Shark IQ Robot vs. iRobot Roomba I3+

For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing and writing about robot vacuums that self-discharge.

These two brands are industry leaders: Shark and iRobot. And in this article, we will compare two cheaper alternatives – Shark IQ and Roomba I3 +.

These two models are similar but different in many ways, which we’ll unpack below.

A quick overview of the Shark IQ and Roomba I3+

All robot vacuums have gone through a series of rigorous tests to check how well they perform and withstand. These experiments are designed to identify potential weaknesses that you would not otherwise see.

* If you click on this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Air flow tests were performed using an anemometer. I rubbed 100g of sand on a medium pile carpet for deep cleaning tests, weighed the trash empty, then full, and rolled out to get the results.

Noise levels are taken by a sound meter from a few meters away. The results you see are of the highest setting.

Trash and automatic emptying capacities are taken from the manufacturer’s websites, but for RoombaIt is only an estimate (based on an eye test) because iRobot does not determine it.

Introduction to Shark IQ and Roomba I3 +

As mentioned earlier, Shark and Roomba are pioneers in the use of vacuums that discharge automatically.

iRobot was the first to introduce it when they launched the i7+. Shark then introduced the IQ Series as a cheaper alternative to the more premium Roomba options.

Leading budget robot for empty cars: Shark IQ

Shark introduced the IQ auto blank bot as a “budget” alternative to the Roomba I7+.

But compared to cheap, self-contained options now, the price is not considered as such.

However, during that time, it was like that, and you could say it’s a game-changing product, paving the way for what we have now.

The Shark IQ Early Options One fatal flaw – it lacked a floor tracking sensor, which made it difficult to create maps.

Often, it took several times to successfully save the map, and video reviews have confirmed this problem.

Newer variants don’t have this problem, and I have one with a second generation IQ.

The Shark IQ optical sensor is located next to the right wheel assembly (check photo).

It only took one run to build the map so be sure to get the variable with the floor tracking sensor to avoid this issue.

He has an IQ 1.8L Bagless Self Empty Basin – Easily the smallest ever Self-unloading robots I have tested.

Depending on your preference, this could be an added plus while saving costs for not buying the bags.

But there is exposure to allergens emptying it. If you are not careful, some debris may seep onto this area.

It relies on a top-mounted camera and a floor tracking sensor to create a map and track location, similar to Roomba I6 and S9.

Underneath is a double-sided brush system with single prongs that rotate at the slowest pace.

While it doesn’t scatter as much debris as the Roomba, it’s much worse at cleaning up edges.

Shark says the iQ has an active anti-tangle system, which I’ve tested, but it only works with hair that’s shorter five inches long.

Roomba’s cheapest self-discharge option: Roomba I3 +

After launching a file Roomba I7+ and S9+iRobot has set its sights on the automatic empty budget niche with the i3+.

It is currently the cheapest self-emptying robot to date.

One feature missing It is VSLAM (or Visual SLAM).

VSLAM is an algorithm that relies on a top-mounted camera and floor-tracking sensors to create and save maps.

The absence of VSLAM means that while the file Roomba I3 + It can draw maps (thanks to the optical sensor), it can’t memorize them.

It therefore cannot access advanced navigation features such as exclusion zones or selective room cleaning.

It works similar to The most expensive i6 + / i7 + But without the containment and cleaning features.

This variant shares the same components as its more expensive siblings, so cleaning results aren’t far behind.

Similarities Between Shark IQ and iRobot Roomba I3 +

We are going to take a look at the similarities between these two robots that automatically empty themselves in different aspects.

1. Shape

Both options use a circular shape with a simple interface.

One difference is that IQ has a camera mounted on top, while iRobot does not, highlighting the difference in their navigation algorithms.

Another difference is the diameter, with the Shark IQ being smaller at 12.8″ versus the I3+ at 13.34″.

2. Garbage container status and capacity

The Shark IQ and Roomba I3+ both have similarly sized rear-mounted litter boxes with a capacity of 400ml.

The Shark trash can has a wider opening which makes it easy to clean or empty (if you choose the robot only option).

The Roomba I3 trash can has a narrower opening, which makes it more difficult to clean or empty it.

Since these products have an automatic self emptying feature, the size of the trash should not be a deciding factor.

3. Auto dock blank

Piggy-backing on the previous point. These robots have a self-emptying base station that empty the robot’s trash can.

One difference is the disposal system. iRobot has a boxed system, while Shark uses a bagless design.

4. Recharge and resume

These variables have been recharged and resumed – a feature that instructs the robot to recharge and then continue cleaning (from where it left off) if it does not complete the cleaning cycle.

