By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-11-25 11:55:14 | Updated at 2024-11-25 14:59:12
3 hours ago
For tackling sticky spillages and lingering smells, we tested the best hard floor cleaners that will definitely outshine your antiquated mop
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Step away from your vacuum cleaner. Put down that mop. Both are old-fashioned and time-consuming. In 2024, if you have hard floors at least, there is a speedier but not-very-snappily-named tool that can make both totally redundant: the hard floor cleaner.
“Hard floor cleaners are used to make cleaning hard floors like laminate, hardwood, tile and stone easier and more efficient,” says Nigel Bearman, director of cleaning company Daily Poppins. “They are particularly effective at removing grime and dirt from hard surfaces. They can also be great at cleaning up sticky messes such sticky spillages of juices, fizzy drinks, and wine, food residue and pet accidents.”
I’ve tested and compiled a list of the best hard floor cleaners on the market with detailed reviews below, but if you’re in a crunch, here’s a snapshot of our top choices:
Which are the best hard floor cleaners in 2024? At a glance
- Best hard floor cleaner overall – Gtech Orca Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner
- Best value hard floor cleaner – Vax ONEPWR Glide 2
- Best hard floor cleaner for versatility – CrossWave HydroSteam Pet
- Best light weight hard floor cleaner – Karcher EWM 2 Plus Stone
- Best cordless hard floor cleaner - AirCraft Powerglide City+ Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner
What are hard floor cleaners and how do they work?
Your vacuum can deal with household dust but not unsightly stains. The best hard floor cleaners on the other hand can suck dust up in a similar fashion to your vacuum cleaner, while simultaneously making short work of these spots.
“Hard floor cleaners are effective for various cleaning tasks, including removing dirt and grime, tackling stains, cleaning up sticky residue and controlling pet odours,” says decluttering and organising expert Nicola Lewis, otherwise known as This Girl Can Organise. “They are incredibly good at clearing up food spills, coffee stains or pet accidents in one easy clean.”
The only downside? Some are not as effective at lifting dust as conventional vacuum cleaners (read on to find out which) and also tend to be heavier because of the additional weight of a water tank.
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How we test hard floor cleaners
First, I assembled each model and rated it for ease of construction and (where applicable) charging speed. Then, I tested each product on tiled, stone and laminate floors – all used by children and pets – and cleaned a variety of substances from muddy paw prints to orange juice spillages and dust bunnies.
I took notes on how easily and speedily each model sucked up dust and vanished stains, its handling, (especially in tight corners and under low furniture), heaviness and how long it took for wet trails to dry.
Best hard floor cleaners
1. Gtech Orca Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner
Best hard floor cleaner overall, 9/10
We like: the slick design
We don’t like: occasionally cuts out
- Cord: no
- Weight: 4.1kg
- Capacity: 0.7 litres
- Dimensions: 86.5 x 33.4 x 22cm
Unpacking this – I’m almost embarrassed to write – was genuinely quite thrilling. The cleaner is gleaming white and it looks like a friendly but futuristic robot from a Pixar movie. The touchscreen on its handle is very reminiscent of an apple watch and allows you to switch between a sanitising mop function for eradicating viruses and bacteria, as well as spillages and two strengths of vacuuming.
It docks to a charging base, at which point, do not be alarmed by a voice that says “charging” aloud in a cheery and assertive voice. This is all very slick but more importantly, the set up means that there are fewer fiddly parts such as batteries to remove, charge and then lose.
The cleaning fluid has the most pleasant, perfumed smell of all the models we trialled but most wondrously of all, it is almost self-driving. Press on and the device says “ready to clean” before giving a little acceleration, similar to an electric bicycle. From then on, it takes you for a walk and you just steer it (very fluidly and lightly).
To see if all this amounted to just style over substance, I used it in my husband’s carpentry workshop. And no, it really vacuums and wipes grime. It is also very light weight. My only gripes? The battery life could be longer and it did occasionally (and for no apparent reason) cut out before resuming easily after pressing on again.
Otherwise, this is the best of the best and almost makes cleaning fun.
