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Shark IQ Robot Vacuum Self-Empty XL RV1001AE Review

LivingYourSeniorLife is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty Vacuum XL RV1001AE – Review, explores the features, pros and cons, and what I find appealing about the Shark vacuum. I hope in reading this review, you will have a better understanding of this robotic vacuum. Learning about some of the features will make you a more informed consumer while considering its purchase.

In This Review We’ll Cover:

  1. Self-Emptying Base
  2. Suction
  3. Brushroll
  4. Smart Home Integration
  5. Mapping & Navigation
  6. Pros and Cons
  7. FAQs

Shark IQ Robot Vacuum

Shark IQ Robot Self-Emptying Vacuum XL RV1001AE Review

Overview

I recently bought the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum and put it through its paces. One thing that immediately stands out is its self-empty base that can hold an impressive amount of debris, and you won’t need to empty it for up to 45 days. This feature alone saves me from the frequent and often tedious task of emptying the dustbin.

Its performance on various surfaces is noteworthy. Whether it’s tackling large debris, fine particles, or the challenging pet hair on carpets and floors, the vacuum’s strong suction and self-cleaning brushroll do an excellent job. Having 3 dogs in my home often leads to extra cleaning chores, but the Shark IQ Robot comes with a high-efficiency filter that captures pet dander and allergens, mitigating this issue.

Scheduling cleanings is also incredibly convenient with the SharkClean app, and voice command options with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant are seamless. It intelligently maps out the home, which allows me to select specific rooms for cleaning. And if the battery runs low during a cleaning session, it’s smart enough to return to its dock to recharge before resuming the job.

However, the mapping process isn’t flawless and occasionally requires troubleshooting. And while the unit is quieter than expected, we did encounter instances where the suction could be stronger when dealing with dense carpeting. Also when it returns to the base to empty it is quite loud, but that doesn’t last very long. Overall, this vacuum is a promising addition to any home, especially for those looking to minimize the hassle of regular vacuuming.

Self-Emptying Base

After using the Shark IQ Robot’s self-emptying feature, it brings so much convenience to the table. The base vacuums the debris from the robot’s bin autonomously after each cleaning cycle, which means you can virtually forget about the chore of emptying the dustbin for up to a month.

From my experience, the base does hold a significant amount of dirt and hair, making it ideal for busy households or pet owners. The lack of a bag means there are no extra costs for replacements, which is a thoughtful design touch. However, we did notice that while the self-emptying function is generally efficient, it can be quite loud, and if you have a lot of pet hair, the base will require more frequent cleaning to maintain optimal performance.

The Shark is a solid step forward in convenience, though there’s room for improvement in terms of noise and handling of high volumes of pet hair.

Powerful Suction

The Shark has robust suction power that effectively handles both large debris and finer particles on a variety of floor types.

I’ve noticed it doesn’t get bogged down by tangles of hair, thanks to its self-cleaning brushroll. This feature is particularly beneficial for those of us with pets that shed a lot. However, it’s not infallible; there have been occasional misses on denser carpets, where a pass or two might not completely clear the surface.

In my experience, the performance on hardwood floors was commendable — it managed to pick up scattered pet hair, bird dander, and crumbs smoothly. No vacuum is perfect, but the Shark IQ Robot’s suction performance has been largely consistent, making it a helpful companion for keeping floors tidy.

Self-Cleaning Brush Roll

Having had my fair share of interactions with various vacuum models, I find the Shark RV1001AE’s self-cleaning brush roll to be a standout feature worth discussing. One highlight is its ability to pull up diverse debris, from fine dust to larger particles and pet hair, across carpeting and hardwood floors without getting tangled. In my experience, the brush roll adapts seamlessly, tackling hair wraps head-on.

After each cleaning session, the hassle of untangling hair from the brush roll is virtually nonexistent—an advantage that can’t be overstated. While some vacuums promise similar features, they often fall short; however, Shark seems to have engineered their self-cleaning brush roll with effectiveness in mind.

However, while the self-cleaning function is typically reliable, there can be instances where lengthy hair or large clumps of fur might challenge the system. It’s a minor gripe, given the overall consistent performance, but worth noting for those with particularly fluffy pets or for users with long hair.

Smart Home Integration

We found the integration of the Shark IQ Robot with smart home systems to be remarkably user-friendly. For those of us who are fans of voice commands, the compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is a significant benefit. Setting up and initiating cleaning routines with just my voice provided me with a level of convenience I didn’t realize we were missing.

