I tested Shark's powerful steam mop in my busy family home – it proved that my regular mop wasn't *actually* cleaning my floors

With a house full of children, anything that promises to make cleaning quicker and easier gets my vote. The Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop claims to do just that – boasting chemical-free cleaning and twice the power when it comes to tackling stubborn stains.

I put it through its paces to see if it could live up to the hype and compete with the best steam cleaners and mops. My verdict? It really impressed me.

In a nutshell

Not only does it look super-stylish, but the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop also left my floors looking spotless. I was genuinely mortified at the amount of dirt it managed to lift – especially considering I mop my floors daily.

It has three cleaning modes – Light, Normal, and Deep – plus a Steam Blaster mode for an extra burst of steam when tackling stubborn grime. It heats up in just 20 seconds, did most of the hard work for me and practically glided across my floors. The spinning mop pads did an impressive job of reaching close to edges and corners, and I loved that it has LED headlights to illuminate hidden dirt.

Initially, I was a little dubious about the size of the water tank, but a full tank was more than enough to clean all my floors in one go. It also did a stellar job during everyday cleans and more targeted testing, and left my floors cleaner than they've been in a long time.

The fact that it offers chemical-free cleaning is a major bonus for me with three young kids in the house - and this model uses hot steam to kill germs and dirt, making it a safer, eco-friendly choice. The only real downside is that it's only suitable for hard floors – because, honestly, I love it so much I wish I could use it everywhere.

Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop specifications

• Capacity:  350ml
• Power: Mains
• Cord length: 5.18m
• Wattage: 1120W
• Dimensions: H:120.6cm x L:21.7cm x W:37.8cm
• Weight: 3.4kg
• In the box: Steam mop, 2 x mop pads, user manual
• RRP: £159.99

How I tested

Rebecca Lawton

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

I tested the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop with Steam Blaster 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 Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop arrived in slim, rectangular shaped cardboard packaging. It was lighter than I'd anticipated, so I had no trouble carrying it single-handedly into my home.

After opening the outer packaging, I was greeted with another cardboard box – this time branded with the product name and logo – so I could tell it was well protected. I slid the inner box out and opened it to find the product instructions printed on the inside flap. This was a nice tough, and a useful addition to a paper manual.

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I've got to say, this was one of the most straightforward unboxing experiences I've had. The steam mop and accessories were neatly secured with a couple of layers of cardboard, and the steam mop handle was wrapped in a simple white paper bag, but overall the packaging was refreshingly minimal. The bonus was it was all recyclable, so it earns top marks for being eco-friendly.

The same can be said for the contents too – the box contained the steam mop base, unit and handle (which came unassembled), and 4 mop pads. My first impressions were that the product felt well-made and high-quality, and the steam mop pads were thick and sturdy, as some models can be quite flimsy.

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To assemble, I inserted the mop handle into the steam mop body, which clicked into place easily. I then attached the two mop pads by laying them flat on the floor with the plastic rings facing up. After aligning the unit directly over the plastic rings on the pads, I lowered the mop head onto the pads, and pressed down until they were secure. The whole process took less than a couple of minutes.

Once the product was assembled, I took a moment to admire the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting to be quite so impressed with a steam mop, but it exceeded my expectations.

It has a really premium feel, and looks every bit the sleek, modern cleaning gadget. The only thing that bugged me a little was the cord as I tend to lean towards cordless appliances, but you'll be hard pressed to find a powerful steam mop without one.

Plus, the cord length is over 5m and it has handy storage hooks at the back to keep it tucked away when not in use. So, it wasn't much of an issue.

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All that was left to do was to fill up the clean water tank, which was a quick and simple step. At 350ml, the tank is about average in size - and although a larger capacity would have been handy in a busy home like mine, it suited the mop's slim, compact design well.

In fact, the tank sits neatly at the back of the mop and pulls outwards from the mop body. And while it did take a little force to remove, it came out easy enough in the end. I then pulled the top rubber fill cap back and filled it with cold water.

The fact that it's chemical-free and only uses water is a huge win for me with young children at home. And the manual includes a clear warning not to use any chemical solutions, vinegar or oils in the tank as it can damage the mop.

Using the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop

To get started, I plugged the power cord into the nearest plug socket in my kitchen, 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.

I opted to use 'Normal' mode first, by pressing the power button to cycle through the three modes. Normal mode is recommended for everyday cleaning and heavy traffic areas, so it felt a good place to start.

I then waited 20 seconds for the mop to heat up and start producing steam. There was no sound to alert that the steam mop was ready to use – which would have been handy – but if you don't start cleaning shortly after it starts producing steam, it'll switch back into standby mode.

To activate the spinning pads and get the ball rolling, all you have to do is tilt the handle towards you. This initially took me by surprise as I wasn't expecting the steam mop to move so freely, but it practically glided across the floor on its own.

Straight away, it was clear I wasn't going to need to do much work myself.

