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We tested the best spin mops on the market to find the most absorbent and durable options. hand free wash flat large mop
Spin mops are unique because they are fast-absorbing and usually come with a centrifuge to wring out excess water, so you can focus on cleaning the mess at hand rather than your mop head.
“One may want to purchase a spin mop since they are user-friendly and require less physical effort to wring out the water,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “Additionally, they are convenient as many are equipped with easy-to-replace mop heads, which save users time and effort.”
We tested 16 spin mops in the lab and found six models to stand out from the rest. To challenge our winners even further, we retested the top six mops head-to-head, using them to clean messes like coffee, cheese, grease, and water stains from different floor types and walls.
Two-bucket system keeps clean and dirty water separate
Foot-activated petal lets you wring out the mop head without bending over
Easy to adjust length while cleaning
We wish it had wheels for portability
The EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop System comes with two separate tanks: one for dirty water and one for clean, ensuring you’re never spreading around soiled water. And, compared to the electric mops we tested, it cleaned just as well if not better. It was able to quickly absorb the entire ¼ cup of water we spilled onto the hardwood floor without needing to be wrung out. It was also able to clean stains on hardwood floors in less than 12 passes each (just two for the apple juice, canola oil, and marinara sauce).
When it came to cleaning the grease off of the wall, it only took a couple of swipes (when kept at its shortest length). It was also able to clean Velveeta cheese off of both the floor and grout in about five swipes. This spin mop also cleaned the entire coffee spill almost instantly.
Despite not having a swivel head, the mop was easy to navigate around furniture legs thanks to its triangular mop head. On top of all this, it comes with a foot-activated pedal to wring out the mop head, so there's no bending over. Since the mop is light, it was easy for us to carry, move around, and adjust its length, which enhanced our overall experience.
Set up only took 45 seconds, which is the fastest out of all the spin mops we tested. And when it was time for cleanup, the microfiber mop head came out of the wash with minimal staining and fraying. Although we like the two-tank system, hands-free wringing, and maneuverability of this mop, we do wish the bucket had wheels for even more portability (although it does come with a handle for carrying).
Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: Up to 51 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: RinseClean bucket, adjustable telescopic handle, microfiber mop head
Triangular mop head fits in tight corners and spaces
Mop head is machine washable
Splash-guard keeps the area mess-free
Doesn’t come with separate clean and dirty water tanks
O-Cedar’s more affordable model makes a great value pick. Like the RinseClean, it comes with a machine-washable microfiber mop head that can be wrung out using the foot-activated pedal.
During testing, this mop pleasantly surprised us in the maneuverability department. Since this spin mop is lightweight and equipped with a triangular head, we were able to move it and get into those tighter areas with ease.
As for its absorption, this mop was able to absorb ¼ cup of water from the hardwood floor in just three swipes. When it came to removing the liquid stains from the hardwood floor and the grouted tile, we were able to remove stains in a couple of passes without any cleaning solution.
It also absorbed the coffee spill in less than 30 seconds with a single rinse, which pleasantly surprised us. Its triangular mop head and extendability made it easy to move both on the floor and on the wall, regardless of whether it was being pushed up and down or side to side.
The mop’s sturdy handle made it easy to carry from room to room. After machine-washing the mop head, roughly 90% of the stains washed out with minimal fraying and loose strings. Just note that, unlike the RinseClean, this one does not have separate dirty and clean water.
Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: Up to 51 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: EasyWring bucket, telescopic handle, microfiber mop head
Flat microfiber pads struggle to get into nooks and crannies
This electric spin mop is designed to eliminate pet messes, but we found it effective at eliminating all kinds of messes. It removed most stains from hardwood floors with just a few passes. And since this is an electric mop, it allows you to dispense cleaning solution or water with the touch of a button, as opposed to having to dunk the mop into a bucket of water like manual mops typically require.
Despite the fact that this spin mop does not have an adjustable handle, we did not run into any problems when using it and found it to be very comfortable (for a 5-foot-9 tester). Thanks to its swivel steering, the mop head was able to squeeze into those tight corners and reach further without us having to bend over or expend too much energy.
Although this mop impressed us in the ease-of-use department, it is important to note that due to the mop pads spinning at a flat plane, this mop is unable to get into the cracks of both the tile and wood. Come time for cleanup, the pads are easy to remove and can be tossed in the washing machine (although there was some staining from the marinara sauce even after washing). And since there’s no bucket, it’s nice and compact for storage.
Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: 45 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: 1 mop, 2 soft-touch pads, 2 scrubby pads, 2 trial-size PET multi-surface formulas, 1 storage tray, 1 charging adapter plug
Light and easy to angle for cleaning
Bucket holds up to 2 gallons of water
Mop heads frayed a bit in the wash
When it comes to lightweight spin mops, this one from Libman is a great choice. Weighing 5.5 pounds, this spin mop was able to successfully clean about 80% of stains from the tile flooring.
