Brooms and dry mops may be a quick fix for messes, but without water and a sanitizing agent, you’re likely just pushing dirt around your home, according to our experts. That’s where wet mops come into play: They use moisture and cleaning solutions to polish and disinfect hard floors.
To find the best wet mops that take the stress out of cleaning, we spoke to three professional home cleaners; we also included their recommendations along with mops we tried ourselves and options that meet our experts’ standards with at least a 4.3 rating from over 5,000 reviewers.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best wet mops | How to shop for wet mops | Types of wet mops | Other factors to consider | What are the benefits of wet mops?
How we picked the best wet mops
The size of your space will largely determine which type of wet mop is right for you. Your materials and floor types will also come into play — especially since too much moisture can damage certain hard floors, according to our experts.
- Mop type: “There are a variety of mops to choose from such as microfiber, string, flat, cotton, spin, steam and sponge,” says Mattie Sheppard, cleaning advisor and strategic interior designer at Real Estate Bees. We define each type and explain the benefits and drawbacks below.
- Material: When shopping for a wet mop, consider the materials for the mop head and the handle, both of which will impact functionality, absorbency and durability, according to our experts.
- Other features: Mops with extra features such as extendable handles, built-in spray bottles, swivel heads and wringing mechanisms make the job easier and more sanitary, says Will Cotter, owner of home cleaning company FreshSpace Cleaning.
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The best wet mops of 2024
O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket
- Full system
- Pedal for self-wringing
- Triangular mop head
- Pricey
All three of our experts recommend this O-Cedar spin mop and bucket set because it’s reliable, durable and easy to use. The microfiber mop head can hold a significant amount of liquid without excessive dripping and can clean all floor types, which makes picking up dirt, dust and spills a lot easier, says Sheppard. The dual-compartment bucket keeps the clean water separate from the dirty water and has a pedal for hands-free wringing, while the triangular mop head reaches into corners, swivels 360 degrees and comes off for machine-washing, according to the brand.
Type: spin mop | Mop head material: microfiber | Weight: 6.69 pounds | Includes: bucket system, telescopic handle and reusable mop head
Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Mop
- Sweeps, dusts and mops
- Can use it on various surfaces
- Comes with replacement cloths
- Pole doesn’t extend
Cotter and Angela Brown, a professional house cleaner and the CEO of Savvy Cleaner, both recommend this two-in-one Swiffer, which you can use dry for dusting and sweeping, or wet for minor spills and grime. It comes with five wet cloths for mopping vinyl, hardwood and tile, but “the flat and wide mop head is perfect for cleaning walls and ceilings,” too, says Cotter. The lightweight design and swivel head helps you easily clean in tight spaces, according to the brand. When using this mop in her own home, Brown pairs it with these cotton cloths that you can rinse, hang up to dry and reuse.
Type: flat mop | Mop head material: disposable pads | Weight: 1.14 pounds | Includes: sweeper, 14 dry cloths and five wet cloths
Masthome Self-Wringing Microfiber Flat Mop
- Self-wringing mechanism
- Reaches under furniture
- Comes with 6 reusable cloths
- Not the most durable
“Many homeowners prefer self-wringing flat mops with a swivel head because they can be wet or rinsed in a sink and then wrung out with an onboard handle,” says Brown, who recommends this one. Brown also likes that it’s low-profile with a swivel head, so it cleans along edges and under furniture. Its stainless steel pole extends up to 58 inches but collapses for easy storage. The set includes six washable, reusable microfiber pads that attach with Velcro.
Type: flat mop | Mop head material: microfiber | Weight: 1.94 pounds | Includes: self-wringing head, telescopic handle and six reusable cloths
Eyliden Microfiber String Mop
- Microfiber head traps dust
- Handle has grips for comfort
- Self-wringing design
- Head not as durable as cotton
Unlike most string mops, this one has a microfiber head, which is lighter than cotton and attracts dust and dirt when you use it when wet or dry, according to our experts. Brown recommends it because of the self-wringing mechanism, which “leaves water in the sink and not the floor,” plus you can use it to dust and wash baseboards, too, says Brown. Its telescoping alloy steel pole also has soft grips to cushion your hands, according to the brand.
Type: string mop | Mop head material: microfiber | Weight: 2.59 pounds | Includes: telescopic handle with a self-wringing head and two replacement mop heads
O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop
- Sprays cleaning liquid
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Double-sided microfiber pad
- Made from plastic
“If you don’t like holding a separate bucket or spray bottle, spray mops are perfect for you,” says Cotter. I use the O-Cedar ProMist mop in my own home because it’s lightweight and helps me clean my hardwood and tile floors in one easy step. The handle has a trigger that sprays the cleaning solution of your choice directly in front of the mop, so you can sanitize and loosen up grime with the washable microfiber pad. The head also swivels upside down so you can easily use the other side of the pad to clean more square footage.
