Shark IQ Robot vs Roomba Review 2022

Once reserved for the most wealthy households. The robotic vacuum cleaner is today a must-have for those who want to keep their home dirt and dust-free but aren’t too keen on spending their time doing it using the traditional vacuum. In this article, we choose two vacuum i.e. Shark IQ Robot vs Roomba and make the comparison between them.

The most effective robot vacuums will let you sit back and relax your feet while they move around your home without assistance and sweep your floors.

Many models let you create a schedule of the time they’ll be cleaning so that you can ensure that they are only in motion in your absence.

Some can even remove their dust bin which means you could outsource the job of vacuuming entirely.

It’s not a surprise that the amount of US households equipped with a robotic vacuum increased by 11 percent in 2018 to 14.2 million in the year 2019, in the report by market research organization Statista.

However, with the vast range of models out there, knowing which one is right for you could leave you feeling lost.

Also,

IRobot’s Roomba and Shark make up the top brands dominating the robotic vacuum market today. If you’re thinking about installing robot vacuums, it is logical to choose either of them.

iRobot is a long-standing player in the market for robot vacuums, with the first model launched in 2002. It’s not cheap, but they’re loaded with advanced technology that makes sophisticated cleaning tools require very little input from the user.

Roomba’s are so well-known that the company says they account for 20% of the robot vacuums available have iRobot models.

Shark In the meantime, it has been making waves in the cordless and upright vacuum market with powerful floor cleaners that could provide the same quality as Dyson, an opportunity to compete for the price but at an affordable cost.

The company has since focused on robot vacuums, though its models are available only within the US. Which one do you pick?

It’s all about what you’re looking for in a robotic vacuum and which of these brands you select.

Do you wish to leave the task of vacuuming completely to a machine and spend your money elsewhere, or do you prefer an affordable alternative that means you’ll still need to work with your hands sometimes?

Also read: Very Shocking expert testing of Eufy vs Roomba

Product Specifications

Shark IQ

Roomba I7+

Also read: What’s so fabulous about Roborock vs. Roomba?

Roomba S9+

Similarities Among Roomba I7+, the Shark IQ, Roomba I7+ as Well as Roomba S9+

1. Self-Emptying

They come with the auto-empty base station, where an additional vacuum empties the bin’s contents following the robot’s docking. The difference is that Roomba comes with a bagged design in place, whereas Shark uses a bagless system.

2. Navigation

All three robots utilize the same set-up: a top-mounted camera with gyroscopes, gyroscopes, and sensors to navigate with VSLAM.

Each can navigate in straight lines. However, there is a difference. Roomba can be dynamically navigated, meaning it can determine the most efficient path. In contrast, Shark follows towards the self-emptying dock.

3. Containment

Each comes with a containment feature with different terminology.

Shark refers to it as zones, whereas Roomba has zones for keeping out.

However, the function is the same in that rectangular or square spaces prevent the robot from entering through them.

It is necessary to save and create the map before accessing this feature.

4. Saving Maps

Sharks, as well as Roomba, can save maps, up to ten and one maps, respectively.

Because these maps rely on cameras powered by a camera, it’s necessary to ensure that the camera is on to draw the map on time.

One benefit iRobot can boast of is that it has a mapping function. This is where the robot is running with its motor off. It increases its range, which is beneficial in larger homes.

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Differentiates Between the Shark IQ, I7+, and S9+ Models

1. Side Brush

The iRobot Roomba S9 comes with a shorter five-prong design, whereas the I7 uses the traditional three-prong brush with larger tips.

Shark IQ has a very practical single-pronged design and is the slowest of the three.

Of the 3 models, we love the design of the Roomba due to its shape and side brush position in the front.

It is the most efficient design and the most effective in removing edges.

Also read: These testing results of Neato vs Roomba will shock you!

2. Dirt Storage Is Located Inside the Dock’s Auto-Empty Feature.

All Roomba products use identical 2.5-liter capacity bags within their fresh base station.

Shark has two versions of the system – XL (30-day capacity) and standard models (15-day capacity) and both feature bags.

3. Primary Brush

Roomba uses their bristle-less rubber counter-rotating extractors that work for each model, the I7 and the S9.

Comparatively, Shark uses a similar roller as that of Vertex cordless, which combines bristles and fins made of plastic.

4. Auto Empty Dock Design

Roomba I7 and S9 utilize an incline-style base station that we like because it provides greater stability.

The Shark IQ vacuum comes with a vertical port connecting with the robot’s rear slot.

