We tested and researched various sponge mops in The Lab and at home to rate their effectiveness, maneuverability, and value. With a durable design, absorbent sponge, and comfortable handle, the Casabella Painted Steel Original Mop stood out as the clear winner. Scroll to see the best sponge mops for making your floors sparkle. The retro-style Casabella Painted Steel Original Mop is versatile, durable, and, dare we say, chic. This rust-resistant painted steel mop is built to last, with a 48-inch handle that makes it easy to get into all those hard-to-reach places without straining your back. Our tester was so impressed to find that the lever and wringing mechanism didn’t stiffen or stick, even after repeated use. This makes us believe it has a lengthy lifespan, and wouldn’t break in the face of tough, continuous messes. (Plus, it also makes us believe it’d be worth spending your money on.) The 10-inch cellulose sponge is also super-absorbent and works quickly to clear up liquid and grime on hard floors. While it’s not machine-washable, it is otherwise very user-friendly and is a particularly great option if you have hardwood floors, since you won’t leave a ton of excess water behind. Plus, the mop’s compact and slim design makes for easy storage when your chores are complete, as well. Our tester noted there’s a hang hole on the handle for any household that wants to mount it on a wall in between uses, and also grips along the handle that make the mop comfortable to hold and use. Just be sure to add a couple of replacement heads to your cart before clicking the “buy now” button. That’s really the only downside of this product that’s our best overall pick and backed by a lifetime guarantee. Price at time of publish: $32 Weighing just one pound, this slim model scored high marks from our tester from the very start. The mop required almost zero setup, according to our tester, and received a 5-star rating for its ability to clean up wet messes and be wrung out as often as you need. The sturdy, steel handle isn’t retractable, but a built-in lever folds the mop head in half to wring it out in a single pull. The mop head doesn’t pivot, so it took a little elbow grease to maneuver it under furniture, into corners, and along baseboards. In addition, to pick up dry paprika that we spilled on a tile floor, our tester had to use fast, strong motions, and the mop still left a little streak behind. However, plastic feet keep the mop head off the floor to promote airflow for a faster drying time, so you can stash it in your storage closet sooner after you’ve finished your chore. OXO backs this dependable tool with a lifetime warranty and it comes at a decent price, too, that makes it well-worth adding to your cleaning tool collection. Add a refill sponge to your cart for when it’s time to freshen up your cleaning tool. Price at time of publish: $28 Now, the trade-off with this budget-friendly mop is that it’s not very durable and may not last as long as you’d like it to. However, it is backed by a five-year warranty that’ll cover you for a decent amount of time. Storage is also a breeze, thanks to a hole on the handle that allows you to hang the mop in your cleaning closet. Just be sure to add refill sponges to your cart for this pick, as well. Price at time of publish: $22 Not to mention, the telescopic handle is also adjustable, so every member of your household can enjoy their mopping experience, and reach under furniture and around table legs. Just make sure that, before using this mop, you soak the sponge fully in water and let it soften. When the mop is saturated, it is quite heavy, but the product is backed by a full, one-year warranty if you experience any issues. The warranty covers the product minus the PVA sponge. Price at time of publish: $45 However, you should know that this mop does leave some things to be desired. To start, the oceanic sponge does fall apart quite quickly. The design of the mop is also not suitable for heavy-duty jobs, since it’s not as durable as we’d like it to be, especially at the higher price point. You can easily store this mop, thanks to the hole on the top of the handle for hanging, but you’ll want to stock up on replacement sponge heads and be ready to swap them out fairly regularly. Price at time of publish: $44 The all-in-one bucket also wrings, washes, and dries the sponge mop, which is quite impressive. When you’re finished, just insert the pole into the storage groove on the bucket, and stash the compact set in your laundry room or cleaning closet. The overall slim design will make it easy to store this set in small and large spaces. At 4.3 pounds, it is quite heavy compared to other picks on the market and can have trouble gliding smoothly. It ultimately is a wonderful cleaning companion, though. Price at time of publish: $33 In addition to the mop head type, consider the head material. A sponge mop can feature an oceanic, PVA, foam, or cellulose sponge. Some sponges are naturally-derived (cellulose sponge), while others are synthetic (PVA sponge). The sponge’s material will decide how absorbent it is, how smoothly it’ll glide on your surface, and whether it’s durable. Cellulose sponges are often very absorbent, while a PVA sponge is often more durable.
Included Accessories
Some mops come with accessories that’ll add to your cleaning routine. These extra accessories may include a bucket, replacement sponge heads, or a scraper or brush tool. If your mop includes one (or many) of these accessories, it may be more expensive upfront. However, you’ll be prepared for tough spills and stains on your floors. In addition, you won’t have to add an additional sponge head to your cart, or a bucket that doesn’t necessarily fit with your sponge mop.
Storage Options
You’ll want to tuck your sponge mop in a cleaning closet or another storage area of your home once your cleaning task is done and the mop is completely dry. Storing a mop is easier if it features a hole on the handle for hanging it up on a wall, or a bucket that’ll keep the sponge from leaking any excess water onto your floor. Consider these storage options when you’re shopping, and the spot where you’d like to store your mop.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in lifestyle and home improvement. For this roundup, she spoke with cleaning expert Angela Bell of Grove Collaborative and compiled insight on mop styles, flooring material considerations, and cleaning tips. She also consulted testing reports from The Lab and home testers. After considering dozens of sponge mops, she chose mops that are easy to assemble, effective, user-friendly, convenient, and reasonably priced. Once this is done, you’ll dip your sponge mop into the water, and then take it out, still holding it above the bucket. Next, you’ll press down on the bar or lever near the handle, which will wring out excess water from the sponge. To mop, move the mop back and forth. Pause to “wring it out to extract soil,” says Berry, before wetting it again. You may need to replace your bucket of water and cleaning solution with a fresh mixture during the mopping session, depending on how dirty your floor is. Theresa has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, where she covers cleaning supplies, appliances, and housewares. You can find more of her bylines on Byrdie, Verywell Family, and MyDomaine.
