Robot vacuums have revolutionized home cleaning, offering a hands-free way to maintain tidy floors. Among the popular choices are the Shark IQ Robot R100AE and the Roomba i7+, both equipped with self-emptying bases for added convenience. These models represent a significant investment, making it crucial to understand their strengths and weaknesses before committing. This comparison delves into the nitty-gritty details of each robot, helping you determine which one best suits your needs.
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE appeals to budget-conscious consumers seeking a feature-rich robot vacuum without breaking the bank. It boasts a self-emptying base, smart home integration, and a self-cleaning brushroll. On the other hand, the Roomba i7+ caters to users who prioritize performance, advanced navigation, and a more established brand reputation, even if it means paying a premium. Both vacuums promise to automate your cleaning routine, but their approaches and capabilities differ in ways that can significantly impact your satisfaction.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of the Shark IQ Robot R100AE
- Short Review of the Roomba i7+
- Key Differences at a Glance
- Specifications Comparison
- Price Comparison
- Design and Build Quality
- Performance Face-Off
- Special Features Comparison
- Usability and User Experience
- Maintenance and Longevity
- Who Should Buy the Shark IQ Robot R100AE?
- Who Should Buy the Roomba i7+?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- For budget-conscious buyers: The Shark IQ R100AE offers a self-emptying base and smart features at a more affordable price.
- For superior cleaning performance: The Roomba i7+ excels, especially on carpets, with its more powerful suction and advanced navigation.
- For low-maintenance: The Roomba i7+ is the better choice due to its superior build quality and fewer maintenance demands.
- For smart home enthusiasts: Both offer app control and voice assistant compatibility, but the Roomba i7+ has a slight edge in app features and reliability.
- For pet owners: The Roomba i7+ is better due to its more effective pet hair pick-up.
Short Review of the Shark IQ Robot R100AE
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE combines the convenience of a self-emptying base with smart features at a more accessible price point. Its key selling points include its ability to map your home for efficient cleaning, self-cleaning brushroll to minimize hair tangles, and Wi-Fi connectivity for control via the SharkClean app or voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. The self-emptying base can hold up to 30 days’ worth of debris, reducing the frequency of manual emptying.
This robot is designed for those seeking a hands-off cleaning experience. Its smart navigation allows it to clean in straight lines, methodically covering your floors. The SharkClean app offers features like scheduling, room selection, and the ability to track cleaning progress. While it may not match the raw cleaning power of some premium models, the Shark IQ R100AE provides a compelling balance of features and affordability for everyday cleaning needs.
Short Review of the Roomba i7+
The Roomba i7+ stands out as a premium robot vacuum designed for users who demand top-tier cleaning performance and advanced features. Its key strengths lie in its powerful suction, intelligent navigation with Imprint Smart Mapping, and the convenience of a self-emptying base. The i7+ learns your home’s layout, allowing you to create custom cleaning schedules for specific rooms or areas.
The Roomba i7+ is an excellent choice for households with carpets and pet owners. Its strong suction and dual multi-surface rubber brushes effectively capture dirt, debris, and pet hair from various floor types. The self-emptying base, known as the Clean Base, can hold up to 30 bags, minimizing maintenance. Controlled via the iRobot HOME app, it offers advanced features like targeted cleaning, keep-out zones, and integration with other smart home devices.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Price: The Shark IQ R100AE is generally more affordable than the Roomba i7+.
- Cleaning Performance: The Roomba i7+ typically offers superior cleaning performance, especially on carpets.
- Navigation: Roomba i7+ uses Imprint Smart Mapping for more efficient and customizable cleaning.
- Self-Emptying System: Roomba i7+ uses a bagged system, while Shark IQ uses a bagless system.
- Brushroll: Shark IQ features a self-cleaning brushroll to prevent hair tangles.
- App Features: Roomba i7+ has a slight edge in advanced app features and overall reliability.
- Maintenance: Roomba i7+ generally requires less maintenance due to its higher build quality.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Shark IQ Robot R100AE | Roomba i7+ |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | IQ Navigation (straight lines) | Imprint Smart Mapping (learns & adapts) |
| Self-Emptying Base | Yes, bagless | Yes, bagged |
| Brushroll | Self-cleaning brushroll | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes |
| App Control | SharkClean app | iRobot HOME app |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Floor Types | Hardwood, Carpet | Hardwood, Carpet |
| Battery Life | Varies, Recharge & Resume | Varies, Recharge & Resume |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.17 quarts (robot), XL base (30 days) | 0.4 liters (robot), Clean Base (30 bags) |
| Dimensions | 12.9″ x 12.6″ x 3.5″ | 13.3″ x 13.3″ x 3.6″ |
| Weight | 5.87 lbs (robot) | 7.44 lbs (robot) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 1-year limited |
Price Comparison
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE typically retails for a lower price than the Roomba i7+. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who want a self-emptying robot vacuum without spending a premium. However, it’s important to consider the long-term costs, such as replacement bags for the Roomba i7+ versus the potential need for replacement filters or parts for the Shark IQ R100AE.
