Roomba and Shark ion are two popular brands in the world of robot vacuums. But there seems to always be a constant question on the lips of many users; a puzzling one about the efficiency of both brands in this context: which brand stands out, Shark ION or Roomba?
There are so many points that can be raised in defense of both brands since they are really good. These brands have typically succeeded in taking over the market of robotic vacuum cleaners. Although iRobot has been in the manufacturing of robotic vacuums for quite a long time now, Shark made a grand entrance into the market, with its broader range of vacuums.
For this reason, it might be sort of a herculean task to compare these two brands, but there’s no need to worry, I have done the research.
You will find below, an in-depth comparison between both brands. However, we would be focusing on Shark Ion 750 and Roomba 890 from each of the brands.
Come with me!
I have carefully dissected both products below. You will find a detailed analysis of their similarities and differences alongside their features. Interestingly, from the comparison of the features, we would be able to establish our verdict.
Similarities
- Both Shark Ion 750 and Roomba 890 have a similar source of control, which is through a mobile application.
- Both products permit the use of voice control like Alexa and Google for each one of them.
- With their sophisticated technology, both products permit you to connect to your home WiFi
- From both vacuums, you can edit or delete features you wish to adjust.
- The Ion 750 and the Roomba 890 both senses obstacles, as well as ledges and they, do a great job at avoiding them.
- Both vacuums have the ability for specificity, especially for areas of your floor, you wish to pay more attention to
- Both robots use a lithium-ion battery for power and they have been automatically programmed to return to the charging dock when the battery power is low.
- Both robotic vacuums do not auto-resume cleaning after charging, they have to be controlled…
- The runtime for each robot is about an hour under optimal conditions.
Differences
- The battery recharge time: For the Shark ion, its battery recharge time is three hours, however, Roomba uses two hours
- Bin indication: Shark Ion 750 does not have a full bin indication but interestingly, Roomba 890 has a full bin indication
- Side Brushes: Shark Ion 750 possesses two side brushes but the Roomba 890 uses one side brush.
- Barriers: While the shark ion uses “Botboundary” Strips, Roomba uses Virtual Wall Barriers instead.
- Size: The Roomba 890 weighs more than the Shark ion, and the difference is about three pounds.
- Filters: Shark Ion 750’s filters are HEPA rated but for the Roomba 890, it is not.
- Sensors: Shark 750 utilizes Smart Sensor Navigation, but Roomba uses iAdapt technology.
- Extractors: Shark Ion 750 adopts a full-width brush bar while the Roomba 890 utilizes two counter-rotating brushless extractors.
Filtration
So I stated that Shark Ion 750’s filters are HEPA rated but for the Roomba 890, it is not.
If you’re wondering about what a filter does, here is what you need to know.
Filters help in “filtering” and capturing dust particles from the “exhaust” (which suctions out airflow from the vacuum). The dust particles are filtered to ensure that the dust particles do not return to your already cleaned floors.
The interesting thing about filtration is that the more sophisticated the filtration system is, the cleaner your floors will be; it would be free from so many particles and allergens.
So while Roomba utilizes iRobot filters, it collects particles as down to the size of 10 Microns, and Shark ion uses HEPA Certified filters to collect particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
If you still don’t know what this means; let me help you.
It simply means that Shark ion will effectively remove 99 percent of the pollutants in your home.
Side Brushes
Side brushes are little spinning brushes that effectively shove the dirt from the front edges of the machine, towards the center, so that it can be collected by the extractor. Form our differences, we stated that Shark Ion 750 possesses two side brushes but the Roomba 890 uses one side brush.
So can’t we say that two side brushes are better than one?
Navigation and Sensors
The sensors help the robotic vacuum cleaners navigate without encountering any form of barriers or obstruction. It alerts the cleaner whenever there is any form of obstruction on the way.
From our list of differences, we stated that Shark 750 utilizes Smart Sensor Navigation, but Roomba uses iAdapt technology. Although it cannot be categorically stated, which sensor is more effective; both sensors function equally well by preventing the vacuum cleaner form hitting obstacles as it navigates.
Both robots also feature bump sensors in the soft edges around the machine. These sensors are pressure sensors that help the robotic vacuums reverse should in case they come in contact with some form of obstacles.
Extractors
Shark Ion 750 adopts a full-width brush bar while the Roomba 890 utilizes two counter-rotating brushless extractors, which spin in opposite directions and also picks up even the tiniest of dirt for suctioning.
Shark ion 750 a single rotating bar with bristles, which is also effective. But on second consideration, when considering maintenance, Roomba 890 has proven to be easier to maintain than Shark ion 750.
Batteries and Recharging
Concerning battery and recharging, while the shark ion uses “Botboundary” Strips, Roomba uses Virtual Wall Barriers instead and also For the Shark ion, its battery recharge time is three hours, however, Roomba uses two hours…
This simply means that when the batteries of both robotic vacuum cleaners become dead, Roomba 890 will spend two hours recharging and once it is charged, it would be able to clean for up to one hour depending on a number of factors such as type of floors and carpet thickness. However, the Shark ion 750, spends three full hours at the charging doc once its battery becomes drained. Once its battery becomes full, it cleans also for one hour.
If you ask me, I think the Roomba 890 would save you quite some time, since it charges for lesser time duration and still cleans like the Shark.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning refers to a special mode of cleaning which is often activated manually.
For the Roomba 890, spot cleaning it spots cleans up to a depth of three feet, while the Shark ion 750 does about four feet. However, while Roomba utilizes the dirt detection sensors to verify the caliber of the spot cleaning done, the Shark ion just makes three passes to spot-check the caliber of cleaning done.
Dust Bins
Both robotic vacuum cleaners cant cleanout themselves, therefore you are required to clean the removable dustbin, empty and replace them. But the Roomba has the capability to carry out about two to three cycles before you take its bin out. The Shark ion, however, has the capacity for only one round!
Verdict
Although there are some other features which were left untouched, the verdict for me is that the Roomba 890 rocks the game all the way. Its awesome features are just worth considering. However, this is not to say that the Shark 750 isn’t also worth the prize, it is just that the Roomba seems to have more to offer.