By Jasmine Harding | Updated Sep 8, 2021 2:04 PM

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Stains, scuff marks, and dirt can make hard flooring look dull and dingy. When a mop and bucket won’t cut it, consider a floor scrubber to get floors back to gleaming clean.

The best floor scrubber washes away dirt, germs, scuffs, and stains to make floors “hands and knees clean” with less effort. The floor scrubbers on this list range from affordable floor brushes to multifunction steam mops.

Many of these handy cleaning tools are safe for use on wood, tile, laminate, vinyl, and other hard floorings. Get rid of stuck-on grime and dirt with these effective floor scrubbers.

The ideal floor scrubber for a home should be well suited to its flooring type and cleaning needs. Flooring type is the first factor to consider; make sure to choose a scrubber that isn’t too rough on floors or too soft to get the job done. Other features contribute to ease of use, like maneuverability, scrubber type, and extra cleaning accessories.

Each flooring type has different cleaning recommendations. Some flooring can handle a good scrubbing, while others need a gentler hand. When choosing the best floor scrubber, start by checking the cleaning recommendations for your flooring.

For delicate flooring types, like marble tiles and some hardwood floors, consider a scrubber with soft microfiber or fabric pads. Tougher flooring, like ceramic and porcelain tiles, might be able to handle a scrubbing brush.

Also, consider the moisture resistance of flooring. Certain materials, like solid hardwood and laminate flooring, should not be saturated with water. Scrubbers with wringable mop pads or on-demand spray features make it easier to control the amount of water or cleaner. To keep flooring in tip-top shape, pair the scrubber with a specific cleaner, like tile floor cleaner or hardwood floor cleaner.

Electric floor scrubbers use outlet power or a battery source to power their clean. These scrubbers are convenient and do most of the work themselves. They have rotating or vibrating bristles or pads that clean the floor with each pass. Most have on-demand sprayers to distribute cleaners. Steam mops are another electric option, using steam instead of chemical products to clean and sanitize floors.

Though electric scrubbers are convenient, they are the pricier option. They are also heavier and larger, so it might be tough to clean under furniture or in tight spaces. Corded options are restricted by their power cord, and battery life restricts use of cordless options. Robotic floor scrubbers are the most convenient electronic option; there’s no work needed other than maintaining the mopping pads and the water tank.

Manual floor scrubbers require good old elbow grease to clean floors. These scrubbers can include mops, like spin mops and sponge mops, as well as scrub brushes. Manual scrubbers are affordable, simple to use, and maneuverable compared to electric scrubbers. Their main downside is that they require the user to do the scrubbing. Because of this, they might not offer the deep clean of an electric scrubber or the sanitizing benefits of a steam mop.

Electric floor scrubbers come in corded and cordless designs. Corded scrubbers need to plug into an outlet for power, but they won’t run out of charge halfway through a good cleaning. Their cord length can also restrict their movement. But in most homes, this small inconvenience is easy to get around by using an extension cord or plugging it into different outlets.

Cordless scrubbers are designed to be easy to maneuver. They’re the ideal pick when you want to avoid annoying cords, although these battery-powered options need frequent charging or battery changes.

Most have a run time of 30 to 50 minutes, which is much less than the run time of a corded scrubber. But like most cordless appliances, cordless scrubbers typically weigh less than corded options and are easier to move about.

Both electric and manual floor scrubbers can have mop pads or scrubbing brushes. Scrubbing mop pads are often made of microfiber or other soft fabrics. These pads are common on electric floor scrubbers.

The powerful rotation of an electric scrubber can work faster than manual scrubbers for a deeper clean. Some designs include dual-head scrubbers to cover more surface area with each swipe. Designed to be absorbent and offer a gentle deep clean, these soft mop pads are safe to use on most hard flooring.

Scrubbing brushes with abrasive bristles are a popular choice for cleaning tough messes. Often made of synthetic materials, scrubber bristles can vary in softness. Soft bristles tackle gentle daily cleaning, while thicker bristles help with heavy-duty jobs. Since bristles can be abrasive, they are better suited for durable and scratch-resistant flooring.

