The Shark i Robot Vacuum
The shark I robot vacuum is one of the top mid-priced robot vacuums. It's a fantastic vacuum cleaner, with some unique features.
It does a thorough job of cleaning and utilizes rows-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also performs well on rugs and can maneuver over rug tassels.
Features
Shark i is a robot vacuum cleaner with several notable features. This includes its intelligent navigation system and self-emptying dock. Its IQ navigation utilizes an array of grids to clean each room, which means that no area of your home is left unnoticed. It also emptys the dustbin into the baseless bagless after each cleaning.
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. There is also an upper-right corner of the vacuum to control it manually. it.
The app allows you to create a profile on your vacuum, name it, schedule cleanings and see 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 smack over delicate objects. You can also choose different power modes to save energy when doing tough jobs.
It also has a pair wheels that are grippy to help it over obstacles such as stairs or floor transitions. It also has the ability to detect and maneuver around obstructions like electrical cords, which is beneficial for pet owners who have small sheds of cats or dogs.
The i has three power settings including an energy-saving Eco Mode and a default Normal mode, and a high-power maximum mode. You can also design customized cleaning schedules for specific rooms or floors, which is great for those with a large home that requires frequent cleanings.
It can be programmed to return to its dock automatically and empty its trash bin. However, you must be aware of its battery life as it is prone to overestimate how much time is left. It could also get confused and restart when you tell it to clean the entire home, so you have to be aware when you start or stop it.
Design
The Shark i robot has a elegant design and a stylish appearance. The main wheels are covered with rubber treads, which provide it with great maneuverability. Its footprint is tiny and is able to fit under most furniture. Despite its size, it's able to climb up high-pile rugs and reach under couches.
The robot has multiple sensors that help it map out your home including boundary and cliff sensors. It also has a module to detect and avoids obstacles. The app lets you manage the robot’s settings, schedule cleaning sessions and view its cleaning history. The app is easy to use, however it's not able to create virtual no-go zones.
While the Shark i robot is a excellent choice for floors that are not completely clean however, it is unable to pick up large debris like hair from pets and gets stuck on surfaces with a lot of clutter. Its dirt bin can overflow making it difficult to clear out after a clean-up. The vacuum also doesn't have a self-emptying dock, so you'll have to manually empty the dust bin once it's full.
The vacuum's battery is very short and it runs out frequently before it is able to return to its base. It's also a little loud, and the app doesn't allow you to set particular areas to clean or skip. It's best used in conjunction with another robot vacuum, rather than as an independent machine. However, the value of delegating your vacuuming tasks to the robot is unquestionable. The iRobot Roomba has superior mapping and navigation capabilities and a dock that automatically empties itself. It's also a little cheaper than the Shark i robotic vacuum.
Cleaning Performance
Although it can be difficult to adjust to the robotic sound that comes with any robot vacuum, the Shark IQ seems to perform pretty well in the area of vacuuming. It doesn't get lost and then retrace its steps, like older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or the RV871). The iQ also does a good job at mapping your home with a map in the app that lets you name rooms so it knows where to go, making it more efficient than the ION 85 in terms of not wasting time navigating the same areas over and over again.
It has a hard time with floors that are bare or rug. While it can pick up small particles, it can be overwhelmed by pet hair and bulkier items like rice and cereal. Additionally, its dirt compartment is quickly filled and may begin to lose suction power as it gets full and makes this robot not the best choice for flat flooring or carpets with high pile. top rated robot vacuum tends to clog easily when it encounters furniture that is tangled or tipping, as well as lingering items like rug tassels and electrical cords.
It's simple to resolve these issues by emptying its bin at the base. The bin automatically empty into the bin when it's filled. This eliminates the need for having to empty the dust bin at the end of each run. The extra-large bin only needs to be cleaned every 30 days, which reduces costs of ownership over the long haul.
You can also make use of the SharkClean app to set different cleaning settings and monitor its battery life, make an agenda, view your cleaning history and create virtual boundaries to prevent it from entering rooms where it might get stuck or knock over fragile objects. The iQ is also controlled manually using its remote control, which comes with directional arrows for guiding it around your home.
Battery Life
Even in its high-suction "Max" mode the robot vacuum has excellent battery life. It can run for more than an hour at that setting, and it's sufficient for the majority of cleaning tasks in all rooms. It also comes with an energy-efficient "Eco" mode that extends the maximum runtime of the robot up to 160 minutes. This is a good feature to have if you frequently move between rooms or are concerned about running out of battery power when using the robot.
The robot vacuum also comes with numerous impressive automation features. The companion app lets you see the remaining battery life, send the vacuum to a particular area, pause or restart cleaning, and choose different power modes. It also supports voice commands if you've got an compatible Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device and has physical boundary marking strips to ensure it stays out of certain areas.
This Shark model is great at maneuvering, but struggles to remove large amounts of debris, particularly if its dirt compartment gets stuffed. It also gets stuck on electrical cords and rug tassels. It could also get stuck between the legs and legs of chairs.
Overall overall, the Shark IQ robot vacuum is an excellent choice for those who are seeking a basic robot that is easy to use and offers decent mapping capabilities. It's not better than the Roborock S7 in most cases. The Roborock S7 is more durable and comes with fewer maintenance requirements. It also comes with lower costs. It recharges faster and has an extended battery life and is more effective on carpets and bare floors.