Clean floors in one step with a vacuum and mop combo.
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These days, there are plenty of great robot mops that do the hard work for you, but a new category of floor cleaners called vacuum mops promises to get the job done better and more efficiently, vacuuming up both dry and wet messes. That's right: They combine the suction of a high-powered vacuum and the wet cleaning power of a top-rated mop to clean and wash your floors in a single pass — often without any extra attachments needed.
To find the best vacuum-mop combos, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab put 12 of the newest models through dozens of performance and ease-of-use tests, cleaning up more than 150 messes — everything from cereal to soy sauce stains — over a two-month period and taking meticulous notes on how well these vacuum mops performed and how easy they were to assemble, use, clean and store.
Ahead, you'll find the five best vacuum mops that earned the highest scores across all categories, plus additional information about how we test and helpful shopping tips.
Overall, Dreametech's floor-cleaning appliances — robots, stick vacuums and this vacuum mop — do very well in GH Cleaning Lab tests. In fact, we think this particular model is one of the easiest to use, especially on hardwood floors. “It honestly did all of the work and I barely had to fuss with a wet mop head or dry it off," one tester said.
We also like how efficient it is, thanks to an edge-to-edge cleaning design that allows you to get tighter into corners and closer to baseboards. And, at 10.5 pounds, it's not cumbersome to tote around the house, even if you have to lug it upstairs.
One of the big upgrades from the previous model, the H11 Max, is a convenient roller dryer feature after it self-cleans. The used water tank is also larger. On the downside, some users report a smell developing over time, even if they haven't used the vacuum mop to suck up anything particularly gross.
Battery runtime: 35 minutes | Weight: 10.5 lbs | Cleaning modes: Auto mode, ultra mode and suction mode | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floor surfaces
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This model performed well in our cleaning tests, especially during our pick-up of cereal with milk. It's an effective wet and dry cleaner, and it rolls smoothly on both hard flooring and area rugs and steers nimbly around furniture legs. Also notable is its ability to be used as a traditional dry vacuum without the need to wet your floors.
We also like that this Eureka vacuum mop comes with a pleasant-smelling cleaning solution and tools to clean its brush roll and water tanks. Although when we used the self-clean function, clumps of dry debris were left behind in the vacuum nozzle. It's also the only one of our picks without a display screen or voice notifications.
Battery runtime: N/A | Weight: 10.4 lbs | Cleaning modes: Hard floor, area rug and dry vacuuming | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floors and area rugs
The feature on this model that most impressed our experts was its automatic water and suction increase when it sensed more debris on our test floors.
It also automatically increases how much water is dispensed during the self-clean cycle if it senses excess debris on the brush roll. The easy-to-empty dirty water tank separates the dry detritus from the dirty water so you won't clog your drain with the debris you picked up from your floors. We put all these devices through a lot of messy tests and found that this model came out of our testing with a nearly spotless brush roll.
Performance-wise, the S3 was a superstar, earning perfect scores in our dry debris pick-up and tank capacity evaluations. The dirty water tank can hold up to 700 milliliters of water — the largest of all the models we tested. Other features we found useful were the LED display that switches colors as the auto-suction changes and the app that allows you to check on cleaning performance and troubleshoot errors.
It's also self-propelling, which makes it easy to push the vacuum mop along the floor without breaking a sweat. Keep in mind that the battery takes about five hours to completely charge.
Battery runtime: 35 minutes | Weight: 9.68 lbs | Cleaning modes: Auto and max | Safe surfaces: Sealed floors
An exceptionally good pick for large homes, this Roborock vacuum mop has one of the largest clean water tanks we tested, holding 900 milliliters of water, and a 43-minute runtime on a four-hour battery charge.
In tests, the Dyad Pro picked up dry oatmeal and other dry spills well and also did a good job on wet spills, like coffee, although it did need multiple passes to completely rid floors of chocolate syrup. The floor-drying mode is what really impressed our experts though; it's a great way to remove small liquid spills from wood floors quickly — key for the longevity of your floors.
This model from Roborock is simple to set up and has fun, convenient features like voice notifications that can be set to three different languages. It was also surprisingly agile to maneuver, thanks to its self-propelling feature. With three brush rolls, an easy-to-read LED display and an effective self-cleaning cycle, we heartily recommend this vacuum mop — despite the fact that it's more expensive than some others, including our top overall pick.
One thing that was problematic was that it cannot stand on its own without being propped up or placed in the dock.
Battery runtime: 43 minutes | Weight: 10.58 lbs | Cleaning modes: Auto, max and floor drying | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floors
We are big fans of Bissell's CrossWave models, and this new-to-market option is quickly proving itself as one of the best vacuum mops out there. Like its predecessors, this model can vacuum up dry debris, suck up minor liquid spills and mop hardwood floors with no extra attachments. According to the brand, it does so with 75% more power than the best-selling model before it.
It's cordless and offers up to 30 minutes of runtime, which is plenty to tackle your average mess, plus sneak in some spot-cleaning. Users say it's not quite up to the task of replacing your stick vacuum — the dust cup is on the small side and it's not as powerful as dedicated vacuums — but it does suck up everything from food spills and crumbs to pet messes without missing a beat. They also appreciate how easy it is to set up and break down.
