As someone who hates traditional mopping but still wants spotless floors, the Shark Vacmop caught my attention immediately. This 2-in-1 vacuum mop promises to simplify floor cleaning by combining powerful suction and spray mopping in one lightweight, cordless device.
But does this Shark cleaning gadget live up to the hype in real-world use? I put the Vacmop through extensive at-home testing to find out. Read on for my complete hands-on review.
Overview: Reimagining Floor Cleaning
SharkNinja is best known for their innovative vacuum cleaners. But with the Vacmop, they‘ve set their sights on reinventing mopping as well.
The Shark Vacmop aims to eliminate the hassle of traditional mops and buckets. It acts as both a powerful cordless vacuum and an easy spray mop in one simple-to-use device.
Some key highlights:
- Cordless and lightweight at just 4.85 lbs
- Vacuums and mops floors in one step
- Easy touch-free pad release to dispose of dirty pads
- Removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- LED headlights to illuminate dark corners
- Swivel steering for maneuverability
- Washable dust cup with no filters needed
On paper, the Vacmop solves many frustrations I‘ve had with regular vacuuming and mopping. But does real-world performance live up to expectations? Let‘s dig deeper.
Testing the Shark Vacmop at Home
I put the Shark Vacmop to the test in my 1,200 sq ft home with wood laminate flooring on both the main and upper levels.
To start, I gave my floors a deep clean with my existing Shark Rocket DeluxePro vacuum. This allowed me to purely test how well the Vacmop handles daily maintenance cleaning.
Over the course of two weeks, I used the Vacmop to clean my floors every other day, including high-traffic areas like the kitchen and entryway. I tested on both bare floors and low-pile area rugs.
Here‘s an overview of my real-world testing process:
Cleaning Effectiveness
- Vacuumed and mopped all floors and rugs
- Inspected floors for any remaining dirt/debris after cleaning
- Looked for stuck-on messes the Vacmop may have missed
- Checked corners and tight spaces for anything left behind
Ease of Use
- Carried, pushed, steered the Vacmop around my home
- Tested process for removing/inserting cleaning pads
- Evaluated convenience of spray mopping capabilities
- Timed full cleaning sessions
Battery & Run Time
- Fully charged battery before each use
- Ran Vacmop until battery fully depleted
- Timed total run time to compare against claims
Maintenance
- Washed dust bin and filter after each use
- Cleaned pads after each session
- Monitored any maintenance needs between uses
After extensive at-home testing, I have plenty of insights to share. Keep reading for my full review.
Cleaning Performance: More Than Just Surface Level
I had high expectations for the Vacmop‘s cleaning abilities. And I‘m happy to report it delivers excellent vacuuming AND mopping in one simple step.
The Vacmop removes dry surface-level debris with ease thanks to strong suction power. I was impressed to see it effortlessly lift dirt, dust, pet hair, cereal crumbs and more from my floors and area rugs.
But this vacuum mop doesn‘t stop there. With the press of a button, you can simultaneously spray Shark‘s multi-purpose floor cleaner to break up stuck-on messes.
I squirted a small amount of apple juice and ketchup on my wood floors to test stain cleaning power. The Vacmop wiped both spills away in one quick pass with no sticky residue left behind.
Plus, the disposable cleaning pads scrub tough spots and lift away grimy build-up much better than traditional vacuum brush rolls. I found the Vacmop removed some extra built-up dirt that my full-size Shark vacuum struggles to get.
Between vacuuming and spray mopping modes, this device tackles all dry and stuck-on messes extremely well. My floors have never looked cleaner!
Incredibly Easy to Use and Maneuver
Ease of use is nearly as important as cleaning performance when it comes to floor care. And the brilliantly simple Shark Vacmop delivers once again.
Weighing less than 5 lbs, the Vacmop feels incredibly lightweight gliding across floors. The swivel head and wand make steering seamless even in cramped spaces.
There’s no cords to unravel or buckets to haul around. Just grab the Vacmop off its charging dock and start cleaning any room you want in seconds.
When the pad gets too dirty, the convenient touch-free release makes disposal quick and hygienic. Fresh pads attach securely in place with Velcro strips too.
Between the intuitive controls, effortless steering, and simplified pad changing, I found cleaning my floors much less labor-intensive compared to regular vacuuming and mopping.
Impressive Run Time and Recharge Convenience
Cordless convenience does come with the trade-off of limited run time per charge. Shark claims the Vacmop can run for up to 15 minutes on hard floor mode or 8 minutes if using spray mop frequently.
