Robot vacuums have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient way to keep floors clean with minimal effort. The iRobot Roomba 676 and the Shark IQ Robot are two popular options in this competitive market, each designed to automate the chore of vacuuming. Both aim to provide a hands-free cleaning experience, but they differ in features, performance, and price, making it essential to understand their strengths and weaknesses before making a purchase.
These two models target consumers looking for an entry-level to mid-range robot vacuum that can handle everyday cleaning tasks. The Roomba 676 appeals to those who value the reliability of the iRobot brand and a straightforward, user-friendly experience. The Shark IQ Robot, on the other hand, attracts customers seeking more advanced features like smart mapping and self-emptying capabilities at a competitive price point. Ultimately, the choice between these two depends on individual needs, preferences, and budget.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of Roomba 676
- Short Review of Shark IQ Robot
- 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 Roomba 676?
- Who Should Buy Shark IQ Robot?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- For budget-conscious buyers: The Roomba 676 offers a reliable clean at a lower upfront cost.
- For smart features and convenience: The Shark IQ Robot provides smart mapping, self-emptying, and app control for a more automated experience.
- For pet owners: Both are decent, but the Shark IQ Robot’s self-cleaning brushroll and powerful suction might give it a slight edge.
Short Review of Roomba 676
The iRobot Roomba 676 is a Wi-Fi connected robot vacuum designed for everyday cleaning. It features iAdapt Navigation, a 3-Stage Cleaning System, and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Roomba 676 is known for its ease of use and reliability, making it a popular choice for those new to robot vacuums. It effectively cleans both hard floors and carpets, adjusting automatically to different surfaces.
The Roomba 676 offers a simple and effective cleaning solution, ideal for maintaining tidy floors with minimal effort. Its Dirt Detect sensors allow it to focus on areas with higher concentrations of dirt, ensuring a thorough clean. The Roomba 676 is also self-charging, automatically returning to its Home Base to recharge after cleaning. This robot is a solid choice for those seeking a dependable and straightforward cleaning experience without the complexities of more advanced models.
Short Review of Shark IQ Robot
The Shark IQ Robot is a smart, self-emptying robot vacuum designed to provide a hands-free cleaning experience. It features IQ Navigation, which enables it to map your home and clean in neat rows, and a self-emptying base that holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris. The Shark IQ Robot also boasts a self-cleaning brushroll to prevent hair from wrapping around it, making it a good option for pet owners.
With its advanced features and convenient design, the Shark IQ Robot offers a comprehensive cleaning solution for busy households. Its smart mapping capabilities allow for targeted cleaning of specific rooms or areas, while its self-emptying base reduces the frequency of maintenance. The Shark IQ Robot is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control for added convenience. This robot is an excellent choice for those seeking a more automated and intelligent cleaning experience.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Navigation: Shark IQ Robot uses smart mapping; Roomba 676 uses adaptive navigation.
- Self-Emptying: Shark IQ Robot has a self-emptying base, while Roomba 676 does not.
- Brushroll: Shark IQ Robot features a self-cleaning brushroll; Roomba 676 has standard brushes.
- App Control: Both have app control, but the Shark IQ app offers more advanced features.
- Price: Roomba 676 is generally more affordable upfront, but the Shark IQ Robot offers more features for the price.
- Dustbin Capacity: Shark IQ Robot has a larger dustbin capacity in its base station.
- Performance on Carpets: Shark IQ Robot generally performs better on carpets.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Roomba 676 | Shark IQ Robot |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | iAdapt Navigation | IQ Navigation |
| Self-Emptying | No | Yes (up to 30 days of dirt and debris) |
| Brushroll | Dual Multi-Surface Brushes | Self-Cleaning Brushroll |
| App Control | iRobot HOME App | SharkClean App |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Battery Life | Up to 90 minutes | Up to 90 minutes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | Varies |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.5L (Robot), N/A (Base) | 0.17 quarts (Robot), Up to 30 days of dust and debris (Base) |
| Dimensions | 13.4″ x 13.4″ x 3.54″ | 12.9″ L x 12.6″ W x 3.5″ H |
| Weight | 3.6 kg / 7.9 lbs | 5.87 lbs (Robot) |
| Filter Type | AeroVac Filter | Non-washable Filter |
| Floor Types | Carpets, Hard Floors, Tile, Laminate | All (indoor) |
| Special Features | Dirt Detect Sensors, Self-Charging | Self-Emptying Base, Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Home Mapping, Row-by-Row Cleaning, Recharge and Resume, Perfect for Pets |
Price Comparison
The iRobot Roomba 676 typically retails for around $169 – $270, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to automate their cleaning routine. While it lacks some of the advanced features of more expensive models, it offers a reliable clean at an affordable price.
The Shark IQ Robot, with its self-emptying base and smart features, generally costs between $300 – $600. While this is a higher upfront investment, the added convenience and advanced capabilities may justify the cost for some users. The self-emptying base, in particular, can save time and effort by reducing the frequency of emptying the dustbin.
Value Proposition:
- Roomba 676: Offers a basic but reliable cleaning experience at a lower cost. Ideal for those on a budget who want a simple, easy-to-use robot vacuum.
