Shark AV2610WA vs RV2610WA: Cleaning Robot Showdown

Robot vacuums are a cornerstone of the modern smart home, offering automated floor care that saves time and effort. Among the leading contenders, the Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA emerge as powerful 2-in-1 models that promise a comprehensive clean by combining an ultra-powerful vacuum with an active Sonic Mop. Marketed under names like the Shark AI Ultra™ and Shark Matrix Plus, these robots are equipped with premium features designed to tackle everything from pet hair on carpets to muddy paw prints on hard floors, making them a compelling option for busy households.

Choosing between the Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA can seem confusing, as they appear to be distinct products targeting a similar audience. Both boast advanced technologies like 360° LiDAR navigation for methodical mapping, a bagless 60-day capacity self-empty base with HEPA filtration, and innovative cleaning modes like Matrix Clean. However, the provided documentation reveals a crucial fact: these are functionally identical robots sold under different model numbers for various retailers. This comparison will dive deep into their shared specifications, identical performance capabilities, and common user-experience challenges to provide a clear verdict on this powerful cleaning system.

Quick Verdict

• For Overall Cleaning Performance: Both models are identical, offering powerful vacuuming with the Matrix Clean feature and effective Sonic Mopping for hard floors.
• For Smart Navigation & Mapping: Both use the same 360° LiDAR system, making them equal in navigation technology but also equally prone to the same app and mapping software limitations.
• For Homes with Pets: Both are excellent choices due to the powerful suction and the self-cleaning brushroll engineered to be anti-hair wrap.
• For Mopping Convenience: Both models share the same cumbersome system, requiring a manual swap of the dustbin for a mopping module and careful setup of “Carpet Zones” in the app to avoid wetting rugs.
• For Edge & Corner Cleaning: Both are superior performers thanks to the shared CleanEdge Detect technology that uses blasts of air to clear debris from edges.
• The Bottom Line: The Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA are the same product. Your choice should be based on price, as their performance, features, and limitations are identical. They are powerful vacuums with a functional, but not seamless, mopping attachment.

Short Review of Shark AV2610WA

The Shark AV2610WA, also marketed as the Shark AI Ultra™ or Matrix Plus 2-in-1, is a feature-packed robot cleaner designed for both vacuuming and mopping. It leverages advanced technologies like Matrix Clean, which cleans in a precision grid from multiple directions for deeper coverage, and 360° LiDAR vision for quick and accurate home mapping. This allows for methodical, straight-line cleaning and adaptation to your home’s layout. For ultimate convenience, the robot pairs with a bagless, XL HEPA Self-Empty Base that holds up to 60 days of dirt, automatically emptying the robot’s dustbin after cleaning. A standout feature is CleanEdge Detect, which uses blasts of air to push debris from corners and edges into the robot’s path for a remarkably thorough clean along walls.

This model is particularly well-suited for homes with pets, thanks to its ultra-powerful suction and a self-cleaning brushroll engineered to prevent hair wrap. On hard floors, its Sonic Mopping function scrubs surfaces 100 times per minute to tackle messes. While the robot can be controlled via the SharkClean app for scheduling and creating no-go zones, the software and mopping integration have notable limitations, requiring manual bin swaps and careful setup to avoid carpets. Despite these drawbacks, the Shark AV2610WA offers exceptional vacuuming power and innovative cleaning technologies, making it a very strong choice for users prioritizing deep cleaning on carpets and edges with minimal daily effort.

Short Review of Shark RV2610WA

The Shark RV2610WA, also known as the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1, is a robot vacuum and mop hybrid designed for comprehensive home cleaning. It integrates ultra-powerful vacuuming with Sonic Mopping to effectively clean both carpets and hard floors. The RV2610WA features Matrix Clean technology, a cleaning mode that ensures deeper coverage by making multiple passes over dirt and debris in a precision grid. For intelligent navigation, its 360° LiDAR vision allows for quick and accurate home mapping, enabling the robot to clean methodically and adapt to its surroundings day or night.