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Using the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic felt similar to a traditional mop; I simply pulled it back and forth to guide it across my floors. For stubborn marks, I used the Steam Blaster function, holding the trigger about 5-10cm from the stain as the manual suggests.

With a satisfying 'whoosh' sound, the steam blasted onto the surface, loosening the grime instantly. It worked brilliantly on dried-on spills and sticky patches, lifting them without me needing to apply extra pressure.

One thing that stood out was its edge cleaning, though. The spinning pads reached impressively close to skirting boards, and even managed to get under the fridge and washing machine – areas most of my usual cleaning tools struggle with.

The water tank was deceptively bigger than I first thought too, as it was still more than half full after giving my kitchen and conservatory floors a thorough clean. I also found it handy that the mop stands upright on its own, so I didn't have to faff about leaning it against a wall or dining stool when I needed to pause to move something.

To say I was shocked at the colour of the pads when I'd finished would be an understatement – it clearly lifted a lot more grime than I thought possible. The floors were left lightly damp after use, and they were dry and ready to walk on within a couple of minutes.

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To see how it handled a more obvious mess, I deliberately squirted some ketchup onto my kitchen floor, and left it for 30 mins to dry slightly. I then selected the Deep cleaning mode, which releases the highest level of steam, and spins the mop pads faster.

After switching to Deep mode, I let the mop sit over the stain for around 5-10 seconds to loosen it before gliding it across the mess. The mop worked its magic in seconds, leaving no traces of ketchup behind. The floors were slightly wetter than usual after using this mode, but they dried quickly and didn't leave any streaks.

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I also put it to the test to see how it would tackle mud and dirt stains dragged in through the back door – a notoriously hard area to keep clean with the kids running in and out of the garden.

The stains had set, so I again opted for the Deep cleaning mode and I also used the Steam Blaster to tackle them directly. Holding the mop about 5-10cm in front of the marks, I pressed the trigger to release a blast of steam and glided the mop back and forth a couple of times. The stains lifted effortlessly, leaving the floor looking clean and refreshed. The LED headlights automatically lit up in as it reached the edge of the door frame, making it easy to see every spot.

The floors in my hallway and bathrooms are vinyl, and my hallway is another high-traffic area. So, I tried the Light cleaning mode here, which left me more impressed than I expected.

Considering I didn't think the floor was dirty, the mop left them looking sparkling clean, showing just how much hidden grime it can pick up.

Cleaning, maintenance and storage

The good news is the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop is really simple to clean and there's not much to it in the way of maintenance.

The mop pads detach really easily, and they are machine washable, which saves hassle – especially as the instruction manual advises washing them after each use. Considering how much hidden dirt they picked up though, this definitely makes sense.

I popped them on a 40-degree wash cycle and they came out looking fresh and almost new. It's also handy that an extra pair of mop pads is included in the box. However, it's worth noting that Shark recommends replacing them every three to four months, which feels about right for regular use.

It's also easy to store. It's slim enough that it doesn't take up more floor space, and it's freestanding too, so I don't have to worry about it being knocked over.

How does the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop rate online?

The Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop has earned glowing reviews across the board – it scored an impressive 4.6 stars on every major online retailer site I checked.

On Shark’s website, it has 406 reviews with 92% of reviewers recommending the product. Customers were really impressed with it’s cleaning power, with many noting how lightweight it is and how it cleans the floors with minimal effort.

It's a similar story on Amazon too, where more than 560 reviewers praised its ease of use, quick drying time and ability to remove stains and dirt. The cord length received mixed feedback, with a few users saying it should be longer, although this seemed like a minor gripe in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive response.

Customers also gave it 4.6 stars on Argos, applauding how effective it cleans with minimal effort. Some did mention streaking and difficulty cleaning grout, but for most, the results spoke for themselves, sparkling floors with little elbow grease required.

How does the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop compare to similar models?

The S8201UK version of the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic builds on its predecessors, with a few smart but meaningful upgrades. The standout addition is its Steam Blaster mode, for stubborn stains and stuck-on grime. It also introduces three cleaning modes, compared to two on the previous model.

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 a generous cord length, but the Vileda mop has the added advantage of a carpet glider, making it more versatile for mixed flooring.

I've also previously tested the Kärcher Multi Up and Extra, which offers a dual function as a handheld steamer and floor mop, but it struggles with deeper stains compared to the Shark model.

Verdict: Should you buy the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop?

For busy households or high-footfall areas that need regular cleaning, the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop is an excellent choice. It's chemical-free, yet still manages to remove up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria, making it ideal for families and homes with pets, or anyone wanting to cut down on harsh cleaning products.

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 use it offers a lot of value. At around £130, it sits in the higher price point, but does provide features you wouldn't get with cheaper models – such as dual rotating pads, Steam Blaster function, and automatic movement.

Overall, if you want a steam cleaner that looks the part and makes light work of stubborn messes, I think this one's hard to beat.