The Shark Ion Robot Vacuum R85 cleaner has been an absolute godsend in my home. With a new job and two cats in the apartment, I didn’t have much time to spend cleaning, and the cats were shedding like crazy, which created a ridiculous amount of pet hair.
This Shark Ion Robot Vacuum R85 review will look at the features, benefits, the pros, and cons, and my final thoughts on whether it’s worth the +$200 price tag.
Design
Like all the other robot vacuum cleaners on the market, the Shark Ion R85 Robot Vacuum is round in shape, quite flat, so it fits under sofas and cupboards easily and looks like it’s out of a sci-fi film.
When switching on the machine, it makes a sound similar to that of a message notification from one of those old Nokias, which is a little more outdated than the beeps other robot vacuums make. At 12.6 inches in diameter and 2.6 inches in height, the Shark Ion is smaller than other robot cleaners on the market.
The 11-inch brush comes with self-cleaning bristles. There is also a rotating brush on each side, which works well for capturing stray dust and debris.
Features of Shark Ion Robot Vacuum R85
Smart Sensor Navigation
Unlike my previous robot vacuum cleaner, which started off with an on the spot roll around – presumably to warm up and get the sensors ready – the Robot Ion goes to work immediately.
The sensors pick up on the floor plan to dodge obstacles, moves under couches and cupboards, go through doors, and takes itself to the charging dock when the battery is low without any issues. This advanced navigation sensors easily move around your place, avoid obstacles, and detect and collect dirt.
Accessories
Even a vacuum cleaner as small and portable as the Shark Ion R85 Robotic Vacuum comes with a set of useful accessories.
You’ll get the two side brushes, a filter, a battery made of lithium-ion, the charging dock, and the eight-foot bot-boundary strip that you can use to cordon off areas that you don’t want to be vacuumed. The sensors will pick up on the boundary strips and steer the device away from it.
App is the Future
With the app, you can create a cleaning schedule, start your robot vacuum cleaner from anywhere, use your voice to control it with Alexa or Google Assistant, and you’ll receive regular updates.
Perfect for Pet Hair
I’ve recently started a new job that demanded a lot more of my time. I also have two cats, so the pet hair in my apartment was piling up. Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect for getting to this because I can program it to clean when I’m not around.
Unfortunately, many cleaners don’t have enough suction for pet hair. I found the Shark Ion to be the exception. It’s specifically designed to clean pet hair as it has three times more suction in the max mode.
Self-Cleaning Brush Tool
One of my pet peeves – excuse the pun – with pet hair cleaning designed vacuum cleaners is having to clean the bristles. Hair, dust, debris, and whatever other gunk comes from your carpets and floors gets caught in there, so it’s incredibly unhygienic and gross. Thankfully, the Shark Ion has a self-cleaning brush roll that works with dual edge and corner brushes.
Extra-large Dust Bin
The dust bin is large enough for a minimal interruption during cleaning. It was able to clean my living room, kitchen, and bedroom and collected all the dust without me needing to empty it. When I do have to empty it, the dust bin opens from the larger side, so dumping out the dirt is easier and cleaner.
Benefits of Shark Ion Robot Vacuum R85
The suction power in a device so small, portable, and moveable is quite impressive. I tested it with some cereal, cat hair, sand, and pieces of food. The Shark Robot Ion Vacuum R85 moves in a straight line motion, so it has to move around a few times to really get all the dirt, but when it does get there, it does the job effortlessly.
My living room and bedroom both have hardwood floors, and it picked up dirt easily. In the living room, there’s an area rug. It worked well there too, although the rug isn’t too thick. The suction would likely be slightly less effective on a high pile carpet.
Pros
- Good battery life lasts charge for a few hours.
- Connects to Wi-Fi, and control the vacuum with voice.
- Uses advanced navigation sensors
- Strong suction power designed specifically for pet hair.
Cons
- The vacuum cleaner sometimes misses the BotBoundary strips and goes into the cordoned-off area.
- It works better on high pile carpets than its predecessor, but there’s still some work to be done.
- Sometimes it struggles to find its way back to the charging dock, especially in bigger houses.
Conclusion
Having tried the Roomba and the Shark Ion’s predecessor, I can say that this one is certainly an improvement. The app works well without any issues, all I have to do is create the cleaning schedule, and I come back to a clean place.
The voice control via Google Assistant (I don’t have Alexa), is another futuristic plus. My favorite feature is exactly what this vacuum cleaner was designed for: it picks up the pet hair on hardwood floors, carpets, and under the couch when I’m not around.
When I get to come, I just empty the dust bin. Also, its quiet enough not to scare my cats, which, let’s be honest, is another vital, non-negotiable feature. Get your hands on the Shark Ion Robot Vacuum R85 soon. It’s well worth it!
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