If you’re short on time for housework, can’t stand messy floors, or live with unruly children and pets, a wet and dry vacuum, also dubbed a “vacmop”, could be the cleaning gadget you’ve been looking for.
But what exactly do they do, and are they worth the investment? As the name suggests, most vacmops combine a motorised vacuum and mop in one, allowing you to vacuum and wash hard floors simultaneously or straight after the other with a flick of a switch.
Wet and dry vacuums eliminate the need to haul out a bucket and mop and deliver a more efficient clean than manual mopping alone.
They’re particularly useful in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, where spills and splatters can quickly build up. As Matthew Lee, Senior Research Scientist at Dyson, explains: “For tough, dried-on stains, liquid is essential to ‘re-hydrate’ them for easier removal.”
Another drawcard is improved sanitation. Traditional mops can fail to deliver a truly barefoot-ready finish, particularly when they’re repeatedly dipped into dirty water. In contrast, many wet and dry vacuums are designed to clean floors with fresh water while collecting dirty water in a separate tank.
Most wet and dry vacuums can be used on sealed hard floors, including timber, laminate and tile, while some models can even tackle low-pile rugs and carpets. You can also choose between corded and cordless. Read on to discover some of the best wet and dry vacuums available in New Zealand and make light work of keeping your floors spotless.
Shop the edit: Top-rated wet and dry vacuums
HydroDuo with Dirt-Reveal Technology
$349 at Shark
Best for: Daily hard-floor maintenance
Lightweight and easy to grab for quick clean-ups, the cordless Shark HydroDuo is ideal for busy households that need a convenient way to tackle daily dirt, crumbs and spills. Its Dirt-Reveal technology illuminates hidden debris so you don’t miss a spot. To target hard-to-clean spills, use the on-demand spray function to spray as much or as little cleaning solution as you need.
How it works: Picks up wet and dry debris, mops and scrubs at the same time. It can also be used in a dry-clean mode to collect debris without wetting floors. Designed for sealed hard floors only, including hardwood, laminate, tile, stone, marble and vinyl.
Run time: Up to 30 minutes.
Water tank capacity: Approximately 946ml clean water tank.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine
$1,149 (was $1,749) at Dyson
Best for: Homes with a mix of carpets and hard floors
If you want a premium all-rounder, the Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine combines Dyson’s powerful cordless vacuum technology with a dedicated floor-washing head. It’s particularly suited to homes that need thorough carpet cleaning alongside occasional hard-floor mopping.
How it works: Unlike most vacmops, the Submarine head does not vacuum and mop simultaneously. You’ll vacuum first, then swap to the dedicated wet roller attachment to wash hard floors. It’s suitable for carpets when using the vacuum cleaner heads, and hard floors when using the Submarine attachment.
Run time: Up to 70 minutes.
Water tank capacity: Small integrated water reservoir within the Submarine wet roller head.
CrossWave HydroSteam
$699 at Bissell
Best for: Homes with hard floors and low-pile rugs
Combining vacuuming, washing and steam cleaning in a single appliance, the corded CrossWave HydroSteam is a versatile gadget. The addition of steam technology helps loosen stubborn dirt to refresh low-pile rugs.
How it works: Vacuums and washes floors simultaneously, with HydroSteam technology available for tougher messes. Suitable for sealed hard floors, tile, polished concrete, vinyl, laminate, linoleum, rubber mats, and refreshing low-pile rugs.
Run time: Corded (7.6m), so there’s no battery runtime limitation.
Water tank capacity: Clean water tank capacity 828ml, dirty water tank capacity 620ml.
H15 Pro Heat Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
$799 (usually $1,499) at Dreame
Best for: Tackling sticky kitchen messes
This vacmop is a lifesaver for busy, lively houses that regularly bear the brunt of spills and grease.
It cleans floors with 85°C hot water and dries quietly in five minutes. It also has a scraper with sharp comb teeth to sever hair tangles during vacuuming, so there’s no need to manually detangle.
How it works: Vacuums and mops hard floors simultaneously. Uses heated water to wash floors and features self-cleaning and hot-air drying functions. Suitable for sealed hard floors rather than carpets.
Run time: Up to 72 minutes in Quiet Mode.
Water tank capacity: 800ml clean water tank.
