Flipping brilliant! I tested Shark’s dual-sided steam mop – it’s a no-fuss design that delivers impressive results

Anything that cuts out harsh chemicals and uses steam to sanitise my floors gets my vote. I'm already a big fan of Shark floor care products, so I was keen to see how the Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop S6003UK - which combines the simplicity of a traditional mop with Steam Blast Technology - would perform.

I put it through its paces in my busy family home to see how it compares to the best steam cleaners and mops, and whether a straightforward, no-fuss design can still deliver impressive results.

In a nutshell

The Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop does an impressive job of deep-cleaning hard floors. As its name might suggest, its standout feature is its double-sided cleaning pads, which let you clean an area twice with a quick flip of the mop head.

I love the fact that you don't need to worry about chemicals (especially useful if you have kids or pets), as it relies entirely on steam to sanitise surfaces. There are three steam settings - Low, Medium and High - plus a Steam Blast Technology mode, so it had no trouble tackling stubborn messes and dried-on spills in my kitchen.

It doesn't have the bells and whistles of some of Shark's more advanced models, so you do need to put in a bit of manual effort. However, as a self-confessed lazy cleaner, I've grown used to my Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop (which I gave a 4.5-star review), which practically glides across my floors.

So, the Klik n' Flip feels more hands-on in comparison. My biggest gripe was that it doesn't stand upright on its own, which I did find a bit of a pain when I had to pause mid-clean.

Still, the strengths far outweigh the drawbacks. For fuss-free chemical-free cleaning, the Klik n' Flip is reliable, practical, and surprisingly powerful - it does everything you'd want from a traditional steam mop.

Specifications

• Weight: 2.7kg
• Dimensions: 119cm x 11cm x 10cm
• Cord length: 6m
• Capacity: 0.35L
• Heating Time: 30 seconds
• Power: 1200W
• What's included: Steam mop, additional dirt grip pad, user manual
• RRP: £139.99

How I tested

Rebecca Lawton

I'm Rebecca, and I write freelance content for Ideal Home. I'm always on the lookout for home upgrades that make my home life smoother (especially with three young children!)

I tested the Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop in my three-bedroom home, which has hard flooring throughout the kitchen, conservatory, hallways and two bathrooms. I used it at least twice a day during the testing process.

Unboxing, setting up and first impressions

The Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop arrived in slim, rectangular-shaped cardboard packaging. It was really light, so it was easy to move from room-to-room without any help.

I've tested a few Shark floor care appliances, so I wasn't surprised to find everything securely protected with an extra layer of cardboard. Once I removed the outer sleeve, I was greeted with the branded Shark packaging, complete with an illustration and description of the Klik n' Flip printed on the box.

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One factor that consistently impresses me with Shark is its eco-conscious approach - everything came wrapped in recyclable paper rather than plastic. Inside, I found the main unit, two dirt grip pads, a plastic filling jug, a quick start guide and a full instruction manual

Set-up was pleasantly straightforward, and from opening the box to having it ready to use took less than five minutes. The only assembly required was inserting the handle and floor pad onto the main unit; they both slotted into place with a satisfying click. The mop cover - or Dirt Grip pad - arrived attached to the floor head, but even attaching or removing it is easy thanks to the Pad Release button on the back of the unit.

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Once I'd assembled the Klik n' Flip, I did what I always do - propped it up and took a proper look before using it. It felt impressively lightweight and slim yet sturdy to hold, and although I usually gravitate towards cordless appliances, I was pleased to see it had a generous cord length (6m). It also has handy storage hooks at the back, which makes it easier keep everything stored neatly when not in use.

The floor head is flexible, so when I lifted the mop off the ground, gravity naturally pulled it downwards - something to bear in mind when manoeuvring. The Dirt Grip pad itself felt thick and durable, which gave me confidence that I wouldn't need to replace it too frequently.

My only real disappointment was that the mop isn't self-standing. While not a major flaw, I did find myself wondering whether it might become slightly inconvenient if I needed to pause mid-clean.

Before switching on the machine, I filled up the clean water tank. The tank isn't removable on the Klik n' Flip, so it was harder to gauge its size at a glance, but I appreciated that it came with a dedicated filling jug, which made the process straightforward and mess-free.

The fact that the Klik n' Flip is chemical-free is a real win for me, especially with three little ones running around. The manual does recommend using distilled water to prolong the mop's lifespan, but as I didn't have any to hand, I used tap water instead. Shark also clearly warns against using any chemicals or vinegar, as these can damage the unit.

At 350ml, the water tank is fairly average for a steam mop, and no smaller than other models I've tested. I took this as a reassuring sign that it would comfortably handle a single cleaning session without constant refilling. To access it, I pressed the button on the front of the unit (just above the steam setting controls), and the lid popped open outwards. The supplied jug has a clear filling line, which makes it easier to measure the water accurately.

One thing I did notice is that the tank is tinted, which made it difficult to see exactly how much water I was pouring in. That said, I could see when the tank reached full capacity, so it wasn't a major issue in practice.

Using the Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop

To get started, I plugged the power cord into the nearest plug socket, and all three steam level-lights on the front of the mop started blinking – which, according to the user manual, indicated the default standby mode.

Although my kitchen floors didn't look particularly dirty, I hadn't mopped for a couple of days, so I opted for the 'Medium' setting - recommended for everyday cleaning and heavy traffic areas. Pressing the power button twice activated this setting.

I then waited around 30 seconds, during which time I could hear the mop quietly building steam, before I could see it releasing from the base - indicating it was ready to use.

Using the handle, I pushed the mop forward and backwards across the floor. It felt lightweight and smooth to manoeuvre, and while it's not completely effortless, I didn't have to use much pressure to get good results. I'm used to a motorised, self-scrubbing model, so there's naturally a little more hands-on movement here - but for a traditional steam mop it performs impressively well.

