Shark AV2501S AI Ultra — Smart, Self-Emptying Pet Vacuum
Overview:The Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum delivers powerful, precision cleaning ideal for U.S. homes that want hands-free whole-home care. Its bagless self-emptying base holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris for low-maintenance operation.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Remove allergens and dust—True HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of particles (0.3 µm).
- Enjoy up to 120 minutes runtime for whole-home cleaning per charge.
- Trust precise coverage—Matrix Clean Navigation makes multiple grid passes for deep cleaning.
- Avoid obstacles day or night—360° LiDAR home mapping adapts to layout changes.
- Receive HEPA Self-Empty Base and two side brushes for low-maintenance upkeep.
- Control hands-free—schedule or start cleans via Alexa or Google Assistant voice.
Original price was: $549.99.$328.95Current price is: $328.95.
Intro
The Shark AI Ultra robot is a high-end robot vacuum designed to do heavy lifting for busy households. It combines strong suction, targeted navigation, and a bagless self-emptying base with HEPA filtration to reduce hands-on maintenance and trap allergens.
If you have a mix of floors and pets, or you want a robot that maps your home and returns to finish jobs automatically, this model aims to be a near‑fully autonomous solution. Quick verdict: a capable, well‑rounded robot vacuum for pet owners and medium-to-large homes who want long runtimes and low daily upkeep.
What’s in the Box
- 1 Shark AI Ultra Robot
- 1 HEPA Self-Empty Base
- 2 Side Brushes
(components list taken from the manufacturer listing; if you see different items in the retailer package, follow the retailer’s contents.)
Design & Build
The Shark AI Ultra robot uses a low-profile disc shape common to top robot vacuums, which helps it slide under couches and tables. The outer shell appears to be a durable, matte plastic that resists scuffs; precise materials aren’t specified by the listing.
At typical robot-vacuum size, it’s compact enough for most furniture clearance but tall enough to accommodate lidar and a tall dust chamber in the chassis. The self-emptying base is considerably larger than a standard charging dock because it contains a bagless dirt reservoir capable of holding multiple cleaning sessions’ worth of debris.
Ergonomically, controls are minimal on the unit itself — the product is intended to be managed via the app, voice assistant, or scheduled cleanings. The included side brushes and self-cleaning brushroll reduce the need to frequently touch the main brush, which helps keep maintenance simple.
Key Features
Powerful suction for all floor types
Benefit: The unit emphasizes “incredible suction” to pick up dirt and debris across carpets, rugs, and hard floors. That translates into fewer missed particles when moving between different floor surfaces during a single run.Where it helps: High-traffic entryways, kitchens with crumb-prone areas, and pet zones where fur and tracked-in dirt accumulate.
Matrix Clean Navigation
Benefit: Matrix Clean Navigation lets the robot clean in a precise grid and make multiple passes over areas of dirt, rather than roaming randomly. This systematic approach improves coverage and reduces the chance of missed spots.Where it helps: Open-plan living rooms, multi-room routines where you want even results, and when you want predictable cleaning paths for scheduling.
Self-emptying base with HEPA filtration
Benefit: The bagless self-emptying base stores debris for extended periods and captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns with true HEPA filtration.Where it helps: Homes where occupants suffer from allergies or where you prefer minimum contact with dust — the base can hold many cycles so you don’t need to empty it as often (source: listing, checked 2025).
360° LiDAR-guided mapping
Benefit: The robot uses 360° LiDAR vision to quickly and accurately build a map of your home, enabling methodical cleaning and better obstacle detection in light or dark conditions.Where it helps: Complex floorplans, multiroom cleaning, and homes with shifting furniture where the robot needs to adapt each run to avoid furniture and toys.
Self-cleaning brushroll
Benefit: A self-cleaning brushroll reduces hair wrap and the need to manually cut hair from the roller, which keeps suction and pickup consistent between maintenance sessions.Where it helps: Homes with shedding pets or long-haired household members where hair on brushes is a constant nuisance.
Pet-friendly pickup and filtration
Benefit: The combination of strong suction, a self-cleaning brushroll, and HEPA filtration is aimed at capturing pet hair, dander, and allergens effectively.Where it helps: Multi-pet households, beds and sofas that accumulate fur, and rooms with carpets that trap dander.
