What is the best Shark robot vacuum? Here are my top 3 picks after testing at home.
If you asked a random person what the best robot vacuum is, there's a decent chance that a Roomba would come to mind based on brand recognizability alone. It's less common knowledge that Roombas actually didn't sell well last year, leaving iRobot with no choice but to file for bankruptcy in December 2025. While the ever-Googled "Shark vs. Roomba" debate might be less heated than it used to be, the best Shark robot vacuums still have fierce competition from other angles.
Having personally tested the best robot vacuums from Shark against other big brands like Roborock, Dreame, and Eufy (plus a ton of Roombas), I've learned firsthand the pros and cons of getting a Shark robot vacuum. After testing more than five of Shark's main robot vacuums and vacuum mop combos in my own apartment for weeks at a time, here are the three best Shark robot vacuums to buy in 2026.
Overview
Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1
Table of Contents
Shark vacuums shine at spot cleaning, but have a big blind spot
Scheduled full-room cleanings are a huge part of the convenience of a robot vacuum. The other half has to do with unexpected messes that need to be dealt with right now with as little clicking around in an app as possible.
In my at-home testing, Shark robot vacuums are extremely straightforward and reliable spot cleaners. Setting a zone for a one-time clean in the Shark app is as black and white as dragging a square in the designated spot cleaning tab. The Shark knows to shift itself into Matrix cleaning mode for any spot cleaning situations, and automatically goes over the spot multiple times from multiple angles. Many other budget robot vacuums won't take a second look unless you remember to toggle the number of cleaning passes from one to two. Matrix cleaning automatically covers one of my tips for making your robot vacuum work better.
Is dependable spot cleaning a Shark-only skill? Of course not. But Shark robot vacuums still get credit for do it while staying firmly in the budget robot vacuum category, and they're on sale frequently.
On the other hand, Shark's one big blind spot (literally) is small obstacle avoidance technology. Shark is forever being upstaged by frequent new releases from iRobot, Roborock, Eufy, and Dreame, who all have models at Shark prices that can steer clear of obstacles like cords and pet waste. Based on my experience, Shark hasn't mastered this skill yet. But Shark is due for a major update to its lineup, and has been due for a while — Shark takes forever to release new robot vacuums. A highly-agile Shark robot vacuum has to be on the way in 2026... right?
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro
Best Shark robot vacuum overall
The Good & The Bad
- Goes on sale for under $700 throughout the year
- Large wheels help it to navigate over rugs
- The mopping pads lift high over carpet to keep them dry
- Drag and drop spot cleaning process is painless and accurate
- Very reliable suction on hard floors and varying rug piles
- Comes with bottle of hard floor cleaner
- Still runs over cords, which shouldn't happen at this price point
- Dock and vacuum announce everything they're doing out loud
- Floor almost gets too wet during mopping
Who it's for
The most expensive Shark robot vacuum would best appease the crowd that expects the full hands-off robot vacuum experience — not just as in automation of the cleaning itself, but in automation of dustbin and mopping pad maintenance. As the only mopping Shark robot vacuum that can wash and dry its own mopping pad and refill its own water tank, the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro would be really handy in larger homes that have a significant amount of hard floors that would probably require a fresh mopping pad on a daily basis.
Why we picked this
The fact that the Shark NeverTouch Pro washes and dries its mopping pad was all I needed to dethrone the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 as the best Shark robot vacuum and mop combo. If you're planning on using a robot vacuum's mopping feature frequently, there's no reason to leave yourself in charge of manually washing the dirty mopping pad every time. Personally, it was annoying enough to make me want to skip mopping all together.
But the PowerDetect (specifically the model with the NeverTouch Pro dock) rinses and dries the mop pads every time it returns from a cleaning session. Shark recently released an upscaled version of the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro: The PowerDetect Thermacharged has an uncanny resemblance to the original, but has heated mop cleaning for a more hygienic bacteria-free process. Either way, both models are always on call to tackle a new room or zone with fresh mopping pads. I also appreciate how Shark rigged the PowerDetect with large wheels that fully hoist the vac over carpet to keep it dry during mopping mode. The PowerDetect even steers clear of carpeted areas on its own, whereas the Matrix Plus 2-in-1 required you to designate those rugs or carpet by hand.
Speaking of those wheels, these hydraulics did not come to play. With their help, the PowerDetect has been one of the only robot vacuums to successfully hoist up and over a fluffy rug or bath mat and vacuum them without leaving them all upturned, or getting stuck on them completely. If this is what Shark's referring to as "NeverStuck" technology, it's definitely accurate. (I wish "NeverStuck" also applied to reliable small obstacle avoidance, because I really shouldn't have to clear the floor of any rogue phone chargers or socks before sending a brand's most expensive robot vacuum out.)
