The Shark ION 772 robot vacuum enters a crowded market, promising a hands-off cleaning experience at a competitive price. Aimed at busy individuals and pet owners seeking to automate their floor cleaning, the Shark ION 772 offers a set-and-forget solution for everyday dust and debris. While it competently handles basic cleaning tasks, it lacks some of the advanced features found in higher-end models, potentially limiting its appeal to tech-savvy users who demand more control and customization.
This review dives deep into the Shark ION 772, exploring its design, performance, features, and overall value. We’ll compare it to leading competitors like Roomba to help you decide if this robot vacuum is the right fit for your home and cleaning needs. Ultimately, we’ll determine whether the Shark ION 772 strikes the right balance between price and performance in the ever-evolving world of robot vacuums.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Decent Cleaning Performance: Effectively picks up dust, debris, and pet hair on both hard floors and carpets.
- Tri-Brush System: Utilizes a combination of side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll for thorough cleaning.
- Smart Sensor Navigation: Equipped with sensors to avoid obstacles, ledges, and stairs.
- App and Voice Control: Offers convenient control via the SharkClean app and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Limited Advanced Features: Lacks advanced mapping capabilities, self-emptying dustbin, and other premium features found in higher-end models.
- Verdict: The Shark ION 772 is a capable entry-level robot vacuum that offers decent cleaning performance and convenient features at an affordable price. However, its lack of advanced features and occasional navigation issues may deter users seeking a more comprehensive cleaning solution.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Number | RV772 |
| Surface Recommendation | Hard Floor, Carpet |
| Special Feature | Programmable, Self-Cleaning Brushroll |
| Color | Smoked Ash |
| Controller Type | App Control, Voice Control |
| Filter Type | Cartridge |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 hours |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.45 quarts |
| Dimensions | 12.4 in L x 12.6 in W x 3.54 in H |
| Weight | 9.92 lbs |
| Runtime | 120 minutes |
| Cleaning Path Width | 5.9 inches |
Price and Availability
The Shark ION 772 is available for purchase online at major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. Pricing may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark ION 772 sports a classic disc-shaped design common among robot vacuums. Its all-black exterior gives it a relatively refined look. The build quality feels solid, though not as premium as some higher-end competitors. It stands at 3.54 inches tall, allowing it to fit under some furniture, but it may struggle with lower-clearance spaces. The dustbin is easy to access and detach for emptying.
Performance and Features
The Shark ION 772 utilizes a Tri-Brush System, combining side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll to tackle debris on various floor types. It effectively picks up dust, dirt, and pet hair on both hard floors and carpets.
Cleaning Performance
The Shark ION 772 delivers solid cleaning performance for its price range. It effectively removes surface-level dirt and debris from both hard floors and carpets. However, it may struggle with heavily soiled areas or deeply embedded dirt. Its edge-cleaning capabilities are decent, thanks to the side brushes that sweep debris from along walls and corners.
Navigation
The Shark ION 772 is equipped with smart sensors to navigate your home, avoid obstacles, and prevent falls from ledges and stairs. It uses a somewhat random cleaning pattern, bouncing off objects and walls until it covers the entire area. This approach can be less efficient than robot vacuums with advanced mapping capabilities, leading to longer cleaning times and potentially missed spots. Some users have reported that the Shark ION 772 occasionally gets stuck, requiring manual intervention.
App and Voice Control
The SharkClean app allows you to start and stop cleaning cycles, schedule cleaning sessions, and monitor the robot’s progress. The app is generally user-friendly, but some users have reported occasional connectivity issues and inaccurate status updates. The Shark ION 772 is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control for added convenience.
Battery Life
The Shark ION 772 offers a runtime of up to 2 hours, allowing it to clean a large area on a single charge. When the battery is low, the robot automatically returns to its charging dock to recharge.
Software and User Experience
The SharkClean app provides basic control and scheduling features for the Shark ION 772. While it’s functional, it lacks the advanced features and customization options found in apps for higher-end robot vacuums. The app’s interface can feel somewhat clunky at times, and some users have reported connectivity issues.
Comparison to Competitors
Roomba Combo Essential
The Roomba Combo Essential is a similarly priced competitor that offers both vacuuming and mopping capabilities. While the Shark ION 772 may offer slightly better cleaning performance on carpets, the Roomba Combo Essential’s mopping feature provides added versatility.
iRobot Roomba j7
The iRobot Roomba j7 is a higher-end robot vacuum that offers advanced features such as smart mapping, object recognition, and a self-emptying dustbin. While significantly more expensive than the Shark ION 772, the Roomba j7 provides a more comprehensive and hands-off cleaning experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Decent cleaning performance on various floor types
- Tri-Brush System for thorough cleaning
- Smart sensor navigation
- App and voice control
Cons:
- Lacks advanced mapping capabilities
- Occasional navigation issues
- Dustbin requires frequent emptying
- App can be clunky and unreliable
Value for Money
The Shark ION 772 offers good value for money for users seeking an affordable and basic robot vacuum. Its decent cleaning performance and convenient features make it a solid choice for everyday cleaning tasks. However, users who demand advanced features and a more comprehensive cleaning solution may want to consider higher-end models.
Verdict
The Shark ION 772 is a capable entry-level robot vacuum that offers decent cleaning performance and convenient features at an affordable price. While its lack of advanced features and occasional navigation issues may deter users seeking a more comprehensive cleaning solution, it’s a solid choice for those looking to automate their floor cleaning on a budget.
Score: 7.5/10
