Robot vacuums have revolutionized home cleaning, offering convenience and automation. The Shark IQ Robot and Roomba S9+ are two prominent models in this competitive market, each designed to tackle dirt, dust, and pet hair with minimal human intervention. These robots appeal to busy individuals, pet owners, and anyone seeking to maintain a consistently clean home without the daily grind of manual vacuuming.
The Shark IQ Robot aims to deliver comprehensive cleaning at a more accessible price point, while the Roomba S9+ represents iRobot’s premium offering, boasting advanced features and superior performance. Both vacuums offer self-emptying capabilities, smart navigation, and app control, but they differ significantly in design, suction power, and overall cleaning effectiveness. This comparison dives deep into the features, performance, and value proposition of each robot, helping you determine which is the best fit for your needs and budget.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of the Shark IQ Robot
- Short Review of the Roomba S9+
- 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?
- Who Should Buy the Roomba S9+?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- Cleaning Performance: The Roomba S9+ generally outperforms the Shark IQ Robot, especially on carpets and for pet hair removal.
- Price: The Shark IQ Robot is significantly more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Features: Both offer self-emptying, smart mapping, and app control, but the Roomba S9+ has more advanced customization options.
- Best For:
- Shark IQ Robot: Users on a budget who need a decent clean on mostly hard floors.
- Roomba S9+: Users who prioritize superior cleaning performance, especially in homes with carpets and pets, and are willing to invest more.
Short Review of the Shark IQ Robot
The Shark IQ Robot is designed to offer a balance of smart features and affordability. It boasts a self-emptying base that can hold up to 45 days of dirt and debris, reducing the frequency of maintenance. Its intelligent navigation system allows it to map your home and clean in a methodical, row-by-row pattern, ensuring thorough coverage. The SharkClean app enables users to schedule cleanings, target specific rooms, and monitor the robot’s progress.
One of the key advantages of the Shark IQ Robot is its self-cleaning brushroll, designed to prevent hair from wrapping around it, making it suitable for homes with pets. It also offers powerful suction to tackle both large and small debris on various floor types. While it may not match the premium performance of higher-end models, the Shark IQ Robot provides a solid cleaning experience at a fraction of the cost.
Short Review of the Roomba S9+
The Roomba S9+ is iRobot’s top-of-the-line robot vacuum, engineered for exceptional cleaning performance and convenience. Its D-shaped design allows it to reach deep into corners and along edges, while its advanced sensors and camera-based navigation ensure comprehensive coverage of your home. The Roomba S9+ features a self-emptying base that can hold up to 30 bins of dirt, minimizing the need for manual emptying.
Equipped with powerful suction and a high-efficiency filter, the Roomba S9+ excels at removing pet hair, allergens, and other debris from carpets and hard floors. Its Imprint Smart Mapping technology enables it to learn your home’s layout, allowing you to create custom cleaning schedules and target specific rooms. The iRobot Home app provides a seamless user experience, offering advanced features like Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Shape: The Roomba S9+ has a D-shape for better edge cleaning, while the Shark IQ Robot is round.
- Brushroll System: The Roomba S9+ uses a dual rubber brushroll system, whereas the Shark IQ Robot uses a single brushroll with bristles and rubber fins.
- Suction Power: The Roomba S9+ generally offers higher suction power than the Shark IQ Robot.
- Mapping: The Roomba S9+ has Imprint Smart Mapping with more advanced customization.
- Price: The Shark IQ Robot is significantly less expensive than the Roomba S9+.
