Roborock has rapidly risen to the top of the robot vacuum market in just 8 short years, and it is easy to understand why. One by one, their inventions have completely outperformed the market, and they are now the industry’s trendsetters.
On the other hand, Shark vacuums claim to have superior features, including fully sealed filtration systems, powerful suction, and a comprehensive warranty.
Roborock has made more than 5 models of vacuums, some of which do simultaneous self-cleaning, mopping, and vacuuming, among other functions. Shark, on the other hand, produces effective vacuums with powerful suction, compact designs, and average battery life.
We picked one from each brand to get a clear picture of the difference between these models. This article will go into great detail to compare the Roborock and Shark vacuums. We will cover everything from performance to ease of operation and price. Let’s dive in.
Roborock vs Shark Vacuums: Side-by-Side Comparison
The following comparison will help you understand the difference between these two models.
| Roborock | Shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 10.0 cm | 13.5 cm |
| Width | 35.5 cm | 31.5 cm |
| Depth | 41.0 cm | 37.5 cm |
| Dirt compartment capacity | 0.25 liters | 0.30 liters |
| Full indicator | Yes | No |
| Minimum battery life | 88 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Maximum battery life | 204 minutes | 203 minutes |
| Recharge time | 246 minutes | 232 minutes |
| Removable battery | No | Yes |
| Total weight | 9.83 lbs | 6.97 lbs |
Roborock vs Shark Vacuums: What’s the Difference
Let’s look at the main differences between Roborock and Shark vacuums.
Bare Floor Cleaning
For bare floor cleaning, the Roborock performs admirably. It has little trouble removing small, bulky dirt but has trouble pulling debris from cracks and crevices.
The Roborock vacuum is very well-made, maneuvers itself with ease, and, based on your usage habits and setting preferences, may operate for a sufficient amount of time on a single charge to clean vast areas easily.
- Feature a cleaning experience that is completely hands-free
- Empties and refills its tank on its own
- Includes an RGB camera along with Roborock's ReactiveAI 2.0 to better avoid obstacles
- Suction power: 5100Pa
Its best feature is the ultrasonic mopping module that cleans dry dirt and debris. The challenge with Roborock is the recurrent expenditure of running it and its upkeep.
The Shark vacuum is a good alternative, but not as good as the Roborock. It picks up small debris with ease. But pet hair can get trapped in the brush roll, and it might be challenging to clear bulky debris.
The dirt compartments fill up fast, which is not impressive. Additionally, it includes many parts that require routine maintenance or replacement, increasing recurrent costs over time.
Build Quality
The Roborock is incredibly well-made. Although it is sturdy plastic, a few metallic touches offer some style. A glossy top cover covers the Wi-Fi indicator light, dirt compartment, and system reset button.
The front bumper and the elevated laser navigator in the Roborock vacuum’s center have a matte appearance. The dense rubber wheels help boost the vacuum for cleaning high surfaces.
The initial assembly is pretty straightforward. But you need to download the Roborock companion app to finish the set-up and pair the robot with its docking station.
The Shark vacuum also has a good build quality. The main drive tires have rubber treads, and their hard plastic body has a matte surface. Even though the clear plastic bin is a touch flimsy, it has a rather upscale design and feels solid, overall. Assembling it is easy, just snap the side brushes into position and connect it to the docking station.
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Portability
The Roborock vacuums are reasonably portable models. But even without the mop attachment, they are quite heavy. They lack a handle that would make it easier to pick them up and move them to another room.
The Shark is very portable and lighter than Roborock. But, like Roborock, it also comes without a carrying handle, which makes it hard to move from room to room.
Battery Performance
With regard to battery performance, the Roborock excels. It produces just under 90 minutes of continuous runtime in its “Max” power mode.
It lasts more than 200 minutes in its most energy-efficient “Quiet” mode, exceeding its promised claim of 180 minutes. When the battery life drops under 20%, the robot stops cleaning and returns to its charging station.
- POWERFUL CLEANING PERFORMANCE: Incredible suction picks up all kinds of dirt and debris and in UltraClean Mode, you get 30% better carpet cleaning (vs. RV1100AE single pass coverage, tested with sand...
- ON-DEMAND DEEP CLEANING: Select UltraClean Mode in the SharkClean app to target specific rooms, high-traffic zones, or spots for multi-directional deep cleaning coverage.
- PERFECT FOR HOMES WITH PETS: With powerful suction and Shark’s self-cleaning brushroll, the robot picks up pet hair and removes it from the brushroll as it cleans.
- PRECISION HOME MAPPING: LIDAR technology quickly and accurately maps your home so you can set up cleaning areas and No-Go Zones in the SharkClean app.
- DETECTS & AVOIDS OBJECTS: AI Laser Navigation ensures total home coverage with precise row-by-row cleaning, day or night, while detecting and avoiding objects 4 inches high or taller.
The Shark Robot also has excellent battery life. It has a continuous runtime of about 90 minutes on its high-suction “Max” setting. It’s important to note that the battery performance might differ in practice.
Every time you switch on the vacuum, the suction power is set to “Normal.” Therefore, you must select either the “Eco” or “Max” settings before beginning a cleaning session.
