The 10 Best Laminate Flooring Brands in 2023

Laminate flooring is an excellent solution for homeowners wanting a hardwood look without having to pay the high cost of hardwood flooring. With options starting for as low as a dollar per square foot, laminate is one of the cheapest flooring types on the market. In addition, it’s easy to clean and install. If you’re looking for the best laminate flooring brands, you’ve come to the right place.

With hundreds of brands offering laminate flooring on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right product, especially if you don’t know anything about flooring. Luckily, our team is here to help with an unbiased list of the ten best laminate flooring brands on the market. We made our picks after comparing over fifty US brands on various factors, including price, thickness, ac rating, water resistance, durability, warranty, wear layer, online reviews, and style.

Whether it’s value for money you’re looking for, water resistance, a cheap fix, or ultimate durability, we have laminate options for you. This extensive guide will also teach you about the main things to consider when choosing laminate flooring, as well as the pros & cons of laminate flooring in general. Keep scrolling to discover our best laminate company picks below.

Disclaimer: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you click at no extra cost to you. All recommendations and opinions remain our own.

Best Laminate Flooring Brands:

• Most Durable – Mohawk RevWood
• Best Overall – Newton Laminate
• Second Best – Pergo Laminate
• Third Best – Shaw Repel Laminate
• Best Cheap Laminate – Tarkett Laminate
• Most Water-Resistant – AquaGuard Laminate
• Thickest Laminate – Evoke Laminate
• Best Commercial Laminate – Swiss Krono Laminate
• Worst Quality – TrafficMaster Laminate
• Worth a Mention – Mannington Laminate

Above are our recommended laminate brands for this year. To better understand how these brands differ, see our pricing, thickness, and warranty comparison table below. Underneath the table, you can find an extensive description of each brand with the main reason why we chose it.

Most Durable – Mohawk RevWood

Price Range: $2.39 – $3.99 per square foot

First on our list of the best laminate flooring brands is our most durable pick, Mohawk Revwood Laminate. Mohawk is one of the largest flooring brands in the United States, and it’s been around for a long time, since 1920, to be exact. The brand offers many flooring types, including laminate, hardwood, carpet, and vinyl plank. 

The regular RevWood line is the cheapest of the bunch. It is 8mm thick and highly resistant to scratches and water. RevWood Select is 12mm thick and is covered with 10 years of waterproof protection and lifetime pet protection. RevWood Plus is completely waterproof, offering lifetime pet and water protection, meaning it’s suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.

Currently, Mohawk has an arsenal of over 80 unique laminate products split into three major lines; RevWood, RevWood Plus, and RevWood Select. Each of these lines is different in its own way. Most of the RevWood laminates styles are hardwood looks with both light and dark shades as well as extra-wide and narrow planks available.

Apart from that, the Mohawk laminate ranges are all rated AC4 and come with lifetime residential and five-year commercial warranties. Furthermore, some Mohawk lines have very realistic hardwood looks thanks to Mohawk GenuEdge technology, which mimics natural hardwood edging with curves and bumps, unlike regular laminate products, which have straight edges.

Why Mohawk RevWood?

We chose Mohawk as the most durable laminate brand for many reasons. Firstly, many of their laminate ranges come with lifetime waterproof protection thanks to their innovative hydroseal technology. This gives their planks the performance of vinyl plank flooring. Secondly, Mohawk’s most laminate ranges have thick wear layers and lifetime pet protection. This means their planks are suitable for dogs and cats and highly resistant to scratching. Last but not least, Mohawk offers many stylish options for a relatively affordable price, starting as low as $2.39 per square foot.

Best Overall – Newton Laminate

Price Range: $2.99 – $4.99 per square foot

Newton is a flooring brand based in the US that has only just come to the market in recent years but has already gained lots of popularity and excellent reviews. The brand offers a wide selection of flooring types, including hardwood, vinyl plank, laminate, and carpet. Newton’s motto is to make affordable floors that customers will love and last long. 

At the time of writing this guide, the brand offers an extensive range of laminate flooring with ten collections and over 45 unique laminate products in total. Newtons laminate is very stylish; they offer unique options such as the mixed-size plank and stone tile look styles. 

Additionally, you will notice that their laminate planks look almost identical to hardwood, thanks to enhanced embossing and wood-graining details. Stylewise, Newton has something to match everyone’s taste.

Furthermore, most Newton laminate ranges are labeled as fully waterproof, having the same performance as vinyl plank floors. In addition, they are one of the only brands to offer low VOC laminate that is GreenGuard Gold and FloorScore certified.

