Shark Steam Mops: Which Model Replaces the 5-in-1?
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Shark is best known in floor care for putting steam into simple, lightweight mops that heat plain tap water and push it through a microfiber pad. If you searched for the Shark 5-in-1 steam mop, you are probably after one machine that cleans floors and also handles counters, grout and upholstery. The good news is that Shark still sells a Lift-Away model built around that exact idea, and it sits alongside a handful of simpler floor-only options.
In one sentence: the Lift-Away is the all-rounder with a detachable handheld, the Steam Pickup adds a brushroll that grabs crumbs, the Steam Pocket Mop is the lightweight basic, the S1000WM is a renewed entry model, and the two VACMOP models skip steam entirely in favor of cordless vacuuming and spray mopping.
Shark Steam Mops Compared
Best for: Simple steam mopping on a renewed unit
Pros
- Removable XL water tank
- Light at 4.6 pounds
- 18-foot power cord in title
Cons
- Renewed, not new
- Listing specs contradict themselves
| Model | Cleaning method | Power source | Water or tank capacity | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld | Steam, floor and handheld | Corded, 1200 watts | 12.85 fl oz | 7 pounds |
| Shark Steam Pickup 3-in-1 Steam Mop | Steam plus motorized brushroll | Corded, 1230 watts | 14.2 fl oz | Not listed |
| Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 | Steam with dual-sided pads | Corded, 1050 watts | 15.2 fl oz | 4.9 pounds |
| Shark VACMOP Cordless Vacuum and Spray Mop VM180 | Vacuum plus spray mop | Battery | Not listed | Not listed |
| Shark Steam Mop S1000WM (Renewed) | Steam | Corded per title (listing conflicts) | 12.68 fl oz | 4.6 pounds |
| Shark VM200 VACMOP Pro (Renewed) | Vacuum plus spray mop | Battery | Not listed | Not listed |
Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld for Whole-Home Cleaning
Shark
Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld Steam, Blue, S3972BRN
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop with Detachable
Best for: Whole-home steaming beyond the floors
Pros
- Detachable handheld steamer
- Four above-floor tools
- Light, Normal and Deep modes
Cons
- Heavier than the pocket mop
- Smaller tank than some models
This is the model that answers the 5-in-1 search most directly. The Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld Steam is described in its own listing as the “Lift-Away 5-in-1 Steam Mop.” You use it upright on sealed hard floors, then pop off the handheld steamer to clean countertops, appliances, upholstery, car interiors, bathroom grout and window screens. It runs at 1200 watts on a standard 120-volt outlet, holds 12.85 fluid ounces of water, and weighs 7 pounds.
The “5-in-1” idea comes from the tools. Along with the floor head you get a flat pad tool (stiff scrubbing loops on one side, soft microfiber on the other), a scraper tool for stuck-on grease on stovetops and inside microwaves, a nylon precision brush with copper loops for grills and oven racks, and a grout brush for tile lines. On the floor you choose between three steam modes: Light for quick touch-ups, Normal for everyday cleaning, and Deep for stubborn stains. Shark says the steam removes 99.9% of common household bacteria from sealed hard floors using just water.
Pick this one if you want a single steamer for the kitchen, bathroom and car as well as the floors. It is the heaviest of the steam mops here, so someone who only mops a small apartment floor may find the Steam Pocket Mop easier to carry around.
Shark Steam Pickup 3-in-1 Steam Mop for Busy Kitchens
Shark
Shark Steam Pickup 3-in-1 Steam Mop for Sealed Hard Floors, SD201
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Shark Steam Pickup 3-in-1 Steam Mop
Best for: Daily floors with crumbs and stains
Pros
- Picks up debris while steaming
- Motorized self-cleaning brushroll
- Separates wet and dry debris
Cons
- Floor-only, no handheld mode
- Weight not listed
The Shark Steam Pickup 3-in-1 Steam Mop (model SD201) takes a different route to versatility. Instead of handheld tools, it stays on the floor and does three jobs at once: it picks up crumbs and dust, scrubs with a motorized brushroll, and steams using plain water. Shark says it separates wet and dry debris inside the nozzle, which means you can steam without first vacuuming up the cereal your kids dropped.
A brushroll is a spinning cylinder of bristles, like the one in a vacuum. Here it is self-cleaning, so it keeps clearing grime off itself rather than smearing it back across the floor. Shark claims twice the stain cleaning of a traditional steam mop. The listing gives 1230 watts, a 14.2 fluid ounce capacity, and a slim 9.3 by 6.5 by 44.5 inch footprint. The weight is not specified.
This suits households that mop every day and are tired of sweeping first. If you need to clean grout or counters, though, this model cannot detach, so the Lift-Away is the better fit.
Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 for Beginners
Shark
Shark Steam Pocket Mop with 2 Washable Double-sided Pads, Purple, S3501
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Shark Steam Pocket Mop with 2
Best for: First-time steam mop buyers
Pros
- Under 5 lbs
- Two washable dual-sided pads
- Steams in about 30 seconds
Cons
- No handheld tools
- Single cleaning mode described
For a first steam mop, the Shark Steam Pocket Mop with 2 Washable Double-sided Pads keeps things simple. It weighs 4.9 pounds, heats up in about 30 seconds, and reaches a listed maximum of 212 °F. The mop head flips over, so you can use both sides of each microfiber Dirt Grip pad before stopping to swap. Two pads are included, and both go in the washing machine.
The listing highlights swivel steering for getting around chair legs, a long power cord (the exact length is not stated), and a 15.2 fluid ounce capacity, the largest here. It is rated for all sealed hard floors: hardwood, marble, tile, stone, laminate and vinyl. Like the Lift-Away, it claims to remove 99.9% of common household bacteria using water alone.
