Tackle your wooden surfaces with a floor cleaner machine
Getting your hardwood floors clean of dust and debris can be a challenge. And if you use the wrong cleaning machine, you might damage your floor.
But a hardwood floor cleaning machine can remove dirt and give your wood floor an effective clean. Whether a vacuum, a mop, or a floor polish, they can give the real shine we’re all looking for!
Here, we’ll review the best hardwood floor cleaner machines so you can choose one that’s right for your household.
Our Top Picks
The HouseWire earns a commission through the following independently chosen links at no additional cost to you.| Best Hardwood Floor Cleaning Machines of 2023 | ||||
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 | Best Overall Bissell CrossWave |
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 | Best Budget Bissell PowerFresh |
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 | Best Lightweight Shark VACMOP Pro |
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 | Best Vacuum Tineco Floor One S3 |
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 | Best Spin Moop Bissell SpinWave |
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 | Best Robot Coredy R750 Robot |
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Reviews
Vac and clean your hardwood floors at the same time! Bissell’s CrossWave all-in-one model allows you to cover all your chores in one go without the need for separate appliances.
The dual-action brush roll rotates at 3,000 RMP to effectively lift and remove any bits of dirt and debris.
Plus it’s safe to use on tile, laminate, linoleum, rubber mats, and area rugs too.
And the two-tank technology keeps your clean water/cleaning solution and dirty water separate. So you know that you’re always cleaning with fresh water.
What We Like
Good Suction Power
Several customers commented on how well this floor cleaner machine picked up dirt and hair from their hardwood floors. Its suction was comparable to other upright vacuums they’d had that didn’t have a dual function as a mop.Versatility
Not only does this powerful Bissell all-in-one work well on wooden floors, but customers liked that it cleaned their carpeted floors just as well. So you don’t need to invest in another appliance if your house has different surface types.Lightweight
Many users said that this machine was lightweight enough to move around their homes. They found they could easily maneuver it up and down stairs, and across larger rooms.What We Don’t Like
Price
Some users found this wood floor cleaner machine to be on the expensive side. It is a vacuum/mop combo so you’d probably expect a higher price – but this is something to factor in if you’re on a budget.Technical Specs
| Weight | 11.5 pounds |
| Tank Capacity | 28 ounces |
| Included Accessories | 2 extra brush rolls, 1 extra filter, multi-surface floor cleaner |
2. Best Budget : Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop and Hard Wood Floor Cleaner
For a low price point, you only need plain tap water to clean and sanitize your hardwood floors. This hardwood floor cleaner will eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria with hot steam.
Pick between a soft microfiber mop pad for day-to-day cleaning, or the scrubby pad if you’ve got stubborn stains to get rid of. The water tank comes away easily so refilling is quick and effortless.
Plus you’ll get some Spring Breeze scent discs to leave a fresh scent in your home after cleaning. Or, you can buy Eucalyptus Mint or Citrus discs if you’d prefer those instead.
What We Like
Good Maneuverability
Customers said that the swivel steering was great for cleaning all those tight nooks and crannies. And the low-profile mop head meant that they could also easily clean under couches and tables.Great Steam Power
Users liked the SmartSet steam control, which let them adjust the heat setting depending on what type of mess they were cleaning up. And they also appreciated the consistent steam – they didn’t need to hold down a lever or trigger while mopping.Long Power Cord
Most reviewers said that the power cord was long enough. They could cover large areas in their homes without having to unplug and plug it in again too many times.What We Don’t Like
Slow to Reheat
A few users said that this steam mop seemed to take a long time to heat back up again. And this was even if they’d just had it on in one room and unplugged and moved to anotherTechnical Specs
| Weight | 6.8 pounds |
| Tank Capacity | 16 ounces |
| Included Accessories | 1 microfiber pad, 1 microfiber scrubby pad, 2 spring breeze fragrance discs |
The mop pads are designed to pull in debris and dirt and then lock it away, before the spray will clean away any liquid spills. You don’t need to worry about changing filters, simply replace the disposable pads when needed.
You’ll also not need to worry about a cord getting in your way while you clean. And as it’s such a light model, you’ll be able to move this cordless appliance around your home easily to clean all types of hard surfaces.
What We Like
Easy Storage
This cordless vac/mop is light and compact, so customers found it easy to store in a kitchen cupboard. Plus it’s also easy to get out for on-the-spot small cleaning jobs.Helpful Lighting
Users appreciated the LED headlights that lit up their surfaces as they were cleaning, highlighting those areas that needed a good clean! And there’s also an indicator light that tells you when it’s getting low on battery.Good Battery Life
Several reviewers said they thought that it offered enough battery life to clean their whole house in one go.What We Don’t Like
Not For Bigger Cleaning Jobs
Most users agreed that this Shark model was great for smaller, day-to-day cleaning chores. But with a small water tank and suction, they felt that it wasn’t as good as a traditional vacuum, and wouldn’t recommend it for cleaning really large areas or stuck-on stains.Technical Specs
| Weight | 3.34 pounds |
| Tank Capacity | 12 ounces |
| Included Accessories | 4 disposable mop pads, cleaning solution bottle |
4. Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floor : Tineco Floor One S3 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
This floor cleaning machine has powerful suction to remove dry messes. And the soft brush roll will wash your hardwood floors at the same time – leaving them barely damp. But if you don’t want to mop your floors while vacuuming, just leave the water tank empty.