Why Newton?

With a starting price as low as $2.99 per square foot, 12mm thickness, and an AC4 rating, Newton is incredible value for money. Secondly, most of the brand’s ranges are fully waterproof, allowing homeowners to install them in bathrooms and kitchens, something typically rare with laminate floors. Thirdly, the brand offers some ultra-stylish looks. Last but not least, their laminate ranges release very low amounts of VOCs. In summary, Newton laminate ticks all the boxes including style, water resistance, durability, and affordability.

Second Best – Pergo Laminate

Price Range: $1.99 – $3.49 per square foot

Next on our best laminate brands list is Pergo flooring. Pergo is a well-known flooring brand nationwide, especially in the laminate sector, since they actually invented laminate flooring back in the seventies. 

The brand remains one of the best laminate options on the market, and nowadays, they also offer vinyl plank and hardwood flooring. It’s important to highlight that Pergo was acquired by Mohawk Industries in 2012.

Currently, Pergo offers 11 laminate collections with various looks, including hardwood and tile/stone. Some of their ranges, such as Pergo TimberCraft or Pergo Outlast, are waterproof and stainproof, which is always an advantage. Furthermore, some Pergo laminate lines come with pre-attached underlayment, something rare with laminate.

If you want something tough and durable, Pergo has a lot of options. Most of their collections, including TimberCraft Elite, are 12mm thick and AC4-rated, suitable for moderate commercial use. Furthermore, Pergo offers a lifetime residential and 10-year commercial warranty on their laminate floors.

Why Pergo?

Pergo laminate has all the required durability factors, including water resistance, AC rating, and plank thickness. Their floors are covered by a respectable warranty compared to other laminate brands. Considering that some Pergo lines are priced as low as $1.99 per square foot and come with pre-attached underlayment, they are great value for money.

Third Best – Shaw Repel Laminate

Price Range: $3.59 – $3.89 per square foot

Third, on our list of the best laminate flooring companies is Shaw Repel Laminate. Shaw Industries is a humongous flooring brand founded in 1946. They generate $4 billion in revenue annually by offering luxury vinyl, hardwood, carpet, tile, and laminate.

We chose to pick Shaw’s Repel collection as it’s probably the most durable of their laminate ranges. The collection has three lines; intrigue, gold coast, and anthem plus offering 18 unique color variations in total. 

Shaw Repel Laminate planks are strong, stable, and moisture resistant, thanks to their OptiCore technology. Additionally, they are 12mm thick and have an AC4 rating. Furthermore, Shaw offers a 30-year residential laminate with their Repel Laminate.

Why Shaw?

Most buyers choose Shaw Repel for durability and quality. If you’re looking for a reliable laminate floor built in the US with excellent water resistance, Shaw Repel is certainly worth considering. However, you do have to pay a premium for the quality of the laminate floor, with prices starting at $3.59 per square foot.

Best Cheap Laminate – Tarkett Laminate

Price Range: $1.19 – $2.69 per square foot

Next up on our list is our choice for the best cheap laminate flooring, Tarkett laminate. Tarkett is an established flooring brand in Europe that has entered the US market in recent years. The brand offers a wide range of wood, carpet, vinyl, and laminate flooring. 

Currently, Tarkett offers seven laminate collections; Easy Line, Essentials, Soundlogic, Woodstock, Woodstock Pro, Woodstock XL, and Woodstock XL 1032. All of these collections present hardwood-look styles with some unique options, such as their herringbone-look laminate. 

Most of Tarkett’s laminate is 8mm; however their Woodstock XL 1032 line has an overall thickness of 10mm. All their ranges are rated AC4, some even AC5, meaning they are suitable for moderate and heavy commercial use. In addition, Tarkett offers a 20-year residential and 5-year commercial manufacturer’s warranty.

What really makes Tarkett popular is the pricing. With options starting as low as $1.19 per square foot, they are hands down one of the cheapest laminate brands on the market. Furthermore, Tarkett laminate is certified as Low VOC according to Carb2 and A+ French regulations.

Why Tarkett?

So why did we choose Tarkett as the best cheap laminate? Well, they are the second cheapest laminate brand we analyzed; the only cheaper brand is TrafficMaster. However, Tarkett laminate planks are a respectable 10mm thick and are rated between AC4 and AC5. This basically means that they are a reasonably durable laminate product. Considering the bargain price tag, thickness, and low VOC certifications, Tarkett is undoubtedly one of the best cheap laminate companies.

