The Shark i Robot Vacuum

The shark I robot vacuum is considered to be one of the top mid-priced robot vacuums. It is a very good vacuum cleaner, with some unique features.

It cleanses floors in a thorough way and uses a row-by-row pattern. It is also good for rugs and will move over tassels of rugs.

Features

The Shark i has a number of outstanding features, such as its innovative navigation technology and self-empty dock. Its IQ navigation system uses an array of grids to clean each room, which means no part of your home is overlooked. It also empties the dustbin into the baseless bagless after each cleaning.

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 additional remote. The vacuum also has a button on the top to manually control the vacuum.

The app allows you to create the profile of your vacuum and name it, schedule cleanings and check the history of cleaning. You can also set virtual boundaries to prevent the i from getting into areas where it might be stuck in or even knock over fragile objects. You can also set different power modes, to help you save energy on tough jobs.

Other notable features include its NeverStuck technology as well as two grippy wheels that help it overcome obstacles such as stairs or floor transitions. It can also detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords, which can be useful for pet owners with small shedding dogs or cats.

The i comes with three power settings. There's an Eco Mode that is energy-efficient, a Normal Mode by default, and a Max Power mode. You can also design custom cleaning schedules for individual rooms or floors, which is great for those with an extensive home that requires frequent cleanings.

The i is able to be programmed to return to its dock and empty its dustbin, but you have to be aware of the battery life since it can overestimate the amount of runtime left. It can also get confused and restart itself if you instruct it to 'Clean Your 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 look. Its main wheels are covered in rubber treads, which provide it with excellent maneuverability. It has a small footprint and can fit under most furniture. Despite its size, it is able to climb over high-pile rugs and reach under couches.

The robot is equipped with multiple sensors such as the boundary and cliff sensors which allow it to map out your home. It also includes a module that can detect and eliminates obstacles. The app allows you to manage the robot's settings and schedule cleaning times, and view its history of cleaning. The app is easy to use, however it does not permit you to create virtual no-go zones.

While the Shark i robot is a ideal choice for floors with no floor, it has trouble picking up large debris like pet hair, and it can get stuck on surfaces with a lot of clutter. Its dirt compartment can also get stuffed, making it difficult to empty after a clean-up. The vacuum doesn't come with a self emptying dock. You will have to empty the dust bin manually when it gets full.

The vacuum's battery life is short and often is unable to recharge before it can return to its base. It's also loud, and the app doesn't allow you to set particular areas to clean or skip. It's best affordable robot vacuum to use it in conjunction with another robot vacuum, and not as an independent machine. The benefit of delegating your vacuuming tasks to robots is undeniable. The iRobot Roomba has superior mapping and navigation abilities as well as an automatic dock that empty itself. It's also a little cheaper than the Shark i robot.

Cleaning Performance

The Shark IQ vacuums well even though it's hard to master the robotic noise. It isn't confused and doesn't retrace steps like older Shark robots, like the ION85 or RV871. The iQ does a fantastic job of mapping your home. It creates maps within the app, which allows you to name the rooms so that it knows where it is heading.

However, it struggles with bare floors and rugs. While it is able to pick up small pieces of debris, it could be overwhelmed by pet hair and bulkier items such as rice and cereal. The dirt compartment can grow quickly, and its suction power will begin to decrease as it fills. This robot is not suitable for floors with no carpet or carpets with high piles. It can also clog up when it comes in contact with furniture that is tangled or tipped furniture.

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 filled. This saves you from having to manually empty the dust bin at the end of each run. The extra-large bin requires to be emptied every 30 days, which lowers ownership costs over the long run.

You can also make use of the SharkClean app to set different cleaning modes, view its battery life, create a schedule, see your cleaning history, and even create virtual boundaries that block it from entering rooms where it may be entangled or knock over fragile items. The iQ can also be controlled manually by its remote control, which has the ability to direct it around your home.

Battery Life

This vacuum has great battery life, even when it's on its high-suction mode, 'Max. It can run for up to an hour in this mode which is more than enough for most cleaning sessions. It also comes with an energy-efficient "Eco" mode that increases the maximum running time of the robot to over 160 minutes. This is an excellent feature to have if you often change rooms or are worried about running out of battery power when using the robot.

This vacuum cleaner also has an array of amazing automation features. The companion app lets you view its remaining battery life, send it to a specific room, pause or resume cleaning, and choose different power modes. It also works with 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 good in maneuvering, but it struggles to pick up large amounts of debris, particularly if its dirt compartment fills up. It's also prone to get caught on rug tassels and electrical cords. It could get stuck between the legs of chairs.

Overall, the Shark IQ robot vacuum is a solid option for those who are seeking a basic robot that is easy to use and has decent mapping capabilities. It's not superior to the Roborock S7 in most cases. It's more sturdy and more durable, has less demanding maintenance requirements, is able to bear lower recurring costs, charges quicker, offers longer battery life, and performs better on bare floors and carpets, and moves through obstacles with ease.