If you are on the market for floor mop products, two options you will definitely come across is bona and Swiffer. These are two of the most popular floor mop products in the market currently, and many homeowners swear by them.
It’s not surprising why, but the amount of appraisal both products receive can make it hard for you are to choose a floor mop amongst these two models.
Bona Vs Swiffer are two equally effective cleaners, but except you have an accommodating budget, you’ll definitely have to make a choice out of both products, while considering some of the factors like weight, durability, mode of operation and cleaning efficiency.
So Bona vs Swiffer? Which are you going for? Here’s a thorough review and comparison of both cleaners to make your choice making a little bit easier.
Related: Can You Use a Steam Mop on Hardwood Floors
Bona Vs Swiffer: Differences And Similarities
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
- Ready-to-use economy size refill
- Splashless technology ensures a smoother pour
- Waterbased cleaning formula dries fast, is residue-free, and safer for people, pets and the planet
- Safe for all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors
- Meets the U.S. EPA product standards and is Safer Choice Certified for containing ingredients that are safer for people, pets, and the planet
Last update on 2022-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- This 2-in-1 tool is both a Sweeper and a mop! Yep, you can add versatility to your cleaning routine by using the Sweeper with either Dry or Wet cloths
- 90% More Refills vs standard Sweeper Starter Kit pack
- Assembling your Sweeper is easy! Simply click the poles together. Wrap the cloth under the Sweeper head and poke the flaps into each corner gripper to keep it in place. After cleaning, you just remove the dirty cloth and toss it. Ta-dah!
- Safe on all floor types, so you can use it on tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring. Note: Do not use Swiffer Sweeper wet mopping cloths on unfinished, oiled or waxed wooden boards, non-sealed tiles or carpeted floors because they may be water sensitive
- Who’s got time to move furniture? Sweeper’s swivel head easily gets into tight corners, under furniture and behind bathroom fixtures
Last update on 2022-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The emergence of cleaners like bona and Swiffer has reduced the number of hospital visits due to back pain resulting from the use of traditional mops.
The traditional handle mop with a standard mop head is also difficult to keep dry after use; this may lead to the growth of mold and mildew, putting your health at further risk.
The introduction of bona and Swiffer floor mops have made cleaning a lot easier. You don’t have to worry about leaving streaks behind as you clean or constantly having to drag around a heavy mop bucket.
The Swiffer wetjet and the bona hardwood floor spray mop are classified as spray mops, which means you fill them with your cleaning solution and pass around your floor with it. These mops also eliminate the need to leave your mop out in the sun to dry.
On the flip side, these floor mops are quite expensive and carry an additional cost of a special cleaning solution required for either of these two mop brands. They also require special mop pads that need to be changed frequently.
As you can see, neither bona nor Swiffer is completely wholesome; both brands of spray mop have their pros and cons, so to help you make a final purchasing decision. Let’s discuss further details about both products.
Mode Of Operation
Bona and Swiffer floor mops are categorized as spray mops because they are both equipped with a spraying system that is filled with special cleaning solutions.
But there is a slight difference in how they work, and this is one of the differences that sets both products apart.
For starters, you need a well-swept and vacuumed floor if you intend to use a bona floor mop to prevent the mop from getting dirty or holding on to dry dirt and debris.
Bona spray mop also does not require any sort of external power sources like an electrical cord or batteries to operate; this is super convenient because you do not have to purchase batteries or be unable to clean when there’s a power outage.
This characteristic of bona mop makes it extremely convenient for fixing any unexpected spills that happen.
Bona doesn’t use batteries or electrical power but works on air pressure. An adequate amount of air pressure forces the spray bottle containing the solution to contract, which pushes the solution out of the nozzle and into the mop head.
Depending on how dirty your floors are, you only need one or two presses to get enough cleaning solution on the mop head.
Here’s how to set up the bona spray mop:
- Attach the mop pole together with the handle, then connect the mop head to the bottom of the pole
- Fill up the cleaning solution cartridge with the recommended cleaning solution
- Attach the microfiber cleaning pad to the of the mop head
- Your bona mop is ready to be used
Setup the mop correctly, and all you have to do is lightly press down the trigger to release some of the cleaning solutions into the mop head, and you are ready to start mopping.
The Swiffer spray mop is just like bona mop to some extent and needs your floor to be completely free of loose debris or dirt.
To set up a Swiffer spray mop, here are the steps involved:
- Secure the mop poles together and in place
- Place 4 AA batteries in the battery compartment
- Attach the provided mop pad with the print side is down to the bottom of the mop head
- Squeeze the release trigger on the handle to disperse the solution and begin mopping
Both mops follow a similar setup process, and both products have a release trigger that is squeezed to disperse the cleaning solution into the mop pad, but they have differing flexibility.
The Bona mop is designed for only hardwood floors, but the Swiffer spray mop can be used on a variety of surfaces, like laminate, hardwood, vinyl, and ceramic tile flooring.
