The Shark i Robot Vacuum

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

It does a great job of cleaning and employs rows-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also works well on rugs and can move over rug tassels.

Features

The Shark i has a number of standout features, including its smart navigation technology and self-empty dock. Its IQ navigation uses a matrix grid to clean each room, which means every area of your home gets overlooked. It also empties the dustbin into the bagless base after each cleaning.

The i is controlled via 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 of the unit to control the vacuum.

You can use the app to create a profile for your vacuum and name it, then plan cleaning times and view cleaning history. You can set virtual boundaries to prevent the i from entering areas where it could become stuck or knock over something fragile. You can also choose different power modes to help save energy when doing tough jobs.

Other notable features include its NeverStuck technology as well as the 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 is useful for pet owners with small sheds of cats or dogs.

The i comes with three power settings that include an energy-saving Eco mode as well as a default Normal mode, and a high-power max mode. You can also design custom cleaning schedules for individual rooms or floors, which is great for those with an enormous house that requires frequent cleaning.

It is possible to program it to return to its dock automatically and empty its trash bin. However, you should keep an eye on its battery life because it is prone to overestimate the amount of time left. It could also get confused and restart when you tell it to 'Clean Entire Home', so you have to be aware when you start or end it.

Design

The Shark i robot is sleekly designed and has a high-end appearance. The main wheels are covered in rubber treads, which provide it with an excellent ability to move. It's compact and will be placed under most pieces of furniture. Despite its size, it is able to climb over high-pile rugs and even reach under couches.

The robot has several sensors that help map out your home, including cliff and boundary sensors. It also comes with a vision module which can detect and avoid obstacles. The app lets you alter the settings of the robot, 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.

The Shark i robot vacuum mops can be an excellent choice for those with no floors. However, it is not able to take in large amounts of debris, like hair of pets. It also gets stuck on messy surfaces. Its dirt compartment can also get stuffed and make it difficult to clear out after a cleaning session. The vacuum doesn't have a self-emptying dock. You'll need empty the dust bin manually when it gets full.

The battery of the vacuum is small and it will run out frequently before it is able to return to the base. It's also quite loud and the app doesn't allow you to choose particular areas to be cleaned or skip. It's best utilized in conjunction with another robot vac, rather than as a standalone machine. The benefit of delegating your vacuuming tasks to robots is undeniable. The iRobot Roomba has superior mapping and navigation capabilities as well as a dock that automatically empties itself. It's also a little cheaper than the Shark i robot.

Cleaning Performance

While it isn't easy to adjust to the rumbling noise that is a part of any robot vacuum, the Shark IQ seems to be pretty good in the vacuuming department. It doesn't get lost and have to retrace its steps as older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or RV871). The iQ also does a great job of mapping your home's layout 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 navigating the same areas again.

However, it struggles with carpets and floors that are not clean. It can pick up small particles but pet hair as well as bulkier objects like rice and cereal can engulf it. Moreover, its dirt compartment gets filled quickly and it can begin to lose suction power as it fills up which makes it less than ideal for best budget robot vacuum bare floors or high-pile carpets. It can also clog up when it comes in contact with furniture that is tangled or furniture with a tipped edge.

It's easy to get rid of these issues by emptying the bin from its base. The dust bin automatically empty into the bin when it's full. This eliminates the need for having to manually empty the dust bin at the end of each run. The extra-large dust bin only requires emptying it every 30 days. This reduces ownership costs in the long run.

The SharkClean App lets you define different cleaning options, check the battery life, make schedules, see your cleaning history, and even create virtual boundaries that stop it from entering areas where it could become stuck or knock delicate items over. The iQ can also be controlled manually using its remote, which comes with direction arrows to guide it through your home.

Battery Life

This vacuum has great battery performance, even when it's on its high-suction "Max" mode. It can run up to an hour in this mode which is more than enough time for the majority of cleaning sessions. It also comes with an efficient 'Eco' mode, which extends its maximum runtime to more than 160 minutes. This feature is beneficial if you frequently switch between rooms or are worried about running out of batteries while using the robot.

Like many of its rivals this vacuum cleaner comes with an impressive set of features that automate. The companion app allows you to check the remaining battery life, to send the vacuum to a particular area, pause or restart cleaning, and choose different power modes. It can also be controlled by voice commands, if own 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 away from certain areas.

This Shark model is great at maneuvering, but isn't able to handle massive debris, especially when its dirt compartment fills up. It is also susceptible to get stuck on rug tassels and electrical cords. It can get stuck between the legs of chairs.

Overall, the Shark IQ robot vacuum is an excellent choice for those seeking a basic robot that is simple to use and is capable of mapping. It's not as good as the Roborock S7 in most cases. The Roborock S7 is more durable and comes with lower maintenance requirements. It also has lower costs. It recharges faster and has an extended battery life and performs better when on floors that are carpeted or bare.