This review looks at the RV1001/R100 by Shark. It boasts IQ Nav™ mapping and a self-cleaning roller brush. Shark has always worked to bring high-end appliance features down to an affordable appliance. Their Robot IQ™ mapping with infrared sensors, Alexa and Google Home integration and a self-charging feature make this robotic vacuum worth considering.
Features of the Shark RV1001
Let’s take a closer look at what this robotic vacuum has to offer.
Dimensions: 12.8 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches.
The smart mapping sensors it uses for navigation are located on the raised section on top of a vacuum. This is why these vacuums stand a little taller than most machines.
Dustbin Capacity: 1.6 Liters
Shark is very non-committal on this subject which should be a red flag to all of us that the “extra large” dustbin is really not that big at all. In fact, there are answers on the Amazon questions that completely dismiss the idea that you need to know the answer to this.
Very sketchy replies over a simple question about the dust bin. 1.6 liters is actually pretty small so you can imagine how much smaller their other dust bins are in comparison.
There’s a HEPA filter included with the vacuum that will need to be dusted off (don’t wash HEPA filters).
Brushes: This Shark vacuum has a rotating brush with a self-cleaning mechanism.
The brush is made so that the blades and bristles are at angles. This keeps longer hair from encasing the roller.
It isn’t fool-proof but it’s definitely an advantage over conventional roller brushes.
There are also two spinning edge brushes.
Charging: Charging Station
The RV1001 has its own charging station. The recharging capabilities of this vacuum include memory mapping which means it will pick up where it left off cleaning after it charges again.
There are various charge indicator lights that let you know when it’s charging, when it’s low, etc.
Battery: 2600mAh Lithium-ion
Shark’s batteries have never been impressive on any of their appliance and this one is no exception. Luckily, with the included recharging station, you don’t have to worry about this too much. It does extend the time it takes to complete the entire area though.
Power: ??
Shark is pretty evasive when it comes to the suction power rating of this vacuum and it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact Pa. Some of the negative feedback on this machine are comments relating to suction power.
Run time: 45 to 60 minutes.
With such a weak battery trying to power computer and sensor technology, it’s no wonder the vacuum has such a short run time.
Cleaning Modes: One
Without a lot of sensitivity to the type of floor it’s cleaning, the Shark RV1001 pretty much becomes a one-trick pony. At this point, you’ll discover whether you’re going to love it or hate it.
This Shark vacuum shows off a 5.63 inch cleaning path.
When this vacuum was first released, the mapping was a major flaw. If you even had the patience to allow it to get past the learning curve, it might take over twenty attempts before the vacuum successfully mapped its cleaning path. A few firmware upgrades and the mapping was successful with very few issues.
Once the IQ Nav™ is set the interactive cleaning mode allows you to target specific areas as needed.
Unfortunately, this vacuum can only store one map in its memory bank. If using on multiple floors, you’ll have to run it with the app.
Sensors: Bumpers/LIDAR (Infrared)
The model RV1001 uses Smart motion and soft bumper sensors to navigate your rooms. You have to set up boundary barriers to keep the vacuum from trying to clean rooms it shouldn’t be heading into. It does have a cliff sensor to keep it from taking a tumble down the stairs.
Control Interface: Phone App, Voice Command or Remote Control
This machine can be connected through an app on your phone (Apple or Android).
For the Shark to work over Wi-Fi, the phone must be connected to the 2.4 GHz network. If you’re having problems connecting, check this setting first. These days, most phones automatically try to connect to the 5.0 Ghz bandwidth first. Also, make sure you’re not connected to any VPN or proxy.
The three basic voice commands for the RV1001 are:
- ”…tell Shark to start cleaning”
- ”…tell Shark to pause my robot”
- ”…tell Shark to send my robot to the dock.”
You can also schedule your cleaning time through the app.
The self-charging feature ensures the vacuum will head back to the charging station when its battery runs low.
Warranty: The Shark RV1001 comes with a one year warranty.
Click Here to Learn More About the Shark RV1001 on Amazon
Feedback on the Shark RV1001 Robot Vacuum
What Consumers Like
Many people love the added high-end features at an affordable price. If you don’t have a large area to clean and it’s also an uncluttered area, this Shark will probably work wonders for you, especially if you don’t have to run it while you’re at home.
Drawbacks
The two biggest concerns are how quickly the battery runs down and how loud the vacuum runs. At 70 decibels, this vacuum sounds like a standard vacuum. Don’t try to run it while anyone in the house is trying to get some sleep.
Our Thoughts
We’ve always has a soft spot for Shark appliances. The Wi-Fi capabilities and mapping should make this a strong competitor to higher priced robotic vacuums. However, the combination of multiple trips to the recharging station with loud performance of this machine make us want to look for something better.
Click Here to Learn More About the Shark RV1001 on Amazon
Alternative to the Shark RV1001
The iRobot Roomba 675 shines where the RV1001 comes up short. It’s quieter and has the bells and whistles of mapping and recharging.
Click here to read our review of the Roomba 675.
Click here to check out the iRobot Roomba 675 on Amazon
This review is actually for the newer model of this Shark IQ R101AE that also includes a self-emptying bin. The important thing to note is that this vacuum has difficulty picking debris such as cereal.
Resources
Shark has always been on top of its game when it comes to customer assistance.
You can order replacement parts and accessories by entering your model number on this page.
Enter RV1001. Choose the page without the auto-empty bin.
You’ll find a number of replacement parts available:
- Boundary Strip (13 foot or 8 foot)
- Recharging Dock
- Battery Door
- Brush roll Door
- Self-cleaning Brush roll
- Side Brushes
- Dust Bin
- Front Wheel
- Filter
User Manual for Shark RV1001
The manual explains how to set up the vacuum, how to connect the phone app to your Wi-Fi and the error codes that may arise. The manual also lists parts numbers for the replacements.
Click here to download the user manual.
Support
If you need to contact support, Shark has a comprehensive support section on their website.
Go directly to their website https://www.sharkclean.com/ for support.