Battery runtime: 30 minutes | Weight: 15.57 lbs | Cleaning modes: Power vac mode and power mop mode | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floors and area rugs
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Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab started the process by scouring the internet looking for the most popular vacuum mops on the market. Our cleaning experts then tested 12 models from 12 different brands that were available at the time — some from major brands we are deeply familiar with and others from newer brands on the market.
Each model was evaluated across 16 performance and ease-of-use tests. In total, our experts collected more than 500 data points. At the home of one of our experts, a sheet of vinyl flooring sheet was adhered to the floor (pictured). This was where dry debris and wet mess pick-up tests were conducted using six different, pre-measured common food messes, including cereal (with and without milk), soda and coffee grounds. Each vacuum mop was passed over the mess using an equal amount of strokes and was graded based on the quantity picked up.
To test each device's stain-fighting capabilities, a pre-measured amount of soy sauce was applied to the flooring and left to dry; then each vacuum mop was passed over the stain using an equal amount of strokes. Each vacuum mop was used on hardwood flooring to make sure that the models we recommend don't leave excessive water behind that could cause damage. For the four models that have a rug or dry vacuuming mode, additional dry debris pick-up tests were performed on an area rug.
For our ease-of-use tests, our Cleaning Lab expert measured the sound level produced during operation, as well as the weight and maneuverability of each vacuum mop. Evaluation of each device's user guide included checking for the inclusion of 20 different features that are commonly found in appliance manuals, like safety information, assembly graphics, warranty information and FAQs. Our expert also rated ease of cleaning after each performance test, noting how well each device's self-clean cycle functioned and any differences across cleaning after dry vs. wet mess pick-ups.
Because these are dual devices, you have two sets of features to consider when buying a vacuum mop combo. You want to choose a device that performs equally well as a vacuum and a floor cleaner yet doesn't add any extra steps to the cleaning process.
✔️ Self-cleaning mode: A quality self-cleaning function is a must-have for these devices. In fact, it's so important, that we're mentioning it before any other feature. Without a self-clean function, vacuum mops are very difficult to clean because of all the parts that need to be washed after use. During testing, we found that a lot of food can remain inside the vacuum nozzle (pictured), causing odors and, in some cases, leading to mold growth inside the device. Even with a self-clean function that washes out all the debris from your vacuum mop, it's a very good idea to remove all the parts and allow them to air dry before re-assembling your device to keep it free from odors.
✔️ Corded vs. cordless: Corded models do not have to be charged, so they are great for cleaning large spaces, but you’ll often have to unplug and then plug into a different outlet if the cord isn’t long enough. Cordless models offer more flexibility in that you don’t have to worry about having an outlet in the area you're cleaning, but they are limited by the battery's runtime.
✔️ Weight: The weight of the 11 models we tested ranged from under 4 pounds to more than 12 pounds — without the added weight of a full clean water tank! Because these are devices that you have to push along the floor, weight is an important factor to consider. Models with self-propelling capabilities, like the H12, that minimize the effort required to push them forward can often make up for the extra weight.
✔️ Surface type: These floor-cleaning devices work best on sealed hard flooring, like tile, but there are a few that can also clean area rugs. If you have hardwood flooring to clean, it is especially important to note how wet your vacuum mop leaves the floor as excessive water can cause major damage. Although the Eufy MACH V1 Ultra boasts a steam-cleaning feature, our Lab pros don't recommend using steam on wood floors. Look for vacuum mops that have floor-drying capabilities or include instructions for how best to use your device to leave your floors as dry as possible after cleaning. You can also check with your vacuum mop manufacturer to see if different brush rolls are available for your specific flooring type.
✔️ Storage: You can't store these like you would your mop and broom — no hanging these on a wall-mounted organizer or hook. Most of these devices come with a docking station that is an inch or two wider than the device itself and requires access to an outlet. A vacuum mop that is able to stand without being propped up is also great if you prefer not to keep it on the larger docking station. You will still have to set it on the station for charging and to run the self-cleaning cycle.
✔️ Filter: The last thing you want is the dust and debris you are cleaning up to be redeposited into the air. Like you would with a traditional vacuum, note if the device you purchase has a filter and what kind of filter it is. HEPA is best, but any filter is better than nothing at all.
Vacuum mops really do work and will pick up all sorts of chunky food spills, like oatmeal, soup, cereal, even a broken egg. There's no need to sweep before using them wet or dry, though keep in mind that the bigger the wet mess you pick up, the more mess you’ll have to clean out of the machine when you empty it.
A vacuum mop is worth it if your goal is to make your floor cleaning a one-step process (who doesn't want that?). That said, our Lab pros don't recommend them as a replacement for a regular vacuum. They are not designed for carpets, so you will still need a regular vacuum. Plus, for just a small dry mess or spill, it's still easier to use a traditional broom, vacuum or mop that requires less clean up afterwards than these vacuum mops do.
Jodhaira Rodriguez tested and wrote about floor cleaners and vacuums as a reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2021 to 2023. She dedicated hundreds of hours (and her basement floors) to testing and recommending the best floor cleaning appliances, with guidance from executive director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab, Carolyn Forté.
Brigitt Earley is a seasoned freelance writer with extensive experience testing and writing about consumer products, including vacuums, mops and hybrid models. She worked in tandem with Forté to update this buying guide with the latest and greatest models available.
Testing doesn't stop at vacuum mops. Check out more top-tested guides for every type of floor and carpet cleaner below.
From 2021 to 2023, Jodhaira (she/her) was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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