In today’s comparison of the iRobot Roomba S9+ vs Shark IQ, I will review these two bots comprehensively to show which one is superior. Without further ado, the Roomba S9+ takes the lead at the end of the day.
The Roomba S9+ has no-joke cleaning performance on all floor types, with impressive suction power and dual anti-tangle brush rollers. Its D-shaped design allows it to effectively clean edges and corners, while the included clean base automatically empties its dust bin whenever it gets full.
The Shark IQ (RV1001) boasts a self-cleaning brushroll, reducing maintenance needs, which is especially appealing for pet owners. Yet, it comes with drawbacks, like needing multiple attempts to fully map my house, limited memory for only one map, and the absence of a clean base, which can be a deal-breaker for some.
iRobot Roomba S9+ Vs Shark IQ: Comparison Chart
iRobot Roomba S9+ Vs Shark IQ: Differences
The Roomba S9 beat the Shark IQ with a score of 4-1, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So dive deeper to uncover more!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: iRobot Roomba S9+
Hard Floor
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | Shark IQ |
|---|---|
| ≈ 99% | ≈ 96% |
During my tests on hardwood surfaces, they both picked up most of the debris with ease, though the IQ didn’t quite match the S9+’s performance. Their slow-spinning corner brushes didn’t tend to scatter debris, which earned them brownie points!
Carpets
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | Shark IQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈ 82 % |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈89 % |
The Roomba S9+ also dominated my carpet tests with super high scores across the board. The Shark IQ, though not as stellar on carpets, still delivered decent performances and stood out as a strong contender in its pricing tier.
Hair Pet
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | Shark IQ | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 89% | ≈ 91% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 78% | ≈ 58% |
Both robots proved adept at resisting tangles when faced with 5-inch hair, sending the majority into their dust boxes. Still, they both faltered with the more challenging 10-inch strands, requiring disassembly for untangling – a process that was, thankfully, quite straightforward.
Design & Usability
Winner: iRobot Roomba S9+
Dimensions & Weight
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | Shark IQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H) | 12.25 x 3.5 inches | 12.6 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 8.15 lbs | 6.92 lbs |
Both of these bots are engineered for intelligent, hands-free cleaning, yet they diverge significantly in certain aspects, like shape. While the Shark IQ sports a traditional round design, the Roomba S9+ features a D-shaped frame.
Interestingly, the S9+ is the only Roomba robot vacuum with this unique straight-edge design. As you guessed, the most significant advantage of this unique frame is its ability to clean corners and edges more effectively. The straight edge allows the vacuum to get right up against walls and into corners, where grime often gathers. Still, this one may have limitations when it comes to navigating around round or irregularly shaped objects.
Speaking of weighting, these bots still can’t grow legs and climb stairs on their own, of course they can’t. I mean, you’ll need to pick them up and place them on the different floors yourself. Luckily, they’re not too heavy, with the Shark IQ being a little lighter than the Roomba S9+ yet still feeling robust.
Extractor & Side Brush
Because of the differences in shape, the undersides of the Roomba S9+ and Shark IQ look significantly different as well. The Roomba S9+ features dual edge-to-edge brush rollers that stretch along the square edge instead of being located between the wheels and a 5-arm side brush to help capture debris along edges and in corners. It is worth noting that its main rollers are bristle-free, which are adept at minimizing hair tangles.
On the flip side, the Shark IQ’s underbelly sports a spiral roller that employs a blend of rubberized blades and soft bristles for effective debris pick-up and channels it directly into the dust box. On top of it, you’ll find a row of small, tooth-like protrusions that prevent hair from getting tangled around the axle as it’s collected. Shark calls this design “tangle-free” or “self-cleaning,” and to some extent, my tests confirmed its effectiveness.
The Shark IQ has a pair of side brushes that have a single prong compared to the multi-pronged one on the S9+. I found it to rotate at a slower pace, which helps minimize the scattering of debris over a larger radius, but it did poorly at cleaning edges.
Navigation
Both the Roomba S9+ and Shark IQ utilize a top-mounted camera, or, I should say, they rely on vSLAM navigation technology to look around and remember the layout of your home for future navigation. The mapping capability and navigation on these bots are pretty good, albeit not quite on par with models that leverage LIDAR navigation, for two primary reasons.
