The Best Vinyl Plank Flooring of 2026

Vinyl plank flooring is ideal if you have children and pets, and few floors embody that better than Lifeproof. As a “click-lock” option, Lifeproof’s offerings don’t require glue or grip strips to connect to one another, making it a DIY-friendly option. Instead, they have interlocking joints that create a smooth, seamless surface that’s relatively easy to put together. (Or remove, if you’re so inclined.)

Click-lock planks are especially nice for those with busy households because it’s the most waterproof of the major vinyl plank flooring types out there. Lifeproof is also one of Home Depot’s most popular brands, offering more than a dozen different color and texture combinations, so you’re almost guaranteed to find one you love.

The main drawback to Lifeproof flooring is that its wear layer—the top surface that you actually walk on—is only 6 mil, which is significantly thinner than a lot of its competitors. (One “mil” equals 1/1,000th of an inch.) As such, it may be less durable than those with thicker wear layers. However, it is antimicrobial, which is relatively rare.

At around $3 per square foot, it falls roughly in the middle of typical vinyl prices, so it’s definitely a good option if you fall into this group.

Home Decorators Collection vinyl set is arguably the easiest product to find on our list, regardless of where you live, as it’s another one of The Home Depot’s in-house brands. At less than $3 a square foot, it’s also one of the most affordable.

It has all the advantages you’d expect from click-lock flooring: it’s waterproof, it’s easy to install, and you don’t have to mess around with a glue layer or strips. Its wear layer is also 12 mil, which is a good value for the price.

However, some customers have reported that the Home Decorators Collection vinyl floors are less scratch-resistant than more expensive options and that the color of the planks can be a bit different than how they look online, especially with the darker choices. As such, it’s best to check it out in person at your local Home Depot before you make your ultimate decision.

If price is less of a concern, and you’re looking for a luxury vinyl plank flooring option, we recommend Shaw Primavera as a strong click-lock VPF offering. Although there are only a few color options in the Primavera line, all of them actually look like real hardwood floors.

Along with all of the usual benefits of click-lock VPF flooring, Primavera offers a wear-layer thickness of 20 mil, which makes them hold up to lots of foot traffic. Customers have given top marks to Primavera floors in general, praising their high quality, stain resistance, luster, and general appearance.

Malibu Wide Plank’s click-lock offerings are very similar to that of its competitor Lifeproof, but there are a few key differences. For one thing, Malibu’s wear layer is 20 mil, which means it’s more durable and scratch-proof than those in a similar price range. Like most click-lock floors, these are 100% waterproof, making them a great option for those with kids and pets.

Customer reviewers say that Malibu’s “drop-and-lock” system makes installation significantly easier than other brands, and they praise its various color and finish options, too. However, it’s worth noting that Malibu’s planks are not antimicrobial, and at nearly $4 a square foot, they’re more expensive than the competition. But, as a whole, this is a good click-lock plank to consider for your home.

Each of the large home-improvement stores carries a different variety of brands, so if you prefer your local Lowe’s, is a VPF to consider. Like most of our list, Smartcore is a click-lock vinyl plank floor that requires no glue or strips to install, and the segments click together with ease. Smartcore offers a variety of plank widths (from narrow to wide) and a large number of color choices, though most of them mimic hardwood in appearance.

These planks are designed for high-traffic areas. The major downside to Smartcore is that most of its offerings have a wear layer of 12 mil, which is roughly the midpoint for durability in the space. As such, while Smartcore will definitely stand up to messes, if you’re looking for the toughest option, you may need to spend a bit more.

Home Depot still offers a variety of peel-and-stick options, where you peel off a protective layer and stick the adhesive directly onto your floor. DuraDecor’s Weekend Warrior is among the best of these.

It has good reviews, offers three nice color choices, and it’s very affordable. Like all peel-and-stick vinyl floors, the Weekend Warrior line offers less water resistance and durability than click-lock equivalents, but it makes up for it with ease of installation and low cost.

Just keep in mind that these peel-and-stick planks are going to be a little more difficult to remove if you decide to change your mind, though not impossible—you’ll just need a hairdryer and a putty knife.