Cleaning stubborn dirt from hard floors can be a challenge, requiring serious scrubbing or the use of harsh cleaning products. The Shark S5003 Genius steam pocket mop uses a blast of steam to easily remove dirt and sanitize floors without cleaning solutions that can be bad for the environment.
Shark claims this product offers smarter cleaning and that it uses a powerful burst of steam to loosen even tough, stuck-on messes quickly and effortlessly. We wanted to test these claims and dish the dirt on the Shark S5003 Genius Steam Pocket Mop. To do so, we thoroughly tested it out and this is what we learned.
At BestReviews, we have a collection of product testers who try out items in their own homes. This gives us a clearer picture of how products really work in the real world, rather than in a lab environment.
For this article, our tester used the mop for a couple of weeks. They had experience using Shark vacuum cleaners, so they knew what to expect from the brand. They have a German shepherd who routinely tracks mud into the home, so we can see how this mop responds to a heavy workload.
The Shark S5003 is a steam mop designed to clean hard floors, including tile, vinyl and hardwood. It has steam blaster technology to loosen all kinds of dirt and a washable, reusable cleaning pad that grips onto dirt, lifting it from your floors.
It has a list price of $129.99, but you can often find this mop for around $100-$110. It's available on Amazon.
When you receive the Shark steam mop, it has a few pieces that need fitting together, but this takes just a couple of minutes. Once assembled, fill the water tank and plug it into an outlet. It takes around 30-60 seconds to heat up, then you simply maneuver it over your floors to clean. It has a no-touch operation, so you don't even have to press anything or flip a switch to work it.
You can switch between low, medium and high steam levels. The lowest level works well for hardwood and other types of flooring that are more easily damaged by high temperatures. The higher settings offer greater cleaning power for floors that can take it.
This mop provides a reliable, continuous burst of steam. Even with continued use, it remains reliable and doesn't become less effective over time.
The flexible swivel head and slim design make this mop extremely easy to maneuver. We had no problems moving around furniture or other obstacles.
We loved how lightweight this mop is. It was no trouble to lift or carry upstairs. This makes it suitable for almost anyone, even those who struggle with heavy appliances.
The water tank is easy to fill using the filling flask provided or a measuring cup. Our flask came cracked, so we used the latter, but even then, filling it without spilling was no problem.
The power cord measures over 20 feet long, so you can clean most rooms without having to replug the cord. We found this extremely convenient and it made cleaning go faster.
The touch-free operation means there's no power button. The mop simply emits steam continuously. We found this somewhat inconvenient because it means unplugging it from the outlet when you want a cleaning break. It also doesn’t stand up on its own.
We would have preferred it if you could flip the cleaning cloth and use the other side, but this isn't possible. As such, you need to launder it more regularly.
If you're looking for a high-quality, reliable steam mop to clean your floors, the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop is a solid choice. As Shark claims, it quickly and easily loosens dirt on floors, making cleaning a breeze.
However, unlike some similar alternatives, it doesn't have a handheld mode or come with attachments to let you clean other areas of your home. So, if you want a steam mop that doubles as a handheld steam cleaner, you may want to look for another option.
Bissell Powerfresh Slim Steam Mop
With a range of handy attachments, you can clean almost anywhere with this high-end steam mop. It even converts into a handheld steam cleaner, which is convenient for kitchens and bathrooms.
Sold by Amazon
This 10-in-1 steam mop is a versatile choice, with a large cleaning head for floors and a range of other attachments, including a window squeegee and surface scrubbers. It has three adjustable modes to suit different floor and surface types.
Sold by Amazon
An excellent affordable option, this is a great mop for floors thanks to its textured cleaning pads. It's ready to use in just 30 seconds and has a large water tank so you can go a while without needing to stop and refill it.
Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
