If you’ve been considering simplifying your floor cleaning routine, a robot vacuum may be just what you need. Robot vacuums from Shark can systematically clean your floors on a schedule, freeing up your time. With advanced mapping, pet hair removing suction power, and convenient features like self-emptying bases, today’s Shark robot vacuums deliver thorough automated cleaning.
Choosing the right robot vacuum involves assessing factors like your home’s floor plan, surface types, cleaning needs and smart home compatibility. In this guide, we’ll review the top 5 Shark robot vacuums and outline key considerations for selecting the perfect model to tackle your floors. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about robot vacuum performance. Let’s explore the exhilarating world of automated vacuum cleaning!
Taking a Look at Shark’s Top 5 Robot Vacuum Options
Shark’s lineup of robot vacuums covers all the bases from entry-level models under $300 to high-end self-emptying vacuums packing the latest technology. Here’s an overview of their top robots:
Shark IQ Robot Vacuum RV2001
With advanced IQ navigation, home mapping, row-by-row cleaning, a self-emptying base and total app control, this is one smart robot vacuum. Its powerful suction tackles embedded dirt and pet hair with ease.
Pros: Excellent whole home cleaning performance. Great for pets. 60 day dust capacity.
Cons: High price. Loud operation. Large self-empty base.
Best for: Automatic floor cleaning and pet hair removal in large homes.
Shark IQ Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base
This robot vacuum takes convenience to the next level with a huge bagless self-emptying XL base that holds debris for up to 120 days. Total home mapping provides systematic cleaning powered by strong suction.
Pros: XL base capacity minimizes emptied needed. Strong pickup of dirt, debris and pet hair. Neatly maps your home.
Cons: The large self-empty base takes up substantial floor space.
Best for: Homes desiring a high capacity self-emptying model needing less frequent maintenance.
Shark ION Robot® 750 Vacuum
With an affordable price, WiFi connectivity, app and voice control, this Shark bot maps your home and cleans with dual spinning brushes. It’s a solid budget-friendly option.
Pros: Easy integration with phone app and voice assistants. Good basic navigation and mapping abilities. Great value.
Cons: Can struggle on high pile carpets. Small dust bin requires frequent emptying.
Best for: Someone looking for an entry-level WiFi-connected robot vacuum for hard floors.
Shark AV1002AE IQ Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base
This high-end IQ robot vacuum is packed with premium features. Row-by-row cleaning, powerful suction and a 60 day XL self-empty base make it a hands-free cleaning powerhouse.
Pros: Strong suction and carpet/floor cleaning performance. Large base is easy to empty. Great for pet owners.
Cons: The premium price tag. Loud noise while in use.
Best for: Large homes needing serious cleaning power and a high capacity self-emptying base.
Shark AV911S EZ Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Base
This affordable self-emptying model cleans for up to 30 days between automatic base emptying. Decent navigation, WiFi controls, and strong suction pick up all sorts of dirt and pet debris.
Pros: Great cleaning results for the price. Base is easy to empty when full. Excellent debris and hair pick up.
Cons: Lacks some higher-end features like room mapping.
Best for: An affordable introductory self-emptying model for those with pets.
As you can see, Shark’s lineup offers a robot vacuum suitable for any home, cleaning needs and budget. Next let’s explore factors to consider when selecting your ideal model.
Key Considerations When Picking a Shark Robot Vacuum
Start With an Assessment of Your Home’s Layout
Consider details like multiple floors, types of flooring, square footage and clutter. Robots suitable for all floor surfaces and stair handling capabilities are a plus. Examine navigation ratings on how intelligently different models handle your home’s layout.
Take Note of Your Flooring Surface Types
Robots optimized for carpets, hardwood or both are available. Bristle roller brushes dig into carpets while soft rollers work best for hard surfaces. Choose a model with a brush that aligns with your flooring. Multi-surface brushes offer versatility.
Determine Your Cleaning Needs
Do you require thorough deep cleaning suction and performance? Maximum pet hair pickup? Basic maintenance cleaning? Higher-end Shark robots have more cleaning power.
Evaluate Smart Features and Home App Integration
Entry-level Shark bots offer basic start/stop buttons and minimal settings. Advanced integration with home automation systems, customized cleaning schedules, mapping and app controls provide next-level convenience.
