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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 6, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufactureriRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum vs Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is the better pick for most households thanks to its impressive mopping capabilities and the hands-free NeverTouch Pro Base. Its ability to auto-empty, refill, wash, and dry the mop pad makes it a standout in 2026. In real-world use, the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum offers solid cleaning performance with 120 minutes of runtime but lacks mopping and auto-empty features. While it’s a budget-friendly choice for those looking to save money, you might miss out on the convenience that the Shark provides.
⚖️ Weight: 93.44 oz vs 158.73 oz🔋 Runtime: 120 min vs 110 min
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iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
★4
(51,777)•Amazon
Navigation:Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs.
Mapping:Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping).
Obstacle Avoidance:Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition).
Suction Pa:Not specified (3 suction power levels)
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Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
★4.2
(292)•Best Buy
Navigation:360° LiDAR Navigation (Precise home mapping and systematic row-by-row cleaning).
Mapping:Precision Home Mapping (3D Mapping, Room Select, No-Go Zones; stores map).
Obstacle Avoidance:NeverMiss™ Technology (3D Sensors + LiDAR + LED to detect and avoid obstacles).
Suction Pa:Not published (Marketing claims 'Shark's Strongest Suction' vs. other Shark robots).
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Lithium-ion (2600 mAh)
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
14.4V / 3200 mAh Lithium-ion
Design1 specs
Dimensions
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H)
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
14.40" (W) x 14.40" (L) x 4.00" (H) (Robot)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum vs Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
★4(51,777)Amazon
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
★4.2(292)Best Buy
| Criterion | iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum | Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(51,777)Amazon | ★4.2(292)Best Buy |
Navigation | Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs. | 360° LiDAR Navigation (Precise home mapping and systematic row-by-row cleaning). |
Mapping | Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping). | Precision Home Mapping (3D Mapping, Room Select, No-Go Zones; stores map). |
Obstacle Avoidance | Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition). | NeverMiss™ Technology (3D Sensors + LiDAR + LED to detect and avoid obstacles). |
Suction Pa | Not specified (3 suction power levels) | Not published (Marketing claims 'Shark's Strongest Suction' vs. other Shark robots). |
Brush System | 3-Stage Cleaning System with Multi-Surface V-shaped main brush + Edge-Sweeping brush. | Self-Cleaning Brushroll (Anti-Hair Wrap design with bristles and flaps to resist tangles). |
Mopping | No | PowerDetect Mopping with EdgeDetect (Side-to-side scrubbing motion; pad extends to clean edges). |
Mop Lift | N/A (No mopping) | Yes (Automatically lifts the mop pad to avoid wetting carpets). |
Carpet Boost | No automatic boost (Manual control: 3 suction levels). | Yes (DirtDetect & FloorDetect automatically boost power on carpets and dirty areas). |
Battery | Lithium-ion (2600 mAh) | 14.4V / 3200 mAh Lithium-ion |
Runtime | Up to 120 min | Up to 110 min |
Charging Time | Approx. 4 hours | Approx. 4 hours |
Dustbin | 0.10 gal (approx. 400 mL) | 0.08 gal (312 mL) — Internal bin |
Water Tank | N/A (No mopping) | Internal tank (Auto-refilled by dock; capacity not specified, likely ~200mL). |
Auto Empty | No | Yes (Debris is emptied into a bagless bin in the base; rated for 60 days). |
Dock Type | Charging Dock (Standard Home Base) | NeverTouch™ Pro Base (Auto-Empty, Auto-Refill, Auto-Wash, Auto-Dry). Tanks: 1.7L Clean / Dirty Water Tank / 60-Day Bagless Debris Bin. Dims: 14.3" W x 18.8" D x 17.6" H. |
Mop Wash | N/A (No mopping) | Yes (Base washes mop pad after cleaning). |
Mop Dry | N/A (No mopping) | Yes (Warm air drying). |
Filtration | High-Efficiency Filter | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal (HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of dust and allergens). |
Noise Level | Not specified | Approx. 70 dB |
App Features | iRobot Home App: Clean While I'm Away, suggested schedules, Clean Map® report, spot cleaning. | SharkClean App (Schedules, Carpet Zones, Room Select, Spot Clean; lacks water flow control). |
Voice Assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. |
Multi Floor | No (Does not store maps) | Yes (Supports map saving). |
Threshold Climb | 0.625" (5/8 in) | 0.80" (20 mm) — NeverStuck technology actively lifts the robot over high thresholds. |
Height | 3.15" | 4.00" (approx.) — Taller profile due to LiDAR turret and lift mechanism. |
Dimensions | 13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H) | 14.40" (W) x 14.40" (L) x 4.00" (H) (Robot) |
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iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Rating:★4(51,777)Amazon
Navigation:Smart navigation (Gyroscopes/Optical) cleans in neat rows; sensors navigate around furniture and avoid stairs.
Mapping:Clean Map® report (View-only coverage report in iRobot Home App; no persistent mapping).
Obstacle Avoidance:Basic sensor-based avoidance for furniture/stairs (no camera/LiDAR AI object recognition).
Suction Pa:Not specified (3 suction power levels)
Brush System:3-Stage Cleaning System with Multi-Surface V-shaped main brush + Edge-Sweeping brush.