There’s even a Max Mode that uses higher speeds to tackle stubborn stains on the go.
The two-tank technology keeps clean and dirty water separate, and the tanks have a large capacity so you don’t need to refill that often.
Plus, it’s cordless and has a decent battery life allowing you to cover multiple wooden rooms in one go.
What We Like
Easy to Maintain
Users found that there wasn’t much to do to keep this vacuum in good shape. Once in its docking tray, the brush roll and tube are automatically scrubbed when you activate the self-cleaning mode.Floors Dry Fast
Many customers were happy with how quickly their hardwood floors dried after cleaning. They could move furniture back/walk over the flooring within a few minutes.Quiet
Several users said that compared with other models, this hardwood vacuum cleaner was fairly quiet when in use. So it’s ideal if you’ve got neighbors close by or like to clean during unsociable hours!What We Don’t Like
Clogs Easily
Some reviews suggested that this vacuum cleaner could get clogged after not much use. This was especially true for those who had a lot of pet hair to clean up.Technical Specs
| Weight | 13.89 pounds |
| Tank Capacity | 0.55 liters |
| Included Accessories | HEPA filter, deodorizing and cleaning solution, 3-in-1 brush |
5. Best Spin Mop for Hardwood Floor : Bissell SpinWave Expert Hard Floor Spin Mop
The rotating mop pads do the work for you, spinning quickly as you mop to lift and remove stains and spills.
You’ll get plenty of reusable mop pads to use, and 3 bottles of floor cleaner which are specifically designed to clean and sanitize your hardwood floors.
Plus, this spin mop is also great for cleaning different floor types including laminate flooring, linoleum, and tile floors.
This hardwood floor cleaner is also quiet, so when you’re wet mopping you won’t risk disturbing those around you
What We Like
Good Spray Control
Feedback suggests that the spray function works well. You control how much spray is released and when – this also means that your sealed hardwood floors won’t be left too wet after you’ve finished the cleaning process.Two Types of Mop Pads
Users were impressed that this floor cleaning machine set contained 6 mop pads that were washable and reusable. The scrubby pads were good at tackling tough stains.Large Tank Capacity
Customers were happy that the water tank had a large enough capacity so that they could clean lots of areas in one go and not need to stop to refill. And the water tank is easy to remove and fill up when needed.What We Don’t Like
Not Ideal for Corners
Some users said that due to the mop head shape, this model wasn’t great at getting into the corners of their hardwood floors. Or for cleaning awkward spaces around the couch or table legs.Technical Specs
| Weight | 13.97 pounds |
| Tank Capacity | N/A |
| Included Accessories | 4 soft microfiber pads, 2 scrubby pads, hard floor sanitize formula, 2 wood floor formulas |
6. Best Robotic Vacuum for Hardwood Floor : Coredy R750 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Mopping System
This model has intensive suction power, reaching 2,200 pa, and this can be changed depending on what types of mess you’re cleaning up.
And there’s a spot mode for quick removal of small messes.
This hardwood floor cleaner has intelligent technology to stop it from bumping into your furniture.
And it can detect when the floor surface type changes – so it’ll do a good job of cleaning your carpeted floors as well as your hard flooring.
What We Like
HEPA Filter
This hardwood robot vacuum cleaner comes with an extra HEPA filter, so this model is ideal if anyone in your household suffers from allergies. And customers said this was easy to remove and clean when needed.Cost
For a robotic vacuum, many users said that it was well-priced and offered good value for money. It was cheaper than other models of this kind they’d bought, and offered extra cleaning ability as a vacuum mop.Great Suction Power
Lots of consumers agreed that the cleaning power of this Coredy appliance was great. It was really good at sucking up dirt, debris, and pet hair from all their different floor types.What We Don’t Like
Voice Control Not the Best
Some users said that they had problems setting up this floor cleaning machine to operate on voice control through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.Technical Specs
| Weight | 11.82 pounds |
| Tank Capacity | 0.5 liters |
| Included Accessories | HEPA filter, remote control, cleaning mop cloth |
What to Look For in a Hardwood Floor Cleaning Machine
Types
Vacuum Cleaners
A regular vacuum cleaner uses suction power to remove dust and debris from your floors. They don’t use any water or cleaning solution.
