Best Overall
Snap-E Mouse Trap
- The classic design quickly exterminates mice, and there are six traps in the bundle.
The classic design quickly exterminates mice, and there are six traps in the bundle.
- It isn’t covered, so you’ll have to see the mice.
It isn’t covered, so you’ll have to see the mice.
Our best overall pick is the Snap-E 6 Pack Mouse Trap. This classic snap-back mouse trap is available in a set of six so you can place them in various places in your home like your kitchen, garage, or attic.
Snap-back traps like this are recommended as a humane way to exterminate mice in your home. The trap is durably made with plastic and steel, and the classic design doesn’t require any assembly or batteries.
When we tested this mouse trap, it earned a perfect score for multiple reasons. We liked that it was affordable and easy to set up since we just had to set the trap and place it where we wanted it. It instantly and humanely killed mice (unlike bait traps that can take a while to kill rodents), which we appreciated.
It’s also an environmentally-friendly choice since it can be cleaned and reused for years. The downside to traps like this is that you will have to see the rodent when you’re disposing of it, so if you prefer not to see it a choice like the D-Con Ultra Set Covered Snap Trap may be better.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 8 x 6 x 3 inches | Material: Plastic and steel
Why are there mice in my house?
Certified wildlife biologist Dr. Paul Curtis says that mice seek the shelter of our homes for a few different reasons. “Mice are attracted to homes because they provide food sources and safe habitat to avoid bad weather and predators,” he says. He also explains that mice frequently use insulation as nesting material, and they can chew through cardboard boxes in pantries or cabinets to steal food.
Best Budget
Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap
- This affordable mouse trap has a convenient tab for carrying when it’s ready for disposal.
This affordable mouse trap has a convenient tab for carrying when it’s ready for disposal.
- It doesn’t have a bait cover or a cover for the mice.
It doesn’t have a bait cover or a cover for the mice.
If you’re looking for an affordable mouse trap, we love the Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap. With a humane snap-back design, this budget-friendly mouse trap can help efficiently eliminate mice in your home.
Available in a set of two, this mouse trap is made of plastic and is easy to set. During testing, we added a bit of peanut butter to the bait cup and pulled the spring-loaded mechanism back to set the trap. We liked the design of the trap because it felt safe to set it—we weren’t worried about it accidentally snapping our fingers.
We also appreciated that this mouse trap is designed with a convenient tab to carry the mouse trap when it’s ready for disposal, so we didn’t have to touch the mouse. The trap also cleanly exterminated rodents—there was rarely any mess or fur left behind. When we were done using the trap, we just cleaned it and reused it again when we needed it.
“Once I noticed signs of a mouse, these [traps] caught the rodent within 24 hours.” -Better Homes and Gardens Tester
While the design is simple yet effective, keep in mind that this mouse trap doesn’t have a bait cover like more elaborate traps do. If you have pets or young children in your home who may be tempted by the bait, you may want to opt for the Victor M070-6SR Easy and Safe-Set Power Kill Mouse Trap instead.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 1.5 x 4.5 x 6 inches | Material: Plastic
Best Wooden
Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap
- This inexpensive trap can be purchased in large quantities.
This inexpensive trap can be purchased in large quantities.
- It doesn’t have a bait cover.
It doesn’t have a bait cover.
For a classic wooden option, the Victor M156-20 Metal Pedal Sustainably Sourced FSC Wood Snap Mouse Trap is the best mouse trap for you. Like the Victor M123 Quick-Kill Easy Set Mouse Trap, this mouse trap features a snap-back design that quickly and humanely kills mice. These inexpensive wooden traps are available in a set of four, 20, or 64, so if you have quite a few mice to take care of, this is the most economical option for you.
Setting the trap is easy—simply pull the kill bar back, and pull the arm bar over the kill bar until it snaps into place. Use a high-protein treat for the bait, but keep in mind that this trap doesn’t have a cover to protect the bait like other models do. Like our best overall pick, these traps can be disposed of or reused.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 0.6 x 1.7 x 3.7 inches | Material: Wood
Best for Homes with Pets
D-Con No View, No Touch Mouse Trap
- It is completely covered, so you don’t have to worry about pets getting into the trap.