Mopping:No
Mop Lift:N/A (No mopping)
Carpet Boost:No automatic boost (Manual control: 3 suction levels).
Battery:Lithium-ion (2600 mAh)
Runtime:Up to 120 min
Charging Time:Approx. 4 hours
Dustbin:0.10 gal (approx. 400 mL)
Water Tank:N/A (No mopping)
Auto Empty:No
Dock Type:Charging Dock (Standard Home Base)
Mop Wash:N/A (No mopping)
Mop Dry:N/A (No mopping)
Filtration:High-Efficiency Filter
Noise Level:Not specified
App Features:iRobot Home App: Clean While I'm Away, suggested schedules, Clean Map® report, spot cleaning.
Voice Assistants:Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Multi Floor:No (Does not store maps)
Threshold Climb:0.625" (5/8 in)
Height:3.15"
Dimensions:13" (L) x 13" (W) x 3.15" (H)
✓ Pros:
- • Methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation
- • Up to 120 minutes runtime with auto-docking recharge
- • iRobot Home App scheduling + Clean Map® report; voice assistant support
- • 3-stage cleaning with V-shaped brush + edge-sweeping brush and 3 suction levels
✗ Cons:
- • No mopping capability
- • No auto-empty dock (standard charging dock only)
- • No advanced AI obstacle avoidance (no camera/LiDAR object detection)
- • Lacks persistent mapping features like Keep Out Zones or Room Select
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop
Rating:★4.2(292)Best Buy
Navigation:360° LiDAR Navigation (Precise home mapping and systematic row-by-row cleaning).
Mapping:Precision Home Mapping (3D Mapping, Room Select, No-Go Zones; stores map).
Obstacle Avoidance:NeverMiss™ Technology (3D Sensors + LiDAR + LED to detect and avoid obstacles).
Suction Pa:Not published (Marketing claims 'Shark's Strongest Suction' vs. other Shark robots).
Brush System:Self-Cleaning Brushroll (Anti-Hair Wrap design with bristles and flaps to resist tangles).
Mopping:PowerDetect Mopping with EdgeDetect (Side-to-side scrubbing motion; pad extends to clean edges).
Mop Lift:Yes (Automatically lifts the mop pad to avoid wetting carpets).
Carpet Boost:Yes (DirtDetect & FloorDetect automatically boost power on carpets and dirty areas).
Battery:14.4V / 3200 mAh Lithium-ion
Runtime:Up to 110 min
Charging Time:Approx. 4 hours
Dustbin:0.08 gal (312 mL) — Internal bin
Water Tank:Internal tank (Auto-refilled by dock; capacity not specified, likely ~200mL).
Auto Empty:Yes (Debris is emptied into a bagless bin in the base; rated for 60 days).
Dock Type:NeverTouch™ Pro Base (Auto-Empty, Auto-Refill, Auto-Wash, Auto-Dry). Tanks: 1.7L Clean / Dirty Water Tank / 60-Day Bagless Debris Bin. Dims: 14.3" W x 18.8" D x 17.6" H.
Mop Wash:Yes (Base washes mop pad after cleaning).
Mop Dry:Yes (Warm air drying).
Filtration:Anti-Allergen Complete Seal (HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of dust and allergens).
Noise Level:Approx. 70 dB
App Features:SharkClean App (Schedules, Carpet Zones, Room Select, Spot Clean; lacks water flow control).
Voice Assistants:Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant.
Multi Floor:Yes (Supports map saving).
Threshold Climb:0.80" (20 mm) — NeverStuck technology actively lifts the robot over high thresholds.
Height:4.00" (approx.) — Taller profile due to LiDAR turret and lift mechanism.
Dimensions:14.40" (W) x 14.40" (L) x 4.00" (H) (Robot)
✓ Pros:
- • NeverTouch Pro Base automates emptying, refilling, washing, and drying for true hands-free maintenance
- • NeverStuck technology physically lifts the robot to climb high thresholds that trap other bots
- • Bagless auto-empty base saves money on disposable dust bags (uses a washable bin)
- • EdgeDetect feature extends the mop pad to clean flush against baseboards
- • PowerDetect sensors automatically adjust cleaning behavior based on floor type and dirt levels
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life (110 min) is significantly shorter than competitors in this price tier (usually 180+ min)
- • Bagless base can be messier to empty than bagged systems (dust plumes)
- • App lacks granular controls found in rivals (e.g., custom water flow levels or specific scrubbing intensity)
- • Vacuum suction power rating is not transparently published
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is the better buy for most people - its mopping feature and hands-free maintenance crushes the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum. That said, grab the iRobot if you're focused on a simpler, budget-friendly vacuum that delivers solid cleaning without the bells and whistles.
Who should buy each?
Choose the iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum if: you want a budget-friendly vacuum, prefer straightforward operation, or need a solid performer for under 120 minutes of runtime.
Choose the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop if: you need a versatile cleaning solution, want true hands-free maintenance, or are looking for effective mopping capabilities. (158.73 oz weight)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum excels if you value methodical row-by-row cleaning with smart navigation. Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is better if you prioritize nevertouch pro base automates emptying, refilling, washing, and drying for true hands-free maintenance. 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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