Why We Love Shark Robot Vacuum (And You Should, Too!)

The Best Shark Robot Vacuum

The IQ XL has a big dust bin which only has to be cleaned once a month. It's quick and efficient, it never gets stuck and can even map your home to make scheduling easier.

It might not have the advanced intelligence of the iRobot J7+ but it is more durable and has lower recurring costs.

1. The IQ XL

The IQ XL is one of the few robots to offer a true "set it and forget it" experience due to its clever features, such as self-emptying and visual mapping. Its all-black utilitarian design won't win any design awards, but it looks solid enough and feels sturdy. Its features make it a great option for pet owners, as well.

In our tests, we discovered that the IQ XL was able to remove a significant amount of dirt from floors that were not cleaned. It also did well on low-pile rugs. It was able to maneuver around furniture as well as other obstacles and clear the edges of rooms. It was prone to push things like chairs legs and bowls of dog food a little too strongly. It also struggled to pick large pieces of debris like sand and baking soda, off of low-pile flooring.

You can control the IQ XL using the physical Clean and Dock buttons, or by interacting with it through voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant. The SharkClean App is easy to use and attractive. After you have set up your account and connect to WiFi you can identify the robot, look at its map (once it's completed some cleaning cycles) make a schedule, and create rooms.

The IQ XL comes with three power modes which include the Eco mode that saves energy, the default Normal mode and Max which is a powerful mode. It also has two side brushes that can help move debris to the main brushroll and close to the robot's edges. It also comes with an Evacuate-and-Resume function that lets the robot return to its base and empty its dustbin before beginning the cleaning process. The robot can then restart exactly where it left off.

2. The IQ

Shark's IQ robot can do an excellent job at mapping and sets virtual boundaries to stay clear of obstacles such as pet waste, lamp cords and other obstacles. It can be controlled by a physical Clean & Dock button at the top of the vacuum or via the SharkClean App. It makes use of infrared sensors keep it away from stairs and can create an interactive map of your home that can be used to choose rooms for cleaning. It has a self-emptying bagless base that can store over 30 days of dirt.

Like the other robotic vacuums we tested, the IQ is quick and efficient and never gets stuck. It has a large bin at its base that only needs to be emptied about once a month. Its HEPA certified filter is simple to clean and captures airborne allergies as it vacuums.

The IQ is more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we looked at however it is more effective of mapping and establishing virtual boundaries to stop pet waste, lamp cords and other dangers from getting swept up into your carpeting. It can be controlled via an app that is mobile, and lets you set up an agenda and control the vacuum with your voice.

Another advantage of this model is that it has a low 11.8-inch-by-3-inch profile, which means it can fit under furniture the larger models, like the Eufy 11s or iRobot j7+ couldn't. It also comes with a built-in Wi-Fi router and can connect to your home's wireless router. The app allows you to create an organizing schedule as well as create zones that are not allowed to be used and monitor the battery level as well as other information. The only downside is that you need to manually empty the bin, which can get messy as dust flies around.

3. The RV2502AE

The RV2502AE is the first shark easy robot robot vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation, a top feature that allows it to better navigate your home and avoid obstacles. In the past all of the company's robots were equipped with V-SLAM, a camera-based system that works well, but isn't as precise as LiDAR.

This robot is the most expensive of our runner-up picks, but it delivers many benefits for that extra cost. It is a powerful cleaning machine as well as a wealth of intelligent features and a bagless, self-emptying base that can store up to 60 days of dirt.

It is powered by a long-lasting battery, and it returns automatically to its charging dock once completed or when its internal battery is low. You can control the robot through its intuitive app, using your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or by pressing the physical Clean and Dock buttons on top.

You can select from three power settings: Eco, which is efficient in energy use and uses the smallest amount of suction; Normal which is the default mode and is suitable for all situations and Max, which gives maximum suction, but consumes more battery. It can also customize its cleaning schedule as well as set virtual no-go zones.

The RV2502AE isn't our top pick due to a few shortcomings. It's also taller than the other second-placed picks, meaning it's not able to be placed under low sofas or TV stands. Additionally, the V-SLAM navigation can sometimes have trouble getting through cords and can occasionally get stuck in corners or on stairs.

It's a good option for those who want a robot vacuum that can vacuum and mop.

5. The IQ Lite XL

Robot vacuums can make you feel like you're trading one job for another, because they all require emptying or cleaned regularly. However, the $599 Shark Robot Vacuum Self Empty Base IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE reduces that maintenance to once a month thanks to a bagless base that can hold 30 days of dust and debris, as well as a self-cleaning brushroll that prevents hair from circling around it. In our tests, it worked quickly and efficiently, never gotten stuck, and provided strong suction power. It also comes with a Find Robot button that helps you locate the robot if it is lost and also allows scheduling through mobile apps.

The IQ Lite connects to the home Wi-Fi and you can control it using physical Clean and Dock buttons on the top of the device, via the free SharkClean app for Android and iOS, or by voice commands with an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. It utilizes IQ NAV advanced navigation technology to navigate around your home, and it can even spot furniture that blocks its path. SharkClean uses several cleanings to create a map of your home. You can view an interactive map of the floor plan in real time on the app, and label rooms, make "no-go zones" or choose particular areas to be cleaned.

When the IQ Lite battery runs out, it returns to its base and charges itself. It then returns to where it left. This feature is turned off by default, is referred to as Evacuate & Resuming. It's especially useful for households with pets. The IQ Lite XL robot is the only shark ion robot vacuum robot we've tested that has a specific sensor to mark no-go zones. Other robots employ their upward-facing cameras for this however the sensor on the IQ Lite is located between the Dock and Clean buttons.