The Spruce
We've all heard it before: don't cry over spilled milk. When you have a high-quality mop in your cleaning toolkit, you never will. Adding to a mop's practicality is the range of choices available: disposable or washable mop pads, an included sprayer or added bucket, even powered or steam models.
Regardless of space size, we think every home needs a good mop to lift accidental spills, dirt from foot traffic, and bacteria while adding clean, sparkling shine to floors. Flat styles are great for tackling various floor types, picking up wet and dry messes with minimal effort, and are incredibly user-friendly.
To help you navigate through all of the options, we took a hands-on approach and tested more than 100 of the best mops in The Lab and at home. We evaluated each mop’s ease of setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, and required maintenance. For many mops, we even cleaned up spills that mimic everyday household messes: think fruit punch, barbecue sauce, damp potting soil, and dry paprika.
Whether you’re searching for the best mops for hardwood floors or a flat mop for laminate floors, our list includes a wide range of Spruce-approved options. We’re confident you’ll find the perfect one to "spruce up" your floors.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Bosheng Mop and Bucket Set
Microfiber pads perform well on a variety of surfaces and messes
Bucket wrings out mop's head
Easy to navigate around obstacles
Vague instructions
Longer cleanup time
We'll just say it: The Bosheng Mop is a top-notch cleaning tool. What do we love most about it? Well, to start, it excels on most flooring types and cleans both wet and dry messes with plenty of ease. Plus, it comes with an intuitive and super cool bucket that wrings out the head for you.
During our testing, the flat mop was able to clean up fruit punch, barbecue sauce, damp soil, and dry paprika thoroughly—all without requiring much effort. We also gave two thumbs up to this mop for its swivel connection between the handle and the mop head, which made it easy to navigate around obstacles and into tight areas.
The Bosheng mop comes with three washable, microfiber pads that can be used either wet or dry. The bucket has two compartments: one for your water and soap, and one for wringing out your dirty mop. Surprisingly, the microfiber pads attach via Velcro.
We loved that the mop was easy to set up and extremely low-maintenance. The only downside was that it takes longer than other tools to break down and store away. The bucket, while absolutely essential to its functionality, must be emptied and washed, and the mop pad needs to be wrung out. One bonus—you can store everything in the bucket in between uses.
Bottom line: this mop is a noteworthy addition to any cleaning closet and a favorite among those that we tested.
Dimensions: Mop, Not listed; Bucket, 9 x 7 x 15.4 inches | Weight: 3.89 pounds | Handle Length: 48.6 inches | Mop Type: Flat | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
The Spruce
Flat Mops vs. Spin Mops
Both flat and spin mops will get your floors sparkling clean, but flat mops are typically easier to use and are ideal for a quick swipe around the kitchen or bathroom. Spin mops are meant to be more absorbent, giving you a more in-depth clean.
Best Spray
Swiffer PowerMop
Textured mop pad with absorbing scrubbing strips
Cleans efficiently and quick
Swivel head
Disposable pads can be wasteful
Rated the overall best spray mop in our guide, the Swiffer PowerMop is a Spruce favorite for its textured mop pad that quickly lifts and absorbs just about any spill and stubborn stain.
During testing, we found this mop picked up most messes with just one spray of solution and five to six swipes. It’s the perfect flat mop for busy households with frequent spills.
Using this mop is also a breeze. You don’t have to worry about lifting or moving your furniture around to clean hard-to-reach spots. Thanks to its flat, narrow head and long handle, this mop maneuvers extremely well against and under furniture. However, the size of the cleaning solution pocket can prevent it from fitting under narrow areas.
Whether you have a small apartment or a large house, the Swiffer PowerMop is perfect for both. The mop doesn’t entirely collapse, but if storage is limited, you can take the handle off and fold the head up, decreasing its overall height. And with a slim silhouette, this power mop will easily fit in a broom closet or hide behind a door.
Overall, this is a great flat spray mop that effectively picks up messes and grime, leaving your floor clean and shiny. Although we wish the heads were reusable and there was a more eco-friendly alternative, replacing the mop head with a fresh new one is way quicker and easier than washing the pad by hand or waiting for it to finish cleaning in the washing machine.
