SHOP: Tried and tested - the best cordless vacuums to buy right now from big brands like Shark, Dyson and Hoover
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I've been reviewing fancy home appliances longer than I care to admit. In fact, there's very little that truly surprises me when it comes to middle-class kitchen gadgets these days.
But when the latest Shark robot vacuum and mop landed on my doorstep, little did I know how that would change.
This robot vacuum is Shark's most expensive to date but it really works for every penny. It reminds me of one of those high tech Korean cleaning gadgets that seem to be going viral recently.
Not only does it empty its own dust container and dirty mop water, it also cleans and sanitises its own mop pad because going back out. It challenges the likes of the top-tier Dyson Spot + Scrub robot, which I'm also in the process of reviewing as I write this.
Now while this is an all round excellent vacuum and mop, the thing that surprised me the most is that the robot actually talks to you. From setup to going out on a clean, it talks you through every step of its process and rather amusingly, does so in a quite a well spoken English accent.
You can imagine my surprise when, after returning to its dock from an initial mopping session, it said to me 'I've detected more stains, I'm going back out to clean'. And no, I'm not going mad... the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal really does 'detect' dirtier areas of your floor and gives them an additional clean.
So is my fancy southerner robot really worth keeping or is it just another gadget you'll come to regret?
Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum and Mop: At a glance
- Product Specs
- Mopping: Yes
- Battery life: Approx 3 hours
What we love
- Performance: Amazing cleaning power both vacuuming and mopping
- Self-emptying: Empties the dirty water and dustbin automatically and sanitises the mop pad too
What could be better
- Price: Too expensive for the average consumer
If you've got a lot of hard flooring in your home, a robot vacuum, especially one with a mop, is a seriously good investment.
This Shark model is also worth considering if you have pets - you'll know the pain of having to constantly keep up with dusty paws and footprints on top of vacuuming. This does an excellent job of dirty but also pet hair (compared to other robot vacuums).
It's one of the most competent robots I've tested to date. It was relatively easy to set up (minus some initial wifi issues) and the app and robot itself talks you through everything you need to do to get vacuuming and mopping in a few minutes.
What really sets the robot apart from cheaper models though is its impressive stain detection. The robot's UV light sensor can actually detect areas that are particularly dirty and will go back out after the initial clean to give those areas an extra scrub. It'll even sanitise the mop pad after the fact so you don’t have to.
All in all, I was really impressed with the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal robot vacuum.
You can really see this robot working, detecting and thinking in real time - it’s quite something. Is it an investment? Of course it is. But if you’ve got a big floor plan, those cheaper budget robot vacuums just won’t cut it. You’ll seriously benefit from a vacuum like the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal.
If I haven't convinced you just yet, read my full review below for more details, or read our reviews on the more affordable Karcher RCV 5 robot vacuum and the Hoover HG2 Hydro Pro.
Initial setup, mapping and app use
This robot vacuum is surprisingly easy to set up, providing you have good wifi where it's going to live. You'll need to download the app to set it up and use it (yes, sorry) but it's pleasantly straightforward to use and I'd argue even the technophobes among us wouldn't have much of an issue - especially as it talks to you too.
To begin with, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal will prompt you to fill its water tank and do a quick (dry) trial run of your floor, going around and mapping your area as it goes. A full map of the area will then magically appear in the app and from here you can do loads of impressive things such as spitting the plan into specific rooms and marking no-go areas.
While you can set the robot going from the device itself, most of this is best controlled through the app, as you have better oversight of where your robot will clean and when. After each run. You'll also get a report on the robot's most recent clean, where you can see the exact areas it covered and how long it took - perhaps not the most useful but interesting nonetheless.
Cleaning performance
Now for the most important bit. This robot cleans extremely well. You can vacuum and mop separately or ask the robot to do both at the same time. It's set to auto suction and medium water deposit as standard but you can alter all of this in the app if you need a strong clean.
Vacuuming
As always, I put this robot through its paces with a series of tests including getting it to tackle rice and flour, as well as the mountains of cat hair that seem to magically regenerate every day.
The performance was great across these, those it did struggle with knocking some larger bits of debris around before finally picking them up. It also works surprisingly quickly compared to my own Karcher robot vacuum. It does still take a while to potter around compared to vacuuming yourself but that's the sacrifice you make for getting a robot to do your chores.