5. Efficiency

Although they have the same sensors for navigation, the Efficiency of these robots differs.

We conducted efficiency tests on each variant, where we spread quaker oats in a tiny space and determined how long each one completed a single cleaning cycle.

It is believed that the Shark IQ is the most efficient (18 minutes) and is followed by the I7 (28 minutes) and finally the S9 (32 minutes).

The Shark IQ and Roomba I7 required less time to complete each and left significant amounts of waste.

When you consider how much dirt is removed and the amount of dirt picked up, taking into account dirt, the S9 is the most efficient one, almost picking up every speck of dirt following the first attempt.

6. Dirt Detect

It is the only iRobot with dirt detection, which makes further back and forth runs when it finds more dirt.

It’s the main reason Roomba products perform better than other brands when it comes to cleaning carpets, despite the limited airflow.

7. App Features

Either brands offer smartphone apps on your preferred app stores for IOS along with Android.

The IQ robot syncs with the SharkClean app. Both Roomba versions are compatible using an iRobot Home app.

These applications will allow you to access all of the advanced features and I’d suggest downloading these applications.

It is important to note that these devices can only be used with 2.4G WiFi networks, not 5G.

Map Saving

The most crucial feature for the robots in this category is saving maps that unlock various other options.

One difference is that iRobot can store up to 10 levels of maps – which is the most among the robots we’ve examined.

Comparatively, Shark can save just one level, which is a disappointment with the smaller dock that is easier to move.

However, only the iRobot application can offer the mapping run, in which the robot operates in exploratory mode, with only the goal of making the map.

The Shark app does not have this function.

Edit Map

After map creation, users can personalize it by creating partitions and giving them names.

However, both applications have their methods of making these areas. iRobot lets users create horizontal partitions to separate rooms.

It is a simple method that takes some time to become used to but can work well.

Shark provides a simple method of creating boxes that are automatically wrapped around them.

Once the partitions are in place, and you have them named, you can assign them. iRobot provides a custom room name, and Shark doesn’t. Users are limited to an available list.

Also read: What did we find superb about Bobsweep Pethair vs Roomba 650?

Cleaning of Rooms With a Specific Focus

By pressing on the room’s names, consumers can pick certain rooms or areas to wash using both brands.

Shark’s app version will show this screen every time you hit this play icon. However, you’ll have to click on the job button for iRobot in the upper right for access to this feature.

Clean Zones [Just the Roomba]

iRobot lets users define clean zones where they draw square or rectangular spaces in the maps. We think this feature will help to target areas with high traffic in larger spaces.

It’s similar in concept to zoned cleaning offered by brands such as Roborock, Dreame, and Yeedi; however, the main distinction is that you can save these zones using the iRobot application.

Evacuate and Resume (Shark Only)

Because the Shark IQ does not contain a sensor for the dustbin and they needed to install it to avoid overfilling the robot’s dustbin.

Shark affirms that it is helpful in dirty areas, as it instructs it to stop docking after 30 minutes to empty the robot’s trash bin and begin cleaning the area it left.

Mapping Runs  [Just the Roomba]

An exploratory run in which robots move around the entire area without the motor running to ensure maximum coverage.

iRobot has added this feature to make it easier to speed up the map-making process. Roomba’s biggest weakness is its lower time to run.

This feature assists in easing this problem so that you can access the other features faster.

It’s vital to keep the lights on and open all doors to allow the event to run successfully.

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Extended Clean  [Just the Shark] 

It is important to note that the Shark IQ just goes around the entire area once. To aid in completeness, Shark adds the extra clean feature. This feature uses the battery’s remaining time to constantly cleanse targeted areas.

This is the idea. We tried this feature and did not notice any differences between the standard and extended tests.

Power Settings

Both apps offer the ability to change the level of power. The Shark app comes with three power levels, whereas the S9 app has three levels.

The Roomba S9 vacuum has adjustable power. However, the I7 isn’t able to be adjusted.

There are three levels of the S9 (check the image below) detailed, quiet, and customized.

Clean and detailed activates the power middle setting, which balances the power and running time, While quiet uses the eco setting, focusing on quiet levels.

The customized setting lets users choose the power level and then unlock the power level to the maximum setting.

Control Number of Passes [Just the Roomba]

The iRobot application allows users to adjust how many passes between one and two, making greater quality.

Scheduling

They also have an option to schedule, which enhances the self-emptying benefits.

The main difference is that the Shark app comes with three distinct tabs for the morning, evening, and afternoon.

Unfortunately, it is only allowing users to choose only one scheduled run each day.

