The long awaited future is here! And the robots are slowly taking up their space in the world. Of course for a good reason – to help human do his work. Will robots eventually take all our jobs?
Before we even get there, let us first focus on the world of vacuum cleaning.
With breath taking innovations happening every day, autonomous homes are the norm for the next generation. Already robotic appliances are chartering the path.
And in the world of vacuum cleaning, two premium brands are battling it out big. Shark and Roomba products must be the dream robot vacuums for any homeowner.
Whether you want a budget-friendly, mid-priced, and premium robot vacuum, these two companies will deliver. But being industry tops does not mean they are equal. One beats the other with one or more features.
In this article, we compare Shark IQ and Roomba i7 vacuum cleaning robots highlighting their advantages and drawbacks. So if you are torn between which to go with, this is a perfect read for you!
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Shark IQ Robot vs Rombo i7 at a Glance!
| Product | Control | Home mapping and navigation technology | Battery life | Brushes | Dirt collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark IQ | SharkClean App, Alexa/Google Assistant | Infrared technology | 30 minutes, Recharge and resume after 6 hrs | Self-cleaning brush for bare floors | Self-emptying with bagless base holding debris of up to 30 days |
| Rombo i7+ | Wi-Fi connected, Alexa/ Google Assistant control | Imprint Smart Mapping | 75 minutes, Recharge and resume after 2 hrs | Flexible rubber brush for hard floors and carpets | Self-emptying, the base has canister bags holding debris of up to 60 days |
Shark IQ Robot
The fair pricing of Shark vacuums is one of their highlight features and you will find a Shark IQ robot at almost half the cost of iRobot Roomba with nearly-similar qualities. Though it may rank lower with a few things, this vacuum still gives a good value for money.
Dirt collection
The Shark IQ robot has a dust bin with a 7 oz capacity that easily slides out and self-empties into the vacuum base once it is full.
Its bagless base can hold debris of up to 30 days. So instead of the regular emptying after every vacuuming exercise, you clear the bin once a month. You can also monitor the debris level via the dock canister’s fill window and empty accordingly.
Filters in the robotic vacuum base also help keep away allergens.
Brushes
While sucking dust and allergens from the floor, some vacuums’ efficiency is reduced by hair wrapping around the brushes. But with the Shark IQ robot, the brushes are self-cleaning and entanglement is not something to worry about.
With every roll, the brush removes any long hair that might be trapped in the bristles or blade. Besides, the bristles are strong enough to handle any floor debris.
Battery
The robot vacuum is equipped with a rechargeable Li-ion battery that can last for approximately 30 minutes. Before it runs out of power, the Shark IQ will return to the dock, recharge then continue with the cleaning from the last spot.
Notably, the battery requires about 6 hours to charge fully. But with the recharge and resume function enabled, it will get the work done without your input.
Control
The easier you can program your vacuum and monitor cleaning, the better. Compatible with voice control such as Alexa and Google Assistant, the Shark IQ allow you to schedule and monitor home cleaning through voice command.
You can also operate the gadget from any location using the SharkClean app on mobile devices.
This robotic vacuum utilizes infrared technology and sensors to detect cliffs and edges enabling it to navigate the rooms without knocks and falls.
Shark IQ also maps your entire home eliminating the possibility of backtracking.
iRobot Roomba i7+
iRobot products of the Roomba i7 series were the first self-emptying vacuums to enter the market. And no brand has beaten their quality record yet. Roomba i7+ is one of a kind, but bringing this advanced gadget into your home will cost you almost double the price of other vacuums in the premium category.
Dirt Disposal
Fitted with a 13-ounce capacity dustbin, it self-empties from the top in contrast to Shark IQ that empties from the side. You can also access and empty the dustbin by lifting the robotic top.
During charging, the contents of a full dustbin are sucked into the canister bag which can hold the debris of about 2 months. The canister bags are replaced once used.
It also has a highly efficient filter that you can rinse to remove pet allergens and dust.
Brushes
Roomba i7+ has two flexible multi-surface rubber brushes that allow it to clean both carpets and bare hard floors. It will clear both dust and pet hair without the brushes being tangled.
Equipped with a side sweeper brush consisting of five blades, this robotic vacuum easily removes dirt along the edges or room corners. Suction power auto-adjusts depending on the amount of debris on the floor.
Battery
The Roomba i7 robot uses one A battery that can last over an hour before it returns to the dock and recharges. After only 2 hours, the vacuum will be back cleaning the floor from where it let off.
Control
This Wi-Fi smart vacuum can be controlled through voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. Once connected to the smart home platform, you can schedule your cleaning, restrict interactive map access, or view performance.
Using Imprint Smart Mapping and + Visual Navigation technology, Roomba i7+ will map your whole home and navigate around rooms without knocks or falls. This allows it to perform precise commands such as ‘clean under the dining table’.
What should you consider when buying a robot vacuum?
1. Control
The more conveniently you can control your vacuum the better. A robot vacuum that is compatible with voice control or uses apps makes gadget operation more versatile. You can schedule home cleaning and monitor the process much easier with smart control.
2. Filtration level
If you are having pets in your home, choose a robot vacuum that has the highest ability to capture dander, allergens, and dust. Shark IQ has a multi-stage filtration level that traps up to 99% of pet allergens similar to Roomba i7+.
3. Battery Life
This is only an important consideration when you are living in a large house that will require substantial time to clean. Shark IQ has a battery life of 30 minutes but with the recharge and resume feature, it will get the house done without your input. On the other hand, Roomba i7+ has a battery life of 75 minutes and will recharge then resume cleaning after 2 hrs.
4. Home size
Some vacuums work well in small apartments with a one-floor level while others can perfectly deliver even in storey buildings. So choose a robot vacuum that can map your entire home and navigate without falling on the stairs or bumps onto other objects. Roomba i7+ has superior mapping capabilities making it a better choice for large homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shark IQ better than Roomba i7+?
In terms of price, Shark IQ is more affordable but Roomba i7+ has a much better performance in terms of mapping and navigation, control, and overall quality.
Between Roomba i7+ and Shark IQ, which one can pick cleaning from the last spot before power off?
For these two premium robots, it is not a question of which one resumes cleaning from where it left off, but how quickly they recharge and resume. Shark IQ will resume cleaning from the last spot after 6 hours of charging while Roomba takes only 2 hours to recharge and resume.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, robotic vacuums have greatly revolutionized home cleaning. But having a cleaning gadget is one thing and having a premium robot vacuum is another.
As the two top companies battle it out constantly for superiority, iRobot wins with their super-advanced Roomba i7+ over Shark’s IQ robot.