Shark started producing vacuums a long time ago. The Shark ION R75 (RV750) has thousands of good reviews on Amazon.
Shark released the self-emptying robot vacuum with an anti-tangle design and camera on top so the new IQ R101AE remembers your home floor. Can it beat the Roomba i7+ with the new base? Know what are the differences between all the Shark robot vacuums.
The design is still the same. Three buttons on top: clean, dock, max. The dustbin is located on the side. It has two side sweepers that work together to catch dust and dirt from corners and along the walls. Underneath there is a self-cleaning brushroll that captures short and long hair, dust, dander, and allergens to prevent everyday buildup in your home.
The robot has the upgraded Smart Sensor Navigation 2.0 system that increased sensitivity to obstacles and objects helps to avoid the robot from getting stuck and complete the cleaning job.
The oldest models like the RV720 and RV750 have a "spot" button that makes the cleaner working on a specific area moving in a circular pattern around a designated point. The newest R85 and S87 come with a "Max" button. In this mode, the robot delivers up to 3x more suction power to provide deep cleaning on bare floors and thin carpet flooring.
Both robots (the RV750 and RV850) support WiFi and are compatible with Alexa enabled devices and Google Home. The Shak Ion can become a part of your smart home. You can schedule the robot by using your smartphone, control it like a radio car and switch between cleaning modes. There is no remote control in the box.
The Shark ION R85 robot cleaner has a bigger dustbin that holds more dust and dirt meaning the vacuum cleans for longer before you need to empty it.
Shark ION R85
A big dustbin & ability to work on black carpets
The Shark ION robots have a magnetic stripe in the box. You can cut it and put it in place if you want to block an area from your robot. Unfortunately, there are no other ways to create blocked areas.
With the estimated suction power of 1,400 Pa, the Shark ION R85 can clean all types of bare floors and low-pile carpeted surfaces. It makes the cleaner ideal for homes with a mixed surface or a few area rugs. This is one of a few robots on the market that can clean dark and black carpets.
There is a new model: the Shark ION S87. It is the same Shark ION R85 with a handheld vacuum that is easy to empty by a single touch of a button. It has one charging dock for both units.
Shark ION S87
Comes with a handheld vacuum
Shark ION R85 vs. R75: what has been changed
- A bigger dustbin (600 ml vs. 300 ml)
- Stronger suction power (from 1,400 Pa to 1,000 Pa)
- Max mode provides deeper cleaning
- The Smart Sensor Navigation 2.0 system increases sensitivity to obstacles and objects.
To buy or not to buy the Shark ION R85
The Shark Ion R75 (RV850) is about $100 cheaper than the R85. If you are looking to get your first Shark Ion robot vacuum cleaner, then go with the latest R85. Otherwise, there are no too many reasons to switch your R75 to the R85.
- The Shark ION R75 is cheaper and better for hard flooring and occasional low-pile carpets/rugs. Not really god for pet hair or bigger homes.
- The Shark ION R85 has a bigger dustbin which means it is more suitable for pet hair. Because of stronger suction, it performs well on low-pile carpets and hard floors. Also, it is one of a few robots that can work on dark and black carpets. Not suitable for bigger homes but can handle pet hair.
Note: If you live in a big house or have medium-pile carpets, none of these robots would be a good buy.
Shark ION R85 Alternatives
There are other robot vacuums that might be better in some ways than the Shark R85. Let’s have a look at the R85 alternatives you can buy for about the same money.
Roomba e5
Roomba e5
Silicone rollers that are free of hair tangling
Roomba e5 vs. Shark R85: why buying the Roomba?
- Has stronger suction
- Better brushrolls for pet hair
- Can work on medium-pile carpets
- Lasts longer on one charge
- Has dirt detect which senses high-traffic area and provides deeper cleaning
As you can see, the Roomba e5 is better in some ways than the Shark R85. It is suitable for medium-pile carpets and bigger homes, has tangle-free rollers and also detects dirt. The only advantage of the Shark is its ability to work on black carpets.
Xiaomi MiJia 1C
Xiaomi MiJia 1C
Guided by a gyroscope and an optical sensor
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Shark R85 vs. Xiaomi MiJia 1C: why buying the Xiaomi
- Stronger suction
- Suitable for medium-pile carpets
- Can do mopping
- Adjustable water dripping level
- Has a purposeful navigation pattern
- Guided by a gyroscope and optical sensor
- Resumes cleaning
- Has a washable filter
- Lasts longer
The Xiaomi does not support Amazon Alexa and Google Home so if you have any you will not be able to control the robot with your voice. It also does not work on black carpets. Other than that, you get a robot with mopping ability and strong suction power, suitable for medium-pile carpets and bigger homes. It also has mapping and is more efficient at covering a cleaning area.
eufy RoboVac 30C MAX BoostIQ
Eufy RoboVac 30C MAX BoostIQ
Has strong suction and magnetic tapes to keep the robot off certain zones
Shark R85 vs. eufy RoboVac 30C MAX BoostIQ: why buying the eufy
- Stronger suction
- Better battery life
- Suitable for medium-pile carpets
- Quieter
- Has a magnetic tape
- Identifies carpet to provide a deeper cleaning
- Has a shorter body that fits under most furniture
The eufy does not work on black carpets but has stronger suction which means ability to work on medium-pile carpets and handling pet hair. It is also quite even though it has strong suction and has a magnetic tape to keep the robot off specific zones. The filter is also not true HEPA which means this model is not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Shark ION Alternatives: Roomba e5 & Xiaomi MiJia 1C & Roborock Xiaowa E20 & eufy RoboVac 30C MAX
| Specifications | Roomba e5 | Xiaomi MiJia 1C | eufy RoboVac 30C MAX BoostIQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning time | 90 min | 100 min | 100 min |
| Mapping | no | gyroscope + optical sensor | no |
| Wifi support | yes | yes | yes |
| Virtual blocker | yes | no | yes |
| Type of virtual blocker | dual virtual wall barrier | - | magnetic tape |
| Suction power | 1,700 Pa | 2,500 Pa | 2,000 Pa |
| Carpet identification | no | no | yes |
| Mopping | no | yes | no |
| Amazon Alexa/Google Home support | yes | no | yes |
| Noise level | 65 dB | 55 dB | 55 dB |
| Dustbin capacity | 500 ml | 600 ml | 600 ml |
| Barrier-cross ability | 0.71 in / 18 mm | 0.79 in / 20 mm | 0.6 in / 15 mm |
| Scheduling | yes | yes | yes |
| Voice prompt | yes | yes | yes |
| HEPA filter | yes | yes | not true HEPA |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
To Wrap It Up
The Shark Ion robots perform very well, but there’s still room for improvement. There is no mapping; the cleaners move randomly though if you want to get a handheld vacuum, you can go with the Shark Ion S87 that is a two-in-one vacuum.
If you are not sure about the Shark Ion R85, consider having a look at the alternatives.
Would you buy the Shark Ion R85? Tell us in a comment section down below.