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The 9 Best Flat Mops of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Pick up everyday messes and keep your floor clean with our favorite winners

Best Flat Mops

The Spruce / Tamara Staples

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. Every household needs a mop, and flat styles are among the most popular, thanks to their user-friendly design. Adding to their practicality is the range of choices available: disposable or washable mop pads, an included sprayer or added bucket, even powered or steam models.

To help you wade through the options, we took a hands-on approach and tested several mops in The Lab and at home, evaluating their ease of setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, and the required maintenance of each mop. For many mops, we even cleaned up spills that mimic everyday household messes: think fruit punch, barbecue sauce, damp potting soil, and dry paprika.

While we were searching for the ultimate winner, we also found plenty of other mighty contenders. Ahead, scroll our picks for best flat mops, backed by our testing.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Bosheng Mop and Bucket Set

BOSHENG Mop and Bucket with Wringer Set

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    3/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    4/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
What We Like
  • Microfiber pads perform well on a variety of surfaces and messes

  • Bucket wrings out mop's head

  • Easy to navigate around obstacles

What We Don't Like
  • 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.

Still, 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

Best Budget

Swiffer Dry and Wet Sweeping Starter Kit

Swiffer 2-in-1 Sweeper Dry and Wet Sweeping Starter Kit

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
What We Like
  • Wet-dry design

  • Easy to prepare for use

  • Extremely lightweight

What We Don't Like
  • Not very durable

  • Need to buy replacement pads

The Swiffer Sweeper scored high across the board during our test in The Lab. To start, our tester gave it a 5-star rating for setup and ease of cleaning and raved about its maneuverability, also scoring it a 5. "Very maneuverable around and under furniture, swivels nicely and the design is sleek so it fits in tight spots," according to our tester. To set up the mop, you just have to attach the disposable pad with the help of four connection points on the mop head. The kit comes with wet and dry pads—so, you can choose based on the type of mess you're tackling. After cleaning up, our tester changed the disposable pad and prepared the mop for a fresh use in just five seconds.

The wet-dry functionality is one of the best things about this kit, though, and it allows you to quickly dust your floors or give them a deeper scrub. While this mop isn't the best choice for tackling heavy-duty tasks, as it's not the most durable, it does have really good range that makes it a fit for a variety of households and living spaces. Plus, it has a lightweight design that makes it easy to carry up the stairs and from one room to the next. You can't beat this convenience, and the fact that it can be easily stashed away.

Now, you will need to buy replacement pads when the ones included in the kit run out, so the cost of the mop isn't exactly what you see on the price tag. The mop also left some streaks of paprika behind when we tested its dry mopping capabilities. However, it's overall a terrific product at a bargain price.

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

Best Microfiber

Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop

Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4/5
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    3.5/5
  • Maneuverability
    2/5
What We Like
  • Wide cleaning path

  • Adjustable handle

  • Comes with two cleaning pads

What We Don't Like
  • Not ideal for dry messes

  • Locking can be finicky

Our home tester gave this mop strong scores, and it earned a 4.8-overall rating. They especially appreciated 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 really 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, our tester 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

What We Like
  • Dual rotating mop heads

  • Two types of reusable pads

  • Swiveling mop head design

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Bulky when compared to simpler styles

This powered Bissell spray mop brings dual, rotating pads to the table–or rather, to the floor. With the press of a button, they spin and scour your floors, trimming your chore into little more than a walk around your home. It's suitable for tile, laminate, hardwood floors, and other hard, sealed floors. While we haven't tested this exact mop, it made it to the top of our list in a separate review of spray mops. Plus, Bissell products have also previously performed well for us in both lab and real-life testing. In fact, multiple products from the brand recently made it into our picks for the best carpet cleaners of the year, too.

The SpinWave Powered Mop also comes with two types of microfiber pads, so you're equipped both for scrubbing or performing a gentler clean. We especially like how the pads can be washed and reused, saving you from buying new ones and saving a few extra trees, too.

Note that if you compare this option to standard, manual flat mops, it will be bigger and pricier. But, because you're getting a much more robust cleaning machine, we think the value is definitely there and worth serious consideration.

Dimensions: 45 x 8 x 16 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Power Source: Cord | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes | Compatible floor types: Sealed floors

Best Mop System

Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner

Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner Starter Kit

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Curved handle

  • Batteries included

What We Don't Like
  • Not very durable

  • Cleaning solution runs out fast

The Swiffer WetJet PowerMop Starter Kit is a great choice if you're looking for a mop that also happens to have solution built-in. This beloved product earned almost perfect scores from our at-home tester, who appreciated its lightweight, user-friendly, and versatile design. Plus, it also performed well when considered alongside other spray mops, too.

