The Shark i Robot Vacuum
The shark I robot vacuum is considered to be one of the best mid-range robot vacuums. It is a very good vacuum cleaner, with some unique features.
It does a great job of cleaning and uses row-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also works well for rugs and will move over tassels of rugs.
Features
The Shark i has a number of notable features, including its intelligent navigation technology and self-empty dock. Its IQ navigation system uses the grid system to clean room-by-room, meaning no part of your home is overlooked. It also emptys its trash bin into the bagless base after every cleaning, which makes it completely hands-free.
The i is controlled by both the SharkClean app and Amazon Alexa, so you can control it using your voice without the need for an additional remote. It also has a button on the top-side of the vacuum to manually operate it.
The app allows you to create the profile of your vacuum to label it, schedule cleans and check the history of cleaning. You can also define virtual boundaries to keep the i from entering areas where it could get stuck or fall over things that are fragile. You can also choose different power modes to help you save energy on tough jobs.
It also has a pair wheels that are grippy to help it get over obstacles like floors or stairs. It is also able to detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords, which is helpful for pet owners with small sheds of cats or dogs.
The i comes with three power settings. There's an Eco Mode which is energy efficient as well as a Normal mode by default, and a Maximum Power mode. You can also create customized cleaning schedules for specific rooms or floors. This is great for those with an extensive house that requires frequent cleaning.
It can be programmed to return to its dock automatically and empty its dustbin. However, you must be aware of its battery life since it can overestimate how much time is left. It can also be confused and restart when you tell it to 'Clean Entire Home' which is why you need to be careful when you start or stop it.
Design
The Shark i robot has a sleek design and a premium look. The main drive wheels are covered with rubber treads, allowing it exceptional maneuverability. It is small in size and can be tucked away under the majority of furniture. It can climb high-pile carpets and reach under couches despite its size.
The robot is fitted with a variety of sensors, including boundary and cliff sensors, which allow it to map out your house. It also has a module that detects and eliminates obstacles. The app allows you to manage the robot's settings and schedule cleaning times, and track its cleaning history. The app is simple to use, but it does not allow you to create virtual no go zones.
While the Shark i robot is a ideal choice for floors with no floor however, it is unable to pick up large amounts of pet hair, and it can get stuck on cluttered surfaces. Its dirt compartment can also get stuffed and make it difficult to empty after a clean-up. The vacuum doesn't come with a self-emptying dock. You'll have empty the bin manually when it gets full.
The vacuum's battery is very short and it runs out often before it can return to the base. It is also a bit loud and the app does not allow you to pick particular areas to clean. It's best used in conjunction with a different robot vacuum rather than as an individual machine. The value of delegating your vacuuming to robots is evident. The iRobot Roomba, on the other hand, is a superior mapping and navigation capabilities as well as an auto-emptying dock. It's also less expensive than the Shark i robotic vacuum.
Cleaning Performance
While it isn't easy to adjust to the robotic sound that comes with any robot vacuum however, the Shark IQ appears to perform quite well in the vacuuming department. It doesn't get lost and then retrace its steps, like older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or the RV871). The iQ does a fantastic job of mapping your home. It makes a map within the app, which allows you to name the rooms so that it knows where it's going.
However, it does struggle with bare floors and rugs. It can pick up tiny particles but pet hair as well as bulkier objects like rice and cereals can be overwhelming for it. Additionally, its dirt compartment is quickly filled and it can begin to lose suction power as it gets full which makes it less than ideal for bare flooring or carpets with high pile. It can also clog up when it comes into contact with tangled furniture or furniture with a tipped edge.
Fortunately, shark self emptying robot vacuum to get rid of these issues by emptying the bin in its base. It also automatically empty itself into the bin when it's full, which eliminates the effort of emptying the dust bin after every run. The extra-large bin only needs to be emptied every 30 days, lowering the cost of ownership in the long haul.
The SharkClean App allows you to define different cleaning options as well as check the battery's life, create schedules, see your cleaning history, and create virtual boundaries to prevent it from entering areas where it might become stuck or knock delicate items over. The iQ can also be controlled manually using its remote, which has directions arrows that guide it around your home.
Battery Life
Even in its high-suction "Max" mode the robot vacuum has a great battery life. It can run for up to an hour with this setting, and it's sufficient for most cleaning tasks in all rooms. It also has a more efficient energy-efficient Eco mode that extends its maximum runtime to more than 160 minutes. This feature is helpful when you often switch between rooms or are worried about running out of batteries while using the robot.
As with many of its competitors this vacuum cleaner comes with an impressive set of features that automate. The companion app allows you to see the remaining battery life, to send the vacuum to a certain area, stop or restart cleaning, and switch between power modes. It also supports voice commands if you've got an appropriate 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 great at maneuvering, but struggles to remove massive debris, especially when its dirt compartment gets stuffed. It can also get stuck on electrical cords and rug tassels. It could also get stuck between the legs and the legs of chairs.
Overall overall, the Shark IQ robotic vacuum is an excellent choice for those seeking a basic robot with decent mapping capabilities and simple-to-use features. It's not superior to the Roborock S7 in most cases. The Roborock S7 is more durable and has fewer maintenance requirements. It also comes with lower costs. It recharges faster, has a longer battery life, and performs better when on carpets and bare floors.