Bissell vs Shark Steam Mop: Which Is Better? (November 2026)

On this page (9 sections)

1. Bissell vs Shark steam mop: the quick verdict
2. The two brands side by side
3. Scrubbing power: which mop cleans dried messes better?
4. Steam settings and control: how much choice do you get?
5. Weight and handling: which is easier to use?
6. Pads, tanks and refills: which is easier to live with?
7. Who should buy which?
8. How we scored these steam mops
9. Verdict: which steam mop wins for most homes?

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A is the better steam mop for most homes, because its Easy Scrubber and 3 steam settings handle stuck-on messes better. The Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 is the lighter choice for quick daily passes.

This Bissell vs Shark steam mop comparison looks at four models across the two brands. Two are scrubbing-focused Bissell PowerFresh units, and two are lightweight Shark mops.

We compared the specs and features each brand lists. Then we matched them to the jobs people actually use a steam mop for: tile kitchens, sealed wood floors and grout lines.

Bissell vs Shark steam mop: the quick verdict

Bissell wins this comparison for most readers, led by the PowerFresh 1940A. Its built-in scrubber and three steam levels give you more ways to attack dried food, sticky spots and grout.

Shark's strength is weight. The S3501 comes in at 4.9 lb and the S1000 at 4.6 lb, against 6.2 lb for both Bissell mops.

If you carry a mop up stairs or between floors, that difference is real.

The Bissell 1940A also offers the most steam control of the four. You can pick a light setting for a quick refresh and a stronger one for a greasy kitchen floor.

So the short answer: Bissell for scrubbing power and steam choices, Shark for light weight and simple everyday mopping. The rest of this post explains where each one pulls ahead.

The two brands side by side

Bissell leans toward scrubbing tools and steam settings; Shark leans toward light weight and pad convenience. Here is how the four models line up on the specs that decide the choice.

The table shows the pattern clearly. Bissell puts its effort into brushes and steam modes.

The PowerFresh 1940A has a flip-down Easy Scrubber and 3 settings, while the Deluxe 1806 has a SpotBoost brush and two modes.

Shark puts its effort into handling. Both Shark mops stay under 5 lb, use swivel steering and ship with washable pads you can toss in the washer.

What each brand does well

Bissell's scrubber design means you don't need to press harder to loosen dried cereal or a sauce spill. You flip the brush down and let the steam and bristles do the work.

Shark's double-sided pads are the standout feature on the S3501. When one side gets grimy, flip the head and keep cleaning on the fresh side, then wash both pads later.

Both brands use steam to sanitize. Bissell says its mops remove 99.9% of germs and bacteria when used as directed, and Shark makes the same claim for common household bacteria with just water.

Scrubbing power: which mop cleans dried messes better?

Bissell wins on scrubbing power because both PowerFresh mops include a built-in brush. Shark's mops here rely on steam and pad texture alone.

The PowerFresh 1940A's Easy Scrubber flips down from the mop head. Bissell says it breaks up dried-on messes and grout buildup without extra pressure from you.

The Deluxe 1806 uses a SpotBoost brush for sticky spots and dried grime. It is a slightly different design, but the goal is the same: loosen what the pad alone can't lift.

Where the Shark mops fall short on grime

The Shark S3501 and S1000 clean with steam and microfiber Dirt Grip pads. The S3501's dual-sided pads add scrubbing texture and let you flip to a clean side, but there is no brush attachment.

For everyday dust and light film on a kitchen floor, that is enough. For a hardened spill or a grout line that has gone dark, expect more passes and more effort.

If grout is your main problem, our guide to the best Bissell steam mops covers the models with the strongest scrubbing tools. That is where Bissell's design advantage pays off most.

Steam settings and control: how much choice do you get?

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A gives you the most control with 3 steam settings. The Deluxe 1806 offers two, and the Shark mops run on a single steam level.

More settings mean you can match steam to the mess. A low setting is enough for a quick refresh of a sealed wood floor, while a high setting suits a greasy tile kitchen.

The 1940A's three levels cover quick refreshes, everyday dirt and tough stuck-on spills according to Bissell. That range is the main reason it takes the top score here.

One steam level is not a dealbreaker

The Shark mops keep it simple. You fill the tank, wait about 30 seconds and start mopping.

There is no dial to think about.

That simplicity suits a household that wants one setting for all sealed floors. It also reduces the chance of using too much steam on a delicate finish.

If you like adjusting how much steam hits the floor, Bissell is the brand to pick. If you want set-and-go, Shark's single level is easier.

Weight and handling: which is easier to use?

Shark wins on weight and handling. Both Shark mops weigh under 5 lb and use swivel steering for tight spots.

The Bissell mops weigh 6.2 lb each.

The S3501 weighs 4.9 lb and the S1000 weighs 4.6 lb. Over a whole house, and especially up and down stairs, that lighter build is easier on your arms.

Both Shark mops have swivel steering. The head turns to reach around furniture legs and into corners without moving the whole mop body.

Bissell's weight buys stability

The Bissell mops are about 1.3 lb heavier than the S3501. That extra weight sits over the scrubbing head, which can help when you press down on a stubborn spot.

The 1940A also has a 23 ft power cord, the longest here. That means fewer outlet changes as you move between rooms.

The Shark S3501 has a long cord too, while the S1000's cord runs 18 ft. In a large open floor plan, the longer Bissell cord is the more convenient option.

Pads, tanks and refills: which is easier to live with?

Both brands use washable microfiber pads and removable tanks, so daily upkeep is close. The difference is in pad design and how often you stop to refill.

The Shark S3501 includes 2 double-sided pads. You can flip the head to use both sides, which stretches a cleaning session before you need to wash pads.

