Tile is easy to wipe, but grout isn't. Those low lines between tiles trap dirt that a flat mop just glides over, so the floor looks clean while the grout keeps getting darker. The best electric mops for tile floors fix that with power: spinning pads that scrub, steam that loosens grime, or a roller that vacuums grit while it washes. For most homes, our top pick is the BISSELL SpinWave Pet, because its two spinning pads do the scrubbing for you and leave tile streak-free. If your grout is already stained, a steam mop with a brush is the better tool, and we'll show you which one.
Our top 3 electric mops for tile
See how all 5 electric mops for tile compare in our side-by-side comparison chart ↓
The 5 Best Electric Mops for Tile Floors
BISSELL SpinWave Pet
- Spinning pads scrub tile so you don’t have to push down
- Dried streak-free on tile in a hands-on test
- Big 28 oz tank with on-demand spray
- Washable pads held up after several washes
- No steam, so it won’t sanitize
- Thick head won’t fit under low cabinets
- Doesn’t pick up crumbs or hair
- Bissell recommends its own formula only
BISSELL SpinWave Pet review
The SpinWave Pet is our top pick because it fixes the biggest problem with mopping tile: you have to scrub. Its two round pads spin on their own, so they rub at the glaze and push into grout lines while you just guide the handle. You squeeze a trigger to spray cleaner only where the floor needs it, which keeps grout from getting soaked.
In one hands-on test across tile, hardwood and linoleum, it was the top-rated electric mop overall. The cleaning solution dried streak-free, the scrubby pads handled stuck-on messes, and the pads held up after several washes. The pads also stick out a little past the body, so they reach baseboards and cabinet edges where grime collects.
It has limits. There's no steam, so it cleans but doesn't sanitize, and it can't vacuum, so sweep up crumbs and pet hair first. The mop head is too thick for low furniture, and at 9.5 pounds it's heavier than a steam mop.
Get it if you have a lot of glazed ceramic or porcelain tile and want weekly cleaning to take less effort. If your grout is already dark, start with a steam mop and brush instead.
BISSELL PowerFresh Deluxe
- Built-in SpotBoost brush for grout and stuck-on spots
- Cleared sticky syrup in 3 passes when others needed far more
- Largest water tank of the steam mops here (19 oz)
- Light at about 6.2 pounds with a 25-foot cord
- Bulky head is hard to fit under low furniture
- Filling the tank on the handle is a little awkward
- Not for vinyl, according to Bissell
- Steam mop pads push loose crumbs around, so vacuum first
BISSELL PowerFresh Deluxe review
If your grout has turned gray, steam and scrubbing work better than spray and spin. The PowerFresh Deluxe gives you both in one light mop. Its SpotBoost brush sits in the head, so you can scrub a grout line or a dried spill without bending down, then steam over it to loosen what's left.
In a lab test of 27 steam mops, its scrubber lifted a red stain from sealed concrete, and it removed maple syrup in three slow passes. Some other models needed many more. The testers named it the best large-capacity pick, thanks to its 19-ounce tank, which covers a good-size kitchen and bath before you refill.
The design has a few annoyances. The head is bulky, so it won't slide under low cabinets or a sofa. You fill the tank while it's on the mop, which takes a steady hand. And like every pad-style steam mop, it can't pick up crumbs, so vacuum first or you'll push grit into the grout.
Pick it if you have ceramic or porcelain tile with grout that needs regular deep cleaning and you want to avoid chemicals. Skip it for vinyl tile or unsealed stone.
roborock F25 Ultra Steam
- Vacuums grit and crumbs while it washes, so no sweeping first
- Lifted dried soy sauce from tile in one pass in a hands-on review
- Steam and hot-water modes for different messes
- Self-cleaning, self-drying roller and dock
- Roller cleans across grout but doesn’t scrub inside deep lines
- Steam and hot water cut runtime to about 20 to 25 minutes
- Heavier at about 11.5 pounds
- Costs the most on this list
roborock F25 Ultra Steam review
Gritty sand and crumbs are hard on tile. A pad mop pushes them into grout lines, and a vacuum alone leaves sticky spots behind. The F25 Ultra Steam handles both jobs at once. Its roller vacuums debris and wet-cleans in one pass, so you can clean a messy kitchen without sweeping first.
