Shark is a brand known for their efficient and affordable vacuum cleaners, although some are smarter than others. If you’re interested in an automatic system from the company, you’ll want to consider one of the top-rated Shark robotic vacuums. Their selection isn’t as large as other brands, but we’ve rounded up four models that stand out from the pack.
- Best Overall: Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2511AE
- Runner-Up: Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2501S
- Best Budget: Shark ION AV751 Robotic Vacuum
- Best Mop Combo: Shark AI Robot Vacuum and Mop AV2001WD
| Shark AI AV2511AE | Shark AI AV2501S | |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Recharge and Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Emptying | Yes | Yes |
| App & Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Mapping | LiDAR | LiDAR |
| Pattern | Back and Forth, Side to Side | Back and Forth, Side to Side |
| Shark ION AV751 | Shark AI AV2001WD | |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | 120 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Recharge and Resume | No | Yes |
| Self-Emptying | No | No |
| App and Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Mapping | No | LiDAR |
| Pattern | Random | Row by Row |
Shark Vacuum Cleaners
If you’ve considered purchasing, or you have bought, a cordless stick vacuum in the past decade, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Shark. They’ve put out more than a hundred vacuums, from uprights designed for pets to the popular and portable Shark WANDVAC.
They moved into robotic vacuum cleaners like other companies in this niche, and currently have several lines available. The Shark ION robotic vacuums are known for solid battery life and attractive price tags, while the Shark IQ vacuums are smarter with more features.
When you want the best Shark robotic vacuum cleaner, you’ll find that with their AI Ultra lineup. Their newest vacuums use technology like LiDAR and self-emptying bins for a more hands-free experience. The Shark family also expanded when they joined forces with Ninja, a company with a popular range of appliances.
The Top-Rated Shark Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Whether you’re looking for an affordable automatic vacuum for a small apartment or you need something for a larger home, Shark has an answer. The options below are widely regarded as the top current models from the company.
Best Overall: Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2511AE
Our top option from Shark is also one of the newest models available from the company. The Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2511AE is from their AI Ultra collection, which means it’s significantly smarter than previous generations in several different ways.
The highlight of this robot vacuum cleaner is its intelligence. Shark upgraded the navigation on their new AI lineup which uses the company’s Matrix Clean Navigation system. This sends the robot through a room for two passes going back and forth before doing another run from side to side. It provides complete coverage, while the 360° sensor array helps the vacuum find its way through your home.
Shark utilized LiDAR in the Shark AV2511AE to help with mapping and navigation. It can clean night or day and you can control it through an app or with your voice. Google and Alexa assistant capabilities are baked into this vacuum, which has a self-emptying base. It can hold 60 days’ worth of debris before you’ll need to lift a finger. It will also return to its base, charge itself, and resume action when the battery runs dry.
We feel the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2511AE is the best choice for tech-savvy consumers. It’s a fully automated system that can handle larger homes and works well across various surfaces. While it’s twice the price of vacuums with a similar amount of suction, it’s smarter and can run for 120 minutes before it heads to the base to recharge.
Pros
- Self-emptying system
- Solid runtime
- 60-day bin capacity
- LiDAR
Cons
- The price tag
Check out Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2511AE on Amazon.
- INCREDIBLE SUCTION: Powerful Shark suction picks up dirt and debris on all floor types—tackling even the toughest of messes in your home. Connectivity Technology: Wifi required
- NO SPOTS MISSED: With Matrix Clean Navigation, the vacuum cleans in a precise matrix grid taking multiple passes over dirt and debris for whole home, deep cleaning coverage.
- IT EMPTIES ITSELF: The bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris.
- PRECISION HOME MAPPING: 360° LiDAR vision quickly and accurately maps your home so your robot can methodically clean detecting and avoiding objects in its path, day or night, adapting to everyday...
- PERFECT FOR HOMES WITH PETS: With powerful vacuum suction, Shark’s self-cleaning brushroll, and HEPA filtration system the robot captures pet hair, dust, dander and allergens with ease.
Runner-Up: Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2501S
While we’re big fans of Shark’s new AI technology, their premium model may not be the best choice for people purchasing their first robot vacuum cleaner. The Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2501S is our choice as the runner-up on our list of the top-rated Shark robotic vacuums, and it bears a striking resemblance to the Shark AV2511AE.
Like our top choice, this vacuum is from the company’s AI Ultra collection. That means you’ll get the Matrix Clean system that provides multiple passes and 360° LiDAR. The technology works to create an accurate map of your home, while the sensors help the bot maneuver around objects. You can set up zones for this vacuum through the app, or send it to tidy up your home with the help of a virtual assistant.