Hands-free control and smart assistant integration
Benefit: Set schedules, start on-demand cleans, and control the robot by voice with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.Where it helps: If you want to start a clean while leaving the house, or integrate the robot into a smart home routine (for example, run when you say “Goodnight” or at a set time each day).
Extended runtime and Recharge & Resume
Benefit: Up to 120 minutes of runtime per charge lets the robot attempt whole-home cleaning on a single run in many homes. If the battery runs low mid-job, the robot returns to dock, recharges, and resumes where it left off.Where it helps: Larger houses or multi-room jobs that exceed a single-charge duration (source: listing, checked 2025).
Where to buy
Performance & Use
Setup is typical for modern robot vacuums: place the dock against a wall with a little clearance, power up the base, and follow the app prompts to connect the robot to your Wi‑Fi and create a home map. Because the unit uses LiDAR mapping, the first run will build a detailed floorplan that you can edit in the app to set no-go zones, assign rooms, and prioritize areas.
Practical tips
- Let the robot perform an initial mapping pass at night or when fewer obstacles are present. A clean map improves future routing.
- Remove low-profile objects, cables, and loose rugs that might trip the robot during its first mapping and cleaning sessions.
- Although the base holds up to 30 days of debris (source: listing, checked 2025), check it after high-debris events (moving, parties, remodeling) and empty sooner if you notice reduced suction or increased odor.
- Clean the side brushes and check the brushroll occasionally. The self-cleaning brushroll reduces hair buildup, but small tangles can still accumulate over many cycles.
- Replace HEPA filters as directed by Shark’s maintenance guidelines (interval not specified in the listing); inspect filters if suction seems weaker or if you notice dust escaping the base.
- Use scheduled routines for predictable upkeep. For households with pets, daily morning or evening runs keep fur and dander from settling into carpets.
Maintenance
- Empty the base only when the app or indicator suggests it is full, or if you notice a performance decline. The bagless design means you won’t need replacement bags but you will need to clean the base occasionally.
- Keep the LiDAR sensor area clear of dust on the robot’s top to preserve mapping accuracy.
- If the robot frequently stalls in one spot, check the floor for debris or something the lidar couldn’t detect (transparent or very low items can still confuse sensors).
Real-world performance expectations
- For homes with moderate foot traffic and regular maintenance, the Shark AI Ultra robot’s suction and navigation should handle daily messes with minimal oversight.
- In homes with heavy shedding or abrasive debris (e.g., sand), expect to occasionally clear higher-than-average debris from the side brushes and base.
- The Recharge & Resume function reduces the need to micro-manage mid-cleaning interruptions, improving total coverage across large areas (source: listing, checked 2025).
Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong, multi-surface suction for effective pickup (source: listing). | Manufacturer suction numbers and exact airflow/suction metrics not provided in listing. |
| Bagless self-empty base holds up to 30 days of debris; true HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (source: listing, checked 2025). | Base is large and needs its own floor space; bagless design means occasional base cleaning required. |
| 360° LiDAR mapping and Matrix Clean Navigation provide methodical, repeatable coverage. | Large homes with many closed doors may need multiple maps or manual room management. |
| Up to 120 minutes runtime with Recharge & Resume for whole-home cleaning (source: listing, checked 2025). | Runtime depends on suction mode and floor types; manufacturer tested runtime may differ from real-world results. |
| Self-cleaning brushroll reduces hair wrap — good for pet owners. | Replacement parts (filters, brushes) and their lifespan are not listed and may add maintenance costs. |
| Voice control and schedule options for hands-free operation. | App reliability and update cadence not specified; smart integrations can vary by region. |
Who Should Buy
- Households with pets who need routine hair and dander pickup without daily manual vacuuming.
- People who prefer set-and-forget cleaning: those who want a robot that empties itself and runs on a schedule.
- Owners of mixed-floor homes (wood/tile and carpet) who want consistent performance across surface types.
- Buyers who value mapped, systematic cleaning over random navigation.
