Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner Single Product Review

Is the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner worth buying?

Mopping can get rid of sticky residue and dirt on your hard floors, but you usually have to use additional cleaning products to get the job done. Steam cleaning is a powerful alternative to traditional mopping because the steam loosens dirt and kills germs and bacteria without any chemicals.

However, you can’t steam clean with a basic mop or a spin mop. To deep-clean your hard floors without chemicals, you need a steam mop that can produce the heat needed to clean and sanitize. 

The Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner is an affordable steam mop that boasts a compact design and provides powerful steam on demand. It’s easy to maneuver because of its lightweight construction but still sturdy enough for regular mopping. It has a long quick-release cord that lets you cover medium-size rooms without changing outlets. 

A newer version of this product exists. Check it out here.

Testing the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner

BestReviews doesn’t just accept manufacturers’ claims about products. To provide the most accurate information about an item, our team includes impartial testers who put the product to work in a real-world environment. These testers include experts who have extensive knowledge in a given product category, as well as average consumers who just want to see if a product can make their lives easier. 

When evaluating the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop, the BestReviews Testing Lab focused on the mop’s ease of use, performance on different flooring types and maneuverability. 

What is the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner?

While the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop doesn’t offer as many features as higher-end models, it provides a thorough cleaning at an affordable price.

During testing, the mop stood out for its lightweight design. It only weighs 4.87 pounds, making it easy to maneuver around your home. It has a single steam setting and no power button, so as soon as you plug it in, the mop turns on. It only requires 30 seconds to heat and has a long cord that lets you easily cover small to medium rooms. In addition, its cleaning pads are machine-washable, allowing you to reuse them.

To see how the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop compares to other products in its space, check out our reviews for Best Steam Mops.

Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner price and where to buy

The Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop usually costs $89.99. It’s available at Amazon.

How to use the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner

During testing, the Shark S3501 Pocket Mop proved easy to set up and use. It takes about a minute to assemble the mop by inserting the handle into the top of the mop body, securing a cleaning pad on the head and snapping the head onto the bottom of the body. 

To fill the Shark Pocket Mop, turn the water tank cap counterclockwise to remove it. Use the filling flask to pour water into the tank, but be careful — while you want to avoid overfilling the water reservoir, the tank doesn’t have a maximum fill line, which can make filling it tricky. Once the tank is full, unwrap the power cord fully and plug the mop in so the power light illuminates. Wait 30 seconds for the unit to heat. 

While moving the Shark Pocket Mop over your floor in a back-and-forth motion, pump the handle downward to release the steam. If your cleaning pad gets dirty, flip the head over and use the other side of the pad. When the reservoir runs out of water, the mop will stop producing steam. Be sure to unplug it before refilling the tank. 

Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner benefits

This affordable steam mop revealed plenty of features that make it a smart purchase. It has a colorful design and is lightweight enough to move easily around your home. The 18-foot cord saves you from worrying about where the nearest outlet is, and the 1,200-watt motor heats the mop up in just 30 seconds for quick, efficient cleaning. Floors dry almost immediately. It performs similarly on both hardwood and tile floors. 

The BestReviews Lab found that the Shark Steam Pocket Mop’s pump-activated steam production is easy even for beginners to use. It doesn’t make much noise beyond a gentle hiss during use. Best of all, the mop’s cleaning pads come out like new from the washing machine, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them too often. 

Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner drawbacks

The Shark Steam Pocket Mop offers limited control over steam production compared to higher-end steam mops. It only has one setting — you can’t adjust its temperature. It doesn’t have a power button, so the unit turns on as soon as you plug it in. It requires a bit more force than other steam mops to get an effective clean because there’s some resistance when pushing it over the floor. The lack of a max fill line in the water tank makes filling the mop challenging. Lastly, the Testing Lab found that this mop doesn’t necessarily have the power to deep-clean tile floors with grout compared to some higher-priced models. 

Should you get the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner?

Based on the BestReviews Lab’s testing, the Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop is an excellent value for users looking for a basic, entry-level steam mop. It has all the features you need to effectively steam clean your hardwood, laminate, tile, stone and marble floors. If you live in an apartment or small home, its size allows you to clean most of your flooring without needing refills or taking up too much storage space. While it has a fairly basic design, it’s a solid, all-around model for those on a budget or trying a steam mop for the first time.