Type: spray mop | Mop head material: microfiber | Weight: 2 pounds | Includes: spray mop, refillable bottle and microfiber head
Joymoop Flat Mop and Bucket Set
- Included bucket
- Comes with 3 reusable pads
- You can use it wet or dry
- Clean/dirty water not divided
With 4.3 stars from over 24,000 Amazon reviewers, this option combines the convenience of a flat mop with the hygiene of a spin mop. The included bucket scrapes the washable microfiber pads to remove dirt and excess water, and per our experts’ advice, the telescopic handle is made from steel, which is key for durability. The mop head also swivels for easy maneuvering and it comes with three microfiber refills that help you cover more floor surface without stopping. You can also use it to dust floors and baseboards, according to the brand.
Type: flat mop | Mop head material: microfiber | Weight: 3.77 pounds | Includes: bucket system, telescopic handle and three reusable mop head
Yocada Sponge Mop
- Has a brush and squeegee
- Replaceable sponge heads
- Self-wringing mechanism
- Not for unsealed floors
While they’re not the most durable, “sponge mops are your go-to option for kitchens, bathrooms and other busy areas prone to frequent spills,” says Cotter. This sponge mop, which has a 4.3-star rating from over 6,800 reviews on Amazon, has a built-in squeegee and brush as well as a self-wringing handle for the replaceable sponge heads. The iron pole also has grips for comfort and extends up to 52 inches.
Type: sponge | Mop head material: sponge | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Includes: telescoping pole, squeegee, brush and two sponge heads
Yocada Looped-End String Mop
- 100% cotton mop head
- Telescoping iron pole
- Suitable for any floor type
- Heavy when wet
If durability is your top priority, this string mop (which has a 4.5-star rating from over 5,500 Amazon reviews) meets all of our experts’ criteria for a well-made mop: Its looped strings are made from cotton, its telescoping pole is made from iron and it can clean all types of floors as well as baseboards. It also has a jaw clamp and a screw mechanism to lock the pole at the optimal length and secure the mophead in place.
Type: string mop | Mop head material: cotton | Weight: 2.61 pounds | Includes: telescopic handle and mop head.
Rubbermaid Commercial WaveBrake Mop Bucket and Professional String Floor Mop
- Includes bucket & solution
- Durable
- Suitable for large spaces
- Overkill for small homes
Rubbermaid products are “known for their durability as they can withstand heavy-duty use in commercial and residential settings,” says Sheppard, who recommends this mopping system for demanding jobs. It includes a mop with blended yarns for durability, a 128-ounce bottle of neutral pH floor cleaner and a 35-quart bucket with wheels, brakes and a built-in wringer. “They are built to last, very versatile, efficient and made from high-quality material,” says Sheppard.
Type: string mop | Mop head material: blended yarns | Weight: 19.5 pounds | Includes: string mop, bucket system and floor cleaner
PurSteam Steam Mop
- Also works as a handheld
- Comes with attachments
- Sanitizes with steam
- Needs to be plugged in
This electric steam mop is my go-to when I need to tackle stubborn grime or want to sanitize floors and fixtures without harsh cleaning products. The swivel head and included microfiber pads (which you can wash and reuse) let me steam-mop my floors and tile walls, but the tank also pops out and turns into a handheld steamer for smaller areas. This set includes various brush and nozzle attachments to clean grout, upholstery, glass and hard-to-reach nooks.
Type: steam mop | Mop head material: microfiber | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Includes: steamer with handheld, two microfiber pads and 10 attachments
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What are the benefits of wet mops?
A mop refers to almost any floor-cleaning tool that has absorbent material on the end of a pole. Some work with water and some work without — but dry mops simply don’t clean as well as their wet counterparts, according to our experts. When compared to other floor-cleaning tools, wet mops are versatile, cost-efficient, easy to handle, cover large areas quickly and you can use them alongside disinfectant solutions to kill bacteria and sanitize floors, says Sheppard.
How to shop for wet mops
Before you purchase a wet mop, consider which design is best suited for your floor types and the size of your space. After that, consider the materials and extra features to ensure that your wet mop is durable, convenient to use and a good fit for your budget and lifestyle.
Types of wet mops
These are the six primary types of wet mops and their ideal uses, according to our experts:
- Spin mops: Per their name, spin mops have a rotation mechanism (usually on the included bucket) that forces the mop head to spin, expelling excess water and dirt. Often made from microfiber, they’re absorbent, effective at loosening grime and a quick way to pick up spills, but since they’re not as durable as cotton string mops, they’re not well-suited for commercial spaces, says Sheppard. When used dry, spin mops also make an “excellent duster for baseboards,” says Brown.
