Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop review: transform your cleaning routine

The Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop transforms from a steam mop for the floor into a handheld steam cleaner with just the click of a switch.

As a handheld steam cleaner, it cleans worktops, tiles, glass, ovens, porcelain and more. It features two modes for cleaning, a double mop head and a range of accessories. Shark says this steam cleaner is perfect for homes with children and pets, as it gives a deep clean without harsh or abrasive chemicals, which can sometimes trigger allergies. 

Shark has thought of everything to make cleaning easier, including a larger 0.13-gallon water tank and a standby mode for when you need to take a break.

We tested the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop at home over a few days, trying out the steam mop and the handheld steamer on various surfaces. As well as performance, we evaluated how easy it was to assemble and use and how convenient it was to store away.

We’ve checked the latest user reviews to see how people rate this steam cleaner, and we asked a cleaning expert for their advice on maintaining a steam mop and what kind of household they think the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop would suit.

Keep reading to find out how we got on with the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop. If you’re unsure whether it’s the suitable model for you, there are plenty more options to choose from in our buying guide to the best steam mops.

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: Price & availability

• $174.88 / $149.99

The Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop can be purchased on Amazon and on the Shark site, as well as from other retailers. 

It’s priced at the higher end of the market, and some mops, such as the Bissell PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop, are a little cheaper while providing better performance. However, the variety of attachments, accessory hose, stylish looks and generous 2-year warranty may make the price worth paying for many customers.

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: First impressions

There are five  attachments included with the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop:

• Small above-the-floor pocket tool & pad
• Concentration nozzle
• Steam blast scrubbing tool
• Copper brush
• Steam crevice tool 

It also includes an accessory hose to make handheld steam cleaning easier, two pads for the steam mop base and a filling flask.

There are two steam modes, both of which can be used on hardwood, marble, tile and stone:

• Lo: For everyday cleaning
• Hi: For deeper cleaning 

A further mode, ‘Tools’, is to be employed only when the steamer is used as a handheld unit. 

The attachment hose is one of our favorite features with the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop. Unlike the Bissell Powerfresh, which can be cumbersome to move around in tight spaces, such as an oven, you can keep this unit out of the oven and simply use one of your accessories/attachments at the end of the hose to do the cleaning. It seems like a no-brainer, but many steam cleaners lack this essential feature.

We also liked the functionality of the steam mop pad - Sharks’ Klik ‘n’ Flip technology. You can flip the double-sided mop to clean twice as much floor area. Plus, it’s straightforward to release the pad without having to touch all that dirt you’ve just mopped up. 

Like the Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop, all the packaging that came with this mop was recyclable cardboard or paper - with no plastic. 

However, this mop isn’t quite as easy to assemble as its stablemate. First, you have to find a flathead screwdriver to screw the handle into the unit. So if you want to take apart the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop to store it in a low cupboard, you will have to unscrew it every time. Unlike the Bissell Powerfresh, which features a simple click and fit of the shaft into the central unit, this is a bit more time-consuming. 

It’s easy to fit the steam mop pad onto the base, especially once you get the hang of the flip technology. 

Once you’ve turned the mop on, it takes around 30 seconds to start producing steam, longer if it’s your first use. Simply choose your steaming mode and get started. The power cord is 19.5 feet long - not as long as some steam mops but enough to tackle most large spaces.

The water tank is easy to fill and is fairly roomy at 0.13 gallons, giving you plenty of steaming time. You can also pause the steaming with the Steam Control button at the front of the unit, which is handy.

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: Design

The Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop looks and feels great, with the Shark logo picked out in chrome alongside a gray and white colorway. This mop would look at home in any modern kitchen.

The handle at the top of the shaft is well-designed with a comfortable grip. In addition, there are two useful cord grips for storing away the 19.5 ft. cord when not in use or shortening the cord when cleaning smaller rooms. 

The ease with which the handheld unit comes away from the steam mop itself is fantastic - one push of the release button and it pops out. The handheld unit also feels easy and comfortable to hold once it’s out of the main frame. In addition, five attachments are included with the unit to make light work of handheld steam cleaning.

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: Performance

We tested the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop at home in an everyday environment to see how well it tackled dirt and stains and how easy it was to use. 

First up, we cleaned the kitchen floor with the steam mop functionality. Following instructions in the manual, we moved the unit forward and backward at least five times over the whole floor. It seemed to be lifting an impressive amount of dirt, looking at how soiled the mop pad was, and we had no problem getting into tight corners.

