iRobot Roomba j7+ vs. Shark IQ Robot: Cleaning Battle

Robot vacuums have become essential for maintaining clean homes with minimal effort. The iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Shark IQ Robot are two popular models that offer self-emptying capabilities and smart features. Both aim to provide a hands-free cleaning experience, but they cater to different user needs and preferences. Potential buyers often weigh factors such as cleaning performance, navigation, obstacle avoidance, and price to determine which robot vacuum best fits their lifestyle.

The Roomba j7+ is known for its advanced technology, particularly its PrecisionVision Navigation, which allows it to identify and avoid obstacles like pet waste and charging cables. This feature is especially appealing to pet owners and those with cluttered homes. On the other hand, the Shark IQ Robot offers a more budget-friendly option with a self-cleaning brushroll and a self-emptying base. While it may not have the same level of obstacle avoidance as the Roomba, it still provides effective cleaning and smart home integration, making it a strong contender for those seeking value and convenience.

Quick Verdict

• Roomba j7+: Best for users who prioritize advanced obstacle avoidance, smart mapping, and a more refined app experience. Ideal for pet owners and those with complex floor plans.
• Shark IQ Robot: Best for users seeking a more affordable self-emptying robot vacuum with strong suction and a self-cleaning brushroll. A good option for homes with mostly bare floors and low-pile carpets.

Short Review of iRobot Roomba j7+

The iRobot Roomba j7+ stands out as one of the smartest robot vacuums on the market, thanks to its advanced AI-powered obstacle avoidance and smart mapping capabilities. Its PrecisionVision Navigation allows it to recognize and avoid common household obstacles, including pet waste and charging cables, ensuring a hassle-free cleaning experience. The j7+ also features an attractively designed Clean Base, which automatically empties the robot’s dustbin, allowing you to forget about vacuuming for months at a time.

Equipped with dual multi-surface rubber brushes that adjust to different floor types and prevent hair tangles, the Roomba j7+ excels at cleaning both hard floors and carpets. Its smart mapping technology enables targeted room cleaning, virtual boundaries, and scheduled area cleanings, all of which can be controlled via the user-friendly iRobot app. While it comes at a premium price, the Roomba j7+ offers a high level of convenience and performance, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a truly hands-off cleaning solution.

Short Review of Shark IQ Robot

The Shark IQ Robot is a compelling option for those looking for a balance between price and performance in a robot vacuum. Its standout features include a self-cleaning brushroll that prevents hair from wrapping around it and a self-emptying base that can hold up to 45 days’ worth of dust and debris. The Shark IQ Robot is designed to provide a low-maintenance cleaning experience, effectively tackling dust, debris, and pet hair on both hard floors and carpets.

The Shark IQ Robot’s smart features, accessible through the SharkClean app, allow users to schedule whole-home cleanings, target specific rooms, and create virtual no-go zones. Its row-by-row cleaning pattern ensures complete home coverage, and the recharge and resume function allows it to tackle larger spaces without interruption. While it may not have the advanced obstacle avoidance of the Roomba j7+, the Shark IQ Robot offers a reliable and convenient cleaning solution at a more affordable price point.

Key Differences at a Glance

• Obstacle Avoidance: Roomba j7+ uses PrecisionVision Navigation to identify and avoid obstacles like pet waste and cords, while Shark IQ Robot relies on a more basic sensor system.
• Brushroll Design: Roomba j7+ features dual multi-surface rubber brushes that prevent hair tangles, while Shark IQ Robot has a self-cleaning brushroll designed to remove hair as it cleans.
• Mapping Technology: Roomba j7+ utilizes Imprint Smart Mapping for more efficient and customizable cleaning, while Shark IQ Robot uses a row-by-row cleaning pattern and home mapping.
• Dustbin Capacity: Shark IQ Robot’s self-emptying base holds up to 45 days of dirt and debris, while Roomba j7+’s Clean Base holds up to 60 days.
• Price: Shark IQ Robot is generally more affordable than Roomba j7+.

Specifications Comparison

Price Comparison

The iRobot Roomba j7+ typically retails at a higher price point than the Shark IQ Robot. The Roomba j7+’s premium features, such as advanced obstacle avoidance and smart mapping, contribute to its higher cost. While the initial investment is significant, the Roomba j7+ offers long-term value through its efficient cleaning performance and reduced maintenance needs.

The Shark IQ Robot provides a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features like self-emptying and smart home integration. Its lower price point makes it accessible to a wider range of consumers, offering a good balance between cost and functionality. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the Roomba j7+, the Shark IQ Robot delivers reliable cleaning performance at a competitive price, making it a strong contender for value-conscious shoppers.

Design and Build Quality

The iRobot Roomba j7+ features a sleek and modern design with a focus on functionality. Its compact Clean Base is designed to take up less space while still holding up to 60 days’ worth of debris. The robot itself has a clean interface with a single button and a front-facing camera for obstacle avoidance. The Roomba j7+ feels well-built and durable, with high-quality materials that ensure longevity.

The Shark IQ Robot sports a utilitarian design with an all-black finish. Its self-emptying base is larger than the Roomba’s, but it also holds a substantial amount of dirt and debris. The robot has a self-cleaning brushroll and two side brushes for effective cleaning. While the Shark IQ Robot may not have the same premium feel as the Roomba, it still offers good build quality and a sturdy construction.