Most Water-Resistant – AquaGuard Laminate

Price Range: $2.59 – $3.99 per square foot

AquaGuard Laminate flooring is a water-resistant type of laminate sold exclusively at Floor & Decor online and in-stores nationwide. The brand has a reputation for being specifically built to withstand moisture, just as its name suggests.

The brand’s laminate flooring range currently consists of 38 unique designs based on hardwood looks. This includes light and dark shades of hardwood as well as hardwood with grey tones. Aquaguard also offers herringbone and mixed-size laminate.

Most importantly, AquaGuard laminate is highly water-resistant, built to withstand 30 hours of water contact, almost like vinyl plank flooring. Their planks are a respectable 12mm thick, which is a must for a durable laminate floor. 

Furthermore, AquaGuard has an AC5-rated top coating meaning it is suitable for Heavy Commercial Use. Their excellent 15-year commercial warranty backs this. With a price tag between $2.59 and $3.99 per square foot, Aquaguard flooring is slightly more expensive than the average laminate flooring cost.

Why AquaGuard?

We chose AquaGuard as the most water-resistant laminate brand because their flooring is specifically made to withstand moisture. Although no laminate flooring is truly waterproof, AquaGuard can withstand spills for over 30 hours which is covered by their warranty. Apart from that, the brand’s floors are rated AC5, suitable for heavy commercial use, something rare with laminate flooring.

Thickest Laminate – Evoke Laminate

Price Range: $2.09 – $3.29 per square foot

Evoke is another popular US flooring brand, although they are not as well known as household brands such as Mohawk or Shaw. Evoke’s slogan is ‘flooring that can take it’; their main aim is to provide highly-durable floors with a long lifespan. The brand offers many flooring types, including SPC vinyl, wood composite, luxury vinyl plank, and laminate flooring.

Although Evoke’s laminate range is small, with only nine unique styles, their styles are a mix of modern and rustic with detailed hardwood looks that include graining and knots. In particular, their Heritage line is one of the thickest options on the market.

Evoke Heritage has a tremendous overall thickness of 14mm; we couldn’t find any other brands that offer laminate flooring of such thickness. In addition, their laminate floors come with a pre-attached underlayment pad, saving homeowners a lot of money.

Apart from that, Evoke laminate is rated AC4 (suitable for moderate commercial use), and the brand offers a 20-year residential and 3-year commercial warranty on all their laminate products.

Why Evoke?

We chose to Evoke as the thickest laminate simply because it’s the thickest laminate option we could find with a 14mm overall thickness. Considering the affordable starting price of $2.09 per square foot, pre-attached underlayment, good water resistance, and a good AC rating, Evoke is worth keeping in mind.

Best Commercial Laminate – Swiss Krono Laminate

Price Range: $2.09 – $2.89 per square foot

Next on our list of the best laminate brands is our #1 choice for commercial purposes, SwissKrono flooring. Swiss Krono is a big name in Europe when it comes to laminate flooring. In 2005, they started trading in the United States. The brand specializes in AC5-rated laminate flooring, suitable for moderate commercial use.

Currently, Swiss Krono offers two laminate collections; the Spill Proof Collection and the Designer Collection. The brand only offers around ten unique laminate products, featuring dark and light shades of hardwood-look flooring.

In particular, the Spill Proof Collection seems to be their toughest line. It is highly resistant to moisture. Buyers can choose either 8mm, 12mm, or 14mm thick planks. The thicker planks are covered by a lifetime residential and 5-year commercial manufacturer’s warranty.

It’s also worth mentioning that Swiss Krono is certified as low VOC under indoor air regulations passed by GreenGuard Gold and FloorScore. In addition, Swiss Krono laminate is relatively affordable, with a price range between $2.09 and $2.89 per square foot.

Why Swiss Krono?

We chose Swiss Krono as the best commercial laminate mainly because they are one of the only brands offering AC5 (suitable for high-traffic commercial areas) flooring alongside AquaGuard. Furthermore, their flooring is certified as low VOC, which is vital in commercial environments, and it’s also covered by a respectable 5-year commercial warranty. In summary, SwissKrono laminate is a water-resistant, low-emission, affordable laminate floor suitable for commercial purposes.

Worst Quality – TrafficMaster Laminate

Price Range: $0.99 – $2.19 per square foot

Next up on our list is a laminate brand we recommend you avoid, TrafficMaster laminate. TrafficMaster is most commonly known for being sold at HomeDepot stores nationwide. It is the cheapest laminate flooring available on the market, with prices as low as 99 cents per square foot.

