Roomba 618 vs Shark ION RV700

The iRobot Roomba 618 and the Shark ION RV700 are two popular entry-level robot vacuums designed to automate your floor cleaning. Both offer a convenient way to keep your floors tidy with minimal effort, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. The Roomba 618 is a reliable workhorse known for its straightforward operation and focus on basic cleaning, while the Shark ION RV700 provides a balance of features and affordability, including smartphone app control and a slightly more advanced cleaning system.

For consumers seeking an affordable and hassle-free way to maintain clean floors, both the Roomba 618 and Shark ION RV700 are viable options. Those prioritizing simplicity and a no-frills cleaning experience might lean towards the Roomba 618. However, if you desire smart features like app control and scheduling, along with potentially better performance on certain floor types, the Shark ION RV700 could be the better fit. This comparison will delve into the specifics of each model to help you determine which robot vacuum aligns best with your lifestyle and cleaning requirements.

Quick Verdict

• For basic, no-frills cleaning: The iRobot Roomba 618 is the better choice due to its simple operation and proven reliability. It’s ideal for users who want a straightforward robot vacuum without extra features.
• For smart features and more versatile cleaning: The Shark ION RV700 offers smartphone app control, scheduling, and potentially better performance on carpets, making it a better option for tech-savvy users and those with varied floor types.
• For those on a tight budget: Both are affordable but the Shark ION RV700 often has the edge in terms of features for the price.

Short Review of iRobot Roomba 618

The iRobot Roomba 618 is a dependable entry-level robot vacuum designed for simple, automated floor cleaning. This model is favored for its ease of use and straightforward functionality, making it an excellent choice for those new to robot vacuums or who prefer a no-frills approach. It efficiently navigates your home, cleaning hard floors and carpets with its dual multi-surface brushes and a powerful suction. Its low profile allows it to easily clean under furniture, reaching dust and debris in hard-to-reach areas.

The Roomba 618 focuses on delivering a consistent cleaning performance without the complexities of advanced features like app control or virtual boundaries. Its iAdapt navigation system enables it to intelligently navigate your home, avoiding obstacles and covering every area multiple times. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles of higher-end models, the Roomba 618 excels in providing a reliable and hassle-free cleaning experience at an affordable price point. It’s a solid choice for maintaining clean floors with minimal effort.

Short Review of Shark ION RV700

The Shark ION RV700 is a budget-friendly robot vacuum that combines affordability with practical features. This model stands out for its smart capabilities, including Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app control, allowing you to schedule cleanings, start or stop the vacuum remotely, and monitor its progress. The RV700 is designed to effectively clean both hard floors and carpets, using its self-grooming brushroll to minimize hair tangles and maintain consistent cleaning performance.

The Shark ION RV700 aims to provide a convenient cleaning experience with its user-friendly app and automated scheduling. Its smart sensor navigation helps it navigate your home, avoiding obstacles and drop-offs. While it may not have the advanced navigation of higher-end models, the RV700 offers a good balance of features and performance for its price. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a robot vacuum with smart capabilities without breaking the bank, making it easy to keep your floors clean with minimal effort and maximum convenience.

Key Differences at a Glance

Specifications Comparison

Price Comparison

The iRobot Roomba 618 and Shark ION RV700 are both positioned as budget-friendly options in the robot vacuum market. Typically, the Roomba 618 is priced slightly lower, making it an attractive entry-level choice for those seeking basic cleaning functionality without additional smart features. However, pricing can fluctuate based on retailer and promotions.

The Shark ION RV700, while sometimes priced similarly to the Roomba 618, offers a higher value proposition due to its inclusion of smart features like Wi-Fi connectivity, app control, and scheduling. This makes it a more appealing option for tech-savvy users or those who want greater control over their robot vacuum. Considering the cost-to-feature ratio, the Shark ION RV700 often provides more bang for your buck.

Design and Build Quality

The iRobot Roomba 618 features a simple, utilitarian design focused on functionality. Its round shape allows it to navigate easily around furniture, and its low profile enables it to clean under sofas and beds. The build quality is robust, with durable plastic components designed to withstand daily use. The Roomba 618’s design prioritizes practicality and ease of maintenance.

The Shark ION RV700 also sports a round design, but it has a slightly sleeker aesthetic with a modern finish. Its construction is lightweight, making it easy to move around if needed. The RV700 includes a self-grooming brushroll, which minimizes hair tangles and reduces maintenance. While both models are well-built for their price range, the Shark ION RV700 offers a more contemporary look and user-friendly features like the self-grooming brushroll.

Performance Face-Off

Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors

The iRobot Roomba 618 performs well on hard floors, effectively picking up dust, dirt, and debris. Its dual multi-surface brushes work together to sweep particles into the suction path. While it lacks advanced features like edge cleaning, it generally provides thorough coverage.

