We Tested 23 Vacuum Mops on 100+ Messes—These 4 Came Out on Top!
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Vacuum-mop combos can tackle dry debris and wet messes in a single cleaning session, saving you from having to pull out two separate tools. They're particularly handy for everyday messes on hard flooring, whether you're dealing with crumbs, muddy footprints, or a spilled bowl of cereal. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab , we task these floor cleaners with common wet and dry messes to find the models that clean best and are easiest to use.
Our top picks:
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Best Overall: Dreame H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner
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Best Value: Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Wet Dry Vacuum
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Best Vacuum Mop With Steam: Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam
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Best for Hard-to-Reach Areas: Shark AquaReach PRO
We've evaluated over 20 different vacuum mops, tackling more than 150 real-world messes and evaluating everything from pickup and stain removal to maneuverability, maintenance, and ease of use. The Dreame H15 Pro Heat is our best overall pick thanks to its strong performance on dry debris and wet messes. Other top performers include a more affordable option, plus models with special features like steam cleaning and attachments for tackling shower walls or other hard-to-reach areas.
Dreame H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Dreame continues to impress with high-quality floor cleaning appliances, and the new H15 Pro is no exception. In our GH Cleaning Lab tests, this vacuum mop handled both dry debris and wet spills, such as wine and cereal, with ease. One tester liked it so much they said: "This product wins in a landslide against the products I've previously owned!"
We like its edge-to-edge cleaning design, which reaches corners and baseboards well. At 13.6 pounds, it's noticeably heavier than its predecessor, but the way this model separates dry debris from liquids in its dirty water tank makes cleanup simpler and less messy. Heated water and a self-cleaning brush roll in the base keep the mop hygienic, while app control lets you customize the amount of water dispensed onto the floor.
In our testing, the H15 Pro really delivered. It handled both dry and wet messes with ease, kept debris and liquids separate for less cleanup, and impressed testers with its overall maneuverability and performance. According to the brand, battery run time is also nearly double that of the previous model.
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- Easy to use
- Keeps wet and dry messes separate
- Has self-cleaning feature
- Heavy
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Wet Dry Vacuum
Vacuum mops can get pricey, but the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce offers many of the same basic functions as higher-end models without the higher price tag. It can vacuum and mop simultaneously, or you can shut off the water flow when you only need to pick up dry debris.
It was particularly impressive at picking up dry messes in our tests, making it a good value for everyday floor cleaning.Tasked with cereal scattered across hard flooring, the CrossWave picked up nearly all of it without crushing pieces or redepositing debris onto the floor. We also found it easy to maneuver, and its four-button control panel made it easy to use.
In our wet-cleaning tests, it successfully removed sticky messes like chocolate syrup from the floor. When tasked with cereal and milk, it did push around some of the larger chunks rather than sucking them up. Cleanup was relatively straightforward. The self-cleaning cycle took less than a minute and left the brush roll clean. Unlike some of the other models we tested, it doesn't dry the brush afterward.
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- Easy to set up and break down
- More powerful vacuum than most vacuum mops
- Top performer for vacuuming dry spills
- Cleans area rugs
- Struggled with larger pieces in chunky wet messes
Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam
This Tineco vacuum offers a new level of control with multiple cleaning modes, including steam, hot water, and suction only, so you can skip steam when cleaning delicate hardwood floors.In our tests, it was very easy to maneuver and picked up long hair strands with ease and without tangling. The slim, lay-flat design compresses to just 5 inches to clean under beds, sofas, and other low-clearance areas.
Edge cleaning was especially strong, and the vacuum provided intuitive visual feedback throughout the cleaning process. Voice prompts are also clear and easy to understand, making operation straightforward even for first-time users. You won't need to stop to empty the dirty water tank as often, since it holds up to 750 milliliters—one of the largest capacities among the models we tested.
Though pricey, this innovative new launch impressed us. Tester feedback echoed our impressions, with one enthusiastic user saying, "You would need to pry the Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam from my cold, dead hands for me to go back to any of my old ways of cleaning my floors!"
- Large capacity dirty water tank
- Multiple cleaning modes
- Fits under furniture and has great edge control
- Pricey
Shark AquaReach PRO Cordless Vacuum + Mop with Reach Wand
The Shark AquaReach Pro stands out thanks to its extendable wand with two cleaning attachments.The Stain Scrubber is designed for narrow spaces and stuck-on messes, while the Detailer Mop can clean along edges and corners, under furniture, and even on sealed walls. The wand provides both suction and a cleaning solution that sprays with a trigger squeeze, making this model especially versatile if you want to clean beyond your floors.
In our dry pickup tests, its vacuum-only mode did well at sucking up dry cereal without scattering. In wet-cleaning mode, it made quick work of our cereal-and-milk mixture without leaving a sticky mess behind. Plus, the bright light on the powerhead made it easy to see dust and grime on the floor. We found it fairly easy to maneuver overall, though the self-propulsion occasionally made tight turns feel a little unruly.