Another perk is this unit is the HEPA filter base. It self-empties, but the base has a design that captures 99.97% of allergens. That base only holds 30 days of dust and debris, which is smaller than both versions of Shark’s new premium robot vacuum. That’s the only significant difference between the two models, aside from the color, as you can only get this one in black.
If you like what the Shark AV2511AE brings to the table, but you don’t like the price tag, this vacuum is the best choice. It’s a few hundred dollars cheaper if you can deal with the smaller bin, and it still has the same features and warranty as Shark’s flagship model.
Pros
- HEPA filter base
- Auto charge and resume
- Self-emptying
- Voice and app controls
Cons
- 30-day waste bin
Check out Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum AV2501S on Amazon.
- INCREDIBLE SUCTION: Powerful Shark suction picks up dirt and debris on all floor types—tackling even the toughest of messes in your home.
- NO SPOTS MISSED: With Matrix Clean Navigation, the vacuum cleans in a precise matrix grid taking multiple passes over dirt and debris for whole home, deep cleaning coverage.
- IT EMPTIES ITSELF: The bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris while its true HEPA filtration captures and traps 99.97%* of dust and allergens (*down to .3 microns).
- PRECISION HOME MAPPING: 360° LiDAR vision quickly and accurately maps your home so your robot can methodically clean detecting and avoiding objects in its path, day or night, adapting to everyday...
- PERFECT FOR HOMES WITH PETS: With powerful vacuum suction, Shark’s self-cleaning brushroll, and HEPA filtration system the robot captures pet hair, dust, dander and allergens with ease.
Best Budget: Shark ION AV751 Robotic Vacuum
One of the most significant drawbacks to purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner has been the cost. That’s changed in recent years, thanks to new advances in technology and plenty of older models. The Shark ION AV751 Robotic Vacuum doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles found on their flagship vacuums, but is the top-rated Shark vacuum in the budget range.
Looking for a robotic vacuum cleaner you can control with your voice? The Shark ION AV751 allows you to do that through Google Assistant or Alexa. It simplifies your daily cleaning routine and has just as much battery life as our top choice. The vacuum uses the company’s older, but effective, Tri-Brush system as well as side brushes and specially designed channels.
The multi-surface brush roll makes this vacuum suitable for hard flooring surfaces and low-pile carpets. While it does sync up with the Shark mobile app, the ION AV751 uses proximity and cliff sensors to navigate your home. The cleaning pattern is random, however, which puts it a few steps behind smarter vacuums on our list.
If you’re curious about robotic vacuums and are just looking to get your feet wet, the Shark ION AV751 is a fine choice. It’s a fraction of the price of the company’s premium models, although not nearly as intelligent. This affordable robot vacuum cleaner is available in three colors: black, gray, or white.
Pros
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Excellent runtime
- Tri-brush system
- Voice-enabled
Cons
- Random cleaning pattern
Check out Shark ION AV751 Robotic Vacuum on Amazon.
- THREE BRUSH TYPES. ONE POWERFUL CLEAN: Tri-Brush System combines side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll to handle debris on all surfaces.
- COMPLETELY INTEGRATED IN YOUR HOME: Shark ION Robot senses ledges and stairs, avoids damaging furniture and walls, and maneuvers around potential stuck situations, truly knowing your home.
- CLEAN FROM YOUR PHONE: SharkClean app lets you start and stop cleaning and schedule your robot to clean whenever you want.
- EASY VOICE CONTROL: Use Alexa or Google Assistant to easily make the robot clean at your command in your connected home.
- 120 MINUTE RUNTIME: Whole-home, floor-to-carpet cleaning for up to 2 hours.
Best Mop Combo: Shark AI Robot Vacuum and Mop AV2001WD
Every robot on our list of the top-rated Shark robotic vacuums has one thing in common — they are still vacuums despite different features and designs. The Shark AI Robot Vacuum and Mop AV2001WD can also clean floors with ease, but this affordable bot can also mop your floors.
Almost every robotic vacuum manufacturer has a “mop bot” and some work better than others. Our favorite from Shark is the AV2001WD, which has a hybrid wet mop system. The sonic mopper hits stains with 100 scrubs per minute but won’t harm your floors thanks to a soft microfiber cloth. It’s a feature that doesn’t feel like a gimmick, and you’ll be thrilled with the vacuum functions as well.
From the self-cleaning brush roll to laser navigation, there’s a lot to like with the Shark AV2001WD. LiDAR helps the system map your home and allows you to set No-go zones for areas the robot needs to steer clear of. That includes carpet in VACMOP mode. The robot can’t empty its own bin or change cleaning pads, but it does have recharge and resume for continuous cleaning.