Dimensions: 5.24 x 4.53 x 28.47 inches | Weight: 4.65 pounds | Handle Length: 26 inches | Mop Type: Flat | Mop Head Material: Cloth (Disposable) | Machine Washable Head: No | Compatible Floor Types: All floor types
The Swiffer PowerMop was easy to maneuver under furniture thanks to its flat, narrow head. Credit: The Spruce It picked up almost every mess during our test and lifted stubborn stains. Credit: The Spruce The cleaning solution is stored inside the mop with an easy-spray design. Credit: The Spruce It features a ring at the top of its handle for easy storage in your cleaning closet. Credit: The Spruce The disposable cloth pads cleaned messes quickly with only one spray and a few swipes. Credit: The Spruce
Best Microfiber
Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop
Wide cleaning path
Adjustable handle
Comes with two cleaning pads
Not ideal for dry messes
Locking can be finicky
We gave this mop top scores, appreciating the extra-wide, 18-inch cleaning path and high-quality, telescoping handle. In the lab, we found that it was hard to get the head-locking mechanism just right, but generally the mop was effective at picking up wet spills.
While it wasn't as good at picking up dry materials we put in its path, the entire product felt durable. You could probably run this mop into a piece of furniture, and it wouldn't break on impact.
The microfiber mop head can also be put in the washing machine, making this a very cost-effective choice. In fact, we ran it with water in the sink and noted that it wasn't very effective at getting the sticky, messy spills out, so the washing machine is definitely the best option when it comes to preparing the mop pad for a new use.
Microfiber mops are great for hardwood floors, linoleum, or travertine floors that should not be soaked with water, says cleaning expert Angela Bell of Grove Collaborative. This mop comes with two mop heads, which makes cleaning even more streamlined.
The handle is also adjustable and can be extended up to 70 inches, making cleaning a comfortable task for many members of your household. But, be prepared: there's no way to wring out the mop pad while cleaning. You'll need to be a little strategic and creative, too.
Dimensions: 23.03 x 5 x 2.01 inches | Weight: 1.14 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Cloth | Machine Washable Head: No | Compatible Floor Types: All flooring types
The Microfiber Wholesale Professional mop has an extra-wide, 18-inch mop head. Credit: The Spruce It comes with two reusable cleaning pads that can be tossed in the washing machine. Credit: The Spruce It was easy to set up, and its handle can be extended to 70 inches for fast cleaning. Credit: The Spruce
Best Steam
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
Multi-use design
Easy to store
Lots of included attachments
Not cordless
Looking for a steam mop to help reset your space? The PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1 has you covered. It has a multi-use design thanks to its attachments, so you can use it on floors or fabrics if you'd like. At the same time, it's very effective at tackling messes on hard flooring.
While it's on the pricier end for a mop, we liked that it was easy to set up and use—it heated up in less than 30 seconds. Although it's not cordless, limiting you to cleaning areas that are somewhat close to an outlet, we also appreciate the extra-long, 15.9-foot power cord that gives you good reach.
Attachments include a scraping tool, steamer jet, window squeegee, angled nozzle, and multiple brush tools. If you want to get your floors clean and shiny, this steam mop will do the trick.
Dimensions: 8.07 x 9.45 x 23.94 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Power Source: Corded | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes | Compatible floor types: All (and upholstery)
The PurSteam 10-in-1 mop effectively removed all stains from our floors. Credit: The Spruce It can also be used as a handheld steam mop to clean up small messes. Credit: The Spruce The included nozzles are helpful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas and grout. Credit: The Spruce It's easy to remove the handheld portion from the main unit and click it back into place. Credit: The Spruce The microfiber mop heads are gentle on hard floors but tough on stubborn debris. Credit: The Spruce The mop pads are machine-washable for simple cleanup. Credit: The Spruce The microfiber pads stick to the main mop head with an easily removable design. Credit: The Spruce It was easy to set up and heated up in less than 30 seconds. Credit: The Spruce The steam level can be adjusted with a user-friendly dial near the handle. Credit: The Spruce
Best for Small Spaces
OXO Butterfly Mop
Lightweight
Wringing tool
Lifetime warranty
Head doesn't pivot
We gave the OXO Good Grips Butterfly Mop two thumbs up for its setup, portability, and wet-mopping effectiveness, noting its lightweight design and how easily it cleaned sticky messes and residues. The set-up was a breeze.
We especially love the wringing-out tool! We thought it was awesome—so easy to wring out for more effective cleaning. Unlike other mops, you can squeeze out the mop's head with the squeeze of a lever, speeding up your cleaning process and keeping your hands from the grimiest parts of your mop.
We also like that this mop is lightweight and pretty user-friendly. All things considered, it's a great option. If you're looking for a practical mop with simple and smart features that make it easy to use, this is it.