Differences between Shark IQ and Roomba I3 +

Now, let’s look at the differences between these bots.

1. Navigational algorithm

The most important difference internally is the navigation algorithm that each bot uses.

Shark is based on VSLAM, a more advanced algorithm that provides map saving and containment features.

By comparison, the I3+ mainly relies on gyroscopes and an optical floor sensor to track its location.

Yes, it can draw maps thanks to the floor sensor, but it can’t save it. Therefore it lacks the zonal containment and cleaning features found in a shark.

That’s why iRobot lowered the price even more.

2. Brush design and layout

Another difference is the brush design, as this picture shows.

Roomba I3+ uses iRobot’s patented anti-spin hoods Among the best in excitement and perform carpet cleaning.

In comparison, Shark uses its own patented design – a self-cleaning brush like the Vertex Cordless with an active anti-tangle system.

Another difference is the number of side brushes. The Roomba features a one-sided brush, while the Shark uses two side brushes with a single slit.

3. Battery and runtime

Uptime will vary with these bots. Shark IQ owns a Shorter range 60 minutes Opposite Roomba I3+ at 75 minutesdespite the presence of a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 2,990 mAh.

But it’s not a surprise because the IQ has a more powerful engine and airflow of 18.87 CFM versus the I3+’s output of 7.27 CFM.

4. Self Empty Basin Design

These robots use different designs of self-emptying berths.

The Roomba I3+ features a ramp design, where the robot sits on a ramp, while the Shark IQ relies on a vertical port.

If you are familiar with my YT . channel And blog, you’ll know my preference is the former, the ramp provides better stability.

Vertical ramps do not have the same magnitude because the robot outlet port and the berth inlet port need proper alignment for the self-discharge process to work.

These arrows indicate the base station inlet and outlet ports of the robot. If you don’t line it up, debris may seep onto the surface, making an even bigger mess.

It is not a problem on hard surfaces because it has a solid base. But the alignment issue backs up on the carpet.

Shark corrects this problem by introducing SharkMat – an extension that places a bot on a hard surface to process.

But it is an additional cost and may not work on thick pile carpets.

5. Capacity and volume of dirt base station

The volume of empty dirt also varies automatically, Roomba I3 + has a larger capacity of 2.5 liters.

The capacity of the Shark is slightly smaller – 1.8 liters, and please note that it is a bagless system, so there is no need to buy bags regularly.

One advantage with the Shark IQ self-discharge station is its compactness. Place it next to Roomba main station, and you can see the size difference.

It has a handle, which makes it easier than all of the self-emptying robots to move around.

Application Features

Next, we will look at the features of the various applications of these bots, their similarities and differences.

Both options do not have a remote control, so users will need to download their own apps to unlock all features.

Please note that these apps are only compatible with 2.4G WIFI and not 5G.

Save the map [Shark IQ only]

Thanks to VSLAM, Shark IQ can save maps.

Unfortunately, he Saves only one map levelwhich goes against the purpose of its base station portability.

containment [Shark IQ only]

Saving maps has added benefits and one of them is the addition of containment areas.

SharkClean app has access to restricted areas, which are restricted areas on bot.

However, it lacks the invisible wall feature, so users cannot block country areas on the map.

None of the VSLAM bots I’ve tested so far have this feature, but the Shark IQ has a magnetic stripe that serves that purpose.

It’s an old-school and blunter approach to a virtual wall, but it can help block doorways.

DISCLAIMER AND RESUME [Shark IQ only]

The SharkClean app has this feature that tells the bot the rule after 30 minutes to empty the trash.

It’s a feature I don’t see in other apps and it’s useful for large or dirty spaces to ensure the trash doesn’t get full.

Cleaning Permits [Roomba I3+ only]

One of the features the Roomba I3+ has over Shark IQ is accuracy.

The iRobot app has a requirement to perform a two-track run versus the default one-time run in IQ.

Add dirt detection – it easily beats the IQ in this area, although the latter has an extended playback feature, which didn’t work as advertised during tests.

scheduling

Both robots have a scheduling feature, so consumers can automate the sweeping task and take advantage of the automatic unloading feature.

But only SharkClean can schedule multiple runs per day – up to three. Run one in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Roomba I3+ can schedule more runs per day.

But with a gap of at least three hours per round.

iRobot did this (I guess here) because of the short term to give the robot enough time to recharge.

Navigation comparison

Technically, both robots have intelligent navigation, which means that they can each track their location on their indoor map.

One difference is the algorithm used. Shark IQ has a VSLAM algorithm that relies on a top-mounted camera and floor-tracking sensor for navigation and tracking.

