Tired of cheap vinyl plank that chips, gaps, and buckles? Here are the 5 LVP brands I actually trust, why locking systems fail, and which planks are worth your hard-earned money.
Welcome back! If you are new here, my name is Joe Letendre, and today we are talking about the five best vinyl planks on the market—at least the five that have proven themselves to me over years of hands-on installations.
I actually got the idea for this while down in my basement doing some tile demo for a remodel. I get asked all the time: "Joe, what plank are you putting in your own home, and what makes you choose one brand over another?"
When stores send an installer out to a job, they don't go by a "Top 5" list—they send whatever the customer bought. There are times I walk onto a job site and know right away they sent me "garbage plank." And here is the problem: if that floor gaps, buckles, or fails, who is the first person the homeowner looks at? Me. I’ve literally left job sites with cheap flooring on my knees praying, "Lord, please let this plank last at least one year until my install warranty is up!"
I don't want that happening to you in your home. Let’s walk through the three strict criteria I use to judge a plank, the biggest traps to avoid when shopping, and the five brands I actually trust.
My 3 Non-Negotiable Rules for Quality Vinyl Plank
When I put a brand on my recommended list, it has to pass three strict tests:
1. Zero Callbacks or Failures
Over all the years I’ve installed these specific planks, I have never had to go back and replace one due to manufacturing defects or locking failure. They stay solid and true.
2. Real-World Everyday Durability
No vinyl plank is bulletproof—if you jam a screwdriver into it and drag it across, it’s going to gouge. When I say durable, I mean it doesn't fall apart while you are putting it together, and it stands up to everyday life with kids and pets. Furthermore, every single plank on my list has at least a 20 mil wear layer (and up to 40 mil!) protecting the pattern underneath.
3. A Strong Angle-to-Angle Locking System
Big-box stores love pushing "Drop-and-Lock" planks because they claim it's easier for a DIYer to just hit the cross-joint down with a rubber mallet. I am not a fan of Drop-and-Lock.
Why "Drop-and-Lock" Fails Like Cheap Velcro
If you have even the slightest hollow spot in your subfloor underneath a Drop-and-Lock cross-joint, walking on it causes it to separate and pop up over time. Once you step it back down, that joint has already lost its structural integrity.
It reminds me of a cheap orange hunting vest my wife Brenda grabbed for me once that used Velcro on the front. Walking through the woods, it kept coming undone. After sticking it back together a few times, the Velcro wore out and wouldn't hold at all. Easier isn't always better.
Instead, you want an Angle-to-Angle (Tongue and Groove) or Angle-Tap system. Because the tongue inserts into the groove at an angle, it locks both horizontally and vertically.
Before you buy any plank, take a sample and try to snap the locking edge with your fingers. If the entire locking mechanism snaps right off flush to the edge of the plank like a potato chip, walk away—it's garbage! On a high-quality plank, it should take serious force to break, and even if it does, only the tiny outer lip should give way while the main meat of the locking system stays intact.
Two Massive Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1: Shopping by Price Alone (The 89-Cent "Taillight Warranty")
A buddy of mine bought closeout laminate at Home Depot for $0.89 a square foot. It came with a "taillight warranty"—the second the store couldn't see his taillights leaving the parking lot, the warranty was over. I helped him move all his furniture, pull the trim, and install it. It chipped constantly during install, and within a couple of months, seams were gapping and coming apart everywhere. Now we have to tear his entire house apart a second time to replace it. You get what you pay for!
❌ Mistake #2: Shopping by Color Alone
This even happened in my own house! We live in a '90s house with golden oak trim everywhere, and we have 9 kids, 9 grandkids, and 13 grand-pups. Because I'm colorblind, I brought Brenda and the kids in to pick a color that matched the oak. I got overruled on my top brands because everyone loved the color of a brand-new SPC line at the store. Two months later? It started gapping, buckling, and looking wavy wherever the sunlight hit it. Never let a pretty color talk you out of a proven locking system!
The 5 Best Vinyl Plank Brands on the Market
JOE'S #1 OVERALL PICK
1. Flooret (Modin Collection) — My #1 Overall Pick
Flooret is an online, direct-to-consumer company, which means there is no middleman. If they sold this exact plank in a retail store, you’d easily pay an extra $1.50 per square foot just for the store markup. Even better, after working with them for three years, I can tell you they have the best customer service of any company I have ever dealt with—when you call, an actual human being in Texas answers the phone and takes care of you.
All of Flooret's Modin products feature an SPC (Stone Polymer Core):
- Modin Signature (Premium): Huge 9" wide by 72" long planks with a massive 40 mil wear layer—one of the thickest on the market.
- Modin Base (Best Budget Plank): Has a 20 mil wear layer and an unbelievable variety of plank patterns so you don't see constant repeats. Out of all the budget planks on the market, this is one of the absolute best.