It cleaned grease from the floor with five swipes and the coffee with nearly eight. It took a bit more effort (about 25 swipes) to clean the Velveeta cheese thoroughly from the grout. That said, we only needed to dampen the mop during this process as opposed to rinsing its head entirely, which we appreciated.
It only took us 49 seconds to set up, as it came almost completely assembled and was easy to control and move thanks to its lightweight feel. The adjustable handle also has a good reach and was able to get close to the furniture for a thorough cleaning. The mop’s wringer was also very beneficial; to remove excess water, simply release the locking lever and push the handle down into the spin chamber. The more force you apply, the more the mop head will spin.
This mop was easy to carry around in the lab using the handle, even when the bucket was full. When we machine-washed one of the heads, we discovered some fraying at the ends, and it felt as though the fibers’ grip had deteriorated. With that being said, we would recommend hand-washing the mop heads to extend their lifespan.
Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: Up to 53 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: 1 bucket, 1 handle, 2 mop heads
Wheeled base makes it easy to move
Cleans stains in fewer passes
Can be difficult to steer the mop head
If wheels are non-negotiable for you when purchasing a spin mop, consider this commercial-grade mop from Bissell. It was easy to maneuver this mop on the floor and around a dining table, despite its neck being on the stiffer side. We had to give it a couple of pushes with our feet to unlock it at times, but other than that, it was seamless.
This mop instantly soaked up water and didn’t require any wringing. When we felt the head after absorbing the water, it didn’t really feel wet to the touch, which was impressive. When it came to absorbing the stains on the hardwood floor, it was able to do so in under 10 passes for each. We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the mop was able to clean the butter, which proved difficult for most other mops we tested (although a little residue remained).
We were also pleased with how little effort we had to exude for the mop to clean up the grease from the wall. Excluding picking up the chunks of marinara sauce and mud (as expected), this mop did a thorough job of cleaning up the remaining parts of the stains. However, the coffee stain was never fully absorbed, either (and took us a lot of effort to try to remove it all, which was somewhat disappointing). Aside from that, the mop was effective when it came to cleaning tough stains, including the Velveeta cheese.
For a manual spin mop, it is heavier than some of our other picks, but it didn’t feel that way when in hand. This is because the mop has wheels that add to its weight but make it much easier when it comes to moving the unit. We found the detachable wheeled base easy to move and steer and the bucket’s handle easy to maneuver.
We were able to easily operate the unit’s centrifuge via a foot pedal and were able to control the amount of water we wanted removed while cleaning. If you’re someone who likes to move the mop all over or in “figure eight” motions to clean up a mess, keep in mind that this mop locks in place, making it more difficult to move without using your whole body.
Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: 39.1–55.8 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: Bucket, stainless steel dolly, stainless steel mop handle, 1 microfiber hand mitten, 2 microfiber mop heads, 1 nylon scrubber
Easy to maneuver on high surfaces
Separate compartments for clean and dirty water
Flat mop head is less effective at absorbing liquids
For a spin mop that’s easy to clean, check out this one from True & Tidy. We liked that this mop had separate compartments for clean and dirty water, which made it easier to clean before storing until the next use.
Concerning its effectiveness and how well it removed stains, we successfully removed the grease off the wall with seven strokes. The Velveeta cheese took about 12 strokes to clean off the ground (with most of them focused on the grout).
Although this mop was able to remove most stains, it was a bit more difficult to absorb the coffee from the floor, as the flat head seemed to just spread it around to start. That said, we were eventually able to remove the coffee from the floor, but it required more elbow grease. We found the flat, solid pad to be helpful when cleaning tough stains, specifically the grease and the cheese.
Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: Extends up to 47 inches | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: Spin mop, bucket, two microfiber mop pads, adjustable handle
Overall, we recommend the O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop & Bucket System. This spin mop is one of only two on our list that comes with separate tanks for clean and dirty water. It also proved very absorbent and effective at removing stains, while the foot-activated pedal made it easy to wring out the mop head. If you want something more budget-friendly, the O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System is another great option. It comes with a triangular mop head that fits into tight corners, as well as a foot-activated pedal for spinning.
We put 16 spin mops to the test in the lab. To start, we timed how long it took to set up each spin mop up for use. This included the time it took to take each mop out of the packaging as well as attach any mop heads. Then, if the spin mop had an adjustable handle, we extended it to its full length and recorded both its longest and shortest heights. If the spin mop was electric, we took note of its battery life.
Then, we examined the maneuverability of each mop (dry) by cleaning under a dining set and observing how easy the handles were to hold and weave around the pieces of furniture.
After that, we conducted a mopping test on a hardwood floor. Before we started, we made a note of any pre-existing scratches or scuffs to ensure that only any potential new ones would be attributed to the mop. We started by pouring a ¼ cup of water onto the floor and monitoring how well each mop was able to absorb the water as well as how quickly it was able to do so.