When deep cleaning floors, getting under furniture, into corners, and along baseboards is a must. A maneuverable floor scrubber helps clean along all the nooks and crannies of hard flooring.

Manual floor scrubbers tend to be more maneuverable than electric models. They are thinner, lightweight, and tend to have smaller cleaning heads. Some have a swivel head or a pointed brush, allowing them to sweep into tight spaces or go deep into corners.

Electric floor scrubbers are larger and heavier, which can make them tougher to maneuver. Their cords, large cleaning heads, or thick handles might constrain their movement. However, they often make up for this inconvenience with their scrubbing power. Some have swivel mounts and low-profile mop pads to make them easier to move about.

Manual floor scrubbers are usually rather basic, with a long handle and a cleaning head. Some might include simple attached accessories like a squeegee or a spray feature.

On the other hand, electric floor scrubbers can include a range of accessories. Most have reusable and washable mopheads or pads for long-term use. Some also have changeable mopheads, with softer or harder scrubbers for different cleaning jobs. On-demand spray features are common, which allow users to control the amount of floor cleaner sprayed as they go.

Steam mops can include the above features and more. Some have targeted cleaning heads to disinfect grout, upholstery, and curtains for a whole-home clean.

The best floor scrubber for a home depends on the flooring type and intended use. An affordable manual scrubber is ideal for small cleaning jobs, like scrubbing an entryway or for spot cleaning stains. For a whole-home clean or to sanitize hard floors, consider upgrading to an electric or steam mop. These top picks include a range of floor scrubber types to clean tough messes and leave floors sparkling clean.

For frequent deep-cleaning sessions, reach for the Bissell SpinWave PET mop. This cordless electric mop features a lightweight and slim design. This mop is built like a stick vacuum and features a swivel head, making it easy to maneuver while cleaning. It features two rotating mop pads that scrub and buff floors to restore shine. An on-demand sprayer provides full control of spray distribution.

The mop includes two sets of pads: one set of soft-touch mop pads for daily messes, and one set of scrubbing pads for deep cleaning. Each charge provides up to 20 minutes of run time to clean sealed hard floors, including wood, tile, linoleum, and more. It comes with trial-size cleaning formulas and extra mop pads.

This inexpensive JIGA floor scrubber set includes two manual floor brushes. To tackle a range of cleaning jobs, each brush head is dual purpose with a dense brush and attached squeegee. The scrubber side features synthetic bristles that loosen dirt and stubborn stains. To clear dirty water away, the other side has a rubber squeegee bar. These floor scrubbers are ideal for moisture-resistant floors, like outdoor decks and tiled bathroom floors.

Each scrubber handle is made of durable steel and has two optional lengths. The three-piece handle comes together using plastic connectors. Use two of the handle pieces for a shorter 33-inch length or connect all three pieces for a longer 47-inch handle.

The Fuller Brush E-Z Scrubber is a manual brush made to clean tough-to-reach spots. The scrubber features a V-shaped trim bristle design; each side of the bristle head narrows into a V shape. The slim ends are designed to fit into grout lines and reach into corners. The gentle bristles won’t scratch or disturb grout, but they are sturdy enough to keep their shape with extended use.

The telescoping steel handle and pivoting head allow for even more reach. To give a wide swipe over floors or to clean dirty walls, the handle extends from 29 inches to 52 inches. This mop also features a pivoting head that can angle from side to side to reach along baseboards or under furniture.

For a professional-level clean, consider the Oreck Commercial Orbiter Floor Machine. This versatile floor scrubber can clean several floor surfaces. It can loosen dirt from carpeted floors, or pair with a cleaner to wet mop hard floors. This wide electric scrubber is ideal for large commercial and residential spaces. The 50-foot power cord helps the 13-inch-diameter cleaning head quickly power through floor scrubbing.

