Buying guide for best shark robotic vacuums

Vacuuming is one of those household cleaning tasks that simply must be done if you want a tidy, dust-free home. But it’s a tedious task, and many people dread it. With a robotic vacuum, you can keep your floors mess-free without doing the work yourself. Shark makes high-quality robotic vacuums and is one of the most trusted brands in the appliance industry.

A Shark robotic vacuum is a disc-shaped vacuum that moves around your home on its own, sucking up dirt, dust, and debris in its path. All you have to do is program it. Shark robotic vacuums are compact with sensors that help them maneuver around and under obstacles in your home. What’s more, the vacuum returns to the charging dock at the end of a cleaning cycle, so you can be sure it’s put away when not in use.

Shark robotic vacuums can usually climb over obstacles or objects that are up to three-quarters of an inch high.

Key considerations

Battery life

Battery life is a key feature to consider when choosing a Shark robotic vacuum, particularly if you have a large home. You don’t want your robotic vacuum to run out of power in the middle of a cleaning cycle. Another potential complication: suction power may decrease as battery power drains.

For the most efficient cleaning, a person with an average-size home should opt for a Shark robotic vacuum with at least one hour of battery life per charge. If you have a large home, you may prefer a model that offers up to two hours of battery life per charge.  

Dustbin capacity

The size of the dustbin in a Shark robotic vacuum matters, especially if you have a large home or pets with lots of dander. If you were to choose a model with a smaller dustbin, you’d need to empty it more often to keep suction power up. With a larger dustbin, however, you don’t have to worry about this as much.

The standard dustbin dustbin on a Shark robotic vacuum is approximately .45 quarts. However, some Shark robotic vacuums have an extra-large dustbin with a capacity of .7 quarts. For a larger home, a larger dustbin size is ideal.

Pet features

Some Shark robotic vacuums are designed specifically for homes with pets. These models are better able to handle pet hair and dander because they offer up to three times the suction power of a standard Shark robotic vacuum. Most feature a self-cleaning brush roll as well.

Smart sensor navigation

Shark robotic vacuums have a feature called Smart Sensor Navigation that allows them to sense the presence furniture, objects, and other obstacles. The vacuum avoids obstacles in its path, so your cleaning job isn’t interrupted. Notably, some Shark robotic vacuums are more sensitive than others. You’ll pay more for a model with higher-quality sensors, but a vacuum of this caliber will also clean more quickly and efficiently.

WiFi and voice control

Some Shark robot vacuums are WiFi-enabled, so they can connect to Shark’s smartphone app. Through the app, you can turn on the vacuum or set a cleaning schedule, even when you’re away from home. If you have an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can also use voice controls to turn the vacuum on and set its schedule.

Remote control

Shark robotic vacuums that aren’t WiFi-enabled feature a remote control that allows you to set a cleaning schedule for the vacuum. Simply turn on the vacuum to clean at a given time, or create a recurring cleaning schedule for certain days of the week.

Convertibility

Some Shark robotic vacuum cleaners include a detachable hand vac you can use to clean up messes. The hand vac is lightweight with a high-efficiency motor that picks up dirt and debris with outstanding suction. It also contains a multi-surface pet tool you can use to remove hair and dander from furniture and a crevice tool for cleaning between sofa cushions and other tight spaces.

Shark robotic vacuum prices

The most affordable Shark robotic vacuums aren’t WiFi-enabled; instead, they work via remote control. These products have a standard-size dustbin and basic Smart Sensor Navigation and usually range from $200 to $359.

Shark robotic vacuums that are WiFi-enabled and can be controlled using Shark’s app are slightly more expensive, ranging from $230 and $375. Most feature a standard-size dustbin and basic Smart Sensor Navigation.

The priciest Shark robotic vacuums are WiFi-enabled and have advanced Smart Sensor Navigation and an extra-large dustbin. Some are able to convert to a hand vac for added versatility. These products usually cost between $300 and $450.

Tips

• Your Shark robotic vacuum can get stuck in cables and wires from appliances that are lying on the floor. Consider using wire clips to hold cables and wires above your flooring to eliminate this problem.

• If you find that there are certain areas of a room that your Shark robotic vacuum doesn’t usually get to, try moving small items around the space to alter its cleaning pattern. For example, set a pair of shoes out to divert the vacuum from one spot to another.

• If you have pets, running your Shark robotic vacuum every day is the best way to keep pet hair and dander at bay.

• Do not allow your Shark robotic vacuum to run over wet carpeting or puddles on your flooring.

For the best results, place your Shark robotic vacuum charging station on a flat, even surface. Hard flooring like wood or tile usually works best.

FAQ

Q. What do I need to do to prepare my home for cleaning with a Shark robotic vacuum?
A. Remove any obstacles that might impede its movements, such as clothing, loose cables, shoes, or children’s toys. If there are areas of your home you don’t want the vacuum to enter, use Shark’s boundary strips to block off the space.

Q. How long does a Shark cleaning cycle last?
A. It differs from model to model based on the battery life, but most Shark robotic vacuums have a cleaning cycle that last approximately one hour.

Q. What maintenance do I need to perform on a Shark robotic vacuum?
A. After every cleaning cycle, empty the dustbin. Once a week, check the main brush roll and side brushes for hair and debris and remove as necessary. Remove the dustbin filter and tap it gently, or use a soft brush to remove any dirt that’s stuck in the pleats. Every two months, replace the filter for optimum performance.