In a hands-on review, its steam mode lifted two dried soy sauce stains from tile in a single pass, and a mixed spill of oats, ketchup, milk and egg came up in one pass too. Roborock rates the steam at 356°F for stuck-on spots and the hot water at 187°F for greasy film around the stove. Powered wheels make the 11.5-pound body feel lighter, and it lies flat to reach under cabinets.
Know what it won't do. A roller cleans across grout, but it doesn't scrub down into deep or wide lines like a brush or spinning pad. Using steam or hot water also drops the rated 60 minutes to roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
Choose it for large, open kitchens and family rooms with tile, especially with kids or pets. For small bathrooms, a steam mop is plenty.
BISSELL SpinWave SmartSteam
- Spinning pads and steam work together on grime
- Ready to steam in about 15 seconds
- Two steam levels plus a no-steam mode
- Bissell says it’s quieter than other spinning steam mops
- Little independent testing of this model so far
- Heavier than a basic steam mop
- Not for vinyl floors, according to Bissell
- Round pads can’t reach into tight corners
BISSELL SpinWave SmartSteam review
A regular steam mop drags a flat pad across tile, so most of the scrubbing is up to you. The SpinWave SmartSteam adds motion to the steam. Bissell rates its dual pads at up to 230 RPM, and with steam softening the grime, they work into grout and around textured tile better than a pad that only slides.
Bissell says the steam kills 99.9% of certain germs and viruses when used as directed, based on third-party lab testing. That makes it a good fit for bathroom floors around the toilet and tub, where people care about germs as much as looks. It heats in about 15 seconds, offers two steam levels and a no-steam mode for more delicate sealed floors, and the 25-foot cord reaches most bathrooms.
Keep in mind that most of this comes from Bissell. We couldn't find a full independent test of this model yet, so it ranks below the two Bissell models that have been tested. Round pads also leave corners for you to touch up by hand.
Pick it if you want steam cleaning on tile without doing the scrubbing. If you only need everyday cleaning, the SpinWave Pet costs less.
PurSteam 10-in-1
- Grout brush brought gray grout back to a light color in testing
- Detachable handheld steamer with many attachments
- Heats up in under 30 seconds
- Very light and easy to carry
- Struggles with thick, sticky spills
- Short cord meant switching outlets in a large room
- Small tank needs frequent refills
- Mop head can flip up on sticky messes
PurSteam 10-in-1 review
Sometimes the floor isn't the problem. The grout is. The PurSteam 10-in-1 is the budget answer because it doubles as a handheld steamer. Pop off the handheld unit, attach the grout brush or jet nozzle, and steam one line at a time. In one hands-on test, its double-brush attachment brought dirty grout back to a light gray.
It also works as a basic steam mop. In a separate lab test, it heated up in about 17 seconds and removed hot sauce and thick syrup, though sticky spills took extra time and the mop head kept flipping up. The same tools clean shower tile, sinks and stove tops, so it's useful beyond the floor.
The trade-offs come with the low price. The water tank is small, so you'll refill it often on a big floor. One tester had to switch outlets in a long room because the cord is short. It's best for small to medium tiled spaces.
Buy it if you want to deep clean grout on a budget or need one steamer for the floors and the bathroom. If you have a large tiled area to mop every week, the spinning or wet-dry picks will save you time.
