If you’re trying to decide between the Shark AV2511AE vs RV2502AE, you have come to the right place. This article will compare the two machines and highlight their similarities and differences.
After closely examining the design, functions, and cleaning performance of both the Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE, I concluded that the primary difference between them is their color. These two machines are almost identical in terms of features, including HEPA self-empty bases, LIDAR technology, PowerFins technology, and many other impressive functionalities.
Thus, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to aesthetic preference. If you’re still curious about how well they clean in real life, read the analysis provided below.
Shark AV2511AE vs RV2502AE: Comparison Chart
Shark AV2511AE vs RV2502AE: Review & Comparison
Cleaning Performance
Compatible floor types
The Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE deliver exceptional cleaning performance with impressive suction power, supported by an airflow of 19 cfm. This suction strength enables them to handle various particles, from fine dust to larger debris such as kitty litter and Froot Loops.
One of the most outstanding features of these models is their Powerfins brush roll, which represents a significant improvement compared to previous versions. The Powerfins brush roll performs exceptionally well at picking up pet hair and other types of debris, leaving floors spotless. This is especially advantageous for pet owners who have to deal with the constant challenge of cleaning pet hair.
Regarding carpet cleaning, the robots could remove 80% of embedded sand during my deep cleaning tests on medium-pile carpets. However, their performance is not as strong overall as on hard floors. Additionally, these models may struggle with high-shag rugs, so it’s recommended to consider other options if your home has this type of flooring.
Pet hair performance
My tests show that both machines can handle pet hair quite well, especially on hard floors. Honestly, they cannot replace an upright vacuum specifically designed for pet hair removal. Nevertheless, having one of these machines can help reduce the frequency of using the upright vacuum. The roll brush design is improved with PowerFins technology, which helps prevent hair wrap and improve dirt pick-up. However, if you have longer hair, you will need to remove it from the brush roll regularly. The good news is that cleaning the brush roll is straightforward.
Design & Usability
Build quality
Overall, these two machines have quite good build quality. The robot’s body is made of high-quality hard plastic. This not only gives it a sleek and luxurious look but also makes it strong and sturdy. The main brushroll is designed to prevent hair and debris buildup, improve cleaning performance, and extend lifespan.
Assembling these machines out of the box is a straightforward process, which adds to the overall user-friendly experience. You only need to snap the two side brushes into place and plug in the docking station. The process is easy and simple, with clear instructions that make it easier for anyone to set up quickly.
Dimensions and weight
When considering the dimensions and weight of the Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE, both models share identical dimensions, measuring 12.6 inches in width (W) and 3.5 inches in height (H). These dimensions are in line with the typical size of many robotic vacuums available on the market.
These Shark models have a width of 12.6 inches, making them compact and easy to maneuver through tight spaces in your home. This allows them to easily clean under furniture, beds, and other low-clearance areas, providing a thorough cleaning experience. With a height of 3.5 inches, they can fit under most furniture and obstacles, allowing them to reach often overlooked areas.
Both the Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE robotic vacuums weigh around 6.7 pounds, which is an average weight for robotic vacuums. This weight is relatively light when compared to traditional upright or canister vacuum cleaners.
Compared to other robotic vacuums on the market, these Shark models can be considered to have a balanced size and weight profile. While they may not be the smallest or lightest robotic vacuums available, their dimensions and weight strike a practical balance between efficient cleaning and ease of handling.
Battery and charging
Both models have a battery life of up to 120 minutes, which is plenty of time for cleaning most standard-sized rooms or multiple small areas on a single charge. However, in reality, the runtime may vary depending on several factors, such as the cleaning mode selected, the complexity of the cleaning environment, and the battery’s condition over time. Nonetheless, a 120-minute runtime is competitive and ensures that the vacuum can accomplish a significant part of its cleaning task before returning to its charging dock.
Regarding the charging process, these robot vacuums require around 6 hours to fully charge from an empty battery. It may seem like a long time, but since these robots are designed to autonomously return to their charging docks when their battery levels are low and the runtime is fairly long, I don’t suppose that the charging time is a big deal.
In addition, their “recharge and resume” feature allows them to usually be ready for operation whenever required without needing manual intervention. They will automatically return to the charging dock when the battery is low and will resume cleaning from where they left off when the battery is full.
Navigation and obstacle avoidance
The Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE robot vacuums are equipped with advanced LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology as their navigation system. This technology uses laser beams to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the cleaning environment. It’s a notable feature that sets these vacuums apart from others on the market.
One of the strengths of LiDAR-based navigation is its ability to create accurate maps of the cleaning environment, allowing these robots to navigate through your home with a high degree of spatial awareness. This, in turn, enables them to follow efficient cleaning paths and avoid large obstacles effectively. However, they may not be as proficient at avoiding smaller obstacles such as dog toys, socks, or phone charging cables, especially those with a height of less than 2.5 inches.
