In-Depth Review of the Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum
When it comes to keeping a home clean, especially for pet owners, robotic vacuums have become essential tools. The Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum, with its advanced features and innovative designs, claims to simplify vacuuming chores. In this review, we will explore the product’s features, performance, and potential drawbacks, ultimately providing a detailed rating based on various aspects.
Design and Build Quality
Dimensions and Aesthetics
The Shark AI Ultra comes in a cool grey color that blends well with most home decors. Measuring 8.43 inches in length, 13.08 inches in width, and 13.9 inches in height, it provides a sleek and compact design. At 15.25 pounds, the vacuum is relatively lightweight given its robust capabilities.
Components Included
Included in the package are the Shark AI Robot, an XL Self-Empty Base, two side brushes, and one filter. The self-empty base is particularly noteworthy, boasting a 60-day capacity for dirt and debris, which significantly reduces the frequency of manual emptying.
Features and Technology
Smart Mapping and Navigation
Equipped with LiDAR navigation, the Shark AI Ultra utilizes 360° vision to map your home accurately. This feature allows for methodical cleaning while avoiding obstacles. However, some users have reported inconsistencies in the mapping accuracy compared to competing models. Although the initial mapping may take a few runs, the vacuum gradually becomes more efficient, learning from its previous tasks.
Cleaning Performance
The Shark AI Ultra excels in its suction power. It is designed to pick up dirt and debris from both carpets and hard floors with ease. The self-cleaning brush roll is engineered for pet hair pickup and is anti-hair wrap, making it perfect for homes with pets. Users have noted that it performs well, tackling the shedding of various pets, including dogs and cats.
Self-Emptying Base
One of the standout features is its bagless, self-emptying base, which can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. This eliminates the need for purchasing disposal bags, making maintenance easier. Users have praised this system for its efficiency, although there are reports of the emptying process being relatively loud.
Voice Control and App Integration
The Shark AI Ultra is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing for hands-free operation. Users can set schedules, initiate cleaning, and manage home maps through voice commands. The SharkClean app simplifies the scheduling process, although some users have experienced bugs that can affect functionality.
User Experience
Ease of Use
Setting up the Shark AI Ultra is straightforward. Users have mentioned that the app guides them well through the initial setup and mapping process. The robot’s ability to return to its base for recharging and continue cleaning where it left off is a significant time-saver.
Performance in Real-World Scenarios
Users with multiple pets have reported excellent results, as the vacuum effectively captures pet hair and dirt. Feedback indicates that it navigates well across various floor types, including transitioning from carpets to hardwood floors seamlessly. The matrix clean feature has also been highlighted for its effectiveness in targeting specific areas, particularly useful for cleaning up after pets.
Drawbacks and Areas for Improvement
Mapping Issues
Despite the advanced mapping technology, some users have found the mapping capabilities lacking compared to competitors. While the vacuum does become more efficient over time, initial mapping accuracy may not fully meet expectations, particularly for users in multi-story homes.
App Glitches
The SharkClean app, while user-friendly, has been criticized for its occasional glitches. Some users have reported frustrations when attempting to select specific rooms for cleaning, leading to unnecessary complications during operation.
Noise Level
While the vacuum operates quietly during cleaning, the self-emptying mechanism can be quite loud, which may be a concern for users with sensitive hearing or those who prefer a quieter environment.
Overall Rating
Taking into account the various aspects of the Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum, we assign the following ratings:
- Design and Build Quality: 4.5/5
- Features and Technology: 4/5
- User Experience: 4/5
- Performance: 4.5/5
- Value for Money: 3.5/5
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆
Overall, the Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum is a highly effective cleaning tool, particularly for pet owners. It boasts excellent suction power, a self-emptying base, and smart mapping capabilities. However, it does have some drawbacks, particularly regarding mapping accuracy and app functionality.
Given these considerations, we would rate the Shark AI Ultra at 4 out of 5 stars. While it excels in many areas, improvements in mapping consistency and app performance could elevate it even further in the competitive market of robotic vacuums.
Mark –
We have a Golden Retriever that sheds quite a bit and often brings in pine needles, dirt, and other outdoor debris. The Shark vacuum tackles it all during its nightly runs, leaving us with a clean home by morning. No more dust or fur bunnies, and the cleanliness of the floors has significantly reduced dust accumulation on our elevated furniture. Plus, when our dog gets the ‘zoomies’ indoors, the air purifier doesn’t go into overdrive from the dust that used to be kicked up by the carpet. The mapping software is impressive, and the exclusion zones work perfectly. We have some counter stools that the Shark used to attempt to climb before we set up those zones. However, like any robotic vacuum or traditional vacuum, some maintenance is necessary—cleaning the filters and removing hair from the wheels. Overall, this unit is fantastic and was a great find during Prime Day!