If you have pets or hard surfaces that need a light mopping a few times a week, consider the Shark AV2001WD robotic vacuum mop. It’s one of the better hybrid systems for the price, and a significant step up from earlier models. Just remember to keep the size of rooms in mind you want to mop as some users felt the reservoir was too small. If you’re looking for a smarter mopping bot from the company, consider .
Pros
- Can vacuum and mop simultaneously
- Powerful suction
- Large dust bin
- Great price point
Cons
- Mop refill tank
Check out Shark AI Robot Vacuum and Mop AV2001WD on Amazon.
- MULTI-FUNCTION CLEANING: Powerfully vacuums and mops your floors at the same time, while avoiding carpets while it cleans.
- 100 SCRUBS PER MINUTE: Sonic Mopping scrubs your floors at high speeds to break down messes and absorbs into a soft, washable microfiber mopping pad.
- 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.
- AVOIDS CARPETS: Set no-mop zones in the app for areas to avoid while mopping hard floors.
- PERFECT FOR HOMES WITH PETS: With powerful suction, sonic mopping, and Shark’s self-cleaning brushroll, the robot picks up pet hair and eliminates stuck-on pet messes with ease.
How to Find the Best Shark Robotic Vacuum
When shopping for a new robotic vacuum cleaner, there are certain things you’ll want to keep including performance. Consumers interested in the best Shark robotic vacuum won’t find much of a difference in power. That means it’s best to focus on areas like the cleaning system, mapping, and features when comparing their vacuums.
- Cleaning
- Mapping
- Features
Cleaning
As a leader in the world of high-tech vacuums, it’s only natural Shark understands how important cleaning patterns and power are. While you can still find older and early models that aren’t as brainy, new Shark robotic vacuums are designed to ensure dirt and debris don’t get left behind.
These vacuums can do two passes through a room going up and down in a traditional pattern. While that’s better than vacuums that do random passes, Matrix systems go back over the room from side to side as well. Shark robotic vacuums from the IQ series can clean row to row from one room to the next.
Both systems provide better coverage than you’ll get from vacuums by brands like Eufy and Lefant. Some of their models have more cleaning power than others with better suction. That’s hard to measure, however, as they don’t give a Pa, or Pascal Pressure Unit, rating like other manufacturers.
Mapping
Another area Shark improved significantly with their new models is mapping. Next to how a machine cleans, it’s arguably the most important area to consider when buying a new robotic vacuum cleaner. Mapping capabilities let you know how well a robot vacuum can navigate your home without falling down stairs or bumping into walls.
With Shark, there are two general options when it comes to mapping — vacuums with LiDAR and those without it. You’ll find laser mapping on the new Shark AI line which provides a more accurate map of your home. Robotic vacuums from the IQ series also have good mapping, it’s just not on par with the company’s new lasers.
If you have a large home or one with a lot of rooms, a good mapping system is well worth the upgrade. It will save you a lot of headaches down the line and results in a cleaner household.
Features
Shark’s new AI Navigation and mapping system is considered a feature, but you’ll find a slew of options once you start digging into their lineup. Want a vacuum cleaner that can empty itself when it’s done cleaning a room? You can get that from Shark along with robotic vacuums that have a “Recharge and Resume” feature.
Both of these features are considered premium and can substantially raise the price. Bin size shouldn’t but does with Shark, although they offer several different options. Battery life is an obvious key feature with these types of systems, and something you’ll find is solid with Shark. Their recharging and runtimes are in line with other brands.
If you’re interested in a classic vacuum you can control with a standard remote, you won’t find one from Shark. Instead, their robots rely on voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant. Most are also compatible with their vacuum app, which brings along new features like scheduling and protected zones to the table.
What to Know Before Buying a Robotic Vacuum from Shark
Shark has produced vacuums of all shapes and sizes for more than a decade. That means you can expect a high-quality product and comparable technology to other brands. Shark vacuums are tiered from premium to budget-friendly although you’ll find the same 1-year warranty across the board.
The company’s products are easy to obtain online and through local retailers. We also found most of their current models have positive reviews. The support staff is solid, and they have a VIP warranty if you’re interested in extended coverage.
The Wrap-Up
While Shark has dozens of traditional upright vacuums and hybrids, their current lineup of robotic vacuums is small compared to other brands. Those offerings are arguably their best, however, thanks to new mapping technology and other high-tech features. If you’re interested in something a little more affordable check out our list of the best robot vacuums from ILIFE.
Last update on 2023-06-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
