There's so much dirt you don't clean on your floor - unless you have this UV robot vacuum to find it

As you can imagine, in my job, my home is like a revolving door of smart technology. Some gadgets stick and save my time and energy at home and others, well, you don't need to waste your time on them. That's why I love it when I discover something that really earns itself a spot in my home. And the one that's swept all other vacuums off the floor (and mopped its way into my good books) is the brand new Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop.

When Shark launched this, the most exciting feature is its UV light which exposes invisible dirt, stains, and spills. It's equal parts shocking and satisfying, which amounts to a whole part, which is the best robot vacuum of all time.

I've done a whizz through of what's new on the Shark and why it's different to other robot vacuums and now, I'm ready to spill the tea on what this brand new robot vacuum is like to use. And the Shark will easily mop that tea up too.

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop review

• RRP: £1,099.99
• Dimensions: 46.1 x 36.3 x 44.4 cm (LWH)
• Weight: 15.98 kgs
• Water capacity: 1.5L
• Bin type: bagless, HEPA-filtered
• Side brush: 58mm
• Battery life: 3 hours
• Cleaning temperature: sanitises the mop pad at 85°C water and dries with 80°C air
• Guarantee: 2 years

Who would the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop suit?

Robot vacuums are always an investment in convenience, but the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop goes beyond simply saving you time. It’s intuitive to set up and use, delivering impressive results across both vacuuming and mopping. Thanks to its advanced detection technology, it adapts seamlessly to different surfaces, from hard floors to thick rugs, while tackling edges, crevices, and everyday debris with precision. The addition of UV-assisted mopping elevates its cleaning power, helping it achieve a deeper, more hygienic finish than many standard robot vacuums.

This model is particularly well suited to busy households that want a hands-off cleaning solution without compromising on performance. If you have a mix of flooring types, struggle with pet hair or dust gathering in corners, or simply want a quieter machine that won’t disrupt your day, it’s an excellent choice. It also feels like a smart upgrade for anyone who’s been underwhelmed by older robot vacuums, offering stronger navigation, more thorough cleaning, and a noticeable step up in mopping capability.

Unboxing the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop

Shark packages the PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop really well. There’s no escaping that a robot vacuum and its base station will be big, but Shark manages to keep the box securely in the realms of reasonable. All the packaging is recyclable too, bar a few stickers. This really helps when it comes to sustainability scores and your bins.

Inside the box, everything is clearly labelled and very easy to slot together. The base station arrives pre-assembled, the robot vacuum does too, so you just need to click one of the two side brushes sent in the box onto the base of the vacuum. You'll also need to attach the ramp to the base station, and then the rest is all part of the set-up.

Shark walks you through all the stages to start vacuuming: you'll need to attach an anti-odour cartridge to the bin (this is a game-changer), pour cleaning fluid and add water to the clean water tank, and download the app. Thankfully, the mop pad, side brush, odour neutraliser cartridge and 355ml bottle of surface cleaner all come with the vacuum, so you won't need to pop to the shops or wait in for an order to arrive.

What is the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop like to use?

Robot vacuums are inherently more techy than your traditional vacuum, so you won't be surprised to hear that the app is an important download.

It doesn't take more than a few minutes to connect to the WiFi and find the machine. Then, the robot will need to recce your rooms, mapping out the space. Other robot vacuums will need about half an hour for this, which can feel slow and cumbersome, but I was really impressed with the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop. It sped through the ground floor of my flat in under five minutes, even navigating the objects and unusual shapes in each room really well. It's a small flavour of the already impressive performance on offer from the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop.

I tested the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop across a full range of surfaces in my home: hardwood floors, tiles, carpets, and thick rugs, which offered a comprehensive view of its real-world performance. Overall, I was impressed by the dexterity and sensitivity of the Shark, but let's have a look at the details of what it was like cleaning my home.

Movement and navigation

From the outset, the Shark demonstrated impressively agile, intelligent navigation. Powered by Shark’s “NeuroNav AI” and “NeverStuck” technologies, it uses a combination of responsive bumper sensors and spatial mapping to move with precision. In practice, this meant it could manoeuvre effortlessly around chair legs, glide under tables, and clean right up to edges and corners without the clumsy collisions that often risk scuffed skirting boards.

The enhanced threshold clearance is another standout. It transitions smoothly between floor types, climbing onto rugs and even navigating a slightly slippery doormat, something many robot vacuums struggle with. During mopping cycles, it automatically boosts the height of the mopping pad so that it passes over carpets to keep them dry and free from getting an accidental mop. Over two weeks of testing, its NeverStuck system proved reliable too, freeing itself from cables and tight spots without intervention. I didn’t need to rescue it once and have been told by the app that the Shark has activated NeverStuck to get itself out of a tight squeeze.