The Shark ION RV700 also performs admirably on hard floors. Its self-grooming brushroll helps to prevent hair tangles, ensuring consistent cleaning performance. The RV700’s edge-cleaning brushes are designed to reach along walls and corners, providing a more comprehensive clean.

Cleaning Performance on Carpets

The iRobot Roomba 618 provides decent cleaning performance on carpets, although it may struggle with thicker or high-pile carpets. Its suction power is adequate for picking up surface-level dirt and debris, but it may require multiple passes to thoroughly clean carpets.

The Shark ION RV700 often performs better on carpets compared to the Roomba 618. Its brushroll design and suction power are optimized to lift dirt and debris from carpet fibers. Users have reported that the RV700 effectively cleans carpets, making it a better option for homes with significant carpeted areas.

Navigation and Coverage

The iRobot Roomba 618 uses iAdapt navigation to navigate your home. This system allows it to intelligently avoid obstacles and clean under furniture. While it may sometimes bump into objects, it generally provides thorough coverage by cleaning each area multiple times.

The Shark ION RV700 utilizes smart sensor navigation to navigate your home. This system helps it avoid obstacles and drop-offs, but it may not be as efficient as more advanced navigation technologies. The RV700 also comes with BotBoundary strips, which can be used to create virtual boundaries and prevent the vacuum from entering certain areas.

Special Features Comparison

The iRobot Roomba 618 focuses on core cleaning functionality without offering many special features. Its primary advantage is its simplicity and ease of use.

The Shark ION RV700, on the other hand, offers several notable special features:

• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Allows you to control the vacuum remotely via the Shark ION Robot app.
• App Control: Enables scheduling, starting or stopping the vacuum, and monitoring its progress from your smartphone.
• Self-Grooming Brushroll: Minimizes hair tangles, reducing maintenance and ensuring consistent cleaning performance.
• BotBoundary Strips: Provides a physical barrier to prevent the vacuum from entering certain areas.

Usability and User Experience

The iRobot Roomba 618 is incredibly easy to use, making it ideal for first-time robot vacuum owners. It features a simple one-button operation: just press “Clean,” and the vacuum starts cleaning. Maintenance is straightforward, primarily involving emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushes.

The Shark ION RV700 offers a more advanced user experience due to its smart features. The Shark ION Robot app is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing you to schedule cleanings and control the vacuum remotely. The self-grooming brushroll reduces maintenance, and the BotBoundary strips provide added control over the vacuum’s cleaning area. While it may require a bit more setup than the Roomba 618, the RV700 provides a more versatile and convenient user experience.

Maintenance and Longevity

The iRobot Roomba 618 requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. This includes emptying the dustbin after each use, cleaning the brushes regularly, and replacing the filter every few months. The Roomba 618 is known for its durability, with many users reporting years of reliable service.

The Shark ION RV700 also requires regular maintenance, including emptying the dustbin, cleaning the brushroll, and replacing the filter. The self-grooming brushroll helps to reduce hair tangles, minimizing the need for frequent cleaning. While the RV700 is generally reliable, some users have reported issues with battery life and sensor performance over time.

Who Should Buy iRobot Roomba 618?

The iRobot Roomba 618 is the ideal choice for:

• First-time robot vacuum buyers: Its simple operation and straightforward functionality make it easy to get started with automated cleaning.
• Users who prefer a no-frills approach: If you want a basic robot vacuum without advanced features, the Roomba 618 is a reliable option.
• Those on a tight budget: The Roomba 618 is typically priced lower than the Shark ION RV700, making it an attractive entry-level choice.

Who Should Buy Shark ION RV700?

The Shark ION RV700 is the better choice for:

• Tech-savvy users: If you want smart features like app control and scheduling, the RV700 offers a more versatile cleaning experience.
• Homes with varied floor types: The RV700 often performs better on carpets compared to the Roomba 618, making it a better option for homes with significant carpeted areas.
• Users who want more control over their vacuum: The BotBoundary strips and app control provide added control over the vacuum’s cleaning area and schedule.

Final Recommendation

Both the iRobot Roomba 618 and Shark ION RV700 offer a convenient way to automate your floor cleaning. The Roomba 618 excels in its simplicity and reliability, making it a great choice for first-time robot vacuum buyers and those who prefer a no-frills approach. However, the Shark ION RV700 provides a higher value proposition due to its smart features, potentially better performance on carpets, and user-friendly app control.

In conclusion, the Shark ION RV700 represents the better overall value for most users, offering a balance of features, performance, and affordability. While the Roomba 618 remains a solid choice for basic cleaning needs, the RV700’s smart capabilities and versatile performance make it the more compelling option.