The Shark AquaReach Pro Vacuum Mop Is the Swiss Army Knife of Cleaning Tools

4 min readThe Shark AquaReach Pro is a wet-dry vacuum that comes with a detachable wand that helps you tackle hard-to-reach areas.The vacuum also has multiple cleaning modes and an LED light for revealing hidden dirt and stains. The Pro model that I tested has a charging dock that will also clean and dry the roller brush to prevent mold or mildew. I’ve spent plenty of time over the years testing and using handheld vacs, mops, and carpet cleaners, and while they all have their place in an effective cleaning arsenal, it’s exhausting to try to deep clean my home and floors while switching from item to item constantly. However, the Shark AquaReach Pro vacuum mop, comes with enough tools and settings to, at least on paper, ensure that cleaning any hard surface in the house only needs one device.Among those tools are the classic roller brush and separate tanks for clean and dirty water. However, where this device sets itself apart from others is its extendable wand. It detaches from the body, has a trigger, and effectively targets stains with cleaning solution in tight corners or high up on walls, elevating this cleaning tool from good to great.ProsExtendable wand is perfect for spots stains and hard to reach areasLED light illuminates hidden dust and debrisPro model comes with a cleaning feature on the charging dockConsLarge floor footprintControls take a while to masterKey SpecsDimensions8.75 x 11.13 x 44.19 in.Weight12.7 lbTank Capacity1.5 liter clean water, 0.8 liter dirty waterThe Wand Is a Standout FeatureWithout question, the extendable wand is what excited me the most. Once you swap the suction power from the body to the wand, you can detach it and immediately begin cleaning tight spaces.The wand comes with a manual trigger on it (which reminded me of an old-school water pistol), so you can shoot cleaning solution directly where you need it to go. This was especially helpful for dried stains that needed a lot more attention than just a quick pass over with the roller brush.Two spritzes of the cleaning solution were typically all I needed to get a good soak going. This, in combination with the suction, was perfect for lifting up some dried soy sauce off the kitchen floor (despite being there for months on end ... I know).Tom PriceThe wand shoots cleaning solution and suctions up messes with ease.Beyond this, the Shark AquaReach Pro comes with two attachments for specialized cleaning beyond just water and suction. The stain scrubber is compact and has a textured feel that does a good job disrupting and lifting up stuck-on food and mud. I was able to use this to pull up a small ketchup stain that had been left for so long I had assumed it was part of the natural coloring of the floor.The detailer mop tool, which looks like a mini version of a microfiber mop head, cleans large, flat surfaces, including tables, tile walls, backsplashes, and even showers and tubs.Its Cleaning Power Eradicates Heavy StainsThe actual classic mop and vacuum portion of the AquaReach Pro gets the job done just fine, as well. The water is well-portioned out, and the suction is quite powerful, so I never saw any puddles or sopping wet sections of floor, even after a few passes.Furthermore, the wheels are partially motorized, so the device pushes forward almost on its own. Considering its power and size, this was a welcome feature. Even when moving through large spaces and constantly readjusting, I never felt it dragging on my arm.Tom PriceThe LED light illuminates messes that might be hidden from the naked eye.Like many modern vacuums, this one has an LED light on the front that illuminates and highlights debris that might otherwise get lost in the color of the flooring. (During testing, I thought this light did its job admirably, but it wasn’t noticeably better than LED lights on other cleaning tools I’ve tested.)While there isn’t a ton of difference between the classic Shark AquaReach and the Pro, one notable point is the docking station. The regular AquaReach station only serves as a storage and charging point, while the Pro’s actually comes with a full cleaning and drying mechanism, as well, so there’s no need to clean anything by hand.It Isn’t Without Its FaultsWhile the cleaning is powerful, and the wand is a very convenient feature, the AquaReach Pro isn’t perfect. The best way to describe my issues with it is that it feels a little over-engineered.Some of the mechanisms to swap functionality aren’t intuitive or require multiple steps. For instance, using the wand requires me to set the vacuum mop upright, press down a lever to change the suction, and then press a different release button to unlatch it from the body. It isn’t rocket science, but it also wasn’t straightforward.Tom PriceThe dock also works to clean and dry the brush roll.The dry setting also isn’t anything to write home about. I would really only choose to use this in tandem with water and cleaning solution. As a dry vacuum, the roller brush is adequate at lifting dust, but the brush isn’t strong enough to disrupt set-in dirt or serve as a legitimate replacement for a classic vacuum with sturdy bristles.Final ThoughtsThe Shark AquaReach Pro has the features and attachments to efficiently and effectively clean nearly every hard surface in your home. The body has a powerful roller and quality suction for covering large areas in a short amount of time, while the extendable wand is perfect for spot stains, detail work, and walls.It’s probably best suited for homes with a lot of space, especially hardwood or tile flooring, where the impressive horsepower will be appreciated. But the wand tool and self-cleaning docking station are features anyone who values a versatile, time-saving cleaning device will appreciate.Shop the Shark AquaReach Pro Vacuum MopOther Vacuums and Mops We RecommendDeWalt 12-Gallon Poly Wet-Dry VacRoborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and MopLibman Libman Wonder Mop and Refills KitTom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner's World, Best Products, and Bicycling. Here at Popular Mechanics, Tom loves testing out home appliances, smart tech, gear for city life and outdoor adventures, small gadgets like watches and multitools, and anything else you can find piled up at his hoarder's nest of a desk. Prior to working here, Tom attended NYU, graduating with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. He also wrote for Best Reviews, The Daily Beast, and other publications covering tech, fitness gear, gadgets, and lifestyle products. Furthermore, he covered startup news, pop culture, and even professional wrestling. To follow more of his work, check back here for new stories.John Gilpatrick is a Senior Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics, covering tools, home appliances, yard and garden accessories, and smart home tech. He previously worked for Men’s Health and has bylines on numerous other websites, covering topics as disparate as nutrition, tech, and pet care. He is also a former film critic who’s unusually fond of the Star Wars prequels, and he appeared on Pop Culture Jeopardy in 2025 while wearing jorts and a fanny pack. He is a member of the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS).