29 September, 2022
Who Has The Best Robot Vacuum? We Found Out
The days of struggling with tangled vacuum cords are gone! And the days of cordless – super intelligent – vacuums have arrived.
AI robot vacuums are nothing new. From viral TikTok videos of cats riding on them around the living room to rave reviews boasting they’re the future of cleaning, robot vacuums have been quietly and discreetly cleaning homes for years.
While we all want impressive, next-level robotic vacuums that can clean the house and take us to the moon and back, we don’t want to sacrifice the vacuum’s basics. It must be so easy to use you’ll never procrastinate cleaning again. It must take care of pet messes, avoid random socks, and have true cleaning power that sucks up everything from dust to hair and everything in between.
In our hunt for the best robot vacuum on the market, we came across three major players: iRobot’s Roomba j7+, Roborock S7+, and Shark’s AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty.
Here’s everything we found out about these bestsellers and which we’ll be using to clean up our hot messes:
Key Similarities
- All are robot vacuums
- All avoid pet accidents
- All have 60-day self-empty features
- All use precision mapping
Key Differences
- Roborock is $949 | iRobot costs $799 | Shark costs $648
- Roborock can only be purchased through Target, Home Depot, or Amazon – Not available on their website
- Roborock also functions as a mop | iRobot and Shark do not
- iRobot guarantees it will avoid pet accidents or they’ll replace the unit for free
iRobot’s Roomba
When it comes to robot vacuums, iRobot’s Roomba has long been a household name. In fact, it led the charge. Their j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuumwas awarded Best Overall Robot Vacuum by USA Today Network and provides a next-level clean.
It uses PrecisionVision Navigation to detect items in its path. Then, it will send you a photo so you can tell it whether to avoid or if it’s safe to clean. Not only does it guarantee that it will avoid pet accidents with its Pet Owner Official Promise, but this smart vacuum also reacts in real-time.
Their proprietary cleaning system features three stages which gives the j7+ a 10x more powerful suction. Its multi-surface level brushes adjust to a variety of floor types allowing for a more in-depth clean. The j7+ has a Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal that empties itself into an enclosed bag. So you don’t have to worry about cleaning up – or touching dirt – for 60 days!
With the iRobot home app – or any Alexa/Google voice assistant – you can tell Roomba exactly where and when you want it to clean, set up Keep Out Zones, and make sure you’re getting a powerful, precise clean every time.
Roborock S7
Roborock is a hybrid vacuum that functions as both a robot vacuum and a mop. Using UltraSonic Carpet Recognition, the S7 can determine floor type and whether or not to use the mop. The mop’s VibraRise Technology scrubs your floors up to 3,000x per minute.
While we’re impressed that it has both a mop and vacuum in one, we did worry about possible mishaps and wet carpets. Plus, when looking into reviews we found that Roborock’s customer service doesn’t have the best reputation – if there’s a problem we want a company with easy, fast, available resources.
Also, Roborock’s website is also fairly difficult to navigate. We find it annoying that you can only buy the vacuum on third party sites like Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart.
Shark’s AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty
While Shark offers a wide range of vacuums, it’s also known for hair products, air purifiers, and most notably, Ninja.
While Shark’s AI Ultra robot vacuum is the most expensive in its lineup, it’s the most effective. Its bells and whistles are similar to iRobot and features a 60-day, self-empty base, advanced laser technology, and UltraClean Technology to provide targeted deep cleaning. It offers a 90-day money-back guarantee as well as a 3 year VIP service warranty.
Reviews find that it has a great battery life, but at times struggles with picking up pet hair, and larger debris can get stuck in its suction inlet which leaves you with a less-than-great clean.
Final Thoughts
Overall, iRobot’s Roomba j7+ is the clear winner. However, if you’re looking for a more expensive option that also mops, we’d recommend the Roborock S7.
We love that iRobot provides real guarantees that it won’t go near pet accidents, sends photos of what’s in its path, and delivers 10x the power-lifting suction. Plus, it’s compatible with our favorite smart-home voice assistants like Alexa and Google, so we can vacuum more hands-free than ever.
Leave the dirty work to iRobot’s j7+. Your Roomba will do the cleaning so you can go out and live your life.