The Shark i Robot Vacuum

The Shark i robot vacuum is a fantastic mid-range robotic. It's a fantastic vacuum cleaner with some cool features.

It does a thorough job of cleaning and employs row-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also does well on rugs and can be able to maneuver over tassels of rugs.

Features

Shark i is a robot vacuum cleaner that has a variety of notable features. This includes its smart navigation system, as well as its self-emptying dock. Its IQ navigation utilizes a matrix grid to clean each room, which means no part of your home is overlooked. It also empties the dustbin into the bagless base after each cleaning.

The i can be controlled via both the SharkClean app and Amazon Alexa, so you can control it using your voice without the need for an additional remote. The vacuum also has a button at the top robot vacuum cleaner that allows you to control the vacuum.

The app allows you to create a profile for your vacuum to name it, schedule cleanings and see the history of cleaning. You can also create virtual boundaries to prevent the i from entering areas it could be stuck in or knock over fragile objects. You can also select different power modes to save energy when working on tough tasks.

Other notable features include its NeverStuck technology and the gritty wheels that enable it to overcome obstacles such as stairs or floor transitions. It can also detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords, which is beneficial for pet owners who have small sheds of cats or dogs.

The i comes with three power settings including an energy-saving Eco Mode, the default Normal mode and a high-power max mode. You can design custom cleaning schedules, which are perfect for those who reside in a house that requires regular cleaning.

It can be programmed to return to its dock on a regular basis and empty its dustbin. However, you must be aware of its battery life as it tends to overestimate the amount of time left. It may also be confused and start a new cycle if you say 'Clean the Whole House,' so you should be vigilant about when you start or stop it.

Design

The Shark i robot has a sleek design and a premium appearance. The main drive wheels are covered in rubber treads, giving the robot excellent maneuverability. It's small and can be placed under most pieces of furniture. It is able to climb over high-pile carpets and fit under couches despite its size.

The robot is equipped with a variety of sensors, including boundary and cliff sensors, which allow it to map your home. It also has a module that detects and eliminates obstacles. The app lets you alter the settings of the robot and schedule cleaning times, and see its cleaning history. The app is simple to use, cheaper but it lacks the ability to create virtual no-go zones.

The Shark i robot can be an ideal choice for unfinished floors. However, it is not able to pick up large quantities of debris like pet hair. It also gets stuck on surfaces that are cluttered. The dirt compartment may become full, making it difficult for you to empty after cleaning. It also doesn't have a self-emptying dock, so you'll need to empty its dust bin when it is full.

The vacuum's battery life is limited and often is unable to recharge before it can return to its base. It's also noisy and the app does not allow you to select certain areas to clean. As such, it's best utilized in conjunction with a different robot vacuum, cheaper not as a stand-alone machine. However, the value of delegating your vacuuming tasks to a robot is undeniable. The iRobot Roomba, on the other hand, has superior navigation and mapping capabilities as well as an auto-emptying dock. It's also a little cheaper than the Shark i robot.

Cleaning Performance

While it isn't easy to adjust to the rumbling noise that comes with every robot vacuum, the Shark IQ seems to be pretty good in the vacuuming department. It doesn't lose its way and have to retrace its steps as older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or the RV871). The iQ does a great job of mapping your home. It makes a map within the app that lets you label the rooms so that it knows where it is heading.

It struggles with bare floors or rug. While it is able to pick up small debris, it can be overwhelmed by pet hair as well as larger items such as rice and cereal. Moreover the dirt compartment fills up quickly and it can begin to lose suction power as it gets full which makes it not the best choice for flat floors or high-pile carpets. It also tends to get clogged when it encounters furniture that is tangled or tipped and lingering items like electrical cords and rug tassels.

It's simple to solve these problems by emptying the bin at the base. It also automatically emptys itself into the bin once it's full. This will save you the hassle of emptying the dust bin after every run. The extra-large dust bin only requires emptying every 30 days. This will lower the cost of ownership in the long run.

The SharkClean App lets you set up different cleaning modes as well as check the battery's life, make schedules, look up your cleaning history, and set virtual boundaries which prevent it from entering areas where it could become stuck or knock delicate objects over. The iQ can also be controlled by remote control, which has directions for guiding it around your home.

Battery Life

This vacuum cleaner has exceptional battery life even in its high-suction mode, 'Max. It can last for an hour in this mode, which is more than enough for the majority of cleaning sessions. It also comes with an efficient energy-efficient Eco mode that increases its maximum runtime to over 160 minutes. This is an excellent feature to have if your routine is to switch between multiple rooms or are concerned about running out of battery power while using the robot.

This vacuum cleaner also has numerous impressive automation features. The companion app allows you to view the remaining battery life, direct the vacuum to a specific area, pause or resume cleaning, and choose different power modes. It also works with voice commands if you have an appropriate Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. It also has physical boundary marking strips to keep it out of certain areas.

Although it is able to maneuver well, this Shark model has trouble sucking up large pieces of debris, particularly when the dirt compartment is filled. It's also prone to getting stuck on rug tassels and electrical cords, and could get stuck between the legs of chairs.

Overall, the Shark IQ robot vacuum is a solid option for those seeking a basic robot that is simple to use and offers decent mapping capabilities. It's not better than the Roborock S7 in most cases. The Roborock S7 is more durable and has lower maintenance requirements. It also comes with lower costs. It recharges faster and has a longer battery life, and is more efficient when used on floors that are carpeted or bare.