If you're buying a new mop to clean your hard floors with, whether you've recently moved out or your current one has truly done its day's work, then I can help. I've tested my fair share of mops, and it's safe to say that my floors are sparkling clean. Honestly, it's a skill, and I am 1000% clued up on which ones are the best.
Now, there is more than one type of mop to choose from (exciting, I know) so buckle up as I reveal all. If you live in a smaller space, then you'll probably want to go for a trusty flat mop or spray mop. These are affordable and easy to use, plus, you can easily squeeze them into even a makeshift cleaning cupboard.
For larger spaces or messier homes (pet owners, we're talking to you!) then go for a string mop. You could even choose a 2-in-1 model with a vop — that's a vacuum cleaner and a mop — so that you won't have to store both or walk around your home twice when it's time to spruce up your space. And of course, how could we forget about the innovative robot mop? If you've got the spare cash then they are totally worth it.
Keep reading for a list of six tried, tested, and (legit) loved mops that are so worth buying so that you can clean floors quickly and easily. I've listed eco-friendly options plus a mop specifically for cleaning hardwood floors, and even mops that you need only use with water to sanitise your floors...
What is the best mop you can buy?
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
- The best mop: Beldray Classic Mop
- The best eco-friendly mop: E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop
- The best mop and bucket: Vileda Turbo Microfibre Mop
Our favourite floor mops, as reviewed by the Real Homes team
The best mop
Type: Spray
Head: Microfibre pads x2
Reusable? Yes
+ Easy to manoeuvre
+ Built-in water tank
+ Inexpensive (RRP £22.99)
+ Convenient to store
- Not adjustable in height
- Not the best for large/messy families
We own and use this mop several times a week in our home, to clean our laminate flooring and tiles — and to make our floors sparkle. Budget-friendly, too, it's very convenient to store with no bucket required, just a pull of the trigger to wet your floors. It's also slim to keep tucked inside a cupboard. It's a great everyday mop but might not be able to cope with a large family home.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best eco-friendly mop
Type: Flat
Head: Microfibre x1
Reusable? Yes
+ Super affordable
+ Works with water only
+ Lightweight
+ Extendable handle
- Not for larger homes
- No bottle/bucket
Super affordable, very easy to use, and impressive in action, this eco-friendly mop doesn't have a water tank, instead, it cleans your floors using its microfibre mop head only. Bearing this in mind and how easy it is to store, we say it's best for smaller homes or apartments. Once wet and wrung out its washable head can remove 99% of bacteria from your floors in one sweep. It's also durable yet lightweight with an adjustable handle spanning 1.5m for those hard-to-reach places. We've used this mop at home for years and it's never failed us.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best mop for busy households
Type: Mop and bucket
Heads: Microfibre x1
Reusable? Yes
+ Easy to wring
+ Works with water only
+ Triangular head for corners
+ No need for solution
+ Extendable handle
- Requires bucket
- Difficult to store
Convenient for busy households with pets and children, the Vileda Turbo makes an easy job of sanitizing floors the classic way. The bucket comes with a spout which makes it easier to empty, and the foot pedal aims to make it super easy to dry the mop out so you don't end up soaking your floors. The triangular-shaped microfibre head is designed to make it easier to reach corners, and these heads are machine washable. It can also clean using just water.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best mop for hardwood floors
Type: Spray
Head: Microfibre x1
Reusable? Yes
+ Durable
+ Great for wood floors
+ Built-in water tank
+ Soft edges
+ Includes solution
- Not adjustable in height
- Can only be used with Bona solution
As reviewed and approved, this specially-designed floor mop is the perfect pick if you have hardwood floors that you need to nurture. In fact, it's safe for use on unwaxed, unoiled, and polyurethane-finished wood floors. It comes with one pad and cleaning solution, which is pH neutral, non-streaky, and non-dulling. The easy-to-use mop, washable pad, and solution all work as a team to rejuvenate your floors and keep them looking good as new. Plus, the mop head itself has soft edges to protect your skirting boards and it's nice and big to cover more floor space in less time. It has a 1L bottle.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best mop for easy storage
Type: Spray
Head: Microfibre x1
Reusable? Yes
+ Built-in water tank
+ Works with water only
+ Washable heads
+ Simple
+ Super easy to store
- Fiddly to fill
This Mrs Hinch-approved mop is a must-have for smaller homes with a teeny amount of storage space. It's easy to swivel around furniture and rugs, plus it has a built-in water tank and trigger for easy spray cleaning. The thick microfibre heads are machine washable, plus you needn't even clean with detergent, too, since the special microfibre cleaning head tackles 99.9% of bacteria. It's a little tricky to use but trust me: it's a breeze after that, and its mop head is super durable.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best spray mop for families
Type: Spray
Head: Microfibre x1
Reusable? Yes
+ 2-in-1 design
+ Built-in water tank
+ Large head
+ Great for spills
Designed with dual functionality, the OXO Microfibre Spray Mop is just what you need to clean, especially in often considered hard-to-reach places. Its large, microfibre pad makes everyday mopping easier than ever, while the Slide-Out-Scrubber is perfect for tackling tough stains. To use, you simply fill the bottle attached to your spray mop with your floor cleaner of choice, squeeze the handle and mop away; there's minimal effort required.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Editor's favourite steam mop
Type: Steam
Head: Microfibre x2
Reusable? Yes
+ Only water required
+ Built-in water tank
+ Sterilises
+ Easy to assemble
+ Great for targeting dirt
+ Under £100
- Corded (6m)
- Heads stain easily
If you've got more to spend, then opt for a steam mop and clean your floors the safe way, with only hot water. Once filled with water and hot, this mop glides around a wide range of hard floor types with ease, not leaving any trace of dirt in its path. One of the best features is its steam jet. You can flip the head around to reveal the port, which shoots out a very noisy but powerful burst of steam that immediately loosens up cemented-on grime that regular mops couldn’t handle. Because of the heat, it zaps bacteria and allergens, too, something that’s always a perk, especially during cold and flu season. You’ll be surprised how dirty the washable mop pads get (even when you think your floors are clean).
