Cleaning may be a chore, but having a broom dustpan combo can make it less so. Or at the very least, having the right broom for the task.
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That’s right – there’s many styles of brooms out there to be had, and some are better than others. Let’s talk about the best sweep set that’s easy to use, gets the job done, and packs up small for easy storage
Indoor Broom: OXO Good Grips Any-Angle BroomOutdoor Broom: O-Cedar Professional 18″ Push BroomIndoor Dustpan: O-Cedar Anti-Static Premium DustpanOutdoor Dustpan: Emsco Enormous Yard & Garage Dust PanAngle Broom: Libman 201 Precision Angle BroomTraditional Broom: Black & Decker 261020 Corn Broom
Pet Hair: FURemover Pet Hair Removal BroomTile Floors: Bissell Tile, Wood Floor and Hard Surface BroomHardwood Floors: Bissell Smart Details Hardwood Push BroomSets: Carlisle Duo-Pan Dustpan & Lobby Broom
Broom Basics
Humble though it is, the broom is useful. We all have them in our homes. They’ve been in use since antiquity, but they haven’t always been the same.
Early brooms were made of a bundle of slender sticks. We’ve come a long way since then, and now brooms are manufactured for their purpose. There are brooms meant for rough outdoor surfaces and ones for smooth indoor floors. There’s many shapes, sizes, and designs.
Let’s talk about some of the most common brooms available today!
A Sweeper For Every Need
The majority of brooms are meant for indoor surfaces. Most floors in homes are smooth, made of anything from wood to tile and all points between.
Material like wood can become damaged by coarse broom straw. Over time, these rough materials can cause scratches to form. Needless to say, most of us don’t want to have to refinish our flooring, so soft bristles of nylon are most common. These are often flagged bristles, which sweep up finer particles.
Upright brooms form an even squared-off shape. They’re used for most general purposes or open spaces. Angle brooms have an angled head that allows easier access into tight corners. The angled head also can help with removing cobwebs from the top of walls.
Outdoor brooms tend to have a coarse bristle. These are usually made of a more rigid and thicker nylon. Corn straw brooms are also fairly common.
These brooms may be similar in size and shape to indoor brooms. Lobby brooms like this are usually accompanied by a large dust collector. Push brooms may also have a wide head for sidewalk sweeping or cleaning large areas.
Dustpan Details
But we can’t leave out the dustpan. Without them, we’d have piles of debris dotting the newly-swept areas!
Dustpans typically have a rubber or metal front edge. Tapered, it facilitates the process of sweeping dust or debris into the catchpan. The catchpan itself can range from just a simple tray to a large enclosed container.
Some dustpans include a brush, either on the edge of the pan or just above the catchpan. The brush allows for easy removal of hair, cobwebs, string or other particulate from the broom.
Dustpans may be short-handled and snap onto the broom for storage. Long-handled dustpans usually have a larger capacity and can be used without bending over. These large bins often house the broom head when it’s not in use.
While less common than smaller versions, large dustpans are available for outdoor uses. Scooping up large piles of leaves or grass clippings is much easier with one of these. They’re also great for cleaning up ice melts or organic fertilizers that might have spilled in the garage.
Best Broom And Dustpan Choices
Indoor Broom
A good all-purpose indoor broom is a wonderful thing. Not specific to a given task, it needs to be adaptable to many cleaning types.
- Broom head clicks into place at different angles…Great for ergonomic sweeping, accessing tight…Lightweight, aluminum pole for easy sweeping and…
The OXO Good Grips Any-Angle Broom can do that. With a click, you can change the head’s angle to allow you to sweep any location. Its non-slip grip ensures you won’t lose your grasp.
Whether you’re dusting away cobwebs at the ceiling or getting into tight spaces, this does the job. It also handles the middle of the room with ease. The bristles are soft enough that they won’t scratch wood floors, but firm enough to get good coverage.
If you only want one broom that can handle everything indoors, this is it.
Outdoor Broom
I use this broom all the time. O-Cedar brooms are well-constructed and sturdy, and this is no exception to the rule.
