Product Features and Description
- Powerful Cleaning: The Shark vacuum delivers intense suction power, effectively lifting dirt and debris from all types of floors, ensuring even the most stubborn messes are addressed.
- Thorough Coverage: Utilizing Matrix Clean Navigation, the vacuum systematically covers your home in a grid pattern, ensuring no spot is missed and performing multiple passes for a comprehensive clean.
- Self-Emptying Convenience: The vacuum features a bagless, self-emptying base that can contain up to 30 days of dirt and utilizes true HEPA filtration to capture 99.97% of dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
- Advanced Home Mapping: Equipped with 360° LiDAR vision, the vacuum accurately maps your home for efficient cleaning, skillfully avoiding obstacles and adapting to changes in the environment.
- Pet-Friendly Design: The vacuum is ideal for pet owners, with strong suction, a self-cleaning brushroll, and a HEPA filtration system that easily handles pet hair, dust, and allergens.
- Voice-Activated Operation: Users can effortlessly control their vacuum using voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, setting schedules or initiating on-demand cleaning.
- Long Battery Life: With up to 120 minutes of runtime, the vacuum can clean the whole home on a single charge, and will recharge and resume cleaning if necessary to finish the job.
The Shark AI ULTRA Robot Self-Empty is the epitome of modern cleaning, offering an unparalleled blend of power, intelligence, and convenience for an immaculate home environment. Equipped with formidable suction capabilities, this robotic vacuum effortlessly deals with a variety of debris and pet hair across both carpets and hard floors, leaving no mess behind.
Employing advanced Matrix Clean Navigation, the robot ensures thorough coverage by performing multiple passes, guaranteeing that no area is overlooked. Its sophisticated precision home mapping technology constructs an accurate layout of your space, empowering the robot to navigate and clean effectively while adeptly avoiding obstacles, even in low light conditions or during nighttime. The user-friendly app further enhances the cleaning experience by allowing users to schedule comprehensive home cleanings or address specific spills with ease.
- Brand: Shark
- Model Name: AI Ultra
- Special Feature: Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Pet Hair Pick Up, Bagless, Self-Emptying
- Color: Dark Grey
- Product Dimensions: 13.7
- Included Components: (2) Side Brushes, Filter, Shark AI Robot, HEPA Self-Empty Base
- Filter Type: Foam
- Battery Life: 120 minutes
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Are Batteries Included: Yes
- Control Method: Voice
- Compatible Devices: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
- Form Factor: Robotic
- Item Weight: 14.42 pounds
- Manufacturer: SharkNinja
- ASIN: B09H8CWFNK
- Item model number: AV2501S
- Batteries: 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)
- Best Sellers Rank: #49,321 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen) #64 in Robotic Vacuums
- Number of pieces: 5
- Warranty Description: 1 year limited warranty.
- Batteries required: Yes
Discover the latest in home cleaning technology with our comprehensive roundup of advanced robot vacuums, including the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra. This innovative device boasts Matrix Clean, home mapping, and a 30-day capacity HEPA bagless self-empty base—ideal for pet owners. Dive deeper into its features and compare with similar products by exploring our detailed reviews here.
The Good, the Bad, and the Product: An In-Depth Review
The vacuum in question has garnered some positive feedback from users who appreciate its functionality and the convenience it offers. Notably, a user named J Jones found the mapping feature of the vacuum to be incredibly efficient, allowing for the labeling and selective cleaning of rooms via an app. This level of automation, combined with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, provides a significant convenience factor. Users like Kevin Toomey have observed an impressive amount of pet hair collection, attributing this to the device’s advanced navigation capabilities, such as LiDAR mapping. This technology is praised for its precision in navigating around furniture and other obstacles.
The product seems to be relatively quiet, as noted by Taylor Carthas, and is effective on a variety of surfaces including hardwood, tile, and low-profile area rugs, according to Chester H. Leckner. The absence of tangled hair in the brushes is a unique selling point mentioned by deweyduo, which can be particularly beneficial for homes with pets. The device’s self-emptying feature, despite being noisy, is a highlight for some customers, eliminating the need for frequent manual intervention.
Furthermore, for individuals with mobility issues or those who simply detest vacuuming, like Chris D., the robot vacuum offers a hands-off approach to maintaining clean floors. The ease of removing and cleaning the dust bin, as mentioned by Susan H., and the aesthetic of neat carpet lines left behind add to the appeal of the vacuum.
