floors Can’t Be Mopped?

Generally speaking, any type of bare flooring can be mopped. However, genuine hardwoods need a delicate touch as too much water can make them swell and steam can be too harsh on them. Hardwoods should only be either dust mopped or, if you're using a wet mop, use something with a disposable pad or a spray mop with a cleaning solution made just for hardwoods.

With laminate flooring, you also want to be careful not to use too much water or cleaner, since it can seep underneath laminate tiles and cause issues. With laminates, try dust mopping or if using a wet mop, make sure not to use too much liquid.

Vinyl, ceramic, and linoleum flooring can withstand more water and be cleaner. And if you have stone tile flooring, make sure the cleaner you're using won't react badly with the natural stone.

What to Do Before Mopping

Here are some tips on how to best prep your floors for mopping to get the most out of this cleaning tool:

Pick the Appropriate Cleaner for Your Flooring

As we just discussed in the section above, different flooring calls for different types of cleaners. Make sure to read the back of your cleaner to make sure it's appropriate for your type of flooring and to learn how to use it properly.

Clear the Way

Now that you're ready to mop, make sure there's nothing in the way, such as chairs, toys, shoes, and area rugs.

Sweep it Up

Once all the big stuff is out of the way, now it's time to give your floor a good sweep to pick up larger debris from the floor.

Get Mopping

Now it's time to mop! Preferably, you want to mop in vertical strokes starting from the back of the room and work towards the door. This way you won't have to step on your newly-mopped flooring to get out of the room. And remember when mopping, you don't want your mop head to get too wet — you want it just damp enough to get the job done.

Let it Dry

Once the mopping is done, let your flooring dry thoroughly before walking over it or replacing carpeting and furniture.

Do you have a mop that you absolutely love to clean your hard flooring with? Tell us about it in the comments below!