The Best Mops You Can Buy Right Now, from the Classic Spin to High-Tech Robot

updated Mar 28, 2024
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
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Credit: Cat Meschia

On the list of most tedious household chores, mopping ranks pretty high. You have to clear the area of any obstacles, vacuum and sweep beforehand, and get a proper amount of water and cleaner ready to roll. It’s a necessary task, and in the grand scheme of things isn’t a big deal, but it’s not the most fun thing to do on a Saturday afternoon. Things have changed in the past few years though — no longer are you limited to a bucket and a string mop. Shoppers now have a ton of different mop styles to choose from, each with its own list of pros and cons. The key is to determine which model is best for your lifestyle and needs. To help you make a clean break from your old mop, we rounded up a list of our favorites, from the classic spin mop to the newer robot mop.

Tips for Choosing the Right Mop for You

  1. Steam mops are eco-friendly and efficient. Because you don’t need to use chemicals or cleaners with steam mops (the hot steam kills bacteria), they’re very safe and simple to use (just be careful not to spray the steam on anyone). They’re also fast — most steam mops take just 30 seconds to heat up.
  2. Spray mops and spin mops are inexpensive and heavy-duty. There’s nothing wrong with the traditional spray and spin mops — they’re the most budget-friendly mops out there and are pretty easy to use. They’re also the best for tough messes, as you don’t get the same scrubbing power from other mops.
  3. Robot mops are self-sufficient and hands-free. If you feel like you have no time to mop (it can get pretty time-consuming) and don’t mind spending the extra money, robot mops are ideal. They go on their own, typically charge themselves, and can be controlled from an app.

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From our partner
QVC.com
$78.00

If you're a proponent of manually scrubbing your floors, we recommend this hover mop to take the back pain out of the task. Compact yet tough on stains, the dual-head mop will leave your whole home spotless with just a push of a button. The motorized brushes on the end do the work to remove the dirt and grime. Best of all, it’s cordless, so you don’t have to worry about it getting caught on anything while it’s in use.

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Amazon
$59.49
was $89.99

Steam mops are a great alternative to your classic mop-and-bucket combo — they're more efficient, don't require the use of detergents or chemicals, and get rid of bacteria (99.9 percent!). They're not ideal for heavy messes that require a lot of water and scrubbing, but for light cleaning, they're a great option. This 10-in-1 steam mop from PurSteam has three steam settings, comes with two microfiber pads, and is equipped with multiple attachments to make cleaning any and every surface a breeze.

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Amazon
$34.06
was $39.99

For a more traditional (and less expensive) mop, consider this no-frills option. The O-Cedar EasyWring mop comes with a bucket with a built-in wringer that's activated by a foot pedal for total ease of use. The mop head is made of microfiber, a material that's highly absorbent and ideal for deep cleaning. If you prefer to use an old-fashioned mop and bucket, this one is a great update — no bending over or wet hands necessary.

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Sharkclean
$199.99
was $359.99

For the ultimate cleaning companion, pick up the Shark HydroVac Cordless Pro XL. This powerful 3-in-1 device vacuums and mops for an easier clean, no matter the surface. It's even self-cleaning! Best of all, it works in tandem with an odor-neutralizing solution that instantly eliminates bad odors and prevents them from reforming on floors and area rugs, for a fresher-smelling home even days after.

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Amazon
$25.97
was $27.99

A good, simple spray mop can do wonders for floors that need a quick and easy touchup. This O-Cedar one is under $30 and comes with a large, dual-sided microfiber head that can be flipped to ensure you're getting the most out of your cleaning pad (while saving time). You can use the pads both wet (for mopping) and dry (for dusting), and the spray bottle is easily removed for refilling. It's nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.

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Amazon
$239.09

You already know about robot vacuums, but have you ever considered trying out a robot mop? For a truly hands-free mopping experience that requires very little work on your end, a robot mop is the way to go. The iRobot Braava Jet M6 is compact, quiet, and (of course) smart. It can clean around obstacles, avoid stairs, and knows when to power down. If you're worried about mopping areas that don't need it (like carpeted spaces), you can create an invisible boundary with its smart navigating and no-go zones.

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Amazon
$139.99
was $159.99

This versatile steam mop comes with a detachable handheld component that can be used to steam clothing and furniture or clean windows and mirrors. Like other steam mops, it sanitizes as it cleans and works on any sealed surface. Plus, it has three steaming settings. We're big fans of steam cleaning, and this mop is a great example of why — it's so easy and works on pretty much anything.

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Amazon
$47.99
was $60.00

The infomercial-famous Twist and Shout spin mop touts itself as the "original spin mop driven by hand push"— it's actually a pretty simple yet smart feature. Rather than controlling the wringer with a foot pedal, this one works by pushing a button on the mop itself. It doesn't make too much of a difference in terms of time, but it is a bit more intuitive and user-friendly. The detachable head is made of that super-absorbent microfiber and is machine washable, which is a huge improvement from the typical single-use pads.

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Wayfair
$102.99
was $129.99

A trusty, powerful option, this Bissell mop has two spinning pads for a serious deep clean. The powerful spin-action and spray feature take pretty much all the work out of cleaning your floors, and the slim design is great for small-space storage. It price is on the higher end, but the increased power and quality make it better than just any old mop and ultimately worth the investment.

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Amazon
$28.24

Arguably the most well-known floor cleaning brand, Swiffer has products that are tried and true. Unlike other spray mops, the WetJet has two ultra-fine mist nozzles that coat the floor evenly and are even illuminated, so you can see exactly where the mist is going. It also comes with its own quick-drying cleaning solution, so you're getting a pretty good deal for the price. Although it's made with hardwood floors in mind, the WetJet is safe to use on just about any sealed surface.

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Amazon
$170.27
was $179.99

With an attached handheld component, the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steamer is super functional, plus it comes with a few extra features that really make it stand out. Steam is known for its effectiveness at handling tough messes, so this mop has a Steam Blaster that directs the steam into a concentrated area for better cleaning. It also comes with a triangle scrubber head that'll make for easier corner cleaning.

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Amazon
$749.99

On the very high end, this vacuum-mop hybrid robot really does it all by synchronously mopping and vacuuming your area with a much stronger suction than a typical sweeping/mopping machine. It runs for 180 minutes on a full charge and has seriously smart navigation capabilities; it'll map your house, plan routes, and avoid obstacles like stairs. In short, it's truly hassle-free and perfect for the super-busy among us.