Since it uses the camera, it is highly dependent on the light source to function. It does move in straight lines, but I’ve noticed that it travels the shortest round from one end to the other.

Thanks to gyroscopes and an optical floor sensor, the Roomba I3+ moves in neat rows, even without a VSLAM.

It actually uses a crisscross pattern similar to the Roborock S7+, which offers more precision.

Both are good at avoiding furniture and not latching onto six- to eight-legged office chairs, which is a problem with random hopping bots.

Comparison of coverage and efficiency

Another test I do with these bots is the coverage and efficiency test. The covering part includes checking how much debris it picks up in one two-lane course.

The proficiency portion is the time taken to complete the course.

There was no significant difference with the results. Both were decent, catching most Quaker oats.

The shark was above average since it only went once, and picked up most of the debris scattered in the midsections, but struggled at the edges.

The Roomba I3+, despite its two-track operation, did not perform much better than the Shark IQ.

One obvious problem is the fast-spinning side brush that scatters debris, but it would have been better to clean the edges.

Shark IQ has completed its journey in about 18 minuteswhile the Roomba I3+ finished at 22:43 minutes.

Please be aware that Shark IQ only has one pass cycle, even with the extended playback feature turned on, which roughly doubles the I3+ score.

Considering that it has a cross navigation pattern, the Roomba I3+ score is good but not as efficient as the Roborock S7+.

Air Flow Comparison

The Shark IQ won this comparison because it has more airflow than the Roomba I3+, even at the lowest power setting.

One thing about the Roomba I3+ is its counter-circulation hoods, which compensate for the uneven airflow.

It’s one of the best robot vacuums for cleaning carpets, especially dirt that’s included in deep cleaning (more on this below).

Cleaning performance comparison

The Roomba did better with overall results despite the huge disparity in airflow. But this was supported by the high deep cleaning results.

The Shark did better in most surface debris tests: hard floor, carpet, and sand on hard floors.

Model	Shark IQ Robot	Roomba I3 +
Total	91.84%	92.39%
Solid ground	98.25%	95.3%
sand on hard floor	97.3%	95.5%
Carpet (roof pickup)	96.82%	96.22%
Carpet (deep cleaning)	75%	84.7%

These results demonstrate the importance of air flow in determining cleaning results. It’s not the end state of it all, but it is important in determining how the robot vacuum will perform.

Which is better on hard floors: Shark IQ or Roomba I3 +?

One of the metrics I use to determine the performance of hardwood floors is how much sand they pick up. Shark IQ picked up a few percentage points more than the Roomba I3+ (97.3% vs 95.5%).

Here’s a before and after shot of Shark IQ.

and Roomba I3+.

I picked up more due to the higher airflow, as well as the slowly rotating side brush that didn’t spread much.

Edge cleaning comparison

One downside of a slowly rotating side brush is its inability to clean the edges effectively.

I already mentioned this in the coverage test, but the edge cleaning experience confirms this.

The Roomba I3+ didn’t pick up everything, but it was better than the Shark IQ.

Hair wrap comparison

The Shark IQ was much better overall, with threads shorter than five inches.

You can see the active anti-tangle system in action as it captures just about everything, just a few strands draped over the brush.

Before this Shark IQ review, I was expecting more, frankly. Unfortunately, he stopped during the seven-inch test, and this was too much on the brush.

The Roomba I3+ performed better with longer 7-inch threads, but the difference wasn’t much.

But with shorter five-inch strands it only rose 58%, and here’s what the brush looks like after the experiment.

Which is better on carpets, Shark IQ or Roomba I3 +?

There was not much difference with surface debris on the carpet.

Shark IQ was slightly better with surface dirt (96.82% vs 96.22%) but lagged behind the Roomba I3+ in deep cleaning tests (75% vs 84.7%).

The shark’s high airflow was a factor in the surface debris.

However, the Rooba extractors fared much better with the dirt included, along with a more comprehensive navigation and dirt detection system.

Runtime comparison

The Roomba I3+ uses a smaller 1800mAh Li-ion battery however Still works longer at 75 minutes.

One reason could be the smaller motor which doesn’t require much current.

Shark owns IQ Larger Li-ion battery with a capacity of 2,990 mAhbut it only works for a maximum of 60 minutes.

The presence of the recharge and resume feature mitigates the short term of these bots.

But if cleaning a bigger house is a must, you’ll have to take a look at Yadi Fak Station For up to 200 minutes.

noise comparison

The The Shark IQ produced less noise than the Roomba I3 +It tops out at 64.8 dB (versus the 64.9 dB I3+) despite having more airflow, which is impressive.

