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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Automation
- Comments
iRobot Roomba 981 vs Shark AI Robot
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
iRobot Roomba 981
Shark AI Robot
Tested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Dec 03, 2024 05:56 PM
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Amazon.com
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)Yes
Wet CompatibleNo
Vacuum TypeRobot
BaglessYes
CordlessYes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)No
Wet CompatibleNo
Variants
- Roomba 981 (Black)
- Roomba 980 (Black)
- Roomba 981 (Night Blue)
- RV2001 (Black/Silver)
- AV2001 (Gray)
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba 981
Shark AI Robot
The iRobot Roomba 981 is a better robot vacuum than the Shark AI Robot. The iRobot feels better built and is easier to maintain. It also performs better on all surface types and has superior maneuverability. However, the Shark has a longer battery life, and you can set boundary markers for it via its companion app.
Check Price
Black
Roomba 981
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Amazon.comBlack/Silver
RV2001
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Amazon.comBlack
Roomba 980
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Amazon.comGray
AV2001
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Amazon.comNight Blue
Roomba 981
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Amazon.comMain Differences forBare Floor
Bare Floor
Threshold
Bare Floor
8.1
6.8
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
9.4
7.6
User Maintenance
7.5
4.5
Pet Hair Floor Performance
9.2
5.9
Cracks
5.5
4.0
Full Comparison
Design
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Vacuum Type
Robot
Robot
Build Quality Picture
User Maintenance
7.5
4.5
Maintenance Picture
Brushroll Cleaning Video
Recurring Cost
5.5
6.0
Recurring Cost Picture
Bag Part Number
No bag
No bag
Filter Part Number
4636433
XFRV2000WD
HEPA Filter Part Number
4636433
No HEPA Filter
Storing
8.9
9.0
Storing Picture
Height
3.94" (10.0 cm)
5.31" (13.5 cm)
Width
13.58" (34.5 cm)
12.40" (31.5 cm)
Depth
15.75" (40.0 cm)
14.76" (37.5 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
Not needed
Not needed
Vacuum Rack/Station
Yes
Yes
Dirt Compartment
7.2
6.2
Dirt Compartment Picture
Bagless
Yes
Yes
Volume
0.12 gal (0.45 L)
0.08 gal (0.30 L)
Full Indicator
Yes
No
Bag Included
No Bag Needed
No Bag Needed
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Range
10
10
Cordless
Yes
Yes
Cord Length
N/A
N/A
Hose Length
N/A
N/A
Minimum Wand Length
N/A
N/A
Maximum Wand Length
N/A
N/A
Total Range
N/A
N/A
Portability
8.8
8.0
Total Weight
8.64 lbs (3.92 kg)
6.97 lbs (3.16 kg)
Weight In Hand
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes
No
Battery
9.0
9.3
Minimum Battery Life
57 min
90 min
Maximum Battery Life
123 min
203 min
Recharge Time
134 min
232 min
Recharge Dock
Yes
Yes
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Yes
Removable Batteries
Yes
Yes
Quality Of Life Features
Picture Of Controls
Rotating Head
No
No
Power Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Self-Propelled
Yes
Yes
Headlights
No
No
Easy On/Off
Yes
Yes
Head Surface Type Adjustment
Only Automatic
None
Tools And Brushes
Tools And Brush Picture
Brushroll
Yes
Yes
Brushroll On/Off
No
No
Removable Brushroll
Yes
Yes
Turbo Brush
No
No
Crevice Tool
No
No
Upholstery Tool
No
No
Soft Bristle Brush
No
No
Hard Bristle Brush
No
No
Extension Wand
No
No
Ceiling Fan Tool
No
No
Pet Grooming Tool
No
No
Alternative Configuration
Alternative Configuration Photo 1
Alternative Configuration Photo 2
Blower Mode
No
No
Performance
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
9.4
7.6
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
"Normal"
Bare Floor Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
100%
85%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
80%
45%
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Bare Floor Small Debris Graph
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
100%
98%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
99%
99%
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Low-Pile Carpet Performance
5.9
5.9
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
"Normal"
Low Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
66%
65%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
62%
60%
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Low Carpet Small Debris Graph
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
37%
35%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
25%
34%
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
High-Pile Carpet Performance
6.7
6.4
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
"Normal"
High Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
67%
54%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
64%
51%
Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
High Carpet Small Debris Graph
Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)
26%
29%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
17%
28%
Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)
N/A
N/A
Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)
N/A
N/A
Pet Hair Floor Performance
9.2
5.9
Pet Hair Graph
Bare Floor
100%
77%
Low-Pile Carpet
86%
61%
High-Pile Carpet
91%
56%
Suction
0.1
0.0
Suction Video
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.00 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal
"Standard" (App)
"Normal" (App)
Hose Diameter
N/A
N/A
Airflow
2.4
2.5
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Hose Airflow
11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
12.3 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
Noise
8.7
9.1
Noise Video
Bare Floor
65.5 dBA
63.6 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
74.9 dBA
64.8 dBA
Maneuverability
8.5
8.0
Maneuverability Video
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
0.0
0.0
Sofa Pickup Video
Sofa Pickup Post Test
Air Quality
Sealing Quality Video
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
No
Cracks
5.5
4.0
Cracks Video
Wood Cracks Post Test
Stains
1.0
1.0
Stain Video
Stain Pickup Post Test
Water
0.0
0.0
Wet Compatible
No
No
Water Video
Water Pickup Post Test
Automation
Physical Automation
7.1
6.3
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
No
No
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
No
Cycle Control Buttons
Onboard Only
No
Navigation Control Buttons
Return to Base Only
Return to Base Only
Companion App Automation
7.5
7.0
Companion App Screen Grabs
App Name
iRobot HOME
SharkClean
iOS Availability
Yes
Yes
Android Availability
Yes
Yes
Software Boundary Markers (No Go Zones)
No
Yes
App Scheduled Start
Yes
Yes
App Cycle Control
Yes
Yes
Navigation Control within App
No
No
Check Price
Black
Roomba 981
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack/Silver
RV2001
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Roomba 980
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comGray
AV2001
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comNight Blue
Roomba 981
SEARCH
Amazon.com
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iRobot Roomba 981
Shark AI Robot
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iRobot Roomba 981 vs Shark AI Robot: Main Discussion
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