The Steam Pickup is not the typical vacuum-mop we are used to seeing from brands like Shark or Roborock. It’s a different handheld mop designed to provide an alternative and additional solution to the mops we already have at home. The SD203IS model is mainly sold as an add-on for mops you already own or for those who don’t want to spend a lot on a cleaning solution.
What I liked:
Disinfects floors without chemicals
Cleans dried food stains
Lighting at the bottom of the device
What I didn’t like:
No independent cleaning station
Requires constant use of a power cord
The Steam Pickup is a product that’s a bit hard to understand at first because it tries to serve several purposes: Easy suction and floor washing, but it mainly focuses on disinfecting and cleaning with steam.
The first option targets users who don’t want to spend a large amount on a handheld vacuum-mop and are willing to pay around NIS 850 for this type of product. The Steam Pickup does provide a solution for floor suction and washing, but it’s not as large as other models on the market and is intended for light dirt collection—a solution for people who need to clean the floor here and there. For someone like me who uses a vacuum-mop daily to clean all the food that sticks to the floor, this product didn’t provide the solution I was looking for. On the other hand, it achieves its main goal: Disinfecting and cleaning the floor with steam.
The second option is already mentioned in the product’s name—steam. This device uses only water, without any cleaning agents, making it a natural chemical-free cleaning solution that may be preferable for families with crawling babies. According to the company, it can disinfect and eliminate 99.9% of bacteria using steam alone. It should be noted, however, that anyone looking for the fragrant scent left behind by cleaning liquids in traditional mops may be less satisfied here. On the other hand, the floor is still free of bacteria in both cases.
The Steam Pickup is simple to use, essentially featuring only one button to turn it on/off and select the amount of steam. The steam heats up very quickly, in less than 30 seconds, after which you can start cleaning. This model is suitable for all types of flooring, including stone, parquet, marble, and tiles.
With steam, it’s much easier to remove dried stains from the floor, especially food stains like ketchup or sauce. In my test, I tried cleaning a food stain with a robot mop that failed, but the Shark handled it quickly. Stains like limescale in the shower or anything that hasn’t dried on the floor, I couldn’t remove.
At the bottom of the device are two white lights that help better see dirt on the floor. It may seem like a gimmick, but it actually makes using it more efficient.
Shark – Steam Pickup – Requires Power Cord Use
Like other steam-based cleaning products, the Steam Pickup requires a power cord. This is because the device needs a lot of energy to operate. Shark provides an approximately 8-meter power cord, allowing relatively free movement within the room being cleaned. However, when moving to another room, you need to unplug and reconnect it in a new location.
Shark – Steam Pickup – Don’t Forget to Empty the Tank
As with other vacuum-mops on the market, you must remember to quickly empty the dirty water and dry debris tank after cleaning. It’s a relatively small tank located at the bottom of the device above the brush. It includes two small containers for dirty liquids. Emptying is simple, but it’s recommended to rinse it and wipe it with a cloth. I left it open afterward to air out, along with the brush itself, which also requires rinsing (not mandatory every time). This is not a lengthy cleaning process, so it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Unlike more expensive vacuum-mops, there is no docking station that cleans the brush with cleaning liquid and then dries it with heat. The Steam Pickup comes with a plastic base to simply place the device on, preventing liquid from spilling onto the floor during drying.
Price: NIS 850 (official importer, includes 3-year warranty)
Bottom line: The Steam Pickup is an addition to the vacuum-mops you already have at home because it cannot truly replace full cleaning suction. What it can do well is light debris collection and mild washing. Its standout feature is steam cleaning, which removes floor stains (not extremely stubborn ones) and disinfects without chemicals. If you’re willing to have another device at home, it can provide an extra boost to your cleaning routine.