Roomba products tend to be noisy, and the I3+ is no exception.

maintenance

Part of the robot vacuum’s ownership is maintenance. It is necessary to clean the various components to prevent unnecessary wear. I will show you which parts need to be checked and replaced at specific intervals.

1. Basic brush: It’s the most misused component of any robotic vacuum because it picks up debris. Inspect and clean once a week to remove dirt and hair that has accumulated on the cylinder and hubs.
2. Side brush: The next worst part is the side brush. Likewise, separate and brush it once a week to remove any hair and debris stuck on the arm and base.
3. Dustbin and filter: Even with the self-empty base, dirt will accumulate inside the trash. Fortunately, for these variants, their litter boxes are washable, which makes the process easier. Do this at least once or twice a month. However, the filter is not washable, so remove the wash. Tap the filter against a hard surface to remove dirt and replace it every two to three months.
4. fall sensors: These sensors are located under the robot. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining dust and contaminants, preventing an error code from being triggered and the robot malfunctioning.
5. robot body: Wipe the robot’s body to remove any fingerprints and smudges at least once a month.
6. Automatic unloading station: Keep ports going to auto-discharge stations clean and unobstructed.
7. Bag litter box and basal station: Replace the Roomba I3+ case when full. For Shark IQ, empty the trash into a spacious trash can. Clean the Shark IQ base station filter if it is dirty.

Availability of spare parts

Shark and iRobot are two of the most popular robot vacuum options. There will be a large number of parts available for these brands.

The Roomba I3+ and I6+/I7+ devices share many componentsTherefore, these products will be widely available on Amazon or iRobot website.

Shark also has plentiful parts available from major online stores like Amazon or the SharkClean website.

One of the features of iRobot is the availability of internal components such as a side brush motor or wheel unit, even on their website.

Product Spec.

Where can I buy these bots?

Roomba I3+ and Shark IQ are available in online stores such as Amazon. Check out the links below for more details.

• Roomba I3+

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON

• Shark IQ

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON

Disclosure: I’ll earn a commission if you buy through any of the links above, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win for us!

Which is the better option: Shark IQ Robot or iRobot Roomba I3 +

After testing these bots comprehensively, each option offers compelling reasons to buy.

Shark IQ is the cheapest alternative with a bagless dock, so there is no need to buy bags over its lifespan and save money in the long run.

In comparison, the Roomba I3+ offers more thorough cleaning performance with its crisscross pattern but it lags behind with its advanced navigation features.

The lack of VSLAM means that it does not have mapping and containment features.

5 reasons to choose Shark IQ Robot

1. Cheaper alternative: Shark IQ offers a more affordable option with a self-discharging base.
2. no bags: A bag-free base station means a lower cost of ownership as you don’t have to constantly replace bags.
3. Excellent for short hair: Shark’s anti-tangle system works well with shorter 5-inch strands, but may struggle with longer hair.
4. Integrated dock that unloads automatically: The slim, self-unloading IQ station with handle is easy to transport around the house.
5. Fit in surface debris: The Shark IQ scored higher than the Roomba I3+ with most surface debris tests.

5 reasons to choose Roomba I3 +

1. More thorough cleaning: Cross navigation pattern and dirt detection sensor make the I3+ more accurate in sweeping homes.
2. Best in deep cleaning: iRobot’s anti-roll extractors are best at picking up built-in dirt, and the I3+ is no exception.
3. Less exposure to allergens: Its packed system is less messy to empty and eliminates exposure to allergens.
4. base stability: The base station can be used as a ramp on different roofs.
5. Availability of parts: iRobot offers a wide range of replacement parts options should anything go wrong. Its modular design requires only a replacement Philips screwdriver.

Verdict: a close call will depend on the budget and the surface

These robots are very close in terms of cleaning performance and mobility.

Neither one outperformed the other in either of the tests by a large margin, so choosing one will boil down to the surface you need to clean and which features to prioritize.

Shark IQ would be my go-to for those who want to spend less and not be concerned about the lack of accuracy.

If you value precision, you can bypass this limitation by scheduling up to three times a day.

It works well enough on surface debris to warrant consideration but is still decent with the dirt included.

Some consumers who have commented on My video review He told me they prefer a bagless system because it offers better cost savings since there is no bag to buy.

The Roomba I3+ is an ideal choice for people who want their robot vacuum to pick up items embedded on the carpet.

Reverse spin extraction tools are suitable for this task.

Plus, it has more extensive navigation, which means it will clean in a criss-cross pattern and make extra passes in the dirtiest areas.

Yes, it’s more expensive, but parts availability and modular design bode well for long-term ownership.