A key feature of the RV2610WA is its XL HEPA Self-Empty Base, a bagless station that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris, offering significant convenience. The robot is also equipped with a self-cleaning brushroll, making it ideal for homes with pets by resisting hair wrap and maintaining performance. While its vacuuming and innovative CleanEdge technology are very strong, the mopping function is more cumbersome, requiring manual bin swaps and careful app management to avoid carpets. User feedback highlights that the app and mapping software are its biggest weaknesses, sometimes leading to reliability issues, though Shark’s customer service is noted as being excellent.

Key Differences at a Glance

• Model Identification: The provided texts confirm the Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA are functionally identical robots. They are different model numbers for various retailers (e.g., AV2610WA on Amazon, UR2650WS at Costco).
• Mopping Technology: Both models feature the exact same Sonic Mopping system, which scrubs floors 100 times per minute. There is no difference in their mopping capabilities.
• Vacuuming Technology: Both models are equipped with the same ultra-powerful suction, Matrix Clean for deep cleaning, and a self-cleaning brushroll designed to be anti-hair wrap. Their vacuuming performance is identical.
• Edge & Corner Cleaning: Both models share the innovative CleanEdge Detect technology, which uses blasts of air for what is claimed to be 50% better edge cleaning.
• Navigation & Mapping: Both use the same 360° LiDAR vision for navigation and are controlled by the same SharkClean app, sharing identical strengths in mapping and identical weaknesses in the software.
• Base Station: Both come with the same XL HEPA Self-Empty Base that is bagless and holds up to 60 days of debris.
• The Only Difference: The only confirmed difference is the model number itself and potentially cosmetic details like color (Black/Gold vs. Black/Silver). Functionally and technologically, they are the same product.

Specifications Comparison

Feature	Shark AV2610WA	Shark RV2610WA
Model Name	Shark AI Ultra™ / Matrix Plus 2-in-1	Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1
Primary Function	2-in-1 Vacuum & Sonic Mop	2-in-1 Vacuum & Sonic Mop
Navigation Technology	360° LiDAR Vision	360° LiDAR Vision
Vacuuming Tech	Matrix Clean, Self-Cleaning Brushroll	Matrix Clean, Self-Cleaning Brushroll
Mopping Technology	Sonic Mopping (100 scrubs/min)	Sonic Mopping (100 scrubs/min)
Edge Cleaning Tech	CleanEdge Detect (Blasts of Air)	CleanEdge Detect (Blasts of Air)
Base Station	XL HEPA Self-Empty Base	XL HEPA Self-Empty Base
Base Capacity	Up to 60 days	Up to 60 days
Base Filtration	True HEPA, Anti-Allergen Complete Seal	True HEPA, Anti-Allergen Complete Seal
Battery Type	Lithium Ion	Lithium Ion
Battery Life / Runtime	110 minutes	110 minutes
Power	14.4 Volts	14.4 Volts
Controller Type	App Control, Voice Control (Amazon Echo)	App Control, Voice Control (Amazon Echo)
Surface Recommendation	Carpets & Hardfloors	Carpets & Hardfloors
Side Brushes	1	1
Product Dimensions	21.4″ L x 14.96″ W x 5.69″ H	21.4″ L x 14.96″ W x 5.69″ H
Item Weight	~17 Pounds	21 Pounds
Color Scheme	Black/Gold	Black/Silver
Included Accessories	Robot, XL Base, 1 Filter, 1 Side Brush, 2 Mopping Pads, 12oz Starter Solution	Robot, XL Base, 1 Filter, 1 Side Brush, 2 Mopping Pads, 12oz Starter Solution
Warranty	1-year limited warranty	1-year limited warranty

Price Comparison

The Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA are typically priced in the mid-range category for robot vacuums with self-emptying bases.

