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We swept sawdust, flour, hair, water, and more to determine the best broom for every type of surface. 18 inch soft bristle push broom
A reliable broom is an essential part of any cleaning arsenal. They pick up errant beach sand, fine dust, and spools of pet hair before you ever have to enlist a vacuum or mop. They also can be counted on to keep your patio tidy and your kitchen floors debris-free. But, after a while, these essential cleaning products start to break down and need to be replaced.
Before selecting a new broom, Will Cotter, COO of Fresh Space Cleaning, says shoppers should “opt for softer [bristles] for delicate surfaces like hardwood, and sturdier ones for tougher tasks, especially if you're cleaning outside. Check out the width of the broom head—a wider one means less sweeping for you. I also prefer a broom that feels comfortable to touch. If it’s adjustable, that’s better so I don’t need to bend my back. I can just set it to the right height fit for me.”
To come up with our list of the best brooms, we spent hours sweeping flour, dust, wig hair, water, and sawdust with 21 different models and considered factors like durability, design, performance, ease of setup, and value.
Angled cut and pliable bristles for cleaning hard-to-reach areas
Flagged bristles collect smaller debris
The head of the broom is one of the smallest on our list
Whether you need to sweep up a little kitchen prep mess or some wisps of cat fur, the Libman has you covered. This broom efficiently cleared 95% of the debris we threw at it. It held firm to the floor surface and moved flour, sawdust, sand, orzo, and wig hair forward without splaying the mixture out.
We appreciated the firm, flagged bristles (which means the bristles have frayed ends to collect smaller debris) and angled cut—it made cleaning corners and wall edges easy, and the bristles were pliable enough to fit around table and chair legs while pulling the debris as we moved the broom.
We noted the light weight of the alloy steel handle that felt comfortable to grip from any angle, and the included dustpan stayed securely snapped onto the handle even when firmly shaken. The bristles, made from recycled water bottles, held firm no matter how tight a space we tested it in, and the hole at the top of the handle offered an excellent storage feature. We do wish the head was slightly wider—at 11 inches, it is one of the smallest on our list.
Width: 11 inches | Length: 53 inches | Handle Material: Alloy steel | Bristle Type: Flagged recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Weight: 2.6 pounds
Doesn't damage wood floors
For hardwoods, all of our experts suggested a soft bristle broom that won't scratch or damage the wood. Sheppard adds, “Look for a broom with fine, flagged bristles as they are effective at capturing dust and debris without causing any harm to the hardwood.”
This affordable option fits the bill, capturing just 1% less debris than our overall pick. We found the Casabella Basics Angled Broom and Dustpan Set to be sturdy with flexible, flagged bristles that collected debris effectively. We wish the 58-inch metal handle had comfort grip features, but we found it wasn't uncomfortable to hold throughout all the trials.
We appreciated the angled bristles when sweeping under the table, though it did leave behind some of the finer sawdust. It performed well on the floor with a slow, steady sweep and easily collected the hair, orzo, and sand. Hair did get stuck in the bristles, and when using the dustpan comb, only 60% was removed. While the comb seemed a useful feature, we still needed to use our hands to help loosen the hair.
Our favorite feature of this broom was the lightweight feel while sweeping. Even with the densely packed bristles and metal handle, we never felt fatigued using it on various floor surfaces. And though the dustpan included was flexible and stayed attached even when shaken vigorously, it is quite small and needed to be emptied often. The easy-to-assemble, take-apart pole makes this convenient to store even in cozy spaces.
Width: 12 inches | Length: 58 inches | Handle Material: Alloy steel | Bristle Type: Flagged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Weight: 1.2 pounds
Debris doesn't stick to the broom
Padded grip is awkwardly placed
We loved this broom’s sturdy yet lightweight construction and tough, angled bristles that will function just as well on a deck as they did on our sealed-concrete lab floor. It made a crisp line as we swept, and none of the debris clung to the broom's bristles—everything ended up in the garbage where it belonged.
The 54-inch broom easily reached the other side of the table without requiring us to squat. But while the handle has a padded grip for comfort, we did find that it wasn’t where our hands naturally grabbed. When storing, this broom has a hook at the end of the handle to hang it or break it down into three pieces for convenient storage in cabinets or drawers.
This broom is Cotter’s choice for its durability and easy maneuverability. “The bristles easily sweep away leaves, small stones, and dirt with no leftover streaks,” he says.
Width: 13.4 inches | Length: 54 inches | Handle Material: Plastic | Bristle Type: Unflagged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Weight: 2.4 pounds
Works well on flat, outdoor surfaces
Easily removes medium to large debris
Not suitable for corners or sweeping around objects
This broom offered very firm, flagged corn bristles that stayed strong throughout the entirety of testing. The thick round wood handle was easy to grip and comfortable.
