Why you can trust Ideal Home
- Lauren is Ideal Home's Certified Expert for Vacuums with unrivalled floorcare knowledge
- She has spent 100s of hours testing vacuums and vacuum mops
- She's tested each model for at least two weeks (if not more) in her own home
While I may be Ideal Home's resident expert in all things floor care and cleaning, my busy schedule means that I don't have a lot of time to clean my actual home. Because of this, I've made it my mission to find tools that will offer quick, convenient clean-ups - and a vacuum mop is my secret weapon for squeaky-clean floors (in literal seconds).
Yep, I love an appliance that will do double duty for nothing, and a vacuum mop essentially combines the suction power of the best vacuum cleaners with the wet cleaning functionality of the best mops. This is a lifesaver when I have mucky dog paws to contend with on the daily, messy nieces and nephews who (annoyingly) like to throw their dinner on the floor, and a mixture of hard flooring that needs TLC that vacuuming or mopping alone can't handle.
And if you couldn't already tell that I'm utterly obsessed with vacuum mops, the extra proof in the pudding is that I've spent the past few months testing the best vacuum mops on the market. I've then whittled these models down to my three top, editor-approved options - including the one that I use in my own home. After all, I don't want you to waste your money on something that you'll regret, or something that won't actually clean your floors.
Quick list
- Best vacuum mop overall: BISSELL CrossWave OmniForce Edge
- Best vacuum mop for bigger messes: Tineco FLOOR ONE S5 Smart Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
- Best vacuum mop for longer run time: Tefal X-CLEAN 4 Cordless Wet & Dry Vacuum Mop
How I test
As Ideal Home's Vacuum Expert, I have personally spent hundreds of hours in-house testing all kinds of vacuums - from the best cordless vacuums to this new iteration of appliance that combines vacuum and mopping. As a result, I have been able to narrow down the models I've tested to the best vacuum mops I think are worth the investment - and with so many impressive options to choose from, it hasn't been easy!
To do this, either myself or a member of my expert testing panel thoroughly assessed every aspect of the vacuum mop over (at least) two weeks in our own homes, from the weight and the manoeuvrability of the vacuum mop to the suction and mopping power, run time, how easy it is to clean, and how well it actually cleans up wet and dry messes. Because, ultimately, there's no point buying one that will simply spread your cereal around the floor.
Part of this testing process involves general, everyday vacuum mopping to see how the appliance fares during basic cleaning. However, I also take it one step further by throwing all kinds of debris on the floor too - such as tomato ketchup, milk and cereal, rice, coffee, and even whole eggs to mimic the daily struggles of larger, messier families. I also take into account third-party reviews, as I understand that everyone's experiences are different.
Each vacuum mop tested is then rated out of 5 stars, and I've chosen the three best vacuum mops overall to include in this guide. However, I have included some runners-up if my top choices don't quite suit your home and needs.
The best vacuum mops - my 3 top picks
Max run time: 30 mins
Weight: 4.81kg
Suitable for: Area rugs and all sealed hard flooring
Self-cleaning? Yes
RRP: £379.99
An impressive workhorse that will tackle both hard flooring and rugs, thanks to its PowerVac and PowerMop modes, the BISSELL CrossWave OmniForce Edge is the best vacuum mop for most people. It offers a 30-minute run time, is the smallest of the models I've tested (so, easier to store and manoeuvre), and even comes with a cleaning solution for delicious-smelling floors. After testing, this is the model I've chosen to continue using in my own home, and it has completely replaced my vacuum cleaner downstairs. Now, I only use my traditional vacuum on the carpet upstairs.
Read my full review for the detailed specs, performance and comparisons.
Max run time: 35 mins
Weight: 8.6kg
Suitable for: all sealed hard flooring
Self-cleaning? Yes
RRP: £399.99
If you share your home with kids, animals, or have a home that consists entirely of hard flooring, I think the Tineco FLOOR ONE S5 will suit you best. Although it's quite heavy, the self-propelling technology takes a lot of the strain away. It was also undoubtedly the best vacuum mop I tested for bigger messes, thanks to the smart sensor that automatically detects wet and dry debris before adjusting the suction power, roller speed and water flow to ensure sparkling floors at the end. It even has voice and app connectivity to make life even easier.
Read my full review for the detailed specs, performance and comparisons.
Max run time: 50 mins
Weight: 4.3kg
Suitable for: all sealed hard flooring
Self-cleaning? Yes
RRP: £349.99
Do you have a larger home? If you want to ensure that you can use your best vacuum mop for the entirety of your cleaning session, without it running out of charge, the Tefal X-CLEAN 4 Cordless Wet & Dry Vacuum Mop is definitely the one for you. It offers the longest run time of any other vacuum mop I've tested, and is impressive with its cleaning power too. Like the Tineco, it also has a sensor that detects dirt and adjusts cleaning power, but this model also comes with a built-in side brush, which means every hard-to-reach area in my home was cleaned during testing. You can also use any cleaning solution of your choosing with it.
