We Tested Shark’s 2-In-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop—Is It Worth It?

Between hosting, holiday prep, and work from home schedules, December truly tests your cleaning routine. That’s why robot vacuums have become a staple in so many busy households. The Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop is one that promises to offer hands-free cleaning, so I tried it myself to see if it can simplify my routine and clean well. 

Keep reading to see if it’s worth it or not. —Farah Khan

What is the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with NeverTouch Base?

This 2-in-1 robot is designed to vacuum, mop, refill and empty itself so you don’t have to, hence the name “NeverTouch”. 

Underneath the sleek black shell are some impressive features for starters, the robot doesn’t just empty itself on its own but the base can hold two months of debris. It also refills its water tank when it’s time to mop for 30 days and dries the mopping pad after each run so guess what? No more wet mop smell. 

When it’s cleaning, the robot uses PowerDetect technology to scan hidden debris, adjust suction, increase mop intensity, and reach spots that are often ignored. There’s a clever, advanced edge cleaning feature that pushes debris toward the vacuum path so it doesn’t miss those spots.

One key feature which I love is the robot’s ability to lift itself over thresholds and carpets so it doesn’t get stuck, plus when mopping, it automatically detects carpets so it never mops on top of a carpet. 

Overall, it’s quite the smart model that is meant to be a “set and forget” machine that lets you do your other tasks without worrying about household vacuuming or mopping. 

Shop it here on Shark Ninja, Amazon, and Best Buy. 

What’s our take?

Setup and ease of use:

I found the product to be very intuitive and easy to set up. You simply download the SharkClean app, create a free account, connect your robot to the app and join a wifi connection. Options to clean, mop, or do both are within the app. There are also step-by-step instructions in the app for setting up for people who may not be tech savvy or are new to this technology. I would say the overall setup process takes less than 10 minutes. You do have to ensure it’s at least 60% charged for it to start a cleaning session though.

The robot maps out your space and builds a map within the app for future use and this took about 40 minutes for my space. It can take longer or shorter depending on the size of your space.

What’s also great is that you can set up a schedule and control the cleaning via the app so even if you’re not at home, the robot will do its job as usual. It’s perfect for people like myself who have a hybrid work schedule.

Vacuuming Performance:

This is great for everyday dust, debris, crumbs, and pet care. I love that I can simply turn it on and essentially forget about it while it does its thing, and there’s really no intervention required on my end. However, one thing you have to keep in mind is for areas that get dirty fast such as kitchens, you have to pick up any small items that may have fallen while cooking such as bits of food that the vacuum may not be able to pick up.

I noticed that the vacuum goes over the same areas a few times especially in the kitchen given the dirt and extra attention needed.

Once the bin is full, the robot finds its own way back to the dock to empty it out and heads out to clean again. It truly takes out the “babysitting” aspect of a robot vacuum that people hate. I didn’t have to handle debris the entire time I tested it—in fact, I will be good for 60 days. 

Mopping Performance:

What I love is that you can mop alone or combine it with the vacuum. You simply add in the cleaning solution with water to the tank and it’s truly hands-free until the solution is finished. I recently moved into a new place and there were many dirty shoeprint marks on my hardwood floor from shifting, and the mopping feature really impressed me as it cleaned well and left my floor super shiny by the end. 

Another huge plus is that when mopping, it easily detects carpets so it will go over the carpet only vacuuming, not mopping. While it sounds simple on paper, you will love not having to soak or dry your mop pad as the robot prepares and dries it on its own, which is huge. 

Navigation and coverage:

Navigation and coverage are both solid. The robot moves in deliberate lines rather than wandering, ensuring each spot is cleaned well. It is impressive the way it cleans under sofas, beds and dining tables without ever getting stuck. 

One thing you keep in mind is if you live in a house with multiple floors, you will have to manually move the dock and robot to the other floors to clean. So sometimes having to move it around to different floors can interrupt any other tasks you’re doing but it’s a minor hassle. 

Final Thoughts

After testing the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with NeverTouch Base for a week, I do believe it is a solid option for anyone looking to get time back and simplify their daily cleaning routine. The battery lasts long enough for a full clean for my house (depending on the size of your space), it has minimal noise, and most importantly it removes the stress of being hands-on whether you’re at-home or outside. 

Considering all that it does: vacuuming, mopping, self-emptying and refilling, it’s worth it and has great value for the convenience it offers. It has become a part of my everyday routine to simplify turn on the robot and attend to my other tasks. 

While it is on the pricier end, the amount of time and effort it will save you truly makes it worth it. It makes daily upkeep much easier and hands-free like it promises.