Currently, HomeDepot offers around 30 unique TrafficMaster laminate products. The brand isn’t bad when it comes to style, featuring some trendy hardwood-look examples. However, that’s pretty much the only pro of TrafficMaster.

Most TrafficMaster floors are only 7mm thick and rated AC3, meaning they are unsuitable for commercial purposes. For us, an AC4 rating is a must if you’re looking for a durable laminate floor. In addition, most of the TrafficMaster lines come with a relatively short 15-year residential warranty.

Why TrafficMaster?

We chose TrafficMaster as our worst quality laminate because it fails to meet our requirements for a durable, long-lasting floor. Their laminate is thin, cheaply made, has a low ac rating, and has low water resistance. Additionally, the 15-year residential warranty is one of the shortest residential warranties on the market. In summary, you get what you pay for with TrafficMaster laminate.

Worth a Mention – Mannington Laminate

Price Range: $3.40 – $3.99 per square foot

The third Best on our list of the best laminate brands is Mannington Mills flooring. Mannington is another name popular amongst US households. The brand was founded in 1915 and has been family-owned for five generations. They offer laminate alongside hardwood and vinyl plank flooring.

Currently, Mannington is offering one laminate collection, the restoration collection. However, this collection is pretty large, with over 60 unique styles and looks to choose from, featuring light, dark, and gray shades of hardwood.

When it comes to durability, Mannington laminate ticks most of our boxes; their planks are a respectable 12mm thick and have an AC4 rating. Additionally, they come with a 25-year residential and 5-year commercial warranty.

It’s also worth mentioning that Mannington’s laminate products are made from 70% recycled materials and have a low VOC rating. Furthermore, all their laminate products are made in the United States.

Why Mannington?

We chose to mention Mannington laminate as one of our best laminate brands for numerous reasons. Firstly, they are a large brand with over a hundred years of history. Secondly, their planks are respectably 12mm thick and have a good AC rating. Lastly, Mannington laminate is made from partly recycled materials and certified as low VOC, which is vital for families. The only downside to their laminate floors is the high price tag, with options starting at $3.40 per square foot.

Laminate Pricing Comparison

Things to Consider When Choosing Laminate Flooring

Before you make a final decision on which laminate brand you choose, there are many aspects to take into consideration. Below are the most important things to consider when choosing laminate flooring.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is a key factor when choosing laminate flooring. Especially if you have kids or are thinking of installing laminate in a kitchen. Some laminate floors are more water-resistant than others. You can compare brands by checking their waterproof hours guarantee. For example, Aquaguard laminate has a 30-hour waterproof guarantee meaning that the floor will not be affected by moisture for that period. Most brands clearly state their laminate’s water resistance period in their warranty.

AC Rating

The AC rating determines which environment a laminate floor is suitable for. We found that an AC4 rating is necessary for a durable laminate floor. See the table below to fully understand the different AC rating levels.

Overall Thickness

Another critical factor in the strength and durability of a laminate floor is overall plank thickness. Generally speaking, a thicker plank has more stability. Laminate floors are usually between 7-12 mm thick. If you want a long-lasting laminate floor, we always recommend only going for a 12mm thick laminate.

Underlayment

Usually, when installing laminate flooring, you must lay down a layer of underlayment sheet before installation. We recommend an underlayment thickness of at least 2mm. However, some laminate brands offer flooring with pre-attached underlayment, so you don’t have to buy any underlayment prior to installation. This will save you around $50 per room, so consider that when comparing laminate flooring prices.

Warranty

Checking the manufacturer’s warranty is crucial when shopping for laminate; however, it’s also something that many shoppers overlook. Most flooring brands offer a lifetime residential warranty, so it’s better to compare them by viewing the length of their commercial warranty. Generally speaking, the longer the warranty, the better. If your floor buckles, dents, or snaps, and it isn’t the fault of poor installation, moisture, or an un-level floor, you should be entitled to a partial refund, replacement, or repair service.

Online Reviews

Another key factor to consider when choosing a laminate brand is carefully checking the online reviews. These will give you an insight into how previous buyers feel about their experience with specific brands. You can search for reviews on google, youtube, and sites like houzz.com or Reddit. We recommend only choosing flooring brands with a majority of positive reviews. You should also be wary of fake reviews made by competing brands to try and ruin a brand’s reputation.

