In this irobot Roomba i7 Vs Shark IQ Robot Vacuum comparison, I’m going to take a good look at the Roomba i7 and the Shark IQ, in terms of their similarities and differences as well as the advantages that one has over the other to help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
While the Roomba S9+ currently sits atop of the Roomba range as their flagship model (and probably the best in the robot vacuum market), the i7 isn’t far behind. It is a top-quality machine with a price tag to match.
I’ll be comparing it to the flagship model from Shark, the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum AV1010AE that comes with an XL Self-Empty Base.
Clearly, the two robot vacuums are great at what they do and will relieve you of the stress of cleaning your home manually. But which of these two vacuum cleaners does a better job, especially in terms of cleaning performance, filtration system, and runtime?
Let’s find out in this comprehensive Shark vs Roomba showdown.
You may also enjoy: iRobot Roomba i6 Plus vs i7 Plus | Comparison And Review
*The product links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Please see our disclosure page for more information.
Shark IQ vs Roomba i7 – a quick answer
Last update on 2022-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Shark IQ is a great product, but Roomba i7 is better in terms of performance with more powerful suction, great navigation software, and efficient cleaning performance.
However, The Shark IQ comes with a self-emptying base included. With the Roomba, you would need to pay for the Roomba i7+ package to get the clean base, which adds more than $200 to the price.
So fundamentally, if you are looking for a great value robot vacuum cleaner that empties itself, then the Shark IQ would be the best choice for you. If you are looking for the best cleaning performance and smart features, then the Roomba i7 shades it. But both are great choices.
You may also like this post: Best self-emptying robot vacuum
2-minute Shark IQ review
With the Shark IQ robot vacuum, you can happily forget about vacuuming for around a month at a time. With the bagless self emptying base and the smart routes, the vacuum can be scheduled to clean when it’s convenient so you can just set and forget!
The Shark IQ robot uses two side brushes to sweep dirt and debris into its path before passing over it where the redesigned, multi-surface brush roll, combined with powerful suction, sweep up pet hair and debris from almost all different floor surface types.
Now there are actually two versions of this machine, the AV1010AE with a Self-Cleaning Brushroll and the AV1002AE which has the Multi-Surface Brushroll. I would recommend the self-cleaning version if you have pets (or children) that shed longish hair. This can really help with the frustration of getting pet hair caught in the brush roll.
If you don’t have pets, then I’d slightly favor the multi-Surface Brushroll version for better all-round performance on different floor surfaces.
Once the dirt is safely inside, the high-efficiency filter to capture dust, dander, and pet allergens to help eliminate odors.
The robot methodically cleans row by row and then navigates room to room for complete home coverage. There are no options for different cleaning modes, such as edge or spot cleaning, but there are three power settings; Eco, Normal and Max.
Using various types of sensors such as drop sensors and visual mapping, the cleaning robot can effectively detect and measure the world around it and its own progress through it.
You won’t need to worry about the battery as comes with an automatic charging feature. When the battery is low, the vacuum will head to the charging station, research, and return to work.
The Shark IQ is enabled for both Alexa and Google Assistant. Using the SharkClean smartphone app or voice command, you can schedule whole-home cleanings, or target specific rooms or floors to clean.
You can also add multiple units for multiple floors, change cleaning mode from Normal to Eco to Max (there’s no auto setting), view your cleaning history, and make a cleaning map (although this is only in theory.)
If you’re buying, it’s important that you’re aware of some of its downsides. A full battery will run for about 60 minutes on it’s cleaning cycles, and it usually takes about five hours for a full charge. This means it will take a longer time to clean larger homes.
Additionally, it falls short when it comes to the accurate smart mapping of your home. Its relatively poor mapping capability may be a turn off if you’re looking for a genius robot vacuum that will quickly map and memorize the layout of your home.
The robot takes up to 20 full battery-emptying runs before it completes the creation of a virtual map of your home.
Once the Shark IQ finally finishes the mapping process, you will be able to view the completed map in the SharkClean app. From there, you will be able to name the rooms, create virtual walls and no go zones or room boundaries.
The interface is a little cluttered with lots of data but you should hopefully find a way around it.
- It empties trash on its own
- Has a self-cleaning function
- It’s cheaper
- Has dual spinning side brushes for effective cleaning
- Poor mapping capability
- No full dustbin indicator
- FORGET ABOUT VACUUMING FOR UP TO 45 DAYS: A bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 45 days of dirt and debris.
Last update on 2022-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2-minute Roomba i7 overview
The Roomba i7 unleashes power cleaning when, where and how you want. The robot vacuum is smart, accurate and intelligent, helping you to clean up your home, room by room, floor by floor while you focus on other things that you love.
