Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop single product review

Simple steam cleaning for hard floors

Spills and stains on hard flooring often defy easy cleaning. Deeply ingrained dirt can plague hardwood, laminate and stone, and make tile and grout look dingy. Regular wet mopping may not remove stubborn or embedded dirt, and the use of chemical solvents and bleach may be inadvisable or unsafe, especially in households with young children and pets. A steam mop can provide a thorough deep cleaning of multiple hard flooring surfaces using only superheated water.

The Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop is a simple powered steam mop that’s lightweight and maneuverable. It provides excellent hard floor steam cleaning at an appealing price. Its simplicity and reusable cleaning pads make it a worthwhile solution to deep-cleaning all types of hard floors.

Testing the Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop 

The BestReviews Testing Lab evaluates products in a real world environment. For this article, the BestReviews tester used the Shark S5003 while paying attention to setup, ease of use and cleaning effectiveness.

What is the Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop?

The Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop is a corded upright handheld mop for hard floors with a steam-powered cleaning head and removable, reusable cleaning pads. By generating and applying steam through its padded cleaning head, it cleans and sanitizes more thoroughly and without chemicals compared to wet mops and spray mops.

To compare the Shark S5003 to other Shark models and competitors, see the BestReviews buying guide to Best Steam Mops.

Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop price and where to buy

The Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop costs $129.99 at Amazon. It's often available on sale for less than $100.

How to use Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop

The Shark S5003 is straightforward to use. Assembly takes less than 5 minutes and involves connecting the handle, body and head together. Its design allows the user to insert its mop head into an included cleaning pad without touching the pad with their hands. Once the pad clicks into place, fill the unit’s water tank with plain water using the included flask or a household measuring cup.

Plugging in the unit automatically activates it and places it in standby mode. Select one of three steam modes with buttons on the unit’s front. Wait until there’s sufficient steam action in the cleaning pad (which makes it easier to move on hard flooring) and proceed as with any mop. Additional steam may be directed on stubborn spots using the Steam Blaster option.

After use, the cleaning pad may be removed without touching it and placed in a laundry hamper for washing and reuse.

Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop benefits

Lightweight

The BestReviews Testing Lab found the Shark S5003 to be lightweight and easy to maneuver once the steam action had fully activated. The head swivels easily around and beneath furniture and into corners for easy access.

Thorough

The Shark S5003 cleaned very well during testing, removing day-to-day grime as well as fresh liquid spills quickly and thoroughly. The unit provided a steady flow of steam even after multiple uses, and the three steam power settings allowed the user to customize the cleaning power as needed.

Touchless and reusable pads

The Shark S5003 can be operated without the user’s hands coming into contact with the mop head or mop pad. Removing the pad for cleaning and laundering proved simple for the BestReviews Testing team, and the pad emerged from laundering as good as new. It’s best to wait until the steam has cooled, however, before pad removal.

Chemical-free

As a steam mop, the Shark S5003 uses only heated water and does not use additional solvents or chemical solutions. The BestReviews Testing Lab found its performance more than adequate despite its lack of chemicals, and recommends its use in chemical-sensitive households, especially those with pets and infants.

Multiple flooring types

During testing, the BestReviews team found the Shark S5003 to be effective at different hard flooring types. It cleaned tile and grout very well, especially at its highest power setting, while also being safe and thorough on hardwood. Shark approves its use on laminate (low steam power level only), hardwood, marble, tile and stone.

Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop drawbacks

Power button

The Shark S5003 lacks a power switch or power button. It begins heating steam as soon as it's plugged into a wall outlet. BestReviews testers did not find the lack of a power button particularly convenient and were concerned about the stress and safety of having to manually unplug the power cord to turn the unit off. 

Doesn’t stand on its own

The Testing Lab found that the Shark S5003 can’t stand upright on its own like a vacuum or steam cleaner. It was a slight inconvenience to have to lean the unit against a wall or edge if a user needed to attend to other matters during cleaning.

Should you get the Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop?

Busy households, particularly those with children or pets, should consider the Shark S5003 Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop. It’s a lightweight, maneuverable and easy-to-use steam mop that deep-cleans, sanitizes and dries hard floors very quickly — even areas that don’t necessarily look dirty.