However, the product also has its fair share of criticism, with a number of users reporting significant drawbacks. A common complaint, highlighted by Amanda Lipesky, is the vacuum’s inefficiency on carpet and its inability to effectively handle pet hair. This suggests that the product may not be suitable for homes with pets or those with carpeted floors.
The longevity and durability of the vacuum have been questioned by users like rich, who experienced a breakdown of the unit shortly after the warranty expired and faced challenges with the lack of available replacement parts or repair services. Similarly, patioelf’s experience with a unit that failed to charge and self-empty, despite its high cost, points to reliability issues. Additionally, issues with the device’s software and Wi-Fi connectivity, as described by Sumit@AWS and other users, seem to hinder the full utilization of the product’s smart features, which is a significant downside for a technology-oriented device.
Furthermore, customers like David C. have raised concerns about the product’s lifespan, indicating that the vacuum may not last as long as expected. Others, such as Stephani Perriman and Shelby Loftin, have encountered quality control issues, including receiving units that were previously used or malfunctioned after a brief period of satisfactory performance. User deweyduo’s frustration with the product’s multiple filters, the app’s lack of error notifications, frequent errors, and the high maintenance demands echo the sentiment of unreliability and inconvenience.
In summary, while the vacuum has features that are praised by some, such as its mapping and cleaning abilities, the overall sentiment from users indicates that the product may struggle with pet hair, carpets, and reliability over time, which could be potential deal-breakers for prospective buyers.
What do the stars speak of?
Opinions about this product were divided in such a proportion among the buyers.
The most helpful positive feedback Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2023 by RJMALLAK, and is titled “How did I live without it?”
We have a long haired cat and need daily cleaning. We have had great service from this vacuum. Transitions easily from hardwood to low profile area rugs.
Customer Rating: 5
Helpful Rate: 2
Variation purchased: B09H8CWFNK
People find the following negative one quite helpful. Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023 by Amanda Lipesky, titled “Idea for non pet owners with no carpet”
Not good for pet hair or Carpet
Customer Rating: 2
Variation purchased: B09H8CWFNK
Question Bank: Providing the Answers You Seek
What is the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum’s main function? The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum is designed to provide automated cleaning across your entire home. It utilizes powerful suction and a self-cleaning brushroll to pick up all types of debris and pet hair on both carpets and floors. The robot features Matrix Clean Navigation to ensure no spots are missed by cleaning in multiple passes and offers precision home mapping for efficient navigation and obstacle avoidance. Can the Shark AI Ultra Robot clean in the dark? Yes, the Shark AI Ultra Robot is equipped with technology that allows it to navigate and clean efficiently in all light conditions, including complete darkness. This means it can continue cleaning your home even at night without missing spots. How does the self-emptying feature work on this vacuum? The Shark AI Ultra Robot comes with a bagless, HEPA self-empty base. After the robot completes its cleaning cycle, or when its dustbin is full, it automatically returns to the base to empty its contents. This allows for a hands-off cleaning experience with a capacity for up to 30 days worth of debris, depending on usage. What is the battery life of the Shark AV2501S, and how long does it take to charge? The Shark AV2501S has a battery life of up to 120 minutes on a single charge, making it suitable for extensive cleaning sessions. The charging time can vary, but it typically takes several hours to fully recharge the battery. The vacuum returns to its base to charge automatically when the battery is low. Is the Shark AI Ultra Robot compatible with smart home systems? Yes, the Shark AI Ultra Robot is compatible with popular smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home. This allows you to control the robot with voice commands and integrate it into your existing smart home setup for seamless operation. Does the vacuum have a warranty? The Shark AI Ultra Robot comes with a 1-year limited warranty from SharkNinja. This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use and maintenance. Can I schedule cleanings with the Shark AI Ultra Robot? Yes, you can schedule whole-home cleanings or target specific areas for cleaning using the SharkClean app. The app allows for easy customization of cleaning schedules, ensuring your home is cleaned when it’s most convenient for you. How do I maintain the Shark AI Ultra Robot? Maintenance for the Shark AI Ultra Robot includes emptying the self-empty base when it gets full, regularly cleaning the filter, and checking for and removing any tangled hair or debris from the brushroll. It’s also recommended to keep the sensors and charging contacts clean for optimal performance. Detailed maintenance instructions can be found in the user manual.
S.H. –
Overall Happy With It!
Overall, this thing is great. The reason for 4 stars is because even on the maximum suction, it doesn’t get all of my husky’s dog hair off the rugs, so I still have to do a deep clean vacuum 1-2x/week. I’m glad I got it on Prime Day price and not full price, otherwise I may be disappointed with this. However, as a pregnant and tired woman, it’s great at getting every day dust/debris off the floor and I love that it gets under the bed for spots the regular vacuum can’t access! The schedule function on the app is great. I just set it for a certain time every day and come home to a clean floor! Also LOVE the self-empty feature. Definitely would not recommend getting a robo-vac without the self empty feature, esp if you have pets.
