The Shark i Robot Vacuum
The Shark I robot vacuum is a excellent mid-range robot. It is capable of cleaning and has neat features.
It does a thorough job of cleaning and uses rows-by-row patterns to clean floors. It also works well for rugs and will move over tassels of rugs.
Features
Shark i is a robot vacuum cleaner with a number standout features. This includes its smart navigation system, as well as its self-emptying dock. Its IQ navigation system uses an array of grids to clean each room, which means that no area of your home gets overlooked. It also emptys the trash bin 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. floor vacuum robot has a button at the top that allows you to control the vacuum.
The app allows you to create a profile for your vacuum to name it, plan cleaning times and view the history of your cleaning. You can also create virtual boundaries to stop the vacuum from getting into areas where it could get stuck or knock over something that is fragile. You can also choose different power modes to help save energy when doing tough jobs.
Other noteworthy features include its NeverStuck technology and two gritty wheels that enable it to get over obstacles such as stairs or floor transitions. It also has the ability to detect and maneuver around obstacles like electrical cords, which can be helpful for pet owners with small shedding dogs or cats.
The i comes with three power settings that include an energy-saving Eco mode as well as an initial Normal mode, and a high-power maximum mode. You can also design custom cleaning schedules for individual rooms or floors. This is ideal if you live in an extensive home that requires frequent cleanings.
It is possible to program it to return to its dock automatically and empty its dustbin. However, it is important to be vigilant about its battery life as it can overestimate the amount of time left. It can also get confused and start a new cycle when you instruct it to 'Clean Your House,' so you should be vigilant about when you begin or stop it.
Design
The Shark i robot has a elegant design and a stylish look. The main wheels are covered in rubber treads, which provide it with excellent maneuverability. It is small and can be placed under most pieces of furniture. Despite its size, it is able to climb over high-pile rugs and reach under couches.
The robot has multiple sensors that help it identify your home including cliff and boundary sensors. It also has a module to detect and eliminates obstacles. The app allows you to control the robot's settings and schedule cleaning sessions 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 good option for bare floors however, it is unable to pick up large debris like pet hair, and it can get stuck on surfaces that are cluttered. The dirt compartment may get full, making it difficult for you to empty after cleaning. The vacuum doesn't also have a self-emptying dock, so you'll have to manually empty its dust bin when it is full.
The battery of the vacuum is short and it runs out frequently before it can return to the base. It's also loud and the app doesn't allow you to choose specific areas to clean. It's best to use it in conjunction with another robot vacuum, rather than as a stand-alone machine. The benefit of delegating your vacuuming duties to robots is undeniable. The iRobot Roomba, on the other hand, is a superior navigation and mapping capabilities as well as self-emptying docks. It's also less expensive than the Shark i robotic vacuum.
Cleaning Performance
While it isn't easy to get used to the robotic sound that is a part of any robot vacuum however, the Shark IQ appears to perform pretty well in the vacuuming department. It doesn't wander off and then retrace its steps, like older Shark robots (like the ION 85 or the RV871). The iQ does a great job of mapping your home. It creates maps within the app which lets you label the rooms so that it can determine where it is moving.
It struggles with bare floors or carpets. It can take in tiny particles but pet hair as well as heavier objects such as rice and cereals can engulf it. The dirt compartment can grow quickly and suction power will start to reduce as it fills. This robot is not suitable for floors with no carpet or carpets with piles that are high. It also has a tendency to clog easily when it comes into contact with tangled or tipped furniture and remaining items such as rug tassels and electrical cords.
It is easy to solve these problems by emptying the bin at the base. The dust bin automatically empty into the bin when it's filled. This eliminates the need for having to manually empty the bin at the end of each run. The extra-large bin requires to be emptied every 30 days, which reduces the cost of ownership in the long haul.
You can also make use of the SharkClean app to set different cleaning settings, view its battery life, create an agenda, view your history of cleaning and set virtual boundaries to prevent it from entering rooms where it could be stuck or hit fragile items. The iQ can also be controlled manually using its remote, which has direction arrows to guide it through your home.
Battery Life
Even in its high-suction "Max" mode the robot vacuum has a long battery life. It can run for as long as an hour with this setting, and it's sufficient for the majority of cleaning sessions in the majority of rooms. It also has an energy-efficient "Eco" mode that extends the maximum running time of the robot up to 160 minutes. This feature is beneficial when you often switch between rooms or are worried about running out of batteries when using the robot.
This vacuum cleaner also has a number of impressive automation features. The companion app lets you see the remaining battery life, send the vacuum to a certain area, stop or restart cleaning, and select different power modes. It also supports voice commands if you have a compatible Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device, and comes with physical boundary marker strips to keep it out of certain areas.
Although it is able to maneuver well but this Shark model has trouble sucking up large pieces of debris, particularly when the dirt compartment is filled. It is also susceptible to get stuck on tassels of the rug and electrical cords, and it can become stuck between the legs of chairs.
Overall all, 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. However it's not an ideal choice than the Roborock S7 for most purposes. The Roborock S7 is more durable and comes with fewer maintenance requirements. It also has lower costs. It recharges faster and has an extended battery life and performs better when on floors with carpets and unfinished.