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There's no reason to get down on your hands and knees to clean your floors. If you want to get the job done with minimal effort, invest in a floor scrubber to do the dirty work for you. Floor scrubbers lift out set-in grime, stains, and even mold quickly and efficiently on practically any hard surface—without the back-breaking labor.
While there are a few non-powered floor scrubbers to consider (we recommend one) most have powerful electric motors, and there are corded and cordless models to choose from. These machines use floor-save abrasive pads and bristle brushes to deliver a level of deep clean that's virtually impossible to get with a mop or hand tools alone. Some add in steam to clean and disinfect or suction like any vacuum, plus there are even models that can tackle carpet.
We used our cleaning and home care expertise to find models that are worthy of your attention and your investment. These are the best floor scrubbers we recommend.
The Best Floor Scrubbers
- Best Overall: Oreck Commercial Orbiter Hard Floor Cleaner Machine
- Best Value: Yocada Floor Scrub Brush
- Best Vacuum Scrubber: Hoover PowerDash Pet Hard Floor Cleaner
- Most Versatile: Bissell BigGreen Portable Two Brush Floor Scrubber & Polisher
- Best Steam Scrubber: Shark S7001 Mop Floor Scrubber
What to Consider
What flooring types do floor scrubbers work on?
The floor scrubbers we write about are compatible with just about any hard surface. This includes hardwood, laminate, tile, stone, concrete, and brick, though note that some scrubbing bristles may be too coarse for certain types of vinyl or unfinished wood. Also, if your hardwood floorboards have lots of space between them, it may be best to go with a model that cleans without water.
Some of the models we cover—including our Best Overall pick—are safe to use on carpet. While floor scrubbers may be great for deep cleaning some carpets and rugs, our recommendations below are tailored to hard surfaces. To deep clean your carpet, check out our story on the best carpet steam cleaners.
Non-powered Versus Electric
Non-powered floor scrubbers are essentially heavy-duty push brooms with features that make cleaning easier, like telescoping poles and squeegees on the side opposite the bristles. They're far more affordable and compact compared to electric floor scrubbers, so if you’re short on space or don’t want to drop a hundred bucks or more on a new product, opt for the manual model we recommend.
If you decide to go electric, there are corded and cordless electric floor scrubbers that power a spinning or suction mechanism for fast, deep cleaning. When paired with water or a cleaning solution, they get rid of grime or scum much faster using a non-powered floor scrubber. Some models add in steam to break up baked-in dirt and disinfect.
Additional Features
Many floor scrubbers come with added features that enhance their cleaning abilities, including multiple scrubber heads to tackle different spaces, like tight corners or bathroom floors. There are also models like our Best Overall pick that are complete all-in-one cleaning machines that essentially clean, sand, and finish floors with buffing pads or polishing heads.
How We Selected
To find the best floor scrubbers for this story, we relied heavily on our deep knowledge of cleaning products and our coverage on related topics. We looked to trustworthy cleaning brands such as Hoover, Shark, and Bissell, to recommend models that’ll last. We also vetted specs including power source, materials, and compatibility with a range of hard surfaces while comparing models. Our final list represents the best floor scrubber across categories and price points to cover a range of preferences and budgets.
1
Best Overall
Oreck Commercial Orbiter Hard Floor Cleaner Machine
Pros
All-in-one floor cleaning machine - Cleans, refinishes, and protects any hard surface
- Safe to use on carpet
Cons
- Additional brush heads sold separately
One of the most powerful floor scrubbers for the price, this commercial-grade Orbiter from Oreck can scrub out even the toughest stains. Unlike many other options on our list, it's compatible with virtually any surface type—including carpet. Also, by switching out its spinning head attachment, the floor scrubber also buffs, polishes, sands, waxes, and refinishes. Another plus is the extra-long 50-foot cord.
While it’s designed for commercial use, this floor scrubber is small enough to fit in a closet or laundry room. Its price point is a bit higher than some other options on this list, but considering that it's an all-in-one floor care machine, it's well worth the investment.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Corded electric |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Scrubber pad, bristles, and buffer |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Hardwood, Wood Laminate, Carpet, Tile, Concrete, Grout, and Marble |
Pros
- Built-in squeegee
- Extendable handle
Cons
- Plastic top makes it hard for bristles to reach corners
Forget the batteries and cords, this floor scrubber gets things done the old fashioned way. The scrub brush may require a bit more elbow grease, but it should more than make up for it with its affordable price tag and powerful, stiff bristles.
While basic, this scrubber does come with a few nifty features including a built-in squeegee on the top of the brush to wipe away any water or cleaning solution after you’ve scrubbed.