No funciona. No tiene absolutamente ningún efecto anestésico. –
This is an excellent product for the home; it keeps my house free of all the fur shed by my husky dogs.
jean-philippe b. –
I received the device, but it hasn’t worked since. The battery is defective. I contacted Shark’s customer service, and they promised to send me a new battery within 5 days. I never received it. After another call, I was informed that my order was canceled because they didn’t have the battery. Now, I’m told it will take another 3 weeks to get a new battery!
Rupertswife –
Unboxing and setting up the robot was a breeze. After charging, it successfully mapped out our home with impressive accuracy and detail. The app is user-friendly, making it easy to establish cleaning zones and schedules.
The robot operates quietly, though the vacuum does make noise when emptying. Fortunately, it empties completely. If the dirt cup fills during cleaning, the robot returns to the base, empties, and resumes right where it left off. The same is true when it needs to recharge, which takes about 3-4 hours, but it always picks up where it stopped.
I conducted a matrix clean in the bedroom to tackle the dust and dirt under the bed, and it performed flawlessly. It navigates over multiple area rugs and transitions from bare floors to carpeted rooms without any issues.
So far, it has completed three whole-house cleanings and one matrix clean without a hitch, demonstrating ample suction power to pick up small debris, dust, and dog hair (we have a long-haired shepherd/chow mix, so there’s always hair around).
I plan to clean the wheels and beater bar weekly and have already purchased replacement filters and brushes to minimize downtime. While I can’t speak to its durability just yet since we’ve only had it for a few days, the sensors seem to work effectively, as it doesn’t bump into obstacles aggressively.
We own several Shark (and Ninja) products, all of which have met our expectations, and this robot vacuum is no exception. It offers great value for the price.
C –
I am absolutely thrilled with my Shark robot vacuum! From the moment I set it up, it has transformed the way I maintain cleanliness in my home. The installation was a breeze, and the app integration works flawlessly, allowing me to schedule cleanings even when I’m away.
The suction power is outstanding, effortlessly lifting dust, pet hair, and debris from both carpets and hardwood floors. I appreciate how it skillfully navigates around furniture and obstacles, ensuring every nook and cranny of my home gets the attention it deserves. The self-emptying base is an incredible feature, saving me time and effort while keeping the vacuum running smoothly.
One of the standout features for me is the advanced mapping technology. It generates a detailed layout of my home, so it knows precisely where to clean and avoids areas I prefer it not to enter. The battery life is remarkable, easily covering my entire space on a single charge.
The Shark is quiet, efficient, and highly effective. It has genuinely simplified my life, and I can’t imagine returning to manual vacuuming. I highly recommend this product to anyone in search of an exceptional robot vacuum!
Maria Isabel –
I live with three cats and suffer from back pain that limits my movements, so this robot is a great fit for me. I’ve mapped my house and designated an area called “cats” for their litter boxes. Whenever a cat uses the litter box, I scoop it out and instruct the app to clean the cats’ area. It performs exceptionally well, effectively picking up litter and hair. Occasionally, I use it in other areas, and it works well on both carpet and hardwood floors. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with the product.
However, the app has serious issues. It seems experimental and is quite problematic. For instance, whenever I go to the “rooms” section to select my cat area, it inexplicably switches to “hallway.” This happens every time. I have to wait for it to change back, then manually switch it back before I can initiate the “matrix clean,” which is fantastic for the cat area as it catches every piece of litter. If I’m in a hurry, I sometimes accidentally hit “clean,” only to see it head toward the hallway, which is frustrating. Additionally, in the “rooms” section, the map feature meant to allow room selection doesn’t work. I have to click a button to view the rooms as a list before I can select them.
Yesterday, the app completely lost connection to my robot, requiring me to set it up again. Today, it disconnected from my account, forcing me to search for my password to log back in. Now, when I try to use the app to command the robot, it says “disconnected.” When I pressed “clean” on the robot itself, it started cleaning my entire apartment instead of just the cat area, which isn’t getting the thorough “matrix clean” it needs.
I’m feeling quite frustrated right now. The robot itself is fantastic, but the app is a real disappointment.
