The dialog surrounding the best robot vacuums is a multi-faceted one by which 4 or 5 manufacturers have a phrase at any given second, fluctuating only a few months as somebody releases yet one more new mannequin. However whatever the stiff competitors that the Roborocks and Eufys of the world proceed to pose, the Shark vs. Roomba debate is ceaselessly a heated one — exemplified when even a generic search of “robotic vacuum” on Google triggers the “Folks additionally ask” field to populate with “Is Shark or iRobot higher?”
Cementing a definitive reply on the higher robotic vacuum model is difficult when “higher” is a subjective time period swayed by what a client wants their robotic vacuum to excel at. Some might contemplate the higher robotic vacuum to have extra superior navigation that results in much less babysitting, whereas others might classify the one which squeezes out a sufficiently thorough clear for much less cash as the higher worth.
The brand new 2025 Roombas simply modified every little thing
This might have been a really totally different article to learn had you stopped by any time earlier than March 2025. Earlier than then, iRobot and Shark have been each sort of plateauing when it comes to the number of their respective lineups. It was like a contest to see who might be probably the most mid — particularly in comparison with the robot vacuums announced at CES.
However the lukewarm rivalry obtained fascinating when iRobot went rogue and overhauled the entire Roomba fleet exterior of its typical schedule (the corporate had beforehand been saving its huge product drops for late summer time). The brand new batch consists of eight new Roombas falling underneath 4 totally different umbrellas: the Roomba 105 or 205, or Roomba Plus 405 or 505, ranging in worth from $299 to $999. (This may occasionally or will not be a final ditch effort to save lots of the corporate from a reportedly bleak financial situation.)
These Roombas are so new that I have never gotten to check them out at residence but. However simply based mostly off of descriptions and costs, iRobot appears to have patched up a number of weak spots within the lineup and prioritized funds friendliness with out skimping on options that buyers actually care about, like good mapping in even the most cost effective fashions.
And up till iRobot’s March 2025 announcement, neither iRobot nor Shark measured suction energy in Pascals (Pa) like most of their rivals do. iRobot lastly made the swap, however Shark nonetheless insists on holding an charisma by solely evaluating suction energy to different vacuums in its circle of relatives tree. (That is what iRobot was doing with its older fashions, too.) Shark has additionally been identified to make claims like “50% higher suction than the best-selling iRobot. No matter which means — the weakest Roomba might be technically one among its finest sellers.
The place iRobot and Shark agree: Being bizarre about suction energy disclosure
Pinning down whether or not iRobot or Shark robotic vacuums are stronger is at all times a problem, and never simply because every gives a number of totally different vacs with totally different ranges of energy at totally different costs. The 2 longstanding manufacturers aren’t eager on utilizing the usual unit of Pascals (Pa) to measure suction energy just like the Roborock and Eufys of the world are — an effort that would solely be perceived as a secret pact to make my life as a robotic vacuum reviewer harder than it must be.
As an alternative, each Shark and iRobot prefer to preserve their suction energy comparisons inside their very own households. As an example, they may say a brand new mannequin gives “x occasions the suction energy” that an older or extra primary mannequin of theirs does. iRobot did initially float the concept of switching over to Pa with its March 2025 releases, however precise Pa numbers are nonetheless laborious to trace down on-line.
The place Roomba wins: Small impediment avoidance and extra fashions to suit extra wants
iRobot merely has extra robotic vacuums, and that selection alone offers it a leg up on Shark. Extra fashions to select from means extra alternatives to customise the options and funds to a client’s primary objectives for automated cleansing.
For instance you are prepared to pay a bit additional for a premium robotic vacuum that achieves probably the most hands-off expertise attainable. iRobot has a number of choices with options that make a robotic vacuum more and more self-sufficient, together with mopping pads that mechanically raise over carpet, self-empty docks that additionally wash and dry the mopping pads, and small impediment avoidance cameras.
The Roomba Combo 10 Max has a retractable mop that lifts over carpet.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
The brand new Roomba Plus 405 Combo has two spinning mopping pads — a primary for iRobot.