It is completely covered, so you don’t have to worry about pets getting into the trap.
- We wish it was easier to add bait, and it’s not reusable.
We wish it was easier to add bait, and it’s not reusable.
If you have pets or children, a covered mouse trap like the d-CON Small Snap Trap is the best option. This trap is still a classic snap-back trap, but it has a round and covered design so both the trap and rodents will be hidden from both humans and pets.
During testing, we set up the trap and loaded in the peanut butter bait from the bottom. The process wasn’t difficult, but we wished it was a little easier—from the bottom, we had to pull back the sticker and smoosh peanut butter into the trap. However, this method of adding bait ensured that we didn’t have to worry about accidentally setting off the trap.
There is an indicator on top of the trap which will move to the “Mouse Caught” position to let you know when the trap needs to be emptied. Additionally, we didn’t have to see or touch the rodents when we were disposing of them, which we appreciated.
The disposable traps can be used indoors or outdoors, however, they can’t be cleaned and reused like the Snap-E 6 Pack Mouse Trap.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 8 x 6 x 9 inches | Material: Plastic
Best for Kitchen
D-Con Ultra Set Covered Snap Trap
- The mechanisms are covered, and it’s easy to dispose of the mice.
The mechanisms are covered, and it’s easy to dispose of the mice.
- Although the whole trap is covered, there isn’t a designated bait cover to prevent theft.
Although the whole trap is covered, there isn’t a designated bait cover to prevent theft.
While all the traps on our list can be used in a kitchen, the D-Con Ultra Set Covered Snap Trap is the best choice for the kitchen. This snap-back trap is covered so you don’t have to worry about accidentally bumping your toe into an open trap while cooking. Additionally, because it’s covered, you won’t have to see most of the body of the mouse.
Adding bait to this trap is a simple process. Lift the front cover up and add a high protein treat to the bait cup. While some other options have a cover on the bait cup, keep in mind that this one doesn’t. After the bait has been added, push the cover back into place and press the lever down to set the trap.
There’s also minimal contact when it comes time to dispose of the mouse. Just release the trigger, pull off the cover, and dispose of the body. After being cleaned, the sturdy plastic trap can be reused. You can purchase just one trap, or buy in bulk with a set of six.
Product Details: Trap Type: Snap-back | Size: 2.2 x 5.8 x 6.1 inches | Material: Plastic
Best Electronic
Victor Smart-Kill Electronic Mouse Trap
- You can receive alerts on your smartphone when a mouse has been trapped.
You can receive alerts on your smartphone when a mouse has been trapped.
- It’s the only trap on our list that requires batteries for use.
It’s the only trap on our list that requires batteries for use.
If you’re looking for an alternative to snap-back traps, an electric trap is another humane option. The Victor Smart-Kill™ Wi-Fi Electronic Mouse Trap uses a high-voltage shock to instantly kill mice, making it one of the best mouse traps.
This mouse trap also stands out from the other options on our list because this device has an accompanying app. Instead of having to manually check the trap for mice, you can opt to receive alerts on your smartphone when the trap has successfully trapped and killed a mouse. The app also keeps track of how many traps it has completed over its lifetime, as well as the battery level.
It is the only mouse trap on our list that requires batteries, but it can kill up to 100 mice on one set of fully charged batteries. Disposal is also hassle-free with this option—after the trap kills a mouse, simply turn off the device and remove the kill chamber. Then, open the lid over a trash can or plastic bag to dispose of the mouse.
Since it’s covered and uses voltage instead of a mechanism, this trap is also a safer option for households with kids or pets. It can be purchased in a set of one, two, or three, so you can place them in various locations in your house if needed.
Product Details: Trap Type: Electronic | Size: Not listed | Material: Plastic, metal