First off, these dark knights strongly rely on an onboard camera, so illumination is indeed a key factor for accurate mapping and navigation. To compare, high-end LIDAR-equipped robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV, can function properly in low light or even complete darkness zones.
What’s more, while LIDAR robots typically require a single test run to map your house, these visible-based bots take more time to “learn” the layout of a home. My real-world tests showed that it took the S9+ four runs, whereas the Shark IQ needed eight cycles to properly map my space. During this initial period, I highly recommend opening all doors and removing obstacles to ensure the maximum amount of space is exposed.
After capturing the layout of your space, they move in straight lines instead of bouncing around in a random zig-zag pattern, as most low-level robot vacuums, like the Romboa I3, do. That way, they can cover every accessible inch of your floor. By the way, the S9+ can remember up to 10 layouts, while the Shark IQ can only save one. So, for those with multiple floors in their residence, the S9+ is undoubtedly an ideal choice.
As for room for improvement, both robots fall short in detecting and avoiding common household obstacles, as a bot with a front-facing camera like the iRobot J7+ can. Hence, if you are sharing your home with your little ones or some four-legged friends, a preliminary clean-up is a must.
Battery Life
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | Shark IQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 63–112 mins | ≈ 69–82 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 96 mins | ≈ 210 mins |
The Shark IQ uses a larger 2990 mAh Li-ion battery versus the 5200 mAh one on the Roomba S9+. For larger homes, a bigger battery may be beneficial, yet, for me, run time shouldn’t be a deciding factor given that both come equipped with the “Recharge and Resume” feature, a standard in all modern robot vacuums. This involves these robots automatically docking for charging and then continuing their cleaning tasks where they left off.
Control
Winner: iRobot Roomba S9+
Manual Control
There are two buttons on the top of the Shark IQ, including “Clean” and “Dock.” Pressing the “Clean” button prompts the robot to commence its cleaning journey, whereas the “Dock” button terminates the cleaning session and directs the bot to return to its charging base.
Meanwhile, the Roomba S9+ features a three-button system for starting cleaning, sending the bot home, and vacuuming a small zone (spot cleaning). For those who don’t know, the “spot cleaning” option enables the Roomba S9+ to clean a targeted zone three feet in diameter. So do you want to clean up a mess in the kitchen without disturbing the rest? One button press will do the trick!
App Connectivity
The Roomba S9 and Shark IQ can connect to the phone via the SharkClean and iRobot Home apps, respectively. They share a lot of options, although there are some additions that give the Roomba S9+ my vote here.
Regarding editing the map, both apps allow you to divide and name rooms. But while the iRobot app allows for partitions, the SharkClean app lets you draw boxes to specify zones. Then, both apps allow you to instruct the robot to clean specific rooms and bypass the rest. They can also connect to Amazon Alexa, so you can control your bot with your voice.
These apps have a scheduling option for automating runs. For some zones that you do not want your robot to enter, they enable you to add some containment boxes to block the robot from entering these areas. A distinct advantage of the iRobot app over SharkClean is its “clean” zones feature – this is the reverse of no-go zones, sending the S9+ to clean some specific areas.
These two apps both show you a history of previous cleaning cycles. The iRobot app allows you to keep an eye on the status of a filter, brush roll, and side brush so you will know when it’s time to give them some tender loving care. The iRobot app also has a “When I leave home” option that will create a virtual fence around your home. That way, it can recognize when you leave home and automatically activate the robot.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: iRobot Roomba S9+
The Roomba S9+ boasts a 0.5-liter dust cup, which is significantly larger than the 0.16-liter one on the Shark IQ. This means fewer trips to empty the dust cup for the S9+, but what’s really the game changer is the self-cleaning tower that comes with it.
The automatic emptying function is, no doubt, one of the most impressive features of the Roomba S9+. This eliminates the cumbersome task of manually disassembling the dust box and removing all its contents by hand. Instead, the robot smartly returns to its home base when its bin reaches capacity, where the base efficiently sucks out all the collected dirt into a disposable bag, allowing the robot to continue its cleaning routine. The whole process is completely sealed and automated, making it a godsend for people with severe allergies.