2. Vax ONEPWR Glide 2
Best value hard floor cleaner, 8/10
We like: cordless so no tripping
We don’t like: sometimes leaves a residue
- Cord: no
- Weight: 5.4kg
- Capacity: 0.75 litres
- Dimensions: 111 x 29.1 x 28.5cm
Our kitchen is traversed by one dog, one cat and a constant stream of children so it’s a tough testing ground. The cordless-ness of this model proved very handy as it cruised around the space without lassoing the central island or tripping me up. It could be easily handled – if a little heavily – and glided into dark recesses under cupboards and sideboards despite the relatively large size of its roller foot. It did, however, leave a faint white residue on some patches of the floor.
It did not do quite as thorough a job as our regular vacuum at eliminating dust, crumbs and dirt. But it lifted sticky stains made by juice spillages and muddy paws with ease. Frankly I was happy to compromise fractionally on the dust because it saved me so much time by mopping and vacuuming the space together. You simply hold down a trigger on the device’s handle to release moisture on your forward stroke, then release the trigger to vacuum on your return.
There was something deeply satisfying about seeing the dirty water tank fill with murky liquid, and it was simple to remove and empty after use. The “self-clean” mode sent the brushes spinning, cleaning and drying without any effort at all from me.
3. Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Pet
Best hard floor cleaner for versatility, 8/10
We like: super effective on pet stains and smells
We don’t like: the sound
- Cord: yes (7.5m)
- Weight: 5.67kg
- Capacity: 0.82 litres
- Dimensions: 111.8 x 25 x 27
The ball roller at the foot of this model makes handling feel a little drunk at first but once you’re in the swing of it, the device makes manoeuvring very smooth and agile. There is a choice of cleaning modes – one for rugs, one to steam wash, another for hard floor cleaning – and you switch between them by a simple click of the finger on the handle. Should your mind wonder and you forget which setting you are currently using, there is a clear and cleverly positioned display on the foot. This makes the model ideal for use in our kitchen, which is criss-crossed with rugs.
The hard floor mode, I read in the accompanying literature, is designed for “high traffic/coffee/hair/food grease”. Indeed, it makes short work of the cat hair that has collected in a corner by her bed and bowl. It is loud but that’s a symptom of its efficacy – it really did a proper job of vacuuming. The steam mode, meanwhile, lifts all the sticky stains from the floor around the dog’s bowl.
The only downside is the cord, which spools out so I step on it when reversing and tie the kitchen island in a bow.
4. Karcher EWM 2 Plus Stone
Best light weight hard floor cleaner, 8/10
We like: its light weight design
We don’t like: the instruction manual
- Cord: no
- Weight: 2.4kg
- Capacity: 360ml
- Dimensions: 305 x 226 x 1220mm
Unpacking and assembling this model proved a little less straightforward than that of the others, not helped by a rather baffling instruction manual that has almost no words in it at all. The plug on the water tank proved so tight that I worried I was breaking it when I tugged on the tab to open it.
That said, once you’ve wrestled with the set-up, there are lots of good things about this model. Its especially slim design and tiny foot, for instance, makes storage very easy. It is also the lightest model I tested, making it by far the easiest to carry up and down stairs, especially as it is cordless too. Plus, there are no different modes to switch between, and you do not even need to control the release of water – you just turn on and go. So overall, it was the easiest to operate.
Of course, all these advantages are partly the product of its simple function. This model does not vacuum so it makes little impact on dust or crumbs, describing itself instead as an “electric wiping mop”. Though it does that one job very effectively indeed, its electric motor almost pulls you along as you clean.
5. AirCraft Powerglide City+ Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner
Best cordless hard floor cleaner, 7/10
We like: the streamline design
We don’t like: small water tank
- Cord: no
- Weight: 2.5kg
- Capacity: 0.22 litres
- Dimensions: 127 x 35 x 16cm
First impressions? This model wins points for its super compact packaging, although this does mean there are more parts to assemble before first use. Batteries are required in the handle (though thankfully these come in the box) and the cleaner itself also needs to be plugged straight into the wall for charging as there is no removable battery. The water tank is also hidden inside the foot, which is neat and means it is the most slimline design of the bunch as well as one of the lightest. However, this means its capacity is teeny.