The 12-inch head width and extra-firm bristles performed best on flat surfaces moving medium to large debris—perfect for working in an outside or rougher environment like a garage, shed, or barn. But when it came to smaller debris like sand and flour, it only collected about 80%.
We found the flat bottom and firm bristles not suited for cleaning around objects like the table and chairs or around the corners of the room, making it not the best option for cleaning inside a home. Despite its flaws, we think this is a great value, especially for outdoor surfaces.
Width: 12 inches | Length: 57.2 inches | Handle Material: Lacquered pine | Bristle Type: Flagged corn | Weight: 2 pounds
Not effective on hard floors
We love our pets, but we don’t love the hair floating around the living room, clinging to the couch, and embedded in our carpets. The FURemover broom offers a solution. We found the unflagged rubber bristles were champs at picking up hair on rugs, collecting an impressive 99%. It also performed effectively in our water trial, collecting all of it when angled parallel to the floor.
Though we liked the rubber bristles for hair on rugs, we found them ineffective at picking up debris on hard floors, collecting only 80%. The design also made it difficult to maneuver around and under objects, though we appreciated the telescoping handle that extends from 36 to 60 inches, making it customizable for any height user. We also like the simple shape and the comfortable plastic handle.
Cleanup is also easy as you just wash away the excess pet hair on the bristles with soapy water. Overall, we felt at this price point, the broom is a good value, especially if you have carpet and pets that shed.
Width: 12 inches | Length: 36-60 inches | Handle Material: Plastic | Bristle Type: Unflagged rubber | Weight: 1.3 pounds
Efficiently cleans up hair and dust
Can't reach long distances
The effectiveness of this broom on multiple surfaces cannot be overstated. The angled, flexible silicone head on the Original Broombi kept close contact with the floor during our testing. On the marble floor, it quickly gathered all debris types into a pile. Water was moved effectively on the vinyl floor, and the rug test impressed us most of all—pulling all of the hair easily and quickly, with nothing stuck on the broom when complete. The broom’s patented blade material creates static electricity that attracts hair and fine dust like a magnet. It’s also easy to clean—just rinse the blades after each use.
The aluminum handle was lightweight and comfortable, and we appreciated the ease of height adjustment. The ability to shorten it to scoop debris into a dustbin was a game-changer. We do wish the brush head was more effective when reaching long distances. We found when the angled head couldn't meet the floor with a decent amount of pressure, some of the smaller debris got left behind.
Width: 12 inches | Length: 36-55 inches | Handle Material: Aluminum | Bristle Type: Flagged silicone | Weight: 1 pound
Perfect for porches and driveways
You can't adjust the height
Push brooms make sweeping a garage, patio, or large surface infinitely easier, and the 24-inch head on the KeFanta model is exactly what Rodriguez recommends for covering large areas. She adds, “A sturdy, stiff-bristled broom is ideal for outdoor areas. These are durable and can handle rough surfaces like concrete and pavement.” After testing, we agree.
On the lab floor, this push broom collected 95% of the debris with one sweep, making it the best of the push brooms we tested. The unflagged, angled bristles offer a stiff force when moving the broom that would be good for porches, driveways, and fluffy snow blocking walkways.
We appreciated that though the broom weighs 4 pounds, the heaviest on our list, it did not feel onerous to use. The cushion pad wrapped around the upper area of the broom handle offered comfort. The design is simple and performs well, but we do wish the height could be adjusted to make it more customizable.
Width: 24 inches | Length: 63 inches | Handle Material: Metal | Bristle Type: Unflagged stiff bristle | Weight: 4 pounds.
The bristles easily get tangled up in the comb
The OXO Sweep Set came in with the same debris-removing percentage as our top pick. The flagged polyethylene bristles on this broom are soft and flexible, allowing close proximity to the floor to sweep up large and small debris with ease. They hugged the chair and table legs as we swept and reached all areas we attempted, even tight corners. The aluminum handle was slim and comfortable to hold throughout all the tests.
We found the extendable handle a great feature for people of varying heights and easy to adjust. The included dustpan is easy to attach and detach, and we loved its tall handle that can stand on its own.
The dustpan also includes a comb feature, but when storing the broom and dustpan nested, some of the bristles did get caught and tangled in the comb component which led to them sticking out, losing their shape, and effectiveness at removing debris long-term. But aside from this flaw, we still found this broom easy to maneuver and adept at cleaning up all the debris we spread on the floor surfaces.
