Robot vacuums have become essential for maintaining clean homes with minimal effort. Two popular models in this space are the Roomba i7 and the Shark Ion RV851EV. Both offer automated cleaning, smart features, and convenience, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets. The Roomba i7, from iRobot, is known for its advanced navigation, smart mapping capabilities, and powerful cleaning performance, making it a favorite among tech-savvy users who want a comprehensive and customizable cleaning solution.
On the other hand, the Shark Ion RV851EV, part of SharkNinja’s lineup, aims to provide reliable cleaning at a more accessible price point. It boasts features like a tri-brush system and smart sensor navigation, targeting users who want a dependable robot vacuum without the premium price tag. Deciding between these two involves weighing the importance of advanced features, cleaning power, and cost, making it crucial to understand their differences and strengths.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of the Roomba i7
- Short Review of the Shark Ion RV851EV
- Key Differences at a Glance
- Specifications Comparison
- Price Comparison
- Design and Build Quality
- Performance Face-Off
- Special Features Comparison
- Usability and User Experience
- Maintenance and Longevity
- Who Should Buy the Roomba i7?
- Who Should Buy the Shark Ion RV851EV?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- Roomba i7: Best for users who need advanced mapping, superior carpet cleaning, and are willing to invest more for premium features like automatic dirt disposal (with the i7+ model).
- Shark Ion RV851EV: Best for users seeking an affordable, reliable robot vacuum for primarily hard floors, with decent performance and smart features, without the need for advanced customization or self-emptying capabilities.
Short Review of the Roomba i7
The Roomba i7 is a high-end robot vacuum designed to offer a seamless and thorough cleaning experience. It features iAdapt 3.0 navigation with vSLAM technology, which allows it to learn the layout of your home and create smart maps. This enables users to customize cleaning schedules and target specific rooms or areas. The i7 boasts a premium 3-stage cleaning system with dual multi-surface rubber brushes and 10x the suction power compared to the Roomba 600 series, making it effective on various floor types and excellent for pet hair removal.
One of the standout features of the Roomba i7 is its compatibility with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system (available in the i7+ model). This allows the robot to automatically empty its dustbin into a larger container, holding up to 30 bins of dirt, so you don’t have to worry about emptying it for weeks. The iRobot HOME App provides complete control over cleaning schedules, preferences, and smart home integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. While it comes at a higher price, the Roomba i7’s advanced features, superior cleaning performance, and convenience make it a top choice for those seeking a premium robot vacuum.
Short Review of the Shark Ion RV851EV
The Shark Ion RV851EV is designed to deliver dependable cleaning performance at an affordable price. It features a tri-brush system that combines side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brush roll to effectively handle debris on all floor types, corners, and edges. The RV851EV also includes smart sensor navigation, which helps it avoid obstacles and navigate around furniture.
The SharkClean app allows users to start and stop cleaning, schedule cleanings, and control the robot remotely. It also supports voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With a runtime of up to 120 minutes, the RV851EV can cover a significant area on a single charge. While it lacks some of the advanced features of higher-end models like smart mapping and automatic dirt disposal, the Shark Ion RV851EV offers a solid balance of performance, features, and affordability, making it a great option for those looking for a reliable robot vacuum without breaking the bank.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Navigation: Roomba i7 uses iAdapt 3.0 with vSLAM for smart mapping and targeted cleaning, while the Shark Ion RV851EV uses smart sensor navigation for basic obstacle avoidance.
- Cleaning System: Roomba i7 features a 3-stage cleaning system with dual multi-surface rubber brushes, while the Shark Ion RV851EV uses a tri-brush system with a multi-surface brush roll.
- Dirt Disposal: Roomba i7+ (a version of i7) has an automatic dirt disposal system, while the Shark Ion RV851EV requires manual emptying of the dustbin.
- Suction Power: Roomba i7 offers 10x the suction power compared to the Roomba 600 series, while the Shark Ion RV851EV provides a standard level of suction suitable for everyday cleaning.
- Price: Shark Ion RV851EV is significantly more affordable than the Roomba i7, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Smart Features: Roomba i7 offers more advanced smart features, including customizable cleaning zones and detailed cleaning reports, while the Shark Ion RV851EV provides basic app control and voice assistant compatibility.
