Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum

Picking out a robot vacuum can be a real challenge. There are tons of models and brands out there, each saying they're the top choice. It's tough to sort through all that info and make a smart choice. Having tried out many different robot vacuums (all in the pursuit of less cleaning for me) I thought I’d share my findings after using the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum.

I didn't have high hopes for Shark’s new AI Ultra robot vacuum, especially since I've never been a fan of most robot mops. Over the years, I've tested quite a few, and honestly, dragging out my manual Swiffer often seemed faster and better. But things change—both for me and for Shark. Now that I live in a bigger house with various floor types, the Shark AI Ultra has become a real cleaning buddy. It might not scrub as intensely as Ecovacs’ huge and costly Deebot X1 Omni, but at half the price, it’s surprisingly effective.

As we know, the best robot vacuums now mop, self empty and self-clean, and you'll have to pay $1,000 to $1,500 for top-of-the-line robot vacs today. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop isn't a top-of-the-line premium robot vacuum. Whilst the shark robot vacuum’s full retail price is generally $449, this model is almost always on sale for $299.99 (or $518 with self-emptying), and so I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I unboxed it for this review. Yet, after spending over three months cleaning with this bot, I can tell you that it's definitely one of the best robot vacuums for sale in 2023. In my opinion, this Shark vacuum is not only three times cheaper than many of the more recognised vacuum brands but can also more than hold its own against any of them. 

What you get with the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1

So, personally, I find self-emptying robot vacuums too much. They take up a bunch of space, make a racket, and tack on an extra $250 to $500 to the price. But, if you're dealing with allergies, these things can be a total lifesaver. And guess what? If you're into it, you can snag a self-emptying version of this robot vacuum.

The one I tried out came with the robot vacuum itself, a charging dock, two mopping pads, two side cleaning brushes, and a bottle of floor cleaning solution. Setting it up and getting the app on my phone was a breeze, and soon enough, my Shark was good to go!

How well does the Shark AI Ultra vacuum?

Alright, let's talk about the most important job a robot vacuum has – sucking up all those dust bunnies, pet hair, and mess on your floors. Now, Shark doesn't spill the beans on how strong their vacuums suck (and neither does iRobot), but I can vouch that this little robot did a great job on laminate, tile, and carpet. The Shark robot tackled the everyday dust and dirt like a champ.

I put the robot to the test with some sprinkled flaxseed crumbs, and the vacuum did pretty well. There were a few bits left in corners and along the edges, but that's kinda par for the course with robot vacuums. I've got a lot of hair floating around my place, and the Shark AI Ultra kept things pretty hair-free. Though, after four months, a teensy bit of hair did get stuck in the roller. 

Comparing it to pricier robot vacuums I've tried out, my Shark held its own when it comes to sucking power and cleaning. Sure, a few bits might stick around on carpets, but that's the deal unless you're rocking one of those mega-strong pet hair vacuums.

How well does the Shark AI Ultra mop?

Now, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 does its mopping with some fancy sonic vibrations and throws in a bottle of floor cleaning solution for good measure. When it's in mop mode, it kinda looks like the vacuum's doing a little dance as it scoots around. Thanks to this vibe feature, it managed to tackle those minor to moderate stains on my hallway tiles and kitchen laminate.

Compared to those hybrid vacuums that only use water, this one's way more effective. Sure, it won't replace the muscle of your own hands with a mop, but it's awesome for handling everyday messes and spills. Plus, using the mop is a breeze – just pop it off when you're done.

Now, here's the catch: Being a budget-friendly bot, this smart home gadget can't automatically tell when it's on carpet and lift its mop. So, you gotta set up no-go zones in the Shark app or play mop remover yourself when it hits a carpet. Yeah, it's a bit of a hassle, but hey, you usually find that carpet-sensing magic in those $1,000 robots. I'm willing to let it slide for the price.

Navigation abilities 

Unlike those fancier, pricier bots, this Shark doesn't have the cool feature of storing multiple maps. So, if your crib's got more than one floor, tough luck. But for the rest of us, it rocks LiDAR to whip up a map of your place. You can slice and dice it into rooms, zones, or mark off no-go spots.

I gotta say, making the map was a breeze, and LiDAR (that's like the laser wizard of robot vacuums) is pretty darn reliable for this job.

Once the map was in action, my Shark vacuum showed off some serious skills. He zipped around obstacles like a pro, hitting up the trickiest spots in my very small apartment, even sliding under the bed. 

Should you buy the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum?

I would definitely recommend buying this hybrid robot vacuum and mop. Whilst I’ve tested quite a few this one I actually make use of when cleaning my home. One impressive feat that really stands out for me is that this hybrid is actually good at mopping, and it cleans just as well as more expensive robot vacuums that cost two or three times as much.

This robot vacuum is available at Amazon.