The Shark i Robot Vacuum
The shark I robot vacuum is one of the top mid-priced robot vacuums. It does an excellent job of cleaning and has neat features.
It is capable of cleaning and uses row-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also works well with rugs and maneuver over rug tassels.
self emptying robot vacuum has a number of notable features, including its intelligent navigation technology and self-empty dock. Its IQ navigation system uses an array of grids to keep rooms clean, ensuring every area of your home is overlooked. It also emptys its dustbin into the bagless base after every cleaning, making it completely hands-free.
The i can be controlled by both the SharkClean app and Amazon Alexa, so you can control it using your voice, without the need for an extra remote. There is also an option on the top of the vacuum to control it manually. it.
The app allows you to create a profile for your vacuum and name it, then plan cleaning times and view the history of cleaning. You can also create virtual boundaries to block the i from getting into places it could be stuck in or knock over delicate objects. You can also select different power modes to help save energy when doing tough jobs.
It also comes with a pair of wheels that are grippy to help it over obstacles such as the stairs or floor transitions. It is able to detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords. This is helpful for pet owners who have small shedding cats or dogs.
The i has three power settings: an energy-saving Eco mode, an initial Normal mode, and a high-power max mode. You can make custom cleaning schedules, which are perfect if you reside in a house that requires regular cleaning.
The i can be programmed to return to its dock and empty its trash bin, but you have to keep an eye on the battery life because it can overestimate how long it has left. It may also be confused and start a new cycle if you say 'Clean the Whole House', so you need to be careful about when you begin or stop it.
Design
The Shark i robot is sleekly designed and has a high-end appearance. Its main wheels are covered with rubber treads which give it excellent maneuverability. It has a small footprint and can fit under most furniture. It is able to climb over high-pile carpets and fit under couches despite its size.
The robot has numerous sensors that help to map your home including cliff and boundary sensors. It also includes a vision module that can detect and avoid obstacles. The app allows you to manage the robot's settings, schedule cleaning sessions, and see its cleaning history. The app is simple to use, however it does not permit you to create virtual no go zones.
While the Shark i robot is a good option for bare floors but it has a difficult time picking up large pieces of debris such as pet hair, and it can get stuck on surfaces with a lot of clutter. The dirt compartment can also become full which makes it difficult for you to empty it after cleaning. The vacuum also doesn't have an auto-emptying dock, which means you'll need to empty the dust bin once it's full.
The battery life of the vacuum is short and often will run out before it is able to return to its home base. It's also quite noisy and the app doesn't permit you to choose particular areas to clean or skip. It's best to use it in conjunction with a different robot vacuum rather than as an independent machine. However, the benefits of delegating your vacuuming duties to the robot is unquestionable. The iRobot Roomba, on the other hand, has superior navigation and mapping capabilities, as well as self-emptying docks. It's also a bit cheaper than the Shark i robotic vacuum.
Cleaning Performance
While it can be tricky to adjust to the robotic sound that comes with every robot vacuum The Shark IQ seems to perform pretty well in the vacuuming department. It isn't confused and doesn't repeat steps as do older Shark robots, such as the ION85 or the RV871. The iQ does a fantastic job at mapping your home by creating a map in the app that lets you name rooms so that it knows where to go, making it more efficient than ION 85 in terms of not wasting time going over the same areas again.
However, it has to contend with bare floors and rugs. While it is able to pick up small pieces of debris, it could be overwhelmed by pet hair and larger items like cereal and rice. The dirt compartment may grow quickly and its suction capacity will reduce as it fills. This robot is not suitable for floors with no carpet or carpets with a lot of pile. It can also clog up when it comes in contact with tangled furniture or furniture with a tipped edge.
It's easy for you to resolve these issues by emptying its bin at the base. The dust bin automatically empty into the bin after it's full. This means you don't have to worry about having to empty the dust bin at the end of each run. The extra-large bin requires emptying it every 30 days. This can lower costs for ownership in the long run.
The SharkClean App lets you define different cleaning options as well as check the battery's life, create schedules, look up your cleaning history, and set virtual boundaries which keep it out of areas where it might become stuck or knock delicate items over. The iQ is also controlled manually by its remote control, which comes with the ability to direct it around your home.
Battery Life
Even in its high-suction "Max" mode the vacuum has excellent battery life. It can run up to an hour in this mode, which is more than enough time for most cleaning sessions. It also comes with an efficient 'Eco' mode, which extends its maximum runtime to more than 160 minutes. This is a good feature to have if you frequently switch between multiple rooms or are concerned about running out of battery energy while using the robot.
Like many of its competitors, this robotic vacuum comes with an impressive set of automation features. The companion app lets you view the remaining battery life, send it to a specific room, pause or restart cleaning, and set different power modes. It can also be controlled with voice commands, if you have a Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa device that works with it. It comes with physical boundary markers to keep the robot from certain areas.
This Shark model is good at maneuvering, but struggles to pick up large amounts of debris, particularly if its dirt compartment gets stuffed. It's also susceptible to get caught on rug tassels and electrical cords. It can get stuck between the legs of chairs.
Overall all, the Shark IQ robot vacuum is a solid option for those who are seeking a basic robot that is simple to use and has decent mapping capabilities. However it's not a superior option than the Roborock S7 for most purposes. The latter feels sturdier and more durable, has less demanding maintenance requirements, is able to bear lower costs for recurring expenses, recharges faster, offers longer battery life, performs better on bare floors and carpets, and is able to move through obstacles with ease.