- Modin Craftsman & Herringbone: Both feature the 40 mil wear layer. Craftsman gives you a narrow 3.5" vintage hardwood look, and Herringbone looks incredible in an office or bedroom (just know narrower planks and herringbone patterns take more time to install!).
2. Mannington (Adura Max & Adura Rigid)
If you’ve followed my channel, you know I love Mannington—I have never once had an issue with it. All Adura planks come with a 20 mil wear layer, and they give you two great core options:
- Adura Max (WPC - Wood Plastic Core): A thicker, lighter core that feels softer and warmer underfoot than SPC. (Note: Do not put WPC in an unheated cabin that drops to 20 below zero in the winter!)
- Adura Rigid (SPC - Stone Polymer Core): Slightly thinner than the Max, super heavy-duty against impact dents, with a rock-solid locking system.
- ⚠️ Which Line to Skip:Stay away from Mannington Adura Apex. The patterns look great, but they switched the Apex line over to a Drop-and-Lock system, so it will never be in my top five.
3. COREtec (Originals & Pro)
COREtec is a powerhouse brand you’ll find in most local retail flooring stores (which makes it a bit pricier than online-only brands due to the middleman, but the quality is undeniable). Both lines use reliable Angle-to-Angle or Angle-Tap joints where you lock the long seam and tap the butt joint right in.
- COREtec Originals (WPC): Features 20 to 30 mil wear layers with that thicker, warmer, comfortable underfoot feel.
- COREtec Pro (SPC): Built with a rigid stone core for tougher environments and high scratch resistance.
4. Mohawk (SolidTech & PureTech)
Even your great-grandma knows the name Mohawk—they’ve been around forever. Their lineup can get a little confusing, so here is how to navigate it:
- ⚠️ Which Line to Skip:Do NOT touch SolidTech Essentials. It only has a 12 mil wear layer, which doesn't meet my minimum standards.
- SolidTech Select (20 mil) & Plus (22 mil): Great, dependable planks with strong scratch warranties.
- SolidTech R: Made using recycled water bottles if you want an eco-friendly floor.
- PureTech (Select 20 mil / Plus 22 mil / Premier 22 mil): Mohawk went all-out creating an organic, PVC-free core from natural resources that is super durable. The higher tiers also give you realistic textures and 20+ unique plank patterns so your floor looks natural without constant repeats.
5. Hewn Flooring (Stoneform & Versaform)
Like Flooret, Hewn is an online direct-to-consumer company with no middleman markup. They use a proprietary core called Stoneform, which is roughly 70% limestone—super rigid and stable.
- Select & Premium:20 mil wear layers across different plank widths and lengths.
- Elite: Steps up to a heavy-duty 30 mil wear layer.
- Versaform (Gravity Floor): This is a loose-lay / perimeter-glue / full-spread plank that I am actually installing down in my basement remodel!
Quick Comparison Chart: Top 5 Vinyl Plank Brands
| Brand | Best Product Lines | Core Type | Wear Layer | Line to Avoid | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Flooret ★ Joe's #1 Pick |
Modin Signature, Base, Craftsman | SPC | 20 mil – 40 mil | None | Online Direct (No Middleman) |
| Mannington | Adura Max, Adura Rigid | WPC (Max) / SPC (Rigid) | 20 mil | ⚠️ Adura Apex (Drop & Lock) | Retail Flooring Stores |
| COREtec | Originals, Pro | WPC (Originals) / SPC (Pro) | 20 mil – 30 mil | None | Retail Flooring Stores |
| Mohawk | SolidTech (Select/Plus), PureTech | SPC / Recycled / Organic | 20 mil – 22 mil | ⚠️ SolidTech Essentials (12 mil) | Retail Flooring Stores |
| Hewn | Select, Premium, Elite, Versaform | Stoneform (70% Limestone) | 20 mil – 30 mil | None | Online Direct (No Middleman) |
Final Verdict: Which One Is My #1?
I didn't put this list in any strict ranking order because I would gladly recommend all five of these brands to my family, my friends, and to you. If you buy any of the approved lines above, you are going to love your floor for years to come.
However, if you twist my arm and make me pick my absolute favorite? You can't go wrong with Flooret. Between the 40 mil wear layer on the Signature, the value of the Modin Base, no middleman markup, and their unmatched customer service, they take the top spot.
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Compare All 3 DIY Flooring Bundles →-->🙏 A Quick Prayer for Your Home & Project"Father God, I pray for everybody reading this today. Lord, I pray that You bless them, and I pray, Lord, that they all feel Your presence and know that You love them. Thank You for them—watch over them, Lord. I pray for this in Jesus' name. Amen."