Durable and moisture-resistant choices like ceramic tile, porcelain tile, vinyl plank, linoleum, or engineered hardwood work best in the kitchen. Waterproof tile, vinyl, linoleum, and rubber floors are ideal for humid bathroom spaces.

“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.

Neither type of flooring is better than the other across all categories. Vinyl flooring is best in high-moisture areas and it's easy to keep clean. Yet laminate flooring offers a wider variety of style choices and has a higher resale value.

The most popular flooring in homes today is wooden flooring – like luxury vinyl, laminate, or hardwood floors.