Shark HydroVac Pro XL Cordless 3-In-1 Cleaner
$499.99 at Shark
Best for: An all-in-one vacuum for fresher-smelling floors
The best thing about the Shark HydroVac is that it vacuums, mops and cleans itself. It’s best used on hard flooring (including hardwood, tiles, marble, and laminate) and low-pile rugs, although many customers say it works on their carpets, too.
To keep your home smelling fresh, the vacmop’s brush roll is antimicrobial treated and removes odours from rugs. We also recommend adding Shark’s multi-surface concentrate cleaning solution to the tank water to further eliminate odours.
Once you’re done cleaning, simply place the HydroVac on its dock and activate the self-clean mode so it’s ready for its next use.
Ben Lovitt, VP of Marketing at ANZ SharkNinja, considers the HydroVac Pro an underrated product shoppers should know about.
“It’s a gamechanger for dog owners like me!” he says, highlighting its convenience and ease of use. Lovitt explains, “We also get great feedback on how easy it is to clean and maintain. After use, place the HydroVac on its dock and activate self-clean mode so it’s clean and ready to tackle the next mess.”
How it works: Suctions dry debris and hydro mops liquids at the same time
Run time: 20 minutes
Water tank capacity: 500ml (clean water tank), 360ml (dirty water tank)
Available at:
Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop
$2,687.10 at Amazon AU
Best for: A robot vacuum with powerful mopping capabilities and hands-free convenience
The Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni tackles everything from dust and pet hair to sticky stains. Its standout feature is its advanced mopping technology for sparkling floors.
The Deebot’s AI-powered voice assistant allows you to clean messes in real time without lifting a finger. The docking station takes care of washing and hot-air drying the mop, keeping it fresh and odour-free for up to 90 days without needing your attention.
How it works: Vacuums and mops separately. ‘Carpet First’ setting avoids wetting and contaminating carpets
Run time: Up to 240 minutes
Water tank capacity: 100ml (clean water tank), 95ml (dirty water tank)
Available at:
- $2,687.10 from Amazon AU
- $2,949 from Mighty Ape
Roborock F25 Wet and Dry Vacuum
$851.14 at Amazon AU
Best for: A vacuum mop combo with impressive suction
With a robust suction power of 20,000Pa, the Roborock F25 Wet and Dry Vacuum seamlessly cleans up wet and dry spills. Whether you’re tidying up light spills or doing a deep clean, it automatically adjusts its intensity based on the mess.
This vacmop excels at edge-to-edge cleaning, with its brush reaching close to walls and corners. It’s also low-maintenance, thanks to its self-wash and self-dry features.
How it works: Cleans wet and dry messes simultaneously, with the ability to switch to wet or dry cleaning modes only
Run time: Up to 60 minutes
Water tank capacity: 740ml (clean water tank), 720ml (dirty water tank)
Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum
$299.99 at Shark
Best for: A portable vacuum for quick spot cleaning
Whether you’re cleaning sticky residue and muddy footprints or sanding dust from DIY projects, the Shark MessMaster is your trusted sidekick for quick cleanups around the house, car, garage or toolshed.
Weighing just 4.4kg, it’s lightweight and easy to carry. Handling liquid spills and dry debris, the MessMaster’s extra-long cord and hose mean you can manoeuvre it into tight spaces. Additional extras include a squeegee, carpet, crevice and extension wand attachments.
Cleaning the MessMaster is a breeze. Vacuum up a cup of water to rinse out the hose and dustbin. For added convenience, the dustbin is dishwasher safe.
A favourite of interior design expert Shelley Ferguson, the MessMaster is her go-to solution for household chaos, from removing broken glass from the carpet to cleaning up wine spills.
How it works: Advanced suction technology picks up liquid spills, dirt and debris
Available at:
Dyson WashG1 2-in-1 Wet Floor Cleaner
$1,099 at Dyson
Best for: Hygienic, powerful cleaning of hard floors without the need to vacuum first
Dyson’s 2-in-1 Wet Floor Cleaner features three cleaning modes for light spills, sticky liquids, and dried-on stains. It’s designed for use on tiles, vinyl, laminate and sealed wooden floors, where its dual-motorised rollers remove wet and dry debris in a single pass, while separating dry debris from dirty water for hygienic, no-touch disposal.
Unlike traditional mops, the WashG1 ensures you only clean your floors with fresh water, thanks to its double-roller system.