Mopping
The mopping on the shark is really fantastic. The UV Detect really comes into its own here, seeking out areas that are more dirty than others and spending extra time scrubbing them.
I had a lot of fun watching it use its little light to scan the area. It quickly found the dried ketchup and mud stains I cruelly left on the floor for it and spent extra time moving its little mopping pad from side to side to completely clear the stains in mere seconds.
Its rug and carpet detect is also fantastic. Despite my initial concerns, the Shark robot stopped in its tracks when it came up against a doormat by my backdoor and immediately lifted up its back end while continuing to vacuum, without a drip getting on the mat.
Once it’s done vacuuming and mopping, it will take itself back to its base and automatically empty both the water and the dirt and debris into separate containers.
Most impressively, it also cleans and sanitises its own mopping pad with 85 degree water, then dries it with 80 degree air. It then refills its water reservoir with clean water and goes back out for a second run if needed. Phenomenal.
What could be better?
Now I hate to say it, because this robot has seriously won me over, but it's not perfect. There were issues that I feel are worth flagging. The biggest one is that the cleaning solution that comes with the robot seemed to leave a grippy residue on my laminate flooring.
Despite putting in less of the formula than it advised, after the initial mop I did see some marks on my floor that I’m pretty sure came from the solution. After another mop using water only though, these seemed to disappear. I can’t say for certain if it was an issue with my floor specifically, but it’s worth noting if you were hoping to use Shark’s robot cleaning fluid.
I didn’t like the residue left by Shark’s cleaning solution.
My other concern is that it’s noisier than I expected on the auto and higher vacuum settings. For a premium robot vacuum like this, I was hoping it might be a tab quieter than my older and cheaper Karcher but it’s relatively similar. It’s probably not going to wake anyone up but it could be better.
Value for money
Of course, I can’t really talk about the robot without mentioning the price either. It’s very expensive at £999.99. The level of tech in this though is outstanding really and it does seem to be competing directly with the likes of the Dyson Spot + Scrub.
I don’t think the average person needs every feature this robot offers but if you want the best of the best in your house and only want to pick up your cordless tick vacuum on the odd occasion, you’re not going to be disappointed.
Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum and Mop
How does it compare to similar products?
When compared to the Dyson Scrub + Spot AI, it pretty much goes head to head. Intelligent stain detection, mopping, vacuuming, heated sanitising and automatic emptying. Some reviews suggest the Dyson just beats the Shark in cleaning performance but not by much.
The main difference? The price. At £1,099 the Dyson is almost £100 more but if you’re looking to spend that much regardless, I’d say just choose whichever you like the look of best.
If you’re looking to spend less, though, something like the Karcher RCV5 or Hoover HydroPro might be more up your alley.
How does it rate online?
Due to the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal being relatively new, there aren't a huge number of customer reviews out there just yet. In fact, many of the reviews on the website are from people who were selected to review the product as a SharNinja tester.
That being said, a lot of the pros mentioned in these reviews are very much true. It is a phenomenal cleaner; it mops really well; and it does so much of the hard work for you. If only the main container could grow legs and empty itself, then we’d be talking. Some people have noted the app can be a little glitchy while others don’t think it’s quite worth the eye-watering price tag.
Can the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal be used on carpet?
Yes, the Shark PowerDetect UV reveal can be used on carpet, rugs and all sealed hard flooring.When switching between carpet and hard floors, the Shark will lift up its mop pad (if it mop and vacuum mode) to ensure carpets and similar don't get wet.
Does the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal empty itself?
Yes, After every clean, it will go back to its base and suck off any dirty mop water and vacuum debris into a larger container that only needs to be emptied every so often. It will also clean, sanitise and dry the mop pad before the next use, making it a fully hands off experience.
How good is the battery life on the Shark PowerDetect UV reveal?
The battery life on this robot vacuum is excellent. You'll get around three hours of cleaning on auto mode and it can cover a full large downstairs floor plan in around an hour. As the robot will recharge itself every time it goes back to its base, it's highly unlikely you'll ever run out of battery, even if you're cleaning over three floors.