Shark has joined the competition in the robot vacuum market with Shark Ion and Shark IQ. These two robot vacuums offer advanced features that make them reliable and convenient to use. Below, we will see the differences between Shark Ion vs Shark IQ to determine which robot vacuum that will give the best cleaning results and the best value for the money.
Continue reading to understand better about:
- The design and dimensions of Shark Ion and Shark IQ
- The features comparison between Shark Ion vs Shark IQ
- Why Shark Ion doesn’t really stand out in the market
- How Shark IQ offers significantly better usability and performance
- The accessories that come with Shark Ion and Shark IQ
- Whether you should get Shark Ion or Shark IQ
Contents
Shark Ion vs Shark IQ: Design
Shark Ion comes with a sleek look. It has a nice color combination of black and ash gray, and it is slim enough to slip under most low-clearance furniture items. Shark Ion measures 12.6 inches wide and 3.5 inches thick, with a typical circular body and several control buttons on the top. Read also: Shark Ion vs Roomba 670.
The Clean, Dock, and Max buttons are quite self-explanatory, respectively used for starting a cleaning run, returning the robot to its charging dock, and activating the boosted suction. Above these buttons, there are LED lights that indicate the remaining battery, Wi-Fi connectivity, and error status. You can find the power button on the right and the dustbin release button on the back.
Depending on the model that you choose, you may get Shark Ion with a standard charging dock, or a 2-in-1 charging dock that comes with a handheld vacuum. Unfortunately, neither version provides on-board storage that can keep the accessories, so you need to use your own bag to store them.
Shark IQ looks a bit similar with an all-black circular body. It has the same size at 12.6 inches wide and 3.5 inches thick. On the top, there are control buttons and light indicators for the battery, Wi-Fi, and error status.
This is where the similarity ends. Shark IQ is a much more advanced model that offers two special capabilities: self-cleaning brushes and self-emptying dustbin. The robot vacuum has bristles and fins that effectively comb hair from the brushes so that you won’t need to clean them manually. And, unlike most other robot vacuums, Shark IQ can empty its dustbin automatically after every cleaning session.
| Shark Ion | Shark IQ | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
|
| Product Dimensions | 12.6 x 12.6 x 2.6 inches | 38.9 x 26.3 x 49.6 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 5.51 pounds | 13.23 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
Shark Ion vs Shark IQ: Accessories
Shark Ion includes all the necessary accessories for proper operation. There are extra side brushes and an extra filter, which are very useful should you need to replace the ones on the robot.
If you choose a standard model like Shark Ion RV761, you will get a standard charging dock. Meanwhile, a slightly more expensive variant like Shark Ion S87 comes with a handheld vacuum and a 2-in-1 charging dock that will keep both vacuums organized. Additionally, you can purchase a Botboundary strip to set up a barrier to prevent the robot from entering a certain area in your home.
Shark IQ works with a different charging dock design. In addition to the dustbin in the robot, there is another larger dustbin inside the charging dock where the robot dumps the collected dirt after every cleaning session.
Shark IQ is available in several variants, but they generally fall in two groups: the standard models and the XL models. The most basic standard model only comes with a small charging dock, which has enough capacity to hold two weeks-worth of dirt. Meanwhile, a more expensive XL model comes with a large charging dock that can keep 30 days-worth of dirt.
There is a release button on the charging dock to remove the dustbin. You only need to empty the dustbin every two or four weeks. Shark IQ doesn’t include spare brushes or filters, but you can purchase them separately. Also, it doesn’t come with a special boundary strip, and it doesn’t need one, because it has an advanced mapping technology.
Shark Ion vs Shark IQ: Features
Shark Ion is already equipped with Wi-Fi. It can connect to your smartphone and be operated remotely via the Shark Ion Robot mobile app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. The mobile app will guide you through the set-up process. The mobile app is intuitive and easy to understand.
After you connect the robot vacuum to your home Wi-Fi network, you can use the mobile app to set the robot to operate in the Quiet, Normal, or Max mode. There are also Start, Dock, and Find My Robot functions. In the Schedule tab, you can set Shark Ion to clean your house on specific days and times. In the History tab, you can check the robot’s cleaning sessions in the last 30 days.
Shark Ion is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. By connecting the robot to your smart home system, you can use voice commands to operate it. For example, when using Google Home, you can ask the Google Assistant mobile app about the robot’s location and remaining battery, or tell it to return to the charging dock.
Shark IQ, similarly, comes with Wi-Fi and can be connected to your smartphone via the SharkClean mobile app for iOS and Android devices. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice commands. You can find similar functionalities in the mobile app, such as scheduling and selecting between Eco, Normal, and Max operation modes.
What really sets Shark IQ apart is the mapping feature. It can map your home’s layout to determine the most efficient cleaning path. As the effect, instead of running randomly and bumping into things, Shark IQ will follow an optimum path and spend less time cleaning.
There is also a Recharge and Resume feature. By default, this feature is disabled, but it is recommended to be enabled for large homes. When enabled, it will make Shark IQ automatically return to recharge when the battery has reached a low level, and then resume the previous cleaning session. In addition, there is also an Evacuate and Resume feature, which is also disabled by default, designed for large homes with lots of pet hair.
Shark Ion vs Shark IQ: Performance
Although Shark Ion has decent suction power, it can’t beat Shark IQ in terms of performance. The main issue is the lack of a mapping technology. The robot moves in a random pattern, so it tends to miss some floor patches, although eventually it may pass over these areas. Still, this can be an annoying thing, especially if your home has many furniture items that make the robot bump around a lot.
Nevertheless, Shark Ion doesn’t have any trouble capturing dust, debris, and pet hair. It can also pick up cat litter without leaving any residue. It works well on hard floors and carpets. It has a decent battery life of about 2 hours, which should be enough for running around a small apartment a few times.
Shark IQ consistently provides better performance. It moves efficiently, and it doesn’t miss any part of the floor. It is also able to maneuver through furniture with ease. Interestingly, Shark IQ likes to take its time to free itself when passing over cords. It rarely gets really stuck, and it will send a notification if it can’t free itself.
Shark IQ has strong suction. The robot vacuum easily captures dust, debris, and pet hair in one pass. When operating in the Max mode, it can also clean carpets and deliver decent results. The self-cleaning brushes and self-emptying dustbin are truly convenient. However, the battery life is slightly shorter at about 1.5 hours.
Shark Ion vs Shark IQ
Conclusion
Between these two robot vacuums, Shark IQ is better and more recommended. It is much smarter and more reliable. The most important feature is the mapping technology, which enables Shark IQ to move efficiently and never miss a floor patch. In addition, it is very convenient because it can empty the dustbin and clean the brushes automatically.