Bissell supplies reusable washable microfiber pads with its PowerFresh mops. The 1940A's tank holds 16 fl oz and is removable for refills at the sink.

Tank size and fill routine

The Bissell 1940A's 16 fl oz tank is smaller than the Deluxe 1806's roughly 0.56 liter tank. The Shark S3501 holds 15.2 fl oz and the S1000 holds 12.68 fl oz.

A bigger tank means fewer trips to the faucet on a full-house clean. The removable design on the 1940A and the S1000 makes those refills quick.

The Deluxe 1806 includes a measuring cup for filling. Bissell also offers Spring Breeze scent discs for the 1940A and Deluxe, which add a fragrance while you mop if you like that.

Scent discs and floor care

The scent discs are optional and slot into a tray on the Bissell mops. They don't change the cleaning job, but they do leave a fresh smell behind.

Whatever mop you choose, wash pads as the care instructions direct. Let them dry fully before the next use so they don't carry damp smells between cleaning sessions.

For a closer look at the Shark's pad system and how it handles a full room, read our Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 review. It covers the double-sided pads and the 30-second heat time in detail.

Who should buy which?

Buy Bissell if scrubbing is your priority; buy Shark if light weight and simple handling matter more. Your floor type and how often you mop decide the winner.

Buy the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A if you deal with stuck-on messes

Choose the 1940A for a family kitchen with spills, pets and grout lines. The Easy Scrubber plus 3 steam settings covers the widest range of messes here.

It is also the pick for a large floor plan, thanks to the 23 ft cord and 16 fl oz tank. You'll spend less time hunting for outlets and refilling.

Buy the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 if scent matters to you

Pick the Deluxe if you want a fresh scent while cleaning and still need a brush for spots. Its SpotBoost brush and scent disc tray suit a home where mopping is part of the weekly routine.

It offers two steam modes rather than three, so it sits below the 1940A on control. The scrubbing tools still make it a solid everyday mop.

Buy the Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 if you want light, simple mopping

The S3501 suits anyone who carries a mop between floors or wants to flip to a clean pad side mid-clean. Its 4.9 lb build and dual-sided pads make daily passes easy.

Skip it if dried spills and grout are regular problems. Without a scrubber, those jobs take more effort and more passes.

Buy the Shark Steam Mop S1000 if you need a light starter mop

The S1000 fits a small apartment or a spare room where storage and weight matter most. At 4.6 lb, it is the lightest mop in this comparison.

Its shorter 18 ft cord and single steam level keep it simple. That makes it the budget-minded starter pick for light sealed-floor cleaning.

If you want to see how the Shark range compares across models, our roundup of the best Shark steam mops is the place to start. And if you're weighing a steam mop against a wet-dry floor machine, our Shark Steam and Scrub vs Bissell SpinWave comparison covers that choice.

How we scored these steam mops

Scores weigh specs, features and how well each mop fits what a typical steam mop buyer needs. The Bissell 1940A's scrubber and 3 steam settings earned it the top spot at 9.

The Shark S3501 scored 8.8 on the strength of its light weight, double-sided pads and swivel steering. It loses points for having no scrubber and one steam level.

The Deluxe 1806 scored 8.3 because it offers a brush and scent discs but only two steam modes. The Shark S1000 scored 7.5 as the simplest, lightest option with the shortest cord.

All four use steam to sanitize sealed hard floors without chemicals. That makes the real differences about scrubbing tools, steam control and weight, not cleaning method.

Verdict: which steam mop wins for most homes?

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A wins this Bissell vs Shark steam mop comparison. Its Easy Scrubber and 3 steam settings give most households the best mix of cleaning power and control.

Pick the Shark S3501 instead if you want a light mop you can flip and carry easily. It is the better fit for quick daily passes on sealed floors without much scrubbing.

The other two models serve narrower needs. The Bissell Deluxe 1806 suits scent lovers who still want a brush, and the Shark S1000 is the light starter mop for small spaces.

If scrubbing and steam control matter more than weight, buy Bissell. If you want the lightest handling for everyday mopping, buy Shark.

Either way, stick to sealed hard floors and follow the manual for your finish.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bissell or Shark better for steam mopping?

Bissell is better for scrubbing dried messes, since its PowerFresh mops include a flip-down scrubber or SpotBoost brush. Shark is the stronger pick when low weight and quick daily passes matter more than deep scrubbing on sealed floors.

Which steam mop is lighter, Bissell or Shark?

The Shark mops are lighter. The S3501 weighs 4.9 lb and the S1000 weighs 4.6 lb, while both Bissell mops here weigh 6.2 lb.

That gap matters most on stairs and in rooms where you lift the mop often.

Can Bissell and Shark steam mops clean grout?

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A has a flip-down Easy Scrubber aimed at grout buildup and dried spills. Shark's S3501 and S1000 rely on steam and pads alone, so grout lines need more passes or a separate brush.

Do these steam mops work on sealed hardwood?

Yes. All four are designed for sealed hard floors, including sealed hardwood, tile, laminate and vinyl.

Bissell lists granite and marble too.

Avoid unsealed wood, and follow each manual's guidance on finishes and test patches.

How long does a steam mop take to heat up?

All four models here reach steam in about 30 seconds according to the brands. That makes them practical for spot cleanups as well as full-room mopping, without a long wait after you fill the tank.

Are the mop pads machine washable?

Yes. Bissell supplies reusable washable microfiber pads with the PowerFresh mops, and Shark includes machine washable Dirt Grip or double-sided pads with its steam mops.

Wash them as the care instructions direct and let them dry fully before reuse.