Shark ION Robot 750 vs. Roomba 980: Cleaning Performance Showdown

Robot vacuums have become essential for maintaining clean homes with minimal effort. The Shark ION Robot 750 and the Roomba 980 are two popular models that cater to different consumer needs and budgets. The Shark ION Robot 750 offers an affordable entry point into the world of robotic cleaning, providing basic functionality and convenience for everyday messes. On the other hand, the Roomba 980 is a high-end option packed with advanced features and superior cleaning performance, designed for those who demand the best in automated floor care.

This comparison dives deep into the nuances of each model, helping you determine which robot vacuum aligns best with your lifestyle, cleaning requirements, and budget. We’ll analyze their key differences, specifications, design, performance, special features, usability, maintenance, and ultimately, provide a clear recommendation on which vacuum offers the best value for your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for an affordable assistant or a top-of-the-line cleaning machine, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

Quick Verdict

• For Budget-Conscious Consumers: The Shark ION Robot 750 is a great choice for those seeking an affordable robot vacuum for basic cleaning tasks on hard floors.
• For High-Performance Cleaning: The Roomba 980 is the better option for users who need powerful cleaning capabilities, especially on carpets, and appreciate advanced features like smart navigation and app control.
• For Pet Owners: Neither vacuum is ideal, but the Roomba 980 may handle pet hair slightly better due to its stronger suction and tangle-free brush rolls, although both have potential issues with hair entanglement.

Short Review of Shark ION Robot 750

The Shark ION Robot 750 is designed to provide a convenient and hands-free cleaning experience at an accessible price point. It features a Tri-Brush System, combining side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brush roll to effectively handle debris on various floor types. Its slim design allows it to easily navigate under furniture, reaching areas that are often difficult to clean with traditional vacuums. The Shark ION Robot 750 also offers Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling users to control the vacuum remotely via the SharkClean app or through voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

This robot vacuum excels at picking up small and large debris on bare floors, making it suitable for homes with mostly hard surface flooring. It’s also equipped with Auto-Sense Navigation, which helps it avoid obstacles, ledges, and stairs, preventing damage to furniture and falls. The Shark ION Robot 750 boasts a long battery life, allowing it to clean for a full hour before automatically returning to its docking station to recharge. While it may not offer the advanced mapping and navigation capabilities of higher-end models, its ease of use, reliable cleaning performance, and affordable price make it a solid choice for those new to robot vacuums or seeking a budget-friendly cleaning solution.

Short Review of Roomba 980

The Roomba 980 is iRobot’s top-of-the-line robot vacuum, engineered for superior cleaning performance and intelligent navigation. It utilizes a sophisticated AeroForce Cleaning System with Power Boost, delivering up to 10 times more air power on carpets compared to earlier Roomba models. This powerful suction, combined with tangle-free extractors, effectively removes dirt, debris, and pet hair from all floor types. The Roomba 980’s iAdapt 2.0 Navigation system uses visual localization to efficiently map and clean an entire level of your home, keeping track of its location and recharging as needed until the job is done.

With Wi-Fi connectivity and the iRobot HOME App, users can control the Roomba 980 from anywhere, scheduling cleaning jobs, customizing preferences, and viewing cleaning reports. The vacuum is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-activated control. The Roomba 980’s high-efficiency filter captures up to 99% of allergens, pollen, and fine particles, making it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. While it comes with a higher price tag, the Roomba 980’s advanced features, powerful cleaning performance, and smart home integration make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking the ultimate in automated floor care.

Key Differences at a Glance

• Price: The Shark ION Robot 750 is significantly more affordable than the Roomba 980.
• Cleaning Power: The Roomba 980 offers superior suction and cleaning performance, especially on carpets, with its AeroForce Cleaning System and Power Boost technology.
• Navigation: The Roomba 980 uses iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with visual localization for efficient mapping and cleaning, while the Shark ION Robot 750 relies on a more basic, random pathing system.
• App Control: Both vacuums offer app control, but the Roomba 980’s app provides more advanced features, such as customizable cleaning preferences and detailed cleaning reports.
• Battery Life: The Roomba 980 can clean for up to 120 minutes, while the Shark ION Robot 750 typically cleans for around 60 minutes.
• Special Features: The Roomba 980 includes features like Carpet Boost, which automatically increases suction on carpets, and virtual wall barriers to keep it out of specific areas.
• Maintenance: The Roomba 980 features tangle-free extractors that require less maintenance compared to the Shark ION Robot 750’s brush roll, which may need more frequent cleaning to remove tangled hair and debris.

Specifications Comparison

Price Comparison

The Shark ION Robot 750 is positioned as a budget-friendly option, typically retailing between $250 and $350. It provides a basic set of features and reliable cleaning performance for the price, making it an attractive choice for first-time robot vacuum buyers or those on a tight budget.

The Roomba 980, on the other hand, is a premium model with a significantly higher price tag, usually ranging from $600 to $900. While it represents a substantial investment, it offers advanced features, superior cleaning power, and intelligent navigation that justify the cost for users seeking the best in automated floor care.

When evaluating the cost-to-feature ratio, the Shark ION Robot 750 provides excellent value for its price, offering a decent cleaning performance and convenient app control at an affordable cost. The Roomba 980, despite its higher price, delivers exceptional cleaning capabilities, smart navigation, and advanced features that make it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize performance and convenience.

