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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Automation
- Comments
iRobot Roomba 981 vs Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
iRobot Roomba 981
Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series
Tested using Methodology v0.7
Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.6
Updated Feb 27, 2025 05:08 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)
- AV992 (Black)
- AV993 (Black)
- AV970 (Black)
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba 981
Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series
The iRobot Roomba 981 is better than the Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series for most purposes. The iRobot delivers much better performance on bare surfaces. It has a better build quality, incurs fewer recurring costs, and is easier to maintain. It's equipped with a HEPA filter and does a better job of maneuvering itself. On the other hand, the Shark has much more advanced automation features with the inclusion of room mapping.
Check Price
Black
Roomba 981
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Amazon.comBlack
AV992
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Amazon.comBlack
Roomba 980
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Amazon.comBlack
AV993
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comNight Blue
Roomba 981
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
AV970
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comNotice:
Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
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Main Differences forBare Floor
Bare Floor
Threshold
Bare Floor
8.1
7.0
User Maintenance
7.5
4.5
Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
9.4
8.4
Maneuverability
8.5
7.0
Cracks
5.5
4.5
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
4.5
Recurring Cost Picture
Bag Part Number
No bag
No bag
Filter Part Number
4636433
Unidentified
HEPA Filter Part Number
4636433
No HEPA Filter
Storing
8.9
9.0
Storing Picture
Height
3.94" (10.0 cm)
3.35" (8.5 cm)
Width
13.58" (34.5 cm)
12.60" (32.0 cm)
Depth
15.75" (40.0 cm)
15.16" (38.5 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
Not needed
Not needed
Vacuum Rack/Station
Yes
Yes
Dirt Compartment
7.2
6.5
Dirt Compartment Picture
Bagless
Yes
Yes
Volume
0.12 gal (0.45 L)
0.11 gal (0.40 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
8.2
Total Weight
8.64 lbs (3.92 kg)
6.17 lbs (2.80 kg)
Weight In Hand
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes
No
Battery
9.0
9.1
Minimum Battery Life
57 min
70 min
Maximum Battery Life
123 min
160 min
Recharge Time
134 min
241 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
8.4
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
"Normal"
Bare Floor Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
100%
98%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
80%
22%
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%
100%
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
5.8
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
"Normal"
Low Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
66%
67%
Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
62%
≈ 66%
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%
30%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
25%
≈ 29%
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
6.5
Setting Used
"Turbo" (App)
"Normal"
High Carpet Large Debris Graph
Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)
67%
52%
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%
35%
Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)
17%
≈ 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
Pet Hair Floor Performance
9.2
8.1
Pet Hair Graph
Bare Floor
100%
99%
Low-Pile Carpet
86%
64%
High-Pile Carpet
91%
76%
Suction
0.1
0.0
Suction Video
Maximum Hose Suction
N/A
Maximum Head Suction
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Setting Used For Maximum
"Max"(App)
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
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Hose Airflow
11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
Noise
8.7
9.5
Noise Video
Bare Floor
65.5 dBA
60.1 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
74.9 dBA
57.3 dBA
Maneuverability
8.5
7.0
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
4.5
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
7.1
Automatic Recharging
Yes
Yes
Automatic Bag Emptying
No
No
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
Yes
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
No
Cycle Control Buttons
Onboard Only
Onboard Only
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
No
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
AV992
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Roomba 980
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
AV993
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comNight Blue
Roomba 981
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
AV970
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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iRobot Roomba 981
Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series
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iRobot Roomba 981 vs Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series: Main Discussion
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