Nick Comeau –
I rarely write reviews, but I am truly impressed with this vacuum’s performance. It quickly maps out my home and cleans each room flawlessly. I’ve never seen my floors look so spotless, and the scheduling feature helps keep them that way. The time it saves on vacuuming and the relief of not having to do it myself is fantastic.
While the regular price is on the higher side, I snagged it for $300 Canadian during a Prime deal. At that price, it’s a no-brainer. However, the standard price is a bit steep for me, but it’s definitely a worthwhile investment if you can afford it.
Richard Hennry –
Where to begin?
Let’s address the negatives first—the mapping is truly disappointing. We’ve run Bruce (and really, what other name would suit a Shark-branded vacuum?) 25 times, and he still struggles to map our home. My brother’s competitor vacuum, which rhymes with “BOOMBA,” managed it in just three runs. They aren’t even playing the same game here, which makes room-specific cleaning impossible. However, if you don’t need that feature—especially in a multi-story house—then set Bruce loose, and he’ll clean your space remarkably well.
Now for the not-so-great aspects: Bruce can be a bit slow on the uptake. Despite being a “smart” device, he often seems a bit clueless. But here’s the thing—Bruce is determined. He may bump around a lot, but he gets the job done. You can actually see him getting a little smarter with each run. Where he once tackled the house in long, sweeping movements, he now divides it into halves and, just today, he even circled the perimeter, cleaning the baseboards. Small strides!
As for his vacuuming performance? Top-notch—perhaps even too effective. A piece of advice: if you get your own Bruce, start him off on low suction for the first four or five runs. Another downside is that Bruce doesn’t know when he’s overloaded; he can get stuck and need help. Unfortunately, you can’t just tell him to restart; he has to start over, and hopefully, one of Bruce’s engineers will address this issue since he can’t gauge how much he’s picked up. A command to send him back to his dock for an auto-empty or a shorter default run time would be great.
Now, let’s talk about the base—the self-emptying feature is pure genius. With just a button press, you can open it and never have to touch the debris. No bags to buy, just push a button, and it all drops out.
It’s clear that our family loves Bruce. We’re even considering getting him a skin to personalize him a bit. We’ve had Bruce for just about a week, but he’s already made a significant impact. I cannot recommend this product highly enough—it truly works, quirks and all.
Here’s a tip: make sure all your lights are on when Bruce is mapping your space; he’s camera-based and needs that ceiling light for landmarks. Start him on low power during those initial runs, as he gets used to bouncing around. Remember, Bruce doesn’t have a sensor in his bin to determine when he should head back to dump his load. It’s a flaw, but his vacuuming quality compensates for it.
Since our home wasn’t fully toddler- or robot-ready, we began mapping with the bedroom and bathroom doors closed. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise; while the mapping isn’t perfect, it’s gradually improving. Bruce became more efficient in our great rooms just as we started adding those other rooms. Our three-bedroom, two-bath home now gets cleaned on a single charge, likely because we added one room each day after his initial runs.
As you can see, Bruce has been a fantastic addition to our home. I once thought a robot vacuum was a luxury, but now I see it as a necessity. I know what gift I’ll be giving to every new homeowner I know. There are plenty of options out there—some cheaper, some pricier—but aside from one specific feature that Bruce lacks (multi-floor mapping), I can’t imagine they would perform better.
UPDATED 2/19/20
Mapping has improved! I had to delete the map once, run it three times, and voilà—house mapped and room-specific vacuuming activated! For anyone experiencing issues, I suggest deleting the map and ensuring all your lights are on. The robot “sees” the ceiling for mapping, so the more light, the better it performs.
To recap, my little robot, Bruce, has truly transformed my home. I cannot recommend it enough.
UPDATED 2/5/21
A year later, and I have no regrets. This is one of the best purchases I’ve made for my home. Bruce feels like a family member—almost like a pet, albeit a rather dim-witted but hardworking one. He follows me around while cleaning the floors and carpets. If you’re hesitating about getting a robot vacuum, let me ease your mind: buy one! It’s no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity and worth every penny. As for my Shark—it’s fantastic and does exactly what it’s meant to do. The only type of home I wouldn’t recommend it for is multi-story homes. Other than that, it’s a must-have.
4/28/23
Still the best purchase for home cleaning! No changes there, but I’ve made a small observation. We recently rearranged some furniture and changed the layout of our home, moving the dock from a north-south to an east-west orientation. It seems to navigate even better now!