However, it’s not just about starting or stopping the vacuum; I was also able to schedule cleanings and select specific rooms for the Shark to clean, all through the SharkClean app. While the integration is generally seamless, I did encounter some nuances when mapping my home for the first time. This step can require a bit of patience, but once completed, the ability to direct the vacuum to clean just the kitchen or the living room from wherever I am, using my phone or voice, is impressively efficient.

On the downside, the initial room mapping wasn’t as accurate as I’d hoped, leading to occasional missed spots on the first few runs. That said, the Shark RV1001AE does learn and improve its navigation over time, offering a more consistent cleaning experience as it adapts to the layout of my home.

Total Home Mapping & Navigation

The Shark Robot excels in understanding the layout of my home. With its Total Home Mapping feature, the vacuum initially takes a systematic approach to navigate and map each room. Once the map is established, I have the flexibility to select specific rooms I want to be cleaned, making it quite handy for targeted cleaning sessions.

Indeed, I sometimes encounter a few hiccups in the mapping process, which can be frustrating when the vacuum misses spots or navigates less efficiently. However, once it perfects the layout, its row-by-row cleaning ensures it doesn’t miss any patches, giving comprehensive coverage across various floor types.

The capability to recharge and resume is a game-changer, ensuring that the job is completed even after taking a break to recharge. This feature is especially valuable in larger homes where a single charge might not suffice for a full clean.

Pros and Cons

In my time with the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum, I’ve had the chance to put it through its paces and explore what sets it apart, as well as where it falls short. These insights should give you a balanced view of the robot’s capabilities.

Pros

  • Long-Term Dirt Disposal: I found the self-emptying base genuinely convenient, eliminating the need to frequently empty the dustbin. With a capacity to hold up to 45 days of dirt and debris, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it feature.
  • Powerful Suction Performance: The vacuum impresses with its strong suction, capably handling a variety of debris types from fine dust to larger particles, ensuring carpets and floors are thoroughly cleaned.
  • No More Hair Wraps: For those with pets, the self-cleaning brushroll is a boon, effectively picking up pet hair without getting tangled. It works great for human hair as well.This saves us the hassle of frequent maintenance.
  • Smart Home Mapping and Navigation: The total home mapping function is a standout, allowing the robot to chart and remember the layout of your space, and being able to choose specific rooms for cleaning, which is particularly useful.
  • Convenient Control Options: Controlling the vacuum via the SharkClean app or voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant is seamless and adds to the ease of use.
  • Resumes Cleaning After Charging: The robot’s ability to recharge and resume cleaning without intervention ensures the job gets done without manual restarting.

Cons

  • Mapping Challenges: I noticed some hiccups in the mapping process. In my experience, the initial mapping might not always be as precise as expected and could require some troubleshooting.
  • Inconsistent Suction on Certain Surfaces: Although the suction is powerful, its effectiveness on certain types of carpet can vary.
  • Limited Object Detection: I sometimes observed that the robot struggled with smaller obstacles, which could lead to occasional hiccups in cleaning efficiency.

Customer Reviews

The overall user sentiment is positive, with a solid rating to show for it. A consensus among those who bought the Shark is that it’s a quieter machine compared to other models on the market. However, a few shortcomings have been noticed; the mapping technology doesn’t always meet expectations, sometimes leading to less efficient cleaning routes.

Its self-empty feature is convenient, sparing users the hassle of frequent dustbin emptying. But, it’s not without its faults. The suction power might struggle with certain types of carpets, as a few users commented they had trouble with their Shark not picking up dirt and hair in their living rooms, prompting some to return the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

When considering the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL, you might have a few questions regarding its performance and features. Below, we discuss some of the key concerns to give a clearer picture of what it’s like using this cleaning companion in our homes.

How does the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL compare to the Roomba series in terms of performance?

The Shark IQ Robot Vacuum holds its own against the Roomba series, particularly when it comes to suction power and dealing with pet hair. Its self-cleaning brushroll seems to be a standout, adeptly handling hair without getting tangled.

While Roomba has established a strong name in robot vacuums, our experience with Shark’s methodical cleaning pattern has resulted in consistently spotless floors. Both brands offer unique features, but the Shark’s bagless self-emptying base is particularly convenient, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance.

Can parts for the Shark RV1001AE be easily sourced and replaced?

