Welcome to Vacuum Wars and to our review of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum. This latest offering from Shark comes with several all-new features. We bought one and put it through all kinds of tests over the past few weeks, and in this review, we’ll go over the pros and cons. At the end, we’ll reveal if the Shark Power Detect made the Vacuum Wars Top 20 Best Robot Vacuum list.
The Shark Power Detect Robot Vacuum stands out for its solid pickup performance on hard floors as well as carpets, using “DirtDetect,” “FloorDetect,” and “EdgeDetect” features to optimize cleaning where it’s needed most. Its bagless auto-empty bin holds up to 60 days’ worth of debris and eliminates the need for buying replacement bags. Strong airflow, a HEPA anti-allergen seal, and odor neutralization make it a great option for containing fine dust. However, its smaller battery capacity may require multiple charges for large homes, and its obstacle avoidance system—though handy—does not match more advanced flagship models.
Vacuum Wars Score: 2.81 Stars (472 pts.)
| Features: 3.27 | Performance: 4.52 |
| Obstacle Avoidance: 2.98 | Pet Rating: 3.59 |
| Battery Life: 1.95 | Navigation: 3.06 |
Who is it for: A solid option for homes with carpet and that don’t need a robot vacuum mop combo.
The Basics
The Shark Power Detect Robot Vacuum has many of the technologies unique to Shark, primarily related to its “detect” features. It also has a bagless auto-empty bin, LiDAR navigation, and front-mounted obstacle avoidance sensors. It’s in the lower-to-mid-level price range, as are most of Shark’s robot vacuums.
Specifications
Robot Hardware
Robot - Shark PowerDetect AV2820AE | ||
Brushroll | Single | |
Side Brush | Single | |
Navigation | LiDAR | |
DirtDetect | Adjusts suction and adds extra passes | |
FloorDetect | Identifies floor type and adjusts brush roll speed | |
EdgeDetect | Uses targeted air blasts to push debris from edges into cleaning path | |
NeverStuck Technology | Lifts robot to cross over objects | |
Obstacle Avoidance | 3D Sensors & Dual Lasers | |
Battery | 3,200 mAh | |
Auto-Empty Station
Auto Empty Station - Shark PowerDetect AV2820AE | ||
Self Empty | Bagless (60 Days) | |
Adjustable Auto Empty Frequency | ||
HEPA Anti-allergen Seal | ||
Odor Neutralization | ||
Self Cleaning | ||
Removable Tray | ||
Plumbing Option | ||
Ionized Water | ||
Pros
Debris Pickup and Deep Cleaning
The Shark Power Detect performed really well in all categories related to practical performance. It did great in pickup tests, collecting everything from fine to extra-large debris on both hard floors and carpets.
It scored significantly above average in the carpet deep-clean test, where we embed sand into medium-pile carpet and weigh the bin before and after a timed run on max power. Its above-average deep-cleaning score makes it an excellent choice for carpets, and its crevice pickup performance is among the top 10 out of over 100 robot vacuums tested.
Shark’s “Detect” Technologies
Many of the pros we found with this robot vacuum relate to its “detect” features:
- “Dirt Detect” senses debris and automatically increases suction, making extra cleaning passes in dirtier areas.
- “Floor Detect” identifies the type of flooring and adjusts the brush roll speed accordingly.
- “Edge Detect,” which seems unique to Shark, enhances edge cleaning by using targeted air blasts to push debris from corners and edges into the vacuum’s cleaning path.
Auto-Empty Station
Another advantage is its bagless auto-empty bin—a rarity in robot vacuums—that can hold up to 60 days’ worth of debris, saving both time and money by eliminating the need for replacement bags. Plus, the inclusion of HEPA filtration and odor neutralization helps maintain a cleaner, fresher home environment.
Navigation
The Shark Power Detect has LiDAR navigation and fast mapping, completing our floor plan in about 10 minutes. In our navigation efficiency test, it was slightly below average however, taking a bit longer to cover our test area thoroughly than some competitors.
Cons
Battery Life
Its battery life was disappointing, only 3,200 mAh, about half the capacity of many competitors. Though it has a recharge-and-resume feature, larger floor plans may require multiple cycles before completing the job.
Obstacle Avoidance
Its obstacle avoidance technology, including 3D object detection and front-mounted lasers, helps detect obstacles often missed by traditional sensors, performing above average for its price range. However, it falls short when stacked against premium flagship models, as it only worked effectively about half the time in our studio.
App Functionality
Another downside is the app. It lacks many features commonly found in leading robot vacuum apps, such as individual room settings for scheduling, multi-floor mapping, more control over obstacle avoidance behaviors, and live cleaning progress. The app also tends to be buggy and may require frequent restarts.
Hair Removal
Lastly, the hair removal system, while good for shorter hair like pet hair, doesn’t help much with longer hair. Like most robot vacuums, it struggles with hair over about seven inches long.
Conclusion
The Shark Power Detect excels at its main job—picking up all types and sizes of debris on both hard floors and carpets. If you don’t need a robot vacuum that also mops, the Shark Power Detect is probably one of the best in its price range for carpets, thanks to its high deep-cleaning score. The bagless auto-empty bin is a major convenience, and the various detect features are genuinely useful.
However, the shortcomings in battery life, app functionality, and obstacle avoidance hold it back. In the end, the Shark PowerDetect did not make the Vacuum Wars Top 20 Robot Vacuum list, primarily because it lacks a mopping function. Even so, it came very close for a robot vacuum in its price range.