Design and Build Quality

The Shark ION Robot 750 features a sleek, low-profile design with a black and gray finish and gold accents. Its compact size allows it to easily maneuver under furniture and reach tight spaces. While the build quality is decent for its price range, it may not feel as robust as higher-end models.

The Roomba 980 boasts a more premium design with a larger diameter and a slightly taller profile. Its construction feels more solid and durable, reflecting its higher price point. The Roomba 980 also includes user-friendly features like a carrying handle and easily accessible dustbin.

In terms of aesthetics, both vacuums offer a modern and appealing design. However, the Roomba 980’s superior build quality and thoughtful design elements give it a slight edge over the Shark ION Robot 750.

Performance Face-Off

Cleaning on Hard Floors

• Shark ION Robot 750: Performs well on hard floors, effectively picking up small and large debris. Its dual edge brushes help clean along edges and corners.
• Roomba 980: Delivers excellent cleaning performance on hard floors, with powerful suction and a wide cleaning path. Its edge-sweeping brush effectively captures debris along walls and in corners.

Cleaning on Carpets

• Shark ION Robot 750: Struggles with fine debris and pet hair on carpets. Its brush roll may become tangled with hair, reducing its cleaning effectiveness.
• Roomba 980: Excels at cleaning carpets, thanks to its AeroForce Cleaning System and Power Boost technology, which automatically increases suction on carpeted surfaces. Its tangle-free extractors prevent hair from getting tangled, ensuring consistent cleaning performance.

Navigation and Coverage

• Shark ION Robot 750: Uses a random pathing system, which can result in inefficient coverage and missed spots. It relies on sensors to avoid obstacles and ledges.
• Roomba 980: Employs iAdapt 2.0 Navigation with visual localization to intelligently map and clean an entire level of your home. It systematically cleans in rows, ensuring complete coverage and avoiding obstacles with precision.

Pet Hair Removal

• Shark ION Robot 750: Inadequate for dealing with pet hair. Pet hair usually gets caught in its brush roll, brush guard, and wheels rather than sucked into its dust bin.
• Roomba 980: Is better option for pet hair due to stronger suction and tangle-free brush rolls, although both have potential issues with hair entanglement.

Special Features Comparison

• Shark ION Robot 750:
  • BotBoundary Strips: Physical boundary strips to keep the robot out of specific areas.
  • SharkClean App: Allows users to start/stop cleaning, schedule cleanings, and monitor the robot’s status.
• Roomba 980:
  • Carpet Boost: Automatically increases suction on carpets for deeper cleaning.
  • iAdapt 2.0 Navigation: Intelligently maps and cleans an entire level of your home.
  • Virtual Wall Barriers: Creates an invisible barrier to keep the robot out of specific areas (optional accessory).
  • iRobot HOME App: Provides advanced control, including customizable cleaning preferences, detailed cleaning reports, and smart home integration.

Usability and User Experience

The Shark ION Robot 750 is designed for ease of use, with a simple interface and straightforward controls. Its app is user-friendly, allowing even novice users to easily schedule cleanings and monitor the robot’s progress.

The Roomba 980 offers a more sophisticated user experience, with a wider range of features and customization options. Its iRobot HOME App provides detailed cleaning reports and allows users to fine-tune cleaning preferences. While it may have a slightly steeper learning curve, its advanced features make it a powerful tool for experienced users.

Maintenance and Longevity

The Shark ION Robot 750 requires regular maintenance, including cleaning the brush roll, emptying the dustbin, and replacing the filter. Its brush roll is prone to tangling with hair, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain optimal performance.

The Roomba 980 features tangle-free extractors that require less maintenance compared to the Shark ION Robot 750’s brush roll. Its high-efficiency filter also lasts longer and captures more allergens, reducing the frequency of replacements.

Both vacuums come with a one-year limited warranty. However, the Roomba 980’s more robust construction and higher-quality components suggest a longer lifespan compared to the Shark ION Robot 750.

Who Should Buy the Shark ION Robot 750?

• Budget-conscious consumers looking for an affordable robot vacuum.
• Users with mostly hard floors and minimal carpeting.
• First-time robot vacuum buyers seeking a simple and easy-to-use device.
• Individuals who want basic app control and voice command functionality.

Who Should Buy the Roomba 980?

• Users who demand superior cleaning performance, especially on carpets.
• Individuals with larger homes or multiple levels.
• Pet owners seeking a robot vacuum that can effectively remove pet hair.
• Tech-savvy users who appreciate advanced features, smart navigation, and detailed app control.

Final Recommendation

The Shark ION Robot 750 and the Roomba 980 cater to different needs and budgets. The Shark ION Robot 750 offers an affordable entry point into the world of robot vacuums, providing basic cleaning functionality and convenient app control at a reasonable price. It’s a great choice for those with mostly hard floors and minimal carpeting who are looking for a simple and easy-to-use cleaning solution.

However, for users who prioritize superior cleaning performance, intelligent navigation, and advanced features, the Roomba 980 is the clear winner. Its powerful AeroForce Cleaning System, iAdapt 2.0 Navigation, and comprehensive app control make it a top-of-the-line robot vacuum that delivers exceptional results on all floor types. While it comes with a higher price tag, its advanced capabilities and robust construction make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking the ultimate in automated floor care.