The 2025 Buyer’s Guide to Shark Robot Vacuums

The Shark robot vacuum lineup might seem overwhelming at first. But despite the many model numbers, docking options, rebranding, renaming, and accessorizing, most variants within a given series share the same core robot.

This guide focuses on the new models that are currently available on Shark’s US website and Amazon. While older and renewed models are not covered in detail, we will give you some tips on understanding how to shop for renewed or refurbished models.

Shark Brand Overview

What Do All Sharks Have?

The current Shark robot vacuums that are sold new on the Shark website support Alexa and Google integration. That means you can control them using your voice via Alexa or Google Assistant, along with using the SharkClean app for additional functions. However, note that some older or renewed models may lack this capability, so it’s best to check the specifications if you’re considering a refurbished unit.

For Shark robots, you can set schedules and perform app controls with the SharkClean App, but it should be noted that the Shark app has not been our favorite.

While Shark appliances are usually manufactured elsewhere, they are one of the few robot vacuum companies with headquarters in the United States. 

One point of pride for Shark robot vacuums is their bagless dustbin in the Self-empty and NeverTouch docks, which means that you do not have to purchase bags for robot maintenance, which many users see as a big bonus. 

Naming Clues

Shark’s naming practices are a little opaque. They seem to be more for marketing purposes than to actually clue you in to what kind of robot you are getting. Matrix Plus 2-in-1 (which used to be AI Ultra 2-in-1), AI Ultra, the older IQ series… None of it is very helpful at the consumer level.

One useful naming clue tells you whether the robot is a vacuum-mop combo or a vacuum-only robot. Whenever you see “2-in-1” in the name, understand that this means that the robot is a vacuum-mop combination robot (for homes with a mix of hard floors and carpets or chiefly hard floors). If you do not see “2-in-1” in the name or instead see “Self-Emptying”, understand that the robot is a vacuum-only model, suited for homes with mostly carpet. 

Model Number Clues

While naming clues aren’t terribly helpful, understanding Shark’s model codes is essential to simplifying the lineup.

The prefixes “RV,” “AV,” and “UR” indicate the sales channel—RV for retail versions sold on Shark’s website, AV for Amazon-exclusive models, and UR for units sold through wholesale or club channels (like Costco). You can ignore these for the most part.

However, the numbers following these prefixes tell you which robot you are getting, and this is good to pay attention to:

• “700” numbers mean ION – the budget-friendly, vacuum-only robot (Jump to ION)
• “2300” numbers mean Matrix – Similar to the 2500, no longer available new on the Shark website, but you can find it new in the Shark Store on Amazon
• “2500” numbers mean AI Ultra – vacuum‑only LiDAR models (Jump to AI Ultra)
• “2600” numbers mean Matrix Plus – 2‑in‑1 models that were formerly part of the AI Ultra branding (Jump to Matrix Plus)
• “2800” numbers mean PowerDetect – the latest in Shark robot vacuums, with options for either vacuum-only or vacuum-mop combos (Jump to PowerDetect)

There are several little generations between the 700 series and the 2500 series. They represent little increases in performance, usually having to do with navigation and hair-tangle management. These are no longer sold new on the Shark website, so they fall outside the scope of this guide, but you will sometimes see a 1000 series or a 2300 series sold through the Shark Amazon store, often as alternatives for 2500 or 2600 with different bin capacities or colors. Just know this is not always a truly one-for-one alternative unless the model numbers match, so read the product descriptions closely to make sure that a robot with a different model number still meets your needs.

About Renewed Sharks

There is a large refurbished and renewed market around Shark robot vacuums. Your mileage will vary here: there’s a little bit of a “Wild West” feel to the refurbished robot market. They get bundled and packaged in new and interesting ways and have old names that aren’t officially used by Shark anymore (like how the AI Ultra 2-in-1 was rebranded as the Matrix Plus). You can find robots that are no longer manufactured by Shark, but still have some life left in them (and at a good price).

Your big clue for doing your own research will be in the numbers after the first two letters in the model code (RV, AV, or UR). If you get a model between 700 and 2300, you are selecting something that is older and may lack certain features.

700-ION robots, while older, have been favorably reviewed on online retail sites for a long time, and so they have stayed in the current lineup despite having an older model number. They have received small upgrades over the years while keeping their 700 designation. The numbers increase with upgrades, with RV700 being the early models, RV750 being later, and RV770 being later still.

Let’s take a look at the current Shark robots starting with cheaper, low-tech models and going up to the latest in Shark robot vacuums.

700 – ION Series

The ION series offers a budget-friendly option for straightforward cleaning. These robots focus on essential cleaning functions without the advanced mapping features of the higher-end models. As they lack internal navigation and obstacle avoidance, they are better for users with smaller, uncluttered floor plans.

ION Core Features

ION robots use a Tri‑Brush System that combines a main brush roll, a side brush, and a channel brush (a second side brush) to handle debris on carpets and hard floors. They navigate the old-fashioned way by using bumpers and cliff sensors, moving in a random pattern rather than a mapped route. This inefficiency will cause the battery life to suffer in larger floor plans, but it will get the floor vacuumed. 

