Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE vs. Roomba i7

Robot vacuums have revolutionized home cleaning, offering convenience and automation that frees up valuable time. The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE and the Roomba i7 are two popular models that aim to provide this hands-free cleaning experience. Both vacuums boast features like smart mapping, app control, and self-emptying capabilities, making them attractive options for busy individuals and families. However, they also have distinct differences in terms of performance, design, and price, which can influence a buyer’s decision.

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE is often seen as a workhorse, offering strong suction and a self-cleaning brushroll at a more affordable price point. It excels at picking up dirt and debris on various floor types, making it a solid choice for everyday cleaning. The Roomba i7, on the other hand, is known for its advanced navigation, smart mapping capabilities, and superior performance on carpets. It offers a more premium user experience with features like targeted room cleaning and integration with other smart home devices. Ultimately, the choice between these two robot vacuums depends on individual needs, priorities, and budget.

Quick Verdict

• For budget-conscious buyers: The Shark IQ R101AE offers a self-emptying feature and good cleaning performance at a lower price.
• For homes with mostly hard floors: The Shark IQ R101AE performs well on bare floors.
• For homes with carpets and multiple levels: The Roomba i7’s superior carpet cleaning and multi-map storage make it a better choice.
• For users who prioritize smart features and integration: The Roomba i7 offers more advanced mapping and customization options.

Short Review of Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE is designed to provide a hands-free cleaning experience at an accessible price point. It features a self-emptying base that can hold up to 30 days of dirt and debris, reducing the frequency of manual emptying. The robot’s IQ Navigation system allows it to map your home and clean in an efficient, row-by-row pattern, ensuring thorough coverage.

One of the key benefits of the Shark IQ R101AE is its powerful suction, which effectively picks up dirt, dust, and pet hair from various floor types. Its self-cleaning brushroll is engineered to prevent hair from wrapping around it, minimizing maintenance. The SharkClean app allows you to schedule whole-home cleanings or target specific rooms, providing convenient control over your cleaning routine. It works with Alexa for voice commands.

Short Review of Roomba i7

The Roomba i7 is a smart and powerful robot vacuum designed for efficient and thorough cleaning. It features iRobot’s Imprint Smart Mapping technology, which allows it to learn your home’s layout and create detailed maps. These maps enable the Roomba i7 to clean specific rooms on demand, set up virtual boundaries, and avoid obstacles with precision.

A standout feature of the Roomba i7 is its Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system. The robot automatically empties its dustbin into the Clean Base, which can hold up to 30 bins of dirt and debris. This significantly reduces the need for manual emptying, making the Roomba i7 a truly hands-free cleaning solution. The Roomba i7 also boasts strong suction power, dual multi-surface rubber brushes, and a high-efficiency filter, ensuring effective cleaning on all floor types and capturing allergens and dust.

Key Differences at a Glance

• Mapping Technology: Roomba i7 uses vSLAM for more precise navigation and mapping, storing up to 10 maps, while the Shark IQ uses a camera-based system that some users find less reliable and only stores one map.
• Carpet Cleaning: The Roomba i7 generally offers superior carpet cleaning performance compared to the Shark IQ.
• Self-Emptying System: The Roomba i7 uses a bagged system in its Clean Base, while the Shark IQ uses a bagless system.
• Price: The Shark IQ R101AE is typically more affordable than the Roomba i7.
• Brushroll Design: The Roomba i7 features dual multi-surface rubber brushes that are less prone to hair tangles, while the Shark IQ has a self-cleaning brushroll designed to remove hair.
• Smart Features: The Roomba i7 offers more advanced smart features, such as targeted room cleaning and integration with other iRobot devices through Imprint Link Technology.
• Maintenance: The Roomba i7 may have higher recurring costs due to the need to replace the bags in the Clean Base and other parts.

Specifications Comparison

Price Comparison

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE is generally priced lower than the Roomba i7. The Shark IQ R101AE can be found for around $229-$479, while the Roomba i7 typically retails for around $429 – $800.

The Shark IQ offers a better cost-to-feature ratio for those primarily concerned with self-emptying convenience and strong suction on hard floors. The Roomba i7, while more expensive, provides a greater value proposition for users who prioritize advanced mapping, superior carpet cleaning, and smart home integration.

