The one thing we’d change about this robot vacuum and mop combo is the inability to use the automatic emptying feature while in mop mode. The self-emptying only works when it’s used solely as a vacuum—so if you regularly use it as a mop, you’ll need to empty and clean it yourself. But if you live in a busy home with kids and pets, it’ll still save you time. The above are some general problems you will face when using a Shark vacuum, plus their fixes. Below, we have also explored the problems that are specific to some Shark models. Shark DuoClean Troubleshooting Guide Why vacuum and mop separate appliances, if you can do both with the same device? That’s the idea behind the Shark Vacmop Pro: a combination vacuum cleaner (of sorts) and hard floor mop. It’s lightweight, easy to use and does a good job of mopping floors – but the plastic waste and poor vacuuming heavily detract. Design and features Most Shark vacuums have parts you can wash or clean, so you may never have to replace them as long as you properly maintain them. Even though some models have a small dirt compartment, they're typically bagless, which further helps cut recurring costs.

Things get more interesting as you move slightly up the product range. For example the Eufy Robovac X8 adds laser navigation and AI mapping to automatically scan your home and find the best way around it, spotting and avoiding obstacles as it goes.When tested, we were also impressed by the accuracy of its mapping as well as the intuitive layout of the app. Pulling it up to subdivide our space and have it clean just one or two rooms was incredibly simple, not to mention having it selectively mop just certain areas. We also took advantage of the ability to run it even when we weren’t home as well as create a schedule for even more hands-free operation. The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is the first floor-cleaning robot with a fully retractable mop. When it detects carpet, the robot automatically lifts its mopping plate out of the way, rests it on top of the device, and continues vacuuming. This allows the pricey 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop hybrid to complete both tasks in a single cleaning run. If none of the above tips work for you, probably the motor is bad. In this case, you have to replace the motor or buy a new vacuum.

Try different settings on a small area to see which works best for your floors. Adjust the settings until you get the right moisture for effective cleaning. It was also easy to maneuver around chairs and under tables, and the battery only drained 30% throughout our lab testing. If we could change one thing, we wish we could use it on carpet, too. Its edge cleaning could be a little better as well. But we did appreciate the large capacity dust cup and the fact the controls are conveniently on the handle for easy adjustments.

Weight: The weight of the 11 models we tested ranged from under 4 pounds to more than 12 pounds — without the added weight of a full clean water tank! Because these are devices that you have to push along the floor, weight is an important factor to consider. Models with self-propelling capabilities that minimize the effort required to push them forward can often make up for the extra weight. We saw this in our tests when one of our heaviest models, the Dreametech H11 Max, still earned a perfect score for maneuverability. In addition to hard floors, some vacuum and mop combos are also able to clean carpets. To test these models, we sprinkled coffee grounds and Rice Krispies over a medium pile carpet and recorded how long it took us to clean up the debris. Move the robot closer to the router: If your robot is too far away from the router, it may not be able to connect. Try moving the robot closer to the router to see if this resolves the issue. The H11 Max from Dreametech — a 2022 Cleaning & Organizing Awards winner — really was a dream come true when it came to our ease-of-use tests. It earned a perfect score in six of our eight ease-of-use categories, missing the top spot for highest overall by just a fraction of a point. Our experts expected to have a hard time maneuvering this vacuum mop around furniture and tight corners, but was blown away by how easy it was to push this self-propelling, 10-pound model. The water tanks are completely flush with the main body of the vacuum mop, giving it a sleek, modern look that set it apart from the others we tested.

Many of the best vacuum and mop combos cost hundreds of dollars, which is a significant investment, especially if you’ve never used one before. If you’re looking for an affordable way to try a vacuum mop, the Shark VM252 Vacmop may be a great option for you. Compared to older Shark robot models, like the Shark AI Ultra Robot, the integration with the SharkClean companion app is noticeably improved, providing a smoother user experience and fewer glitches. Unfortunately, this variant of the Matrix doesn't have a mopping system to deal with stains. If you're shopping at a similar price point and don't mind giving up its self-emptying capability for a mopping system, you could opt for the Shark IQ 2-in-1. Loose hose connections or broken hoses can also cause suction leaks and consequently low suction. Make sure they are correctly fixed and are in good working condition.

If you’re looking for an appliance with all the bells and whistles, this model from Dreametech may be the best vacuum and mop combo for you. It’s a quiet, cordless device that balances techy features with effective cleaning. Keep an eye on the settings and adjust them as necessary, especially if you change floor types. This will help you maintain good Mopping results. Of course, the battery life is a bit underwhelming and the included starter solution won’t last very long adding to the long-term cost of this robot vacuum. Still, the pros vastly outweigh the cons, especially considering how well-rounded the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop is. Most of Shark’s vacuums do a great job of scooping up pet hair. However, the recently released Shark Ultralight Corded HZ251 makes this task even easier. The vacuum cleans carpets deeply and thoroughly to remove pet hair. Since the brushroll is self-cleaning, you won’t have to stop and pull (or cut) your pet’s hair off of it. The vacuum’s slim design also makes it easy to vacuum under furniture to reach hair and other pet debris, while the LED headlights help illuminate debris you might otherwise miss.

We have a related post, “ How To Clean the Poop Out Of Shark Robot Vacuum” if you have a pet, poop, you need to read this post. Problem 5. Insufficient Maintenance

Shark has models at quite a few price points and the level of quality varies on how much you invest. The premium and mid-range models come with some great new features and some stellar performance. But, as you go cheaper, they get a little more barebones in terms of features and don’t have as much oomph. They can also suffer from reliability issues as some have reported online. What does “Stratos” means? In our review of Shark's flagship AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, we gave it four and a half stars out of five: "it performs very well" on both vacuuming and mopping, but was a little on the pricey side. The more affordable Shark IQ Self-Empty XL achieved 3.5 stars in our review last year: it cleaned well but was a little loud and the mapping wasn't best in class. Shark vs Eufy: other considerations Other useful features included automatic smart sensors, which adjust the cleaning mode depending on the type of mess the sensor detects. Some smart models also include app connectivity and voice assistance, which can help with knowing when to empty the dirty water. Lastly, many models included LED headlights to illuminate hard-to-see messes while vacuuming.