| Retail Option | Amazon |
| Approximate Release | January 21, 2017 |
| Product Dimensions | 38.9″ x 26.3″ x 49.6″ |
| Vacuum Dimensions | 16″ x 12″ |
| Item Weight | 13.23 lbs |
| Battery Type | lithium ion |
| Runtime | 80 minutes |
| Charging Duration | 7+ hours |
| Dust Collector Volume | 1.85 L |
| Filter | non-washable |
| Coverage | hard floor and carpet |
| Cleaning Modes | eco, normal, max |
Packed features
- 4 cliff sensors
- 4 bump sensors
- Optical sensor
- IQ navigation
- Home mapping and room selection
- Recharge and resume
- Extra side brushes (2)
- Self-cleaning brush roll
- Self-emptying base
- High-efficiency filters
- App and voice control
Compatible with
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
- Vera
Shark IQ Robot XL Vacuum R101AE with Self-Empty Base, Wi-Fi & Home Mapping
The vacuum can hold up to a month of dirt and debris, thanks to its bag-less and self-emptying base. Its powerful suction ensures deep cleaning that includes from small to large debris as well as pet hair on carpets and floors.
Self-cleaning brush roll
As for the self-cleaning brush roll, it effectively removes pet hair and long hair while it cleans, so no more hair wrapping!
Dual edge and corner brushes and more
Angled side-brushes dig very deeply into corners and edges to get rid of debris, dirt, and dust. Multi-stage filtration captures dust, dander, and allergens.
Intelligent features
You can either use the SharkClean app, which is quite user friendly, or voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to schedule entire-home cleanings or target certain rooms/areas. Here is an example of what to say:
“Alexa, have Shark clean my living room!”
You
This robot maps your home and allows you to choose which rooms to clean instantly, but advancing mapping may prove a challenge for you. It may take more than a dozen runs to map only a fraction of your home, but on the bright side, you are getting a self-emptying base.
In reality, most robot vacuums should only need a few runs to get a complete map.
The rest of the features
About the base, although Shark claims a one month capacity, you will likely need to change it roughly every one dozen runs.
Row by row, this vacuum will clean everything methodically as it traverses from room to room. However, there are no cliff (anti-falling) sensors, but you do not have to worry about this vacuum getting stuck. You just need the light on for the optical sensors. If it bumps anything, it may send an error to the app that you would have to clear.
The vacuum can be quite loud and startling at times, especially when bumping.
In case it needs to recharge, it can return to the dock to recharge and then resume from where it left off.
Features missing in action
- AI laser vision
- PowerFins technology
- VACMOP mode with sonic mopping
However, do not worry because, while the above features may exist in other models, they are not crucial.
Q&A
Is wifi needed to operate this vacuum?
No, simply press the clean button to begin, but wifi is still recommended to unlock:
- Home mapping
- Room selection
- Recharge and resume
- Cleaning schedules with the SharkClean app
What are BotBoundary strips?
They keep the vacuum out of unwanted places. Use the strips to block off hindrances like pet bowls, plant vases, and wires etc.
Pros & Cons
- Self-cleaning brush roll
- Self-emptying base
- App and voice control
- Diverse compatibility
- Up to a month of dirt and debris
- Auto-recharge
- BotBoundary strips
- Non-washable filter
- Spotty mapping
- Base not as good as advertised
- No anti-falling technology
- Light needed for vision
- Sheer loudness at times
- Optimal only with wifi
Conclusion
If you are willing to overlook the flaws, the self-emptying base is a lifesaver.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