Compare Dust Bins and Ease of Emptying
Smaller bins on affordable Shark bots fill quickly requiring frequent emptying. Models with bagless self-emptying bases only need emptied every 30-120 days for maximum convenience.
Look at Battery Life and Recharging Duration
Longer battery life means more cleaning coverage per session. Quick recharging allows for more frequent cleaning cycles. Shark bots run 60-120 minutes per charge. Recharging takes 1-3 hours.
Factor in Required Maintenance
All robot vacuums need regular upkeep like brush cleaning, filter checks, bin emptying and cliff sensor wiping. Self-emptying base models minimize effort. Make sure you can commit to the maintenance.
Convenience Features Add Day-to-Day Value
Things like WiFi-connectivity for controlling anywhere, virtual boundaries, scheduled cleanings, and room targeting make living with a Shark bot even easier.
Noise Level Ratings Are Important if Running While Home
Shark robots average 60-70 decibels when running – similar to an average upright vacuum. Affordable Shark models tend to be louder while pricier options have quieter operation.
Compare Warranty Coverage Between Models
Shark robots come with 1 year coverage. Some premium models extend this to 2 or more years – useful given their higher price tag. Replacement parts are readily available.
Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Shark Robot Vacuums
Do robot vacuums actually work well compared to manual vacuuming?
Yes, when selected properly, Shark’s robot vacuums use intelligent navigation and mapping to clean floors thoroughly and effectively in your home. Advanced models have powerful suction for deep cleaning results.
How often do robot vacuums get stuck or trapped?
Shark robot vacuums use sensors, cameras and mapping algorithms to intelligently navigate and avoid getting stuck. Removing clutter like cords and moving chairs/tables out of the way helps reduce trapped incidents.
Are Shark robot vacuums suitable for picking up pet hair?
Yes, Shark robot vacuums are great for homes with pets thanks to specialized brushes designed for capturing pet hair and debris. Models with higher suction power work best for cleaning deeply embedded pet hair.
How does the noise level of robot vacuums compare to regular vacuums?
When running, most Shark robots operate around 60-70 decibels, similar to the average noise level of a standard upright vacuum. More affordable robot models usually have louder operation than premium bots.
Will a Shark robot vacuum fall down stairs?
No need to worry about stairs. Shark robot vacuums have sensors and mapping capabilities to detect cliffs and stairs, preventing falls. For extra precaution, you can use boundary strips to block off stair access as well.
How long can Shark’s robot vacuums run before needing a recharge?
Run times range between 60-120 minutes depending on model, giving the robots ample time to clean multiple rooms or levels before automatically returning to their base to recharge.
Are Shark robot vacuums good at avoiding obstacles like furniture legs and cords?
Yes, Shark robots use intelligent mapping combined with object detection sensors and navigation algorithms to maneuver around common obstacles in your home. They are adept at avoiding bumps and getting stuck.
Can Shark robot vacuums handle and clean high-pile carpets?
It depends on the model. Some handle most carpets with ease. Others may struggle on very thick or high-pile carpets. Look for a model with a multi-surface brush roll for the best results on varying carpet types.
Can you set virtual boundaries or no-go zones?
Yes, all Shark robot vacuums either support using virtual boundaries set within the mobile app or physical boundary strips laid on the floor to define areas you want the robot to avoid. This lets you restrict access.
Do the removable batteries wear out over time?
Like all lithium-ion batteries, the batteries in Shark robot vacuums slowly lose capacity over time. When running time noticeably decreases after 1-2 years, replacement batteries can be purchased to restore full cleaning runtime.
Key Takeaways for Finding Your Perfect Shark Robot Vacuum
- Consider you home’s layout and flooring to select a model optimized for effective navigation and cleaning performance.
- Models with high suction and advanced features provide the most thorough automated cleaning, especially for pet owners.
- Shark has budget-friendly options under $300 to pricey self-emptying robots with smart home integration over $600.
- Larger dust bins or self-emptying bases minimize required maintenance.
- Convenience features like WiFi controls and mapping provide next-level home automation integration.
- Make sure the warranty, noise level, and maintenance needs fit your situation.
Shark’s robot vacuum lineup truly offers options to meet any need and budget. Take time to review the models available along with these key selection factors to determine the perfect robot vacuum for your home. The future of hands-free floor cleaning is here!