Credit score: iRobot
However ground kind is much from probably the most spectacular factor the smarter Roombas acknowledge. All j sequence Roombas, the Roomba Combo 10 Max, and the Roomba Plus 505 Combo all have small impediment avoidance expertise, which solves the primary gripe that many robotic vacuum non-believers have: robotic vacuums get caught so usually that they are extra bother than they’re value. These Roombas use a particular digital camera system to assist them acknowledge and keep away from small obstacles that less-advanced robotic vacuums would sometimes eat, like a telephone charger, extension wire, rogue sock, or pet waste.
I first skilled this sense of aid when reviewing the Roomba j7+ and Combo j7+, and it was by no means straightforward to get again into the behavior of pre-tidying when attempting one other robotic vacuum that did not have that. I would simply sacrifice extra intense cleansing for a robotic vacuum to have the mind cells to do this.
One of many coolest components concerning the Roomba lineup is which you could combine and match a number of of those options to remain inside a sure funds. You possibly can skip all the different fancy options whereas nonetheless bringing residence small impediment avoidance with the standalone Roomba j7 for as little as $299 on sale, or check out the space-saving DustCompactor design with or without mopping for underneath $500. Even the most cost effective 2025 Roombas assure LiDAR-powered good mapping and 70 occasions (learn that once more) the suction energy of the 600 sequence Roombas, which have been the go-to base tier Roombas two years in the past.
I would similar to to say that I principally known as iRobot’s most up-to-date transfer in an older model of this piece from spring 2024, saying that “iRobot would even be sensible to drop a extra budget-friendly choice with carpet-centric suction energy.” Folks sticking to a sure funds should not inherently must accept a rinky-dink cleaner, and iRobot lastly realized that that is the piece that was lacking in its entry-level tier.
The place Roomba loses: The ultra-affordable finish of the spectrum
Plummeting earnings one month, a random revamp of your complete Roomba line the following month — if we’re attempting to learn between the strains, I would say it grew to become manifestly apparent that folks have been getting sick of Roombas costing loads however not doing sufficient.
Whereas the 2025 Roomba releases do present that iRobot is pandering to the value-minded crowd more durable than ever earlier than, the cost-per-feature state of affairs remains to be stiff within the $400-and-under class. Is it too overpriced, too late for iRobot?
As an example, I feel that the proper starter robotic vacuum is one with good mapping and self-emptying — suction could be fairly primary. In Roomba world, the most cost effective choice for that is the Roomba 105 + AutoEmpty Dock, going for $449.99. In Shark world, the identical capabilities could be secured for $329 at full price.
Then, iRobot’s $200 to $300 assortment is nearly comically Not Price It. In April 2024, iRobot fumbled a low-hanging opportunity to proper the disappointments of its funds part. Admittedly, the $249.99 Vac Important, $274.99 mopping Roomba Combo Important, and barely costlier self-emptying variations do present a extra highly effective clear than the older 600 sequence. However the low cost Roomba’s deadly flaw stays: they nonetheless do not have good mapping, a function I really feel is ~Important~ in any robotic vacuum. A handful of Sharks on the identical costs with comparable suction energy do good map.
The Roomba Combo 2 Important was extra of a ache than a assist in my condominium.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Certain, all of those base-tier Roombas do go on sale usually. You may technically rating absolutely the least expensive Roomba for round $130 or a mopping, self-emptying Roomba for $280. However settling for no particular room cleansing simply is not value it, particularly when an analogous wad of money might get you manner additional when you have been shopping for a Shark (or a Eufy or a Dreame mannequin).
In my expertise, simply hitting “go” and letting a robotic vacuum clear aimlessly is a recipe for coming residence to a robotic vacuum misplaced underneath the mattress. The zigzag sample looks like a hit-or-miss guessing recreation made extra annoying by getting caught and lacking spots on the ground that I would somewhat simply hit with my Dyson stick vacuum, anyway.
The place Shark wins: Spot cleansing and affordability
Shark has been far more in tune with what the typical individual is prepared to spend on a robotic vacuum. The model persistently gives core capabilities like good mapping and mopping at decrease costs than its Roomba counterparts — a stage of cost-effectiveness that ought to be significantly engaging to strict funds buyers or first-time robotic vacuum homeowners.