To leave a streak-free clean, this scrubber features random orbital drive technology. Instead of rotating in a set direction, the brush head rotates in a random pattern. This allows the scrubber to glide over surfaces without leaving swirls or brush marks, leaving a streak-free finish instead.

The Bissell Power Fresh steam mop eliminates 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria without chemical cleaners. This corded electric mop includes two mop pad options: a soft microfiber pad for gentle cleaning and a scrubby microfiber choice for stuck-on spills. Paired with deep-cleaning steam, these mop pads wipe away dirt, scuffs, and germs. To suit different cleaning jobs and flooring types, this mop features three adjustable steam levels.

If the steam mopping head isn’t quite cutting it, a flip-down bristle scrubber can help clean tough messes. To leave a fresh scent, insert an optional fragrance disc. This mop includes eight Spring Breeze fragrance discs to leave rooms smelling extra fresh.

For a truly hands-free clean, consider this Jetbot robotic floor scrubber from Samsung. This handy gadget automatically cleans all types of sealed hard flooring with its dual spinning pads. To make sure it cleans along baseboards and in corners, the spinning pads extend past the edge of the unit. Each charge allows up to 100 minutes of cleaning time to tackle several rooms.

To avoid bumps and damage, this robotic mop has a smart sensor to avoid running into walls, carpeting, and furniture. The unit automatically dispenses water or cleaning solution to break down messes as it goes. The double water tanks allow for up to 50 minutes of cleaning between refills. To manually clean floors or walls, pick up the scrubber with the top handle to scrub surfaces by hand.

The best floor scrubber can rid most any floor of dirt and grime, and the Bissell SpinWave Cordless spin mop combines the power of rotating pads with cordless convenience to clean most floor types. Those on a budget and ready to provide scrubbing power might opt for a manual floor scrubber, like the Fuller Brush Tile Grout E-Z scrubber, which reaches where users can’t.

When shopping for a floor scrubber, it helps to consider floor type and choose the best scrubber for your flooring. Most of the scrubbers on this list can clean multiple floor surfaces. We also analyzed a scrubber’s power to note whether it was corded electric, cordless, or manual, and included some of each.

We also looked at scrubbing action. Those who want to use their scrubber often but on easy messes might look for different scrubbing features than they would for the heavy grime and large floor surfaces that the professional scrubber from Oreck can tackle. We considered a scrubber’s maneuverability as well, since the mops need to reach into corners and under or around furniture. Finally, we noted helpful accessories, like included mop pads.

A floor scrubber is a handy cleaning tool for scrubbing tough messes. Some scrubbers are ideal to use in addition to a mop and bucket, while others can replace other floor-cleaning tools. Here are some common questions and answers to keep in mind when choosing the best floor scrubber for your home.

Most home flooring could use a deep clean once every couple of weeks. Consider cleaning bathroom and kitchen floors more often due to the higher presence of germs and bacteria.

Cylindrical scrubbers use a cylindrical scrub brush system. These scrubbers are most often found in commercial floor scrubbers. They sweep up dust and dirt as they scrub floors, getting rid of the need to sweep or vacuum beforehand.

Most electric home floor scrubbers have disc scrubbers, which have flat pads that rotate or vibrate to clean flooring. Since they lay flat on the floor, they can’t sweep up hard, dry debris. Floors should be vacuumed or swept before using a disc scrubber.

Floor scrubbers can last many years. Their scrubbing pads will need frequent cleaning and replacing, depending on how often they are used. Clean bristles and mop pads after each use, and consider replacing the scrubber head altogether if it starts to pick up permanent stains or a lingering smell.

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series, including This Old House and Bob Vila’s Home Again, he popularized and became synonymous with “do it yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

Jasmine Harding is a freelance writer and avid traveler. She is a DIY enthusiast with a keen interest in budget finds and sustainable living. In her free time, you can find her embroidering, researching her next home project, or watching nature documentaries.

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