Who Shouldn’t Buy
- Customers who require the most compact docking solution or have very limited wall space for a larger self-empty base.
- Those who want the lowest up-front cost and don’t need advanced features like LiDAR mapping, HEPA filtration, or a self-emptying dock.
- Buyers who need detailed manufacturer performance specs (exact suction power in Pa, noise levels, or battery chemistry and cycles) — those figures aren’t listed in the retailer’s description.
- People who prefer a fully bagged disposal system; this model’s base is bagless.
Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Included items | 1 Shark AI Ultra Robot; 1 HEPA Self-Empty Base; 2 Side Brushes (source: listing) |
| Navigation technology | Matrix Clean Navigation; 360° LiDAR vision (source: listing) |
| Filtration | True HEPA filtration, captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Self-empty base capacity | Holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Runtime | Up to 120 minutes; Recharge & Resume supported (source: listing, checked 2025) |
| Brush type | Self-cleaning brushroll (source: listing) |
| Side brushes | 2 included (source: listing) |
| Voice assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant (source: listing) |
| Dimensions | Not listed |
| Weight | Not listed |
| Suction rating (Pa) | Not listed |
| Noise level (dB) | Not listed |
| Battery type / capacity | Not listed |
| Filter replacement interval | Not listed |
Closing — Is it right for you?
If you want a robot vacuum that reduces how often you touch the mess, maps your home reliably with LiDAR, and handles pet hair with a self-cleaning brush and HEPA filtration, the Shark AI Ultra robot is a strong candidate. It leans toward convenience and consistent whole‑home coverage rather than headline suction numbers.
For a low-fuss, allergy-conscious household that values automation and long runtimes, this model will likely save time and reduce airborne allergens. If you need exact technical specs beyond what the listing provides, check the manufacturer’s product page or seller details before buying.
Want to compare options or need help matching this robot to your floor plan and pets? Tell me about your home (square footage, floor types, pets) and I’ll suggest whether this model or another would suit you better.
Specification: Shark AV2501S AI Ultra — Smart, Self-Emptying Pet Vacuum
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7604 reviews for Shark AV2501S AI Ultra — Smart, Self-Emptying Pet Vacuum
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LilyMama –
This robot vacuum is about as good as I hoped one could be. I don’t think it can completely replace the need to use a “real” vacuum, but it does help with quick runs here and there, more of a daily pickup that I back up with a weekly deeper run at my higher traffic areas.
First, I have a large main floor with hardwood and some deep-pile area rugs as well. Also a guest bed and office, each with carpet, and the guest bath and powder room with tile. This vacuum cleans all those surfaces well, and switches between them well. It will also return to its dock and empty itself and head back out to finish, with no input from me, which is nice. I included a picture of the “lines” it leaves behind on one of my rugs, something that makes me happy and helps me feel like it is really cleaning.
The only “negatives” are that I cannot do my entire main floor in one run, the battery won’t last. This works okay for me, as the app allows you to select a room or rooms for it to do. It does take a bit for the AI to get a good feel for your map, and the instructions are not very clear. I had to delete the first few maps, but eventually we got there. Once it’s mapped, though, I find it easier to pick up one room at a time and have it run, then put that room back together and pick up another room while it charges… I like to move chairs and pet toys and other things to let it run it’s route smoothly. I find when I leave something unexpected out, it does a good job going around it. But then that spot gets missed- and under chairs is a spot that always needs attention on my house.
It also is decent on pet hair, and I have three cats so we keep it busy. But it doesn’t do well on my one rug that has a patterned pile. Basically, it’s bumpy. The robot doesn’t pick up as well on that rug, with the raised pattern making different depths. To be honest, I cannot even get my uprights to do this rug well, and use a hand attachment. So it’s not a surprise but a bit of a disappointment, as that’s my busiest and rug that needs the most attention. It does a passable job, but simply not as good as it does in other places.
My last complaint is is will sometimes struggle to find its home. I think it has sometime to do with where I put the dock-maybe too close to sliding glass doors that also seem to confuse it for some reason. This can create a frustrating loop of picking it up and putting it on the dock, it venturing out and going away from it, repeat a few times until it figures it out. I’m moving this to a different floor with a more basic floor plan, and will find a better dock home. I expect some of these issues here and there, it is not a thinking being after all. So I feel it has a tolerable amount of glitching.