- String mops: Usually made with cotton strands, string mops are ideal for hard-surface flooring like vinyl, wood or tile, and you can also use them to wash baseboards at the same time, says Brown. They cover large areas more quickly than other mops so they’re great for big houses and commercial settings, but they’re heavy to cart around and don’t trap dirt as well as microfiber mops, says Sheppard.
- Flat mops: Flat mops often have rectangular heads that glide along the floor. You can use them with disposable or reusable pads, both wet and dry, making them a versatile option, according to our experts. They’re also easy to maneuver into corners, tight spaces or under furniture, says Cotter. However, they’re not ideal for especially large spaces unless you continuously change out the pad, says Sheppard.
- Spray mops: Similar to flat mops, spray mops usually have a rectangular pad on the bottom, but they also have a built-in sprayer that you can fill with your favorite cleaning solution so you don’t have to carry around a bucket or bottle, says Cotter.
- Sponge mops: These lightweight mops have an absorbent sponge that soaks up big spills and makes it easy to control the amount of moisture applied to your floor. Since they use a lot of water, they’re not a good fit for hardwood or unsealed floors, according to our experts.
- Steam mops: Steam mops use hot vapor to sanitize floors and kill bacteria without any cleaning solutions, which is a great option if you have kids and pets — but you shouldn’t use steam mops on hardwood or laminate, as the high temperatures could damage your floors, says Sheppard.
Other factors to consider
Mop head materials
Most reusable mop heads are made from either cotton, microfiber or sponge materials, and they each have their benefits and drawbacks, according to our experts.
- Cotton: Cotton is absorbent, extremely durable and machine-washable, so it’s common in commercial cleaning, but it can be heavy to carry around when wet, says Sheppard.
- Microfiber: Made from synthetic materials, it’s machine-washable, can absorb multiple times its weight in water and has positively charged fibers, meaning they electrostatically attract negatively charged particles such as dust, dirt and bacteria, says Brown. Microfiber, however, isn’t as durable or economical as cotton, according to our experts.
- Sponge: Typically the least durable option, sponge heads can easily soak up spills and liquid messes, so they’re a good fit for sealed floors (such as vinyl and laminate) and spill-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens, says Cotter.
Handle materials
In addition to the mop head, you should also consider the material of the handle. Our experts recommend handles made from steel or aluminum, which are durable and often have telescoping designs that extend your reach and collapse to save space in storage. You can also opt for wood, which is sturdy but likely doesn’t collapse. Sheppard recommends avoiding plastic since it’s not as durable.
Disposable versus washable mop heads
Some mops are designed for use alongside disposable sheets or string heads, which you throw out and replace after each job, while other mop heads are machine-washable and reusable. Disposable options may work well for quick pick-ups, but washable heads are more eco-friendly and will save you money in the long run, says Cotter.
Self-wringing mops
Spin mops are inherently self-wringing, but some string and flat mops also have built-in wringers that twist or scrape the mop head to remove dirt and excess moisture; this makes it easier to mop large areas without pushing dirty water around your floors, according to our experts.
Ease of use
You’re more likely to reach for a cleaning tool if it’s easy to use, and a reliable wet mop will strike a happy medium between lightweight and durable, according to our experts. Choose a mop that’s balanced in weight between the head and the handle, has a swivel head for easy maneuvering and an adjustable handle so you don’t have to hunch or bend down, says Cotter.
Value
You can find mops at different price points, generally ranging from $10 to $100 on average, says Brown. Higher-end models typically include multicompartment bucket systems and extra heads, so you’re not washing your mop in dirty water and you can prevent cross-contamination between kitchen and bathroom areas, she says. Cotter also recommends splurging on a higher-priced mop if possible, which may be more durable and offer useful features that could save you time and money.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Angela Brown is a professional house cleaner with 32 years of experience and the CEO of Savvy Cleaner, a certification program for house cleaners and maids.
- Mattie Sheppard is a cleaning advisor and strategic interior designer at Real Estate Bees.
- Will Cotter is a cleaning expert and the owner of FreshSpace Cleaning.
Why trust NBC Select?
Maria Cassano is a writer, editor and consultant who specializes in e-commerce. She has written about and reviewed cleaning products since 2016, and you can find her relevant content in publications such as Bustle, The Daily Beast, Elite Daily, Allure, Better Homes & Gardens and CNN. For this article, she interviewed three professional home cleaners.
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