Electric mops for tile compared
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Best overall
BISSELL SpinWave Pet
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Best steam for grout
BISSELL PowerFresh Deluxe
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Best for big kitchens
roborock F25 Ultra Steam
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Best spin steam mop
BISSELL SpinWave SmartSteam
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Best budget
PurSteam 10-in-1
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| Type | Spin mop | Steam mop | Wet-dry vac | Spin steam mop | Steam mop + handheld |
| Steam | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Grout helper | Spinning pads | SpotBoost brush | Roller + steam | Spinning pads | Grout brush |
| Picks up debris | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Power | 22 ft cord | 25 ft cord | Battery | 25 ft cord | Corded |
| Clean tank | 28 oz | 19 oz | 34 oz (1 L) | 18 oz | 12.8 oz |
| Grout cleaning | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Ease of use | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Current price | $124.99 | $109.05 | $469.99 | $139.99 | $89.99 |
| Read review | Read review | Read review | Read review | Read review |
Electric mops for tile compared
Prices and availability change often. Tank sizes, steam ratings, cord lengths and weights come from maker listings and published reviews. Star ratings are our editorial judgment based on published independent tests and specs, not our own lab tests.
Which type of electric mop is best for tile and grout?
There are three main kinds, and each one is good at a different job on tile.
Spin mops like the SpinWave use two round pads that turn on their own. The motion scrubs the tile surface and gets into shallow grout lines, which is why they're great for weekly cleaning. They don't make steam, so they clean but don't sanitize.
Steam mops heat water into steam that softens dried spills, soap scum and grime in grout. Add a brush, like the PowerFresh Deluxe, or a handheld tool, like the PurSteam, and they're the best choice for grout that's already stained. They can't pick up dirt, so you need to vacuum first.
Wet-dry floor washers like the roborock vacuum and wash at the same time with a spinning roller and a dirty-water tank. They're the fastest way to clean a big tiled kitchen, and models with steam handle sticky spots too. The roller cleans across grout lines but doesn't scrub deep into them.
If you can only buy one, match it to your grout. Clean, sealed grout that just needs upkeep suits a spin mop. Dark or stained grout needs steam plus a brush. Lots of crumbs and grit across a large floor point to a wet-dry washer.
Is steam safe for tile and grout?
Steam is safe on glazed ceramic and porcelain tile, and on grout that's been sealed and fully cured. That covers most kitchen and bathroom floors.
Be careful with natural stone like marble, travertine and slate, unglazed tile such as saltillo or terracotta, and cement tile. Heat and moisture can dull the finish or get into the stone, so check the tile maker's care guide first. Don't steam vinyl tile or luxury vinyl plank with these Bissell steam mops either, since Bissell doesn't recommend them for vinyl.
Grout is porous, and steam can slowly wear down grout sealer over time. Plan to reseal grout as often as the sealer's label suggests, and keep the mop moving so steam doesn't sit in one spot. If water darkens your grout and soaks in fast, the sealer is likely gone.
How to choose an electric mop for tile floors
Grout sits lower than the tile, so a flat pad skips over it. Moving parts do the scrubbing you’d otherwise do by hand.
Steam softens dried spills, soap scum and the greasy film that settles into grout.
Sand and crumbs scratch tile glaze and get pushed into grout by pad mops.
Small tanks mean more trips to the sink, and short cords mean more outlet changes.
Electric mops weigh from about 5 to 12 pounds, and head shape decides where they reach.
Pads and rollers wear out, and dirty pads spread grime back onto grout.
Electric mop vs. regular mop on tile
A string mop and bucket spreads dirty water around, and much of it ends up in the grout lines, where it dries and leaves them darker. A flat microfiber mop is better, but you still have to push hard to scrub anything stuck on.
An electric mop takes over the hard part. Spinning pads scrub for you, steam loosens grime without harsh cleaners, and a wet-dry washer pulls the dirty water back up instead of leaving it on the floor. That's why tile and grout tend to stay cleaner for longer between deep cleans. A regular mop still makes sense for a tiny bathroom or a quick spill, but for a full kitchen or several tiled rooms, a powered mop saves real time and effort.
How to clean tile and grout with an electric mop
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Vacuum or sweep first
Unless you’re using a wet-dry washer, pick up crumbs, sand and hair first. Otherwise the mop pushes grit into the grout lines.
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Use the right water and cleaner
Use the water the maker recommends in steam mops, often distilled in hard-water areas, and only the maker’s approved formula in spin mops and floor washers.
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Pre-treat the worst grout
Use the brush or handheld grout tool on the darkest lines first, then mop the whole floor.