I guess my only other wish would be for it not to let my cat stare it down and turn it away. The cat likes to protect his spilled kibble and will stand over it when the robot comes to get it. The cat wins the stand-off every time, and I end up having to sweep that little spot. But I understand why a robot would not want to deal with the wrath of my 15 lb knucklehead. He can be a jerk.
I do recommend this robot vacuum, especially if you have multiple floor textures to deal with. And pets. Just don’t expect it to replace human cleaning completely.
Realtorlady –
One of the other reviewers mentioned she was skeptical of this machine, but after using it she changed her mind. That got my attention as it seemed a lot of money for JUST a cute toy. However, IT WORKS VERY WELL!!
The app works well on my Android phone, After I followed the download and installations directions Completely and enabled LOCATION (which I Never do) after which the machine found the phone and they had a little chat.
Neither Wi-Fi nor the app is strictly necessary for this to clean your house, but only to program cleaning areas and schedules. For example, before I got it to pair with my phone, after charging completely of course, I simply turned it on to see what it would do.
First it got its bearings, spinning a couple times, located the dock, kissed it just to make sure, and then started cleaning my wood floors; All of them! It found its way around the dining table/chairs, didn’t get stuck under the wood rocking chair, cleaned the area rug in the living room Just Fine, wandered into every room and did a Very Good Job of cleaning, even the back hall by the back door! It even found a little pile of course sand in husband’s room and got it all (I wouldn’t recommend feeding it sand deliberately. I don’t think it was happy with that!) I was quite astonished how much hair and lint it picked up!
There are things it can’t do; toe-kicks for example as it’s too tall to get into most of them. And being Round, it has a bit of trouble with some tight corners., and some edges at interface of floor and wall. Some of these places might need Human Intervention, such as in a broom or small hand brush.
It can’t really do a good job plush pile carpet if it’s very dirty. It simply lacks the power and heavy beater bar of a monstrous upright. (But it doesn’t claim to compete with those.) [EDIT] So I cleaned mine Really well with the upright monster to give the Shark a head start, and it worked very well. After a couple weeks of Matrix Clean every couple days it’s even begun to lift the pile in high traffic areas,. Today for example, the carpet hasn’t looked this good in Years!![/Edit]
There is a setting in the App to allow it to return to the dock to recharge and resume cleaning, and one to empty itself and resume. What a Good Idea! I recommend that one for sure.
I would Highly recommend this machine for Anyone, not merely for an elderly person. The Entertainment Value alone is worth what it cost me, not to mention the time saving issue.
This Robot is nothing sort of Brilliant!
Just Brilliant!
**
LilyMama –
Demorei mais de 4 horas tentando conectar ele no wi fi, realmente muito dificil e pelo que vi muitas pessoas tem o mesmo problema. O app não está disponível em todas as regiões então vc tem que ter conta na loja de uma região que tenha o app e para quem fez a compra internacional na amazon, ao abrir o app vc precisa selecionar a região que comprou o robo e não região que vai usar.
Linda Whitestar –
I’ve had this vacuum for a year, and it still works great. We have two dogs that shed a bunch and this is very helpful for daily or bi-daily maintenance. The navigation is good and it’s pretty good at collecting debris, though it’s not so good at getting close to the wall (obviously, because it’s round). One thing we have noticed is the brush roll gets stuck, but I am just going to order a replacement brush roll. This thing does a lot of work for us so it’s normal to have some wear and tear.
LnrB –
I bought this vacuum on Prime Day to replace another brand that couldn’t handle my German Shepherd’s hair — I was constantly stopping it to pull out tangled fur. After reading reviews and comparing models, I went with this one and so far I love it.
My whole house is hard floors (wood and tile) and it cleans both very well. The roller isn’t a brush-style roller, so hair doesn’t get wrapped around it. During setup it mapped my home accurately, and I was able to create zones/rooms to target high-traffic areas. Through the app I can choose cleaning modes (eco/normal/max/ultra); I keep it on Ultra Clean. Instead of running randomly, it vacuums in neat rows and does the edges, which makes a big difference.