Sourcing and replacing parts for the Shark RV1001AE hasn’t posed any issues for me. Shark has a good track record for customer service and offers a range of replaceable parts, such as filters and side brushes, available through their website and other retailers. I appreciate the availability of parts, as it extends the longevity of the vacuum and ensures that it keeps running efficiently.

Are the self-emptying features on the Shark Robot Vacuum effective and worth the additional cost?

In my experience, the self-emptying feature of the Shark Robot Vacuum has been a game-changer. The convenience of not having to manually empty the dustbin after every cleaning session is significant. Its base can hold up to 45 days of dirt and debris, which I’ve found to be perfect for an average-sized home. While this functionality does come at an additional cost, if your lifestyle demands minimal interaction with your vacuum, it’s a worthy investment for the added convenience.

A Few Words

The Shark IQ Robot Self-Emptying Vacuum is my second robotic vacuum. The first one I bought was a well-known brand, but  I was so disappointed that I sold it at a garage sale.

Then, recently my daughter purchased a Shark Robot Vacuum, and she kept saying how well it worked and that her floors are cleaner than ever.  This intrigued me because my previous experience had not been good, and I was not eager to spend the money again to be disappointed. 

However, being that I got my first robot vacuum probably 5 or 6 years ago, I thought maybe the technology had gotten better.  I kept debating if I should purchase another one or not.  Then came Black Friday, and after considering several robot vacuums I made the plunge and went with the Shark IQ. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.  

What I Love About The Shark

So what do I love about my Shark Vacuum? First off, it works so well – this is about as hands-free with vacuuming as you can get. First, you can create cleaning schedules for the Shark to start cleaning; it will begin to vacuum in an organized, logical sequence.

If it needs to recharge or empty the dust bin, it will go back to the docking station, empty, and resume when done. When finished with its cleaning session, it will also go back to the dock, empty the dust bin into the chute, and begin recharging for next time.

Shark IQ Robot Self-Emptying Vacuum  XL RV1001AE

Mapping is the process of the vacuum learning your home’s floor plan. It had my house mapped after two runs.

There have been some complaints from reviewers that they had trouble with the Shark mapping their home. I, for one, didn’t have this trouble. Looking at my home map, it has my house mapped pretty close to 100% correct.

Another feature I like is after your map is created, you can schedule whole home cleanings or tell your Shark to go to specific rooms and not vacuum the whole house.

For instance, let’s say the dogs tracked in some dirt from the yard. I can tell the vacuum to clean the living room, and it will just make its way to the living room; vacuum only that room and return to its dock when completed. You can do this all from your smartphone.

Another feature I like is scheduling. You can schedule your Shark to clean beginning at a specific time on any particular day or multiple days. As of writing this review, you can only schedule 1 time per day. However, you can vacuum as many times as you like in a day, depending on the battery charge. You would do this by starting the Shark from a smartphone or manually pushing the button on the vacuum.

The Shark IQ Robot comes with three power modes; econo, standard, and power. Basically, this is low, medium, and high suction power. The higher the suction mode, the higher the battery usage. But if you aren’t in a hurry that shouldn’t be a problem.

What I Don’t Care For

There are a couple of cons. The hair-free roller does still get pet hair and my hair wrapped, but it is simple to remove. A lot easier to remove than my previous upright vacuum.

When the Shark first starts, it is loud, but that loudness goes away shortly. Also, as it empties the dust bin, it’s noisy but again only for a short time.

I wouldn’t have it in a room where someone is sleeping because it is likely to wake them up. A simple solution to this dilemma is if you will be running the Shark when someone is sleeping, have it docked in a different room.


Additional Reading


Bottom Line

With all products, features can change, so be sure the features that attract you to the product are still the same before purchasing.

Considering its advanced features and the convenience it offers, the Shark IQ is a strong contender in the robot vacuum space. It combines efficiency with smart technology, making it a valuable ally for keeping your floors pristine.

For those intrigued by the thought of less frequent vacuum maintenance and smarter cleaning paths, the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum could be a game-changer in your cleaning routine.

Ready to give your home a touch of smart cleaning technology? Shop the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum on Amazon and enjoy an effortlessly tidy space.

Thank you for stopping by and looking at the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty Vacuum XL RV1001AE – Review. Do you have any experience with a robotic vacuum? If so, I would love to hear about it. Please comment below.

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