To say that I was thrilled to receive the opportunity to test the new Shark PowerDetect Thermacharged 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop (RV2920XE) is an understatement. Though we don’t have pets at home, we do have a busy toddler, and our floors are always in need of attention.
I eagerly unboxed this robot vacuum and was just as impressed as I thought I’d be over several days of hands-free cleaning.
My Favorite Things
Super-simple setup.
Excellent cleaning performance.
Spot cleaning and targeted mopping.
Very quiet while running.
Key Features and Findings
Daily floor cleaning is essential in our house, but the experience of a completely hands-off experience is brand new to me, and a bit of a revelation! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a manual vacuum and mop after seeing what this Shark 2-in-1 can do to simplify my cleaning routine.
The PowerDetect 2-in-1 self-docks, self-empties, and self-cleans.
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
- Assembly and Setup. The Shark RV2920XE isn’t quite plug and play, but it was so straightforward and enjoyable to set up. I followed an included one-sheet quick-start guide that walked me through dock placement, attaching the side brush, prepping the mopping solution, and starting the initial connection to the Shark app. Nothing was unclear or cumbersome.
- SharkClean App. Smart robot vacuums require a companion app to unlock their full potential, and the Shark app experience proved virtually hiccup-free. Detecting my vacuum happened quickly, as did connecting to my home Wi-Fi network. The app also provides step-by-step guidance around the first exploratory clean and mapping. Returning to the app to edit completed mappings, adjusting notification settings, mopping pad heating duration, and more is intuitive. Though I didn’t try it, scheduling cleanings is also an option through the Shark app. One downside is the inability to map multiple levels, but if you have a floor of your home you need the most cleaning help with or a single-floor layout in an apartment, this robot is likely a perfect match.
- Cleaning Performance. I was blown away by the cleaning quality right out of the gate. And this little robot vacuum just became more efficient and effective with each subsequent cleaning cycle. Setting no-go zones and selecting spot cleaning for tough post-meal stains were true game-changers. As opposed to the endless parade of stray crumbs that always seem to appear after using my upright vacuum, I struggled to find any lingering debris. I suspect that’s because of the edge-to-edge cleaning feature that moves crumbs and gunk from corners. My favorite thing about this vacuum is the simultaneous vacuum and mop cleaning ability without any intervention—including placing the mop pad. Plus, the floor-type detection means that I never ended up with a soggy carpet; this robot vacuum steers completely clear of carpets when mopping.
- Obstacle Detection. We have an old robot vacuum that operates without an app and I’ve always felt that it needs constant supervision. That’s not at all the case with the Shark RV2920XE. This capable gadget uses advanced LiDAR and 3D sensors to capably avoid objects in its way, rather than stumbling and lingering over them. I did have some issues with the base of a table and stray toys under the sofa, but it didn’t take long for this machine to activate its NeverStuck technology to lift the robot vacuum over different surfaces—and to avoid dragging sopped-up mop debris onto carpets. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the vacuum activate what seemed like an extra level of speed to power itself over thicker carpeting.
- Maintenance. I don’t know about you, but the least enjoyable and arguably most important part of caring for cleaning devices is, well, cleaning them. Though my time with this Shark robot vacuum and mop combo hovered just under a week, I can confirm the brand’s promise that this is a truly self-cleaning machine. It self-empties after each clean (and has up to a 60-day capacity bin), refills the water tank as necessary for up to a month, and the NeverTouch Pro base washes the mop pad and dries it too.
- Design. I used this robot vacuum in our combined open concept kitchen/living room space and didn’t feel like it overwhelmed what spare room we have, or stood out like a sore thumb. The base tower, while plastic, is sturdy and the compartments and components are well labeled and easy to open, maneuver, and replace. The vacuum unit does catch some debris in the course of cleaning, but nothing maddening, and it’s easy to wipe clean.
- Pet- and Kid-Friendly. This vacuum comes with the Shark brand’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, to keep dust and debris in and not back into your home’s air. It comes with an odor-neutralizing filter too. Both features appeal to homes with pets, children, and those prone to allergies. Bonus: It has a really quiet operating volume. Though our toddler finds the sound of nightly vacuuming soothing, I could see this vacuum working for parents of very young children and vacuum-wary older kiddos or pets.
Obstacle and floor-type detection keep the Shark PowerDetect on track.
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Important Specs to Know
Model Number
RV2920XE
Dimensions
18.15″ x 14.3″ x 17.5″
Weight
26.9 lbs.
Capacity
68 fl. oz.
Filter Type
Washable fabric
Battery Life
180 min.
Battery Charge Time
4 hrs.
Warranty
2 yrs.
The Shark app offers scheduling, map customization, and targeted spot cleaning.
The Bottom Line
I can’t recommend the Shark PowerDetect ThermaCharged 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop enough.
Though it requires a sizable investment, if you vacuum and mop daily or nearly daily, this device is well worth the time and effort saved. I can see it as especially valuable to homes with multiple pets, children, and loved ones prone to allergies.
Even with just one child in our home, this device made a marked difference in the cleanliness of our most tread-upon floors.
If you’re thinking about an upgrade or your first foray into a truly smart, hands-off robot vacuum and mop combination, this machine is a winner.
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