The Shark i Robot Vacuum
The Shark i robot vacuum is a fantastic mid-range robotic. It is a very good vacuum cleaner, with some unique features.
It is capable of cleaning and employs row-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also works well on rugs and can maneuver 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 system utilizes a matrix grid for cleaning rooms-by-room. This ensures that no part of your home is overlooked. It also emptys its dustbin into the bagless base following each cleaning, which makes it completely hands-free.
The i is controlled by both the SharkClean app and Amazon Alexa, so you can control it with your voice, without the need for an extra remote. It also has a button on the top-side of the vacuum to manually operate it.
You can use the app to create a profile for your vacuum, name it, schedule cleanings and see the history of your cleaning. You can also create virtual boundaries to prevent the i from getting into areas where it might get stuck in or even knock over delicate objects. You can also choose different power modes to save energy when working on tough tasks.
It also has a pair wheels that are grippy to help it over obstacles such as stairs or floor transitions. It can detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords. This is helpful for pet owners with small shed dogs or cats.
The i has three power settings. There is an energy-saving Eco Mode and a Normal Mode by default, and a Maximum Power mode. You can also create custom cleaning schedules to individual rooms or floors, which is great if you have an extensive house that requires frequent cleaning.
It is possible to program it to return to its dock on a regular basis and empty its dustbin. However, you should be vigilant about its battery life because it tends to overestimate the amount of time left. It could also get confused and restart if you tell the i to 'Clean Entire Home' which is why you need to be aware when you start or end it.
Design
The Shark i robot has a sleek design and a premium look. Its main drive wheels are covered with rubber treads, allowing the robot excellent maneuverability. It is small and can be placed under most pieces of furniture. It is able to climb up high-pile carpets and reach under couches despite its size.
The robot is fitted with a variety of sensors such as boundary and cliff sensors, which allow it to map your house. It also includes a vision module that can detect and avoid obstacles. The app allows you to alter the settings of the robot and schedule cleaning sessions and view its history of cleaning. The app is easy to use, however it isn't able to create virtual no-go zones.
While the Shark i robot is a ideal choice for floors with no floor but it has a difficult time picking up large pieces of debris such as pet hair, and it can get stuck on surfaces that are cluttered. Its dirt bin can overflow making it difficult to empty after a clean-up. The vacuum also doesn't have an auto-emptying dock, which means you'll have to manually empty its trash bin when it is full.
The battery life of the vacuum is short and often it will run out before it is able to return to its original location. It's also a bit noisy and the app does not allow you to select specific areas to clean. As such, it's best utilized in conjunction with a different robot vac, rather than as a stand-alone machine. However, the benefits of being able to delegate your vacuuming to an automated machine is evident. The iRobot Roomba has superior mapping and navigation capabilities and also an automatic dock that empty itself. It's also a bit cheaper than the Shark i robot.
Cleaning Performance
Although it can be difficult to adjust to the robotic noise that comes with any robot vacuum, the Shark IQ seems to perform quite well in the area of vacuuming. It doesn't lose its way and then retrace its steps, like older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or the RV871). The iQ does a fantastic job of mapping your home. It creates a map within the app, which allows you to name the rooms so that it knows where it is heading.
It struggles with bare floors or rug. It can take in small particles, but pet hair and heavier objects such as rice and cereal can overwhelm it. Additionally the dirt compartment fills up quickly and may begin to lose suction power as it fills up, making this robot not ideal for use on bare floors or high-pile carpets. It is also prone to clog easily when it comes across furniture that is tangled or tipped and hanging items such as rug tassels, electrical cords, and rug tassels.
It's easy to eliminate these issues by emptying the bin in its base. It also automatically empties itself into the bin once it's full. This will save you the effort of emptying the trash bin after each run. The extra-large bin requires emptying every 30 days. This can lower costs for ownership in the long run.
You can also use the SharkClean app to set different cleaning modes and view the battery life, make an agenda, view your cleaning history, and even create virtual boundaries that block it from entering rooms where it might get stuck or knock over fragile objects. The iQ can also be controlled by remote control, which has directions for guiding it around your home.
Battery Life
Even when in its high-suction "Max" mode the robot vacuum has a long battery life. It can run for more than an hour on that setting, and that's sufficient for most cleaning tasks in all rooms. It also has an energy-efficient "Eco" mode that extends the maximum runtime of the robot up to 160 minutes. This feature is useful for those who frequently change rooms or worry about running out of batteries when using the robot.
Like many of its competitors, this robotic vacuum comes with an impressive set of features that automate. her comment is here allows you to view the remaining battery life, direct the vacuum to a certain area, pause or restart cleaning, and switch between power modes. It can also be controlled by voice commands if you own an Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa device compatible with it. It comes with physical boundary markers to keep the robot from certain areas.
This Shark model is good in maneuvering, but it struggles to remove large debris, especially if its dirt compartment gets stuffed. It also gets stuck on electrical cords and rug tassels. It can also get stuck between the legs and legs of chairs.
Overall overall, the Shark IQ robotic vacuum is an excellent choice for those who want an entry-level robot with decent mapping capabilities and easy-to-use features. It's not as good as the Roborock S7 in most cases. The Roborock S7 is more durable and has less maintenance requirements. It also incurs lower costs. It recharges faster, has a longer battery life and is more efficient when used on floors that are carpeted or bare.