• Retail Positioning: The Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA are different model numbers for the same robot, often sold through different retailers like Amazon (AV2610WA) and Costco (UR2650WS). Their pricing should be compared directly as they offer identical features.
• Value Proposition: The core value of both models lies in their advanced vacuuming technology. Features like the 60-day capacity HEPA self-empty base, the anti-hair wrap brushroll, and the highly effective CleanEdge technology offer significant convenience and performance, especially for pet owners.
• Cost-to-Feature Ratio: Both models provide a strong set of premium vacuuming features for their price point. However, the value of the “2-in-1” mopping feature is diminished by its cumbersome, manual nature (requiring bin swaps and careful app setup) and the noted weaknesses of the mapping software. The overall value is highest for buyers who prioritize vacuuming power and edge cleaning and view the mopping as a secondary, less-automated bonus feature.

Design and Build Quality

• Aesthetics: Both models share a modern design aesthetic, available in slightly different color schemes: the AV2610WA is listed as Black/Gold, while the RV2610WA is Black/Silver.
• Robot Design: Both robots feature a single side sweeper brush, a self-cleaning brushroll, and use 360° LiDAR for navigation. The mopping system requires manually swapping the standard dustbin for a separate mopping module.
• Base Station Design: Both utilize the same large XL HEPA Self-Empty Base. This base is bagless and features True HEPA filtration with an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal.
• Durability & Reliability: While the overall build is solid, the provided text notes potential reliability issues. One reviewer experienced two separate units with functional failures: one stopped finding its dock, and a replacement unit would randomly pause mid-clean, requiring manual intervention.
• Ergonomics & Maintenance: The self-emptying base is designed for convenience, holding up to 60 days of debris. However, maintenance can be involved; the filters in the base can get “super dirty,” and debris can sometimes get stuck in the bin. The mopping module’s small debris bin must also be emptied manually after each use.

Performance Face-Off

Vacuuming Performance

Both the AV2610WA and RV2610WA offer identical, ultra-powerful vacuuming performance on both carpets and hard floors. They are equipped with the same self-cleaning brushroll designed to dig deep into carpets and directly engage hard floors while preventing hair wrap.

• Real-world Usage: In real-world scenarios, both models excel at picking up dirt, debris, and pet hair. The Matrix Clean feature enhances this by cleaning in a precision grid, making multiple passes over an area from different directions for what is claimed to be 30% better carpet cleaning. The CleanEdge Detect technology is a significant real-world advantage for both, using blasts of air to effectively clean corners and along baseboards. No hair wrap was observed on the brushroll during testing.

Mopping Performance

Both models have the exact same mopping technology. The Sonic Mopping system actively scrubs floors by moving the mop pad back and forth 100 times per minute.

• Real-world Usage: Both models can vacuum and mop hard floors simultaneously and are effective on messes like muddy paw prints. The app-initiated Matrix Mop mode provides a deeper, targeted clean. However, both share significant limitations: they cannot detect carpet and will mop over it unless a “Carpet Zone” is manually created in the app. The mop pad cannot be lifted, which can leave streaks when the robot travels back to the base. The mopping system is best for maintaining already clean floors rather than removing significant, set-in stains.

Navigation and Mapping

Both models use identical 360° LiDAR vision for quick, precise home mapping, allowing them to clean methodically in straight lines day or night. Both also feature “Recharge and Resume” functionality.

• Real-world Usage: Both robots effectively detect and navigate around taller objects like furniture legs. However, their obstacle avoidance for smaller items on the floor is not very good, and they may run them over. The biggest shared weakness is the SharkClean app and mapping software. Users may have difficulty accurately separating rooms, and the “verifying run” for setting up carpet zones was found to be inaccurate, which can lead to the robot dragging a wet mop across a rug.

Special Features Comparison

Both the AV2610WA and RV2610WA share the exact same set of special features. There are no functional differences between them.