Corner cleaning was also quite competent, at least when vacuuming kitty litter flung around my bathroom on a daily basis. I wouldn't necessarily recommend the NeverTouch Pro to deal with pet hair specifically, but as the most powerful Shark robot vacuum, it'll do a fine job of staying on top of surface-level shedding.
Other versions of the PowerDetect NeverTouch
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch (self-refilling but no self-washing or drying mopping pad) — $899.99 or as low as $399.99 on sale
Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro AV2800ZE (extra floor sensor) — $1,199.99 or as low as $599.99 on sale
Shark PowerDetect ThermaCharged (heated self-washing and drying mopping pad) — $1,199.99 or as low as $699.99 on sale
Details
Shark Matrix RV2310AE
Best cheap Shark robot vacuum
The Good & The Bad
- Frequently on sale between $250 and $330
- Accurate smart mapping
- Reliable spot cleaning is crucial in any home size
- Very compact self-empty dock
- Matrix Cleaning goes over extra soiled spots from multiple angles
- Decent edge cleaning for the price
- Loud and rickety when cleaning
- No live tracking of vacuum's cleaning path in app
- No small object avoidance
- Suction isn't strong enough for multi-pet household
Who it's for
This Shark Matrix model is ideal for budget shoppers with low-intensity cleaning needs — Best Buy almost always has this Shark Matrix on sale for between $249.99 and $329.99. It'd be a great contender for a first time robot vacuum purchase, or an elevated entry-level upgrade from a ditsy outdated robot vacuum.
This charging base is one of the more compact self-emptying docks out there. The whole setup takes up less than two square feet of floor space and would work well in a tight apartment.
Why we picked this
The entry-level Matrix line is the go-to solid cheap Shark option now that the older Shark ION vacuums are basically obsolete. Shark Matrix models use LiDAR-based smart mapping to clean specific rooms or zones that you select in the app. During my testing, the Matrix RV2310AE made it to the correct room or zone without fail. Surprisingly, navigation wasn't hindered by the bare bones map in the borderline clunky SharkClean app, which is far less detailed than other robot vacuum apps I've used.
As for actual cleaning performance, this Shark Matrix is one of the best cheap robot vacuums I've tested. When in Matrix Mode, the Shark will automatically vacuum from multiple angles in attempts to grab any debris missed on the first pass. (This is the default mode for spot cleaning, but can be set to use for entire rooms.) For the price, pet hair pickup was pretty thorough on low-pile and a fluffy area rug in my home, and scattered crumbs or pieces of kitty litter were rarely left behind. The Shark RV2310AE cleaned edges more closely than most basic bots do — though it's so hellbent on getting to the wall that it completely bulldozed my cats' food and water bowls a few times.
The Matrix RV2310AE is also one of the most affordable Matrix models to come with a self-empty base.
Details
Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1
Best budget Shark robot vacuum and mop combo (if it's on sale)
The Good & The Bad
- Frequently on sale for $349.99 or less
- Affordable for a LiDAR-equipped hybrid with advanced mopping
- Sonic scrubbing vibrates 1,000 times per minute
- Matrix Cleaning goes over extra soiled spots from multiple angles
- Includes a bottle of Shark's cleaning solution
- Requires manual rug verification run to avoid mopping rugs
- LiDAR still makes odd navigational choices
- Only available with self-emptying
Our review
Read our full review of the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1.
Who it's for
The Matrix Plus 2-in-1 is one of two main Shark contenders for anyone who wants a robot vacuum that can mop. Price is the obvious factor that might make you opt for this one over my favorite Shark hybrid, the new PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro — the self-emptying version of the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 can almost always be found on sale while the PowerDetect rarely drops below $899.99 (if you can find it on sale at all).
Your expected level of automation of your Shark's mopping pad will also play a huge role in choosing between these Sharks. If your home is mostly carpeted with only a few rooms that would need to be mopped, like a bathroom and kitchen-only type of situation, you may not mind having to physically attach the mopping pad or fill the water tank to enable mopping mode. The price difference may also be stark enough to convince you that having to manually wash the mopping pad after each run isn't that bad. Alternatively, the pricey PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro washes and dries its own mopping pad and refills its own water tank.
Circling back to floor type, the Matrix Plus probably wouldn't be the best choice for homes with a heavy rug situation, as the bot requires you to manually highlight rugs or carpets in the app and can't vacuum while the water tank is attached.
