The Shark AV911S EZ Robot Vacuum aims to deliver hands-free floor cleaning at an accessible price point. Positioned as an entry-level robot vacuum, it promises to keep your floors tidy with minimal effort, handling everyday dust, dirt, and pet hair. However, in a market saturated with increasingly sophisticated robot vacuums, does the AV911S EZ offer enough to stand out, or are its compromises too significant? This review delves into the details of its design, performance, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right cleaning solution for your home.
The AV911S EZ seeks to offer a balance between affordability and convenience, targeting users who are new to robot vacuums or seeking a secondary cleaning solution for smaller spaces. It boasts features like a self-cleaning brushroll, app control, and voice assistant compatibility. But, as with many budget-friendly options, some trade-offs have been made in areas like suction power and navigation capabilities. It’s important to weigh these factors carefully to determine if the AV911S EZ truly meets your cleaning needs.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Shark AV911S EZ offers convenient, hands-free cleaning for everyday dirt and dust.
- Its self-cleaning brushroll is effective at minimizing hair tangles, a major plus for pet owners.
- Navigation is basic, resulting in less efficient cleaning patterns compared to higher-end models.
- Suction power is adequate for hard floors but may struggle with thicker carpets.
- It’s a good value for those seeking an affordable entry into the world of robot vacuums.
Verdict: 7.0/10
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Number | AV911S |
| Dimensions | 12.6″ diameter x 3.5″ height |
| Weight | 5.7 lbs |
| Battery Life | Up to 90 minutes |
| Charging Time | Approximately 6 hours |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.45 liters |
| Filter Type | Standard Filter |
| Brushroll Type | Self-Cleaning Brushroll |
| Navigation | Basic, Bumper-Based |
| App Compatibility | SharkClean app |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Cleaning Modes | Clean, Spot Clean |
| Floor Types | Hardwood, Tile, Low-Pile Carpet |
| Cliff Sensors | Yes |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Bumper-based |
Price and Availability
The Shark AV911S EZ Robot Vacuum is widely available at major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and the Shark official website. The price typically ranges from $199 to $249, but it can often be found on sale for less. Keep an eye out for bundled deals that may include extra filters or accessories.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark AV911S EZ sports a fairly standard circular design, common among robot vacuums. Its primarily black plastic construction feels reasonably sturdy for its price point. The top surface features a simple start/stop button and the Shark logo. The dustbin is easily accessible from the side, making for convenient emptying.
The build quality is acceptable, although it doesn’t feel as premium as higher-end models. The plastic components are functional, but don’t have the refined finish of more expensive vacuums. The 3.5-inch height allows it to navigate under many pieces of furniture, but it might struggle with very low clearances. Compared to previous Shark robot vacuum models, the AV911S EZ maintains a similar design language, focusing on simplicity and practicality. The self-cleaning brushroll is a standout feature, designed to minimize hair tangles – a common issue with many robot vacuums.
Performance and Features
The Shark AV911S EZ is designed for everyday cleaning tasks. While it may not have the advanced features of pricier models, it offers a decent level of performance for the average user.
Cleaning Performance
On hard floors, the AV911S EZ performs admirably, effectively picking up dust, crumbs, and pet hair. The suction is adequate for these surfaces, and the self-cleaning brushroll helps prevent hair from wrapping around the brush. However, its performance on carpets is less impressive. While it can handle low-pile carpets, it struggles with thicker or high-pile carpets, often leaving behind debris. The suction power simply isn’t strong enough to deeply clean these surfaces.
In real-world usage, the AV911S EZ is best suited for homes with mostly hard floors and minimal carpeting. It can handle daily maintenance cleaning, but it’s not a replacement for a full-sized vacuum cleaner for more thorough cleaning.
Navigation
The navigation system on the AV911S EZ is quite basic. It uses bumper-based navigation, which means it essentially bounces around the room until it has covered most areas. This approach is less efficient than more sophisticated navigation systems that use mapping or laser guidance. As a result, the AV911S EZ may miss spots or repeatedly clean the same areas.