- Features Maxi-Lok technology and anti-rotation…with broom block and bristles made of 80% recycled…Has soft outer bristles that sweep up fine dirt…
There are a few different versions of this broom available. I use the multi-purpose one both on my driveways and in the garage.
The bristles are made from recycled soda bottles. There are two layers in the multipurpose broom head. The outer bristles are softer to handle fine dust and dirt, while the inner ones are more rigid to deal with debris.
The head itself is also recycled plastic, and it secures to the handle very tightly. I’ve had no worries that it’ll turn while in use or fall off, which is a problem I’ve had with wooden broom heads.
All things considered, I highly recommend this broom for sidewalks and driveways. It works well on large decks and patios, too. And I’ve even used it to pull leaves off my roof a time or two.
Indoor Dustpan
A good dustpan is hard to find. Most of them work, but you may find yourself sweeping as much under the pan as onto it. Stuff sticks to the pan’s surface stubbornly. And most inexpensive ones don’t have any way to remove hair or fluff stuck on the broom.
- Features a rubber tip so that all the dirt, dust…Anti-Static dustpan releases dust into the trash…Has cleaning cones built into the dustpan to…
Made to match their brooms, this pan can be snapped onto their standard handle sizes. It’ll fit on other makes of broom handle as well.
Enter O-Cedar’s offering. This antistatic dustpan is designed to release all dust and dirt simply by tipping it into the trash. On the side, a series of conical points allow you to scrape off stuff stuck in the broom. And its rubber edge prevents stuff from sliding underneath.
I’m not sure a perfect dustpan exists, but this is pretty close.
Outdoor Dustpan
Outdoors, getting every last bit of dust isn’t usually an option. But what is an option is clearing yard debris. And you’ll need something to do it.
- IDEAL FOR SWEEPING OUT GARAGES AND GATHERING…LARGE CAPACITY – This efficient clean-up pan has…24" WIDE MOUTH – This pan features a wide mouth…
Whether raking the lawn or sweeping the driveway, this dustpan will help. Its extra-wide size ensures you can use a push broom or rake to scoop stuff inside. Made of heavy-duty plastic, it’s lightweight and will hold up to most uses.
Sure, you can use a smaller dustpan outdoors just fine. But this speeds up your task. What would take several sweep-and-dump trips can be done in a single process. And those few moments saved are more time you can be spending relaxing in the yard!
Angle Broom
If you’re like me, your kitchen is a warren of tight spaces. There’s the gap between the cupboards and the refrigerator. There’s that space just under the cabinetry that stuff collects in. And of course, there’s always a weird crevice that the cats use to hide their toys in.
- Precisely cut to reach under tight corners indoors…Flagged broom fibers result in more debris moved…Longer life than your typical broom, with…
An angle broom is necessary for these weird spaces. The bristles come out of the head with an angled shape that can easily get even into the tightest spots. For me, it’s an absolute necessity in the kitchen.
These are fantastic for removing cobwebs or dust from crown molding, too. Among my assortment of brooms, I always make sure to have a quality angle broom like this Libman model. Made with recycled plastic, it’s eco-friendly and sturdy.
The handle is lightweight steel, so it won’t break. The bristles have an 11″ spread which enables you to cover a lot of ground quickly. And they’re made in the US, which is surprisingly rare these days.
I keep one of these on hand at all times for cleaning both the kitchen and the bathroom. And once you’ve tried it, I think you will too.
Traditional Broom
Sometimes, old-school is the best. I grew up using a corn broom similar to this Black & Decker model. But this takes a traditional broom to the next level.
- Durable hard wood poleSoft grip handleSix sew construction
Corn straw is a nice, rigid material that sweeps extremely well. It’s been used for centuries to help keep spaces clean. And Black & Decker pairs the traditional wood-handled broom with a modern comfort grip.
It’s well constructed, too – unlike many cheaper brooms, they’ve done six bands of stitching. This keeps the corn straw in place and slows the natural material’s spreading habit.
Used both indoors and out, this is a sturdy, well-crafted broom that will last for a long time. It works equally well on rough and smooth surfaces, and is worth the money spent.