Why we picked this
Shark became relevant in the robot vacuum game again when it introduced its Matrix cleaning mode in 2022. I first experienced it when testing the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 and was pumped by the simplicity and reliability of its spot cleaning in particular. Though the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 has since been surpassed as the fanciest Shark hybrid, its combination of affordability, straightforward mapping, and meticulous cleaning keep it as a top pick.
Shark's Matrix mode cleans better in selected rooms or zones in the app by going over the target area from multiple angles to suck up or scrub anything that may have been missed on the first pass. During regular vacuuming, Matrix mode cleans carpet 30 percent more thoroughly than the older RV Shark models, and during mopping, the mopping pad vibrates 1,000 times per second to put in a little more work on larger spills that need an extra wipe, or light dried-on stains.
In my testing, I watched the Matrix Plus 2-in-1 successfully clear crumbs near the kitchen counter, kitty litter in my bathroom, and minor drops on hardwood or tile several times — messes that similarly-priced Roombas I tested couldn't conquer in one pass.
Details
Topics Robot Vacuums Gadgets
New robot vacuums announced at CES 2026
Shark didn't participate in CES 2026. But several other top robot vacuum brands did, and their new flagship robot vacuum and mop combos are going to create major room for improvement for Shark's flagship PowerDetect robot vacuums, which desperately need a successor. The top robovacs to look out for are the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic and Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete, and the Narwal Flow 2. I will be testing these at home as soon as possible and will update this guide accordingly once all are officially available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shark robot vacuums are classified in a few different ways, which manifest as random jumbles of numbers and letters in each robot vacuum's official name. IQ versus AI and RV versus AV were the main ones for several years, but new terminology like Matrix, PowerDetect, and Ultra have entered the Shark glossary.
The difference between Shark IQ and AI is that Shark AI vacuums use 360-degree LiDAR mapping that allows the robot vacuum to create a map of your home and remember each room for more specified cleaning runs when necessary. Shark IQ vacuums, however, do not have smart mapping capabilities, and clean in a methodical row-by-row pattern created as the robot senses walls and large obstacles in each room.
Another main difference between Shark AI and IQ is that the newer AI models — now referred to as Shark Matrix Plus — have improved edge cleaning (called CleanEdge) that Shark says yields 50% better edge cleaning than the IQ models that do not have this technology.
Matrix also refers to Shark's more thorough cleaning system for both wet and dry cleaning. During regular vacuuming, Matrix mode delivers 30% better carpet cleaning (compared to the older RV Shark models) by digging deeper into carpet and taking multiple passes in a crosshatch pattern to loosen and grab debris from multiple angles. During mopping, "Matrix" mode scrubs by vibrating 100 times per minute (rather than lightly dragging a wet cloth across hard floors). The self-emptying docks that come with Matrix Plus models also have a HEPA anti-allergen seal.
The difference between Shark RV and AV is one extra floor sensor that AV models have, making them slightly more perceptive. Sometimes, RV and AV models also come in different color options.
To tell the difference between two aesthetically-similar models, you can look at features like the type of brushroll built into the vacuum to decide which will supply the best debris pickup for your home. For instance, the RV2300S Matrix features a multi-surface brusholl, which would be the better choice for homes with one or no pets and widely varying floor types, while the RV2320S has a self-cleaning brushroll, which features anti-hair wrap technology and would be the better choice for pet hair pickup.
Shark EZ and Shark VacMop are older, less advanced product lines that now see limited distribution.
The newest Shark release doesn't exactly follow any of these classification rules. Its title simply describes what it does, and what it does sets it apart from all of the other models: Shark PowerDetect (technology that works harder on dirtier spots) NeverTouch Pro (a dock that you'll never have to touch, because the base deals with the dustbin and mopping pads on its own) Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo (it does both, and does them better than any Shark robot vacuums before it.)
I've been testing robot vacuums for Mashable since 2019 — most recently in a three-bedroom, two-cat apartment.
All of these vacuums were tested for at least four weeks. I put them through a series of standardized tests that cover the four main pillars of robot vacuum competence, while also considering overall bang for your buck.
Each vacuum tackles various spills, debris, levels of pet hair, and floor types. I also tested hybrid vacuum and mop combo models on various stains and spills.
I keep tabs on navigational accuracy when it comes to smart mapping my home, finding specific rooms and zones, and identifying small obstacles using LiDAR or cameras.
Your new robot vacuum should be a polite houseguest. I make sure each vacuum isn't too loud, an eyesore, or generally a pain to use.
Many robot vacuums automate their own dust bin emptying, mopping pad washing, and more — the more self-sufficient they are, the better.
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