When the robot is first introduced to your home, it automatically maps your house room by room while cleaning. A nice touch is a multi-level memory that allows it to save up to 10 floor plans, perfect for use in homes with multiple floors.
Once the Roomba is done mapping your home, you will see the entire map in the mobile app and you can easily instruct the vacuum cleaner to clean anywhere, and whenever you want. You can also do this using Alexa or Google Assistant.
The app is also where you can build a virtual wall or set no-go areas to the vacuum will avoid corner and items that you do not want it to go near.
The i7 follows the three-step cleaning progress like other Roomba models. It has a single side brush with multiple bristle tips to flick dirt and dust into its path. It also has extractors to agitate carpeting, lift and separate debris and clean hard floors.
The robot vacuum boasts of high suction power, and impressive run time. The robot vacuum is powered by a Lithium Ion battery with 14.4 voltage. The Roomba i7 can work for 90 minutes per cleaning cycle. When the batteries get low, both vacuum cleaners will stop working and return to the charging base, and can pick up where it left off.
The Roomba i7 is also a robot vacuum that is ideal for homes with pets. While it may only have one side brush, underneath we love the Unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes that move in opposite directions. This really helps to dislodge dust and larger items of dirt making it great for all floor types, and especially good for cleaning carpets. It also limits hair tangles from pet hair.
Asid from the strong suction, the robot boasts of a high efficiency filter that traps 99 percent of cat and dog allergens.
One of the major drawbacks is its smaller bin capacity of 500 ml, which means you will have to remember to empty it regularly.
But . . . what about the self emptying technology I hear you thinking?
Well, the i7 base model doesn’t come with an auto empty cleanbase. You can opt for the Roomba i7 plus, which is the upgraded and high-end version with more advanced features, including the ability to empty its own bin. However, it is usually around $200 more than the i7.
If you do decide to get the plus version, you can forget for vacuuming for up to 60 days. The i7+ automatically empties its bin into the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal with Allergen Lock bags that use 4 layers of allergen blocking material to trap 99 percent of pollen and mold.
Not only does this feature eliminate the stress of emptying the trash manually, but it also helps ensure that you and your loved ones are protected from allergens.
- Accurate camera-powered navigation
- Smart home mapping, ideal for multi-story buildings
- High cleaning performance
- Strong suction
- Works with home internet connection, i.e. Wi-Fi
- Compatible with the Cleanbase that empties itself (sold separately)
- Accurate and smart mapping ability
- Keep Out Zones, allowing you specify an area the robot will avoid
- A little noisy motor
- Some customers complain about error codes on the app
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND POWERFUL PICK-UP - Pulls in stubborn dirt and messes with a Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10X the Power-Lifting Suction. (Compared to the Roomba 600 series cleaning...
Last update on 2022-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shark IQ Vs Roomba – Key Features
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Both robots have the ability to connect to your home wifi network, allowing you to use mobile apps and voice commands. The mobile apps are compatible with iOS and Android smartphones. With your smartphone, you can control your Roomba i7 anytime via the iRobot Home App. The same thing works for the Shark vacuum robot using the SharkClean App.
Voice Command
Both robots offer you some high levels of flexibility. Using your smartphone and the iRobot Home App, you can remote control your robot vacuum anytime. The Roomba i7 can be operated via voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to have a great hands-free experience. The Shark has the same voice control feature as well.
Both Roomba i7 and Shark IQ robots use vSLAM smart mapping technology which enables the robot vacuum to scan the surroundings and create a virtual map of your entire home, using cameras and infrared sensors.
HEPA Filter
Both i7 and the Shark robot vacuums use high-efficiency filtration, powerfully delivered by HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) for high cleaning performance. The HEPA quality filtration helps you reduce allergens in your home.
Recharge and resume
Both the Shark IQ and Roomba i7 robots come with the recharge and resume feature, allowing them to return to their charging base.
Warranty
Both robots offer a 12-month warranty. You should be able to return the robot to the manufacturer if it develops any fault within a period covered by the warranty.
Shark IQ Vs Roomba – Key Differences
Product size
While neither of these robots are slim like the Eufy vacuums, they are no behemoths. The Roomba i7 measures 13.34” W x 3.63” H and weighs 7.44 lbs. That makes it larger than the Shark IQ with dimensions of 12.9” x 12.6” x 3.5”.
Mapping ability
Roomba i7 robot vacuum clearly trumps the IQ when it comes to navigation and mapping systems. Leveraging its iAdapt 3.0 Navigation and visual localization, the robot intelligently maps and cleans an entire level of your home.