The robot returns to its base and the base automatically sucks the hair and dirt into its storage bin — I named mine “Hair Destroyer.” It recharges reliably, and scheduling is easy (I run it Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat). It also does a good job on small rugs by the doors.
The clearance is a bit tall (about 4½ inches), but it still fits under my couches and most furniture. Narrow corners around plants require my dust mop, so it’s not perfect, but it’s very close. With the amount of hair it picks up I empty the base every other day; it filled quickly the first few runs because there was so much hair.
It’s quieter than my previous machine. It plays a sound when it goes to empty and a different sound when it returns — not bothersome to me. Be sure to let it fully map your house and register the product. I did have one charging issue that I think was user error; customer service was helpful and walked me through basic troubleshooting that resolved it.
Overall I’m very pleased and wanted to share because this unit actually works for pet hair. I’ll update if any problems arise.
Melanie Pendleton –
Demorei mais de 4 horas tentando conectar ele no wi fi, realmente muito dificil e pelo que vi muitas pessoas tem o mesmo problema. O app não está disponível em todas as regiões então vc tem que ter conta na loja de uma região que tenha o app e para quem fez a compra internacional na amazon, ao abrir o app vc precisa selecionar a região que comprou o robo e não região que vai usar.
Abigayle Porter –
Setup was mostly straightforward, though I did run into some issues connecting it to WiFi using the app. It kept getting stuck on the “registering” step and failed a few times. After restarting the vacuum and retrying, it eventually connected successfully.
Note that there’s no full physical instruction manual included — only a quick start guide. The full manual is available online if you need more detailed info.
We’ve used several robot vacuums in our home (including Eufy and Roborock), and I actually prefer this Shark model. The price is comparable to those brands, but I’ve found the suction power to be stronger, and the mapping has worked reliably so far. Noise level is about the same as the others we’ve owned — not silent, but not disruptive either.
Overall, it’s been a solid performer and a good value for the features.
Elisabeth D –
With two big dogs and a cat, keeping the house free of pet hair is a constant battle, and this robot vacuum has made it so much easier. It effectively lifts hair and debris from both carpet and rugs without tangling or flipping up the edges. The dock tucks neatly into a corner (mine fits perfectly under a table), it’s MUCH quieter than the two previous “top of the line” robots I tried, and it moves more gently and intelligently—no more running over my toes.
Setup and mapping were quick and easy, and the overall feature set is impressive. I do wish it had two small additions: the ability to include or exclude specific rooms when scheduling cleanings, and an app alert for when the dust bin is full. Even with those minor drawbacks, Shark vacuums are reliable, efficient, and a lifesaver for pet owners. I’d choose this over any other robot vacuum—well worth the money.
LnrB –
One of the other reviewers mentioned she was skeptical of this machine, but after using it she changed her mind. That got my attention as it seemed a lot of money for JUST a cute toy. However, IT WORKS VERY WELL!!
The app works well on my Android phone, After I followed the download and installations directions Completely and enabled LOCATION (which I Never do) after which the machine found the phone and they had a little chat.
Neither Wi-Fi nor the app is strictly necessary for this to clean your house, but only to program cleaning areas and schedules. For example, before I got it to pair with my phone, after charging completely of course, I simply turned it on to see what it would do.
First it got its bearings, spinning a couple times, located the dock, kissed it just to make sure, and then started cleaning my wood floors; All of them! It found its way around the dining table/chairs, didn’t get stuck under the wood rocking chair, cleaned the area rug in the living room Just Fine, wandered into every room and did a Very Good Job of cleaning, even the back hall by the back door! It even found a little pile of course sand in husband’s room and got it all (I wouldn’t recommend feeding it sand deliberately. I don’t think it was happy with that!) I was quite astonished how much hair and lint it picked up!
There are things it can’t do; toe-kicks for example as it’s too tall to get into most of them. And being Round, it has a bit of trouble with some tight corners., and some edges at interface of floor and wall. Some of these places might need Human Intervention, such as in a broom or small hand brush.
