Shark 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum: Living With a Dream Roommate

One mid-range robot vacuum is the Shark Matrix Robot. It comes in above the Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty in the brand’s range, from which it sets itself apart with a LIDAR sensor that enables useful functions like pin-and-go navigation and support for virtually-drawn no-go zones. Its compatibility with a self-emptying base station further lessens the need for manual maintenance. It does not, however, have any kind of 2-in-1 capability, unlike more expensive versions in the range, so if you want a hybrid robot vacuum/mop, you will have to search elsewhere.

Over the past ten years, I have experimented with and utilised a good number of robot vacuums while moving from rental to rental. My own self-sufficient cleaner knocked over a favourite potted plant only to spread wet soil everywhere and get trapped on shattered terracotta. I’ve seen roaring motors suck up cat hair like margarita salt and seen friends’ vacuums get caught beneath bed frames and TV stands. Smart cleaning gadgets have me perplexed, to put it mildly.

I’m pleased to report, though, that after testing, emptying, and living with the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop for a month and a half, this is the best robot cleaner I’ve ever used. From its smart app capabilities to its self-emptying base and dual use as a hoover and a capable mop, this Shark robot is one dependable cleaning partner.

Shark 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum Features

Tech Cleaning Made Smarter

Previous robot vacuums were not very good at all; they would trip over things, bang into furniture, and have trouble navigating my living areas. Still, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 demonstrates how sophisticated this technology has gotten.

Getting Things Started

The setup of the Shark is simple. I christened my robot ‘Bobo’, downloaded the SharkClean app, and let it map out my 754-square-foot flat after positioning its charging dock in a low-traffic location. Just twenty minutes passed while Bobo surveyed the environment and noted places to stay away from, enabling me to create no-go zones around my bed, kitchen island, and couch. Having connected Bobo to my smartphone, I can now easily schedule or give him instructions to clean particular rooms. Bobo is very hands-off because of its clever navigation, which allows it to roam freely without becoming trapped, unlike previous encounters where I had to move robot vacuums to specific locations manually. It weighs around 13 pounds, which makes moving it not too difficult if necessary.

Efficient Cleaning on a Budget

Long-term, the Shark vacuum-mop combination makes sense. No more throwaway mopping pads with this bagless, self-emptying dust can. Its dust container is smaller than that of a regular Hoover, but that makes up for it by automatically emptying itself when it fills up and carrying on with the cleaning cycle until it is finished. Two interchangeable heads come with the AI Ultra 2-in-1; one is for mopping with a water tank, and the other is for vacuuming with a bigger dust bin. Large bin capacity and the self-emptying capability of the Hoover are especially noteworthy since they reduce the need for regular manual involvement. A bigger water tank that you fill with water a cleaning solution, and a smaller dust container make up the mopping function. Comparing the pads to disposable items, they may be thrown into the washing machine after mopping, saving money and decreasing waste.

Price and Availability

There’s no doubt that cleaners that can do two things, like hoover and mop, cost more. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 is no different. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base comes with a charging base that empties itself. The review model costs $699, which is about £559 or AU$1,054. It costs $449, £360, or AU$681. If you don’t want the charging station, you can save some money.  Both Shark and Best Buy sell the hoover directly to customers. At the time this article was written, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base was on sale. With the coupon code ROBOT200, you could save $200 at Shark or $150 at Best Buy.

It’s not really an “affordable” robot vacuum, but you can spend a lot more. The iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus is a great vacuum and mop, but its self-emptying base costs a crazy $1,099, £999, or AU$2,199. The Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid is another choice. It costs $369, £369, or about AU$ 561, but it doesn’t have a self-emptying base and doesn’t save mapping for later use. This device should soon be available in your part of the world since Shark goods, like its robot vacuums, are sold in many places. At the time of review, it was only sold in the US.

Mopping Hands-free

Storage of big cleaning equipment can be difficult for flat residents. Competent in both vacuuming and mopping, the Shark Robot cleaner is a great alternative to conventional mops. It gives the floors a thin coating of soapy water—enough to clean but not so much that it creates a puddle, so floors dry fast, and you don’t have to deal with wringing out a mop. Every weekend, I set Bobo to mop so that I can enjoy easily cleaning floors. My living area is exactly 1,000 square feet, and the tank mix—three-quarters water to one-quarter cleaning solution—covers that area.

Shark AI Ultra Robot Mop Limitations

No product is flawless. For anyone who likes quiet surroundings or must operate the Shark AI Ultra at night, its moderate noise level may be a turn off. It sounds like a powerful hair dryer when it empties itself. Those with delicate or high-pile rugs may find it difficult to switch between the vacuum and mop heads, and the robot doesn’t automatically avoid rugs while cleaning. Maybe no-go zones ought to be established in order to stop uninvited mopping.

Overall Performance

As of now, robot vacuums are not good enough to do deep cleanings every once in a while. That’s still true for the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base, which we’ll talk about next. This Shark hoover does a great job of getting rid of dust and other things that are in its way. The way Shark vacuums is called “Matrix Clean,” and it can be set to vacuum in straight lines across the length and width of a room to make sure that every spot is clean. I threw a lot of breadcrumbs on the kitchen floor, ranging in size from very small pieces to big chunks, to give you a better idea of how well it cleans. After ten minutes, the floor was spotless and shining.

Shark AI Ultra Robot Mop and Vacuum in One: Shark 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum: Verdict

One particularly effective, room-saving cleaning solution is the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop. Its clever design and large dustbin capacity, together with its self-emptying feature, practically make regular cleaning simple. Its hands-free operation and efficient cleaning much outweigh any noise and frequent component changes. Managing a less than 1,000-square-foot flat, this robot has easily become a part of my life, keeping things tidy and orderly with a few smartphone taps.

FAQs

The Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum uses what navigation technique primarily?

The Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum navigates by use of LIDAR sensor technology. Precise mapping of the surroundings made possible by this sophisticated sensor enables functions like virtual no-go zones to keep the robot out of specific locations and pin-and-go navigation.

Is the self-emptying base included with the Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum?

Indeed, a self-emptying base station can be used with the Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum. By enabling the hoover to dump its dust bin into the base automatically, manual emptying and maintenance are greatly reduced.

Can the Shark Matrix Robot mop floors as well?

It is not possible to mop floors with the Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum. It is made only to be vacuumed. If you’re trying to find a gadget that can mop as well, you should look into other Shark models that can do both.