New robot vacuum from Shark is smarter, and at a friendlier price

The robot vacuum industry has an exciting new player with the unveiling of Shark’s latest model. The Shark IQ Robot vacuum is the brand’s smartest robot vacuum yet, and the price is pretty decent considering the features it offers.

While some robot vacuums with outstanding features can cost $700 or more, the Shark IQ Robot has an MSRP of $449.99 for just the vacuum or $549.99 if you want the self-emptying base to be included. Though if you buy directly from Shark’s website, you can save $100 on each. (To see how it compares to other tip-tier robot vacuums, check out our guide to the best right here.)

Combining innovative smart navigation with the Shark’s already stellar cleaning performance, this new vacuum reportedly gives you 50 percent better cleaning coverage than other models. Rather than just roam around in a pattern that might miss a few spots, the Shark IQ Robot sweeps row by row to ensure it doesn’t miss an inch.

You’re able to create a floor plan of your home and tell the robot where to clean with room selection. Some robot vacuums that boast smart navigation only have room mapping and can typically only store a couple rooms or a single floor in the robot’s memory. If you’ve got a bigger house, it can be super annoying to have limited mapping capabilities.

From the sound of things, the Shark IQ Robot requires very little work from you. Use the Shark app or voice commands (if you have a smart speaker) to set your robot vacuum off on its cleaning course. If it runs low on battery, the vacuum automatically returns to its base, empties everything it’s sucked up, and picks up where it left off in cleaning once it’s refueled.

Speaking of the vacuum’s base, after every cleaning session the robot automatically empties into it. The base holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris and is bagless, which is great for the environment and great for you because you won’t need to buy replacements. Each time the Shark IQ Robot returns to the base, its filters and brushroll area are cleaned with high velocity air. Unfortunately, the base does not come standard and, as we said earlier, you will have to pay a bit extra for it.

As for the actual cleaning, the Shark IQ Robot has more suction power than the bestselling iRobot Roomba and tackles large and small debris and stuck-on dust from hard floors and carpets. It’s designed with pets in mind as it captures dust, dander, and allergens and has a self-cleaning brushroll that eliminates hair wrap from both animals and humans.

While the Shark IQ Robot has some great features, it’s definitely not the most advanced robot vacuum on the market — and it’s not trying to be. It doesn’t compete with some of the high-performing Roomba vacuums or the new cleaners from Ecovacs in terms of functionality, but that’s because it outshines them when it comes to price.