TechRadar Verdict
The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base is much like any other vacuum-and-mop combo in terms of design, but it performs very well; it will make your floors glisten. It comes with an incredibly easy-to-use app, whether you’re cleaning a room or just a specific spot, scheduling a clean, or turning on the robot vacuum when you’re not home. It’s pricey, though, and the battery life doesn’t quite match up to rival cleaners.
Vacuuming and mopping work very well
App is a pleasure to use
Can be set to clean when you’re not home
Disappointing battery life and charge speed
Starter cleaning solution may not last long
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Editor’s note
The TheSharkAI Ultra is no longer part of Shark’s robot vacuum line-up, although you can still find it at third party retailers. For a more up-to-date alternative, see ourShark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum review.
One-minute review
You can find vacuum cleaners in all sorts of form factors and at various price points. However, robot vacuums that can also mop remain a niche offering, delivering hands-free deep cleaning, which generally comes in at a higher price. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop is one such vacuum.
The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base does come with the same kind of limitations as with other models, including thebest robot vacuums. You’ll still have to do your own deep cleaning from time-to-time. In addition, you’ll need to remove whatever miscellaneous items you or your loved ones have left stranded on the floor for it to deliver a proper clean. But, outside of those parameters, this robot vacuum will do a fantastic job of keeping your place clean.
Particularly suited for use on hard floors, especially with that mopping functionality, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base can keep up with thebest vacuumsin keeping your space clean. And, its hands-free operation is made even better by a super intuitive and easy-to-use app that delivers all the flexibility you need, including the ability to turn on the vacuum when you’re not even home.
No vacuum is perfect, though – not even a unit from such a reputable brand as Shark. As such, there are a couple of areas in which the Shark falls slightly short. The first is its high price, although there are models that command an even higher price. The second is a battery life that is just okay, but made worse by the fact that the vacuum takes a long time to charge back up. However, unless you need to vacuum constantly, this is unlikely to be a big point of contention; you’ll be able to get a good amount of cleaning done every day, if you so choose. Just note that the vacuum will require a good half-day to get back up to 100% if you’re pushing it to its limits.
That said, I’ve found this robot vacuum to be an excellent option for most people, in no small part because of the quality app by which it’s supported.
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base: Price and availability
There’s no denying that dual-functioning cleaners that can both vacuum and mop command a higher price, and the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 is no exception. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base bundle reviewed here, which includes a self-emptying charging base, will set you back $699 / about £559 / about AU$1,054. Forgo that charging base, and you can save some money, with the model setting you back $449 / £360 / AU$681.
The vacuum can be bought direct from theShark websiteor via resellers such asBest Buy. At the time of writing, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base was on offer, with $200 off using the promo code ROBOT200 through Shark, or $150 off at Best Buy.
Although not necessarily considered a “cheap” robot vacuum, you can certainly spend much more. TheiRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plusis a fantastic vacuum and mop model that also comes with a self-emptying base, but it will set you back an eye-watering $1,099 / £999 / AU$2,199. Then there’s theEufy RoboVac G30 Hybridfor $369 / £369 / about AU$561, but it doesn’t save mapping for future reference, nor does it come with a self-emptying base.
Only available in the US at the time of review, Shark products – including its robot vacuums – are available in other territories, so hopefully this product will make its way to your part of the world soon.
Value: 4/5
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base review: Specs
The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base comes with a robot vacuum and base station. At the time of writing we could only retrieve the specs for the robot vacuum.
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base review: Design
The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop is a sleek-looking robot vacuum that’s available to buy either on its own or as a bundle with the bagless self-emptying charging base. It comes with two different dustbins, one that just collects debris and another with an attached washable mop pad. The 2-in-1 functionality comes courtesy of that second bin, since it holds the water and cleaning solution mixture used for mopping.
Like most robot vacuums that can map, the unit has a raised center for mapping and navigating. And, it has a few onboard controls for starting or docking the unit. There’s one side brush (with an extra included as backup) to push in debris into the unit’s path, and a robust brush roll. The brush roll is notable for its different design, using alternating brushes with rubber liners to pick up debris. Both the side brush and brush roll are easily removable.
As far as the base goes, this HEPA bagless self-emptying base seems to mostly remove small particles such as dust from the dustbin (so you won’t need to empty it very often). However, you’ll still need to expel the contents of the dustbin itself regularly.
The bundle comes with a few different extras. There’s an extra side brush as mentioned, but also an extra mop pad as well as a bottle of starter solution. Just be aware that having run the vacuum a few times a week for a month, I’ve almost already exhausted that container of solution.
Design:4.5 / 5
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base review: Performance
As good as robot vacuums have become, they’re still not at the point of replacing the need for a deep clean every now and then. And, that remains so with the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base, which we’ll get into later.
That said, this Shark vacuum works wonders within its limitations, clearing dust and debris extremely well. It can be set to vacuum in a matrix pattern – which Shark calls “Matrix Clean” – where it will vacuum in straight lines both along the width as well as the length of a room to ensure all spots have been cleaned.
For a more specific example of its cleaning prowess, I dumped a bunch of breadcrumbs on the kitchen floor, which ranged in size from fine particles to sizable pieces. After just a 10-minute clean, the floor was shiny and spotless.
The robot vacuum also has “CleanEdge” technology for removing dirt closer to walls. However, in my experience, it didn’t seem to perform that much better than, say, theBissell Spinwave R5,still missing about an inch or so from the wall, at least when mopping.
Nevertheless, in part it’s the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot’s mopping ability that makes its cleaning ability so stellar. The floor after a clean feels glorious to walk on barefoot. And its judicious use of water and cleaning solution meant that my floor was dry in a matter of minutes.
