These Vacuum and Mop Combos Tame Wet and Dry Messes (2024)

For those who live in busy households with pets or kids, a vacuum mop is a good tool to have in your arsenal. It's more than just a vacuum because it steam mops, sanitizes, and dries your floor—and can easily handle both wet and dry debris.

That said, don’t expect them to completely replace your regular vacuum; we often found we preferred to run a vacuum or sweep before running this device in order to pick up surface debris. You also may prefer a more powerful vacuum for embedded hair and dirt.

Another disclaimer: Vacuum mops can require maintenance. Though many advertise themselves as self-cleaning, you should still expect to wipe the parts down to make sure they’re free from sticky residue.

What We Tested

To find the best vacuum mops, we tested 19 models in our lab and at home, evaluating them on their performance, ease of use, maneuverability, filters, features, and attachments. Learn more about our testing process below.

Why You Should Get It

  • It’s lightweight and compact, plus effective enough to use as a sole vacuum and mop in apartments or small homes.

Keep in Mind

  • You have to empty it between mopping and dry vacuuming to prevent messes.

The Black + Decker Wet Dry Vac is not only the most affordable model we tested—it also performed the best. It managed to get the grout lines on a tile floor clean, which is historically difficult for vacuum mops to accomplish.

During testing, it was completely effective at cleaning both wet and dry messes (either individually or at the same time) on hardwood, grouted tile, and carpet. Moving in a backward motion didn’t work as well as going forward, but the overall results weren’t impacted much.

Because it’s compact and lightweight, we see it as a great all-in-one option for those living in apartments without room for multiple bulky floor cleaning tools. For larger households with kids and pets, you may want an additional vacuum with stronger suction to get embedded hair and dirt.

The biggest downside is that it needs to be emptied between mopping and dry vacuuming sessions—if not, wet messes and water could leak out onto the carpet. As far as vacuum mops go, emptying the dirt and water tanks is pretty easy, and the self-cleaning feature works great.

Weight: 9.7 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Filter: HEPA | Dustbin Capacity: Not listed | Features and Attachments: Dual-action brush roll, soft roller, bristle roller, cleaning brush, HEPA filter, charging base, self-cleaning mode

Key Terms to Know

  • HEPA Filter: High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter is a type of filter that removes smaller particles such as dust, bacteria, and mold from the air.
  • Self-Cleaning: Many vacuum mops have a self-cleaning feature that cleans a vacuum's brushes and canisters.
  • Mapping: A process that robot vacuum cleaners use to determine the area it needs to clean before it vacuums.
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Best for Wet Messes

Roborock Dyad Pro

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Our Ratings

  • Effectiveness

    4.8/5

  • Maneuverability

    4.9/5

  • Ease of Emptying

    4/5

  • Portability

    5/5

  • Noise Level

    4.5/5

Why You Should Get It

  • It’s equipped with advanced technology that automatically sets suction power and water flow, plus dispenses detergent based on the type of mess it has to clean.

Keep in Mind

  • The brushes are not meant to be used on carpet.

Although the Roborock Dyad Pro is pricey, it topped our list because of its range of features and multiple rollers that clean efficiently (even on floor edges). The vacuum performed exceptionally, taking just about a minute to clean coffee grounds, mayo, and soggy cereal.

On hardwood and grout floors, we were able to remove all substances in a single pass.Initially, we found the vacuum tricky to set up, mostly because the instruction manual wasn’t detailed. But once we got it going, it performed better than a regular mop.

It’s equipped with sensors that assess how dirty the floor is and then automatically adjust suction power, water flow, and detergent. There are also self-cleaning and self-drying modes that make for easy maintenance. You can monitor all modes and settings on an LED screen.

We found the vacuum mop easy to maneuver; it’s not bulky, so it can get into hard-to-reach areas. It also comes with a smart app, which we didn’t test out because we weren’t able to connect to WiFi. Just be aware that the brushes are not designed to clean carpet.