- Pet Hair Performance: Roomba i7 generally performs better on pet hair, especially on carpets, due to its powerful suction and specialized brushes.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Roomba i7 | Shark Ion RV851EV |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | iAdapt 3.0 with vSLAM | Smart Sensor Navigation |
| Cleaning System | 3-Stage with Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Tri-Brush System (Side, Channel, Multi-Surface) |
| Suction Power | 10x Air Power (Compared to Roomba 600 Series) | Standard |
| Dirt Disposal | Manual Emptying (Automatic with i7+) | Manual Emptying |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.5 L [7] | 0.48 L (0.45 qt) [13] |
| Battery Life | Up to 75 minutes [7] – 90 minutes [3] | Up to 120 minutes [13] |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours [7] | 3 hours (longer recharge time) [15] |
| Smart Home | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Mapping | Smart Mapping, Imprint™ Smart Mapping [3] | No Mapping |
| Floor Types | All Floor Types | All Floor Types |
| Dimensions | 33.9 cm diameter, 9.2 cm height [3] | 12.4 in L x 12.6 in W x 3.54 in H [13] |
| Weight | 3.4 kg [3] | 9.92 lbs (4.5 kg) [13] |
| Special Features | Automatic Dirt Disposal (i7+), Keep Out Zones, Selective Room Cleaning [7] | Cliff Sensors, Voice Control [13] |
| Filter Type | High-Efficiency Filter [13] | Non-Washable Filter [13] |
| Climbing Threshold | 20 mm [7] | Not specified |
| Edge Cleaning | Yes [7] | Yes [13] |
Price Comparison
The Roomba i7 typically ranges from $250 to $400 depending on sales and promotions [1, 8]. The Roomba i7+ (with Clean Base) could cost $399 [8].
The Shark Ion RV851EV is generally priced between $200 and $300 [16].
Value Proposition Analysis:
The Shark Ion RV851EV offers a better cost-to-feature ratio for users on a budget, providing essential cleaning features and smart home integration at a lower price point. The Roomba i7, while more expensive, offers advanced features like smart mapping and superior cleaning performance, making it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize convenience and thoroughness.
Design and Build Quality
Roomba i7: The Roomba i7 has a sleek, modern design with a focus on functionality. It features a durable construction and a low profile, allowing it to easily navigate under furniture. The dual multi-surface rubber brushes are designed to prevent hair tangles and effectively clean various floor types. It has a weight of 3.4kg and dimensions of 33.9 cm in diameter and 9.2 cm in height [3].
Shark Ion RV851EV: The Shark Ion RV851EV has a classic round robot vacuum design with a black exterior. It’s built with durable materials and includes a tri-brush system for comprehensive cleaning. The Shark ION measures 12.40 x 12.60 x 3.54 inches (LWH) and weighs 9.92 lbs [13, 16].
Comparison: While both vacuums are well-built, the Roomba i7 has a more premium feel and a slightly lower profile, enhancing its ability to clean under furniture. The Shark Ion RV851EV is a bit taller, which may limit its access to some tight spaces.
Performance Face-Off
Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors
Roomba i7: The Roomba i7 uses a premium 3-Stage Cleaning System with Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes and 10x suction to clean different floor surfaces throughout your home [3].
Shark Ion RV851EV: The Shark ION Robot is designed with a Tri-Brush System, combining side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll to handle debris on all surfaces [13]. In tests, the Ion did a fine job cleaning edges and didn’t fling much dirt. It also put up impressive numbers on hardwood, picking up 97.55% of rice and 96.55% of sand [16].
Comparison: Both robot vacuums do well on hard floors, but the Shark Ion RV851EV is more efficient [16].
Cleaning Performance on Carpets
Roomba i7: The iRobot Roomba i7 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba i4. The i7 does a much better job of clearing pet hair from all surface types, and it has a larger dirt compartment [2].
Shark Ion RV851EV: On carpet, both of Shark’s numbers beat the Roomba Combo Essential, which picked up 90.68% of rice and 23.78% of sand [16].
Comparison: The Roomba i7 is a better option for cleaning pet hair on carpets [2].
Pet Hair Cleaning
Roomba i7: The Roomba i7 is ideal for homes with pets. Unique Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes don’t get tangled with pet hair. High-Efficiency Filter traps 99% of cat & dog dander allergens [1].
Shark Ion RV851EV: The Shark ION Robot is designed to provide powerful floor and carpet cleaning and is designed for pet hair [25, 26].
Comparison: The Roomba i7 tends to perform better than the Shark IQ when it comes to the ability to remove pet hair from carpets [22].
Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance
Roomba i7: Guided by serious smarts, the iRobot Roomba i7 Robot Vacuum learns your home’s layout to build Smart Maps [8].
Shark Ion RV851EV: Smart sensor navigation 2.0: Advanced sensitivity helps navigate the Robotic vacuum around obstacles and objects to complete the cleaning job [21].
Comparison: Roombas tend to get stuck in corners and on objects that the Shark will navigate around and avoid [18].
Battery and Runtime
Roomba i7: Roomba i7 runs continuously for up to 90 minutes, then automatically recharges and resumes cleaning to complete the entire job [3].
Shark Ion RV851EV: 120 Minute Runtime: Whole-home, floor-to-carpet cleaning for up to 2 hours [13].
Comparison: The Shark ION RV851EV has a longer battery life than the Roomba i7 [13, 3].
Special Features Comparison
Roomba i7:
- Imprint™ Smart Mapping: Enables the robot to learn, map, and adapt to your home, allowing you to choose which rooms are cleaned and when [6].
- Clean Base™ Automatic Dirt Disposal: (i7+ model) Empties its own bin for up to 60 days without intervention into an AllergenLock™ bag [4].
- iAdapt® 3.0 Navigation with Visual Localization: Allows the robot to map its surroundings to seamlessly and efficiently clean an entire level of your home [4].
Shark Ion RV851EV:
- Tri-Brush System: Combines side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brush roll to handle debris on all surfaces [13].
- Smart Sensor Navigation: Helps the robotic vacuum navigate around obstacles and objects to complete the cleaning job [21].
- SharkClean™ App: Lets you start and stop cleaning and schedule your robot to clean whenever you want [13].
Comparison:
The Roomba i7’s standout feature is its smart mapping and the option for automatic dirt disposal, providing a more hands-off cleaning experience. The Shark Ion RV851EV focuses on providing a comprehensive cleaning system with its tri-brush design and reliable navigation.
Usability and User Experience
Roomba i7: The Roomba i7’s user experience is enhanced by its smart mapping capabilities and the iRobot HOME App, which allows for customized cleaning schedules and targeted cleaning of specific rooms. The automatic dirt disposal in the i7+ model further simplifies maintenance.
Shark Ion RV851EV: The Shark Ion RV851EV is known for its ease of use and simple setup. The SharkClean app provides straightforward controls for scheduling and starting cleanings, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users.
Comparison: The Roomba i7 offers a more sophisticated user experience with its advanced features, while the Shark Ion RV851EV focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
Maintenance and Longevity
Roomba i7: The Roomba i7 requires regular maintenance, including cleaning the brushes and emptying the dustbin (or replacing the bag in the Clean Base model).
Shark Ion RV851EV: The Shark Ion RV851EV also requires regular maintenance, such as cleaning the brushes and emptying the dustbin. The non-washable filter needs periodic replacement.
Comparison: Both models have similar maintenance needs, but the Roomba i7+ with the Clean Base offers a more convenient dirt disposal system.
Who Should Buy the Roomba i7?
The Roomba i7 is the better choice for:
- Users with larger homes that benefit from smart mapping and targeted cleaning.
- Pet owners who need powerful suction and tangle-free brushes for effective pet hair removal.
- Those willing to invest in a premium robot vacuum for advanced features and convenience, such as automatic dirt disposal (with the i7+).
Who Should Buy the Shark Ion RV851EV?
The Shark Ion RV851EV is the better choice for:
- Users on a budget who want a reliable robot vacuum without the high price tag.
- Those with smaller homes or apartments where advanced mapping is not essential.
- Individuals who primarily need a robot vacuum for hard floors and light carpet cleaning.
Final Recommendation
Both the Roomba i7 and the Shark Ion RV851EV are capable robot vacuums, but they cater to different needs and budgets. The Roomba i7 excels with its advanced smart features, superior carpet cleaning, and the option for automatic dirt disposal, making it a premium choice for those seeking maximum convenience and performance. On the other hand, the Shark Ion RV851EV offers a solid balance of performance, features, and affordability, making it an excellent option for users who want a dependable robot vacuum without breaking the bank.
If you prioritize advanced features, superior cleaning power, and convenience, the Roomba i7 is the better investment. However, if you’re looking for an affordable and reliable robot vacuum for everyday cleaning, the Shark Ion RV851EV provides excellent value.