The self-cleaning cycle was especially impressive. When we ran it at the end of our wet floor-cleaning tests, the brush roll came out clean, warm, and nearly dry. Shark says the dock uses a sanitizing cycle and heated drying, which should help maintain the brush roll between cleaning sessions.
- Attachments make it easy to wet-clean hard-to-reach surfaces
- Demonstrated good wet and dry cleaning abilities in our tests
- Has an effective self-cleaning and heated drying cycle
- The self-propulsion can make tight turns difficult
How we test vacuum mops
Cleaning performance is the most important part of our vacuum-mop testing.In the Cleaning Lab, we challenge each model with measured amounts of common household messes to see how efficiently it can clean them.
To evaluate dry pickup, we scatter cereal, dried pasta, and fine debris like baking soda across the floor. We count the number of passes needed to pick everything up and note whether the vacuum mop scatters debris, if there is anything it fails to pick up, or if it drops material from the roller as it cleans. We test them against wet messes too. Each model is tasked with picking up a spilled bowl of cereal and milk. We make note of any splashing or chunks left behind.
Good Housekeeping/Jamie Ueda
For stuck-on stains, we apply measured amounts of chocolate syrup and grape jelly to our test flooring and allow them to dry. We then count how many passes it takes to remove the stains completely and check the floor by hand for any sticky residue.
Because too much moisture can damage wood flooring, we also use each vacuum mop on hardwood and note how much water it leaves behind and how quickly the floor dries after cleaning.
Good Housekeeping/Jamie Ueda
Cleaning ability isn't the only thing we consider. We also evaluate how easy each vacuum mop is to use, including its weight and maneuverability, how intuitive the controls are, and how easy it is to recharge and store.
We review the user manual for clear safety and assembly instructions, helpful graphics, warranty information, and troubleshooting guidance. After testing, we assess how easy the machine is to clean and maintain, including how well its self-cleaning cycle works and how easily the clean and dirty water tanks can be removed, washed, refilled, and reassembled.
Good Housekeeping/Carolyn Forte
What to look for when shopping for the best vacuum mop
Vacuum mops combine two cleaning tasks in a single appliance, so you'll want a model that performs well at both picking up dry debris and wet-cleaning floors. Beyond cleaning performance, consider how much maintenance the machine requires, where you'll store it, and whether a corded or cordless model makes more sense for your home.
✔️ Self-cleaning mode: We consider this one of the most useful features on a vacuum mop.Food, dirty water, and other debris can collect around the brush roll and inside the nozzle, so cleaning the machine after use is important for preventing odors and buildup. A self-cleaning cycle does much of this work for you, though you may still need to remove and rinse certain parts. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and drying the components before reassembling the machine.
✔️ Corded vs. cordless: While corded models offer unlimited runtime, which is useful for cleaning larger areas, you'll still have to switch outlets as you move from room to room. Cordless models are easier to move around the house, but you'll need to consider battery runtime and charging time.
✔️ Weight: Vacuum mops can be heavier than traditional mops, especially once the clean-water tank is full. Check the product weight and consider whether you'll need to carry it between floors. Some heavier models are self-propelled, which can make them easier to push while cleaning.
Good Housekeeping/Carolyn Forte
✔️ Surface type: Most vacuum mops are designed for sealed hard floors, such as tile, vinyl, and hardwood, though some can also clean area rugs. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific flooring. If you have hardwood, look for a model that leaves behind as little water as possible, since excess moisture can damage wood over time. And while some vacuum mops have a steam setting, we don't recommend using steam on wood floors , even if the manufacturer says it's safe.
✔️ Storage: Vacuum-mop combos take up more room than a traditional mop and usually come with a docking station for charging or self-cleaning, so think about where you'll keep yours before buying. Most docks also need to be near an electrical outlet. A model that stands upright on its own can be easier to store when it's off the dock.
✔️ Filter: Like a traditional vacuum, a vacuum mop should have a filter to help keep the debris it picks up from being released back into the air. Check what type of filter the model uses and how often it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Good Housekeeping/Carolyn Forte
Do vacuum-mop combos really work?
Vacuum mops really do work and will pick up all sorts of chunky food spills,such as oatmeal, soup, cereal, and even a broken egg. There's no need to sweep before using them, whether wet or dry. However, 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.
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Is a vacuum mop worth 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. Most are not designed for carpets, so you will still need a regular vacuum. Plus, for minor dry messes or small wet spills, it may be easier to use a traditional broom, a great handheld or stick vacuum , or an absorbent mop that requires less cleanup afterwards than these vacuum mops do.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This article was written by Jamie Ueda , a contributing writer with nearly two decades of experience in consumer products. Under the guidance of Carolyn Forté , former executive director of the Cleaning Lab , she has tested and written about many home cleaning products, including some of the vacuum mops mentioned in this article.
Noah Pinsonnault is a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, where he tests and writes about floor-care appliances ranging from spray mops to robot vacuums. For this story, he analyzed the latest vacuum-mop testing and updated the recommendations based on the Lab's results.
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