Performance Face-Off

Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors

The iRobot Roomba j7+ performs excellently on hard floors, effectively picking up dust, dirt, and debris. Its dual multi-surface rubber brushes work in tandem to lift and extract messes, while its powerful suction ensures a thorough clean. The Roomba j7+ also navigates efficiently around furniture and edges, leaving hard floors spotless.

The Shark IQ Robot also delivers strong cleaning performance on hard floors, effectively sucking up pet hair and small debris. However, it can struggle with larger debris as its dirt compartment fills up, sometimes pushing it around instead of picking it up. Despite this limitation, the Shark IQ Robot provides a satisfactory cleaning performance on hard floors.

Cleaning Performance on Carpets

The iRobot Roomba j7+ provides good cleaning performance on carpets, with its powerful suction and dual multi-surface rubber brushes effectively removing dirt and debris. It achieved a high score on carpet deep clean tests, demonstrating its ability to extract embedded messes. The Roomba j7+ automatically adjusts its cleaning power based on the floor type, ensuring optimal performance on both low-pile and high-pile carpets.

The Shark IQ Robot is a decent choice for cleaning high-pile carpets, capable of clearing most debris in a single pass. However, it can struggle with pet hair on carpets, often pushing it further into the fibers rather than lifting it away. The Shark IQ Robot’s performance on low-pile carpets is also less impressive, with some tests showing it capturing only 74% of debris.

Obstacle Avoidance

The iRobot Roomba j7+ excels in obstacle avoidance, thanks to its PrecisionVision Navigation. It can identify and avoid common household obstacles, such as pet waste, charging cables, and shoes, ensuring a hassle-free cleaning experience. The Roomba j7+ also learns from its mistakes, becoming more efficient at navigating your home over time.

The Shark IQ Robot’s obstacle avoidance capabilities are more limited. It relies on a basic sensor system to detect walls and obstacles, but it may struggle with smaller or more complex objects. While it generally avoids getting stuck, it may require some intervention to navigate around cluttered areas.

Special Features Comparison

• Roomba j7+:
  • PrecisionVision Navigation: Identifies and avoids obstacles like pet waste and cords.
  • Imprint Smart Mapping: Creates detailed maps of your home for efficient cleaning.
  • iRobot Genius: Learns your cleaning habits and provides personalized recommendations.
  • Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.): iRobot guarantees the j7+ will avoid pet waste or they’ll replace the unit.
• Shark IQ Robot:
  • Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Prevents hair from wrapping around the brushroll.
  • XL Self-Empty Base: Holds up to 45 days of dirt and debris.
  • Row-by-Row Cleaning: Methodically cleans row by row for complete coverage.

Usability and User Experience

The iRobot Roomba j7+ offers a user-friendly experience with its intuitive app and smart features. The app allows you to schedule cleanings, customize cleaning zones, and monitor the robot’s progress. The Roomba j7+’s smart mapping technology and obstacle avoidance make it easy to set up and operate, even for novice users.

The Shark IQ Robot also provides a straightforward user experience, with its easy-to-use app and simple controls. The app allows you to schedule cleanings, target specific rooms, and create virtual no-go zones. While it may not have all the advanced features of the Roomba app, the Shark IQ Robot’s app is still functional and easy to navigate.

Maintenance and Longevity

The iRobot Roomba j7+ requires minimal maintenance, thanks to its self-emptying Clean Base and tangle-resistant rubber brushes. The Clean Base’s dirt disposal bags need to be replaced every 60 days, and the filters and side brushes should be cleaned or replaced periodically. The Roomba j7+ is backed by iRobot’s reputation for quality and dependability, ensuring a long lifespan with proper care.

The Shark IQ Robot also offers a low-maintenance cleaning solution, with its self-cleaning brushroll and self-emptying base. The XL Self-Empty Base holds up to 45 days of dirt and debris, reducing the frequency of emptying. However, the Shark IQ Robot has more parts that need periodic cleaning and higher recurring costs compared to the Roomba j7+.

Who Should Buy Roomba j7+?

• Pet owners who need a robot vacuum that can avoid pet waste and other messes.
• Users with cluttered homes who want a robot vacuum that can navigate around obstacles.
• Those who prioritize advanced smart features, such as smart mapping and personalized cleaning recommendations.
• Users who are willing to pay a premium for a truly hands-off cleaning experience.

Who Should Buy Shark IQ Robot?

• Budget-conscious shoppers who want a self-emptying robot vacuum at an affordable price.
• Users with mostly bare floors and low-pile carpets.
• Those who want a robot vacuum with a self-cleaning brushroll to prevent hair tangles.
• Users who are comfortable with a more basic navigation system and less advanced obstacle avoidance.

Final Recommendation

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is the better overall choice for those who prioritize advanced technology, obstacle avoidance, and a refined user experience. Its PrecisionVision Navigation, Imprint Smart Mapping, and iRobot Genius features make it a top-of-the-line robot vacuum that can handle complex cleaning tasks with ease.

However, the Shark IQ Robot offers a compelling alternative for budget-conscious shoppers who want a self-emptying robot vacuum with strong suction and a self-cleaning brushroll. While it may not have all the advanced features of the Roomba j7+, the Shark IQ Robot provides a reliable and convenient cleaning solution at a more affordable price point.

Ultimately, the best robot vacuum for you depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Consider your floor types, cleaning challenges, and desired features to make an informed decision.