Shark IQ Vs Roomba I7

​Shark has come up with a robotic vacuum cleaner that really does all the work for you. This Shark 1Q R100AE robot vacuum review reveals the magic behind this remarkable little bot. Finally, iRobot has some real competition, a vac bot that can be left to do the job unattended for up to a month.

​Does the Roomba I7 Need to Worry?

​When I reviewed the iRobot Roomba i7+, I was blown away by how amazing this machine is. Arguably, the best robotic vacuum cleaner on the market. Of course Shark Ninja, being a major player in the high-end appliance business, had to come up with a worthy rival. Enter the Shark IQ R10001AE robot vacuum. Now, at about half the price compared to the top Roomba model, can the Shark really match up to incredible i7+? This review should clarify the debate.

​Wh​at We Like About The Shark IQ ​

​A basic overview of the features and capabilities of the Shark IQ R1001AE gives one the impression that it can rival any of the very best robotic vacuums. It’s an intelligent machine, with a Wi Fi app that does everything you’d ever want it to. You also have voice control, using Alexa or Google Assistant.

This is one of the lowest profile robotic vacuums, measuring 12.9” X 12.6” X 3.5”. Despite this compact, extremely lightweight  (5.87 LBS) design, the Shark IQ R1001AE has the capacity to match any of the top vac bots. The dust cup holds an incredible 0.6L (20.3 OZ). It also has an automatic emptying system. When the dust collection bin is full, the Shark IQ R1001AE returns to the docking station, where the dirt is sucked into a storage bin and the bot resumes working. It also has automatic cleaning for the brush rolls, removing hair and dander on the go. So, you can easily leave the Shark, unattended for about a month, and it will just keep cleaning.

The regular stuff that we’ve come to admire on other Shark models are there. In some cases with a bit of an upgrade. It has 2 side brushes and utilizes Shark VSlam mapping technology. This is quite a sophisticated system, allowing the Shark to learn the parameters of your home and maximize efficiency. It has boundary markers, so you can prevent the bot from entering some areas of the home and you can set it to clean only one room, when needed.

​Shark IQ Will Take Longer Time to Clean

​You may be wondering, at this point, why pay so much for the iRobot i7+, when the Shark IQ R10001AE seems to be just as great? In some respects, the Shark may even be better. It’s lighter and more compact; yet has the same capacity. Though in some crucial areas, the Shark IQ R1001AE vs Roomba i7+ challenge, doesn’t always favor the Shark too well. The Shark IQ R1001AE is louder than the Roomba. It also has about half the working time on a battery charge, up to one hour. Okay, both bots return to the docking station for recharging, and they both take around 3-hours to charge the battery. So, essentially, the Shark will just take longer to clean your entire home. It has to return for recharging about twice as often. Probably not a big deal, the bot will keep cleaning continuously. So it will get the job done.

​Roomba I7 is Better at Mapping the Layout

​The only thing I don’t much like about the Shark, compared the Roomba i7+, is the software algorithm. The Shark seems a little stupid by comparison. It doesn’t always do the logical thing and can wander around a bit when returning to the docking station. It also doesn’t seem to learn the layout of the house, as well as the Roomba does. Perhaps I’m expecting a little too much from the Shark, comparing it a robot vacuum that costs about twice as much.

​Shark IQ Gives a Good Fight to Roomba I7 at This Price Point

​If we were to compare the Shark to any other robotic vacuum cleaner in a similar price range, it is, without a doubt, the outright winner. It may not be quite as intelligent as the top Roomba machines, but the Shark IQ R1001AE is smarter than most. It’s certainly as powerful as the best of them, cleaning all floor types with immaculate suction.

​I’ve always considered Shark to be one of the best vacuum cleaner manufacturers. Though they have seemed to lag behind the top brands when it comes to robotic vacuums. The Shark IQ R1001AE has certainly leveled the playing field. Shark now really can compete with the best in the business of robotic vacuum cleaners. Rivaled only by the, much more expensive Roomba i7+, the Shark IQ R1001AE is probably the best value high-end, top spec robotic vacuum cleaner on the market. Shark quality is always of a very high standard, as is their customer care. This model has a 1-year guarantee and is backed by Shark service for repairs and technical support.