ION User Experience

Mopping

None. ION models are vacuum-only and do not include a mopping function.

Suction and Brushes

Shark does not make its suction power in Pascal units readily available, so we do not have precise numbers. However, as the ION is often reviewed positively on online retailers and has been for many years, we do assume that the suction in ION models is sufficient for daily cleaning, even if it is lower than more expensive robots. 

The Tri‑Brush System helps maximize pickup, but users may need to clean the brushes more often if there is a lot of hair on the floor, as it does not possess anti-tangle properties.

Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance

ION robots rely on basic bumpers and cliff sensors and follow a random cleaning pattern. This means they won’t fall down your stairs, and they will turn around after encountering an obstacle and head across the room in another direction. This approach can be effective in smaller or less cluttered environments but may lead to uneven coverage in larger homes.

Color Option

ION models on the Shark website are gray, with some online retailers having white options. 

Docking Options

Sharks IONs come with a standard charging dock rather than an auto-empty base. Because they do not rely on a dock to empty the dustbin, ION robots have a larger onboard dustbin (approximately 0.45 qt) than the models with dustbins in the dock.

Dock Option (ION Series)	Self-Empty	Charging	Dustbin Size
Standard Charging Dock	No	Yes	None in dock. Larger onboard (approx. 0.45 qt; manual emptying)

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2500 – AI Ultra Series

The AI Ultra series refers exclusively to the vacuum‑only models (coded with the “2500” in the model number). These units use advanced smart mapping and navigation, using 360° LiDAR to create detailed home maps and enable room-specific scheduling.

AI Ultra Core Features

AI Ultra models use 360° LiDAR to create a detailed map of your home. This allows for precise scheduling, room-specific cleaning, and customized app control. These robots also offer dynamic obstacle avoidance and the recharge & resume feature, which means they can return to their dock to charge when the battery is low and continue where they left off. This is useful, as their battery life is the same as the lower-tier ION at 120 minutes.

AI Ultra models incorporate Matrix Clean mode—a deep-cleaning, multiple pass mode for heavily soiled areas—scheduling features, and AI/LiDAR navigation. They also include CleanEdge edge cleaning, which uses blasts of air to blow debris from corners and edges into the robot’s path. They are suited for larger homes with diverse floor types and heavy pet hair.

AI Ultra User Experience

Mopping

None. This section covers the currently vacuum-only 2500 series.

You will see older “AI Ultra 2-in-1” models for sale that have been renewed or refurbished, but Shark has rebranded these models (designated by a “2600” model number), as Matrix Plus, and you can jump to that section by clicking HERE. Older AI Ultra 2-in-1 models can be understood to have Matrix Plus specifications, with the main differences being in docking and accessory options. 

Suction and Brushes

AI Ultra robots are engineered with adaptive suction that automatically adjusts its power to floor type. They also feature a self-cleaning brushroll that works better for hair along with two side brushes for deep cleaning.

Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance

Equipped with LiDAR, the AI Ultra robot is capable of home mapping so that it can follow a systematic cleaning path. This improves their battery efficiency over the ION series, which moves around the floor plan randomly. Additionally, AI Ultra’s LiDAR navigation allows users to control cleaning zones and schedules via the app, making the operation more hands-off than the ION. 

Color Options

Dark gray or cool gray is the primary finish for the AI Ultra vacuum‑only models. 

Docking Options

The docking options in the AI Ultra series step up from the basic charger on the ION, with the option of either 30 day or 60 day bagless auto-empty dustbins in the dock. 

Dock Option	Self-Empty	Water Refill	Mop Functionality	Dustbin Options
Self-Empty Dock	Yes	None	None	60 days or 30 days

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2600 – Matrix Plus Series

The 2600 – Matrix Plus robot was formerly branded as AI Ultra 2‑in‑1 but has been renamed (this is the main reason we advise paying close attention to the model number, as the names can – and do – change). You will recognize these models by their “26” designation in the model number after the first two letters (as in RV2600). They share almost all of the same robot technologies as the AI Ultra, but with the addition of mopping features.

Matrix Plus Core Features

Matrix Plus robots share the same Matrix Mode that the AI Ultra has, which allows them to follow a systematic grid pattern with multiple passes for a deeper clean. They incorporate the same CleanEdge technology, which uses air blasts to dislodge debris from edges and corners. They stand out from the 2500-AI Ultra in that these models also offer sonic mopping, which is a mop pad that vibrates for a scrubbing action to clean hard floors.

Matrix Plus User Experience

Mopping

The 2‑in‑1 Matrix Plus models include a sonic mopping function. The mop pad vibrates to produce a scrubbing action to help remove stains. However, mop pad washing must be done manually, and there is no mop-lifting, so you will remove the mop for carpet runs and replace it when you are ready to clean hard floors.

There is a dustbin for vacuum only mode and another separate dustbin for vacuuming and mopping mode. The dry dustbin will self-empty in the dock, but the wet/dry dust bin must be emptied by hand.

