The best sponges cut through dirt and grime, keeping your cooking and bathroom surfaces clean. Choosing the wrong one can result in lots of frustration. Our evaluation focused on material, shape, grip, absorbency, scrubbing power, and lifespan.
After more than 14 hours of research and testing, our top pick goes to the Scrub Daddy FlexTexture Sponge. It uses a temperature-controlled foam that changes texture, perfect for scrubbing or light touch-ups. It is also odor-resistant for up to 8 weeks if used properly. Keep reading to learn more about the Scrub Daddy FlexTexture Sponge and six others that met our strict grading criteria. If you want good quality products for your kitchen, you will be happy with these products.
Top 7 Best Sponges Reviews
#1 Scrub Daddy Colors- FlexTexture Sponge
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This sponge features foam that changes texture from firm to soft depending on water temperature. It is an excellent choice for people that prefer one sponge for light cleaning and hard scrubbing.
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- Instant soft & hard texture
- Does not scratch
- Odor-resistant
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- Breaks down some what easily
- Not good on rough surfaces
- Distracting smiley face cutouts
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These sponges do an exceptional job removing all types of stains on your dirty dishes, including baked-on food and oil pan grease. What we like most about this sponge is its scratch-free material, keeping copper, cast iron, glass, and other surfaces safe while washing dishes. Also, it FlexTexture foam makes it firm in cold water for hard scrubbing, and soft in warm water for light washing. This is also one of the best kitchen sponges that doesn’t smell, odor resistant for up to 8 weeks, unlike traditional sponges that trap food and smell like spoiled milk.
Related: Also check out the best soap dish.
Thanks to a 3-pack of differently colored sponges, you can assign sponges by function. Assign the orange sponge for bathroom tile while using the best disinfectant, the blue sponge for little Joe’s cereal bowl, and work with any combination you’d like. A playful assortment of colors may make it fun for children to perform chores.
#2 Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: This dual-sided sponge comes with a non-scratch scouring pad and a super-absorbent sponge on the opposite side that is known to last.
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- Best budget
- Scouring pad and soft sponge in one
- Non scratch
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- Not bio-degradable
- Scrubber side may separate
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Thanks to this sponge’s cellulose material, this scrubber sponge does an exceptional job of absorbing liquid better than traditional foam sponges, and much better than the Scotch-Brite Dobie. It also removes food particles and grimes quicker, helping to limit bacterial growth. Its slightly wavy shape is also easy to grip and wipe with.
What we liked about this cleaning sponge is its non-scratch scrubbing surface and its excellent work on boiler pans and soap scum. In our testing, its rippled surface quickly cut through baked-on foods and grease without breaking shape. It also offers great value, cheap to replace after weeks of regular use, and doesn’t break down easily. This is a great one to use for cleaning with the best disinfectant spray.
#3 O-Cedar Multi-Use Scrunge Scrub Sponge
Award: Best for Teflon
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best sponge for stainless steel, with its soft yet highly durable, scrubbing fibers. It is a great choice if you own Teflon-coated cookware.
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- Best for stainless steel
- Great on Teflon finishes
- Rinses easily
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- Tough on hands
- Poor grip
- Can adopt odors somewhat quickly
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This scrub sponge’s ripped surface makes it easy to cut grime and grease on barbeque grills, range tops, and other hard surfaces. It even does a great job of clearing soap scrum and hardened toothpaste residue off of sinks. With repeated tough scrubs, each sponge did not lose its shape.
A three-dimensional scrubber also lathers very quickly. Its cellulose sponge also absorbs spills very well with easy rinsing. That means you will use less of the best paper towels. No food particles get stuck and it is very easy to rinse and air dry, limiting bacteria growth. However, the scrubber surface, while durable, can be less powerful then our #1 and #2 picks. Speaking of durable, check out our guide to the best storage racks.
#4 Peachy Clean Silicone Scrubber
Award: Best Anti-Odor
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best silicone sponge with a pleasant peachy fragrance. It works great if you prefer to clean and deodorize your kitchen and bathrooms at the same time.
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- Best silicone sponge
- Water-tight
- Quickly dries & dishwasher safe
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- Does not absorb liquid
- Silicone may flake off after some time
- Needs time to “break in”
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Thanks to this sponge’s silicone material, it does not hold onto water like the Scrub Daddy, Scotch Brite, and O-Cedar sponges. This makes it less likely to retain odors and build up bacteria over time. Bonus points for being dishwasher safe and comfortable to rinse and air dry.
