Disclosure: This product was sent to us free of charge for the purpose of this review. However, as per my PR Info page, this review represents our honest opinion of the product. This post may contain affiliate links.
Product: Kärcher FCV3 Cordless Vacuum Mop
Price: £269.99 (Often cheaper from Amazon)
Manufacturer’s Description: Stop pushing dirty water around. The Karcher FCV 3 vacuum mop is a specialist hard floor, using a twin-tank system to ensure 100% fresh water cleaning from start to finish.
Rating: (4/5 stars) Review: I really hate cleaning the kitchen floor. We sweep up any larger messes with our brilliant Minky Flexi Blade floor sweeper and a basic dustpan and brush, but there are always gritty little bits left behind. The floor is also frequently peppered with paw prints, as our back door opens directly into the kitchen and the dogs head in and out of the garden several times a day. I’ve been using our Dyson to vacuum the floor to pick up the loose dirt, but it has been on its last legs for the past few months and hasn’t been doing a particularly good job. For mopping, I’ve been using a spin mop, which leaves the floor far wetter than I’d like and still doesn’t always achieve the best results. This 2-in-1 vacuum mop from Kärcher sounded ideal for our needs. We can continue picking up larger spills and tracked-in garden debris with the floor sweeper, while everything else can be tackled with a quick pass of the Kärcher. I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to review the FCV3, and I’ve been very pleased with how we’ve been getting on with it. With two teenagers and two dogs, our kitchen floor regularly needs sweeping, vacuuming and mopping, and until now it has been a real chore. The Kärcher FCV3 tackles the tiny gritty bits of dirt while simultaneously mopping the floor, leaving it almost dry within a minute or two. Inside the box, everything is very well packed to protect the contents. You receive the vacuum mop in several parts that easily slot together, along with a bottle of multi-purpose detergent, the instruction manual, a cleaning brush, the clean and dirty water tanks, and the charging station. The FCV3 comes fitted with a multi-surface roller, although you can also purchase rollers designed specifically for stone floors. To use the FCV3, you simply fill the clean water tank with water and a little less than a capful of detergent, then run it over the floor much like you would with any cordless vacuum cleaner. There are three cleaning modes: dry, standard wet cleaning, and a more intensive power mode. The dry mode is ideal for quickly vacuuming rugs or, in our case, the mat by the back door. The standard wet mode provides everyday vacuuming and mopping, while the power mode increases both water flow and suction for tougher messes. We always seem to spill damp coffee granules on the floor, and the power mode is particularly good at tackling them once they’ve effectively welded themselves to the floor. Although the FCV3 does have a dry mode, I wouldn’t consider it a replacement for your main vacuum cleaner if you have carpeted floors. We still use a standard vacuum for carpets throughout the house, but the FCV3 is very useful for dealing with small spills on carpets and for quickly freshening up rugs and mats. The control panel on the handle allows you to switch between the three cleaning modes and also displays the battery level using coloured indicators. With a power button and two arrow buttons to cycle through the settings, it is very straightforward to use. There are also warning indicators for a full dirty water tank and for any blockages at the roller. Once the FCV3 is returned to its charging station, it automatically begins charging, and pressing both arrow buttons together starts the self-cleaning cycle. The charging station includes storage space for the cleaning brush, which is used to clean the dirty water tank, as well as a space for the roller to air dry if you choose to wash it separately. The filters can also be removed and cleaned easily while emptying the dirty water tank. Maintenance is refreshingly straightforward, particularly thanks to the self-cleaning mode, which can be run after each use to flush the system through. The clean and dirty water tanks remain attached to the vacuum between uses, meaning almost everything stores neatly together and is ready for the next cleaning session. I was particularly pleased by how easy the FCV3 is to use. The water tanks are simple to remove and replace, and they are small enough to handle comfortably when refilling, emptying and cleaning. Although some cleaning and maintenance is required after each use, it is still far less hassle than carrying around a bucket, which I inevitably spill. The floor is left clean and almost dry, and anything that makes cleaning easier to manage is a real win for me. The battery also lasts more than long enough to clean both our kitchen floor and downstairs toilet in a single session. Kärcher quotes up to 30 minutes of cleaning time on a charge, which has been more than adequate for our needs, and we’ve not found ourselves running out of battery during regular use. My only real niggles with the FCV3 are fairly minor. When docked on the charging stand, it leans quite far forward, and it would look neater and be more out-of-the-way if it could be stored in a more upright position. It also sometimes requires a few passes in power mode to tackle stubborn marks and dried-on messes. Finally, like most roller-head vacuum mops, it cannot clean right up to the edges of the room or along kickboards. Our spin mop does have the edge here, as it folds up to reach those areas, whereas the Kärcher can’t, so those bits still need a quick once-over with another tool afterwards. It’s a small trade-off for the convenience of vacuuming and mopping in one go. Overall, the Kärcher FCV3 has made one of my least favourite household jobs much quicker and easier. The combination of vacuuming and mopping in a single step saves time, leaves the floor almost dry, and makes everyday cleaning far less of a chore. While it isn’t perfect, particularly around edges and tougher stains, it performs well enough to earn a permanent place in our cleaning cupboard. ★★★★☆ The FCV3 is an excellent time-saving appliance for busy households, especially those with children and pets. It isn’t quite perfect, but it has made a noticeable difference to our cleaning routine.