We ran a damp kitchen towel over a few spots where we’d mopped to double-check the floors, with disappointing results. There was still dirt on the kitchen towel. We’d expect a mop that claims to remove up to 99.9% of bacteria to be able to remove most, if not all, of the dirt too. 

Onto the handheld unit. This was much better. A few pumps of the steam trigger and we were off, using the accessory hose and pocket tool to give the kitchen units a thorough clean, leaving behind a streak-free finish. It also performed well on the windows and interior glass doors.

In the bathroom, we used the steam blast scrubbing brush to clean the grout between the tiles. Sadly, this didn’t perform well; after just a few minutes of scrubbing the grout, the tool itself was practically unusable - with the bristles splayed in every direction. Shark isn’t alone in this, though - we had a similar experience with the Bissell Powerfresh during testing. 

The copper scrubber was a sturdier attachment, brilliantly scrubbing limescale and gunk from the bottom of the taps and inside the bathroom basin.  

The accessory hose itself is a fantastic addition, and one other steam cleaners should include as standard. It allows you to take the weight of the handheld unit in one hand, but use the accessory tool with the other. This makes it much easier to scrub and steam for longer periods, as you’re not hauling around a large, heavy handheld device with the same arm you’re cleaning with. 

The mop is relatively quiet, clocking in at around 60 decibels during use, which is around the same as normal conversation. When used as a handheld, it can be considerably higher - at one point we measured 90 decibels, which is the same volume as a leaf blower or music concert!

One fill of the 0.13-gallon water tank gave us at least 15 minutes of continuous steaming, which was pretty good. You’ll use up your water more quickly if you use the Steam Blast function, which delivers a direct blast of steam from the nozzle on the mop base to lift away more stubborn grime and dirt. 

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: Maintenance

You’ll need a cupboard to store this steam mop away or something to lean it against. It doesn’t stand up by itself, and you can’t take it apart to keep it in small spaces without a screwdriver.

It’s easy to release the mop pads to throw straight into your laundry. However, we found that a cooler 30-degree wash didn’t get all the grime out, so you may need to wash pads on a hotter setting. 

Shark offers a generous 2-year warranty, giving you peace of mind that any repairs or replacements are covered. However, you’ll need to register your appliance with Shark to get the benefit.

We also spoke to Karen Barrigan, a cleaning expert for Housetastic and a cleaning business owner, for her top professional tip on maintaining a steam mop. 

“You may need to clean the nozzles on your steam mop now and again,” says Barrigan. “Minerals in your water may cause scaling or mold in the nozzles, leading to blockages over time. A good way to prevent this is to use distilled water in the water tank. This can help to extend the life of your steam mop. To clean the nozzles, use a cotton bud to remove any scaling or grime.”

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: User reviews

The Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop gets a respectable 4.2 stars out of 5 on the Shark website and 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon. 

Positive reviewers love how easy and lightweight the unit is to use and how quick it is to change the mop pads. “Much less hassle than a mop and bucket,” says one, while another says, “This machine delivers amazing results.”

Negative reviews tend to mention the fact that the unit isn’t freestanding. Others say the cord is too short compared to other steam cleaners, while a few complain that the cap for the water tank disintegrates over time.

Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop: Expert opinion

We asked Barrigan for her take on which households might best suit the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop.

“This steam cleaner is great for mopping hard floors and also has the option of being used as a handheld model, making it very versatile,” says Barrigan. “It’s more expensive than other steam mops, but its versatility justifies the slightly higher price.”

Should you buy the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop?

Although we weren’t impressed by how clean our floors were after using the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop, the handheld unit and range of accessories worked very well elsewhere in the home. So if you’re a Shark fan and you want a steam cleaner for above-the-floor cleaning, this works well.  

How does the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop compare to competitors?

With a larger capacity water tank than the Bissell PowerFresh, the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop will give you more cleaning time. The ability to pause steaming gives you extra leeway if you need to take a break. 

If you like Shark products but don’t need a handheld unit as well as a floor mop, the Shark Steam and Scrub Automatic Mop may be a better fit. Not only can it be taken apart for storage, but it’s also freestanding, which is easier on the back. Plus, it practically glides across the floor by itself. 

If you thought the Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop was quick to heat up in 30 seconds, the Costway 1500W is ready to go in just 20 seconds. With a triangular-shaped mop head, it’s also great for getting into tricky corners, and it’s more affordably priced too.