It takes the Shark vacuum around 4 hours to attain full charge, which is a substantial amount of time. The vacuum has two lights on its top surface that show the state of its batteries.
Pet Hair Cleaning
The Roborock does an excellent job cleaning pet hair on bare floors, but it fails to remove dirt from low- and high-pile carpets. Fortunately, it has an ultrasonic mopping attachment that works wonders at removing stains, such as mud, that your pet could have tracked in.
It has numerous pieces requiring frequent cleaning and high recurrent costs, but you can take out the brush roll to make clearing hair easier. Additionally, fine allergens escape its E11 filter, and it expels them from its exhaust.
Shark vacuums perform poorly when it comes to removing pet hair. Regardless of the surface, pet hair keep sticking to the brush roll rather than getting sucked into the dirt compartment.
It also lacks a HEPA filter that captures allergens. Although you can take out the brush roll to get rid of any caught pet hair, this vacuum has several parts that require frequent cleaning and comes with significant ongoing expenditures.
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Roborock vs Shark Vacuums: 4 Must-Know Facts
- Shark vacuums boast excellent maneuverability, a long battery life, and remote control functionality through the SharkClean companion app.
- Shark vacuums have sensors on the robots and charging stations. For optimum performance, you need to dust off the sensors regularly.
- Roborock vacuums have ultrasonic mopping features that use vibrating mop pads to scour away dried-on spots. Their surface-detecting system on carpeted areas allows them to lift the mopping pad.
- Most Roborock models have the auto dock empty option with intelligent dust collection and dustbin detection. They can go up to 8 weeks without being emptied.
Roborock vs Shark Vacuums: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Roborock and Shark vacuums are great, but from the above comparison, Roborock carries the day. They have produced a robot that can perform almost every cleaning task, from mopping to vacuuming and self-emptying. Roborock vacuums even produced a vacuum that can mop and vacuum simultaneously, the first of its kind.
In terms of overall performance on all surfaces, Roborock still comes out on top. Their vacuums are exemplary on hard surfaces and carpeted floors. Both vacuums have high recurrent maintenance costs, but Roborock offers better functionality, making the costs negligible.
Final verdict: if you’re looking for a vacuum that can offer you a hands-free cleaning experience, then Roborock vacuums are your best bet. Although their products are a bit expensive, they offer value for money.
Roborock and Shark Vacuums: Technology Updates
Here are some recent technology updates that have been made to Roborock and Shark Vacuums:
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra:
- Self-emptying base: The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra now includes a self-emptying base that automatically empties the vacuum’s dustbin after each cleaning, providing a more convenient user experience.
- More powerful suction motor: Upgraded with a more powerful suction motor, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra can now pick up more dirt and debris, ensuring a more thorough cleaning performance.
- Longer battery life: The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra has been equipped with a longer-lasting battery, allowing it to clean for extended periods before needing a recharge.
Shark IQ Robot G30 AIVI:
- AIVI 3.0 sensor: The Shark IQ Robot G30 AIVI has been enhanced with the latest AIVI 3.0 sensor, enabling it to see and navigate around obstacles more effectively, particularly helpful in avoiding pet accidents and cords.
- Smart Object Recognition: With the new Smart Object Recognition feature, the Shark IQ Robot G30 AIVI can now identify and avoid common household objects like shoes and furniture, preventing potential entanglement or damage.
Roborock H7:
- Longer battery life: The Roborock H7 boasts an extended battery life compared to its predecessors, allowing for longer cleaning sessions without frequent recharging.
- More powerful motor: Equipped with a more powerful motor, the Roborock H7 can handle larger debris and dirt with improved efficiency, providing enhanced cleaning performance.
- HEPA filter: The inclusion of a HEPA filter in the Roborock H7 effectively captures 99.97% of allergens and pollutants, making it an excellent choice for users with allergies or asthma.
Roborock and Shark Vacuums: What’s Next
In the future, we can expect the following technology updates for Roborock and Shark Vacuums:
- LiDAR navigation: Both Roborock and Shark vacuums are likely to adopt LiDAR navigation, a cutting-edge system that uses lasers to create detailed 3D maps of the surroundings. This technology will enable the vacuums to navigate more accurately and avoid obstacles with greater precision.
- Advanced wet-mopping capabilities: Wet-mopping features on Roborock and Shark vacuums are expected to be further improved. This may include enhancements in water control for more controlled mopping, as well as compatibility with a broader range of floor types.
- Voice control integration: Voice control is gaining popularity, and future models of Roborock and Shark vacuums may include advanced voice command capabilities. This would allow users to control the vacuums conveniently using voice commands, making cleaning tasks even more seamless.
- Enhanced self-charging bases: Existing self-charging bases for Roborock and Shark vacuums may be upgraded with improved features. This could involve faster charging times and the ability to charge the vacuum from multiple locations for added convenience.
- AI-powered features: As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect Roborock and Shark vacuums to integrate more AI-powered features. These features may include the vacuum learning and adapting to the user’s cleaning habits, and automatically adjusting settings based on the type of flooring being cleaned, optimizing performance.
These anticipated technology updates will undoubtedly enhance the performance and user experience of Roborock and Shark Vacuums, making them even more efficient and user-friendly.
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