5 Best Vacuum-Mop Combos, According to Our Cleaning Experts
Instantly vacuum up spills and clean your floors in just a few passes!
Expert consulted: Carolyn FortéHome Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director
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Keeping hard floors clean can be a cumbersome process. First, you have to vacuum up dry debris, like dust and hair, and then you must wet clean them with either a mop or — even worse — on your hands and knees with a cloth. A good vacuum-mop combo makes this onerous task easier and more efficient by cleaning up in one step. These innovative devices combine the suction of a vacuum with the wet cleaning capabilities of a mop, allowing them to tackle both dry and wet messes at once — often without any attachments needed.
Here in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we test floor cleaning devices year-round, including vacuums, mops and vacuum-mop combos. For this roundup, we tested 20 models, cleaning up more than 150 messes for ease of use and performance. Recently, we tested newer models over a two-month period, assessing how well they performed and how easy they were to assemble, use, clean and store.
Dreame H12 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Easy to use
- Has self-cleaning feature
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some say it may develop a smell over time
Battery runtime: 35 minutes | Weight: 10.5 lbs | Cleaning modes: Auto mode, ultra mode and suction mode | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floor surfaces
Dreame is becoming well known for its high-quality floor-cleaning appliances — robots, stick vacuums and vacuum mops — all of which do very well in our GH Cleaning Lab tests. We found this vacuum mop model is one of the best-performing and easiest to use, especially on hardwood floors. “It honestly did all of the work and I barely had to fuss with it," one tester said.
We like its 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 or carry up and down stairs. Improvements over a previous model include a roller dryer feature after it self-cleans and a larger dirty water tank. On the downside, some users reported a smell developing over time, even without picking up anything particularly gross.
Dreame's newest model, the H14 Wet and Dry Vacuum, tested similarly in performance to the H12. It's pricey but may be worth the splurge for some handy upgrades. The roller brush self-cleans with both hot water and hot air to keep the brush clean and stink-free. It can also clean the floor while in a flat position to get under furniture. According to the brand, it also offers higher suction power.
RELATED: The Best Mops for Floors
Pros
- Performed well in our dry pick-up tests
- Easy to maneuver around furniture
- Comes with a pleasant-smelling cleaning solution
Cons
- Self-clean function missed some debris
- No 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
Truly a double-duty vacuum at a great price, 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 can be used as a traditional vacuum without wetting your floors. We appreciate the ease at which it rolls over both hard floors and area rugs, steering nimbly around furniture legs.
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. For it's affordable price, you'll sacrifice a display screen or voice notifications. It's the only one of our picks without these features.
Tineco Floor One S3
Pros
- Intuitive floor-cleaning and self-cleaning functions
- Largest capacity dirty water tank tested
- Self-propelling
Cons
- Battery takes up to five hours to fully charge
Battery runtime: 35 minutes | Weight: 9.68 lbs | Cleaning modes: Auto and max | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floors
Almost like it had a mind of its own, this Tineco vacuum automatically increased water and suction 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 debris from the dirty water so you won't clog your drain with what you picked up from your floors. And even after our messy tests, this model came out with a nearly spotless brush roll.
The S3 was a top performer, earning perfect scores in our dry debris pickup and tank capacity evaluations. You won't need to stop to empty the dirty water tank as often as it can hold up to 700 milliliters of water — one of the largest of 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, but keep in mind that the battery takes about five hours to fully charge.
RELATED: The Best Robot Mops
roborock Flexi Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Easy to setup, use and clean
- Excellent self-cleaning mode
- Does not leave behind excessive water residue
Cons
- The roller brush isn't as long as others
Battery runtime: 50 minutes | Weight: 11 lbs | Cleaning modes: Self-cleaning and floor drying | Safe surfaces: Sealed hard floors
Sleek styling is the first thing you notice about this Roborock vac mop, but it's also an exceptionally good pick for large homes and one of the top performers in our Lab tests. It comes with tons of extra enhancements, including a newly improved self-cleaning mode that uses both hot water and hot air to ensure the brush is thoroughly clean and dry.
In tests, this model impressed us with its extraordinary ability to pick up virtually all of the milk and cereal in only about two passes. We also loved that it only left a thin, virtually invisible amount of water behind on the floor, securing it as our choice for cleaning hardwood floors.
Other pluses are that it can lie completely flat to clean beneath low furniture, and it shows the battery life on the handle, so you know exactly when you need to charge it.
While the roller brush on this model is a bit shorter than other ones we tested, we still found it incredibly easy to maneuver and simple to control. Plus, a built-in strainer separates solids from liquids to make it easy to rinse out the parts after use.
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Wet Dry Vacuum
Pros
- Easy to set up and break down
- More powerful vacuum than most vacuum mops
- Top performer for vacuuming dry spills
- Cleans area rugs
Cons
- Users say it doesn't tackle dust as well as the brand claims
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
Bissell knows a thing or two about vacuum cleaners and this CrossWave vacuum mop proved itself one of the best for picking up dry debris such as cereal and coffee, while mopping the floor. 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 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.
RELATED: The Best Bissell Vacuums
How we test vacuum mops
Cleaning performance is key with these appliances, so we evaluate the vacuum mop's pickup capabilities using pre-measured amounts of common foods. To test dry debris, cereal, dried pasta and fine debris, like sugar (think a dropped sugar bowl!), is spread on the floor, and we pass the vacuum mop over the mess, counting the number of strokes required to remove the spills completely. We take note of any scattering or dropping of debris from the roller and any remnants the vac mop was unable to pick up. This process is then repeated by spilling a bowl of cereal with milk to test the mop's ability to handle chunky wet mess pick-up.
To test each device's ability to remove stuck-on stains, pre-measured amounts of chocolate syrup and grape jelly are applied to the flooring and left to dry. Then we pass each vacuum mop over the stains, counting the number of strokes it takes to completely clean the floor. We then rub our hands on the floor to assess if there's any sticky residue left behind.
Each vacuum mop is tested on hardwood flooring to make sure that it doesn't leave excessive water behind that could cause damage. And we note how quickly the wood floor dries after cleaning.
And no matter how well it cleans, if an appliance is difficult or messy to use, it stays in the closet. For our ease-of-use tests, our Cleaning Lab experts measure the weight and assess the maneuverability of each vacuum mop. We also take note of how easy it is to use, navigate the controls, recharge and store.
Evaluation of each device's user guide includes checking for the features commonly found in appliance manuals, like safety information, assembly graphics, warranty information and FAQs.
Finally, our experts rate the ease of cleaning each mop after each performance test, noting how well each device's self-clean cycle functioned, how easy the tanks are to remove, wash and reassemble and any differences across cleaning after dry vs. wet mess pick-ups.
What to look for when shopping for the best vacuum mop
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, 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, 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 reassembling 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 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 Dreame 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. Some models may have a steam feature but 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.
Do vacuum-mop combos really work?
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.
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. They are not designed for carpets, so you will still need a regular vacuum. Plus, for just a small dry mess or little wet spill, it's may be easier to use a traditional broom, a great handheld or stick vacuum or an absorbent mop that requires less clean up afterwards than these vacuum mops do.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This article was most recently updated by Jamie Ueda who is a contributing writer with almost two decades of experience in consumer products. Under the guidance of Carolyn Forté, Executive Director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, she has tested and written about many home cleaning products, including some of the vacuum mops mentioned in this article.
Brigitt Earley is a seasoned freelance writer with extensive experience testing and writing about consumer products, including vacuums, mops and hybrid models. She previously updated this article and worked in tandem with Forté.
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Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
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.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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