- Shark IQ Robot: Provides more advanced features and greater convenience for a higher price. Suitable for those willing to invest in a more automated and intelligent cleaning solution.
Design and Build Quality
The iRobot Roomba 676 features a classic circular design with a low profile, allowing it to easily navigate under furniture. It is constructed primarily of durable plastic and feels sturdy overall. The Roomba 676’s design is functional and practical, prioritizing ease of use and reliability.
The Shark IQ Robot also has a low-profile design, enabling it to clean under furniture with ease. It is also made of hard plastic, with a slightly oblong shape to accommodate its water tank and LIDAR mapping sensor. The Shark IQ Robot feels well-built overall, offering a good balance of durability and aesthetics.
Performance Face-Off
Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors
The Roomba 676 effectively cleans hard floors, picking up dirt, dust, and debris with its 3-Stage Cleaning System. Its dual multi-surface brushes work together to loosen and lift dirt, while the vacuum suctions it away.
The Shark IQ Robot performs impressively well on bare floors, clearing most pet hair and small debris like rice. However, it can struggle with bulky debris as its dirt compartment fills up.
Winner: Tie. Both vacuums perform well on hard floors.
Cleaning Performance on Carpets
The Roomba 676 is capable of cleaning carpets, adjusting its cleaning head to suit different pile heights. It effectively removes surface dirt and debris, but may struggle with deeply embedded dirt or pet hair on thicker carpets.
The Shark IQ Robot delivers better overall performance on carpets, effectively picking up large and small debris, as well as pet hair.
Winner: Shark IQ Robot. It has better cleaning performance on both low- and high-pile carpets.
Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance
The Roomba 676 uses iAdapt Navigation, which allows it to navigate under and around furniture, and along edges. While it may not follow a systematic cleaning pattern, it covers the entire floor over time. The Roomba 676 also has cliff-detection sensors to prevent it from falling down stairs.
The Shark IQ Robot uses IQ Navigation, which enables it to map your home and clean in neat rows. This allows for more efficient and thorough cleaning. The Shark IQ Robot also maneuvers over obstructions like electrical cords more effectively.
Winner: Shark IQ Robot. Its smart mapping and obstacle avoidance are superior.
Pet Hair Cleaning
The Roomba 676 is decent at cleaning pet hair, with its dual multi-surface brushes designed to capture hair from carpets and hard floors. However, it may require more frequent cleaning of the brushes to remove tangled hair.
The Shark IQ Robot is designed for homes with pets, featuring a self-cleaning brushroll that removes pet hair and long hair from the brushroll as it cleans. It also has a high-efficiency filter to capture dust, dander, and pet allergens.
Winner: Shark IQ Robot. The self-cleaning brushroll is a significant advantage for pet owners.
Special Features Comparison
- Roomba 676:
- Dirt Detect Sensors: Focuses cleaning on areas with higher concentrations of dirt.
- Self-Charging: Automatically returns to its Home Base to recharge.
- Shark IQ Robot:
- Self-Emptying Base: Holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris.
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Prevents hair from wrapping around the brushroll.
- IQ Navigation: Maps your home and cleans in neat rows.
- Recharge and Resume: Returns to the base, recharges, and can pick up where it left off.
- Total Home Mapping: Maps your home and lets you choose which rooms to clean.
Usability and User Experience
The Roomba 676 is known for its ease of use, with a simple interface and intuitive app. It is easy to set up and schedule cleaning sessions, making it a great choice for novice users.
The Shark IQ Robot also offers a user-friendly experience, with its SharkClean app providing access to advanced features like smart mapping and room selection. While it may have a slightly steeper learning curve than the Roomba 676, the added features make it worthwhile for experienced users.
Winner: Tie. The Roomba 676 is better for novice users, while the Shark IQ Robot caters to more experienced users seeking advanced features.
Maintenance and Longevity
The Roomba 676 requires regular maintenance, including emptying the dustbin, cleaning the brushes, and replacing the filter. However, its maintenance requirements are less demanding compared to some other models.
The Shark IQ Robot has higher recurring costs since quite a few parts need to be replaced frequently.
Winner: Roomba 676. Lower maintenance requirements and recurring costs.
Who Should Buy Roomba 676?
The iRobot Roomba 676 is the better choice for:
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable robot vacuum.
- Those who prefer a simple, easy-to-use robot vacuum without advanced features.
- Users who want a dependable cleaning solution for small to medium-sized homes.
Who Should Buy Shark IQ Robot?
The Shark IQ Robot is the better choice for:
- Those seeking a more automated and intelligent cleaning experience.
- Pet owners who need a robot vacuum with a self-cleaning brushroll.
- Users who want smart mapping and room selection capabilities.
- Those who value the convenience of a self-emptying base.
Final Recommendation
Both the Roomba 676 and the Shark IQ Robot offer valuable cleaning solutions for different types of users. The Roomba 676 is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and affordable robot vacuum with a straightforward user experience. The Shark IQ Robot, on the other hand, provides more advanced features and greater convenience for a higher price, making it suitable for those willing to invest in a more automated and intelligent cleaning solution.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs, preferences, and budget. If you prioritize affordability and ease of use, the Roomba 676 is a great option. If you’re willing to spend more for advanced features like smart mapping and self-emptying, the Shark IQ Robot is an excellent choice.