This also comes with an extendable handle and can be fully disassembled for storage or maintenance. The handle is also angled at 45 degrees so you don’t have to bend your back to get the head in the right position.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Manual |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Stiff bristles |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Hardwood, glass surface, tile, and cement |
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Pros
- Squeegees and sucks away remaining water
- Comes with separate clean and dirty water tanks
Cons
- Has a harder time sucking up debris than a regular vacuum
Take your cleaning to the next level with a floor scrubber that’s built with dual water tanks for separating clean and dirty water. The circular scrubbing brushes combine with the water and your cleaning solution of choice for near automatic lather and immediate results.
The floor scrubber is also far more time-efficient than many other options on this list. Instead of following your cleaning with mopping or waiting for long periods of time while your floors dry, the scrubber uses vacuum suction to dry off your floor mere moments after cleaning. The cleaner even comes with an attachable front squeegee to make sure no drops are left behind.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Corded electric |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Scrubbing brushes |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Hardwood, linoleum, stone, tile, laminate, vinyl, concrete |
Pros
- Multiple brush heads
- 90 minutes of use per charge
Cons
- Not big enough for larger rooms
With a spinning head and up to 90 minutes of runtime per charge, this battery-operated floor scrubber is built to break down the toughest grime.
The spin scrubber from Labigo comes with four different brush heads designed to tackle different areas from bathtubs to the corners of showers. Combined with the extendable and angled handle, the machine reaches any crevice that needs cleaning. This maneuverability is also one of the key reasons many of the head attachments are smaller and shaped with fine points.
We recommend this scrubber to tackle all the messes in your bathroom whether they are on the tile, shower, bathtubs, or even in and around toilets. While it does come with a flat head attachment which can cover more ground, this option performs best in tight spaces compared to larger areas like your living room.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Battery |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Bristle dome brush, wide flat brush, small flat brush, corner brush |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Stone, tile, grout, etc. |
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Pros
- Compact design
- Separate water and detergent tank
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Does not clean grout or deep tile indents
This compact floor scrubber is perfect for someone that wants electric scrubbing power in a frame that fits comfortably in a storage closet. The two rollers are made of microfiber which is great for getting rid of light stains and polishing tile and hardwood back to its former glory.
In addition to the rollers, the floor scrubber comes with a water and detergent tank for effective cleaning in tandem with the cleaning action. This model also comes with a dirty water tank and a suction function to clear up leftover liquid as you move.
Each Kärcher product also comes with a three-year warranty so your product is protected from any potential problems.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Corded electric |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Scrubbing rollers |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Hardwood, laminate, tiles, and stone |
6
Best Steam Scrubber
Shark S7001 Mop Floor Scrubber
Pros
- Rotating steamer pads
- LED light to illuminate debris and dirt
Cons
- May leave streaks if not fully dry
Instead of just relying on cleaning detergents, the Shark floor scrubber comes with a powerful steamer. The two rotating pads in combination with the steady flow of hot steam help break up grime and wipe it away while simultaneously killing germs using the heat.
The benefit of using steam is the lack of chemical-based cleaners that might be unsafe for kids and pets. Another plus is that this floor scrubber has an LED light and illuminates the dirt or dust around it on the floor—for better or worse.
This scrubber may be less effective on stains where you need to add an extra bit of elbow grease, but this is perhaps the easiest of all machines on our list.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Corded electric |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Scrubbing pads |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Hardwood, marble, tile, and stone |
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7
Most Versatile
Bissell BigGreen Portable Two Brush Floor Scrubber & Polisher
Pros
- Three unique scrubbing and buffing pads
- Smaller, portable frame
Cons
- Goes through scrubbing pads relatively quickly
This is another commercial-grade choice that works on just about every surface, including carpet. The dual scrubbing rotators have stiff bristles for breaking out heavy stains and set-in grime.
You can then attach the buffing or polishing pads to finish off your tile or hardwood so it shines smooth once finished. The commercial-strength design requires corded power, but the long plug means you have no need to buy an extension cord as well.
This option is a bit more expensive than others on the list, but it's from a reputable brand and one of the most versatile models out there.
Key Specs
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
|---|---|
| Scrubber Material | Scrub brushes, scrubbing pads, polishing pads, buffing pads |
| Floor Type Compatibility | Brick, carpet, ceramic, concrete, cork, hard wood, laminate, linoleum, marble, polished tile, rubber, slate, terrazzo, and vinyl |
Tom Price
Reviews Editor
Tom Price is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
