A steam mop is one of those beloved tools that can assist with mopping floors more efficiently and with fewer chemicals. “A steam mop sanitizes floors using only heated water, making it a great alternative for those sensitive to chemicals,” says Marla Mock.

Marla Mock is the president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

Gary Graves is the owner and president of Stratus Building Solutions of Atlanta.

To find the standout Shark steam mops, we tested seven steam mops from the brand. When testing, we considered the ease of use of the mop, the weight of the mop with and without water, the ease of cleaning flooring with the mop, and the maneuverability and rated the mops accordingly. We’ve done the research and testing for you to complete our list of the best Shark steam mops.

Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop at Amazon $90 $70 Jump to Review Best Budget: SALE Shark S1000 Steam Mop at Amazon $70 $50 Jump to Review Best for Tile: SALE Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop at Amazon $130 $100 Jump to Review

　　 Best Overall

　　 Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop

$90 $70 at Amazon $70 at Home Depot $92 at Office Depot What’s Great About It Includes two microfiber cleaning pads 

Large water tank capacity 

Stands upright on its own

What Could Be Better No steam blaster 

No touch-free technology for removing mop pad

This steam mop earned top marks compared to all the models we tested, including its Shark counterparts. Weighing only 5 pounds, it’s a lightweight option that's easy to carry from room to room or up and down stairs. It also took less than 10 seconds for the large, 15-ounce water in the reservoir to heat up. 

The swivel steering was a convenient feature that allowed easier maneuverability around furniture, and the square mophead shape allowed us to get in the 90-degree angles of the corners. When testing, we noted that it took a few passes to clean the corners completely and that it might be easier to clean the actual corner by hand if debris is leftover. 

After cleaning with the mop, we were able to immediately touch the mop head and the cleaning pad without getting burned, adding yet again to the convenience of using the steam mop for quick cleanup jobs. One downside we found was that to remove the wet pad, we had to handle the dirty mop pad since it doesn’t have touch-free capabilities, which was a positive feature of other models. 

Although it is a basic model and handling the dirty mop pad can be frustrating, for the value, we felt that this mop performed every time without fail, managing several types of floors and stains. 

Weight: 4.9 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 15 ounces | Attachments: No | Floor Types: All sealed hardwoods, marble, tile, stone, laminate, vinyl

　　 Best Budget

　　 Shark S1000 Steam Mop

$70 $50 at Amazon $60 at Wayfair $70 $50 at Walmart What’s Great About It Stands upright on its own

Lightweight

Extra mop pad included

What Could Be Better Mop pad rolls under when used on tile floors

At just under 5 pounds, we love that this Shark steam mop is easily maneuverable from room to room. The water tank is easy to detach, and two mop pads are included. After plugging it in, there is a light located under the water container that will indicate when the steam mop is ready to use. The mop, thankfully, stands on its own, a feature that other Shark models do not have.

We used this steam mop to clean the laundry room in the testing lab. Although the mop worked well when moving it forward and backward, we noted that it was not so easy to turn the mop, and cleaning corners was more challenging because of the shape of the mop head. Unfortunately, when testing, we found that the mop pad rolls under the mop when used on tile floors. 

Long term, we tested this mop for two months, using it on a tile floor and epoxy flooring, which is typically found in garages. We found the steam mop performed well on both floor types. When cleaning the epoxy, there were fresh spills of coffee and soda on the flooring, and this mop was able to clean both liquids with minimal residue left over. We feel the price of this steam mop is fair, considering the results of our testing. 

Weight: 4.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 12.7 ounces | Attachments: No | Floor Types: Sealed hardwoods, tile, marble, stone, laminate, vinyl

　　 Best for Tile

　　 Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop

$130 $100 at Amazon $130 at Wayfair $130 $100 at Home Depot What’s Great About It High, medium, and low settings

Touch-free technology when releasing cleaning pad

Water fill flask included

What Could Be Better Higher price point

Does not stand on its own

This Shark Genius steam mop lives up to its name. One unique feature of this steam mop that we love is the ability to adjust the steam settings between high, medium, and low. We noted that it is specifically useful on the bathroom tile and grout, which is a rough texture that benefits from steam's disinfecting power. 

Although it was easy to maneuver in a bathroom, it was challenging to fit into the crevices of a small bathroom. The pads on the mop are easy to remove with a switch that releases them, which prevents the user from having to wrestle a dirty mop pad off the mop. The pads are also reusable and machine washable. 

We noted that there is no on/off indicator and no stand, so the steam mop has to be inconveniently placed on the floor or leaned against something when not in use. But overall, this mop is great for cleaning tile or linoleum, and we recommend it to someone with many of these surfaces in their home. 

Weight: 6.4 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 7.4 ounces | Attachments: No | Floor Types: Sealed hardwoods, tile, laminate

　　 The Bottom Line

Our favorite steam mop from Shark is the S3501 Steam Pocket Mop for its ease of use, simple design, value, and consistent cleaning capabilities. As a close contender and our runner-up to the S3501, we recommend the Shark Steam Mop Hard Floor Cleaner S100, a basic value steam mop option.