How It Performed After Six Months

The Dyad Pro vastly improved the overall cleanliness of our home over the testing period. Though we prefer to do a once-over with a regular vacuum in certain areas like the bathroom due to hair buildup, we found that the simultaneous mopping/vacuum function worked very well.

Many vacuum mops are a mess to clean, but the Dyad Pro’s self-cleaning feature saved us a lot of hassle. We have removed the rollers to scrub in the crevices of the vacuum a few times depending on how messy the apartment was before we ran the machine.

In general, we found this model much more user-friendly than other vacuum mops due to the intelligent features and the self-cleaning/self-drying modes. We even sold our parents (who have a cat and one child still living at home) on the device.

Weight: 10.58 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Filter: Washable | Dustbin Capacity: Not listed | Features and Attachments: Smart app, sensor detectors, wet/dry functions, dual edge cleaning, dual water tanks

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Our Ratings

  • Effectiveness

    4.8/5

  • Maneuverability

    4.8/5

  • Ease of Emptying

    5/5

  • Portability

    5/5

  • Noise Level

    4/5

Why You Should Get It

  • It features a special HydroSteam setting that deep cleans surfaces without needing to add chemicals.

Keep in Mind

  • This vacuum is quite noisy.

The Bissell 35151 CrossWave HydroSteam Vac can be used on most floor types, but we found it much better at cleaning rugs and carpets than hard floors. It removed dry messes and liquids quickly, but when we steam cleaned the rug, it was dry within seconds.

The vacuum mop has a self-clean mode, which keeps the rollers sparkling clean. It features three modes and uses two water tanks (one for clean and one for dirty water) to vacuum, mop, and steam at the same time.

It also includes a HydroSteam setting to remove sticky messes and LED lights to see dirt or hair that might be lurking under chairs or in dark corners. Plus, it includes a sanitizing formula bottle that you can use on hard floors that kills 99.9% of germs.

Keep in mind that the vacuum is loud, so you won’t be able to hear your TV or carry a conversation while it’s on. While you won’t get the full benefits of this vacuum if you don’t have carpets, we still think it's the best vacuum/mop combo to snag for cleaning up small messes

How It Performed After Six Months

We used it about twice a month during the extended testing period and found no change in the performance. It’s great for sanitizing without using chemicals and for picking up extra pet hair that we missed during regular sweeping and vacuuming.

Though a regular mop would work just as well, we think it’s a great option for people with kids or pets who leave a mix of wet and dry messes behind. Though bare in mind that it doesn’t fit in very tight spaces, like between the wall and the toilet.

Weight: 12.5 | Power Source: Corded | Filter: Washable Filters | Dustbin Capacity: 500 milliliters | Features and Attachments: Self-clean mode, dual tanks, LED lights, HydroSteam

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Our Ratings

  • Effectiveness

    4.8/5

  • Maneuverability

    4.8/5

  • Ease of Emptying

    4.8/5

  • Portability

    5/5

  • Noise Level

    5/5

Why You Should Get It

  • The voice assistant notifies you when to perform certain maintenance tasks like emptying the water tank.

Keep in Mind

  • You might to manually clean the parts even if it self-cleans.

If you are looking to clean your floors pronto, the Dreamtech H11 mops, washes, and dries at the same time. We found it easy to maneuver and also significantly quieter than others we tested, making it an excellent device for home use.

We were impressed by how immaculate the Dreamtech left floors during testing. Absolutely no debris remained on the floor, and it was able to suck up all the water we spilled. Though it cleaned grouted floors well in the lab, we later found the brush wasn’t deep enough to get between our tiles at home.

To make your life easier, it is equipped with smart technology that detects wet and dry messes on sealed hard floors and will automatically adjust suction power to remove debris. It has an LED screen that shows various functions, including mode, power level, and battery life.

We also liked the voice assistant that notifies when you need to complete tasks like emptying the water tank. It’s a cordless vacuum mop that runs on rechargeable batteries. The 35-minute max runtime was more than enough time to conduct our tests without recharging.


Note that this vacuum-mop's self-cleaning mode may not fully clean the parts, especially for heavy-duty messes. During our tests, we still had to dig out all the leftover debris that was stuck inside. Unfortunately, it’s also not meant to be used on carpet.