Width: 9 inches | Length: 39-53 inches | Handle Material: Aluminum | Bristle Type: Flagged polyethylene | Weight: 2.2 pounds
Difficult to remove fine dust
The broom’s sturdy design performed well under a kitchen table and chairs, reaching all corners, and collecting 90% of debris with ease, only leaving fine dust behind. We appreciated the comfortable metal handle, wide 13-inch head, and included dustpan.
The dustpan’s step-on function allowed us to put our foot on the angled handle and keep it in place while sweeping debris into it with no hand contact at all. And it kept us from having to constantly bend over, making it a great companion for sweeping up crumbs and other small messes while in the kitchen. However, that same angled handle did make for awkward clipping onto the broom. It also has a comb feature to dislodge pet hair and debris from flagged PET bristles that we appreciated.
Cotter uses this broom in his home. “The extra-wide broom head with angled bristles gets into corners and edges. I save time cleaning because I don’t have to sweep an area twice simply because there’s no mess left behind,” he says.
Width: 13 inches | Length: 46 inches | Handle Material: Metal | Bristle Type: Flagged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Weight: 2 pounds
Less effort is required to maneuver around chairs
A rubber comb is included
Doesn't feel flimsy while sweeping
Hair easily gets caught on the bottom of the broom head
When fine dust is the problem in your house, you need a soft-bristled broom like the Yanxus to combat it. We found it effective at sweeping up dust, collecting 95% of the debris. The thin, unflagged bristles allowed easy access around chair legs without much effort, and we appreciated the 54-inch length to get to hard-to-reach spots.
The included dustpan also performed well—we found it to be sturdy and the rubber comb cleaned the broom bristles effectively. We do wish hair was easier to remove as it stuck on the bottom of the broom head and was difficult to sweep into the pan. This model served as an effective sweeper with a simple design that feels durable and holds its form while sweeping.
Width: 11.5 inches | Length: 54.3 inches | Handle Material: Plastic | Bristle Type: Unflagged bristles | Weight: 2.9 pounds
If you are looking for a durable broom that sweeps effectively on a variety of surfaces, we recommend the Libman Precision Angle Broom With Dustpan. The firm, flagged bristles with an angled cut made cleaning corners and wall edges easy. Plus, the bristles were pliable enough to fit around table and chair legs, and the alloy handle is lightweight and comfortable, even after a large amount of cleaning.
If you want an option for hardwoods that doesn’t skimp on efficiency, choose the Casabella Basics Angled Broom and Dustpan Set. Its lightweight design kept fatigue at bay on various floor surfaces, and the flexible, flagged bristles are perfect for picking up debris without scratching delicate surfaces.
We rounded up 21 of the best brooms and put them through a series of tests in the lab. We swept sawdust, flour, hair, water, and more to determine the best broom for every type of surface. We also made note of the brooms’ measurements and ease of assembly.
For the traditional, electric, and rubber brooms, we made a mixture of sawdust, flour, orzo, sand, and wig hair, which we spread over the floor surface. We recorded how much of the mixture we were able to sweep up. We repeated this trial under a kitchen table to observe how well the broom got underneath the table, reached long distances, and captured the debris when obstacles were in the way. If dustpans were included with the broom, we also tested those to see how much flour tipped out and how well the dustpan stayed clipped to the broom.
Then came the rubber and electric brooms trials. For this one, we documented how much wig hair could be removed from a rug. For the rubber brooms, we also did a water test to observe how well the broom collected the water.
The last operational test we performed was with the push brooms. With a mixture of sawdust, leaves, and sand spread across the surface, we evaluated how much debris was left behind during the initial pass or if any debris was pushed out to the sides. Then we swept the remaining debris from one side of the Lab to the other, gathering it into a small area and inspecting the bristles for any debris and damage.
In the end, we took all ratings across tests and evaluated the value of each broom.
The purpose of the broom often drives width and length considerations. Cotter says wider heads cover more ground and offers this advice, “When you're sweeping, go for short strokes and take your time. Pay attention to corners where dust tends to accumulate. For surfaces like hardwood or tile floors, follow up with a microfiber cloth or a slightly damp mop to capture any remaining particles and achieve a more thorough clean. To have better control and minimize the chances of scattering dust into areas you’ve already cleaned, try sweeping toward yourself.”
Sheppard agrees that a wider broom makes cleaning a quicker operation, however, she likes a narrower or angled head for tight spaces. Rodriguez agrees that wider heads can be cumbersome in those cozy corners. As far as the length of the handle, this should be driven by the person’s height to prevent back strain and increase usability.