How it works: Cleans wet and dry messes simultaneously without needing to vacuum first
Run time: 35 minutes
Water tank capacity: 1000ml (clean water tank), 800ml (dirty water tank)
Samsung 210W Bespoke Jet Plus Elite
$1,699 (usually $1,799) at Samsung
Best for: A sleek, powerful vacuum with added mopping functionality
The Samsung 210W Bespoke Jet Plus Elite combines power, style, and innovation. It delivers 210W of suction power in a lightweight, ergonomic design that reduces wrist strain and an adjustable telescopic pipe length for user comfort.
The vacuum’s Spray Spinning Sweeper attachment features dual spinning pads that scrub and spray water simultaneously for efficient mopping on hard floors. Lastly, the docking station takes convenience to the next level by emptying the dustbin while trapping fine particles for a mess-free experience.
How it works: Vacuums with provided brush attachments, mops with Spray Spinning Sweeper attachment that scrubs and sprays water simultaneously
Run time: 60 minutes (purchase a spare battery to clean for longer)
Water tank capacity: 150ml
Dyson v15s Detect Submarine Vacuum
$1,089 (usually $1,649) at Dyson
Best for: Large houses with pets and people who suffer from allergies
Tackle everything from toothpaste to muddy paw prints with the Dyson Submarine, which includes all the popular V15 Detect series features and a motorised wet roller attachment for washing hard floors.
For homes with pets or long-haired humans, we recommend cleaning with the anti-tangle Hair Screw Tool attachment before switching to the wet roller for a pristine finish.
With up to 60 minutes of runtime and advanced filtration to trap tiny dust particles, this vacuum is perfect for larger homes or those sensitive to allergens.
How it works: Comes with an additional motorised wet roller attachment for washing hard floors. Switch to this attachment after vacuuming
Run time: 60 minutes
Water tank capacity: 300ml (clean water tank), 360ml (dirty water tank)
Dreame H12 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum
$775 at Mighty Ape
Best for: An user-friendly vacuum mop combo for hard floors
The Dreame H12 Pro makes cleaning hardwood floors a breeze. It features multiple modes, including an auto mode for general cleaning, an ultra mode for deep cleaning, and a suction mode specifically for liquids.
The wet and dry vacuum’s intelligent mess detection system adjusts suction power automatically for the perfect clean each time. It also offers edge-to-edge cleaning, and its self-cleaning brush detangles hair and scrubs off dirt in real time.
Enjoy easy operation with its powerful forward traction, and when you’re done, place it on its charging station, where the brush is dried with hot air.
With a large LED display and real-time voice prompts, you’ll always know details like the vacmop’s remaining battery life and water tank status.
How it works: Cleans wet and dry messes simultaneously, with an additional suction mode that vacuums liquids without mopping
Run time: 35 minutes
Water tank capacity: 900ml (clean water tank), 700ml (dirty water tank)
What is the difference between wet and dry vacuums and regular vacuum cleaners?
Wet and dry vacuums clean dry debris and liquids, whereas regular vacuums suction dry debris only.
Although wet and dry vacuum cleaners are primarily designed for hard floors and tiles, some models can be used on low-pile rugs and carpets.
How do wet and dry vacuums work?
Wet and dry vacuum models vary in how they handle messes. Some clean wet and dry messes simultaneously (with the ability to switch to just one mode only). Others operate separately, some requiring different brush attachments to switch between wet and dry cleaning.
Is a wet and dry vacuum cleaner worth it?
A wet and dry vacuum cleaner is useful for busy households with young kids and pets, or high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms where messes are more frequent.
Wet and dry vacuums can also provide a deeper, more hygienic clean than a bucket and mop or a damp cloth. This is because wet and dry vacuum systems are typically designed to prevent cleaning floors with the same dirty water, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
As Ketan Patel, Senior Design Manager at Dyson, explains, traditional tools like mops, wet sweepers, and single-roller wet washers often fail to deliver a truly clean finish. The issue with these tools, Patel notes, is that they can leave a “film of invisible dirt or grime being smeared across floors during cleaning. This happens when mops are used with dirty water or when wet washers fail to fully lift debris.”
Further, wet and dry vacuums are more effective than manual tools at removing solid debris. Depending on the system, many wet and dry vacuums eliminate the need to vacuum or sweep the floor before mopping, halving your cleaning time.
Lastly, many wet and dry vacuums are better equipped to clean edges and corners than a mop. Some models even feature self-cleaning capabilities for convenience.
Read next:
- Redefine cleaning with these next-gen robot vacuums
- The Kmart cleaning products that have us excited for chores
- 15 spots in your home you may be forgetting to clean
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