Robot vacuums have revolutionized home cleaning, offering a convenient and hands-free way to maintain tidy floors. Among the various models available, the Shark IQ and iRobot Roomba i7 stand out as popular choices. Both are designed to navigate your home autonomously, clean various floor types, and even empty their own dustbins, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences.
The Shark IQ series is known for providing a strong cleaning performance and smart features at a more accessible price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise on functionality. On the other hand, the iRobot Roomba i7 is a well-established player in the robot vacuum market, recognized for its advanced navigation, superior pet hair cleaning capabilities, and seamless integration with other smart home devices. This comparison aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key differences and similarities between these two robot vacuums, helping you determine which one best suits your cleaning needs and budget.
Table of Contents
- Quick Verdict
- Short Review of Shark IQ
- Short Review of iRobot Roomba i7
- 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?
- Who Should Buy the iRobot Roomba i7?
- Final Recommendation
Quick Verdict
- For budget-conscious buyers seeking a balance of features and performance: The Shark IQ is a strong contender, offering self-emptying, smart mapping, and effective cleaning at a lower price.
- For homes with pets and those prioritizing advanced navigation and smart home integration: The iRobot Roomba i7 excels with its superior pet hair removal, Imprint Smart Mapping, and compatibility with other iRobot cleaning devices.
Short Review of Shark IQ
The Shark IQ robot vacuum series is designed to offer a hands-free cleaning experience with smart navigation and a self-emptying base. It effectively maps your home, allowing you to schedule cleanings for specific rooms or areas via the SharkClean app or voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The self-cleaning brushroll is engineered to prevent hair from wrapping around it, making it suitable for homes with pets.
The Shark IQ stands out for its powerful suction, capable of tackling large and small debris on both carpets and hard floors. Its row-by-row cleaning pattern ensures thorough coverage, and the robot automatically returns to its dock to recharge and empty its dustbin, holding up to 45 days of dirt and debris. While it may not have multi-floor mapping capabilities, its strong cleaning performance, smart features, and self-emptying functionality make it an excellent value for the price.
Short Review of iRobot Roomba i7
The iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum is a premium cleaning solution designed for a seamless and intelligent cleaning experience. Equipped with Imprint Smart Mapping technology, the Roomba i7 learns your home’s layout, allowing you to customize cleaning schedules for specific rooms. Its advanced sensors and navigation system ensure efficient cleaning, even in complex environments.
The Roomba i7 excels in pet hair removal, thanks to its premium 3-Stage Cleaning System with Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes and 10x suction power. The self-emptying Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal allows the i7 to empty itself for up to 60 days. The iRobot HOME App provides complete control over your clean, with features like personalized cleaning suggestions and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Brushroll Design: Shark IQ features a self-cleaning brushroll with fins and bristles, while the Roomba i7 utilizes dual multi-surface rubber brushes.
- Navigation Technology: Roomba i7 uses iAdapt 3.0 with visual localization, while Shark IQ uses a camera and sensors for home mapping.
- Self-Emptying Base: Shark IQ’s base is bagless, while Roomba i7’s Clean Base uses disposable bags.
- Pet Hair Performance: Roomba i7 generally outperforms Shark IQ in pet hair removal on various surfaces.
- Smart Mapping: Roomba i7’s Imprint Smart Mapping allows for more advanced and customizable cleaning schedules.
- Price: Shark IQ is typically more affordable than Roomba i7.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Shark IQ | iRobot Roomba i7 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.9″ L x 12.6″ W x 3.5″ H | 13.3″ diameter x 3.6″ H |
| Weight | 5.87 lbs | 7.2 lbs |
| Dustbin Capacity | Up to 45 days of dirt and debris in base | Up to 60 days of dirt in base |
| Battery Life | 97 minutes (tested) | 75-90 minutes |
| Charging Time | Varies | 1.5 hours |
| Navigation | IQ Navigation, Home Mapping | iAdapt 3.0 with Visual Localization |
| Brushroll | Self-Cleaning Brushroll (bristles and fins) | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes |
| Self-Emptying Base | Bagless | Bagged |
| Smart Home | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| App Features | Scheduling, Room Select, No-Go Zones | Scheduling, Personalized Cleaning Suggestions, Imprint Link Technology |
| Filter Type | Non-washable filter | High-Efficiency Filter |
| Floor Types | Hardwood, Carpet, Floor | All Floors |
| Special Features | Cordless, Self-Emptying, Anti-Hair Wrap | Smart Mapping, Smart Charge & Resume |
Price Comparison
The Shark IQ Robot Vacuum typically retails for around $383 – $668, depending on the model and retailer. The iRobot Roomba i7 is generally priced higher, ranging from $416 – $599. While both offer self-emptying capabilities and smart features, the Shark IQ provides a more budget-friendly option for those seeking a hands-free cleaning experience. The Roomba i7 justifies its higher price with advanced navigation, superior pet hair cleaning, and smart home integration.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark IQ features a utilitarian design with an all-black finish. It has a round shape, measuring 12.9 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches, and weighs 5.87 pounds. The base is bagless and holds up to 45 days of dirt and debris. The Roomba i7 also has a round shape and a similar height of 3.6 inches, but it is slightly heavier at 7.2 pounds. The Roomba i7’s Clean Base uses disposable bags to hold the collected dirt. Both vacuums are well-built and durable, but the Roomba i7 has a more refined aesthetic.