• Shark AV2610WA: Features CleanEdge Detect technology, using blasts of air for superior corner and edge cleaning, and Sonic Mopping, which actively scrubs hard floors 100 times per minute for a deeper clean.
• Shark RV2610WA: Also features CleanEdge Detect technology for enhanced edge and corner performance and identical Sonic Mopping capabilities, providing the same intensive scrubbing action for hard floors.

Usability and User Experience

Both the AV2610WA and RV2610WA are designed to be controlled primarily through the SharkClean app and are compatible with Amazon Echo for voice commands.

• Ease of Use: The setup and basic operation are straightforward. The self-empty base adds significant convenience to the vacuuming process. However, the mopping system is cumbersome, requiring users to manually undock the robot, swap bins, and then redock it.
• Learning Curve: The SharkClean app has a learning curve, particularly with its mapping and zone management features, which are described as a “significant shortcoming.” The app does not show the robot’s live location on the map during a cleaning run.
• Everyday Operation: For scheduled vacuuming, everyday operation is simple. However, mopping requires active user management. Pressing the physical “Clean” button on the robot with the mop module installed will cause it to attempt cleaning the entire house, including carpets, so users must rely on the app to select specific hard-floor rooms for mopping.

Maintenance and Longevity

• Maintenance Requirements: Both vacuums require regular maintenance. The bagless bin in the base station is emptied via a button, but debris can sometimes get stuck. The filters in the base can get “super dirty” and require cleaning, as do the two filters in the robot’s dustbin. The small bin in the separate mopping module must be emptied into the trash manually.
• Consumable Parts: Consumable parts for both models include the filter, the single side brush, and the two reusable, machine-washable microfiber mopping pads.
• Warranty Coverage: The Shark AV2610WA comes with a 1-year limited warranty. The text also praises Shark’s excellent customer service, which included video call troubleshooting and a prompt replacement for a defective unit.

Who Should Buy Shark AV2610WA?

The Shark AV2610WA is the better choice for:

• Homes with Pets: Ideal for pet owners due to its ultra-powerful suction and a self-cleaning brushroll engineered to be anti-hair wrap.
• Users Prioritizing Edge and Corner Cleaning: A perfect fit for those who want a deeper clean along baseboards, as it features the innovative CleanEdge Detect technology that uses blasts of air to clear debris from edges.
• Those Seeking a Powerful, Automated Vacuum: A great option for anyone who wants a “set it and forget it” vacuuming experience, thanks to its 60-day capacity, bagless, self-emptying base with HEPA filtration.
• Shoppers on Amazon: The AV2610WA model number is specifically referenced in the Amazon listing, making it the designated model for that retailer.

Who Should Buy Shark RV2610WA?

The Shark RV2610WA is the better choice for:

• Users Who Need Deep Carpet Cleaning: A great fit for homes with carpets, thanks to the Matrix Clean feature that makes multiple passes in a grid pattern for a more thorough clean.
• Those with Mixed Hard Floors and Carpets: Suitable for these homes, as it combines powerful vacuuming with Sonic Mopping. However, users must be prepared to manually manage “Carpet Zones” in the app to prevent the mop from wetting rugs.
• Buyers Seeking a Low-Maintenance Vacuum: Ideal for individuals who value convenience, as it includes the XL HEPA Self-Empty Base that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris.
• Consumers Shopping at Various Retailers: While the AV2610WA is linked to Amazon, the RV2610WA model name is used more broadly, making it the model to look for at other stores.

Final Recommendation

Both the Shark AV2610WA and RV2610WA are the same excellent and powerful robot vacuum, offering a compelling combination of automated convenience, deep-cleaning performance, and advanced features. The final choice between these specific model numbers should come down to price and retailer availability, as their technology and capabilities are identical.

This Shark 2-in-1 robot is highly recommended for users who prioritize vacuuming performance, especially for pet hair, carpets, and thorough edge cleaning, thanks to its self-cleaning brush roll, Matrix Clean, and innovative CleanEdge technology. While it includes a functional Sonic Mop, buyers should view this as a secondary feature for light maintenance due to the cumbersome manual process and significant software limitations.