Shark Genius Steam Mop

The versatility pick — an on-demand Steam Blaster for stuck-on spots and a touch-free pad release that ejects the dirty pad without touching it, plus intelligent steam control and dirt-grip pads. Pricier, but it makes tough messes easiest and keeps hands clean.

The Shark Genius is the pick for hands-free convenience and tougher messes. Two signature features genuinely improve the chore: Steam Blaster, an on-demand directable burst of concentrated steam that targets baked-on spots without scrubbing on your knees, and a touch-free pad release that ejects the dirty pad straight into the laundry at the press of a button, so you never peel a hot, dirty pad off by hand. It adds intelligent steam control, quality double-sided dirt-grip pads, fast heat-up, and a sturdy, manoeuvrable build with strong parts support. It costs more than the value options and shares the corded, sealed-floors-only limits of any steam mop, but for the mop that makes tough messes easiest and keeps your hands out of the dirt, it's worth the premium.

▶ Video review

How to Use a Shark Steam Mop