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The 7 Best Spin Mops Of 2024, Tested By Southern Living

We tested the best spin mops on the market to find the most absorbent and durable options.

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The 7 Best Spin Mops Of 2024, Tested By Southern Living

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 our Lab and evaluated each on its setup, adjustability, maneuverability, absorbency, effectiveness, portability, and ease of cleaning. We found that the best spin mops clean messes quickly and can be washed without too much damage or fraying to the mop heads. In addition to Mock, we also received expert tips from cleaning experts Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match, and Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou.

The two-bucket system keeps clean and dirty water separate, while the foot-activated petal makes it easy to wring out the mop head without bending over.

We would like to see it come with 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). And 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 petal to wring out the mop head, so there's no bending over. 

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

The triangular mop head fits in tight corners and spaces.

It 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. 

The mop’s sturdy handle made it easy to carry from room to room. After machine washing the mop head, roughly 90 percent 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 tanks.

Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: Up to 51 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: EasyWring bucket, telescopic handle, microfiber mop head

The cordless design, swivel steering, and on-demand spray make for a better mopping experience.

The 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-inch 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 with its ease of use, 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

The mop heads are highly absorbent and remove stains from hardwoods in fewer passes.

It’s not as effective on tile flooring.

We were extremely impressed with this spin mop’s ability to clean hardwood flooring. The first thing we noticed is that the spin mop took longer to set up than some of the other spin mops we tested (two minutes and 55 seconds), as it had three rods that needed to be attached to each other. But we like how the handle can adjust to accommodate people of varying heights. 

We were immediately impressed by this mop’s absorbency, because it only took us only four quick swipes across the floor to dry the ¼ cup of water we intentionally spilled onto the hardwood floor. We were also pleasantly surprised by how well this mop cleaned the stains off the hardwood floor—it only took one pass for the apple juice and two for the canola oil and butter. Although the mop did work to remove the stains on the grout tile, it was not as effective as it was on the hardwood, as some of the stains, such as the marinara sauce, didn't come off the grout lines without a great deal of effort. 

While it wasn’t an overly difficult task to remove the mop head, we had some difficulties at first and wish the directions were clearer. However, once we figured it out, the mop head rinsed well and didn’t leave too much of a stain behind. Despite the troublesome time we had with removing the mop head, we were able to overlook this aspect due to how easily maneuverable and lightweight this mop is. We also didn’t experience any residual odors coming from the mop head after it was machine washed, which was a plus. 

Head Material: Microfiber and chenille | Handle Length: 36-61 inches | Weight: 4 pounds  | Machine-Washable Head: Yes  | Includes: Bucket, mop handle, mop plate, 4 microfiber mop heads, 1 chenille mop head, 1 scrub brush

It was among the best we tested at removing stains from tile floors, and the wringer is easy to use.

The mop heads frayed a bit in the wash.

Tile can be a tricky surface to mop, but the Libman Tornado Spin Mop does a great job and was able to successfully clean about 80 percent of stains from the tile flooring. Plus, it only took us 49 seconds to set up, as it came almost completely assembled. 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. 

Weighing in at only 5.5 pounds, 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

Its wheeled base makes it easy to move the unit between spaces.

The handle’s neck can be a bit stiff when trying 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). 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. We experienced something similar when cleaning the stains off of the grout tile. A decent size of marinara sauce and mud remained in the grout lines even after mopping. Aside from that, the mop was effective when it came to cleaning. 

For a manual spin mop, it is heavier than some of our other picks (but didn’t feel that way when in hand). However, it is important to note that this 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. 

Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: 39.1-55.8 inches | Weight: 16 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

The foot-activated spin takes most of the water and solid material out of the mop head.

 It could do a better job of wiping up solid pieces.

Not only do we deem the Hurricane Spin Mop easy to clean, but it is also very easy to set up and use. It was able to completely absorb the ¼ cup of water in just two passes without any streaks or scratches occurring. When it came to the other liquid stains, this mop was able to clean them in less than five passes. However, we did run into some difficulty when it came to the solid stains. Although a similar thing occurred on the grout tile floor, the mop appeared to be less effective on that surface compared to the hardwood. 

During testing, we noticed that the handle was not adjustable, but did not find this to be problematic as the mop still had a long reach. We also did not run into any issues when moving the mop head around various furniture pieces. 

The foot pedal worked well to remove any excess water as well as some solid pieces that were picked up. We didn’t notice any water spill out as we used the foot pedal, which was a plus. When we machine washed the mop head, about 85 percent of the stains came out.

Head Material: Microfiber | Handle Length: 46.5 inches | Weight: 5.1 pounds | Machine-Washable Head: Yes | Includes: Bucket, mop handle, 2 mop heads

Overall, we recommend the O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop & Bucket System. This spin mop is the only one 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 our 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. 

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 & 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 Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “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. 

Mopnado Deluxe Spin Mop System: This spin mop did a great job of absorbing and cleaning liquids. Plus, the spinner was very effective at wringing out the mop head. However, it is a bit tricky to move around, and the handle felt flimsy. 

True & Tidy TrueClean Mop and Bucket System: This ultra-lightweight spin mop is easy to adjust and maneuver. And like our best overall pick, it has separate compartments for clean and dirty water. But it is not the best at getting into the crevices and takes more passes to clean stains than some of our other picks. 

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. 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.” 

This article was written by Jenna Clark, contributing commerce writer for Southern Living. In addition to Southern Living, Jenna contributes commerce 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 hands-on tested 16 spin mops, evaluating them on setup, adjustability, maneuverability, absorbency, effectiveness, portability, and ease of cleaning. For additional insight, Jenna spoke with cleaning experts Toby Schulz, CEO & co-founder of Maid2Match, Delah Gomasi, CEO of MaidForYou, and Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. 

The 7 Best Spin Mops Of 2024, Tested By Southern Living

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