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Mop along the grout lines
Make slow passes that follow the grout, then cross over them once, so pads and steam hit the lines from both directions.
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Keep steam moving
Don’t park a steaming head in one spot. Too much heat in one place can wear down grout sealer.
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Wash pads after each use
Rinse or machine-wash pads and let them dry fully. A dirty pad spreads old grime right back into the grout.
Electric mops for tile FAQs
What is the best electric mop for tile floors?
For most homes, the BISSELL SpinWave Pet. Its spinning pads scrub tile and shallow grout lines for you and left floors streak-free in hands-on testing. For stained grout, choose a steam mop with a brush like the BISSELL PowerFresh Deluxe.
Do electric mops clean grout?
Some do it better than others. Spinning pads, steam and brush tools reach into grout lines. A flat pad or a wide roller cleans across the grout but doesn’t scrub deep into it.
Is a steam mop or a spin mop better for tile?
A spin mop is better for regular cleaning because it scrubs with no heat-up time. A steam mop is better for stained grout and for sanitizing bathroom floors. A spin steam mop like the SpinWave SmartSteam does both.
Can steam damage tile or grout?
Not on glazed ceramic or porcelain with sealed, fully cured grout. Steam can wear down grout sealer over time, so reseal as the sealer label suggests, and avoid steam on natural stone or unglazed tile unless the maker says it’s safe.
Do I need to vacuum before using an electric mop on tile?
Yes for spin and steam mops, because they don’t pick up debris. A wet-dry floor washer like the roborock F25 Ultra Steam vacuums and mops at the same time.
Can I use vinegar in an electric mop?
Check the manual first. Many makers only allow plain water or their own formula, and vinegar can harm grout and some machine parts over time.
How often should I mop tile with an electric mop?
Once a week works for most homes. Busy kitchens, entryways and homes with pets may need it two or three times a week, with a deeper grout clean every month or so.
Which electric mop should you buy for tile?
- Best overall: BISSELL SpinWave Pet
- Best steam mop for grout: BISSELL PowerFresh Deluxe
- Best for big kitchens: roborock F25 Ultra Steam
- Best spin steam mop: BISSELL SpinWave SmartSteam
- Best budget: PurSteam 10-in-1
Start with the BISSELL SpinWave Pet if you want tile clean every week without scrubbing. If your grout is already dark, the PowerFresh Deluxe’s steam and brush will bring it back, and the PurSteam 10-in-1 does the same job up close for less. Big tiled kitchens with crumbs are faster with the roborock F25 Ultra Steam, and the SpinWave SmartSteam suits bathrooms where you want scrubbing and steam together.
How We Picked and Tested
Our recommendations are based on published hands-on reviews and lab testing, plus verified manufacturer specifications. We reviewed results from Bob Vila‘s electric mop testing on tile, hardwood and linoleum, TechRadar‘s hands-on review of the roborock F25 Ultra Steam and Southern Living’s lab test of 27 steam mops, along with spec pages from BISSELL (including the SpinWave SmartSteam), roborock and PurSteam.
Because this guide is about tile, we focused on what tile owners struggle with most: grout. We favored machines that actively scrub with spinning pads, brushes or grout tools, or that use steam to loosen grime, and we looked for test results on tile, grout and sticky, dried-on spills. We also checked each maker’s floor guidance, since some steam mops aren’t meant for vinyl or unsealed stone.
We left out models whose published results were weak. For example, one hands-on review of a popular spinning steam mop from another brand found floors still felt gritty after cleaning, so it didn’t make the list. Each pick got a distinct role based on where its results and specifications were strongest. Where a model hasn’t been tested independently yet, its review says so.
Tank sizes, steam temperatures, cord lengths and runtimes are manufacturer ratings, while cleaning results are attributed to the independent sources above. We did not test these mops ourselves.
Why trust CleanTheFloor?
CleanTheFloor publishes practical floor-care advice and buying guides for homeowners and pet owners. We base our picks on published test results and verified specifications rather than marketing claims, and we point out each product's drawbacks.