The onboard sensors work alongside the built-in camera to create a 3D map of your home as it cleans. On the contrary, the Shark IQ takes time to map and memorize the layout of your home. Some users have reported that the robot sometimes gets tripped up on cliffs.
On-board Dust bin size
The Shark can take more dirt vs Roomba i7 with a 600ml dust bin vs the 500ml dust bin. Also, there’s no self-empty function on the basic Roomba i7. You can only enjoy the feature on the Roomba i7 plus model or by purchasing the clean base separately.
Power
Roomba boasts a longer battery life than Shark IQ. Roomba i7 has a run time of 90 compared with Shark that only lasts for about 60 minutes. Also, it only takes Roomba about 120 hours to charge at the docking station, unlike Shark IQ that uses roughly 5 hours for it to be recharged.
Self-emptying dust bin
As previously mentioned, the basic i7 model does not come with the cleanbase for auto empty, you need to buy it separately or buy the Roomba i7 Plus. If you do, the Roomba cleanbase uses a bag system with each bag holding up to 30 cleans. The Shark IQ self-emptying charging base holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris with no bag required, it has a window so you can see how full it is and empty when necessary.
Imprint Link
While this may not be of concern, I have to mention the imprint smart mapping that is available on the Roomba. This means it can connect to other iRobot devices to fully organize the cleaning of your home. for example, if you have a Braava series robot mop, then it can be programmed to start as soon as the vacuum returns to charge. It’s like a little well-organized cleaning army all of your own.
FAQ
Which is better at mapping the layout between Roomba and Shark?
Roomba beats the Shark IQ robot vacuums hands down when it comes to home mapping. The Shark IQ isn’t as intelligent as the Roomba and can wander around for some time before locating its docking station. However, Roomba is more accurate. With vSLAM navigation, the i7 learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps which enables it to intelligently clean and navigate in a neat, efficient row.
Roomba vs Shark: which one has a longer battery life?
Roomba can work non-stop for 90 minutes before returning to the docking station and only gets a full charge in 2 hours, compared to Shark that has 60-minute runtime and uses 5 hours to recharge.
What is the warranty period on Roomba and Shark robots?
Both robot vacuums offer you a 12-month warranty to protect your purchase against the manufacturer’s detection or problems with non-replaceable parts like motors and batteries. Your purchase is covered within this period as long as you make legitimate claims.
What’s the difference between the Shark IQ AV1010AE and the Shark IQ AV1002AE?
Shark IQ Robot Vacuum AV1002AE comes with a Self-Cleaning Brushroll the removes pet hair and long hair as it cleans meaning less maintenance is requires. The Shark IQ Robot Vacuum AV1010AE comes with a Multi-Surface Brushroll which has slightly improved cleaning performance across a variety of floor types. If you have pets, I’d choose the AV1002AE.
Does Roomba i7 get stuck on thick rugs?
The robot works fine as long as the rugs do not have shag length nap or don’t have tassels.
Does Shark IQ have Keep Out Zones feature?
Yes, it does. This functionality allows you to create room boundaries. This tells the bot where it can and cannot access within your house.
irobot Roomba i7 Vs Shark IQ Robot Vacuum: Final Thoughts
The question of whether the cost of a robotic vacuum is worth it often depends on the features and benefits it provides. And in this case, both Roomba and Shark IQ robots are high end robots with many outstanding features such as incredible suction power, automatic charging and effective cleaning performance.
Both of the models are roughly the same price, but there is one big difference, the self empty feature. Shark IQ includes it where as the i7 will want an extra couple of hundred dollars.
The Roomba i7 model clearly outshines the Shark IQ in many obvious ways. With a much higher 1800 pa suction power, the Roomba delivers better and more efficient cleaning. The Roomba also boasts a more precise and accurate mapping function. So if the quality of the clean is the most important thing to you, then this is the better robot.
If you want to totally embrace lazy, you’re happy to sacrifice a bit of mapping function for the self empty feature, the choose the Shark.
Me … if I couldn’t stretch to the i7+ model, I’d choose the Shark IQ, self empty is one of the best things to happen to robot vacuums in years!
Of course, you could also consider the iRobot Roomba i3+ though!
Matt is the founder of the Little Robot Shop, who has spent much of the last decade hacking home cleaning with various robots and devices to make keeping his home clean as easy as possible. Not an easy task with two young children.
When not working on the Little Robot Shop website or YouTube channel, he works as technical support and product specialist for a fast-growing digital company. He does his best to get his younglings to code, which will be an essential skill in the future.