Vacuuming performance

The vacuuming performance is equally strong. Integrated illumination helps to highlight fine dust and debris, while the suction power is among the most effective I’ve tested in this category. It handled everything from fine particles like flour to larger debris such as granola clusters and hair with ease. Impressively, it also excelled in edge cleaning, reaching into kitchen crevices more effectively than my upright vacuum, all without any manual effort.

It’s also notably quiet, making it easy to run during work calls or throughout the day without disruption. I deliberately tested its obstacle handling by placing items like trainers, wires, and debris in awkward spots (not something I’d usually recommend), and it navigated them with confidence. While I did notice the occasional minor hesitation on thicker rugs, some light juddering or catching, this was infrequent and didn’t significantly impact cleaning performance.

Mopping performance

The mopping function is where this model truly stands out. The UV Reveal technology actively detects dried spills and stains, illuminating areas that need extra attention. It’s both impressive and slightly confronting to see just how much it picks up. In my kitchen and bathroom, it consistently identified high-traffic problem areas: around the sink, near the dishwasher, and by entryways. Then, the Shark adjusted its cleaning pattern to spend longer on these spots until they were fully lifted.

Importantly, it strikes the right balance with water usage. Floors are left clean without being overly wet, drying within minutes rather than forcing you to avoid the space. The robot also manages its own maintenance well, returning to the base station to clean and refresh as needed. After extended use, the results speak for themselves:my floors genuinely look brighter, cleaner, and more polished than they have with any previous robot vacuum.

Cleaning and maintaining the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop

The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop is really low maintennace. The dust bin in the base station is bagless, which is great from a sustainability perspective. Even under two weeks of use and my intense testing, the dust bin still didn't need empting. However, when I did lift the bin our to empty it, the fragrance catrgige did a wonderful job of making the experience more pleasant than expected.

The vacuum will empty itself and sterilise and dry the mop pad without you needing to do anything. The dirty water and clean water tanks are easy to access, fill, empty, and refull too. They lift out seamlessly and also are shaped to make for convenience.

How does the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop compare?

I’ve fully converted to robot vacuums over the past year, so I was particularly interested to see how this compares to both Shark’s existing models and Dyson’s premium rivals. The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop sits firmly at the top end of Shark’s line-up, and it shows. Compared to its predecessor, the improvements feel meaningful rather than incremental: mapping is faster and more precise, operation is noticeably quieter, and the addition of UV Reveal technology transforms the mopping performance into something far more targeted and forensic. The older model is still an excellent all-rounder, but this newer iteration feels engineered for those who want a deeper, more intelligent clean, especially on hard floors where stain detection really comes into play.

Against Dyson, the competition becomes more nuanced. Dyson’s robot offering leans into premium design, with a sleeker base station and a continuously refreshed roller system that performs well during mopping. However, in day-to-day use, the Shark’s strengths are more impactful. Its navigation is exceptionally reliable, obstacle handling is more confident, and the overall cleaning system, from suction to stain detection, is more comprehensive and autonomous. The app is also more intuitive, making it easier to trust the robot to get on with the job. As someone who has long favoured Dyson, it’s surprising to say that this Shark has won me over. It delivers a level of performance and intelligence that feels like a real step forward for robot cleaning.

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop?

If you’re looking for a top-tier robot vacuum that delivers on both convenience and performance, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal Robot Vacuum + Mop is an outstanding choice. It combines intelligent navigation, powerful suction, and genuinely innovative mopping into a system that feels almost entirely hands-off. Maintenance is minimal thanks to the self-cleaning base, and its quiet operation means it can run seamlessly in the background without disrupting your day.

What sets it apart is how complete the experience is. From stain detection to surface transitions, every element works together to create a cleaner home with less effort on your part. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but the performance justifies the investment, particularly if you want something that can replace regular vacuuming and mopping rather than just supplement it. Having tested it extensively, I’d happily keep this in my own home, and perhaps more tellingly, it’s won over even the toughest critic in my household.

How we test vacuums

At woman&home, we have a series of tests that we put all of our robot vacuums and vacuums through. We look at the set-up, style, value for money, and maintenance as well as how it performs fundamentally mopping and vacuuming too. We place tests on lighter debris, such as flour and sugar, as well as bigger cereal and hair, to get a good grasp of how the robot vacuum compares to other robot vacuums and traditional vacuums too. It's also important to talk about the app, because this is a fundamental part of robot vacuuming too. By the end of each review, you should know exactly what the vacuum is like to use, but if you do still have questions, don't hesitate to email me.

If you want to find out more about how we test vacuums, you can visit our dedicated page.