Shark’s extra approachable worth factors do not essentially imply it skimps on cleansing efficiency, although.
I’ve each my beloved cordless Dyson and, for Mashable testing functions, at the very least one robot vacuum at my fingertips always. I get a real sense of any given robotic vacuum’s worth when an surprising mess inside a room in my condominium must be taken care of proper now. So my favourite factor that I’ve observed about Shark robotic vacuums is that they make spot cleansing simpler than Roombas do. Whereas the iRobot app insists that you simply create and title an official cleansing zone, even when it is a one-time factor, Shark enables you to skip the labeling charade to pull and drop a sq. in your map within the designated spot cleansing tab. It is only one step, however there’s one thing to be stated for streamlining.
Shark additionally will get a bit extra nitty gritty with the spot cleansing itself. This all began with its Matrix line from 2023, which launched Matrix mode. These Sharks clear in a grid sample, approaching the world a number of occasions from a number of angles to seize something it could have missed within the first go or two. iRobot and Shark can duke it out over suction energy on paper all they need, however in my testing, I discovered the low and mid-range Shark fashions (just like the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 and Shark Detect Pro) to be a lot much less more likely to go away a rogue crumb or pile of hair behind than the 600 sequence, Important sequence, and lower-end j sequence Roombas.
Throughout common vacuuming, Sharks in Matrix mode dish out 30 p.c higher carpet cleansing than the older RV Shark fashions. For the 2-in-1 Shark fashions, Matrix mode additionally works with mopping when the mopping pad vibrates 100 occasions per minute to wash at stains that might seemingly not budge when wiped with a stationary material. Matrix mopping got here in clutch for maintaining with the fixed layer of shoe prints by my entrance door.
The Shark RV2300, which is available in a cute grey coloration.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Shark even extends the Matrix cleansing mechanism to its least expensive robotic vacuum, making it one among our favourite — if not the favourite — budget-friendly robotic vacuums in 2024. The Shark RV2310 and Walmart-exclusive Shark Matrix RV2300 and RV2300S are extremely dependable robotic vacuums for the worth, usually on sale for $199.99 for the standalone version and $299.99 for the self-emptying version. (If this mannequin is bought and shipped by a 3rd celebration somewhat than Walmart whenever you click on, we might advise ready till extra inventory from Shark itself is available in.)
I skilled no noteworthy points with navigational accuracy when sending the Shark RV2300 to particularly sweep my rest room or Matrix clear the ground surrounding the kitchen counter, which is an space I dragged and dropped within the app on a case-by-case foundation. Although the suction energy is expectedly simply OK, it was sufficient for surface-level every day maintenance of the large, seen particles.
In September 2024, Shark lastly caught on to the entire “self-sustaining mopping pads” factor with the discharge of the Shark PowerDetect line. And naturally, even probably the most premium Sharks debuted at $1,199.99 and $999.99 — a number of hundred lower than the Roomba with self-washing and drying mopping pads (on the time).
The Shark PowerDetect robotic vacuum with NeverTouch Professional dock.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
That is the primary mopping Shark that is aware of to cease mopping on carpeted areas with out you having to particularly designate so. For good measure, the PowerDetect can also be outfitted with massive wheels that hoist the vac over carpet to maintain it dry throughout mopping mode. These hydraulics additionally helped the PowerDetect to be one of many solely robotic vacs I’ve examined to not swirl my bathtub rugs up each single time.
The place Shark loses: Small impediment avoidance
Shark’s shortcomings stem from sparseness in its household tree and an extended wait interval between product drops that usually have it enjoying meet up with different manufacturers. The present Shark fashions are additionally a bit extra primary than among the Roombas, particularly mid-tier ones.
As an example, the one huge factor Shark was lacking ceaselessly was a premium hybrid robotic vacuum that would wash and dry its personal mopping pads. That hole was lastly closed when Shark launched the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Professional in September 2024. However small impediment avoidance is the opposite premium robotic vac function that is come to easily be anticipated in vacs close to the $1,000 level, and Shark’s NeverStuck expertise nonetheless hasn’t mastered it but. A handful of Roombas, most of them fairly priced (at the very least when on sale), do test the small impediment avoidance field.
