Sign up for our daily newsletter

Mopping up is a tedious, largely thankless task that, nevertheless, has to be done. But does it have to be tedious? Does damp squeegee on a stick domesticity have to be dreary or could it actually – given the right tools – be transformed into a world of mop-pushing pleasure?

Well, no, obviously; scrubbing at stains or slopping up dropped dinners from the floor is never going to rate highly on anyone’s favourite hobbies list, but you can at least alleviate some of the misery involved by selecting a mop/mop-bucket combo that utilises intelligent design and even cutting-edge cleaning tech to make the ordeal more acceptable.

To that end, we have selected the best mops, each with their own unique selling points and running the price gamut from entry-level excellence to top-end elbow-grease-enhancing perfection. So, if you’re in the market for a mop, don’t make your decision before you’ve seen what we have to say.

READ NEXT: The best vacuum cleaners to buy

Sadly, even here in the 21st century, there will always be those who will happily insist to you that all mops are the same. These people are misguided, for there is as much variety in mop type as there are, say, Liqourice Allsorts. There are flat mops, sponge mops, dust mops, string mops, strip mops, steam mops, spin mops, microfibre mops, static mops and, of course, disposable mops. But with a mop for every feasible spillage scenario, which is right for you?

If you’re the kind of person who cleans up after yourself as you go, doesn’t have pets and isn’t prone to epic bouts of clumsiness, then you’re most like to belong in what we call the ‘mop lite’ category. As such, you should be heading down the route of an inexpensive but dependable flat or round head mop and bucket set that can sit in a convenient cupboard until called upon to mop up a rare mess or simply help out in the weekly/monthly/annual spruce.

On the other hand, if you and the army of domesticated animals you live with are forever knocking food and drink over and/or traipsing mud in the house, the only logical answer is a quick and efficient microfibre spin mop that grabs hold of every last iota of floor-hugging ick prior to depositing it in a bucket that ensures it stays there.

It may sound obvious, but the first thing you want to check for is sturdiness – mops can take quite a bashing, so a solid handle and a hard wearing neck joint are essential requirements, particularly so if the head pivots or spins. Also worth considering, if your mop of choice comes with a bucket, what is the capacity of that bucket? Does the bucket have coasters? If not, will you be able to lift it when full? Or, if your bucket concerns run deeper, should you be considering a mop with a built-in spray bottle instead?

Price: £20 | Buy now from Amazon

It’s all in the name really, isn’t it? Yes, the Vileda UltraMax – for when ‘ultra’ alone isn’t enough to describe just how good a mop this is. A combined wring bucket and mop solution that’s ready to decimate the dirt straight out of the box, the UltraMax features a cunning 2in1 pad that comes bristling with Vileda microfibre tech.

Getting to grips with grime without breaking a sweat, those microfibres blast away hardwood and ceramic tile floor-based bacteria using just water alone, while the sensitive nature of the pad makes this the ideal option for dealing with delicate surfaces, such as parquet – should you be so flash.

Boasting a low-profile, 180-degree swivel head to help getting under and around unmovable obstacles, unless you’re tackling really dirty floors, the Vileda UltraMax is all the mop you’ll ever need.

Key features - Brand: Vileda; Colour: Red; Weight: 1.5kg; Dimensions: 40 x 28.5 x 28.3cm (LWH); Mop type: Flat head

Price: £10 | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re looking for a budget-priced all-rounder, you’ve found it. The metallic-look Spray Mop from Addis is usable on most hard floor types, saving you precious time and effort by allowing you to mop and sweep up with its microfibre flat head while never needing a bucket.

It’s easy to use, too. The microfibre head is both removable, machine washable and you can buy replacements once it starts to look threadbare, and the refillable reservoir bottle wets the mop head with a simple squeeze of the trigger.

According to Addis, its Spray Mop is capable of picking up 50% more dirt than standard strand mops, and most users seem very pleased with the results – although some complain of leaking issues developing over time, and a small number report issues with cracked or broken handles. Thankfully, Addis provide a three year warranty.

Key features - Dimensions: 142 x 15cm x 15cm; Mop Type: Spray; Washing Instructions: Mop head is machine washable

Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon

Addressing the expensive elephant in the room head on, yes, the best part of 50 quid might seem a bit steep for a regular, non-steaming mop, but the price tag here reflects the myriad nifty features this mop comes packing.

