iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop vs Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty
Time to compare iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop with Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop

Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty
Comparison: iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop vs Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop

Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop | Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★3.9(2,363)Amazon | ★4.1(7,858)Amazon |
Navigation | Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows). | Matrix Clean Navigation (LIDAR) with 360° vision; cleans in a precision grid (matrix) pattern. |
Mapping | Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones). | Yes (Precision Home Mapping via SharkClean app; supports room selection and No-Go Zones). |
Obstacle Avoidance | Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste). | LiDAR-based object detection (avoids walls/furniture, but lacks active camera/AI small object recognition). |
Suction Pa | Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series). | Not specified (Features UltraClean Mode™ for deep cleaning). |
Brush System | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Patented design adjusts to floor type and resists hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush. | Self-Cleaning Brushroll (PowerFins) designed to prevent hair wrap + dual spinning side brushes. |
Mopping | Interchangeable Roomba Combo® Bin (Passive gravity-fed wicking system; requires manual bin swap to switch modes). | No |
Mop Lift | No (Mop pad stays in contact with floor; must manually skip carpeted rooms in app when Mopping Bin is installed). | N/A (No mopping) |
Carpet Boost | No | No automatic suction boost (Manual 'UltraClean Mode' increases coverage and intensity). |
Battery | Lithium-ion (Approx. 1800-2210 mAh) | Lithium-ion (Capacity not specified) |
Runtime | Up to 90 min (Supports Recharge and Resume to finish the job). | Up to 120 min (in Eco/Standard mode) |
Charging Time | Approx. 3 hours | 6 hours |
Dustbin | 0.10 gal (360 mL) with Vacuum Bin / 0.07 gal (276 mL) with Combo Bin. | Robot: approx. 0.08 gal; Base: 60-day capacity (Bagless HEPA bin). |
Water Tank | 0.05 gal (210 mL) — Integrated into Combo Bin | N/A (No mopping) |
Auto Empty | Yes (Clean Base® holds up to 60 days of debris; Note: Auto-empty works ONLY with Vacuum Bin, not Combo Bin). | Yes (Bagless HEPA Self-Empty Base; holds up to 60 days). |
Dock Type | Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal (12.2" W x 15.8" D x 13.3" H). | XL HEPA Self-Empty Base (Bagless) |
Mop Wash | No | N/A (No mopping) |
Mop Dry | No | N/A (No mopping) |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens) | True HEPA filtration (in Base only) captures 99.97% of dust/allergens; Standard filter in robot. |
Noise Level | Approx. 68-70 dB | Approx. 70 dB |
App Features | iRobot Home App (Clean by Room, Schedules, Favorites, Seasonal Recommendations). | SharkClean App: Schedule, Select Rooms, No-Go Zones, UltraClean Mode™, Report, Recharge & Resume. |
Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri. | Alexa, Google Assistant |
Multi Floor | Yes (Stores one Smart Map for room cleaning). | Yes (Supports storage of up to 3 floor maps). |
Threshold Climb | 0.63" (1.6 cm) | 0.75" (approx. 2 cm) |
Height | 3.60" (92 mm) | 3.5" |
Dimensions | 13.40" (L) x 13.47" (W) x 3.60" (H) | 12.9" (L) x 12.6" (W) x 3.5" (H) |
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iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
✓ Pros:
- • Clean Base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance
- • Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are industry-leading for hair and carpet agitation
- • Imprint® Smart Mapping allows you to command the robot to clean specific rooms (e.g., 'Clean the Kitchen')
- • Interchangeable bin system ensures the robot is lighter and has a larger dustbin when just vacuuming
✗ Cons:
- • Must manually swap the dustbin to switch between vacuuming and mopping modes
- • No Keep-Out Zones or No-Go Zones supported (unlike j7/j9 series)
- • Auto-empty does not function when the Mopping Bin is installed
- • Navigation is less efficient and prone to bumping compared to camera/LiDAR-based models
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Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty
✓ Pros:
- • Bagless Self-Empty Base reduces recurring cost of disposal bags
- • True HEPA filtration in the dock is excellent for allergy sufferers
- • Matrix Clean Navigation provides better coverage than standard row-cleaning
- • LiDAR mapping allows for quick map generation and accurate room selection
✗ Cons:
- • No mopping capability
- • Lacks advanced AI camera for avoiding small objects (cables, pet waste)
- • Suction power (Pa) is not publicly specified by manufacturer
- • Bagless base requires messy filter cleaning/washing unlike sealed bag systems
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Which one is better?
Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty is stronger in specific features, but iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop excels at: Clean Base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance, Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes are industry-leading for hair and carpet agitation
Watch for: Must manually swap the dustbin to switch between vacuuming and mopping modes
Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty excels at: Bagless Self-Empty Base reduces recurring cost of disposal bags, True HEPA filtration in the dock is excellent for allergy sufferers
Watch for: No mopping capability
Conclusion
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop and Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop excels if you value clean base® provides weeks of hands-free vacuum maintenance. Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty is better if you prioritize bagless self-empty base reduces recurring cost of disposal bags. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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