Read my full review for the detailed specs, performance and comparisons.
Best of the rest
I've reduced my shortlist of the best vacuum mops to my three top options, but there are a few other alternatives that I think are well worth a mention if the above options don't quite take your fancy.
Our expert testing panel
I'm Lauren, Content Editor and Certified Expert for Vacuums at Ideal Home. A large portion of my job involves testing floorcare appliances, such as vacuums, mops, steam cleaners and carpet cleaners. And when I'm not testing them, I'm writing about them! I particularly love vacuum mops as I have hard flooring throughout the entire downstairs of my house, and a savage beast/cocker spaniel who gets his mucky paws all over it.
I'm Molly, and I'm currently Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor. While I now spend my days testing air fryers and coffee machines, I previously served as Ecommerce Editor and spent a huge amount of time testing vacuum cleaners. For this guide, I tested the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine in my London flat, and loved how easy the vacuum mop made cleaning my floors.
I'm Helen, an expert tester who tested the Samsung Jet 95 Pro Pet Vacuum for this guide. I use my Home Economics degree and a stint at the Good Housekeeping Institute to help me regularly review products for Ideal Home, ranging from kitchen appliances to vacuum cleaners. I tested the Samsung vacuum mop in my Buckinghamshire home.
I'm Jullia, an expert tester at Ideal Home. I regularly test floor care appliances in my flat, and I had the pleasure of testing the Bosch Unlimited 7 Aqua for this guide. As I live in a small flat with limited storage, I loved that this 2-in-1 appliance allowed me to get rid of my mop and bucket for good. As I have primarily hard flooring in my home, it also meant I could clean almost my entire flat with one appliance.
How to choose a vacuum mop
Vacuum mops are growing in popularity, and there are now more on the market than ever. And just as knowing how to choose a vacuum cleaner can help you make the right decision, the same can be said for choosing a vacuum mop. After all, they're not cheap, and you don't want to waste your money on something that doesn't suit your cleaning requirements.
So, after testing a wide range of vacuum mops myself (and being a keen vacuum mop lover), these are the things I think you need to consider before making a purchase.
- Run time: Vacuum mops typically offer between 20-50 minutes of run time (similar to the best cordless vacuums) and can take up to five hours to recharge. So, if you have a larger home with a larger area of hard flooring, it's best to opt for one with a longer run time.
- Weight: Vacuum mops are typically heavier than a traditional vacuum or mop, especially when they're full of both clean and dirty water. If you struggle with dexterity issues, it's a good idea to choose one that also offers self-propelling technology.
- Cleaning solution: Some of the best vacuum mops come with their own dedicated cleaning solution and only recommend that you use that specific cleaner to maintain the warranty, while others don't come with any. Because of this, it's a good idea to understand what you can and can't use in the machine before buying.
- Extras: Vacuum mop rollers aren't invincible, and most vacuum mops also come with filters that will need to be replaced at some point. If ongoing costs are a worry, opt for a vacuum mop that comes with spares. It's also worth checking to see if they come with any other tools, such as cleaning brushes or a self-cleaning solution.
FAQs
Is a vacuum mop better than a regular mop?
Yes, a vacuum mop is undoubtedly better than a regular mop and well worth the investment. That's because regular mopping can often push dirt, grime and larger debris around your floors without actually cleaning your floors in the process.
A vacuum mop, however, uses suction power combined with rotating rollers and clean water to pick up this dirt while also cleaning your floors simultaneously. This means that you're essentially vacuuming and mopping your hard flooring at the same time.
Alongside this, a vacuum mop prevents any mopping mistakes, such as using too much water or cleaning solution, as everything is automated and controlled by the appliance. It's also less labour-intensive, as you don't have to spend your time manually mopping every inch of your house.
And while they are typically a lot heavier than regular mops, vacuum mops are often self-propelled, so they seem weightless in your hands. A bonus is that they also clean themselves when you're done!
Can I vacuum instead of mopping?
No, you can't. Although vacuuming is an effective way to suck up surface-level dirt, it will never replace traditional mopping, as they do two different things. After all, as proven in the vacuuming vs mopping debate, mopping uses water and cleaning solution to clean and sanitise hard flooring, while traditional vacuum cleaners will break if exposed to liquids.
Generally, the best way to clean your floors is to vacuum first before mopping afterwards (although there are rare occasions where you'll have to do the opposite). This way, you can remove surface dirt and give the hard flooring a deeper clean through mopping.
Of course, a way to combine both of these cleaning methods into one easy clean is to invest in a vacuum mop.