It left behind a very light layer of moisture, and within a couple of minutes, they were dry to the touch - something I always appreciate living in a busy house.

Curious to put the Steam Blast Mode to the test, I lifted the base and flipped the floor head to the opposite side. As I moved it forward, it delivered a concentrated burst of steam directly onto the area, making it ideal for targeting specific patches or dried-on spills.

A full tank was enough to tackle my kitchen and conservatory floors - so I was pleased I didn't need to stop to refill at any point. There's no alert to notify that the water tank is empty, and because the tank is tinted, you can't tell from looking - but the mop does stop releasing steam once it's empty, which is your cue.

What really impressed me, though, was the state of the mop pad afterwards - it was absolutely filthy! Considering I didn't think I was tackling particularly dirty floors, the results proved otherwise. The floors were gleaming, too.

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While steam mops aren't designed to absorb large volumes of liquid in one pass, I wanted to see how it handled a more obvious mess, so I squirted some tomato ketchup onto my kitchen floor and left it for a good hour to set in.

After switching it on, I selected the 'High' setting and waited for around 30 seconds for it to heat up. Once I could see steam releasing from the base of the mop, I flipped the head into Steam Blast mode. The concentrated burst of steam targeted the ketchup directly, helping to loosen it before I pushed the mop over the area.

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At first, it did noticeably smear the spill further along the floor as the pad began absorbing it. After a few controlled passes, the ketchup lifted completely. The mop pad was visibly marked afterwards, which was to be expected given the test.

In hindsight, this is the kind of spill I'd usually blot with a cloth first before steam cleaning. The Klik n' Flip isn't a suction cleaner, so it's designed to sanitise and lift dried stains, rather than absorb large volumes of liquid at once. That said, once the bulk of the mess was dealt with, I was happy with how clean my floors were. And needless to say, I threw the mod pad straight in the washing machine!

Cleaning and maintenance

One of the biggest selling points for me is how low-maintenance this mop is. After cleaning, I simply lifted the mop upright by the handle until the Klik n' Flip head hangs down, pressed the release button on the back of the unit, and the head drops down to release the dirt grip pad. There's no touching anything grubby - it's quick, hygienic and easier than having to peel the pads off by hand.

The pads can also be released using the two secondary release buttons on the side of the mop head if it's detached, which I found handy. The manual doesn't advise how often to wash the pads, but I did so after each use as they always looked dirty.

Shark does warn against using powdered detergents or fabric softeners as they can damage the pads. I opted for a 30-degree wash using liquid detergent, and they came up well.

In terms of upkeep, there's not really much more to it. Shark recommends replacing the pads every three to four months - a twin pack costs £19.99, and you can buy a carpet gilder attachment kit for £39.98 (which also includes spare mop pads), if you want extra versatility.

How does it rate online?

On Shark's website, the Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop scores a 4.5-star rating from more than 1300 reviews. Customers praise its effectiveness at cleaning floors and its quick heat-up time, and three steam settings. There were some concerns over its lifespan, with some customers noting it needed replacing sooner than they'd expected.

At Currys, it scores an impressive 4.7 stars, with over 1800 reviews. Users praise its floor cleaning power, with one user noting that they didn't even realise how dirty their floors were until they used the mop. It did receive some negative feedback for lacking a stand - an issue I also experienced.

Amazon reviews reflect a similar picture, with a 4.4-star rating from more than 1300 reviews. Users consistently describe it as effective, lightweight and overall good value for money, though again the mop not standing upright was flagged as a minor inconvenience.

How does it compare to its predecessors and similar models?

The Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop builds on the S6001UK, offering smarter steam settings, better steam distribution and slightly upgraded pads, while maintaining the same recognisable 'Klik n' Flip' design. It feels like a natural evolution, rather than a complete reinvention - notably making it more user-friendly.

I've already mentioned the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop, so it would be remiss of me not to compare the two properly. While both models offer chemical-free steam cleaning, multiple steam settings, and removable wash-pads, the key difference lies in how they clean.

The Steam & Scrub features rotating pads and automatic scrub action - it practically does all the hard work for you. The Klik n' Flip, on the other hand, works like a traditional mop - it's lightweight, straightforward and relies on manual movement.

I've also previously tested the Kärcher Multi Up and Extra, which arguably sits closer to the Klik n' Flip in terms of performance and hands-on cleaning style. The Karcher does have the added advantage of dual functionality, transforming into a handheld steamer as well as a floor mop.

It's also worth comparing to Ideal Home's top-rated steam mop, the Vileda Steam Mop Plus. Both models offer three steam cleaning settings and generous cord lengths, but the Vileda includes a carpet glider, making it more versatile for mixed flooring. That said, the Shark's double-sided pads and Steam Blast feature give it an edge when it comes to targeted, stubborn mess.

Verdict: Should you buy the Shark Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop?

If you're upgrading from a traditional mop and bucket, this will feel like a significant step up. It's ideal for families and pet owners as it's chemical-free, so you don't need to worry about the use of harsh chemicals on your floors.

At £139.99, it sits at the more premium end for a steam mop of this type, and there are certainly cheaper models out there. That said, the three steam settings provide more flexibility - from lighter refreshes to deeper cleans. It also includes an extra dirt grip pad, which can be easily popped straight into the washing machine, so ongoing maintenance and upkeep costs should be minimal.

The signature flip feature is really useful and allows you to switch pad sides or remove them without touching any dirt. It's worth noting that it's designed solely for use on hard floors, so it won't work on carpet or upholstery, but for its intended purpose, it delivers strong performance and fuss-free results.