Performance Face-Off
Cleaning Performance on Hard Floors
The Shark IQ performs well on hard floors, effectively cleaning up cereal and kitty litter crumbs with its strong suction power. Its row-by-row cleaning pattern ensures thorough coverage. However, it may struggle with fine debris and in corners and along walls. The Roomba i7 also delivers excellent hard floor cleaning, thanks to its dual multi-surface rubber brushes that adjust to different floor types. It also has an edge-sweeping brush to clean along edges and in hard-to-reach spots.
Cleaning Performance on Carpets
On carpets, the Shark IQ is a decent choice for cleaning high-pile carpets, clearing most debris in a single pass. However, it may struggle with low-pile carpets and pet hair, pushing hair further into the carpet rather than lifting it away. The Roomba i7 excels on carpets, with better performance on both low and high-pile carpets. Its dual multi-surface rubber brushes effectively agitate and lift dirt, debris, and pet hair from carpet fibers.
Pet Hair Removal
The Roomba i7 is a better choice for homes with pets. It does a much better job of clearing pet hair from all surface types, while the Shark IQ’s brushroll tends to push hair further into the carpet. The Roomba i7’s dual multi-surface rubber brushes effectively capture and lift pet hair.
Navigation and Mapping
The Roomba i7 utilizes iAdapt 3.0 with Visual Localization, which allows it to learn your home’s layout, build Smart Maps, and clean in neat rows. It remembers where it left off when the battery is low and uses Smart Recharge and Resume to finish the job. The Shark IQ uses a camera and sensors to map your home and clean in straight lines. While it offers accurate room mapping, it lacks the dynamic navigation of the Roomba i7.
Special Features Comparison
- Shark IQ: Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Bagless Self-Emptying Base, Row-by-Row Cleaning, Total Home Mapping with Room Select.
- Roomba i7: Imprint Smart Mapping, Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, Power-Lifting Suction, Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, Smart Charge & Resume, Compatible with Braava jet m6 robot mop via Imprint Link Technology.
Usability and User Experience
Both the Shark IQ and Roomba i7 are easy to use and offer a user-friendly experience. The SharkClean app and iRobot HOME App allow you to control your robot vacuum from your smartphone, schedule cleanings, and customize settings. The Roomba i7 has more advanced features like personalized cleaning suggestions and Imprint Link Technology, making it a better choice for experienced users.
Maintenance and Longevity
The Shark IQ has a self-cleaning brushroll that prevents hair from getting wrapped around it, reducing maintenance. Its bagless self-emptying base is easy to empty and clean. The Roomba i7 requires regular cleaning of its brushes and filter. Its Clean Base uses disposable bags, which need to be replaced periodically.
Who Should Buy the Shark IQ?
The Shark IQ is a great choice for:
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a robot vacuum with self-emptying capabilities.
- Homes with mostly hard floors and minimal pet hair.
- Users who want a simple and easy-to-use robot vacuum with smart features.
Who Should Buy the iRobot Roomba i7?
The iRobot Roomba i7 is ideal for:
- Homes with pets and those who need superior pet hair removal.
- Users who want advanced navigation and smart mapping features.
- Those who want seamless integration with other iRobot cleaning devices and smart home ecosystems.
Final Recommendation
Both the Shark IQ and iRobot Roomba i7 are excellent robot vacuums that offer a hands-free cleaning experience. The Shark IQ provides a strong cleaning performance and smart features at a more accessible price point, making it a great value for budget-conscious buyers. The iRobot Roomba i7 excels with its advanced navigation, superior pet hair cleaning capabilities, and seamless integration with other smart home devices, making it a premium choice for those who prioritize performance and convenience.