Read: Why Does My Floor Make My Feet Black?
Cost
Bona and Swiffer mops start out with a similar cost of purchase. These possess very little pricing difference, with their starter kits being sold for about $30 to $40, depending on the point of purchase.
The starter kits of both spray mops come containing everything that you need to clean right away, including their special cleaning solution. But that’s about all their shared similarity in pricing. Even with a similar starting price, both mops possess some long-term pricing differences.
For instance, the cleaning pads for the bona mop are more expensive than that of Swiffer. However, the bona mop pad can be washed and reused, unlike the Swiffer pads that need to be replaced after each use.
Another long term cost is the price of the batteries used by the Swiffer spray mop; they require AA batteries for the sprayer to operate, unlike bona mop that uses air pressure to disperse the cleaning solution.
The initial cost difference is about $10, with the Swiffer spray mop being on the cheaper end, but the extra purchase that you need to make with this model increases their cost in the long run and may become higher than the bona floor mop.
Size & Weight
The weight and size of these spray mops also set bona and Swiffer brands apart. The size of the mop head is the crucial part to look out for in a mop as it determines how long it will take you to complete your cleaning job. The shorter the mop head, the longer it takes to finish cleaning.
The bona spray mop has a 15 inches wide mop that enables you to cover so much ground with a single push; this quickens your cleaning job. It is especially great for cleaning larger open rooms.
However, this comes with a hidden disadvantage; a wide mop like that could be impossible to get into tight corners and effectively clean around furniture.
The bona spray mop has an average weight of 5.2 pounds, which is considerably lighter than a traditional mop.
The Swiffer wetjet mop has a slimmer mop head that is only 9 inches wide; although this means that it will not cover as much ground as a bona model, the Swiffer spray mop is able to get into tight and smaller areas that the bona model can’t. They also get to clean under and around furniture more efficiently.
The Swiffer wetjet spray mop is also lighter than the bona mop, with a weight of about 3.68 pounds.
Cleaning Efficiency
Both mops are generally efficient cleaners and produce great results when used but just like with everything, each of these mops has its strengths when it comes to delivering a good job.
Two factors that determine the cleaning efficiency of both mops are spray effectiveness and maneuverability.
What does spray effectiveness mean? The bona hardwood spray mop disperses cleaning solution more evenly on the floor, and it is directed in front of the mop, so the solution touches more of the floor so you can get an even cleaning experience across the entire floor.
However, the Swiffer wetjet releases a narrower spray stream that only coats some areas in front of the mop with the cleaning solution, leaving some other spots dry. This doesn’t mean that the mop doesn’t carry out its function effectively; it only possesses lesser spray effectiveness than the bona model.
There isn’t a clear winner when it comes to maneuverability because this performance depends on the situation.
For instance, when cleaning a large open room with the bona spray mop, you may find it easier due to the size of the bona mop head. It covers large areas of flooring in a short period of time.
However, the Swiffer will be a better choice for tight and cluttered spaces with lots of furniture. Its smaller mop head is easier to get underneath furniture and reach into those smaller corners.
Unfortunately, the bona hardwood spray mop cannot be used on other types of flooring besides hardwood.
You may also experience some setbacks with the Swiffer wetjet because of how the mop pads are attached to the mop head; they can easily get snagged while you clean.
Users Review
Before buying any product, it is important to check the user reviews to see what people who bought similar products have to say; this way, you get to find out the actual performance of the product asides from the embellished description the manufacturer might have given.
Keep in mind that no product is perfect. There will be people who found it faulty but depending on the complaint and how frequent it is given, you can determine if it should be taken into consideration.
The most common complaint about the bona hardwood spray mop was about the cleaning solution bottle that began to leak after a few uses. It was also said to happen when the mop has been left sitting for a while without being used.
Some customers also complained about the model’s spray functionality as the nozzle stopped functioning after using the mop a few times. This last common complaint was about the mop leaving behind streaks on the floor.
For the Swiffer wetjet spray mop, the most common complaint left by users was about the spray nozzle leaking after being used for a long period.
Customers also complained about the batteries, which tend to die after only one or two uses of the mop, meaning they needed constant replacement.
Complaints of this mop’s inability to clean up sticky substances completely from the floors and how easily the mop pads detached off the mop head were also left.
Read: 10 Best Spray Mops
Conclusion
Overall, comparing bona vs Swiffer side by side may only leave you more indecisive, and you would need to project your cleaning needs as you try to make a decision.
The bona spray mop and the Swiffer spray mop share only a few differences, so they can easily be used interchangeably for similar purposes.
With that being said, the bona spray mop is generally given more consideration than the Swiffer spray mop; this is mostly due to its large mop head and not needing batteries to operate.
This might not be the best floor mop for small spaces or areas with multiple furniture and fixtures; instead, you should opt for the Swiffer spray mop with a smaller mop head. Yet again, it all comes down to preference and your needs.