Purpose-Driven Sweeps
Best Broom For Pet Hair
I have two dogs, two cats, and a whole lot of shed hair in my house. I also have hardwood floors and carpeting, both of which collect this hair in different ways.
- Removes Fur: The 100% natural pet hair remover…Telescopic Handle: Carpet hair remover easily…Innovative & Versatile: Dog fur remover, carpet…
That’s why a FURemover pet hair removal broom is such a necessity. It has two sides. One is rubber bristles that grab onto even the finest pet hair and keep it from flying away. The other is a squeegee that can be used to scrape pet hair off of surfaces like my couch.
This style of broom also works surprisingly well on short, dense carpeting. Use the brush side to loosen all the pet hair and bring it to the surface, and the squeegee to pull it off the carpet.
If you’re looking for the best broom for dog hair or cat hair, go no further. This is everything you’re looking for.
Best Broom For Tile Floors
Tile floors can be complicated to keep clean. Over time, fine surface scratches can penetrate the tile glaze and cause damage to the tile. It’s important to use a broom which is gentle on the tile’s surface to prevent those scratches in the first place.
- Multi-surface adjustable bristles clean bare…Rubber bristles attract pet hairRetract rubber bristles for everyday sweeping
I like the Bissell option best for this. Their lightweight tile, hardwood and pet hair broom combines a few different features. First is a soft-bristled broom that won’t leave surface scratches. Second, there’s an inner layer of rubber bristles that can be extended to collect pet hair.
Add into that some good, sturdy construction, and you’ve got a winner. This broom can easily handle the slight indentation in the grout lines. It’s wide enough to sweep most rooms or halls, but small enough to not require much storage space.
All things considered, this is a winner for anyone who’s got tile flooring. Definitely worth the investment for a good tool!
Best Broom For Hardwood Floors
Soft bristles are required for hardwood. Nobody wants to sand their floors every few years, plus hard bristles can ruin your finish.
- Great for sweeping fine particles with soft,…Designed for wood and other hard floor surfacesHelps maintain luster to keep wood floors looking…
Bissell’s got an answer for these, too. Their horsehair push broom combines the required soft bristles with a wide surface. A few good swipes and you’ve got the room cleaned.
These last very well if stored properly. These should get hung up to prevent the bristles from becoming permanently curved. But if you hang it up when not in use, this will last you for many years.
I consider this horsehair broom to be the best broom for wooden floors. But it does work well on other smooth surfaces too!
Best Broom And Dustpan Set
What if you’re looking for a broom and dustpan that complement each other perfectly?
- Dustpan pivots providing secure debris collection…Rotating, notched yoke removes dust and debris…Access tough-to-reach spots with angled bristle…
At that point, I look for something that’ll work in many different ways. I want a dustpan that’s enclosed and can hold a lot of waste. I want a broom that’s made to match the size of the dustpan. Ideally, I want the two to store well together so they’re always at hand when needed.
Enter this Carlisle lobby dustpan and broom set. Short-handled, it’s easy to store. The broom head sits inside the dustpan when it’s not in use, and the dustpan has a flat base it stands upon.
When you’re ready to use it, pull the broom out and snap the dustpan into its locked ready position. Its rigid shape helps keep it from moving as you sweep up whatever you need to. The edge of the dustpan is serrated to remove hair and fluff from the broom.
It has steel handles that come in sections. Lock them into place and you’re set. If you’re limited on storage space, you can take both the broom and dustpan handles apart to store it under the sink.
Made for professional use, this can be used on short-pile carpet or smooth flooring. Its bristles are flexible enough to avoid scratching most indoor surfaces. They’re just rigid enough to do a good job outdoors, too.
This style is unmatched, and I consider this the best of the bunch. You will have little to no problem keeping things tidy with this commercial-grade set.
To me, the best broom dustpan should meet a few important criteria. They have to be sturdy, well-made, and work for the purpose they’re being used for. So to me, these are the top choices currently available. There’s lots of brooms in the world, but these will all stand up to what you want them to do!