Dimensions: 50 x 11 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Sponge and microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes | Compatible floor types: All
Final Verdict
Our clear winner for a flat mop is the Bosheng Mop and Bucket that picked up a variety of spills in the lab with total ease and comes with a two-compartment bucket that wrings out the mop pad for you. If you're looking for a good value, the Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Starter Kit is also a top-notch addition to any household, because it's super user-friendly and features a compact, lightweight design that's easy to store.
How We Tested the Flat Mops
We purchased and tested a variety mops at The Lab—eight of which were flat mops—and several others at home, to decide which one is the best for cleaning up messes around your home. At the lab, testers completed the setup of each mop first, and noted whether it came ready to use or needed to be put together.
Then, they evaluated effectiveness by spilling sticky messes of fruit punch and barbecue sauce on tile, laminate, and hardwood. Using just warm water, they tried cleaning up the spill, noting whether it required a lot of effort to do so and if anything was left on the surface. They repeated the process with damp potting soil and dry paprika and followed up each test with the swipe of a paper towel to see if the mop was as effective (or not) as it appeared.
Throughout the test, testers also took note of a mop's maneuverability and portability. They also observed whether it was easy to navigate around obstacles like the leg of a chair and into tight areas, and how heavy the mop was when it was dry and soaking wet.
After, they evaluated the ease of cleaning the mop: wringing it out, replacing the cloth, or following other required maintenance guidelines. Finally, after 16 hours of testing, they rated each product's overall value given their experience.
At home, several other mops were put to the test, as testers used them to pick up real-world messes and in real-world scenarios. In the case of a few specific categories, like our best spray mop, Swiffer PowerMop, and best steam mop, PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1, testing methodologies were slightly adjusted to suit their different categories.
What to Look for in a Flat Mop
Study the Mop Head Material
The first thing you want to consider when picking out a flat mop is the mop head (also called the mop pad) material. Flat mops typically have a cloth or microfiber mop head, and this directly relates to the maintenance of the mop and how effective it can be at cleaning up different types of messes.
For example, a cloth mop pad is typically disposable and needs to be replaced after every use (like those on our best spray pick, the Swiffer PowerMop). While it can be effective at targeting both wet and dry spills, it's not always the most cost-effective option. You'll have to restock your mop pads frequently in order to continue using the mop.
On the contrary, microfiber mop pads are not always the best at picking up a variety of messes. However, they usually can be tossed in the washing machine after each use, some even up to 100 times.
The type of floors you have in your home can also determine the type of mop pad material you need. Microfiber mop pads tend to be very soft, gentle, and easy to wring out. They're often a great option for hardwood that's prone to scratches and sensitive to moisture, while cloth pads are more suitable for a tile floor.
Think About Portability
Flat mops are in general an easy type of mop to use and store, because their design is compact. However, it is still important to consider portability when shopping, and whether you're going to be using it to clean small or large spaces. Some mops, like our best overall pick, the Bosheng Mop and Bucket, come with a—you guessed it—bucket that, as much as we like it and see it as a benefit, does add to the overall bulk and effort required to use it.
In addition to the tool itself, you may need to use accessories like extra pads or a cleaning solution. It may be easiest to store these items together on a shelf or in a basket. If your storage space is very limited, and you want to be as unencumbered as possible when you clean, look for a basic design that you can use wet or dry.
Opt for Ease of Use
By now you're seeing that not all mops are created equal. Before you click "checkout," on that cart, take just a moment to consider your needs and cleaning style. For example, if you mop spills once in a while in between visits from your cleaning service, then a fairly basic model will do, and you might not mind if there's a tad bit more effort involved occasionally.
On the other hand, if this mop is the only mop to ever touch your floors, you may want to invest in a higher-quality one to get the job done right in a way that's as easy for you as possible (that's where the powered Swiffer PowerMop that we chose as best spray mop, or the PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1 that we named best steam mop might be a great fit).
The Spruce
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Dena Ogden, The Spruce's associate editor. Ogden has been writing professionally since 2016 and with The Spruce since August 2022. She's written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums.
For this piece, she reviewed insights and results from our savvy testers who participated in hands-on mop testing in The Lab, and she completed thorough research on mops available at major retailers and beyond, evaluating options based on key specifications, reviews, and cleaning methods. The final flat mop selections were chosen after reviewing dozens of products and analyzing insights from The Lab and home testers. Each of the selected mops stood out for their effectiveness, maneuverability, setup, and ease of cleaning.
Our Experts:
- Angela Bell, cleaning expert at Grove Collaborative
- Kenedee Fowler, writer at The Spruce specializing in cleaning products, bedding, bath, furniture, and decor