The Best Shark Robot Vacuum

The IQ XL comes with a large dustbin that is empty only once per month. It's fast and efficient, never gets stuck and can even map your home to make scheduling easier.

It may not have the superior intelligence of the iRobot j7+ but it is much more durable and has lower recurring costs.

1. The IQ XL

The IQ XL robot is one of a few that you can set and forgotten, due to its advanced features. They include self-emptying and visual mapping. Its minimalist design, in black, isn't going to get any awards for style, however it is sturdy and looks well-built. Its features make it a top choice for pet owners, too.

In our tests, the IQ XL cleared an impressive amount of dust from plain floors and performed admirably on carpets with low pile. It was also able to navigate furniture and other obstacles easily and was able to maneuver its way to clear the edges of rooms. It had a tendency to push things like chair legs and bowls of dog food a little too forcefully. It also struggled to pick up large pieces of debris like sand and baking soda, off of low-pile flooring.

You can control the IQ XL via the Clean and Dock buttons, or by speaking with a voice command using Alexa or Google Assistant. The SharkClean App is also easy to use and attractive. Once you've created your account, you'll need to connect to WiFi and then name the robot. You can also make a schedule and create rooms.

The IQ XL has three power modes: energy-saving Eco default Normal, and Max, which is the most powerful. It has two side brushes which help to bring in debris near the edges of the robot's body and into the path of its main brushroll. And it has a neat Evacuate and Resume feature that lets the robot return to its base to empty its dustbin after completing a cleaning cycle, but then resume where it left off.

2. The IQ

shark self cleaning vacuum's IQ robot does an excellent job at mapping and sets up virtual boundaries to stay clear of obstacles such as lamp cords, pet waste and other obstacles. It can be controlled with an actual Clean & Dock button on the top of the vacuum or through the SharkClean App. It uses infrared sensors to keep it away from stairs and can create an interactive map of your home that can be used to choose rooms for area cleaning. It also comes with a self-emptying base that can store up to 30 days of dirt.

Like the other robotic vacuums we tested, the IQ works quickly and effectively and rarely gets stuck. It has a large dustbin at its base that only needs to be emptied approximately once per month. Its HEPA certified filter is easy to clean and filters out airborne allergens as it vacuums.

The IQ is a little more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've examined, but it does better mapping and virtual boundary creation to prevent pet waste and lamp cords from being swept away into your carpet. It can also be controlled using a mobile app, allowing you to set up a schedule and control it with your voice.

Another benefit of this model is that it has a low 11.8-inch-by-3-inch profile, meaning it is able to fit under furniture the larger models, like the Eufy 11s and iRobot j7+ couldn't. It also comes with an integrated Wi-Fi radio that can connect to your home's wireless router. The app allows you to create an organizing schedule and establish no-go zones and monitor the battery level as well as other details. The only drawback is that you must manually empty the bin, which could get messy as dust flies all over.

3. The RV2502AE

The RV2502AE, Shark's first robot cleaner to use LiDAR navigation, is a great feature that lets it navigate your home with greater precision and avoid obstacles. Previously, all of the company's robots used V-SLAM--a camera-based system which also works, but isn't as precise as LiDAR.

This robot is the most expensive of our runner-up picks, but it delivers a lot in return for the extra cost. It is powerful in its cleaning capabilities as well as a wealth of intelligent features, and a bagless self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days of dirt.

It is equipped with a long-lasting battery, and it returns automatically to its charging dock after it has it is fully charged or its internal battery is low. You can control it via the app's intuitive interface, by using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant or by pressing the Clean and Dock buttons on the top.

You can choose from three power settings: Eco, which is energy-efficient and uses the least amount of suction; Normal which is the default mode and is good for most situations; and Max, which provides maximum suction but drains the battery faster. It is also able to customize its cleaning schedule as well as set virtual no-go zones.

The RV2502AE isn't our top pick due to several flaws. It's higher, which means it will not fit under TV stands or couches. The V-SLAM's navigation may be a bit difficult to navigate around cables, and the robot could be stuck on a staircase or in corners.

It's a great option for those looking for a robot vacuum that can do both vacuuming and mopping.

5. The IQ Lite XL

Robot vacuums may feel like you're trading one job for another, as they typically require emptying or cleaned frequently. But the $599 Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE cuts that maintenance down to once a month, thanks to a bagless base that can hold 30 days of dust and debris and self-cleaning brushrolls that stop hair from wrapping around it. It worked quickly and efficiently in our tests, never gotten stuck and had strong suction power. It has a Find Robot Button that helps you find the robot if it is lost. It also allows scheduling through mobile applications.

The IQ Lite is connected to the Wi-Fi in your home and can be controlled using the physical Clean and Dock buttons that are located on the top. You can also control it via the free SharkClean App for Android and iOS or voice commands via an Amazon Alexa device or Google Assistant. It makes use of IQ NAV advanced navigation technology to navigate around your home, and can even detect furniture that is blocking its route. It requires several cleanings to identify your home's layout and you can also view an interactive floor plan in the SharkClean app to label rooms, define no-go zones or robotvacuummops choose specific areas to clean.

When the IQ Lite runs out of battery, it will automatically return to its base for a recharge and resumes where it began. When it's enabled (it's turned off by default) this feature is referred to as Evacuate and Resuming. it's especially helpful for homes with pets. The IQ Lite XL robot is the only Shark EZ Robot Vacuum RV912S WiFi Self-Emptying Base robot we've tested that has a specific sensor for marking zones that are not allowed. Other robots use their upward-facing cameras to do this, but the sensor on the IQ Lite is located between the Dock and Clean buttons.