Parents, this one's for you! We review the new Shark HydroVac vacuum, a 'vacuum and mop' hybrid that's a worthy contender to the popular vacuum brands on the market
Dinner messes, drink spills, dust bunnies and hairballs are all daily occurrences in my humble HDB flat – such is life with two little ones and a furkid! Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the Shark vacuums in action during the SharkNinja exclusive media showcase hosted in Singapore earlier this year. We were treated to demos of various impressive models in the range – think lightweight stick vacuums and even one with a ‘multi-flex wand‘ to help reach under sofas and beds! However, one vacuum model stood out to me in particular – the Shark HydroVac 3-In-1 Cordless Wet & Dry Hard Floor Cleaner.
I watched in awe (or perhaps disgust?) as one of the brand representatives conducting the demo began sprinkling cereal, milk, noodles and various sauces on a gleaming hardwood surface. Yikes, that’s gonna be hard to clean up for sure. That’s where I was wrong. She turned the vacuum on, hovered it over the mess of food in two swift strokes, and the floor was back to clean, mess-free and gleaming. It was at this point I had to stop myself from shouting, “I’LL TAKE 10!”
Lucky for me, I got to try it for myself not long after – since then, I’ve tested out the Shark HydroVac for a couple of months now and I can’t imagine living without it.
Shark HydroVac review: Top features
Separates solid and liquid waste
Remember how I mentioned the Shark brand rep easily vacuumed up cereal and noodles off the floor without a hitch? The Shark HydroVac features a nifty Debris Filtration Technology that helps separate solids from liquids while vacuuming, making it simple to empty and clean. Perfect for cleaning up all the under-table mess that comes with having meals with children!
Self-cleaning
True to its name, the Shark HydroVac really boasts three functions in one. Not only does it vacuum and mop at the same time, but this workhorse also self-cleans. After each use, just pop it back in its charging dock, and you’ll hear the unmistakable whirl of the brush roll and tank being drained of all its gunk and debris. This ensures the antimicrobial brush roll is kept clean and avoids smells, while the tank can then be easily cleaned out afterwards.
Rug mode
Tiled and laminate floors like the ones in my home are relatively easy to clean, but rugs? Not so much. When I first moved in earlier this year, I had the brilliant idea of purchasing a bold and quirky black-and-beige patterned carpet for the living area to give it that extra zhush. What I didn’t consider was the million little food bits and spills my kids would soon subject said carpet to whenever they snack while watching TV. Tip #1: don’t get a black carpet! Thankfully, the Shark HydroVac’s area rug mode easily sucks up any flakes, crumbs and lint. It does leave the rug a little damp, but nothing a little wind from the ceiling fan can’t fix.
Shark HydroVac review: Pros & cons
Pros
- Cordless
- Vacuums and mops at the same time (cutting down cleaning time by half!)
- Able to vacuum and mop solids and liquids easily
- Easy to drain and clean
- Run time of up to 30 minutes for each use
- More affordably priced compared to similar ‘heavy duty’ vacuum models in the market
Cons
- A little heavy at 3.9kg
- The initial charging time was pretty long at about four to five hours, before being ready to go for its first use
- Can only be used with Shark brand cleaning solutions (one bottle comes with the purchase of the vacuum). However, the Shark HydroVac Multi-Surface Concentrate can easily be purchased online for a pack of three. It also smells great!
- Unable to use individual functions – it will always vacuum and mop at the same time, which may be tricky for surfaces that you prefer not to get wet.
Do I recommend the Shark HydroVac?
Absolutely! Shark HydroVac is especially useful for families with young kids and pets. You can’t go wrong with a handy gadget that can clean large areas in the home quickly. I also relish in the fact that I don’t have to freak out the next time my kids knock over a bowl of rice or noodles. No need to grab noodle pieces with a rag, whip the mop out, clean the area thrice to remove all traces of oil or food…
Now I can just reserve the mop for all those times the kids spill their full glasses of water in the kitchen RIGHT before bedtime (true story).
The Shark HydroVac 3-In-1 Cordless Wet & Dry Hard Floor Cleaner retails at $649, available for purchase at all major retailers including Takashimaya, Tang’s, Courts, Lazada & Shopee.
Thank you SharkNinja for supplying us with the Shark HydroVac to review! All opinions are our own.