Consumers aren’t able to plan multiple runs in a day, but that’s not the situation with the iRobot application.

iRobot can run multiple times daily, with a minimum of 3 hours between the runs.

Technically, you could automatize up to six daily runs.

Also read: Why should you buy the Shark sv1106?

8. Airflow Comparison

Power is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing the best robot vacuum. Unfortunately, the manufacturers don’t reveal universal power figures. However, they don’t, and that is the case.

To circumvent this problem, we use an anemometer to gauge airflow, or how much air is flowing through the main brush.

Below are the test results of the three robots.

Roomba S9+ has the most airflow among the three models, with up to 25 CFM, which is a major reason it also received the highest amount of air.

The next one is Shark IQ, with up to 18.87 CFM, while the Roomba I7 vacuum offers airflow of 8.2 CFM.

9. Cleaning Comparison

We’ll then look at the results of the cleaning in which we tested each one on the presence of quaker, oatmeal, coffee grounds, quinoa, pet waste hair, and sand.

It’s unsurprising that this Roomba S9+ picked up the highest across the board and was the most effective on the surface and in embedded dirt.

Roomba I7 was second overall and was only marginally worse in results for hard floors, despite the lowest airflow.

Which One Is the Best for Hard Surfaces?

In the end, the Roomba is the most impressive among the rest, with near-perfect scores on this surface.

It passed the sand on the floor test with a score of 100%. The eye test confirms this result because there were no remnants on the assembly of brushes.

The Roomba I7 vacuum is the next most suitable option based on our tests. The Shark IQ was actually the worst. However, the difference isn’t too significant.

SharkIQ was the worst in the sand test on hard floors.

The barometer we employ to test these robotics is the sand since it’s the most difficult material to remove.

If the robot performs well on it, likely, it will have no problems with other types of dirt.

10. Hair Wrap Comparison

The Shark IQ and Roomba I7 have the highest performance with shorter strands of five inches, picking up 99 and 100 percent, respectively.

Shark IQ performed slightly worse with just a few strands of the brush.

However, the iRobot Roomba S9+, with its large rollers, performed best, taking 82% of the strands of seven inches.

We had hoped for something more out of our Shark IQ since it has an identical brush roll as that of the Vertex cordless (both come with combs on top of the brush to remove hair knots).

However, the brush doesn’t rotate as quickly as its stick vacuum counterpart, and it slowed down when longer strands were wrapped around it.

Which One Is the Best Robot for Carpets?

The Roomba S9+ is the most obvious winner, both on the surface and in embedded dirt. It can pick the highest percentage of embedded sand with 93%, the highest of all the robot vacuums we’ve tested.

It’s not a surprise as it is the one with the highest airflow, the largest brush, and great agitation.

The other option for carpets is Roomba I7. Although it isn’t as efficient as the S9 in the airflow feature, it comes with the dirt detection feature, where the robot makes additional passes over dirtier areas.

The feature isn’t accessible with other brands such as the Shark because this is an iRobot patent.

Shark proves to be the most shabby of the three for the surface and deep cleaning front, but still a decent choice compared to other brands.

11. Edge Cleaning

The Roomba S9+ vacuum is the supreme winner due to its wide 9” clean path and the square front.

It was able to pick up the largest amount of debris in the shortest amount of passages. Its high airflow, great circulation, and large extractors are the main reasons it performs exceptionally well.

The second best alternative could be Roomba I7 or I6. However, it has left much more dirt.

Finally, the Shark IQ doesn’t impress due to the slow-moving brushes not being able to funnel enough debris away from an actual roller.

Also read: How is Shark Apex Upright Vacuum attracting these many buyers?

12. Noise Comparison

One drawback of high airflow is noise. This is the case with the Roomba S9, which was at the top of the list with 74.1 decibels.

Although it doubles its power output, its Shark IQ is the least loud of the bunch and is the quietest, with a max of 64.8 decibels. It’s slightly louder than Roomba’s I7+ (64.5 dB).

13. Running Time Comparison

Either Roomba products share the same time to run at 75 minutes. The S9 has a bigger 3300 mAh battery. This is crucial since it has an even larger motor.

Shark is the most expensive model with the lowest run time of 60 minutes with its battery of 2990 mAh.

However, the time to run should not be a problem for these robots as they each have to restart and recharge.

If the battery runs low, the robots will charge and resume cleaning where they began earlier.

The time to run will be an issue for those living in larger homes. If you’re concerned about this, you’ll need to go for brands such as Roborock and Dreame that use huge 5200mAh lithium batteries.

