We Tested 3 High-Rated Vacuum Mops, and This One Came Out on Top
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When it comes to cleaning, is there anything better than efficiency? Whether you’re prepping for spring cleaning, streamlining the house by reorganizing and decluttering, or you’re just in need of a new cleaning device that can really get the job done, a vacuum mop might be the missing link in your routine. Think about it—the combination solves two problems at once, cutting your floor cleaning time in half. That alone was enough to have us double guessing our current setup. And if you don’t have much or any carpeting, you’re going to appreciate even more what a mop vacuum can do for the majority of your surface area.
In my search for the best vacuum and mop combo, I discovered that there are a lot of options out there—and seriously, I mean a lot. It can be so hard to choose from the seemingly never-ending list of housekeeping products and gadgets. That’s why I wanted to test out the top three on the market, at every price point. While I found that there was one clear winner on our list (the Tineco iFLOOR 3 Breeze), the other two options actually did a fantastic job as well, for different reasons. Each had pros and cons specific to their build. Read on to see how I graded each mop vacuum, and why I ultimately ended up crowning the Tineco.
Update: One-Year Review
So, it’s been a year since I first tested and reviewed these vacuum mops, and my opinion stands: The Tineco is still one of my favorite cleaning purchases to date. Throughout this year, it’s seen a lot—from the birthday parties’ aftermaths and snowy Vermont winters to spills, stains, and all the messes in between—and it’s going strong.
I’ve taken good care of my Tineco, making sure to keep up on regular maintenance, cleaning it thoroughly after each use, and replacing the brush when need be. I use it at least twice a month, but more usually once a week, and it’s still going above and beyond at picking up trapped dirt in the floors. It’s especially satisfying (and gross—in the best way) to see what it’s picked up after I’ve already vacuumed and mopped.
I have the luxury of a utility closet, so it’s easy for me to store, but I can see how this could be bothersome for someone who doesn’t have the space to stow it away behind a closed door. The process of cleaning the appliance after it’s finished the job might also find some feeling irritated—taking it apart, washing the canisters, cleaning the brush, and letting it dry out isn’t a quick task—but to me, it’s so worth it seeing how great my floors look (and feel!) after my weekly deep cleaning.
The Testing Lineup
Tineco iFLOOR 3 Breeze Wet-Dry Vacuum
★★★★★
The Tineco vacuum mop is cordless and has a great battery life. It’s the priciest option, at $220, but it also tops our list for a reason. The grime and dirt that got sucked up into the tank was disgusting… in the most satisfying way, of course. And afterward, the floors looked and felt like they had a thorough, hour-long clean that actually took a fraction of the time.
Pros: Mopping and suction performance, ease of use, battery life, thorough deep cleaning.
Cons: Pricey, storage, must only use with the Tineco floor cleaner, must thoroughly clean after each use.
Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop Vacuum
★★★★☆
Bissell’s steam mop vac is the only corded option, but that didn’t particularly bother me. I have water-resistant peel and stick flooring in my bathroom, hardwood in the living and bedroom, and tile in my kitchen. It definitely worked best on the tile floor, where the steam actually seemed to pull up lots of stuck-on grime, particularly in the grout.
Pros: Steam helps sanitize and remove dirt, deep cleans well, speed and strength of vacuum.
Cons: Corded (have to unplug/plug from room to room), storage, steam takes time to heat up, learning curve.
Shark Cordless Vacuum Mop
★★★☆☆
Shark’s cordless vac-mop honestly has surprisingly good suction. It didn’t perform poorly by any means, but it would better fit a studio apartment or someone who lives alone. It did run out of battery after just one use, but I took it into multiple rooms to test. Overall, this is a great budget option for college students, small apartment dwellers, or those without pets.
Pros: Fits well in a small space, price, good suction.
Cons: Doesn’t pick up large pieces of dirt and debris as well, must replace mop pad after each use, battery life.
How We Tested Our Mop Vacuums
Suction Power & Mopping Ability
Obviously, suction and mopping performance with these items is super important. But to really test and see who did best, I had to try a variety of sizes, shapes, and types of crumbs and dirt. I’m talking everything from wet and dry mud, to food crumbs, dust bunnies, liquids, and more. The Shark actually had surprisingly great power, but the mopping ability wasn’t incredible. It just sort of felt like it pushed debris while it mopped, rather than fully sucking it up. The Bissell swayed in the opposite direction, where the steam-mopping power was slightly more impressive than its vacuuming ability. It picked up dirt, but there were some larger crumbs that got left behind. Tineco’s model had a great mopping functionality. The floor felt like it had been cleaned properly. But it also had super powerful suction, almost pulling me along while it glided across the floor. So if you’re worried about that heavy pull, you might want to consider one of the other vac-mops.
Different Floor Type Performance
I am somehow blessed with hardwood, tile, peel and stick, and laminate flooring, which definitely came in handy while testing out all these mop vacuums. The Shark performed best on the hardwood floor, and it honestly did a great job at cleaning my small living room area. The floors were left looking shiny, but without feeling slippery or sticky. The Tineco did a great job on all four floors, picking up grime I, admittedly, didn’t even know was there. However, the Bissell was far more thorough than the other two in cleaning tile, and the sanitization that the steam provides is the cherry on top.
Ease of Use & Maintenance
Just because something is efficient doesn’t mean it’s easy to use or maintain. And if that’s the case, you’ll have to reason with yourself if it’s still worth it. All three of our tested mop vacuums were easy to put together, but some require more regular maintenance than others. The Tineco requires a full cleaning after each use, including the brush, tank, and cleaner compartment. However, the machine functions better because of it, and I know that it’s due to how thoroughly of a job it does. The Bissell is the easiest to maintain. All it takes to steam mop is water, so you won’t have to go out buying a ton of floor cleaner. The Shark was easy to put together, but it does require you to purchase disposable mopping pads, which could get pricey over time.
So What Is the Best Vacuum Mop?
The Tineco iFLOOR 3 was, far and wide, the leader of the pack. However, the Bissell Symphony was a very close second. Overall, I wasn’t disappointed with any of these products—they fit different scenarios and different needs well. If you’re working with lots of tile, the Bissell is going to suit your space very well. And if you’re living in close quarters, the Shark is a fantastic space-saving option. But if you’re looking for that satisfying deep clean that will have your floors sparkling, the Tineco takes the cake. (And mops up the crumbs after.)
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