How It Performed After Six Months

Overall, we were satisfied with this vacuum’s performance and would recommend it for others to buy. But we would have preferred if the clean water canister was larger because of the amount of time it took to clean and refill the tank in one cleaning session.

Weight: 13.6 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Filter: Washable | Dustbin Capacity: 0.5 liters | Features and Attachments: LED screen, voice assistant, sensor detectors, self-cleaning

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Best Cordless

Eufy MACH V1 Ultra

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Our Ratings

  • Ease of Setup

    5/5

  • Effectiveness

    4.4/5

  • Maneuverability

    4/5

  • Ease of Emptying

    4.3/5

  • Portability

    4.3/5

Why You Should Get It

  • It has a curved ergonomic handle that makes it easier to maneuver.

Keep in Mind

  • We didn’t notice much difference between suction power on high and low.

The Eufy Mach V1 Ultra picked up both wet and dry debris effectively, but it was particularly good at cleaning liquids that had spilled in floor cracks—we managed to clean it all except for some mayo that got left behind.

During testing, we felt that the high and low suction power settings were pretty much the same. . It does feature a steamer that heats up to 230℉ to deep-clean and sanitizes, killing 99.9% of germs. And it cleans medium-pile carpets well, so it’s a good option for multiple flooring types

We found that the roller brush wasn’t good at picking up dirt from the sides, making it hard to clean around the edges of rooms. It also doesn’t have any smart technology. However, we love that this mop ensures that it won't track stains because the rollers clean themselves as it vacuums.

The self-cleaning process cleans, disinfects, and dries the rollers and other parts at the same time. Although it has a curved, ergonomic handle, it’s very heavy, so it’s not ideal if you don’t want cleaning to feel like a workout (or you have a big home with lots of surface area to cover).

Weight: 12.6 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Filter: High-Performance Filter | Dustbin Capacity: 0.2 gallons | Features and Attachments: Self cleaning, SteamWave technology

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Our Ratings

  • Effectiveness

    4.5/5

  • Maneuverability

    5/5

  • Ease of Emptying

    4.5/5

  • Portability

    5/5

  • Noise Level

    4.5/5

Why You Should Get It

  • The pet-friendly turbo mode is designed for tougher messes that your furry friend may leave behind.

Keep in Mind

  • It doesn’t have a self-cleaning mode.

Designed to sanitize and eliminate pet odor, the Bissell Crosswave X7 Cordless Pet Pro has a turbo mode that can remove hard-to-clean messes that your furry friend may leave behind and features LED headlights for spotting hard-to-see stray hairs on the floors.

We were impressed with its performance on both hard surfaces and carpets. The vacuum took about a minute to clean soggy cereal, milk, mayo, and eggs from the floor. That said, it had a harder time with liquids, and we couldn’t suck them out of cracks and crevices in the hard floor.

It connects with WiFi and uses an app to control functions, plus reorder brushes, filters, and cleaning formulas. Be aware that the Bissell has no self-cleaning mode, so you’ll have to remove the parts manually to clean them. Luckily, it’s a pretty straightforward process.

Weight: 10.5 pounds | Power Source: Battery Filter: Washable Filter | Dustbin Capacity: Not listed | Features and Attachments: LED headlights, upholstery brushes, smart app, pet turbo mode, hard floor sanitize formula, charging station, dual tanks

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Our Ratings

  • Setup

    4.8/5

  • Effectiveness

    5/5

  • Noise Level

    5/5

  • Maneuverability

    5/5

  • Features

    5/5

Why You Should Get It

  • It has impressive mapping and object avoidance capabilities.

Keep in Mind

  • It didn’t perform as well on pet hair as we would have liked.

Having a robot vacuum like the Ecovacs T9+ do the work for you is the next best thing to a professional house cleaner. It operates quietly so you can run it any time of day, and it can be used on hard floors and carpets. We found it to be so quiet that we hardly heard it enter the room.

