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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

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.

Ratings: 3.9★ vs 4.1★

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop
Navigation:Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows).
Mapping:Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones).
Obstacle Avoidance:Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste).
Suction Pa:Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series).
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Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

4.1
(7,858)Amazon
Navigation:Matrix Clean Navigation (LIDAR) with 360° vision; cleans in a precision grid (matrix) pattern.
Mapping:Yes (Precision Home Mapping via SharkClean app; supports room selection and No-Go Zones).
Obstacle Avoidance:LiDAR-based object detection (avoids walls/furniture, but lacks active camera/AI small object recognition).
Suction Pa:Not specified (Features UltraClean Mode™ for deep cleaning).
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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

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

3.9(2,363)Amazon
Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

4.1(7,858)Amazon
iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop

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

Rating:3.9(2,363)Amazon
Navigation:Gyro-based Navigation with Floor Tracking Sensors (Cleans in neat, efficient rows).
Mapping:Imprint® Smart Mapping (Learns floor plan, allows Room-Specific cleaning; Note: Does NOT support Keep Out Zones or No-Go Zones).
Obstacle Avoidance:Standard sensor-based avoidance (Bumper, Wall, and Cliff sensors; No AI object recognition for cords/waste).
Suction Pa:Not published (Rated 10x Power-Lifting Suction vs. Roomba 600 Series).
Brush System:Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes (Patented design adjusts to floor type and resists hair tangles) + Edge-Sweeping Brush.
Mopping:Interchangeable Roomba Combo® Bin (Passive gravity-fed wicking system; requires manual bin swap to switch modes).
Mop Lift:No (Mop pad stays in contact with floor; must manually skip carpeted rooms in app when Mopping Bin is installed).
Carpet Boost:No
Battery:Lithium-ion (Approx. 1800-2210 mAh)
Runtime:Up to 90 min (Supports Recharge and Resume to finish the job).
Charging Time:Approx. 3 hours
Dustbin:0.10 gal (360 mL) with Vacuum Bin / 0.07 gal (276 mL) with Combo Bin.
Water Tank:0.05 gal (210 mL) — Integrated into Combo Bin
Auto Empty:Yes (Clean Base® holds up to 60 days of debris; Note: Auto-empty works ONLY with Vacuum Bin, not Combo Bin).
Dock Type:Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal (12.2" W x 15.8" D x 13.3" H).
Mop Wash:No
Mop Dry:No
Filtration:High-Efficiency Filter (Captures 99% of cat and dog allergens)
Noise Level:Approx. 68-70 dB
App Features:iRobot Home App (Clean by Room, Schedules, Favorites, Seasonal Recommendations).
Voice Assistants:Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri.
Multi Floor:Yes (Stores one Smart Map for room cleaning).
Threshold Climb:0.63" (1.6 cm)
Height:3.60" (92 mm)
Dimensions:13.40" (L) x 13.47" (W) x 3.60" (H)

✓ 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

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty

Rating:4.1(7,858)Amazon
Navigation:Matrix Clean Navigation (LIDAR) with 360° vision; cleans in a precision grid (matrix) pattern.
Mapping:Yes (Precision Home Mapping via SharkClean app; supports room selection and No-Go Zones).
Obstacle Avoidance:LiDAR-based object detection (avoids walls/furniture, but lacks active camera/AI small object recognition).
Suction Pa:Not specified (Features UltraClean Mode™ for deep cleaning).
Brush System:Self-Cleaning Brushroll (PowerFins) designed to prevent hair wrap + dual spinning side brushes.
Mopping:No
Mop Lift:N/A (No mopping)
Carpet Boost:No automatic suction boost (Manual 'UltraClean Mode' increases coverage and intensity).
Battery:Lithium-ion (Capacity not specified)
Runtime:Up to 120 min (in Eco/Standard mode)
Charging Time:6 hours
Dustbin:Robot: approx. 0.08 gal; Base: 60-day capacity (Bagless HEPA bin).
Water Tank:N/A (No mopping)
Auto Empty:Yes (Bagless HEPA Self-Empty Base; holds up to 60 days).
Dock Type:XL HEPA Self-Empty Base (Bagless)
Mop Wash:N/A (No mopping)
Mop Dry:N/A (No mopping)
Filtration:True HEPA filtration (in Base only) captures 99.97% of dust/allergens; Standard filter in robot.
Noise Level:Approx. 70 dB
App Features:SharkClean App: Schedule, Select Rooms, No-Go Zones, UltraClean Mode™, Report, Recharge & Resume.
Voice Assistants:Alexa, Google Assistant
Multi Floor:Yes (Supports storage of up to 3 floor maps).
Threshold Climb:0.75" (approx. 2 cm)
Height:3.5"
Dimensions:12.9" (L) x 12.6" (W) x 3.5" (H)

✓ 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

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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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