The Shark EZ Robot RV990 enters the robot vacuum market as a compelling option for those seeking a balance between effective cleaning and affordability. Designed for busy households, this robot promises powerful suction, methodical cleaning patterns, and smart features to simplify floor maintenance. It aims to provide a hassle-free cleaning experience on both carpets and hard floors, making it a versatile addition to any home.
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 stands out by offering a row-by-row cleaning approach, ensuring comprehensive coverage of your floors. Equipped with strong suction and dual edge brushes, it tackles dirt, debris, and pet hair with ease. Controlled via the SharkClean app or voice commands, it seamlessly integrates into a smart home ecosystem. While it might not boast all the advanced features of premium models, its blend of performance and convenience makes it a worthy contender in its price range.
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Key Takeaways
* Effective Cleaning Performance: Delivers strong suction and thorough cleaning on various floor types, including carpets and hard floors.
* Smart Navigation: Employs a row-by-row cleaning pattern for systematic coverage and efficient cleaning.
* User-Friendly Features: Offers app control, voice command compatibility, and recharge & resume functionality for convenient operation.
* Pet-Friendly Design: Effectively tackles pet hair and dander, making it suitable for homes with pets.
* Value for Money: Provides a solid cleaning experience at an affordable price point, balancing performance with cost.
Verdict: The Shark EZ Robot RV990 is a reliable and efficient robot vacuum that offers excellent cleaning performance for its price. It’s a great choice for those looking for a smart cleaning solution without breaking the bank. 7.8/10
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Number | RV990 |
| Weight | 6.21 lbs (2.82 kg) |
| Dimensions | 12.80 x 12.60 x 3.50 inches (32.5 x 32 x 8.9 cm) |
| Battery Life | 60 minutes |
| Cleaning Path | 5.6 inches |
| Filter Type | Foam |
| Dust Cup Capacity | XL Dust Cup |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) |
| Voice Control Compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Brushroll Type | Multi-Surface Brushroll |
| Charging Time | Up to 6 hours |
| Accessories Included | (1) Shark EZ Robot, (1) Charging Dock, (2) Side Brushes, (1) Filter |
| Special Features | Row-by-Row Cleaning, Recharge & Resume, Dual Edge and Corner Brushes, App Control |
Price and Availability
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 is widely available through major retailers. Pricing typically ranges from $237 to $450, but can vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions. Keep an eye out for deals on websites like Walmart, Amazon, and eBay, especially during sales events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Refurbished models are also available on sites like Groupon and DailySale, offering a more budget-friendly option.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 sports a classic circular design common among robot vacuums. Its low profile (3.5 inches) allows it to navigate under furniture with ease. The body is constructed from durable plastic, which feels sturdy enough to withstand daily bumps and collisions. The black finish gives it a sleek, modern look that blends well with most home décor.
Compared to previous Shark models, the RV990 maintains a similar aesthetic but incorporates enhanced features like the multi-surface brushroll and improved edge cleaning capabilities. While it may not have the premium materials found in higher-end models, the RV990’s build quality is solid for its price range. Its weight of just over 6 pounds makes it easy to handle when needed, such as for maintenance or moving it between floors.
Performance and Features
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 is designed to deliver a comprehensive cleaning experience through a combination of powerful suction, smart navigation, and user-friendly features.
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
The RV990 boasts strong suction that effectively picks up dirt, dust, and pet hair from both hard floors and carpets. Its multi-surface brushroll is designed to agitate carpet fibers, lifting embedded debris for a deeper clean. In real-world tests, the RV990 demonstrated impressive performance on hardwood floors, capturing fine dust and larger particles without scattering. On carpets, it required a couple of passes to thoroughly remove debris and pet hair.
Row-by-Row Cleaning and Navigation
One of the standout features of the RV990 is its methodical row-by-row cleaning pattern. Unlike some robots that wander aimlessly, the RV990 systematically covers each area of your floor, ensuring comprehensive cleaning. This approach results in 50% better coverage compared to older models like the Shark ION R75. The robot uses sensors to navigate around obstacles and avoid falling down stairs.