A wet-dry vacuum, on the other hand, will mop your wood floors while vacuuming. Check if it doesn’t leave the floor too wet.
And whatever the extra feature, make sure that the model you choose has rubber wheels or bumpers and soft brushes. This way you won’t risk scratching your hard floors when cleaning.
Mops
A steam mop uses steam to sanitize and clean hardwood floors. But, in general, you should avoid using steam cleaners on wood floors – excessive moisture can cause your wood to warp and rot.
Some brands have designed a steam cleaner specifically for hardwood surfaces. This type of steam mop will absorb and remove water as you use it so you’re not left with saturated floors.
But, even with these models, you can only use them on sealed hardwood floors.
A spin mop is a safer option for wooden surfaces. The spinning heads automatically rotate as you clean and this movement lifts and removes dirt and spills.
So spin mops don’t require as much elbow grease to use! The head is pushed forward and spins automatically, so your chores are a lot easier.
Floor Polisher
An electric floor polisher (or a scrubber) uses a power source or battery to clean your floors. It’s a convenient and easy way of cleaning hardwood floors because they do a lot of the work for you!
These machines have brushes or bristles that rotate or vibrate as the machine moves across your surfaces.
But, often these floor polishers aren’t safe for hardwood floors. A soft polish pad with a hardwood floor cleaning solution is better and will ensure that your floors aren’t scratched.
Plus, some manufacturers of these cleaning machines say that they’re only suitable for polyurethane-sealed wooden floors, and not waxed wooden floors.
Weight
The weight of hardwood floor cleaning machines can vary a lot. So check this before buying as you want to be able to use your machine without too much effort.
You might get some models that are about 5 pounds. These will be easy to move around your home.
Other appliances might weigh as much as 15 pounds. These might be difficult to maneuver if you have a multi-story home and will need to carry your vacuum or mop up and down the stairs.
Plus, whatever type of floor cleaning machine you’re using, you’ll need to keep it moving and not leave it in one place for too long. So it needs to be light enough that you can move it around consistently for longer periods of time.
Corded or Cordless
Check what the cord length is on corded models. This could be anywhere between about 15 and 30 feet long.
A longer power cord is good for larger homes as you can cover bigger rooms in one go. A shorter cord is better for smaller homes, as they’ll need unplugging and replugging in more frequently.
Look at what the battery life is on cordless models. The best floor cleaning machines will have a battery life of at least 1 hour – but depending on how big your house is, this may still not be enough time.
In addition, check how long the batteries need to recharge. This could be about 2 hours – so if you need to stop to recharge while cleaning you’ll have to factor this time into your chores.
Finally, investing in extra batteries is a good option so you don’t have to wait for them to charge up. But this could be an extra significant cost – so check how much they are first.
Dust Bin or Tank Capacity
Or if you choose a wet mop machine, see how much the water tank holds. This should normally be around 28 ounces.
Again, if you’ve got bigger rooms to clean, a water tank with a larger capacity is ideal as you won’t need to refill it as often.
Extra Features & Accessories
Vacuums should have crevice tools and extension wands to help you reach into awkward spots. And a model with a detachable pod/handheld vacuum will help you to clean your stairs or other above-floor areas.
Many hardwood floor mops will have a light to tell you when the water tank needs refilling. And several have multiple mop heads that you can wash and reuse, or pads that have different scrubbing abilities.
Make sure the mop pads you get are soft. Abrasive pads will cause damage to hardwood floors.
Finally, mop heads that pivot and ergonomic handles are great features that give you greater maneuverability. This could be key if you have smaller, tight spaces to navigate your vacuum or mop around.
Tips To Keep Hardwood Floors Clean
- Vacuum or sweep your hardwood floors regularly. This will get rid of dust, sand, or other abrasive bits that might damage your flooring.
- Wipe away any spilled liquids or food straight away. Don’t let these sit on your hardwood floors for more than 30 minutes!
- Avoid using really wet mops or steam floor cleaners. These can produce too much moisture and cause your wooden floors to warp over time.
- If you do want to use a steam mop, check with the floor manufacturer first to see if it’s safe to use one on your specific hardwood flooring.
- Damp mop about once a month. Use water only or a hardwood floor cleaning solution.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning Machines Comparison Chart
| Product | Best | Weight | Tank Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell CrossWave | Overall | 11.5 pounds | 28 ounces |
| Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop | Affordable | 6.8 pounds | 16 ounces |
| Shark VACMOP Pro | Lightweight | 3.34 pounds | 12 ounces |
| Tineco Floor One S3 Wet Dry Vacuum | Vacuum | 13.89 pounds | 0.55 liters |
| Bissell SpinWave Expert Hard Floor Spin Mop | Spin Mop | 13.97 pounds | N/A |
| Coredy R750 Robot Vacuum Mopping System | Robot | 11.82 pounds | 0.5 liters |