There is no vacuum function – only mopping – and rather than releasing water through the roller, you squeeze the handle to project a spurt of water in front of your mop, giving you a greater sense of control over the quantity. This is also the only model to come with a selection of different pads for different purposes (pink for cleaning, grey for polishing, striped for scrubbing).
This could be either an advantage or extra faff depending on the level of your commitment to floor cleaning, but the scrubbing pads do indeed tackle tougher messes more effectively. Since they are attached to two, spinning disks, the device moves a little like it is doing a rhumba in front of you. But it gets into all the corners, under cabinets and baths very effectively.
6. Shark HydroVac Cordless
Best hard floor cleaner for ease of use, 9/10
We like: its fool-proof use and assembly
We don’t like: slightly unpredictable water release
- Cord: no
- Weight: 3.95kg
- Capacity: 0.5 litres
- Dimensions: 110 x 28 x 24cm
There is lots to like about this model. Its assembly is fool-proof (this fool tested it) and its operation is very straightforward with only two settings: one for hard floors and one for rugs. It automatically releases water and detergent steadily so you do not need to control or think about this either. This meant I could get it up and running in minutes to begin easily and effectively cleaning both a flagstone floor and the rugs decorating it.
For a model that both vacuums and washes, it is noticeably light and glides easily into corners with headlights to help light the dark spaces, despite a relatively large rectangular foot. It really does vacuum effectively too, picking up not only dust but also (in this test) spilt chicken feed and chunks of dried mud from around the children’s bicycle wheels in our hallway.
In fact, it’s a brilliant all-rounder. My only concerns? The water tank is on the small (but not smallest) size so I did run out while attempting to tackle the entire ground floor of our house. It also doesn’t release a huge amount of water so if you want a deeper wash, you’ll need to hold it still for a few seconds and then roll over the water being released.
Hard floor cleaner FAQs
What is the difference between a hard floor cleaner and a steam mop?
First, the similarities. As with a steam mop or cleaner, hard floor cleaners have a tank that you fill with water (often topping up with a cleaning detergent). From here though, their paths diverge.
A steam cleaner will heat the water, converting it into hot steam that effectively kills germs and sanitises. Some hard floor cleaners do have a steam function that allows you to use them this way too. But for the most part, hard floor cleaners work by slowly releasing just the right amount of water onto the brush roll to wash away grime. Then, they collect the dirty water into a separate tank, so that only clean water is spread over your floor (giving them another edge over old-fashioned, manual mops).
What should you look for in a hard floor cleaner?
“Generally hard floor cleaners should work on all sealed floors – tiles, vinyl and hardwood flooring – and while most are versatile, it’s important to check the product label for specific compatibility with your floor,” says cleaning expert Nicola Lewis. While wet floor cleaners should not be used on soft surfaces like carpet, some models are fitted with gliders to allow for this – particularly handy if you have rugs on a wood floor.
If you’re hunting for the best hard floor cleaner for pets, however, consider one that calls for the addition of detergent (it will also remove odours).
Finally, think about the size of the room you are cleaning. If you want to cover a big space or manoeuvre around obstacles like kitchen islands, then a cordless model is calling.
If you go down the cordless route, says Lewis, make sure you pick one with a decent battery-life. “The cleaning power of a hard floor cleaner is also really important,” she says. “Does the model have different hydration settings for example? If it does, you can trust it’s going to get those tougher stains as well as fresh, wet spills.”
What is the cheapest hard floor cleaner?
A hard floor cleaner that can only mop (such as the Karcher EWM 2 Plus Stone for £149) will always prove less expensive. Expect to pay around £100 more for one that vacuums too.
Is a hard floor cleaner effective?
Yes. They are particularly good at removing grime and dirt from hard surfaces and work well on sticky spillages too.
Do all hard floor cleaners vacuum and mop?
No. Some are essentially electric mops only so do check if you want a model that does both.
Can you use them on carpet?
Not generally, though some have a mode that allows you to switch to using on rugs and carpet.