Suction and Brushes

The Matrix Plus robot offers strong suction that works for both carpets and hard floors. They feature a self-cleaning brushroll and a single side brush (which differs from the two side brushes in the AI Ultra) that works together with the CleanEdge air blowing system for improved edge cleaning. CleanEdge uses air to blow debris from edges and corners into the robot’s path. 

Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance

Like the AI Ultra, the Matrix Plus is equipped with 360° LiDAR, which allows it to clean your floor systematically. This improves their battery efficiency over the ION series, which moves around the floor plan randomly. The LiDAR navigation also allows users to control cleaning zones and schedules via the app, making the operation more hands-off than the ION. 

Color Options

The Matrix Plus is available in a few different flavors of black: Black and Mocha, Black and Brass, or Black and Silver.

Docking Options

Matrix Plus robots are bundled with an XL HEPA Self-Empty Base. Refer to the table below for the docking features for Matrix Plus:

Dock Option	Self-Empty	Water Refill	Mop Functionality	Dustbin Maintenance
XL HEPA Self-Empty Dock	Yes	N/A	None – Manual tank refill and mop wash	60 days

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2800 – PowerDetect Series

The PowerDetect series represents Shark’s most advanced robots. These units use 360° LiDAR navigation and 3D structured light for enhanced obstacle avoidance, alongside intelligent features like DirtDetect, EdgeDetect (the same air-blowing technology as the CleanEdge from the AI Ultra/Matrix Plus, rebranded for the Detect Suite), and NeverStuck technology for threshold crossing.

PowerDetect robots are available as 2‑in‑1 (mop & vacuum) or as Self-Emptying vacuum-only options. Regardless of the configuration, the underlying robot (as in obstacle avoidance and other robotic technology) is the same.

PowerDetect Core Features

The 360° LiDAR gets an upgrade with the addition of 3D structured light, and the Detect suite of features and NeverTouch docks work together to make an all-around more capable robot.

• DirtDetect: a sensor system that identifies extra-dirty areas and automatically boosts suction and triggers extra cleaning passes in those zones
• EdgeDetect, which uses air blasts to dislodge dirt from edges and corners for better coverage (This technology is called “CleanEdge” on 2600 – Matrix Plus robots and “EdgeDetect” on 2800 – PowerDetect models).
• FloorDetect identifies floor surfaces
• Odor Neutralizer Technology and HEPA filters in the dock to trap odors from pet debris
• Automatic suction boost for carpeted or extra soiled areas

PowerDetect User Experience

Mopping

Only on the PowerDetect 2-in-1. Like the Matrix Plus, the 2‑in‑1 PowerDetect robot offers sonic mopping. Unlike the Matrix Plus, the PowerDetect robot may come with a standard NeverTouch Base or a more advanced NeverTouch Pro Base (described below), which will determine your level of automation with mop maintenance. 

The mop pad vibrates and extends for edge coverage, and the mop pad also lifts over carpet, which allows the robot to clean both hard floors and carpets in a single run. Alternatively, the more advanced NeverTouch Pro base allows the robot to leave the mop pad in its dock for carpet-only cleaning. 

Suction and Brushes

These robots deliver adaptive suction that increases on dirtier areas and carpet. They use a brushroll with anti-hair wrap design and two supportive side brushes in combination with the EdgeDetect (renamed from CleanEdge) feature that blows debris from edges and corners into the robot’s path for cleaning. 

Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance

PowerDetect robots are equipped with 360° LiDAR plus 3D structured light for obstacle avoidance. Their NeverStuck technology helps the robot overcome thresholds up to 38mm, making you less likely to have to rescue your robot between the living room and the bathroom.

Color Options

Different variants can be found in black, gray, and white.

Docking Options:
The PowerDetect Self-Empty model is vacuum-only, and so it comes with a self-emptying dustbin in the dock, with no water maintenance. It also includes a HEPA filter, a bagless dustbin, and an odor neutralizer.

The 2-in-1 vacuum-mop combos have two options for mop maintenance in the dock: the NeverTouch or the NeverTouch Pro. 

The standard NeverTouch refills the robot’s onboard water tank and empties the dustbin. 

The NeverTouch Pro takes this automation further by cleaning and drying the mop pad, although currently it only uses cold water and room-temperature air instead of heat. It also has a Mop Drop option that allows the robot to leave its mop pad behind while it does carpet-only runs.

Below is a table comparing the available PowerDetect dock options:

Dock Option	Self-Empty	Water Refill	Mop Pad Maintenance	Dustbin Maintenance
Self-Empty Dustbin	Yes	No	Not Applicable	60 days or 30 days
NeverTouch Base	Yes	Yes	Onboard tank refill only. Manual mop wash required.	60 days or 30 days
NeverTouch Pro Base	Yes	Yes	Auto-washes & dries the pad. Auto Detach mop pad in dock.	60 days

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Conclusion

Shark’s current robot vacuum lineup is simpler than it looks. You can use model numbers to determine which robot you are getting, then look at the docking options, accessories, and colors to suit your needs and preferences. Regardless of these bundles and options, the core robot will match the model number. This consistency means that, even if the product listings sometimes seem to be bundled in endless ways, you can trust that the core robot will be the same as its model number.