Robot vacuums have become essential for maintaining clean homes with minimal effort. The Shark IQ Robot XL and the Roomba s9+ are two prominent models that offer self-emptying capabilities, smart navigation, and powerful cleaning performance. Both are designed to tackle pet hair, dust, and debris on various floor types. Potential buyers often find themselves at a crossroads when deciding between these two leading robot vacuums.
The Shark IQ Robot XL appeals to budget-conscious consumers seeking advanced features without breaking the bank. It offers self-emptying, smart home mapping, and effective cleaning at a more accessible price point. On the other hand, the Roomba s9+ targets users willing to invest in top-tier performance, superior navigation, and advanced features. With its D-shape design, stronger suction, and sophisticated smart mapping, the Roomba s9+ aims to deliver an unparalleled cleaning experience. This comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of Shark IQ Robot XL
- Short Review of Roomba s9+
- 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 Shark IQ Robot XL?
- Who Should Buy the Roomba s9+?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- For budget-conscious buyers: The Shark IQ Robot XL offers excellent value with its self-emptying base, smart navigation, and effective cleaning capabilities at a lower price.
- For premium cleaning performance: The Roomba s9+ excels with its superior suction, advanced navigation, and unique design, making it ideal for those who prioritize top-tier cleaning.
- For pet owners: Both vacuums are designed for homes with pets, but the Roomba s9+’s enhanced suction and tangle-resistant brushes may offer a slight edge in managing pet hair.
Short Review of Shark IQ Robot XL
The Shark IQ Robot XL (RV1001AE) is designed to provide a hands-free cleaning experience with its self-emptying base, which can hold up to 45 days of dirt and debris. Its powerful suction is capable of handling large and small debris, as well as pet hair, on both carpets and hard floors. The self-cleaning brushroll prevents hair from getting tangled, reducing maintenance.
This robot vacuum uses intelligent home mapping to navigate your home efficiently, cleaning row by row. It can be controlled via the SharkClean app or voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to schedule cleanings or target specific rooms. Overall, the Shark IQ Robot XL is a solid choice for those seeking a balance of convenience and performance at a reasonable price.
Short Review of Roomba s9+
The Roomba s9+ is iRobot’s premium offering, engineered for superior cleaning performance and smart navigation. Its D-shape design and PerfectEdge Technology enable it to reach deep into corners and along edges, ensuring thorough cleaning. The 3-Stage Cleaning System and 40X suction power effectively remove embedded dirt, debris, and pet hair from all floor types.
Equipped with Imprint Smart Mapping, the Roomba s9+ learns your home’s layout, allowing you to customize cleaning schedules and zones. The self-emptying Clean Base holds up to 30 bins of dirt, providing weeks of hands-free operation. While it comes at a higher price, the Roomba s9+ delivers advanced features and exceptional cleaning power, making it a top choice for discerning customers.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Shape: The Roomba s9+ features a unique D-shape designed for better edge and corner cleaning, while the Shark IQ Robot XL has a traditional circular shape.
- Suction Power: The Roomba s9+ boasts significantly higher suction power (40x compared to Roomba 600 series) compared to the Shark IQ Robot XL.
- Self-Emptying Base: The Shark IQ Robot XL uses a bagless self-emptying base, while the Roomba s9+ uses a bagged system.
- Brushroll Design: The Roomba s9+ has 30% wider brushes.
- Price: The Shark IQ Robot XL is generally more affordable than the Roomba s9+.
- Mapping: The Roomba s9+ can store up to 10 floor plans, while the Shark IQ Robot XL stores only one.
- Noise Level: The Roomba s9+ is known to be louder than the Shark IQ Robot XL.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Shark IQ Robot XL | Roomba s9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Circular | D-Shape |
| Self-Emptying | Yes, Bagless | Yes, Bagged |
| Suction Power | High | 40X (vs Roomba 600) |
| Brushroll | Self-Cleaning | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber |
| Mapping Technology | IQ Navigation | Imprint Smart Mapping |
| App Control | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Multi-Floor Mapping | No | Yes (up to 10 floors) |
| Runtime | ~60 minutes | ~75 minutes |
| Dustbin Capacity (Robot) | 400 ml | 500 ml |
| Allergen System | Multi-stage filtration | AllergenLock Bags |
| Weight | 5.87 lbs | 8.15 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches | 12.3 x 3.5 inches |
Price Comparison
The Shark IQ Robot XL typically retails for around $599, but can often be found on sale for between $255-$450. The Roomba s9+ is positioned as a premium product, usually priced around $1,099, but also may be found on sale for $549-$1013.