We appreciated this silicone scrubber’s texture, strong enough to break into stuck-on food without being slippery. Though it is an excellent scrubber, its fibers are prone to break down after 2-3 weeks of heavy use. However, it is pretty cheap, so we don’t mind as much. This is on par with the best cleaning cloths.
#5 Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges
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Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This heavy-duty scrubber is the best sponge for cleaning showers, featuring tough, 100% recycled scrubbing fibers. It offers a great power scrub for soap scum, shampoo residue, and other related grime.
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- Best sponge for cleaning showers
- Easy to grip
- Dishwasher-friendly
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- Scratches easily
- Does not hold soap long
- Strange smell
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Like the Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch and the O-Cedar sponge, it comes dual-sided with a rough, fiber scouring pad and a soft sponge. Its scrubbing fibers do a fine job of cutting through grease, dried stains, and burnt foods on all kinds of cooking surfaces. Though it has good cleaning chops, its fiber pad scratches very easily. We don’t recommend using it on fine china or Teflon coated cookware.
Aside from the Scotch-Brite name, we really appreciate its value. Although it is dishwasher safe and reusable, it is cheap enough to buy time and time again. It is a welcome alternative over costlier silicone sponges in terms of cleaning power, and although it isn’t a natural sponge, its fibers are 100% recyclable. Use the best countertop cleaner with it for scrubbing the kitchen.
#6 Tealtrunk Sponge and Scrubber
Award: Most Durable
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best kitchen sponge alternative, using a fish-scale texture to cut through grime quickly. It is an excellent choice if you need a better grip and a sponge that will last the test of time
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- Best grip
- Good for heavy scrubbing
- Very durable and long lasting
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- Not good on grease
- Hard to remove residue off sponge
- May be too soft for some users
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Our favorite feature is this sponge’s texture. Its fish scale pattern on one side and long bristles on the other side tackle all kinds of cleaning jobs. It is also delicate enough for use on fruits and vegetables. Bonus points for its top strap, which fits easily over the palms to prevent slipping.
This sponge is very easy to clean. It is microwave safe, heat resistant up to 440°F. It is also mildew and odor -resistant. While testing, we observed no disintegrated bristles, keeping its shape pretty well with repeated uses. We feel very confident using this product. If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen appliances, take a look at the best oyster knife too.
#7 MR. SIGA Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge
Award: Best Design
WHY WE LIKE IT: This heavy-duty sponge comes with a dual-side design and curved design for effective cleaning. It is an excellent option for people needing a better grip due to poor hand dexterity.
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- Great grip
- Curved design
- Removes dirt quickly
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- May be too small for some users
- Do not last long
- Not effective on grease
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This scrub sponge includes green, coarse fibers on one side and a thick yellow sponge on the other dirt for touch-ups and heavy scrubbing. It works on all types of surfaces, including stove tops, cookware, and appliances. In our testing, it ripped through soap scum beautifully, maintaining its shape with repeated uses.
Thanks to this scrub sponge’s curved design, it is really easy to grip. It also offers exceptional value, coming in a 6-pack . Though they clean well, we wish they were a bit more durable, as they tend to break down after several uses.
How We Decided
In determining the best sponge to buy, we looked into its texture, material, design, ability to hold soap and scrub effectively, and lifespan.
Our recommended sponges are dual-textured, using foam and more rigid material (e.g., plant-based fibers) for light or heavy scrubbing. The best silicone dish sponge lasts longer with greater scrubbing power than cellulose sponges. They can also be used as scouring pads and do not pick up any stains or odors.
Design is very important. Some sponges improve grip with a narrower middle. Our favorite sponges to grip are the Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge and the MR. SIGA Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge. Lastly, look for a sponge with a long lifespan. Many disintegrate in as little as three weeks with regular use. Silicone sponges are typically your best bet.
Sponge Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Texture/Material
We recommend sponges with two scrubbing surfaces – one soft side (foam, some fibers) and one side with ridges for heavier scrubbing. Foam generally tends to build up lather more efficiently than silicone sponges. However, silicone sponges are dishwashable and heat resistant, boiling with no issue. - Design
Our preferred sponges have a narrow middle and measure more than a half-inch thick. Consider this a sweet spot for small to large-sized hands.