　　 Our Testing Process

To compile our list of the best Shark steam mops, we tested seven steam mops from Shark in the lab (several of which we also long-term tested for up to six months). We tested each mop on sealed concrete and sealed ceramic tile with grout, putting them up against hot sauce, chocolate milk, and dirt stains. Additionally, we analyzed each mop’s water tank capacity, heat-up time, cool-off time, presence or lack of indicator lights, and other features unique to each mop. 

　　 Tips for Choosing the Right Steam Mop

Floor Type Shark steam mops, like our top pick the Shark S3501 Mop, are designed to clean most hard flooring, including laminate, bamboo, hardwood, marble, tile, and stone. However, according to Shark, there are some floorings that the steam mop should not be used on, including wax-polished furniture or floors, unsealed or unglazed ceramic floors, unsealed wooden and wax floors, and some no-wax floors.

Specifically, if a steam mop is used on wood flooring that is not adequately sealed, steam and any moisture can damage the floor. “A steam mop should not be used on unfinished wooden floor or laminate flooring as it could cause those to buckle,” says Graves. It is always a good idea to test the flooring in an inconspicuous area with the steam mop to ensure damage does not occur and the sheen of any of the flooring is not affected. 

Portability  Most steam mops are conveniently lightweight in nature, making them an easy tool to use for most, like the Shark S100 Mop. Due to their lightweight—even filled with water, the steam mops we have rounded up are 7 pounds or less—they are one of the most ideal floor cleaning tools.

Considering how easy they are to use, many will prefer steam mops to carrying a large, heavy bucket of water and separate mop from room to room. “A steam mop is much easier to use than a traditional mop; there is no need for wringing or carrying a large bucket of water,” Mock adds. 

Tank Capacity If you have a considerably large area to clean, then a steam mop with a larger tank capacity (15 ounces or more) is beneficial. A larger tank prevents multiple refills of the tank throughout the cleaning process. However, if you choose a steam mop with a smaller holding tank, like the Shark S5003D Mop, it’s as simple as refilling when the tank runs out. It might take a bit more time to clean with the mop when stopping to refill the tank and then starting again, but what you sacrifice in tank capacity, you gain in a lighter-weight tool overall when cleaning.

Features  “The best steam mops have a micro pad that can pick up dry debris, eliminating the need to sweep prior to mopping,” says Mock. 

Additionally, it is a benefit if more than one mop pad is included with the steam mop. A swivel head that can turn easily will help with cleaning between and around furniture and corners is a bonus, and an indicator light that shows when the mop is on and ready is a benefit for the user. 

We also found that a steam mop that stands compared to one that did not stand on its own (we had to lay some on the floor or prop it somewhere if it didn’t have the stand feature) was a positive perk during the cleaning process. 

　　 More Shark Steam Mops to Consider

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: This steam mop can be used for more than just steam cleaning floors, which is why it made our list of more steam mops to consider. The steam cleaning mechanism can be lifted away from the mopping rod and used for above-floor steam cleaning, such as cleaning countertops and stove range hoods or steaming garments or curtains. The steam blaster technology allows for an extra burst of steam when needed for stuck-on messes.

Unfortunately, this steam mop will not stand upright, which is a definite negative in the area of ease of use. There is no light to indicate that it’s ready to use, but it has a generous 16.9-ounce tank. One more perk is the triangular-shaped mop-head, which makes it easier to clean tight corners. 

　　 Questions and Answers

What is the lifespan of a Shark steam mop? The average life of a Shark steam mop depends on the frequency it is used as well as the care taken of the mop. On average, most report that their Shark steam mops have lasted around three years, but some have lasted longer, depending on how much the mop is used and how it is cared for. 

There are certain steps you can take to prolong the life of your steam mop, including using distilled water and avoiding using any chemicals in the reservoir. Generally, if you use the steam mop and pads often, you’ll want to consider replacing the pads every three months or so to achieve the most power when cleaning debris and mess from floors.  

How long is the warranty on a Shark steam mop? Shark steam mops have a one-year limited warranty, and the company warrants that the unit shall be free from defects in material and workmanship during this time and under normal household conditions according to the requirements outlined in each of the steam mop user’s guides.

Do Shark steam mops need a cleaning solution? It is recommended to use water only in the reservoir of the steam mop since harsh cleaning chemicals or abrasive solutions can affect the mechanics and the lifespan of the steam mop. Shark recommends using distilled water to prolong the life of the steam mop and parts since tap water can initiate mineral build-up that can also affect the mechanics of the mop.

Cleaning solutions are not needed to sanitize with a steam mop. It’s the steam that does the sanitizing. Graves reiterates the benefits of cleaning with steam power to sanitize: “Water is the ultimate eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning chemical.” 

　　 Why Trust Southern Living

Rebecca Jones is a writer for Southern Living who specializes in shopping content. To compile this list of the top Shark steam mops, we tested seven Shark steam mops. Several Shark steam mops underwent testing long-term for six months. We also interviewed two floor cleaning experts, Gary Graves, owner and president of Stratus Building Solutions of Atlanta, and Marla Mock is the president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. Graves and Mock offered floor cleaning insight and tips for cleaning with steam mops.

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