Considering these price points, the Shark IQ Robot XL offers a better cost-to-feature ratio for budget-conscious buyers. However, the Roomba s9+ justifies its higher price with superior cleaning performance, advanced features, and a more sophisticated user experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark IQ Robot XL features a utilitarian, all-black design. While its aesthetics are basic, its construction is sturdy and functional. The self-emptying base is practical, though bagless. The robot’s circular shape allows for maneuverability in open spaces, but it may struggle with corners.
The Roomba s9+ sports a premium design with a unique D-shape and a sleek finish. Its build quality is robust, and the materials feel high-end. The D-shape is specifically designed to improve edge and corner cleaning. The Clean Base charging station is well-engineered and adds to the overall aesthetic appeal.
Performance Face-Off
Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors
The Shark IQ Robot XL performs well on hard floors, effectively picking up pet hair and small debris. However, it may struggle with larger particles.
The Roomba s9+ also excels on hard floors, using its powerful suction and edge-cleaning design to capture dirt and debris thoroughly. Its ability to automatically adjust suction ensures optimal cleaning without scattering debris.
Cleaning Performance on Carpets
The Shark IQ Robot XL delivers satisfactory performance on carpets, particularly low-pile carpets. It may require multiple passes to remove embedded dirt and pet hair from high-pile carpets.
The Roomba s9+ stands out with its exceptional carpet cleaning capabilities. Its 40X suction power and dual rubber brushes work in tandem to extract deeply embedded dirt and allergens. It automatically increases suction on carpets, ensuring a comprehensive clean.
Edge and Corner Cleaning
The circular shape of the Shark IQ Robot XL can limit its ability to clean edges and corners effectively.
The Roomba s9+’s D-shape and PerfectEdge Technology give it a distinct advantage in edge and corner cleaning. Its angled brush reaches deep into corners, ensuring no area is missed.
Pet Hair Cleaning
Both vacuums are designed to handle pet hair, but the Roomba s9+ has a slight edge. Its powerful suction and tangle-resistant brushes efficiently capture pet hair from various surfaces, reducing the need for manual cleaning.
The Shark IQ Robot XL also performs well in pet hair removal, thanks to its self-cleaning brushroll. However, its suction power may not match the Roomba s9+ in challenging situations.
Special Features Comparison
- Shark IQ Robot XL:
- Bagless Self-Emptying Base: Holds up to 45 days of dirt and debris.
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Prevents hair tangles.
- Row-by-Row Cleaning: Ensures complete home coverage.
- Roomba s9+:
- Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal: Holds up to 30 bins of dirt with AllergenLock Bags.
- PerfectEdge Technology: Maximizes corner and edge cleaning.
- Imprint Smart Mapping: Learns and adapts to your home layout.
- P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise): Free replacement if it runs through pet messes.
Usability and User Experience
The Shark IQ Robot XL is user-friendly, with simple controls and a straightforward app interface. Setting up cleaning schedules and targeting specific rooms is easy. However, its mapping features are less advanced than the Roomba s9+.
The Roomba s9+ offers a premium user experience with its intuitive app and advanced mapping capabilities. Customizing cleaning zones, setting virtual boundaries, and integrating with other smart home devices is seamless. Its smart features cater to both novice and experienced users.
Maintenance and Longevity
The Shark IQ Robot XL requires regular emptying of the bagless base and occasional cleaning of the brushroll. Its self-cleaning brushroll reduces the frequency of manual hair removal. The machine comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
The Roomba s9+ requires periodic replacement of the Clean Base bags and cleaning of the filters and brushes. Its durable construction and high-quality components contribute to its longevity. iRobot offers comprehensive customer support and warranty options.
Who Should Buy the Shark IQ Robot XL?
The Shark IQ Robot XL is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious consumers seeking a self-emptying robot vacuum.
- Users with smaller homes or apartments.
- Individuals who want a balance of convenience and performance.
- Those who prefer a bagless self-emptying system.
Who Should Buy the Roomba s9+?
The Roomba s9+ is ideal for:
- Homeowners willing to invest in top-tier cleaning performance.
- Users with larger homes or multi-story layouts.
- Pet owners who need powerful pet hair removal.
- Tech-savvy individuals who appreciate advanced smart features.
Final Recommendation
Both the Shark IQ Robot XL and the Roomba s9+ are excellent robot vacuums that offer self-emptying convenience and smart features. The Shark IQ Robot XL is the better choice for those seeking an affordable and reliable option. The Roomba s9+ stands out as the superior product, delivering unparalleled cleaning performance and advanced features for a premium user experience.