Edge and Corner Cleaning
Equipped with dual edge and corner brushes, the RV990 effectively cleans along walls and in tight corners. These brushes extend out to sweep debris into the path of the main brushroll, ensuring that no area is left untouched. User reviews highlight the effectiveness of these brushes in capturing dust and dirt that often accumulates in hard-to-reach spots.
App and Voice Control
The SharkClean app allows you to control the RV990 remotely, schedule cleanings, and view cleaning reports. You can start, stop, and pause the robot with a single tap, or use voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This level of integration makes it easy to incorporate the RV990 into your smart home setup. The app also provides useful information such as battery status and cleaning history.
Battery Life
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 offers a battery life of approximately 60 minutes on a full charge. While this may not be sufficient for cleaning large homes in one go, the recharge and resume feature ensures that the robot returns to its base to recharge and then picks up where it left off. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining consistent cleanliness in larger spaces.
Charging time from an empty battery can take up to 6 hours, so it’s best to schedule cleanings during off-peak hours to ensure the robot is always ready to go. Some users have noted that the battery life can degrade over time, so it may be necessary to replace the battery after a year or two of regular use.
Software and User Experience
The SharkClean app provides a user-friendly interface for controlling and monitoring the RV990. The app allows you to schedule cleanings, view cleaning reports, and adjust settings such as suction power. Connecting the robot to your Wi-Fi network is a straightforward process, and the app provides clear instructions to guide you through the setup.
The app also supports voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to start, stop, and schedule cleanings with simple voice commands. This hands-free control adds an extra layer of convenience to the cleaning process. While the app is generally well-designed, some users have reported occasional connectivity issues and minor bugs. However, Shark regularly updates the app to address these issues and improve the overall user experience.
Comparison to Competitors
When compared to other robot vacuums in its price range, the Shark EZ Robot RV990 holds its own in terms of cleaning performance and features. Here’s how it stacks up against some key competitors:
- iRobot Roomba i1: The Roomba i1 is a popular alternative, but the Shark EZ Robot RV990 has lower ownership costs, as its self-emptying base station doesn’t use disposable dirtbags. The Roomba i1 is easier to maintain, recharges more quickly, and features a more intuitive app.
- Eufy RoboVac: Eufy offers a range of robot vacuums that compete with the RV990 in terms of price and features. Shark’s similarly priced cleaners have similar technology, and the more expensive Matrix models have what the firm calls Matrix clean: instead of one-pass cleaning they repeatedly roll over the same area to remove more dust and dirt.
- Shark IQ Robot: The Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty is slightly better than the Shark IQ Robot. The EZ has a much greater dirt compartment capacity because of its external dustbin and delivers superior performance on low- and high-pile carpets, especially when dealing with pet hair. Meanwhile, the AI incurs fewer recurring costs, has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, and maneuvers over obstructions like electrical cords with less difficulty.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Strong suction power
- Methodical row-by-row cleaning
- App and voice control
- Effective edge and corner cleaning
- Suitable for pet hair
Cons:
- Relatively short battery life
- Long charging time
- May require multiple passes on carpets
- Occasional app connectivity issues
- Smaller debris capacity
Value for Money
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 offers excellent value for money, providing a robust set of features and solid cleaning performance at an affordable price. It’s a great option for those who want a smart cleaning solution without spending a fortune.
Who should buy this:
- Budget-conscious consumers
- Pet owners
- Those seeking a user-friendly robot vacuum
- Individuals with small to medium-sized homes
Who should look elsewhere:
- Those who need extended battery life for large homes
- Users who prefer a more advanced navigation system
- Individuals willing to invest in premium features and performance
Verdict
The Shark EZ Robot RV990 is a reliable and efficient robot vacuum that delivers impressive cleaning performance for its price. Its methodical cleaning pattern, strong suction, and user-friendly features make it a valuable addition to any home. While it may have some limitations in terms of battery life and navigation, its affordability and overall effectiveness make it a worthwhile investment. The Shark EZ Robot RV990 is a solid choice for those seeking a balance between price and performance in the robot vacuum market. 7.8/10
