[gr8fl4porsche]

There are some great looking laminates that claim to be fully sealed. Fully sealed meaning all sides of the board, top-bottom-tongue -groove. Any cut pieces will need to be touched up prior to install.

This type of sealing will do better than a field finished wood floor as only the top is sealed.
If water is left long enough on a real wood floor, eventually it will soak in through the cracks.

Laminates contain a natural wood layer on top with the rest of the layers a type of plywood.
Very stable, straight and strong with an excellent factory finish. Price is appropriate for what you are getting. Many have a micro bevel edge which gives them a prefinished appearance - try to avoid them. Without the bevel, the floor prep has to be near perfect.

To test any product you are considering, drop it in a bucket of water for a week and see what happens.

In regards to vinyl, it is very popular. I put vinyl wood-look planks down in my mud room and absolutely love it. Excellent durability and scratch resistance so far - been about 2 years. Fooling someone into believing it is real wood is a stretch. Real wood looks like wood because every board is different with unique flaws and character.