As for the Shark IQ, you will need to manually empty it’s dustbin quite often. This can lead to dust clouds forming, and if that’s enough of a nuisance for you, you can purchase an upgrade pack that includes the robot and a cleaning base. This base uses a larger dustbin instead of a dust bag – this eliminates recurring costs tied to bag replacements, but be prepared for potential minor leakages when you empty it out.
These intelligent robots come fitted with HEPA filters, ensuring dust and allergens are effectively captured during the vacuuming process. Remember not to rinse these filters with water. Instead, a simple tap against a trash bin’s side should suffice for cleaning.
Other Features
Winner: Shark IQ
Noise
| iRobot Roomba S9+ | Shark IQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 63-72 dB | ≈ 61-69 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 74 dB | None |
Both the Roomba S9+ and Shark IQ tend to be on the louder side, particularly when operating in maximum suction mode or when the S9+ is emptying its dustbin. Although they don’t necessarily emit a high-pitched squeal, their noise levels could be a point of concern for those sensitive to sound, such as infants or pets.
Mopping Ability
They can’t mop your floors simply because they are not mop robots or hybrids. Interestingly, the iRobot S9+ can be paired with a companion mop robot from the same brand, the Braava Jet M6. By having both little housekeepers in your arsenal and having them connected via the app, they can work together seamlessly: Once the Roomba S9+ has returned to its docking station, the Braava Jet M6 can begin its mopping operation.
Magnetic Strip
The Shark IQ includes a magnetic tape strip right out of the box, allowing you to establish physical barriers on your floors. This is particularly handy for blocking off diagonal areas that virtual “no-go zone” boxes can’t. This is a welcome addition, but I guess it will soon become obsolete as an increasing number of brands offer the option to create virtual walls through mobile apps, much like Roborock does.
Quick Rundown Of iRobot Roomba S9+
- A DEEP, DETAILED CLEAN. Groundbreaking technology makes the s9+ our legacy powerhouse robot vacuum. With 40x more the suction power*, the 3-Stage Cleaning System lifts, loosens, then eliminates debris and pet hair from deep within your carpets for a clean you won’t believe — with no effort from you. Automatically increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- EMPTIES ITS VACUUM BIN, SO CLEANING IS OFF YOUR MIND - Cleans up after itself, emptying its Vacuum Bin into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days of debris, which means two whole months of not thinking about vacuuming.
- CLEANS WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT - Only IRobot brings you Imprint Smart Mapping allowing you to control and schedule which rooms are cleaned and when, while storing multiple maps for easier cleaning on each level of your home. Plus, customizable Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones allow you to tell them the exact area to avoid and clean.
- A POWERFUL CLEAN - PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors and a specially designed Corner Brush optimize cleaning deep into corners and along edges. Ideal for homes with pets. 40% larger Multi-Surface Dual Rubber Brushes that don't get tangled with pet hair. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - The s9+ learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows. Careful Drive Mode detects objects in its path and cleans around them without jostling or nudging. (objects taller than 2.5 cm)
Quick Rundown Of Shark IQ
- Unbeatable suction vs. any Shark robot vacuum for pickup of large and small debris, as well as pet hair on carpets and hard-floors.
- Self-cleaning brushroll removes pet hair and long hair from the brushroll as it cleans--no more hair wrap.
- Schedule whole-home cleanings or target specific rooms or areas to clean right now with the Shark Clean app or voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Total Home Mapping with Room Select maps your home and lets you choose which rooms to clean right now.
- Methodically cleans row by row and then navigates room to room for complete home coverage.
Product Videos
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References:
- iRobot Roomba S9+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-s9-plus/S955020.html
- Shark IQ: http://206.47.165.218/support/product-series/1214/shark-iq-robot-vacuum-r100-with-wi-fi-and-home-mapping/
Richard B. Schmidt is a prominent figure in the vacuum cleaner industry, boasting over 15 years of expertise. Armed with a Robotics Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Consumer Science from Harvard, his unique blend of technical knowledge and consumer insights positions him as a sought-after authority in vacuum cleaner evaluation. Richard’s career began at Dyson, where he contributed to the development of innovative vacuum models. Transitioning to advocacy and reviews, he co-founded the first Vacuum-focused blog in 2008, offering comprehensive analysis and user guides for various vacuum cleaners. In 2020, he founded RoboMop.net, providing ongoing insights through columns and buyer’s guides.