The real beauty is the fact that you can create a cleaning schedule. “Robotic vacuum mops are an even more convenient option for homeowners because they require minimal manual effort and maintenance,” says Thomas Climer, head of product at Ecovacs.

The device needs to be paired with the app, which you can do by scanning the QR code on your phone. Because the vacuum has to map out the floors, plan for it to take some setup time—the Ecovacs took around two hours to map and subsequently clean the upper level of our house.

It is equipped with radar technology that detects obstacles and will change course to avoid bumping into objects and furniture. The Ecovac features disposable mopping pads, which might not be the most eco-friendly, but they are easy to swap out.

The vacuum features powerful suction which was able to pick up debris and other bric-a-brac like dog hair, hair ties, bobby pins, and even screws and zip ties. As soon as the dust bin is full, it heads back to its dock to empty.

While you might pay a premium price, the fact that you don’t have to lift a finger to clean makes the vacuum mop worth it in our eyes.

How It Performed After Three Months

After three months, we thought the vacuum worked well for general cleaning but was not the best vacuum mop combo when it came to sucking up pet hair as it took the device at least two passes to get rid of it.

Weight: 7.9 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Filter: Cartridge | Dustbin Capacity: 2.5 liters | Features and Attachments: Radar technology, auto-empty station, smart app, Wi-Fi

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The Bottom Line

Our top recommendation is the Black + Decker Wet Dry Vac because it combines great value with performance, works well on all floor types, and is lightweight and compact enough for apartment dwellers.

Our Testing Process

Watch the BHG Team Test Vacuum and Mop Combos

In order to come up with this list of the best vacuum and mop combos, we spent 40 hours testing 19 different models at our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We put each device through a series of tests to assess its overall performance, ease of setup, maneuverability, and noise levels.

First, we recorded how long it took us to set up the vacuum, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and noted how clear the instructions were and if we ran into any issues during assembly.

Once assembled, we weighed each vacuum before and after filling it with water. We also measured the noise level of each vacuum on its lowest and highest setting.

To test the effectiveness of the vacuum and mop combos on hard floors, we created messes on grouted tile and hardwood with mayonnaise, raw eggs, and soggy cereal and used the vacuums to clean, evaluating their effectiveness.

In addition to hard floors, some vacuum and mop combos are also able to clean carpets. To test these models, we sprinkled coffee grounds and Rice Krispies over amedium pile carpetand recorded how long it took us to clean up the debris.

In order to evaluate the maneuverability of each vacuum, we set up a dining room set and spread our debris—coffee grounds, mayonnaise, and soggy cereal—across the floor, under the table and chairs, and against a buffet table.

We again timed ourselvescleaning the room, noting how easy it was to move the device under chairs, around corners, and against furniture.

Lastly, we emptied and cleaned each vacuum mop’s collection bin. For models with self-cleaning modes, we recorded how long it took to complete the cycle and how loud the device was during self-cleaning.

If the model included a self-drying mode, we recorded how long it took to complete and if the roller brushes were completely dry by the end.

Once testing was completed, we reviewed the results and rated the overall value of the products to come up with this list of the best vacuum and mop combos.

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Other Vacuum Mops We Tested

Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Absolute Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Absolute features HEPA filtration, which can remove extremely small particles and dust from the air. While it sucked up wet and dry materials on hard floors and carpets, its mopping function was not great—it had trouble picking up soggy debris and liquids in testing.

Bissell 2554A CrossWave Cordless Max All in One Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop

While the Bissell 2554A CrossWave Cordless Maxcleaned the majority of the debris during testing, it took a couple of passes. It also had trouble removing larger debris like granola, and cleaning between floorboards. But we liked that it wasn’t loud, so we were able to enjoy music in the background while we cleaned.

Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop

The Tineco Floor One S5 Smart Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop exceeded our expectations at cleaning wet and dry messes, especially on grouted tile floors. However, it slowed down considerably when trying to clean granola and eggshells during testing.

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What to Know About Vacuum and Mop Combos Before Shopping

Power Source

Corded and battery-operated models each have their pros and cons, so it’s all up to personal preference. If you live in a larger home, a corded model like theBissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacmay work well.