The Pros & Cons of Laminate Flooring

Like all flooring types, laminate flooring has its advantages and disadvantages. Find them below, starting with the pros.

Pros of Laminate Flooring

• Low Cost – Laminate flooring is an affordable alternative to hardwood and vinyl plank, with an average cost between $1.50 and $2.50 per square foot. That’s around $1-2 per square foot cheaper than vinyl plank and $3-7 per square foot cheaper than hardwood.

• Stylish Looks – Thanks to new technologies, companies can now produce laminate flooring which looks very similar to hardwood. Some laminate floors are very stylish, with detailed knotting and wood-graining visuals.

• Easy Maintenance – Laminate is very easy to clean. All it needs is a gentle brush and mop every other day to maintain a clean and vibrant look. Some brands even allow wet mopping and steam mops.

• Scratch Resistance – Most new laminate ranges have very thick wear layers. The wear layer is a clear layer on the top of laminate planks designed to protect against scratching and dents. Some laminate ranges are specially designed for homes with cats and dogs.

• Easy Installation – Laminate flooring can be installed using the floating (locking) method, the easiest installation method for flooring. It requires no nails, staples, or glue.

Cons of Laminate Flooring

• Cannot Be Refinished – Unlike hardwood flooring, laminate flooring cannot be refinished, meaning once it starts looking dull, it has to be replaced.

• Short Lifespan – Laminate flooring has an average lifespan of between 5-15 years, depending on the quality of the laminate. That’s relatively short compared to hardwood which can last anywhere from 25 to 75 years if properly maintained.

• Not Fully Waterproof – Unlike vinyl plank flooring or tile, laminate flooring is not fully waterproof. Yes, some laminate types are water-resistant. However, that’s only for a certain amount of time. We don’t recommend installation in bathrooms.

Looking for a Professional Laminate Flooring Installer?

Lots of our readers often complain that they can’t find flooring installers in their area. We recommend you try our free estimation tool to get at least 3 free quotes from qualified & approved installers in your area within 24 hours.

The tool is powered by Networx who have been helping people find qualified flooring installers for over 20 years.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, laminate floors are an affordable alternative to solid or engineered hardwood flooring. With so many brands on the market, it can be challenging to pick the right product. We hope our best laminate flooring brand guide has helped you compare the different options and find the ideal flooring company for you. 

If we had to choose a specific laminate brand out of all the brands featured in this guide, it would be either Shaw Repel, Mohawk RevWood, Newton Laminate, or Pergo. Before you go, make sure to thoroughly read the things to consider section of this guide, as it has some vital information that should not be overlooked. 

If you’re interested in other flooring types, please check out our best vinyl plank brands and best hardwood brands guides; you can use these guides to see the price difference between those flooring types. On a final note, thanks for reading. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions about any of the brands featured in our guide in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

FAQs

Which laminate flooring brand is the cheapest?

TrafficMaster laminate which is stocked at home depot, is by far the cheapest laminate flooring, with options starting at 99 cents per square foot. Another alternative is Tarkett laminate which is slightly better quality and available for as low as $1.19 per square foot.

Can laminate flooring be refinished?

Unfortunately, laminate flooring cannot be refinished, unlike solid hardwood flooring, which can be refinished several times through its lifespan, hence why hardwood is a better option for a long-term floor.

Which laminate flooring is the thickest?

Out of all the laminate brands we reviewed, Evoke flooring seems to be the thickest, with an overall thickness of 14mm. Their planks come with 2mm pre-attached underlayment.

Does laminate flooring need underlayment?

Unless your laminate floor has pre-attached underlayment, you must lay down a sheet of underlayment before installation. We recommend underlayment that’s at least 2mm thick.

Is laminate flooring waterproof?

Although many brands offer highly water-resistant laminate flooring, they are not fully waterproof and shouldn’t be installed in bathrooms. Most water-resistant laminate types come with a moisture protection guarantee for a specific period, for example, 30 hours.

Does laminate flooring need acclimation?

All laminate flooring must be acclimatized in your home for at least 48 hours. Precisely, you should lay it down in the room it will be installed in with the boxes opened. Acclimation prevents expansion or shrinking after installation, which can be a disaster.

How long does laminate flooring last?

In most cases, laminate flooring lasts between 5 and 15 years, depending on the quality of the laminate and how well it has been maintained and protected.

How much does laminate flooring cost per square foot?

On average, laminate flooring costs between $1.50 and $2.50 per square foot. That’s about $4-8 per square foot cheaper than solid hardwood flooring.

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