This is a thoughtful gift for someone setting up a first home, or for anyone who just wants clean floors without learning a set of attachments. It will not scrub grout or steam a sofa, so step up to the Lift-Away if that matters.
Shark VACMOP Cordless Vacuum and Spray Mop for Quick Cordless Cleanups
Shark
Shark VACMOP Cordless Vacuum & Spray Mop, Gray, VM180
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Shark VACMOP Cordless Vacuum & Spray
Best for: Cordless quick cleanups without steam
Pros
- Cordless battery operation
- Vacuums debris into pad
- No-touch pad disposal
Cons
- Not a steam mop
- Relies on disposable pads
It is worth being clear here: the Shark VACMOP Cordless Vacuum and Spray Mop (VM180) is not a steam mop. It runs on a battery, vacuums up debris into a disposable pad with a built-in dirt chamber, and then sprays a cleaning solution at the press of a button for sticky spots. When you are done, a click drops the dirty pad in the trash without you touching it.
The listing describes this as a starter kit that includes disposable pads and Shark’s multi-surface solution, and the style name says two pads. It is designed for all sealed hard floors and uses a foam filter. The battery run time and the weight are not specified.
Choose the VACMOP if cords annoy you and you mostly handle small daily messes. If you prefer cleaning with water only, or dislike buying replacement pads, any of the steam models above will suit you better. If you like the idea of hands-off mopping, our guide to the Shark 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop covers a robotic option.
Shark Steam Mop S1000WM Hard Floor Cleaner for Simple Steam Mopping
The Shark Steam Mop S1000WM Hard Floor Cleaner is sold as a renewed unit, which means it was returned or refurbished and is sold through the Amazon Renewed program rather than as new. The description promises what a basic steam mop should: water-only cleaning with no chemical residue, a lightweight and maneuverable body, a large removable water tank, and an upright lock for storage.
Be aware that the listing contradicts itself. The title mentions an 18-foot power cord, yet the specifications say “Battery Powered” and list “120 watt-hours,” which is a battery measurement. It also gives a maximum temperature of 40 °C, far too low for steam. We would treat it as a corded steam mop based on the title and description, but confirm with the seller before you buy. The weight is 4.6 pounds and the tank holds 12.68 fluid ounces.
This model suits someone who wants the most basic Shark steam mop and is comfortable buying renewed. If you want pads that flip and a clearer spec sheet, the Steam Pocket Mop is the safer choice.
Shark VM200 VACMOP Pro Cordless Hard Floor Vacuum Mop for Renewed Value
Best for: Renewed cordless vacuum mop
Pros
- Cordless vacuum and spray
- No-touch pad disposal
- Foam filter
Cons
- Renewed unit
- Cleaning solution not included
The Shark VM200 VACMOP Pro Cordless Hard Floor Vacuum Mop is another renewed unit and, like the VM180, it vacuums and spray mops rather than steams. The listing covers the essentials: one disposable pad that both vacuums and mops, suction that locks debris inside the pad, spray mopping for stuck-on grime, and no-touch pad disposal.
The title notes that the 12-ounce VACMOP multi-surface cleaner is not included, so you will need to buy solution separately. The specs list a foam filter, one power level, battery power and a noise level of 70 dB. The listing does not include a description, so details such as run time are not specified.
This is for a shopper who wants the cordless VACMOP style and does not mind a renewed unit. If you would rather have a complete starter kit out of the box, the VM180 includes solution and pads.
How to Choose the Right Shark Steam Mop
Start by deciding between steam and spray. A steam mop heats water until it turns to vapor and uses that heat to loosen grime, so you do not need soap. A spray mop, like the VACMOP models, uses a cleaning solution and a disposable pad. Steam mops are corded; the VACMOPs are cordless. If you have young children or pets and want to avoid chemicals, steam is the natural pick.
Next, think about where you clean. If you want the 5-in-1 experience with grout, counters and car seats, only the Lift-Away detaches into a handheld. For floors alone, the Steam Pocket Mop and the Steam Pickup are simpler. Readers comparing broader options can also look at our Shark steam cleaner guide.
Then consider crumbs. Most steam mops push loose debris around, so you normally vacuum first. The Steam Pickup and both VACMOPs collect debris as they go, which saves a step. If you already own a good vacuum, this matters less; our roundup of Shark upright vacuums can help pair one with a basic steam mop.
Finally, check weight and condition. The Steam Pocket Mop and S1000WM are both under 5 pounds, while the Lift-Away is 7 pounds. Two models here are renewed, which can be good value but usually comes with a different warranty than new stock, so read the seller terms.
FAQ
Is the Shark 5-in-1 steam mop still available?
The Shark Lift-Away Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld Steam (S3972BRN) is described in its own listing as the Lift-Away 5-in-1, so it is the closest current match in this lineup.
Can I use a Shark steam mop on hardwood?
Shark lists its steam mops for sealed hard floors, and the Steam Pocket Mop names hardwood specifically. Unsealed wood or waxed floors can be damaged by heat and moisture, so check your floor finish first.
Do Shark steam mops need cleaning solution?
No. The steam models clean with plain water. The VACMOP models are different and use a multi-surface cleaning solution with disposable pads.
What is the difference between the Steam Pickup and a steam pocket mop?
The Steam Pickup has a motorized, self-cleaning brushroll that picks up debris while it steams. The Steam Pocket Mop uses a flat microfiber pad and relies on you to sweep or vacuum loose crumbs first.
Are renewed Shark mops worth it?
They can be, especially for a basic model. Just read the listing carefully, since the S1000WM renewed listing has conflicting specs and the VM200 renewed listing notes that cleaning solution is not included.
Which Shark steam mop is best for beginners?
The Steam Pocket Mop is the easiest to learn: it is light, heats in about 30 seconds, and has no attachments to manage.