Which means that issues like cords, pet toys, laundry, and slippers aren’t actually on a Shark vac’s radar but. And you need to be round to clear the ground of these earlier than sending a Shark out. Possibly you do not thoughts that, perhaps you do — relying on how critically you take the hands-off method in your robotic vacuum search.
One Roomba counterpart, the $649.99 (or $499 on sale) Roomba Combo j5+, additionally self-empties, mops, and maps, and does the final half with small impediment avoidance inbuilt to tackle a job even when the ground is a bit chaotic. In comparison with the opposite primary manufacturers like iRobot, Roborock, Eufy, and Dreame, who all have multiple botvac with small impediment avoidance tech, it would not damage Shark to prioritize small impediment avoidance throughout a number of fashions in its subsequent product drop.
Equally, just one hybrid Sharks mechanically stops mopping when carpet is sensed. This implies vacuum and mop mode aren’t attainable on the identical time within the different 2-in-1 Shark Matrix fashions, and an individual must manually connect the water tank to modify to mopping mode. With Matrix Mopping being such a stable function, it is a bummer that it might probably’t be deployed extra freely.
Probably the most superior non-mopping Shark does manner lower than probably the most superior non-mopping Roomba.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Although I used to be happy with the ground protection, thoroughness, and mapping accuracy when testing the $599.99 Shark Detect Pro, it appears overpriced for the negligible variations between it and an everyday outdated self-emptying Shark. “Detect” sounds prefer it ought to discuss with the potential to detect telephone chargers or socks, however alas, it is truly speaking a few function that will increase suction when an edge, nook, or additional soiled spot is detected. That is good, however heightened nook protection is not main sufficient to justify $600, particularly when there are a number of Roombas on this worth vary that additionally work more durable on dirtier spots, in addition to mop and keep away from small obstacles.
Our winner
Roomba
After years of struggling for relevancy within the booming robotic vacuum market, Shark is lastly a viable Roomba contender with its value-packed Matrix line. Roomba positive as hell is not standing nonetheless both, although, and each manufacturers are at some extent the place they provide a number of stable choices that excel at at the very least one bullet level of the function trifecta that makes a robotic vacuum worthwhile in 2025 (previous the precise cleansing efficiency itself): self-emptying, good mapping, and mopping.
That is the place their overlap ends. Each Shark and Roomba nonetheless have blind spots, simply on opposing ends of the spectrum of value and superior (or not) options. That is the place your private cleansing wants and funds will come into play.
Shark unequivocally packs extra worth into the budget-friendly finish of the spectrum. All of its Matrix robotic vacuums have good mapping and may enter Matrix cleansing mode, which entails vacuuming or scrubbing in a crosshatch sample over a number of passes. It is a significantly dependable function throughout spot cleansing, and usually gives extra thoroughness than the similarly-priced i Collection Roombas. Plus, you possibly can virtually at all times discover one of many low-end Matrix fashions on sale for lower than $200.
A budget Roombas have not aged nicely, and no Roomba that’ll go on sale for lower than $200 can map your property or clear as completely because the Matrix system.
However iRobot does make up for that oversight with its new 105, 205, 405, and 505 sequence Roombas, in addition to its older j sequence Roombas. Ranging between $299 (on sale) and $999 (on sale), all j Collection Roombas can keep away from small obstacles like cords and pet waste. Two of those j Collection Roombas push the hands-off expertise even additional with a built-in mopping arm that by no means must be eliminated or hooked up. The brand new Roombas from 2025 cowl a ton of floor within the $400 to $1,000 vary, providing a much wider vary for folk to customise their buy with the robotic vacuum options they care about.
All professionals and cons thought of, we’re nonetheless crowning iRobot as the higher robotic vacuum model for most individuals. There’s merely a much bigger number of Roombas to select from, which permits for customizing your robotic vacuum buy to your funds and cleansing priorities with out settling.
Whereas Shark does do extra underneath a sure worth level, small impediment avoidance — and presumably, much less babysitting — will likely be main for the robotic vacuum skeptics who want a bot that is actually autonomous for it to look worthwhile.