Design and Build Quality

The Shark IQ R101AE features a mix of glossy and matte black plastic with silver accents, giving it a modern and premium look. It has a circular shape with a rubber front bumper and rubber-treaded plastic wheels. While the build quality is generally good, some reviewers have noted that the dirt compartment feels somewhat flimsy.

The Roomba i7 also has a circular design and is known for its solid build quality. It features a durable construction and high-quality materials. The Roomba i7’s Clean Base has a more premium look and feel compared to the Shark IQ’s self-emptying base.

Performance Face-Off

Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors

The Shark IQ R101AE excels at cleaning hard floors, effectively picking up dust, dirt, and large debris. Its powerful suction and edge-sweeping brushes ensure thorough cleaning along edges and in corners. The Roomba i7 also performs well on hard floors, thanks to its dual multi-surface rubber brushes that adjust to different floor types.

Cleaning Performance on Carpets

The Roomba i7 generally outperforms the Shark IQ R101AE on carpets. Its dual multi-surface rubber brushes and stronger suction provide better deep cleaning, effectively removing embedded dirt and pet hair. The Shark IQ R101AE can struggle with thicker carpets, and some users have reported that it leaves behind some debris.

Navigation and Mapping

The Roomba i7’s vSLAM navigation system allows it to create more accurate and efficient maps of your home. It cleans in straight lines and can remember up to 10 different floor plans, making it ideal for multi-level homes. The Shark IQ R101AE uses a camera-based system that can be less reliable, and it only stores one map. Some users have reported issues with the Shark IQ’s mapping and navigation, such as difficulty following directions or getting stuck.

Battery Life and Coverage

The Shark IQ R101AE has a slightly longer battery life than the Roomba i7, with a maximum runtime of up to 97 minutes. However, both robots feature a recharge and resume function, which allows them to return to their base to recharge and then continue cleaning where they left off. The Roomba i7 can clean an area of about 100 m² on a single charge.

Special Features Comparison

• Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE:
  • Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Prevents hair from wrapping around the brush.
  • Bagless Self-Emptying Base: Holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris.
  • BotBoundary Strips: Physical strips to block off areas.
• Roomba i7:
  • Imprint Smart Mapping: Learns and adapts to your home’s layout, allowing for targeted room cleaning.
  • Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal: Empties the dustbin into a larger container, reducing maintenance.
  • Dirt Detect Technology: Focuses on cleaning particularly dirty areas more thoroughly.
  • Imprint Link Technology: Allows the Roomba i7 to communicate with the Braava jet m6 robot mop for coordinated cleaning.

Usability and User Experience

The Shark IQ R101AE is relatively easy to set up and use. The SharkClean app is straightforward, but some users have found it less intuitive than the iRobot app. The Roomba i7 offers a more refined user experience, with a user-friendly app and advanced customization options. Its smart mapping capabilities allow for targeted room cleaning and virtual boundaries, providing greater control over the cleaning process.

Maintenance and Longevity

The Shark IQ R101AE requires regular maintenance, such as emptying the self-emptying base and cleaning the brushroll and filters. The bagless system in the self-emptying base can be messy to empty. The Roomba i7 also requires regular maintenance, including replacing the bags in the Clean Base and cleaning the brushes and filters. While the Roomba i7 may have higher recurring costs due to the need to replace the bags, some users find the bagged system more hygienic and convenient.

Who Should Buy the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE?

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE is a good choice for:

• Budget-conscious buyers who want a self-emptying robot vacuum.
• Homes with mostly hard floors.
• Users who don’t require advanced mapping features or multi-floor support.

Who Should Buy the Roomba i7?

The Roomba i7 is a better choice for:

• Homes with carpets and multiple levels.
• Users who prioritize advanced mapping, smart features, and superior carpet cleaning.
• Those who are willing to pay a premium for a more refined user experience and hands-free convenience.

Final Recommendation

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE and the Roomba i7 are both capable robot vacuums that offer convenient, hands-free cleaning. The Shark IQ R101AE stands out as a more affordable option with strong suction and a self-cleaning brushroll. It’s a solid choice for homes with mostly hard floors and users who prioritize value. However, the Roomba i7 offers superior performance on carpets, advanced mapping capabilities, and a more refined user experience. If you’re willing to invest more, the Roomba i7 is the better overall choice, especially for homes with carpets and multiple levels.