While you’ll need to be connected to an outlet and likely unplug and replug as you clean, you won’t run the risk of running out of battery and needing to pause and charge. Corded options also tend to have increased suction power, while cordless vacuums, like the Eufy Mach 1, are lighter weight and easier to maneuver.

While charging between cleanings can be a hassle, Matthew Baratta, vice president of operations at Daimer Industries, says “Many cordless models come with backup batteries so that you can always have a replacement fully charged, which will be crucial for completing larger jobs.”

Almost every cordless model we tested included a charging dock that also doubled as a self-cleaning station.

Filter

Vacuum mop combos typically come with filters that can trap dust and other allergens. Baratta says that in most cases, you’ll find washable filters or disposable filters that need to be replaced at least monthly, depending on how much you’re using them.

Additionally, some vacuum mops on our list come with HEPA-grade filters that can trap fine dust and allergen particles. These are especially useful for households with pets or where someone has allergies to dust, dander, or other common irritants.

Features and Attachments

The vacuum and mop combos we tested offered a wide range of features. The most common feature we found was self-cleaning, which helps clean the device after each use, usually while charging.

This is nice between uses, but don’t be fooled: You’ll still need toclean these devices by handto remove all the gunk from the dirty water reservoir. Some models, like theRoborock Dyad Pro, also included self-drying, which blows air on the roller brushes to dry them quicker.

Other useful features included automatic smart sensors, which adjust the cleaning mode depending on the type of mess the sensor detects. Some smart models also include app connectivity and voice assistance, which can help with knowing when to empty the dirty water.

For ease of use, consider a robotic model that can be programmed to clean certain areas at set times. “Most robotic vac/mops don't come with attachments as they’re able to do everything on their own,” Climer says. These are usually equipped with cleaning brushes, smart apps, and self-cleaning functions.

In addition, robotic vacuum mops are often equipped with advanced settings for more efficient cleaning, such as auto empty functions, built-in air fresheners, and radar technology for object avoidance. Lastly, many models included LED headlights to illuminate hard-to-see messes while vacuuming.

Your Questions, Answered

Do combination vacuums and mops work?

In short, yes. Combination vacuums and mops work by sucking up dry crumbs, hair, and other debris while simultaneously mopping up water, mud, and other wet messes. We found that some models had one mode that worked better than the other, and juggling a vacuum mop can also be harder and less effective than performing these tasks separately if you choose the wrong one.

While they do work, it’s important to consider that they may not entirely replace regular vacuums and mops. We think they’re best for people who are constantly cleaning their floors and dealing with a mix of wet and dry messes on a regular basis (such as parents of young kids or pet owners).

Is a vacuum mop worth it?

Vacuum mops can certainly save you time and energy. How useful they will be comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. “For example, If you have young kids and constantly find yourself cleaning up food spills in the kitchen, a vacuum mop might help speed up this process,” Baratta says.

“Look for advanced cleaning features, such as deep scrubbing and high suction power, mop lifting, and advanced navigation/detection innovations,” Climer adds. “While these may come at a higher cost, you can rest assured that the device will effectively and efficiently clean your floors and work.”

Do vacuum mops work on carpet?

Not all vacuum mops work on carpets, but there are quite a few that do. Brands such as Black + Decker, Bissell, and Ecovacs all sell models that work for carpets and hard floors that we have included on our list. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations before you buy.

However, if you’re looking for an all-in-one device that can replace a traditional vacuum and mop, these appliances just aren’t there yet. Vacuum and mop combos don’t include a hose or attachments like crevice tools, so it’s difficult to get in all the nooks and crannies for a deep clean.

Who We Are

Nor'Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer who specializes in writing in-depth buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best vacuum mops, Nor’Adila used lab insights and consulted with Thomas Climer, Head of Product ECOVACS US, and Matthew Baratta, VP of Operations at Daimer Industries.

What Is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.

These Vacuum and Mop Combos Tame Wet and Dry Messes (2024)
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