When you're choosing between a Shark robot vacuum, a popular line of smart cleaning devices known for strong suction and affordable pricing and a iRobot robot vacuum, a market leader with decades of experience in autonomous cleaning tech, you're not just picking a machine—you're picking a daily helper for your floors. Both brands dominate UK homes, but they solve problems differently. Shark focuses on raw power and value, while iRobot leans into smart mapping and reliability. If you’ve ever watched a robot vacuum get stuck under the couch or miss a corner for weeks, you know this isn’t just about brand loyalty—it’s about what actually works in your space.
The real difference shows up in three areas: cleaning performance, smart features, and long-term cost. Shark robot vacuums, often come with dual brushes and high suction ratings are great for homes with pets or lots of hair. They’re also cheaper upfront and easier to maintain. On the other hand, iRobot robot vacuums, like the Roomba s9+ or j7+, use advanced cameras and AI to learn your floor layout, avoid cords and shoes better, and empty their own bins. But they cost more, and replacement parts aren’t cheap. If you live in a small flat or have mostly hard floors, a Shark might do everything you need. If you’ve got a big house with lots of clutter, stairs, or kids who leave toys everywhere, iRobot’s navigation might save you more time than you expect.
Neither brand is perfect. Shark models sometimes miss edges or struggle with thick carpets. iRobot units can take forever to map your home and rarely go on sale. But if you look at what UK shoppers actually report—over 10,000 reviews across forums, Reddit, and product sites—the pattern is clear: people who want simplicity and power go Shark. People who want set-it-and-forget-it automation go iRobot. This collection of posts dives into real-world tests, long-term reliability reports, and hidden costs you won’t find on the product page. You’ll see which models last five years without breaking, which ones actually save time, and which features are just marketing fluff. By the end, you’ll know exactly which robot vacuum fits your home—not just your budget.
Shark robot vacuums are affordable but come with major drawbacks: poor navigation, weak suction, short battery life, and unreliable customer service. Here’s what really goes wrong in real homes.