Broom handles come in a few options and each has its appeal. Metal handles tend to be durable, wood handles offer a traditional look and often are quite sturdy, while plastic is lightweight and easy to use when you have a large surface. Sheppard adds the most important consideration is to ensure the handle is comfortable to grip for extended use.
Bristles are crafted from synthetic or natural materials and sometimes a combination of the two. They can be soft, medium, or hard, and come in flagged or unflagged options.
Flagged bristles generally have frayed ends suited to the collection of smaller debris while unflagged bristles’ stiff and straight design are perfect for sweeping larger debris. Rodriguez says to remember “Soft for indoors, stiff for outdoors.”
Sheppard adds, “Consider the type of bristles based on the cleaning task. Soft, flagged bristles are suitable for hardwood floors, while stiff bristles are better for outdoor surfaces. Natural fibers like horsehair or synthetic materials like polypropylene are common choices.”
Some brooms come with adjustable handles, angled heads, or dustpans integrated into the design. Sheppard says, “These features can enhance the broom's functionality and ease of use. By paying attention, you can select a broom that meets your specific cleaning needs and ensures effective and efficient results.” Rodriguez adds hanging loops for storage can be helpful as well.
TreeLen Broom and Dustpan Set: This broom set got high marks for sweeping up large debris and hair, comfortable design, and we appreciated the dustpan was adjustable so we didn't have to bend over to hold it. We did find that it struggled to collect fine dust, and wished the teeth on the dustpan comb were longer to aid in removing debris from the bristles. We appreciated the broom could be stored with the dustpan, and we found it easy to maneuver while sweeping.
Swopt 18-inch Premium Multi-Surface Push Broom: This broom collected large debris admirably and performed well sweeping up hair, but struggled sweeping finer materials. However, we appreciated how comfortable the handle was throughout testing, and the sturdiness of the bristles.
Yocada Heavy-Duty Outdoor Push Broom: Like the Swopt, this push broom got perfect scores in design and durability. We appreciated the foam cushion on the handle—it made holding the broom throughout all trials comfortable. It performed well sweeping leaves and sand, only leaving some dust particles behind. We found it tricky to maneuver the collected debris into a dustpan because of the length of the handle and needing to hold the dustpan at the same time. But the hole at the top of the handle for storage was an appreciated extra, and the efficient sweeping of debris made this broom a good value.
We all want to preserve our hardwood floors, which makes shopping for a broom that will brush them regularly without damage important. All of our experts suggested a soft bristle broom that won't scratch or damage the wood.
Sheppard adds, “Additionally, a broom with a wide head helps cover more surface area, making the cleaning process more efficient.” Our pick for hardwoods is the Casabella Basics Angled Broom and Dustpan Set, which has flexible, flagged bristles that are gentle on delicate surfaces.
Rodriguez agreed about the flagged bristles as they catch dust and fine particles more readily. Cotter adds, “I'd recommend opting for a broom made from natural fibers or high-quality synthetics. Think horsehair and microfiber brooms, they’re soft but still can thoroughly clean without any risk of scratches.”
Sheppard likes a sturdy outdoor broom with stiff bristles, like the Yocada Heavy-Duty Broom from our list, for outdoor surfaces. She adds, “Stiff bristles are effective at sweeping away larger debris like leaves, dirt, and gravel. A broom with a durable and weather-resistant design is essential for outdoor use, ensuring it can withstand exposure to the elements. Consider a broom with a wide head to cover more ground efficiently.”
This all depends on what you are cleaning and the surface. Sheppard says, “Brooms are highly effective for cleaning, especially for tasks like sweeping floors, patios, sidewalks, and other surfaces. They are versatile tools that can quickly remove dust, dirt, and debris. Brooms are particularly useful for maintaining cleanliness in both indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Rodriguez lauds them for their efficiency with dry, larger debris, but cautions they are less effective with fine dust where a dust mop or vacuum might be better. But when it comes to materials like fine sand, we found in testing that the Yanxus Broom and Dustpan Set performed exceptionally well.
nylon makeup brushes Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who believes in coming home to a clean house. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has swept flour, rice, and all manner of debris—she knows the importance of the right tool for the right surface. To compile this list, we tested 21 of the best brooms available in the lab, evaluating them based on durability, performance, features, design, and value. Carrie also spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for brooms, including bristle type, needs for various surfaces, and comfort while using. For expert tips on what to look for in brooms, she spoke to Will Cotter, COO of FreshSpace Cleaning; Mattie Sheppard, strategic interior design and cleaning advisor at Real Estate Bees; and Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer for Pro Housekeepers.