It does feature cliff sensors to prevent it from falling down stairs, which is a crucial safety feature. However, its obstacle avoidance is limited. It may bump into furniture and walls, although the bumpers are designed to minimize damage. Overall, the navigation is a significant limitation compared to more advanced robot vacuums.
Self-Cleaning Brushroll
One of the standout features of the AV911S EZ is its self-cleaning brushroll. This technology is designed to prevent hair from tangling around the brush, which can significantly reduce cleaning performance and require manual maintenance. In testing, the self-cleaning brushroll proved to be quite effective, especially for households with pets or long-haired individuals. It significantly reduces the frequency of having to cut tangled hair from the brushroll, making maintenance much easier.
Battery Life
The Shark AV911S EZ boasts a battery life of up to 90 minutes. However, this can vary depending on the floor type and cleaning mode. On hard floors, it typically achieves close to the advertised battery life. On carpets, the battery drains more quickly due to the increased power needed to clean these surfaces.
The charging time is relatively long, taking approximately 6 hours to fully charge. This means that if the vacuum runs out of battery mid-cleaning, you’ll have to wait a considerable amount of time before it can resume.
Software and User Experience
The Shark AV911S EZ is compatible with the SharkClean app, which allows you to control the vacuum remotely, schedule cleaning sessions, and monitor its status. The app is relatively simple to use, but it lacks some of the advanced features found in other robot vacuum apps, such as the ability to create virtual boundaries or customize cleaning zones.
The AV911S EZ also supports voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows you to start or stop cleaning with voice commands, adding an extra layer of convenience. The overall user experience is straightforward and easy to grasp, making it accessible for users who are new to robot vacuums.
Comparison to Competitors
Compared to other robot vacuums in its price range, the Shark AV911S EZ offers a decent set of features, but it has some limitations.
- iRobot Roomba 694: The Roomba 694 is a popular entry-level robot vacuum that offers similar performance to the AV911S EZ. The Roomba 694 has slightly better navigation and a more established brand reputation. However, the AV911S EZ’s self-cleaning brushroll gives it an edge in terms of maintenance.
- Eufy RoboVac 11S: The Eufy RoboVac 11S is another budget-friendly option that is known for its quiet operation and slim design. It lacks app control and advanced features, but it offers solid cleaning performance on hard floors. The AV911S EZ has better features, but the RoboVac 11S is less expensive.
- Wyze Robot Vacuum: The Wyze Robot Vacuum offers mapping, virtual boundaries, and multi-floor cleaning. The AV911S EZ is less expensive and lacks smart features.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Effective self-cleaning brushroll
- App control and voice assistant compatibility
- Decent cleaning performance on hard floors
Cons:
- Basic navigation system
- Limited suction power on carpets
- Long charging time
- Lacks advanced features
Value for Money
The Shark AV911S EZ Robot Vacuum offers good value for money, especially for those seeking an affordable entry into the world of robot vacuums. Its self-cleaning brushroll and app control are nice features to have at this price point. However, its basic navigation and limited suction power mean that it’s not the best choice for homes with thick carpets or complex layouts.
Who should buy this product?
- Those who are new to robot vacuums and want an affordable option
- Homes with mostly hard floors and minimal carpeting
- Pet owners or individuals with long hair who want to minimize brushroll maintenance
Who should look elsewhere?
- Homes with thick or high-pile carpets
- Those who need advanced navigation features like mapping and virtual boundaries
- Users who want a powerful vacuum that can handle deep cleaning tasks
Verdict
The Shark AV911S EZ Robot Vacuum is a decent entry-level option that offers convenient cleaning at an affordable price. Its self-cleaning brushroll is a standout feature, and its app control and voice assistant compatibility add to its appeal. However, its basic navigation and limited suction power mean that it’s not the best choice for all homes. If you’re looking for an affordable robot vacuum for light cleaning on hard floors, the AV911S EZ is worth considering.
Final Score: 7.0/10