Noise level
The noise level of the Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE robot vacuums is around 60 decibels (dB). This noise level falls within the range of what is generally considered to be a quiet operation for robotic vacuums.
A noise level of approximately 60 dB is comparable to the sound level of a regular conversation or the background noise in a typical office setup. This level of noise is significantly lower than that of conventional upright or canister vacuum cleaners, which can often be quite noisy and disruptive.
You can comfortably run these robots at night while sleeping without significant disturbance. Additionally, they can operate the vacuums while watching TV or engaging in other activities without the need to raise the volume to compensate for excessive noise.
Control
The Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE robot vacuums offer both manual control options and a feature-rich mobile app to enhance the user experience.
For manual control, these robots are equipped with two physical buttons on the top: one for initiating a cleaning cycle and another for sending the robot back to its docking station. These buttons, accompanied by illuminated icons that provide visual feedback on the robot’s status, offer a simple way to start or stop cleaning operations directly on the device.
Besides, the robots use LiDAR technology to map the cleaning area, allowing users to visualize their home layout directly on the app. This mapping feature is a significant advantage, providing a clear and intuitive way to interact with the robot and customize its cleaning behavior.
Within the app, you can name and label specific rooms or areas within your home. This feature facilitates precise control over which areas the robot should clean or avoid during each cleaning cycle. Moreover, you can also create weekly cleaning schedules, specifying when and where the robot should clean and even allowing adjustments to the cleaning intensity or power level.
No-go Zones
The Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE robot vacuums offer a feature known as “no-go zones,” which is a valuable addition to their navigation capabilities. This feature allows users to create virtual boundaries or barriers within their home, effectively instructing the robot not to enter specific areas during its cleaning cycle. This is especially useful when there are parts of a room that the robot cannot reach or when you want to restrict the vacuum from accessing certain spaces.
However, I have a note for the Shark AV2511AE.I found that the version with the 60-day capacity self-empty base includes the “no-go zones” or virtual boundaries feature, while the version with the 45-day capacity self-empty base lacks this feature.
Additionally, both models have a minimum size requirement for these no-go zones, set at 13×13 feet. This minimum size constraint can be limiting in situations where you need to block off smaller areas.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The Shark AV2511AE and RV2502AE robot vacuums come equipped with some impressive features that make cleaning and maintenance convenient and hassle-free.
One of the standout features of these robotic vacuums is their self-emptying bases, which have the capacity to hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and debris. This is a significant advantage as it reduces the frequency of manual bin emptying.
Emptying the bin is an effortless process, and it eliminates the need for disposable bags, making it an eco-friendly option. This feature is especially beneficial for pet owners like me, who may have to deal with a higher volume of dirt and pet hair. With the self-empty base, you can go for extended periods, typically 7–10 days or even longer, without worrying about emptying the bin daily.
Another noteworthy feature is the inclusion of true HEPA filtration in these Shark robot vacuums. This type of filtration is highly effective in capturing and trapping microscopic dust particles and allergens as small as 0.3 microns. Maintaining clean indoor air quality is crucial, especially for those with respiratory sensitivities or allergies. Not only does it ensure the vacuum cleans your floors effectively, but it also contributes to a healthier living environment by containing airborne allergens.
Quick Rundown Of Shark RV2502AE
- INCREDIBLE SUCTION: Powerful Shark suction picks up dirt and debris on all floor types—tackling even the toughest of messes in your home.
- NO SPOTS MISSED: With Matrix Clean Navigation, the vacuum cleans in a precise matrix grid taking multiple passes over dirt and debris for whole home, deep cleaning coverage.
- IT EMPTIES ITSELF: The bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris while its true HEPA filtration captures and traps 99.97%* of dust and allergens (*down to .3 microns).
- PRECISION HOME MAPPING: 360° LiDAR vision quickly and accurately maps your home so your robot can methodically clean detecting and avoiding objects in its path, day or night, adapting to everyday changes in the home.
- PERFECT FOR HOMES WITH PETS: With powerful vacuum suction, Shark’s self-cleaning brushroll, and HEPA filtration system the robot captures pet hair, dust, dander and allergens with ease.
Quick Rundown Of Shark AV2511AE
- INCREDIBLE SUCTION: Powerful Shark suction picks up dirt and debris on all floor types—tackling even the toughest of messes in your home.SharkClean App & Voice Control
- NO SPOTS MISSED: With Matrix Clean, the robotic vacuum cleans in a precision matrix grid taking multiple passes over dirt and debris for whole home, deep cleaning coverage.
- IT EMPTIES ITSELF: The bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris. The bagless base does not require any additional purchase of disposal bags like traditional auto empty robots.
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Digs deep into carpets and directly engages hardwood floors pulling up debris, hair, and dirt from all surfaces in your home – engineered to pick up more hair and is anti-hair wrap.
- PRECISION HOME MAPPING: 360° LiDAR vision quickly and accurately maps your home so your robot can methodically clean detecting and avoiding objects in its path, day or night, adapting to everyday changes in the home.
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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.