Suitable for most hard flooring materials, including finished hardwoods, the bucket-free system makes wet-mopping a breeze, because you only need to lug around the mop itself. A battery-operated button located on the handle allows you to spray the solution on a section of your floor, while a curved handle makes it comfortable to glide across your floors. Now, the lightweight design of the product makes it very easy to carry around, but not great in the face of tough stains and spills. Some parts of the product might even feel a bit flimsy, so you'll want to handle the WetJet with care.

A piece of advice from our tester, "I put a significant dent in the cleaning solution that was included, so you’ll probably find yourself needing more within a few uses. What’s nice is that there is actually a variety of cleaning solutions to choose from, including a special option for hardwood floors and several fresh scents. It’s usually around $10 for two refills, which should last you significantly longer than the trial jar."

Dimensions: 49 x 10.5 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Mop Head Material: Cloth | Machine Washable Head: No | Compatible floor types: Hardwood, tile, vinyl

swiffer wetjet floor spray mop
The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau

Best Steam

PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop

PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop

Amazon

What We Like
  • Multi-use design

  • Easy to store

  • Lots of included attachments

What We Don't Like
  • Relatively expensive

  • 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. "[T]his is a very lightweight steam mop which made it really easy to move, fill with water, [and] use the attachments," our tester said. "I would recommend this to family or friends based on how quickly (less than 10 passes) it removed all stains."

While it's on the pricier end for a mop, our tester 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 scrape tool, steamer jet, window squeegee, angled nozzle, ad multiple brush tools. If you want to get your floors scoured and shining, this steam mop can 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)

Best for Small Spaces

OXO Butterfly Mop

Amazon OXO Good Grips Butterfly Mop

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    3.5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Ease of Cleaning
    4.5/5
  • Maneuverability
    2/5
What We Like
  • Lightweight

  • Wringing tool

  • Lifetime warranty

What We Don't Like
  • Head doesn't pivot

Our tester gave the OXO Good Grips Butterfly Mop 5-ratings for 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, and our tester said, "It was so simple that I actually wondered whether I'd missed something (I hadn't)." When asked what stood out about it, they said, "The wringing-out tool! 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.

Due to the non-pivoting head, this cleaning tool earned a 2 for maneuverability. However, our tester awarded it a 4.5 for overall value. When asked if they would recommend it, they said, "Yes! It's lightweight and pretty user-friendly. All things considered, I'd say 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

OXO Good Grips Butterfly Mop

The Spruce / Tamara Staples

Best Combo

Libman Wet & Dry Microfiber Mop

Libman-wet--dry-microfiber-mop

Home De Pot

What We Like
  • Wide cleaning path

  • Washable and reusable mop pad

  • Ships with less packing waste

What We Don't Like
  • Handle must be assembled

With an 18-inch wide head and the ability to clean wet or dry, this Libman mop can push dry dust and debris to the side to help you prepare your floors, and then it can be the same tool you use to do your mopping, too. While we've yet to get our hands on this specific mop, we were confident enough to recommend it based on the practical size, efficient design, and the brand's overall performance in other tests (another Libman mop proved to be easy to use and surprisingly effective in The Lab, according to our tester).

If you are conscious of shipping waste and packaging, you might appreciate that this mop ships in a smaller box since the two-part handle is to be assembled when it arrives. Another eco-friendly detail is that the washable mop pad promises to be washable up to 100 times.

Dimensions: 1.65 x 5.75 x 58.25 inches | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes | Compatible floor types: All

Best for Hardwood

O-Cedar Hardwood Floor 'N More Mop

O-cedar-hardwood-floor-n-more-mop

Farmandfleet

What We Like
  • Can be used wet or dry

  • Washable mop head pad

  • Reasonable price

What We Don't Like
  • Replacement mop heads cost extra

The O-Cedar Hardwood Floor 'N More mop is another model that we haven't tested yet, but that we feel comfortable recommending based on the brand's performance in other mop testing we've done. This hardwood-friendly microfiber mop can effectively clean with just water, a promising feature if you have floors that you want to be gentle with. It also comes with a washable and reusable microfiber mop head that can be used wet or dry. The design also includes "scrubbing strips," to give you extra texture during each pass on your floor.

While the brand doesn't give an exact number for the amount of washes it can endure, the company estimates it will last three months at a time. If you want to keep using your mop beyond that, you'll want to factor in replacement heads to the overall cost and maintenance of this broom. However, because it's such a good value to begin with, we think that's reasonable.