When evaluating the value proposition, consider the features that are most important to you. If you prioritize cleaning performance and advanced navigation, the Roomba i7+ may be worth the extra investment. If you are looking for a more affordable option with essential features like self-emptying and smart home integration, the Shark IQ R100AE can be a good choice.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE has a utilitarian design with an all-black finish. While it may not win any style awards, its low profile (3.5 inches) allows it to navigate under furniture with ease. The self-emptying base is relatively compact. However, some users have found the bagless design of the base to be less convenient than bagged systems.
The Roomba i7+ features a more refined design with a focus on durability and functionality. Its construction feels more robust, and the Clean Base has a sleek, modern aesthetic. The bagged system in the Clean Base offers a cleaner and more convenient way to dispose of collected debris.
Performance Face-Off
Cleaning Performance on Hardwood Floors
Both the Shark IQ R100AE and Roomba i7+ perform well on hardwood floors, effectively picking up dust, dirt, and small debris. However, the Roomba i7+ may have a slight edge in capturing fine particles due to its stronger suction.
Cleaning Performance on Carpets
The Roomba i7+ generally outperforms the Shark IQ R100AE on carpets. Its powerful suction and dual multi-surface rubber brushes are more effective at agitating carpet fibers and lifting embedded dirt and pet hair. While the Shark IQ R100AE can handle carpets, it may require multiple passes to achieve similar results.
Edge Cleaning
Both robots have side brushes that help sweep debris from edges and corners into the path of the main brushroll. However, some users have reported that the Roomba i7+ does a better job of cleaning along edges due to its more precise navigation and edge-cleaning design.
Pet Hair
The Roomba i7+ is generally considered superior for pet hair removal. Its strong suction and tangle-resistant rubber brushes are more effective at capturing and containing pet hair than the Shark IQ R100AE. The self-cleaning brushroll on the Shark IQ R100AE helps to prevent hair tangles, but it may not be as efficient at picking up large quantities of pet hair.
Special Features Comparison
- Shark IQ Robot R100AE: The self-cleaning brushroll is a standout feature, minimizing hair tangles and reducing maintenance. Its IQ Navigation system cleans in straight lines for efficient coverage.
- Roomba i7+: Imprint Smart Mapping allows the robot to learn your home’s layout and create custom cleaning schedules for specific rooms. Keep Out Zones prevent the robot from entering areas you want to avoid.
Usability and User Experience
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE is easy to set up and use, with intuitive controls and a user-friendly app. However, some users have reported occasional connectivity issues or difficulties with the mapping feature.
The Roomba i7+ offers a seamless user experience with its reliable app, advanced mapping capabilities, and customizable cleaning options. The iRobot HOME app is well-designed and provides a wealth of features.
Maintenance and Longevity
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE requires regular maintenance, including emptying the self-emptying base, cleaning the brushroll, and replacing filters. The bagless design of the base can be less convenient than bagged systems, as it may require more frequent emptying and can be messier.
The Roomba i7+ is known for its durability and long-term reliability. The Clean Base’s bagged system makes emptying the collected debris easier and cleaner.
Who Should Buy the Shark IQ Robot R100AE?
The Shark IQ Robot R100AE is a good choice for:
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking a self-emptying robot vacuum.
- Users who primarily have hardwood floors or low-pile carpets.
- Those who want a self-cleaning brushroll to minimize hair tangles.
- Individuals who appreciate smart home integration with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Who Should Buy the Roomba i7+?
The Roomba i7+ is a better choice for:
- Users who prioritize superior cleaning performance, especially on carpets.
- Pet owners who need an effective pet hair removal solution.
- Those who value advanced navigation and customizable cleaning options.
- Individuals who prefer a more refined design and user experience.
- Users willing to pay a premium for a more reliable and durable product.
Final Recommendation
Both the Shark IQ Robot R100AE and Roomba i7+ offer the convenience of a self-emptying robot vacuum, but they cater to different needs and priorities.
If budget is a primary concern and you have mostly hard floors or low-pile carpets, the Shark IQ Robot R100AE is a decent option.
However, if you prioritize cleaning performance, especially on carpets, and are willing to invest more, the Roomba i7+ is the superior choice. Its advanced navigation, powerful suction, and user-friendly app make it a top-performing robot vacuum that will keep your floors clean with minimal effort.