Real Homes rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best robot mop
Type: Robot
Head: Roller brush
Reusable? Yes
+ Can set boundaries
+ Built-in water tank
+ App controllable
+ Can get into corners
+ Can be scheduled to clean
+ Takes itself to charge
- Pricey
Rated our best robot mop, the Braava Jet M6 offers convenience all around. You need only fill its water tank, pop on a mop head and you’re set. App and voice controllable through Alexa, it maps your home so that you can set boundaries, and it even takes itself to charge when low on battery. It scored 4.5 stars in our iRobot Braava Jet M6 review where you can read more on this incredible buy. Otherwise, you will need a regular mop as well as this one if you do buy it — for spillages and fast clean-ups.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best sponge mop
Type: Flat
Head: Sponge x1
Reusable? Yes
+ Great for tough stains
+ Built-in wringer
+ Affordable (RRP £25)
- Not for hardwood floors
- Requires bucket
With an easy-wring handle and a super absorbent (and replaceable) sponge on the end, this OXO mop works great on vinyl flooring, tiles, and linoleum. Its spongy (and replaceable) head picks up dirt and wrings it out with help from its heavy-duty lever, giving you peace of mind that you're not just spreading dirt around your home.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4 things to consider before buying a new mop
1. Head material
When you’re deciding on a floor mop, check the material of the mop head. The most popular choice is microfibre as it's soft, hygienic, and fast drying. Sponge is also a good choice as it's breathable and absorbent, and works well on flat untextured flooring. Most mop heads are washing machine friendly too, giving them longevity and making them kinder on the environment, but do check first.
2. 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, opt for a spray mop for a faster finish; these mops-without-buckets also cut down on the amount of storage space you need to keep them — all you need to do is fill up the bottle with hot water and your chosen floor cleaner, attach it to the mop and you're away.
3. Weight
Important if you're less able or elderly, some mops can be weighty when loaded, so consider this when you're choosing. Note: spray mops might be a bit heavier than classic mops, but you won't have the weight of the bucket to lug around.
4. Extra features
Some mops come with a free bucket, some extra heads or other accessories you may reach for when cleaning your home. If they don't, then be sure to check how much replacement heads cost before you buy.
What is the most effective type of mop?
There are lots of different types of mops to choose from. The more complex the design, the more you can expect to pay for it. We actually rate the string mop as the best for cleaning since it really gets into the corners, and you can refresh the bucket between rooms more efficiently than replacing mop heads. However, with this comes the need for more storage space and you need to lug around a bucket as you clean, too.
Here are all of the different types of mops:
- Flat mops or spray mops have a spray mechanism inside. Use them with a reusable head or a one-use pad.
- String mops tend to be made of cotton, are durable and some come in spin versions to wring out as much water as possible, but they require a bucket.
- Sponge mops are good for getting into tiles and normally feature a wringer mechanism to ensure you don't soak your floors.
- Steam mops are the best option if you're after something to help you deep clean, however, they do come at a higher price tag and some need to be plugged in.
- Robot mops will do the cleaning for you, with the only thing necessary from you being the push of a button.
Mops, steam mops, and steam cleaners: which is better?
There's such a variety of product types out there for cleaning your floors that it can be easy to get confused between them. Steam mops are a great option for hard floors that don't get very dirty and just need a weekly refresh – and they also eliminate the need for floor cleaner products. Just don't expect a steam mop to completely replace the occasional deep clean with a regular mop.
Steam cleaners tend to be much more advanced (and many times more expensive) than mops, and usually can tackle all kinds of surfaces, from flooring to upholstery and even kitchen appliances. They do tend to be fairly heavy, so bear that in mind.
As you probably already know, normal mops just work with hot water and solution, they are cheaper than both of the above, though, and a lot easier to store. They're ideal for quick clean-ups but aren't the best for deep cleaning.