- Dust Bin Capacity at Base: Both hold up to 30 loads of debris, but Shark uses a bagless system.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Shark IQ Robot | Roomba S9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Round | D-Shape |
| Brushroll | Single, Hybrid Bristle & Rubber | Dual Rubber |
| Navigation | Intelligent, Row-by-Row | Imprint Smart Mapping |
| Self-Emptying | Yes, Bagless | Yes, Bagged |
| App Control | Yes, SharkClean App | Yes, iRobot Home App |
| Voice Control | Yes, Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | Yes, Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant |
| Filter | Standard | High-Efficiency |
| Run Time | Up to 70 minutes | Up to 75 minutes |
| Charge Time | Varies | ~3 hours |
| Dustbin Capacity | 400 ml (Robot), XL Capacity at Base (45 days) | 500 ml (Robot), Up to 30 bins at Base |
| Dimensions | Varies by model | 12.25″ W x 3.5″ H |
| Weight | 5.87 lbs | 8.2 lbs |
Price Comparison
The Shark IQ Robot typically retails for around $400-$500 with the self-emptying base, while the Roomba S9+ is priced significantly higher, often exceeding $800-$1000. The Shark IQ Robot offers a better value proposition for budget-conscious consumers who want a robot vacuum with self-emptying capabilities. The Roomba S9+ is geared towards users who prioritize top-tier cleaning performance and are willing to pay a premium for advanced features and superior results.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark IQ Robot features a standard round design, which may struggle to reach corners and edges effectively. It is constructed from durable plastic and feels relatively sturdy. The Roomba S9+ sports a unique D-shape, allowing it to get closer to walls and into corners. It boasts a premium build quality with high-end materials, giving it a more robust and durable feel.
Performance Face-Off
Bare Floors
The Shark IQ Robot performs well on bare floors, effectively picking up pet hair, small debris like rice, and larger material like cereal. The Roomba S9+ also excels on bare floors, clearing away a wide mix of debris.
Winner: Tie. Both are effective on bare floors.
Low-Pile Carpets
The Shark IQ Robot struggles more with larger debris on carpets. The Roomba S9+ delivers nearly flawless cleaning performance on low-pile carpets.
Winner: Roomba S9+.
High-Pile Carpets
The Shark IQ Robot struggles to climb onto shag-pile carpeting and with pet hair. The Roomba S9+ performs well on high-pile carpets.
Winner: Roomba S9+.
Pet Hair
The Roomba S9+ captured 99% of pet hair on hardwood and 97% on carpet in tests. The Shark IQ cleaned up just 50% of pet hair on carpet and 83% on hardwood in similar tests.
Winner: Roomba S9+.
Special Features Comparison
- Shark IQ Robot:
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Designed to prevent hair wrap.
- Bagless Self-Emptying Base: Holds up to 45 days of debris.
- Roomba S9+:
- D-Shape Design: Improves edge and corner cleaning.
- Imprint Smart Mapping: Allows for customized cleaning zones.
- High-Efficiency Filter: Traps allergens.
Usability and User Experience
Both robots are easy to use with intuitive app controls. The iRobot Home app offers more advanced features and customization options, providing a more seamless user experience. The Shark IQ Robot is straightforward to set up and operate, making it suitable for novice users.
Maintenance and Longevity
The Shark IQ Robot has more parts that need to be replaced frequently, leading to higher recurring costs. The Roomba S9+ also has several parts that require regular servicing.
Who Should Buy the Shark IQ Robot?
The Shark IQ Robot is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious consumers.
- Homes with mostly hard floors.
- Users who want a self-emptying robot vacuum without a hefty price tag.
Who Should Buy the Roomba S9+?
The Roomba S9+ is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize superior cleaning performance.
- Homes with carpets and pets.
- Those who want advanced features like smart mapping and customized cleaning zones.
Final Recommendation
The Roomba S9+ is the better overall performer, offering superior cleaning power and advanced features. However, its high price point makes it a less accessible option for many consumers. The Shark IQ Robot provides a solid cleaning experience at a more affordable price, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious users. If you have mostly hard floors and want a self-emptying robot vacuum without breaking the bank, the Shark IQ Robot is a great option. If you have carpets and pets and are willing to invest more, the Roomba S9+ is the clear winner.