A microfibre model with special built-in handle spinning trickery, once inserted into the wringing chamber of the accompanying bucket, a press of the handle sends the head of the Twist Disc into a spin, removing water and dirt while also taking all effort off your hands.

For quick-cleanse convenience, that automatic spin manoeuvre can also be applied to get the (machine washable) mop head to exactly the saturation point required for the job at hand; too wet? Give it another spin.

Ideal for the taller domestic technician, too, the Twist Disc’s handle can extend to a lofty 130cm, while the 360-degree handle joint makes it a joy to use.

Key features - Brand: Leifheit; Dimensions: Bucket H26 x W46 x D26cm, handle extendable to 130cm; Mop type: Spin mop; Washing instructions: Mop head machine washable

Price: £19 | Buy now from Robert Dyas

Part of the problem with mopping is that more often than not, someone will immediately want to walk across your wet, freshly mopped floor. Beldray’s Double Sided Spray Mop offers a potential solution: its double-sided head has chenille on one side and a microfibre cloth on the other, allowing you to clean and dry simply by flipping the head over.

The integrated 300ml water tank is activated by the squeeze of a trigger, saving you from dragging a bucket around, and the pad is treated with an antimicrobial agent to prevent bacterial build-up. On offer at around £15, this is a good option for mopping smaller areas that don’t need a big reservoir of water to get the job done.

Key features - Dimensions: 120 x 41 x 12.5cm; Mop Type: Spray; Washing Instructions: Mop head is machine washable

Buy now from Robert Dyas

Price: £40 | Buy now from Amazon

When you absolutely, positively got to kill every trace of bacteria on the floor, accept no substitutes, the Aqua Revolution from Spontex is your weapon of choice.

A spin mop and bucket system that separates clean and dirty water into isolated bucket compartments using an ingenious in-built pump mechanism, the mop head only comes into contact with clean water when you rinse it. As such, you can rest assured that you’re not going to be slopping dirt back down and that the Spontex’s smartly designed microfibre head is hard at work banishing bacteria from your floor.

Thanks to its round, foldable flat head and the ultra-efficient texture of the cloth, it’ll dig out the dirt no matter how ingrained, while the long 1.4m handle and compact 3.5l bucket make it a pleasure to use.

Key features - Brand: Spontex; Mop type: Flat head; Replacement heads available: Yes; Dimensions: Bucket L35 x W34.5 x H26.6cm; Dimensions: Handle 1.4m; Washing instructions: Mop head machine washable

Price: £35 | Buy now from Amazon

It’s a little-known fact that the OXO brand was created when the founder noticed his wife’s arthritis made it difficult for her to grip everyday utensils. So, what you can take from that is that this Spray Mop has been designed with the ultimate gripping comfort and convenience in mind.

With no bucket required, just fill the attached spray bottle with cleaning fluid and let the large microfibre pad do its business. Come to a tough stain? No problem – squeeze the perfectly positioned trigger and dispense detergent! Stubborn stain proving overly persistent? Step on the mop’s pedal, unleash the Slide-Out-Scrubber and banish that blemish without even having to bend down.

The large, easy pivoting head makes light work of whipping away all manner of dirt and dust, and the machine cleanable pad means you can just wash it and go time and again.

Key features - Brand: OXO Good Grips; Dimensions: L138 x W31cm; Mop type: Spray Mop; Washing instructions: Mop head machine washable

The best tumble dryers you can buy

The best cordless vacuum cleaners to buy

The best mattresses you can buy

The best dehumidifiers to buy

The best Wi-Fi extenders to buy from £35

The best bathroom extractor fans to buy

The best leaf blowers you can buy

The best AA batteries from £3.60

The best indoor and outdoor home security cameras

Best webcam: HD and 4K cams from just £30

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress review: Save a huge 45%

Simba Hybrid Luxe: Get the Luxe for 40% less

Simba Hybrid Pro review: Get 40% off

Eve Premium Hybrid Mattress: Eve's best yet

Brook and Wilde Elite: Now 55% cheaper

Bissell HydroWave: Feature-packed and easy to use

Best toilet brush: Say goodbye to dirt and grime

The best window-cleaning tools in 2022

The best cordless vacuum cleaners to buy

Shark IZ300UKT review: Hard-working and uniquely powerful

Miele Scout RX3: Full of promise but fails to deliver

The best Wi-Fi extenders to buy from £35

Copyright © Expert Reviews Holdings Ltd 2022. All rights reserved. Expert Reviews™ is a registered trade mark.