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 to 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. If you have a mop conveniently stored in your kitchen or utility, you may manage a mop down every night after you finish in your kitchen.
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 fray or lose the texture that makes it effective at cleaning, so replace when it stops working as well. If you have a detachable, washable head, pop it in the wash every month or so, and discard it after two to three years of use, depending on how worn it looks.
Real Homes review process
Testing the OXO and Vileda mops
We've pooled the favourite mops of the whole team at Real Homes to show you the items we actually use in our homes. So, rest assured we can give you our honest opinion on how they work. All of the mops we test will be used for a number of weeks inside our homes until we feel we are at a point to make a judgment. We try to test these mops on all flooring types, from lino to tiles and laminate.
In this guide, we've tested all of the nine mops we've recommended, and while using them we consider everything from size, manoeuvrability, ease of use, cleaning quality, and most of all: does it do the job without soaking your floors? Oh, and we always consider price before including.
Watch our short video first of Laura Crombie testing our top three mops in action.
Then, meet our mop testers:
Our editor Melissa owns the Shark steam mop featured and she really rates it. She uses it to clean the flat she shares with her husband-to-be and every time she's wowed by just how much dirt it manages to collect.
'Basic mops won’t always cut it. After putting off buying a new mop for a little too long, I decided to bite the bullet and buy the sturdy Shark Klik N’ Flip Steam Mop S6003UK (yet corded) steam option. And I don't regret it one bit as it's easy to use and it picks up every bit of dirt from my floors.'
Our head ecommerce editor Annie has tried three of these mops in her two-bedroom flat, which she shares with her husband and her dog.
'Hands down the easiest mop I've ever used, the Beldray mop is hassle-free to use with a spray trigger, plus its water tank is plenty sizeable. It also makes an easy job of cleaning around furniture feet, the toilet and underneath my bed. I just pop the heads in the washing machine after each clean. It's that simple! I've also been using it for years, so it's built to last.'
'The brilliant OXO mop made mopping 10 times easier. It's easy to manoeuvre around and under furniture with a large microfibre head to cover more space in less time. Its water bottle is sizeable enough so that I can fill it and get 3 uses out of it, and it's generally easy to use. It has a slide-out tile scrubber that I use for more than cleaning my tiles, but also to remove anything from mud to food spillages from my floor.'
' The Vileda spray mop is undoubtedly best for those with little storage space spare. The mop's handle doubles as a water tank, and the mop heads stay on so securely which is great. The only thing is it's a fiddle to fill without spilling floor cleaner.'
Jenny is our Senior Digital Editor, and often writes cleaning content to help you to keep your home as pristine as possible. She loves using the bestselling Vileda Turbo Spin Mop in her family home.
'Vileda's Turbo spin mop has an integrated wringer powered by a foot pedal that makes it super simple to wring out and control to your required mop dampness. It cleans really well on hard floors and the microfibre mop head picks up dirt with just water so there's no need for cleaner.'
Previously our ecommerce writer, Molly tested two of these mops in her home, including a sponge mop and the robot mop.
'I like the design of the OXO Butterfly Mop for when you want to do a more thorough clean, and the fact that you can wring the mop with little to no effort is definitely a winner. If you prefer to use a thicker sponge to feel the full absorbency, then this is a great choice, though the fact you still need to use a bucket alongside it knocks it down a few pegs for me.'
'Purchasing the iRobot Bravaa Jet M6 is an investment into cleaner floors, with minimal effort needed from your side. This robot may have a steep price, but the technology involved in the mapping and navigation of this model goes a long way compared to its predecessor. I tested this out at home and found that it made our floors cleaner within the first week, and it has a sleek design with a discreet charging pad that won't look out of place in your home.'
Jen was at one time appliance editor, but now she does the role of homes editor over at Tech Radar. One thing's for sure: Jen knows everything there is to know about vacuums, washing machines, pizza ovens and much more. As you might expect, she's got a lot of knowledge on the cleaning front too, and uses the Bona Wood Floor mop in her home.
'I needed to find a hard floor cleaner which was kind to our restored wooden floors, affordable and easy to use. The Bona Wood Floor Cleaner does all of this. I'm really happy with the results.'
Anna was previously our content editor and writes practical advice and interior and garden design features and news for Real Homes. She's a big fan of one of our most sustainable picks, the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop, which has a washable head.
'Overall, it's a decent mop that has lasted a long time, and it cleans well whether you use a floor cleaner or just water. It is a little difficult to use it with a bucket because of the swivel head, and it performs better if you machine wash regularly.'
Where to buy a mop online...
Still not found the right mop for you? See below for where you can browse for a new floor mop and continue your search below.
- Amazon mops (opens in new tab)
- Argos mops (opens in new tab)
- eBay mops (opens in new tab)
- John Lewis & Partners mops (opens in new tab)
- Lakeland mops (opens in new tab)
- The Range mops (opens in new tab)
- Very mops (opens in new tab)
- Wilko mops (opens in new tab)