It can’t really do a good job plush pile carpet if it’s very dirty. It simply lacks the power and heavy beater bar of a monstrous upright. (But it doesn’t claim to compete with those.) [EDIT] So I cleaned mine Really well with the upright monster to give the Shark a head start, and it worked very well. After a couple weeks of Matrix Clean every couple days it’s even begun to lift the pile in high traffic areas,. Today for example, the carpet hasn’t looked this good in Years!![/Edit]
There is a setting in the App to allow it to return to the dock to recharge and resume cleaning, and one to empty itself and resume. What a Good Idea! I recommend that one for sure.
I would Highly recommend this machine for Anyone, not merely for an elderly person. The Entertainment Value alone is worth what it cost me, not to mention the time saving issue.
This Robot is nothing sort of Brilliant!
Just Brilliant!
**
Realtorlady –
It took me over four hours to connect it to Wi‑Fi — really difficult, and many others seem to have the same problem. The app isn’t available in all regions, so you need an account in a store region that offers it. If you bought the robot internationally on Amazon, you must select the region where you purchased it in the app, not the region where you’ll use it.
sttephanie –
Demorei mais de 4 horas tentando conectar ele no wi fi, realmente muito dificil e pelo que vi muitas pessoas tem o mesmo problema. O app não está disponível em todas as regiões então vc tem que ter conta na loja de uma região que tenha o app e para quem fez a compra internacional na amazon, ao abrir o app vc precisa selecionar a região que comprou o robo e não região que vai usar.
R. Davis –
We bought this during the 2024 Black Friday sales event. We previously owned a model from a different maker, but that one was a simple “bump” style that we had tired of over the last couple years. We wanted to try a smarter type that could also self-clean, so when this popped up on offer we took a chance and bought it.
We have three large dogs that constantly shed, as well as two cats; all are inside pets. We have hardwood floors throughout the house except for the bedrooms, so the plan was for this little guy to handle the hardwood floors while we vacuum the carpets with a standard vacuum cleaner. I haven’t had the chance to do an actual mapping run of the house because we are still in the process of moving in and there are boxes and other items in various areas that haven’t been put away. I’ve only let the little fella roam on his own without mapping, but I hope to have everything put away (or mostly put away) by the end of the year.
So far our little robot has done a great job on the hardwood floors. He picks up way more than the other robot vacuum ever did. It’s amazing to watch it dock and empty itself into the base station, then get back to work all on its own. One great feature is how it cleans the brush roller. I’m not sure how it does it, but it does a great job. It does leave some hairs behind on the roller right in the middle when the metal support lies on the brush cover, as well as at the edges of the brush where it attaches to the motor. I wasn’t surprise by that and it should be expected since those areas aren’t easy to access without removing the cover and brush roll from the machine. The hairs came off super easy by hand, though. It was far easier to remove them than with the other vacuum robot we owned.
The base station holding tank would probably last 30 days in houses without pets, or with one small pet; however, with our 5 pets it filled up within a few days of running 1-2 times per day. I checked it after about 6-8 days of running and it was quite full. It might have been able to run for another day or two (maybe longer), but I didn’t want to risk it and was already heading to the rubbish bin anyway, so I went ahead and emptied it.
The one frustrating thing I’ve found so far is the tall foam filter in the base dumps dirt out when you lift it out to clean it. I discovered that when I was emptying the base for the first time and decided to pull that out to give it a quick clean. Fine dirt just kept dropping out of it while I walked to the front door, leaving a trail of dirt behind. Now I know to only remove that when either outside or above the trash, both of which require lifting the base and taking it somewhere else. I can live with that slight inconvenience since the robot does so much work for me otherwise.
Overall I am very pleased with the purchase. I suppose there are more expensive options out there, but this one is fine for our needs. I MIGHT update this review once I have the little guy map the house and start doing fully automated runs.