Like all other robot vacuums, this cleaner isn’t going to clean large pieces of debris. For example, I found a 2-inch long piece of tape stuck in the brush roll after one cleaning session. So, as well as picking these up before you set the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot off on a clean, you’ll also need to pick up any obstacles that are sitting on the floor – although, unlike many other robot vacuums, it does a good job of avoiding most obstacles on the floor. However, it will give those obstacles a wide enough berth that you’ll end up with dirty spots on the floor.
Note that you’ll want to pick up any thicker rugs, too. The Shark vacuum will happily clean over thinner floor coverings, but it became stuck on my bath rug, whose half-inch long strands twisted the side brush’s bristles.
In terms of noise, you can easily have the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop running in the background while tending to other tasks. With the vacuum-only bin, the Shark measured in at 50dB, while the vacuum-and-mop combination raised the volume to 57dB, which is about the same as a running refrigerator.
As far as cleaning the vacuum itself, I’ve emptied the dustbin only following several uses, and haven’t yet needed to empty the base, even though I’ve had the vacuum running for about a month. Of course, the mop pad is due for a spin in the wash; but, again, I’ve been using it for a month and yet it still delivers clean results.
Performance:4.5 / 5
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base review: App
One of the features I most appreciate about this robot vacuum is the accompanying app. Not only is it simple to set up – you just allow the vacuum to glide around your space to create a map – but it creates a clear mapped layout that’s super simple to manipulate.
I’m able to section off different areas so that, if I want, I can just have the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop clean the kitchen or living room. I can also set the strength of cleaning (there are three settings to choose from, depending on how dirty or how much energy you want to conserve) as well as direct it to spot clean, all from the app.
Additionally, you can create carpet zones so that it won’t use the mopping function when cleaning or moving over those areas. Having tested that setting with just some floor rugs (as well as an imaginary one to see if the robot vacuum would still mop), I noticed that it’s a bit tedious setting the zone accurately; but the robot vacuum will indeed steer clear of the designated area.
Some other key features of the app worth mentioning is that it offers voice assistant support, but only forAmazonAlexa andGoogleAssistant. It keeps a history of prior cleanings, while also enabling you to set scheduled cleans, although you can only schedule one per day. Also impressive was the fact that I didn’t have to be on the same Wi-Fi network to set the robot vacuum on a clean. I could do this while I was on my way home.
Rating:5 / 5
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base review: Battery life
If there’s any feature of the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop with XL HEPA self-empty base that I could consider subpar, it’s battery life. While robot vacuums – and vacuums, in general – consume power quickly, 40 minutes of vacuuming and mopping with the Shark depleted battery life by 50%. This means that the cleaner will deliver a not terrible – but not great, either – 80 minutes of use when also using the mopping functionality. While the robot vacuums that offer better battery life often only give you 30-40 minutes more, it’s the charging that proved most bothersome.
After one cleaning session, I had the Shark robot vacuum docked with a battery life of 5%. Three hours later, it had charged to just 50%. No wonder the app only lets you schedule one cleaning session a day. There’s a good chance that both the overall battery life and charging speed are good enough for you, but, if you’re hoping to rely on a robot vacuum for continuous cleaning of a messy household, you may want a model that offers more juice.
Battery:3.5 /5
Should you buy the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base?
Buy it if…
You want vacuuming and mopping functionality
Not only does the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 vacuum, but it mops as well. And, it does a good job of both.
You want to clean your home when you’re not home
While a seemingly minor feature, the Shark app not only lets you schedule a clean, but you can set the unit off at a moment’s notice, even when you’re not home.
You’re worried about small objects
You’ll need to move some objects to get the best cleaning performance. Nevertheless, this vacuum does a decent job of avoiding small objects, so you won’t have to worry about it getting stuck (this doesn’t apply to thick rugs, however).
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a budget
Even if you skip the big charging base, you’ll still have to shell out a hefty sum for this robot vacuum.
You need a long battery life
If you have a very large space, or need to run the vacuum more than once a day, you’ll be better off opting for a model with a longer battery life.
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base review: Also consider
If a robot vacuum isn’t for you, why not consider a cordless vacuum? There’s no automation, but you retain freedom from cables.
Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862HPart of the Stratos range, this cordless stick has a flexible head and wand that allows you to vacuum at 90-degree angles and beneath furniture without bending down. And something that the upright vacuum doesn’t have is Clean Sense IQ tech, which senses how much dirt is on a floor and adjusts the suction power accordingly.
Read our fullShark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H review
Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Cordless Stick VacuumIf you’re more in the market for a stick vacuum that can suck up all that pet dander, then consider the Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum. It offers great suction, is affordable, and can transform into a handheld cleaner – although it is on the bulky side.
Read our fullBissell CleanView Pet Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum review
How I tested the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base
To test the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base, I used it for a month to vacuum and mop the hardwood floors in my apartment. I also tested all the features listed in the app, from mapping to different levels of cleaning.
I took note of how well the vacuum cleaned the edges of a room as well around obstacles, not to mention running it over different surfaces including two different types of hard flooring, and two different thicknesses of rugs.
Read more abouthow we test
First reviewed April 2023
James Holland loves checking out gadgets of all sorts, whether it’s audio equipment, laptops, or vacuums (especially of the robot variety), and does so for a number of Future Publications including TechRadar, Top Ten Reviews, Homes & Gardens, and T3. He’s built up an expertise for in-depth reviewing over the last four years. When he’s not putting in the work on the latest tech, he loves to travel, play music, and eat questionable food.
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