The Shark ION Robot E5 is designed for those seeking a simple, affordable entry into the world of robot vacuums. It promises to automate basic floor cleaning, handling everyday dust and debris with minimal effort from your side. While it lacks advanced features like smart mapping and self-emptying, its ease of use and budget-friendly price point make it an appealing option for first-time robot vacuum owners or those with smaller homes. However, it’s essential to understand its limitations and performance trade-offs before making a purchase decision.
The Shark ION Robot E5 positions itself as a no-frills cleaning solution. It aims to provide a convenient way to maintain clean floors without breaking the bank. It fits into the budget-friendly category of robot vacuums, competing against models like the iRobot Roomba e5 and Roborock E4/E5. The E5 focuses on delivering essential cleaning functionality, with app control and voice assistant compatibility adding a touch of modern convenience. But, how well does it perform its main task: cleaning? And is the convenience it offers worth its limitations?
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Effective on Hard Floors: The Shark ION Robot E5 performs well on bare floors, effectively picking up small and large debris.
- Limited Carpet Performance: Struggles with pet hair and fine debris on low-pile carpets.
- Long Battery Life: Offers a long runtime, suitable for cleaning larger areas in one session.
- Basic Navigation: Employs a random navigation system, which can lead to incomplete coverage.
- User-Friendly App: The SharkClean app allows for scheduling and control, enhancing convenience.
Verdict: A decent option for basic hard floor cleaning, but not ideal for homes with significant carpeted areas or heavy pet hair. 6.5/10
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.4 in L x 12.6 in W x 3.54 in H |
| Weight | 9.92 lbs |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.45 quarts (0.42 liters) |
| Battery Runtime | Up to 120 minutes |
| Cleaning Path Width | 5.9 inches |
| Filter Type | Non-Washable |
| Voltage | 14.4 volts |
| App Control | Yes (SharkClean™ app) |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa™, Google Assistant™ |
| Brush System | Tri-Brush System (Side, Channel, Multi-Surface) |
| Cliff Sensors | Yes |
| Bumper Sensors | Yes |
Price and Availability
The Shark ION Robot E5 typically retails between $200 and $280. Pricing may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions. It is available at major retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon, as well as directly from the SharkClean website. Bundles including accessories or handheld vacuums are sometimes available.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark ION Robot E5 features a standard circular design common among robot vacuums. Its all-black exterior gives it a relatively refined appearance. It is primarily constructed from hard plastic with a matte finish, while the front bumper, drive wheel treads, and swiveling front wheel are made of rubber. While the overall build feels sturdy, the dustbin can feel somewhat fragile and prone to damage if dropped. The robot’s low profile (3.54 inches) allows it to clean under some furniture, but it may struggle with very low clearances.
The robot is equipped with two side brushes that sweep debris towards the main brushroll. The Tri-Brush system, which combines side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll, aims to handle debris effectively on all surfaces. It also features intelligent bumper and cliff sensors to avoid obstacles and prevent falls down stairs.
Compared to the iRobot Roomba e5, the Shark ION Robot AV753 Series is considered to be less well-built and harder to maintain. The Roomba e5 is also more maneuverable.
Performance and Features
Cleaning Performance
The Shark ION Robot E5 performs best on bare floors, effectively picking up both small and large debris like cereal or rice. However, it struggles with pet hair on hard surfaces. On low-pile carpets, the E5’s performance is less impressive. It has difficulty picking up pet hair and fine debris like baking soda. It is reasonably effective at collecting larger debris like sand. In testing, the Shark ION Robot Vacuum picked up 97.55% of rice and 96.55% of sand on hardwood floors. On carpet, it picked up 96.11% of rice and 58.79% of sand.
Navigation
The Shark ION Robot E5 uses a basic, random navigation system. It moves around the room in a seemingly haphazard manner, which can result in some areas being missed. It lacks smart mapping capabilities, so it doesn’t learn the layout of your home or allow you to set virtual boundaries. The robot relies on bumper and cliff sensors to avoid obstacles and prevent falls.
Brush System
The Tri-Brush System includes two side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll. The side brushes sweep debris from edges and corners into the path of the main brushroll. The multi-surface brushroll is designed to agitate and lift debris from both hard floors and carpets.
App and Voice Control
The Shark ION Robot E5 can be controlled using the SharkClean app or voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The app allows you to start and stop cleaning, schedule cleaning sessions, and monitor the robot’s status. Voice control enables you to start or stop cleaning with simple spoken commands.
Battery Life
The Shark ION Robot E5 boasts a long battery life, offering up to 120 minutes of runtime on a single charge. There is not a significant difference in runtime between Eco and Max suction power modes. This long battery life makes it suitable for cleaning larger homes or multiple rooms in one session.
Software and User Experience
The SharkClean app is relatively user-friendly, allowing for basic scheduling and control of the robot. However, it lacks advanced features like mapping, zone cleaning, and detailed cleaning reports found in more expensive models. The app provides notifications about the robot’s status, such as when it starts or finishes cleaning, or if it encounters an error. The app is the hub for customizing the robot’s settings. Users can schedule cleans, create a map of their home that they can customize and edit, clean by specific rooms or areas immediately, and more.
Comparison to Competitors
- iRobot Roomba e5: The Roomba e5 is better built, easier to maintain, and more maneuverable. It also performs better on low-pile carpets, especially regarding pet hair. However, it has a shorter battery life and a smaller dirt compartment.
- Roborock E4/E5: The Roborock E4/E5 offers smart-pathing navigation and delivers better performance on all surface types. It also incurs lower recurring costs and has a larger dustbin. However, it may be more expensive than the Shark ION Robot E5.
- Shark IQ Robot: The Shark IQ Robot is a step up from the ION Robot E5, offering features like self-emptying and smart mapping. It performs better on all surface types and has a larger dirt compartment and longer battery life.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
* Affordable
* Long battery life
* Good suction on hard floors
* App and voice control
Cons:
* Struggles with carpets and pet hair
* Basic navigation
* Small dustbin
* Dustbin feels fragile
Value for Money
The Shark ION Robot E5 offers decent value for money for those seeking a basic, budget-friendly robot vacuum primarily for hard floors. Its long battery life and app control add to its convenience. However, its limited carpet cleaning performance and rudimentary navigation may make it less suitable for homes with significant carpeting or complex layouts.
Verdict
The Shark ION Robot E5 is a passable option for basic hard floor cleaning, but its limitations on carpets and its random navigation system hold it back. If you primarily have hard floors and are looking for an affordable way to automate your cleaning routine, the E5 may be worth considering. However, if you have a lot of carpets or pets, you may want to consider a more powerful and feature-rich robot vacuum. 6.5/10