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14. Maintenance

Maintenance is an essential aspect of owning a robot vacuum. Much more than a traditional stick vacuum since robots are precise machines that depend on various sensors to operate at their best.

We’ll tell you what parts to inspect, clean, and replace in the following paragraphs to prolong the lifespan of these machines.

Because you’ll spend hundreds of dollars on these robots, running them as soon as possible is sensible.

1. Primary brush: This is among the most used parts that any vacuum robot has. It’s responsible for cleaning particles, and they’ll build up over time. Make sure to clean it each week to eliminate hairs (or dirt) on the rollers and axles.
2. Side brush: The second most battered component can be found in the side brushes. Like the primary roller, it constantly rotates to funnel dirt to the inlet. Hair is likely to stick to the arms of the multi-pronged brushes. Additionally, it builds up hair on the bases. Also, make sure to check it every week at least to remove the buildup and stop unnecessary friction.
3. Filter and dustbin: The feature of self-emptying of these robots ensures that it is not necessary to complete the job by hand. However, dirt can build up in time, so the manual cleaning process is essential. The bins for all three can be cleaned and make the task easier. However, the filters aren’t to be replaced after every two or three months.

Additional Points,

1.  Automatic empty dock: The job is easier for Roomba products. Simply empty the bag as it gets empty and replace it. Shark’s system doesn’t have a bag, and you’ll need to empty its contents into the trash can and clean the primary filter if it becomes dirty. The secondary filter is beneath, which you’ll need to replace each year. Finally, make sure that the ports are free of obstructions.
2.  Drop sensors: Clean these sensors at least once per month to avoid errors from firing, causing damage to the robot.
3. Robot body Clean, a microfiber towel to clean the entire robot body to remove any dust and fingerprints that may be on the surfaces.

15. Availability of Parts

Shark, as well as iRobot, are two other popular brands of robot vacuums. Parts availability shouldn’t be a problem.

Roomba offers a wider range of choices, at the very least for the I7, as it shares components like I6 and I3.

You’re free to purchase aftermarket and OEM parts online from stores such as Amazon and eBay.

Which One Is Best, Such as the Roomba I7+, S9+, or Shark IQ?

Finding the right option to meet your needs comes to your needs and financial budget.

Anyone willing to pay more than $1000 should look at this Roomba S9+. It’s the most efficient Roomba product today.

True, this model isn’t without its flaws, especially with running time and inefficiencies when it comes to navigation. However, it compensates by collecting the highest amount of debris per run.

You should think about something that can clean carpets and hard floors well.

The iRobot Roomba I7 is undoubtedly a good alternative for a middle-of-the-road. It’s not as costly as the S9but without compromising features or cleaning capabilities. It’s not as efficient at vacuuming as the S9. However, it’s also less expensive.

Shark is the cheapest alternative, yet it offers enough cleaning capabilities for the cost. The most recent version features optical sensors.

Making maps should not be a problem in case you follow the right procedure.

4 Reasons to Go With the Roomba

Best Cleaning Performance: 

1. This S9+ is undoubtedly the best robot vacuum we’ve tried.
2. Large clean path of operation: A large route of the nozzle makes S9 the most effective cleaning robot per cleaning.
3. The brand is the one that picks up the most dirt embedded. It picked up 93 percent of embedded sand tests for deep cleansing, the top score over other brands.
4. Great for edge cleaning: A square front allows S9 to be the ultimate best at edge cleaning. S9 to perform the top for cleaning corners and edges.

3 Reasons to Go With the Roomba I7+

1. More affordable than the S9+: If you think the S9+ is too expensive, consider the I7 and a closer take.
2.  A more effective navigation system: The S9 performed more efficiently than the S9 during the efficiency test and finished 4 minutes quicker (28 minutes against. 32 minutes).
3.  Above-average in deep cleaning. It’s not as effective as the S9+. However, the I7+ scored an acceptable 82.5 percent.

4 Reasons to Go With the Shark IQ

1. It’s not loud even at maximum capacity: Shark did an excellent job at muffling sound, making it lower than 65 decibels when at its highest setting.
2. There is no need to buy bags because it is bagless technology, meaning you don’t need to purchase bags to replace them regularly.
3. Small base station: The compact base station is the simplest of three that you can move about the home using the handle.
4. The cheapest option: Shark IQ is the cheapest option among the three.

The Verdict: What’s Better, Roomba or Shark?

Also read: Can Shark Rocket True Pet truly become your best cleaning friend?

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