Realtorlady –
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I bought this vacuum during this year’s Prime Day because I wanted to replace another brand that just wasn’t doing the job picking up my German Shepherd’s dog hair. I was constantly having to stop the other unit and pull hair out. After looking at online reviews on this one and another popular one and really reading the reviews, especially ones about dog hair I chose to purchase this one. So far I LOVE this one. I have all hard surfaces (wood and tile) in my house and it cleans both really well and here’s why. First, the roller on it isn’t a “brush” roller, it’s simpler and hair doesn’t get tangled up in it. When I first set up the vacuum it mapped my house and afterward, I was able to set up zones or rooms so I could select specific areas to vacuum such as high traffic areas, etc. After it mapped the house I could see the “map” of the house and it was pretty accurate. Then my vac started cleaning and I could even select the level of clean I want also. But wait, there’s more! Lol I have the app on my phone so I can select clean, ultra clean, eco/normal/max. I have it on ultra clean. So here’s the great part, my last vac was “random” whereas this one literally goes row by row to vacuum and it also does the edges. I have included a video so you can see what I’m talking about. Then my vacuum, aptly named “Hair Destroyer” will take itself home and the base will literally suck all the hair/dirt out into the basin storage and my vacuum goes back out on its’ merry way to keep on cleaning! YASSSS The unit recharges nicely, is easy to make schedules (I have mine on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat) and I haven’t seen the hair on the floor. It is also cleaning smaller rugs by the doors well.
The clearance height on it is a little higher (about 4 1/2 inches high) but it still goes under the couches and most other furnishings I have. I still have a dust mop for areas around plants in the corners, etc that are not wide enough for it to fit through – hey this thing isn’t perfect but it’s close. Next, you’ll want to know that with as much dog hair that this thing picks up I empty it every 2nd day it runs to keep the bin in the base clean. Some people said it filled up quickly, well mine did the 1st couple of times also because of the amount of hair it picked up.
This unit is not loud, it’s quieter than my last one. I read reviews that said it was loud but it isn’t. It plays a sound when it’s going home to empty and then it plays a different sound when it’s going back out. Neither bother me. Be sure to let it map the house, you’ll be glad you did. Be sure to register it. I had one issue of it not getting the charge but I think it was user error and when I called customer service (CS) they were helpful and it was back to doing what it’s supposed to do. The preliminary steps the CS rep used to determine what was wrong were in my opinion elementary, items I had already done but the customer service rep said it was required. Overall, I really wanted to write this review because I really love this unit. If any negative issues occur I’ll update my review of course!
LnrB –
The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum has made keeping my floors clean so much less of a chore. I love how smoothly it moves around furniture and maps my whole home, so nothing gets missed. The self-emptying base is a lifesaver, and the HEPA filter really helps with dust and pet hair. Being able to control it from my phone and set cleaning schedules makes my life so much easier. Honestly, it feels like I finally have a cleaning helper I can rely on!
Elisabeth D –
I was initially skeptical after reading another review that changed their mind, but this robot surprised me — it works very well.
The app pairs easily with my Android after following the download and installation instructions and enabling Location (which I almost never do). Once paired the phone and robot communicated smoothly. That said, neither Wi‑Fi nor the app are required for basic cleaning — they’re mainly for programming zones and schedules.
Before pairing, after a full charge I just turned it on to see what it would do. It spun to orient itself, found and “kissed” the dock, then went to work on my wood floors. It navigated around the dining table and chairs, didn’t get stuck under the rockers, cleaned the living room area rug fine, went into every room and even cleaned the back hall by the back door. It found a little pile of coarse sand in my husband’s room and picked it up (I wouldn’t recommend feeding it sand on purpose). I was impressed by how much hair and lint it collected.
There are limitations: it’s too tall to reach toe‑kicks, the round shape struggles with tight corners and some edges where floor meets wall, and certain spots will still need a broom or hand brush. It also can’t deep‑clean very dirty plush carpet the way a heavy upright with a strong beater bar can — but that’s not its claim. After I pre‑cleaned the carpets with my upright and then ran the robot every couple of days, it began lifting the pile in high‑traffic areas. My carpet hasn’t looked this good in years.
The app has useful options to return to the dock to recharge and resume, and to empty itself and continue — very handy features. I highly recommend this machine for anyone, not just the elderly. The entertainment value alone made it worth the price, and it saves a lot of time.
This robot is simply brilliant.