The Shark i Robot Vacuum
The Shark i robot vacuum is a great mid-range robot. It's a fantastic vacuum cleaner that comes with some interesting features.
It does a thorough job of cleaning and uses row-by-row patterns for cleaning floors. It also does well on rugs and maneuver over rug tassels.
Features
Shark i is a robot vacuum cleaner with a number standout features. These include its smart navigation system and self-empty dock. Its IQ navigation system uses a matrix grid to keep rooms clean, ensuring that no area of your home is overlooked. It also empties the dustbin into the bagless base after each cleaning.
The vacuum can also be controlled with Amazon Alexa and the SharkClean App, which means there's no need for an additional remote. It also has an option on the top of the vacuum to manually operate it.
The app lets you create an account for your vacuum and label it, schedule cleans and check the history of cleaning. You can also define virtual boundaries to keep the vacuum from getting into areas where it could become stuck or knock over something fragile. You can also set different power modes, so you can save energy when working on difficult tasks.
Other noteworthy features include its NeverStuck technology and a pair of grippy wheels that help it climb over obstacles like stairs or floor transitions. It also has the ability to detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords, which can be helpful for pet owners with small sheds on their cats or dogs.
The i has three power settings including an energy-saving Eco Mode, an initial Normal mode, and a high-power maximum mode. You can also design custom cleaning schedules to individual floors or rooms, which is great for those with an enormous home that requires frequent cleaning.
The i is able to be programmed to automatically return to its dock and empty its trash bin, but you have to be aware of the battery's life as it frequently underestimates how much runtime is left. It could also get confused and start a new cycle when you say 'Clean the Whole House', which is why you need to be careful about when you begin or stop it.
Design
The Shark i robot has a elegant design and a classy appearance. Its main wheels are covered in rubber treads that give it an excellent ability to move. It is small in size and can fit under most furniture. Despite its size, it's able to climb over rugs with high piles and even reach under couches.
The robot is fitted with a variety of sensors such as the boundary and cliff sensors that permit it to map your home. It also includes a vision module that can detect and avoid obstacles. The app allows you to alter the settings of the robot, schedule cleaning sessions, and track its cleaning history. The app is easy to use, however it doesn't allow you to create virtual no-go zones.
The Shark i robot can be an excellent choice for those with no floors. However, it is not able to pick up large debris such as hair from pets. It also gets stuck on cluttered surfaces. The dirt bin can get full, making it difficult to empty after cleaning. The vacuum does not have an automatic emptying dock. You'll have to empty the dust bin manually when it becomes full.
The battery in the vacuum is small and it will run out often before it can return to the base. It's also loud and the app does not allow you to select specific areas to clean. It's best affordable robot vacuum mop utilized in conjunction with a different robot vacuum, and not as a stand-alone device. The benefits of delegating your vacuuming to robots is undeniable. The iRobot Roomba has superior mapping and navigation capabilities and an automatic dock that empty itself. It's also a bit cheaper than the Shark i robotic vacuum.
Cleaning Performance
The Shark IQ vacuums well however it isn't easy to get used the robotic sound. It doesn't lose its way and retrace its steps like older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or the RV871). The iQ also does a good job of mapping your home with maps in the app that allows you to name rooms so it knows which direction to go, making it more efficient than ION 85 in terms of not having to go over the same areas again.
It is a struggle with floors or rugs. While it can pick up small particles, it can be overwhelmed by pet hair and larger items like cereal and rice. The dirt compartment can fill up quickly, and its suction power will diminish as it fills. This type of robot isn't suitable for bare floors or carpets with a lot of pile. It can also clog up when it comes in contact with tangled furniture or tipped furniture.
Fortunately, it's easy to get rid of these issues by emptying the bin in its base. The dust bin automatically empties into the bin when it's full. This means you don't have to worry about having to empty the bin at the end of each run. The extra-large dust bin only requires emptying every 30 days. This will lower the cost of ownership in the long run.
You can also use the SharkClean app to set different cleaning settings and view the battery life, create schedules, look at your cleaning history and create virtual boundaries that block it from entering rooms where it may be stuck or hit fragile objects. The iQ can also be controlled manually by its remote control, which features the ability to direct it around your home.
Battery Life
This vacuum cleaner has exceptional battery life, even when it's on its high-suction 'Max' mode. It can run for up to an hour at that setting, which is more than enough for most cleaning sessions in the majority of rooms. It also comes with an energy-efficient "Eco" mode that extends the maximum running time of the robot to over 160 minutes. This feature is helpful when you often switch between rooms or worry about running out of battery while using the robot.
Like many of its competitors, this robot vacuum has an impressive suite of automation features. The companion app allows you to check the remaining battery life, direct the vacuum to a certain area, stop or restart cleaning, and switch between power modes. It also works with voice commands if you've got a compatible Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device, and is equipped with physical boundary strips to ensure it stays out of certain areas.
This Shark model is good at maneuvering, but struggles to pick up massive debris, especially when the dirt compartment is stuffed. It is also susceptible to get caught on tassels of the rug and electrical cords. It can get stuck between the legs of chairs.
Overall all, the Shark IQ robotic vacuum is an excellent choice for those who want an entry-level robot with good mapping capabilities and user-friendly features. It's not better than the Roborock S7 in most cases. The Roborock S7 is more durable and has less maintenance requirements. It also has lower costs. It recharges faster, has a longer battery life and performs better when on floors with carpets and unfinished.