The Shark i Robot Vacuum

The Shark i robot vacuum is a great mid-range robot. It is a great vacuum cleaner that comes with some interesting features.

It does a thorough job of cleaning and utilizes rows-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also performs well with rugs and maneuver over rug tassels.

Features

The Shark i has a number of outstanding features, such as its smart navigation technology and self-empty dock. Its IQ navigation system uses an array of grids for cleaning room-by-room. This ensures that no part of your home is overlooked. It also emptys the dustbin into the bagless base after each cleaning.

The vacuum can also be controlled by Amazon Alexa and the SharkClean App, which means there's no need for a separate remote. The vacuum also has a button on the top of the unit to operate the vacuum.

You can use the app to create a profile on your vacuum to name it, schedule cleanings and check your cleaning history. You can create virtual boundaries to stop the i from entering areas where it might get stuck or knock over something fragile. You can also select different power modes, to help you reduce energy consumption on tasks that are difficult.

It also comes with a pair of grippy wheels to assist it in navigating obstacles such as floors or stairs. It is able to detect and navigate around obstacles like electrical cords. This is beneficial for pet owners who have small shed dogs or cats.

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

The i is able to be programmed to automatically return to its dock and empty its dustbin However, you need to keep an eye on the battery life because it frequently underestimates how much runtime is left. It may also be confused and restart itself if you say 'Clean the Whole House', which is why you should be vigilant about when you start or stop it.

Design

The Shark i robot has a sleek design and a premium appearance. Its main wheels are covered in rubber treads which give it excellent maneuverability. It is small and can fit under most pieces of furniture. It can climb high-pile carpets and fit under couches despite its size.

The robot is equipped with numerous sensors that help to map your home including cliff and boundary sensors. It also includes a module that can detect and avoids obstacles. The app lets you manage the robot’s settings, schedule cleaning sessions, and look at its history of cleaning. The app is easy to use, though it isn't able to create virtual no-go zones.

While the Shark i robot is a excellent choice for floors that are not completely clean however, it is unable to pick up large debris like hair from pets and gets stuck on surfaces that are cluttered. Its dirt compartment can also overflow making it difficult to empty after a cleaning session. The vacuum doesn't have a self emptying dock. You'll have empty the bin manually when it gets full.

The vacuum's battery is very small and it will run out often before it can return to the base. It is also a bit loud and the app does not allow you to choose particular areas to clean. As such, it's best robot mop combo used in combination with another robot vac, rather than as a stand-alone device. The benefits of delegating your vacuuming tasks to robots is evident. The iRobot Roomba has superior mapping and navigation abilities and also an automatic dock that empty itself. It's also a bit cheaper than the Shark i robotic vacuum.

Cleaning Performance

While it can be tricky to get used to the robotic noise that is a part of any robot vacuum The Shark IQ seems to perform pretty well in the area of vacuuming. It doesn't get lost and repeat steps as do older Shark robots, like the ION85 or RV871. The iQ also does a great job of mapping your home with an app-generated map that allows you to name rooms so that it can determine where to go, thereby making it more efficient than ION 85 in terms of not wasting time navigating the same areas again.

However, it struggles with bare floors and rugs. It is able to pick up small particles, but pet hair and heavier objects such as rice and cereal can overwhelm it. The dirt compartment can grow quickly and its suction capacity will decrease as it fills. This model is not suitable for bare floors or carpets with piles that are high. It also has a tendency to block easily when it comes into contact with furniture that is tangled or tipping, as well as hanging items such as rug tassels, electrical cords, and rug tassels.

Fortunately, it's easy to eliminate these issues by emptying the bin in its base. It also automatically empty its contents into the bin when it's full. This saves you the hassle of emptying the bin after every run. The large dust bin only requires emptying it every 30 days. This can lower costs for ownership in the long run.

The SharkClean App allows you to set up different cleaning modes and check the battery life, set up schedules, see your cleaning history, and create virtual boundaries to stop it from entering areas where it may get stuck or knock fragile objects over. The iQ can also be operated manually using its remote control, which features directions for guiding it around your home.

Battery Life

This vacuum cleaner has exceptional battery performance even in its high-suction "Max" mode. It can run for up to an hour at that setting, and it's more than enough for most cleaning sessions in the majority of rooms. It also has a more efficient energy-efficient Eco mode that extends its maximum runtime to more than 160 minutes. This feature is beneficial for those who frequently change rooms or are worried about running out of batteries when using the robot.

The robot vacuum also comes with numerous impressive automation features. The companion app lets you see its remaining battery life and then move it to a certain area, pause or resume cleaning, and set different power modes. It can also be controlled with voice commands if you have an Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa device that works with it. It is equipped with physical boundary markers to ensure that the robot is kept out of certain areas.

While it has good maneuverability but it isn't the most maneuverable model. Shark model isn't able to soak up bulky debris, especially when its dirt compartment is full. It is also susceptible to get stuck on rug tassels and electrical cords, and can get stuck between the legs of chairs.

Overall overall, the Shark IQ robotic vacuum is a good option for those looking for an affordable robot that has good mapping capabilities and user-friendly features. However, it's not a better option than the Roborock S7 for most purposes. The Roborock S7 is more durable and comes with fewer maintenance requirements. It also has lower costs. It recharges faster and has a longer battery life and is more effective on floors with carpets and unfinished.