Dimensions: 2.91 x 9.05 x 56.2 inches | Weight: 1.44 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes | Compatible floor types: All

Compare

Setup Effectiveness Portability Ease of Cleaning Maneuverability
BOSHENG Mop and Bucket with Wringer Set
Best Overall:
Bosheng Mop and Bucket Set
3 5 4 4 5
Swiffer 2-in-1 Sweeper Dry and Wet Sweeping Starter Kit
Best Budget:
Swiffer Dry and Wet Sweeping Starter Kit
5 4 5 5 5
Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop
Best Microfiber:
Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop
4 4 5 3.5 2
Bissell-spinwave-expert-hard-floor-spin-mop
Best Spray:
BISSELL SpinWave
Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner Starter Kit
Best Mop System:
Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner
5 4 5 5
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
Best Steam:
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
4.4 4.5
Amazon OXO Good Grips Butterfly Mop
Best for Small Spaces:
OXO Butterfly Mop
5 3.5 5 4.5 2
Libman-wet--dry-microfiber-mop
Best Combo:
Libman Wet & Dry Microfiber Mop
O-cedar-hardwood-floor-n-more-mop
Best for Hardwood:
O-Cedar Hardwood Floor 'N More Mop
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 more affordable option, the Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Starter Kit is also a top-notch addition to any household. At a low price tag, this mop is super user-friendly and features a compact, lightweight design that's easy to store in large homes and dorm rooms alike.

Bosheng Mop and Bucket with Wringer Set

The Spruce / Tamara Staples

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 noted 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 in The Lab, 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 and best steam mop, testing methodologies were slightly adjusted to suit their different categories. All of the data was boiled down to this list of the best flat mops for picking up a variety of messes in your home.

What to Look for in a Flat Mop

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 both Swiffer products we featured, the Wet and Dry Sweeping Starter Kit, and the WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner). 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 (like our choice for Best Combo, the Libman Wet & Dry Microfiber Mop).

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.

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'e 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 (like the Swiffer Wet and Dry Sweeping Starter Kit).

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 Bissell SpinWave 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).

"Consider the floors in your largest or most heavily trafficked rooms," says Angela Bell, cleaning expert of Grove Collaborative. These areas will pose the greatest cleaning challenge and, when doing so, you'll be able to decide on your priorities.

Swiffer Dry + Wet

The Spruce / Tamara Staples

FAQ
  • Which brand of flat mop is best?

    There are a number of worthy contenders. In this story alone, we're featuring 9 mops from 8 different brands. Though, it's worth mentioning that Swiffer is the only brand to appear twice (for best budget, the Dry and Wet Sweeping Starter Kit, and for best mop system, the WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner). While we're hesitant to call it the best of all brands because it doesn't offer key features that can be important to some (like reusable pads and durable components), it certainly is a leader among them.

  • Is a flat mop better than a spin mop?

    Facts are facts. If your goal is a clean floor, you can achieve that with either a flat or spin mop. However, there are some key differences that may lead to a preference in one or the other.

    For flat mops, you can expect a padded mop head that is typically made of disposable cloth or washable microfiber. They're typically very easy to use. In fact, most flat mops have tabs or buttons on their head that release the pad (or a basic mechanism you can do by hand). For a quick swipe around the kitchen or bathroom, they're ideal.

    Spin mops, on the other hand, are meant to be more absorbent. They often have that classic look of a string-mop and usually require a bucket for soaking and rinsing. They give you the chance for a hardier, more in-depth clean, but typically require more effort and labor. When we considered both types, we noted that the Swiffer was more convenient and offered similar results.

  • Which mop doesn’t leave any streaks?

    When used correctly, you should be able to avoid streaks with most mops. But, it's not always that simple, and more than a few contributing factors can cause them. For example, you've pushed dirt or dust more than lifted it, you've used a less-than-ideal cleaner for your floors, too much water is left behind, and there is residue on your floor for other reasons. To minimize the chance of streaks, ensure your mopping technique is top-notch.

    A few other tips: if your mop has a reusable pad, soak it in warm, soapy water (or a cleaning solution that is compatible with your flooring) and wring out any excess moisture. Then, gently but firmly, glide it across your hard floor. When you're done, remove the pad and shake off any loose dirt and particles into the trash, before throwing the pad in the wash.

    If the mop has a disposable pad, there’s no need to soak it, as it's ready for you to use. Just attach a new one onto the mop before mopping the floor, and toss it into the trash afterward. You can always run a microfiber cloth (or pad, if your mop accommodates them) over your floor to remove extra moisture and cut down the chance of streaks.

The Spruce's product testers mop up spills on hardwood and tile surfaces during the mops test at The Lab.

The Spruce / Tamara Staples

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Dena Ogden, a lifestyle and commerce writer who’s 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:

  • Theresa Holland, freelance writer specializing in home improvement and lifestyle topics
  • Angela Bell, cleaning expert of Grove Collaborative
Updated by
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a DIY expert and writer focusing on cooking, crafting, and making home decor projects.

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