During testing, I got just shy of 13 minutes vacuuming only on hard floors before the low battery light kicked on. Run time dropped closer to 10 minutes with occasional spray mopping.
While less than the stated time, 10+ minutes still felt reasonable to clean my small home in one session without needing to recharge mid-cleaning. Larger homes may require a quick top-up charge between rooms.
Thankfully, recharging the removable 6.4V lithium-ion battery is a cinch. The included base dock plugs into any outlet and stores the Vacmop upright when not in use.
I wish the run time was a bit higher to clean my entire home in one go. But being able to conveniently dock and recharge makes up for the shorter continuous use.
Long-Term Reliability Concerns
My overall experience testing the Shark Vacmop was highly positive. It simplifies floor cleaning unlike any other device I’ve used.
However, I do worry about potential reliability issues long-term, considering the Vacmop has more electronic components than a basic mop or vacuum.
The main vacuum motor seems robust and well-built. But long-term exposure to moisture from regular spray mopping could impact durability over time.
I’ll be sure to provide updated reviews on longevity after more extended use. For now, Shark comforts buyers with a 1-year limited warranty included with purchase.
Key Takeaways From My Testing
Here are the main pros and cons I discovered using the Shark Vacmop extensively at home:
PROS
- Simplifies floor cleaning tremendously
- Powerful vacuum suction + spray mop in one device
- Easy touch-free pad release
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Rechargeable battery and docking station
- Tackles stuck-on messes well
CONS
- Shorter run time per charge than expected
- Excess moisture over time could impact motor
- Disposable pads add recurring costs
- Can‘t clean carpet or stairs
Overall, the Vacmop proved itself as an incredibly useful cleaning tool that saved me major time and energy on floor care. I wholeheartedly recommend the Shark Vacmop to anyone looking to simplify their floor cleaning routine.
Who Should Buy the Shark Vacmop?
The Vacmop works great for many different homeowners, but I think it provides the most value to:
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Small home & apartment dwellers – With a run time best suited to quick cleaning jobs, the Vacmop shines brightest in compact living spaces under 1,500 sq ft.
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Hands-free households – From young parents to seniors who want effortless cleaning, the easy maneuverability makes housework less of a chore.
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Multiple floor type homes – Transition easily from wood floors to tile, linoleum, vinyl and more without changing tools.
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Pet owners – The Vacmop’s strong suction excels at lifting pet hair from floors. No more hair-covered damp mop strands!
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Convenience seekers – If regular vacuuming and mopping feels outdated, the Vacmop greatly simplifies floor care.
Tips For Using the Shark Vacmop
After many cleaning sessions with the Vacmop, I’ve discovered some best practices to pass along:
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Pre-clean stuck-on messes – For very dirty floors, use a damp paper towel to lift excess debris before Vacmopping for best results
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Start with a dry pad – Vacuum floor first then switch to a clean damp pad for mopping to prevent redepositing dirt
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Recharge fully between uses – Don’t store the Vacmop with a partial charge. Fully repower each time to extend battery lifespan.
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Rinse pads thoroughly – Avoid detergent residue collecting on pads over time by rinsing pads fully after each use.
Alternative Options Compared
I considered a few other newer hybrid vacuum mops before purchasing the Shark Vacmop. Here‘s how the top competitors compare:
Tineco FLOOR ONE S3 – Very similar 2-in-1 cleaning concept but less powerful suction and smaller cleaning path. Also $100+ more expensive.
Bissell CrossWave – Multi-surface cleaning ability appeals to me but bulkier weight and higher cost made this less ideal for my needs.
Hoover ONETOUCH – Decent budget-friendly option but cordless convenience and a self-cleaning dust cup were must-have features for me.
The Shark Vacmop came out ahead for my specific wants of lighter weight, cordless freedom, self-cleaning design, and reasonable price. But one of the other models could suit different priorities better.
The Last Word – My Verdict After Extensive At-Home Testing
Within minutes of unboxing the Shark Vacmop, I could already tell this would permanently change my floor cleaning habits for the better.
It delivers on the promised convenience of vacuuming AND mopping hard floors with one cordless, self-cleaning device. Maneuvering the lightweight Vacmop around furniture and into corners feels effortless too.
While run time per charge falls slightly short of claims, the Vacmop still allows me to clean my entire small home faster than it would take to just vacuum or mop alone.
Minor long-term durability concerns aside, the 2-in-1 cleaning performance and simplicity brings unprecedented value. I confidently predict Shark has another hit on their hands with this innovative cleaning essential!
