Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap vs Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Mouse Traps: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
Snap traps are the method the CDC recommends, and the Victor is the proven, low-cost version. The Tomcat does the same job with easier setting and no-touch disposal.
Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap
Buy itThe classic wooden snap trap: cheap, fast and the type of trap the CDC recommends.
- A traditional snap trap, the type the CDC recommends for reducing rodent populations around the home.
- Victor calls it the world's No. 1 selling mouse trap and a trap of choice for professional pest control companies.
- Victor says it springs closed to kill the mouse immediately when the metal pedal is triggered, and it can be reused or thrown away.
- Setting a spring snap trap takes practice and can pinch fingers.
- You see and handle the catch unless you dispose of the whole trap.
- Needs placing where children and pets cannot reach.
Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap
Buy itA plastic snap trap that sets with one press and lets you dispose of mice without touching them.
- Sets with a single press, so there is no fiddly spring to hold.
- A grab tab lets you dispose of a caught mouse without direct contact.
- Non-toxic mechanical trap for indoor or outdoor use, backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
- Plastic body is less classic than wood but costs a little more per trap.
- Sold in packs of two, so larger problems need several packs.
- Still a snap trap, so place it away from children and pets.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap Our pick | Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Most homes with mice, especially where several traps are needed at once. | People who want snap-trap effectiveness without fiddly setting or touching the catch. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $ · budget |
| Type | Wooden snap trap | Plastic snap trap |
| CDC guidance | Snap traps recommended | Snap traps recommended |
| Setting | Spring, takes practice | One press |
| Disposal | Lift the kill bar or toss the trap | Grab tab, no touch |
| Power | None | None |
| Reusable | Yes, or disposable | Yes, or disposable |
| Evidence | Proven kill method | Proven kill method |
| Best for | Most homes | Squeamish setters |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap if
most homes with mice, especially where several traps are needed at once.
Know before buying: setting a spring snap trap takes practice and can pinch fingers.
Pick the Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap if
people who want snap-trap effectiveness without fiddly setting or touching the catch.
Know before buying: plastic body is less classic than wood but costs a little more per trap.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap - The classic wooden snap trap: cheap, fast and the type of trap the CDC recommends. Choose the Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap instead if people who want snap-trap effectiveness without fiddly setting or touching the catch.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Mouse Traps: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).