The Shark IQ is a powerful robot vacuum with a self-emptying base large enough for 45 days’ worth of dirt.
This machine maps your space to cover it effectively. Roller brush does not clog. Self-emptying vacuum automatically deposits debris in a bagless station. Holds 45 days of dust and dirt. With WiFi connectivity, it can be controlled through voice command or smartphone. Works with pets.
Does not have strong enough suction power for all types of heavy carpeting.
Similar to the AV752, this Shark ION robot provides entry-level ease of use.
Various levels of powerful suction meet your cleaning needs. Boasts a generous 120-minute runtime. Avoids stairs, ledges, and furniture. Brushes on the vacuum access hard-to-reach spots. With WiFi connectivity, it works with both the Shark app and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and offers hands-free voice control.
Sometimes gets stuck when transitioning from hardwood flooring to carpet.
This mid-tier model includes most of Shark's top features without breaking the bank.
This model can return to its charging dock, charge, and subsequently pick up where it left off. The Shark IQ navigation provides row-by-row cleaning to ensure every spot in the home is clean. Pet owners find the self-cleaning brushroll to be an excellent tool that can pick up pet hair with ease.
Does not have laser vision or a self-emptying base.
Mid-priced model with excellent suction and handy corner brushes.
This easy-to-use model makes quick work of small spaces and is easy to schedule using the Shark Clean app. Handles pet hair with ease. XL trash can does not need frequent emptying during cleaning. Navigates fairly well while cleaning tight spaces.
This model struggles with furniture and other obstacles.
This intuitive robot vacuum offers outstanding suction power and plenty of features for getting your home spotless.
This AI robot vacuum is suitable for all floor types and uses Matrix Clean navigation for precise and thorough spot cleaning. 360° LiDAR vision maps out your home, so it knows which objects to avoid, and it has a self-emptying base that can hold up to 30 days' worth of dirt and debris.
Some users reported difficulty connecting it to Wi-Fi.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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 free of messes without physically 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 the 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 and rejuvenating itself for its next cleaning session.
Battery life is a key feature to consider when choosing a Shark robotic vacuum, particularly if you have a large home. After all, 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 the runtime nears its end.
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 larger home, you may prefer a model with an even longer runtime. Look for one that offers up to two hours of battery life per charge.
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 the suction power at maximum efficiency. With a larger dustbin, however, you don’t have to worry about this as much.
The standard dustbin on a Shark robotic vacuum has a capacity of approximately .45 quarts. However, some Shark robotic vacuums have an extra-large dustbin with a capacity of .7 quarts. For a larger home, the larger dustbin size is ideal.
Some Shark robotic vacuums are designed specifically for pet owners. These models are better able to handle pet hair, dander, and similar allergens because they offer up to three times the suction power of a standard Shark robotic vacuum. Most feature a self-cleaning brush roll to eradicate the pet hair before it becomes a problem that overwhelms the machine.
Some, but not all, Shark robot vacuums can also perform wet mopping. When perusing the specs of a product, check to see whether the machine can do both.
Shark robotic vacuums have a feature called Smart Sensor Navigation that allows them to sense the presence of 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.
Some of the best 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.
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.
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 strong suction. It also contains a multi-surface pet hair tool you can use to remove hair and dander from furniture and a crevice tool for cleaning between sofa cushions and other tight spaces.
Here’s some good news. The best robot vacuum cleaners are no longer extravagant purchases. Most homeowners can acquire one if that’s the type of vacuum cleaner they desire. 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.
Unlike a brand like iRobot, Shark did not break into the industry with robot vacuums. Instead, the company began its tenure with upright vacuums, stick vacuums, and canister vacuum cleaners. Shark is now a direct competitor with the iRobot Roomba line, including the top-selling iRobot Roomba i3, Roomba i7, Roomba j7, and Roomba s9.
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.
A. It differs from model to model based on the battery life, but most Shark robotic vacuums have a cleaning cycle that lasts approximately one hour.
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 them 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.
A. Shark AI is a line of robots made by Shark with laser technology. Shark AI tech enables the vacuum to maneuver with fewer mistakes courtesy of its sensing lasers. The Shark IQ line also operates using sensors. Consumers have deliberated over whether they prefer Shark AI tech or Shark IQ tech. At this time, Shark IQ tech tends to have more followers simply because Shark IQ models have earned more positive reviews.
A. Usually not. Most robotic vacs are bagless. The debris is picked up and kept in a dustbin until it is ready to be emptied, either manually or automatically.
A. “Best vacuum” is a bit of a subjective term. If you live in a home with medium to large-size rooms, you will probably want an upright vacuum, a canister vacuum, or a robotic vacuum to take on the bulk of your cleanup. Some people in this situation like to purchase a stick vacuum cleaner for supplemental work in between deep cleanings. This is assuming that you have standard floor types: bare floors in your kitchen area and pile carpet in other specific rooms. (If you have a high-pile carpet or even a medium-pile carpet, an upright should be one of your top considerations.)
If you live in a smaller apartment or home, you may be able to get by with a stick vacuum cleaner. A robovac would work in a smaller home as well. Stick vacs tend to work on all floor types, but read the product specs to be sure.
If mobility is an issue, we encourage you to consider either a robovac or a stick model because they are lighter and easier to maneuver, and they are designed to work well on various floor types.
Shark also makes handheld vacuum cleaners. These are great for small cleanups, but a handheld vac from any brand is unlikely to have the powerful suction and coverage needed to clean an entire home.
A. Your answer depends on which model you choose. The Roomba s9 and Roomba i7 are both approximately two times more expensive than, say, the Shark IQ. If you get a lower-grade iRobot Roomba, however, you may find the prices to be more comparable between a Shark IQ and an iRobot model. Your best bet is to align the product specs with your needs and budget.
Other fine makers of robotic vacuums include Samsung and eufy. You can check our eufy robot reviews here.