Following our absorbency test, we created and dried five stains—apple juice, butter, canola oil, marinara sauce, and potting soil—for 10 minutes on a hardwood floor before using each mop. We used only water (cool or warm depending on manufacturer instructions) first to see if the stain or how much of each stain could be cleaned up without the use of a cleaning solution.
During this portion of our test, we also observed how easy it was to fill and carry each filled bucket and/or filled mop. We measured how often we needed to re-wet and rinse each mop (for the manual ones) and the number of swipes it took to clean each stain. If a mop was unable to clean the stains only using the water, we added cleaning solution, and then Dawn dish soap if needed. We repeated this same process on a grouted tile floor. Once all of the stains were cleaned, we observed how easy it was to rinse out each mop head.
We also conducted a second round of testing in which we put our six winning models head-to-head. We applied various staining agents including coffee, bacon grease, and Velveeta cheese to a tile floor and wall. Then we used the spin mops with a combination of dish soap and warm water to absorb the stains and clean the surfaces, recording how well the stains were removed and the amount of passes it took to successfully clean the stains.
Finally, we examined the dryness of each mop head 24 hours after our tests and took note of any odors. If a mop head could be machine-washed, we did that and observed how well each held up following a cycle.
When shopping for spin mops, it is important to be aware of the differences between the various types. Some spin mops operate via a foot pedal. “This allows you to wring out the mop head without bending over—which can be a huge advantage for people with back problems or mobility issues,” says Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match. “However, foot pedal systems can sometimes be more prone to breaking or malfunctioning due to their mechanical nature.”
In addition to spin mops, which operate by a foot-controlled mechanism, there are other “regular” spin mops that require people to push down on the handle in a pumping motion to spin the mop head. “This can be physically demanding for some people, especially over prolonged periods of cleaning, but these systems tend to be more straightforward and potentially more durable since there are fewer moving parts,” says Schulz. Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou, adds that the “regular” spin mops tend to splash a larger amount of water around than those that use a foot pedal.
Finally, electric spin mops do all of the work of a manual spin mop, but you don’t have to carry around a bucket. Instead, these often work by dispensing water or a cleaning solution with the touch of a button, and then using rotating microfiber pads to mop as you glide it across the floor.
Most spin mop heads are made out of microfiber “due to their superior absorbency and ability to attract dust and dirt,” says Schulz. “Microfiber is also gentle on surfaces and doesn't scratch.” When looking for other materials, Schulz advises staying away from microfiber heads made from pure or blended polyester, rayon, or cheap microfiber.
There are some accessories and features that you should look for when shopping for the best spin mops. Keep an eye out for spin mops with adjustable handles. “Handle length is vital for user comfort and reach during cleaning,” says Mock. “An adjustable or appropriately long handle, catering to the user's height, prevents back strain and bending.”
Schulz explains that some spin mops may also come with special attachments including scrubbing brushes as well as additional mop heads for when your current one needs to be replaced. Much like spray mops, spin mops that are lightweight are also beneficial especially if you plan on moving them into multiple rooms or carrying them up and down stairs, according to Schulz.
Simpli-Magic 79117 Spin Mop: We liked the size and simple design of this spin mop, in addition to the fact that it was able to quickly absorb and remove stains without applying too much extra effort. However, it has a tendency to lock into place, making it more difficult to move around when cleaning.
According to Schulz, spin mops clean better than regular mops. “Spin mops are more effective at cleaning compared to traditional mops because of their design," he says. "If you get a swivel type, they can more easily reach corners and under furniture due to a swiveling head. Plus, their spinning mechanism helps to wring out the water and dirt more efficiently, allowing for a cleaner mop head with each pass.”
Most spin mops are hygienic as a result of their operating system. “The spinning mechanism allows for the mop head to be thoroughly wrung out, reducing the amount of dirty water that is spread around during cleaning,” says Schulz. “Another feature is that most spin mops also have replaceable heads, which can be machine-washed or replaced when needed, ensuring a clean mop head each time you clean.”
There is no definitive answer as to how long spin mop heads last as every mop head is different. However, “most manufacturers recommend changing spin mop heads every three months,” explains Gomasi. “Despite that guideline, we've found with regular washing and maintenance that spin mop heads can last far longer than that—I have a spin mop that I've been using with the same head for over a year.”
mop parts This article was written by Jenna Clark, contributing writer for Southern Living. In addition to Southern Living, Clark contributes content to several other publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Tripadvisor, Women’s Health, and more. To come up with this list, the team at Southern Living tested 16 spin mops in the lab, evaluating them on setup, adjustability, maneuverability, absorbency, effectiveness, portability, and ease of cleaning. For additional insight, Clark spoke with cleaning experts Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match, Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou, and Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.