10 Best Mops of 2025, Tested by Cleaning Experts

It may seem like there isn't much to testing a mop, but not so. When we test mops in the GH Cleaning Lab, our evaluations begin the minute we open the box or package. We assess how easy the mops are to assemble, giving additional points to those that don't need any assembly at all.

We evaluate how easy the pads, mop heads, and cleaner bottles are to attach, remove, replace, and, when appropriate, refill. The length of the handle is examined to determine if it will work equally well for tall and short users and whether or not the mop will be a challenge to store.

✔️ Dry vs. wet: A dry mop is a great cleaning tool to quickly nab dirt and debris before wet mopping. It can also dust baseboards, moldings, and even walls. If storage space is a concern, some mops have the option of wet and dry pads that attach to the mop and are interchangeable.

✔️ Mop-head width: Mops with a large head can cover more ground and help cut down on cleaning time, but may not be able to navigate corners, around furniture legs, and smaller spaces as easily as a more compact mop head. And they take up more storage space—all important factors to consider.

✔️ Disposable vs. washable mop pads: Disposable mop cloths are convenient and take the worry out of wondering if your mop is sanitary. However, you will need to buy refills when you run out, and there is the issue of adding trash to the landfill. Washable mop cloths and heads can be used over and over. Simply toss the reusable cloth in the wash and dry per the manufacturer's directions.

✔️ Cost of refills: Most mops with disposable cloths require refills specific to the mop brand, and some also require a cleaning solution refill. Over time, both of these can get pricey, but they may be a good option for someone who does not want to worry about storing a damp mop or likes the convenience of disposables.

✔️ Replacement heads: With repeated use over a long period of time, mops become dingy and may lose their effectiveness. You may want to consider a mop that has a replaceable head option so that when it’s time for a new mop, you can replace the head rather than the whole mop.

✔️ Type of floor: When shopping for a mop, make sure the mop-head material and any cleaning solution it may come with are recommended for your floor. Certain types of floors, like hardwood or natural stone, may not be compatible with all cleaning solutions or harsh scrubbers. If you’re in doubt, be sure to check with the flooring brand, as some types of mops, such as steam mops, can void the warranty if the floor gets damaged from it.

The most effective type of mop is the one that works best for your specific floors—there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and each type of mop on the market has its own advantages. And you may want to consider having several on hand for different uses.

✔️ Steam mop: If you’re looking to kill germs on your floors without the use of cleaning solutions, a steam mop is the answer. It can reach high enough temperatures to kill bacteria on hard floors in places that may need more attention, like bathroom floors and pet areas. They are also very effective at loosening sticky messes like jelly or muddy footprints without the scrubbing regular mops require. The one downside: We don’t recommend steam mops for hardwood floors. Few hardwood floors are in perfectly sealed condition, and if steam seeps under the finish, it can damage them.

✔️ Spray mop: This type of mop is a great way to wash away grime and clean sticky stains from floors without the mess of a water-filled bucket. Plus, because you control how much cleaner is dispensed, it is a safe and easy way to prevent over-wetting and damaging wood floors. Simply pop on a pre-filled canister of cleaning solution or fill the onboard bottle with your own water-and-cleaner mix. Then, just spray and mop. Spray mops use disposable or washable microfiber pads.

✔️ Dust mop: A dust mop is an excellent option for picking up dry dirt and debris. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, they are less cumbersome than lugging out a vacuum. Since most dust mops are made with microfiber materials, they are also a good option for floors that may scuff easily with a vacuum's rotating brush roll or plastic wheels. They take either disposable or washable microfiber pads, and because they are so slim and flat, they can slip into tight spaces and under low furniture where a vacuum often can’t go. Dust mops can also be used to clean baseboards, crown moldings, and walls.

✔️ Sponge mop: These mops come in handy when cleaning up a spill since the sponges—either of cellulose, synthetic, or PVA — absorb liquid fast. Most sponge mops are also slim and lightweight, making them a good option for someone who finds other types of mops too heavy or awkward to use or doesn't want to deal with disposable or washable pads. They come with either a roller or butterfly wringing design, and can require a fair bit of strength to thoroughly squeeze out the sponge. Be sure to rinse them well during use before storing them to control germ growth and odors. They are generally used with a bucket for cleaning, and once the sponge mop head gets too dirty to use or it falls apart, it’s time to replace it.

✔️ Vacuum mop: The newest category of floor cleaning appliance, vacuum mops can pick up dry dirt, wet messes, and wet-clean floors all at the same time and are revolutionizing the way we wash floors. Most are rechargeable, have separate clean and dirty water tanks, and mop floors by dispensing a cleaning solution onto the floor via a spinning microfiber brush roll. Self-cleaning models are the easiest to maintain, and most have app connections, multiple cleaning modes, and voice prompts to guide you. They are convenient, easy to use, and always ready when you need them. They do take up a fair bit of storage space, though, so keep that in mind before you buy.

✔️ Spin mop: Spin mops can be manual or electric. They either have round heads with microfiber strings that clean in all directions, or they are electric appliances with round spinning microfiber pads.

• Electric spin mops, like our recommended Bissell, use two rotating microfiber pads to scrub floors with either plain water or a cleaning formula that you dispense from the appliance. The pads are machine washable and reusable, and can even be used dry for buffing floors to a shine.
• Manual spin mops are more like regular string mops. They have round heads with microfiber strings and come with a bucket and a spinning mechanism to make wringing easier and more thorough than you can achieve by hand. Manual spin mops provide 360 degrees of floor cleaning and are easy to maneuver into tight spaces and corners.

All floors can be dry-dust mopped, and most hard floors can be wet mopped, but you do have to take care to use a mop head that won’t scuff or over-wet the floor and a cleaner that's safe for the surface. For floors that are prone to scratching, like wood and laminate, you’ll want to use a mop with a soft material that’s non-abrasive. Ceramic, vinyl, and porcelain tile floors are not as prone to scratching or water damage, so most mops should be suitable for this type of flooring.

Beyond the mop, you’ll also want to make sure you’re using the right type of cleaning solution for your floor. Some floors, like hardwood, require specific floor cleaners. Also, steam mops should never be used on any unsealed, peeling, glued, or unfinished floors, and even though mop manufacturers claim it is safe, we caution against using them on wood and laminate floors, even on the lowest steam settings.

With the exception of steam mops, other types of mops will remove dirt and debris and wash away some germs, but they don’t actually kill bacteria or viruses. In order to kill germs and bacteria, you need to use a steam mop—which can sanitize floors because it reaches high enough temperatures— nd pass it across the floor slowly enough to give the steam time to work. Check the manual of your steamer model to see how many passes you need to make or how long you need to steam to actually sanitize an area.

Or you can use a floor-cleaning solution or a pre-moistened wet cloth that has germ-killing ingredients, following label directions.

Take note, though: Most steam mops are generally safe for sheet vinyl, ceramic, and porcelain tile floors; however, they may damage vinyl tile, wood, or laminate floors—so be sure to check with your flooring brand to confirm if steam mops can be used and that doing so won't void your floor's warranty. Also, be sure to check that your cleaning solution is compatible with your floor type.