10 Best Wood Floor Stains 2025 in the United States

The Rubio Monocoat Wood Oil Finish is an eco-friendly, linseed-based wood stain designed for indoor use. It is known for its quick-dry formula and exceptional durability, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like living rooms and hallways. One of its standout features is the one-layer application, which simplifies the staining process and makes it efficient for both large and small wood treatment projects.

This product is versatile and works on various wood types such as oak, walnut, and teak, offering excellent resistance to wear, water, and heat. It also leaves a beautiful matte finish without any overlaps or marks, ensuring a professional look with minimal effort. The stain comes in a wide range of 55 mixable colors, allowing you to achieve the perfect hue for your wood while enhancing its natural beauty. However, it is advisable to test the color on a sample piece of wood first, as the final result can vary depending on the wood type.

An added benefit is its safety certifications, making it suitable for surfaces that come into contact with food and for children's toys. The product is also non-dilutable and includes an accelerator to improve drying times. While it offers excellent coverage (105-175 ft² per 350 ml), the small volume may not be enough for larger projects without purchasing multiple units. Additionally, the necessity to mix the oil with the accelerator can add an extra step to the application process, which some users may find slightly inconvenient. Despite these minor drawbacks, its eco-friendly nature makes it a reliable and efficient choice for indoor wood staining projects.

Minwax Wood Finish in Mocha is an oil-based wood stain offering a rich, deep mocha color with cool dark brown tones that enhance the natural wood grain. It’s designed mainly for interior wood projects like furniture, cabinets, and doors, delivering an even, glossy finish when applied properly. The stain penetrates wood quickly—within about 5 minutes—and dries in roughly 2 hours, which helps speed up your project without compromising color depth.

Applying it is straightforward: use a clean cloth or brush along the wood grain, then wipe off excess after waiting a bit; the longer you wait, the darker the stain becomes. Reapplying coats can deepen the color further to suit your preference. Since it’s oil-based, the product generally offers good durability and a lasting finish, making it suitable for surfaces that need a bit of protection along with color.

One possible drawback is that oil-based stains can have stronger fumes and longer cure times compared to water-based stains, so good ventilation is recommended. Also, while it provides a glossy finish, it may require a separate topcoat for heavy-wear flooring applications, as it’s primarily marketed for furniture and cabinets rather than floors. Coverage is decent, about 100-175 square feet per quart depending on wood type and application thickness. If you want a dependable, classic wood stain with rich color and easy application for indoor wood projects, this Minwax Mocha stain is a solid choice. It’s best suited for furniture or cabinetry rather than high-traffic wood floors.

The General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain in Antique Walnut is highly appreciated by woodworkers for its exceptional finish and ease of application. The rich, lustrous color of Antique Walnut gives wood surfaces a high-end look, making it a great choice for those wanting to enhance the beauty of their wooden floors.

Being a gel stain, it is thick and heavy-bodied, which means it doesn't penetrate as deeply as liquid stains. This quality helps achieve a more even appearance, especially on woods that are known to be tricky to stain, like aspen or pine. Users can easily apply it with a cloth or foam brush without worrying about spills or splashes, simplifying the staining process even for beginners.

The durability of the stain ensures that the beautiful finish lasts, maintaining the wood's appearance over time. However, its thick consistency might not be ideal for those looking for deep penetration into the wood, and it may require a bit more effort to achieve uniform coverage on larger surfaces. This product is an excellent pick for those seeking a high-quality, easy-to-use stain that delivers a stunning finish on wood floors.