Eshalaxmi Barlingay –
Is it even AI?
Cleans well, though a couple of points – There is nothing like AI in this. I have used it a lot many times by now and it is still not avoiding any obstacles, despite it being in the same place. As far as I know, AI is supposed to learn, but it isn’t?
Mike Lock –
Operation is greatly improved from previous models. Does not bang into the furniture or you pets.
Great value and increased mapping. No errors dog hair behind the sensor bar.
Mercury –
Overall good, but likes to roam
Overall I am happy with this purchase. It does a good job of basic maintenance on the carpet. It doesn’t replace a real vacuum, but it does let you go longer stretches between real vacuum sessions. It does a really nice job on hard floors. I am disappointed in the routes that it chooses to take at times. Although it has accurately mapped the house, it takes very strange, indirect routes to get to the selected rooms. For example, if I select to clean the hallway (to the left of the base), it will exit the base and turn right, run a lap through the bathroom, under the bed, and then loop around to the hallway. Shark customer service was of no value.
traci hart –
Does an excellent job pu dog hair
This is my new best friend!
Christa B. –
Won’t work after only 1 use
It cleaned one time and now it has an error message that I can’t get resolved. I followed the instructions on the website and that didn’t work. Tried to reach someone in support and couldn’t. So now I have to return it and find another vacuum.
Michelle F. –
Love it
Really helps with my issue with dog hair Works great My dog doesn’t love it but I do And I like how u can use the app to turn on when u aren’t home
Ken Cameron –
Bad product
The Shark vacuum did not map correctly nor did it clean appropriately. Sent item back in its original packing just as asked. The company received the item on July 24,2024 and still has not refunded my money, they say it will be refunded on August 16,2024. I called Amazon and the customer service was poor no help at all. In all Amazon is going down hill and we pay for the prime memberships and there is no perks anymore. Very disappointed in the Shark vacuum company and Amazons customer service which is overseas by the way.
Love my Coffee –
I should have bought this sooner
I bought this to replace a roomba that has been great for 8 years. This Shark is a game changer though because it is self emptying. I’m becoming lazier and lazier thanks to this great vacuum!!
Yankees Girl –
Maybe okay for bare floors but not carpets
The media could not be loaded. As you can see in the video it is terrible at picking up dog hair from the carpet. It’s being returned.
Ashley Lynn Miller –
Love it!
“ROSIE” is a great addition to our family. She is my 2nd robot and I love how easy she was to program. Not having to pick her up to clean out the container is the best. Totally worth the money.
Amazon Customer –
Love it
This has been a game changer, I’m truly amazed at how well it works. It does clog allot though, but I also have two Great Pyrenees who shed constantly, so I can’t blame it, and it does seem to handle the fur pretty well.
Trina Austin –
Not thrilled with this product
The media could not be loaded. I have a small (16 pound) shedding dog and a darker carpet. I have had an old and very basic Shark for several years that has been amazing. Recently it started making a noise. I decided to look for a new vacuum to replace it and decided on this one. If I don’t use the matrix clean it cleans at a sub par level. The matrix clean actually cleans about as good as my old shark. I still see pet hair, strings, fuzz and fibers on the floor after running this. On the tile and rugs in my kitchen, it misses lots of grass and debris we bring in from outside. My other basic shark left hardly anything on the floor. I wouldn’t recommend this vacuum. I feel the suction is poor for the price. I took a picture of the dog hair and fibers left on the floor after it finished its matrix run. Very disappointed.
John –
Robot vacuums have come a long way
I used to have a robot vacuum a few years ago and it constantly got stuck. Whether it was stuck in a room or under a bed, more times than not it didn’t make it back to the dock. Fast forward a few years and it seems most of the vacuum companies have a robot vacuum available. I went with the Shark because it seemed like a fair price for having lidar and a self emptying dock. So far it has made a huge difference in my home. I have two cats and a golden retriever and I was getting tired of the clumps of hair blowing across the hardwood floor, or stepping on bits of litter just a day or two after sweeping. Setup was very straight forward, once it charged for the first time. The phone app was very straight forward to map my house and set boundaries. I have it scheduled to run once a day while I am at work. I now come home to clean floors and spend 30 seconds every other day emptying the charging base. It even vacuums nice straight lines in my carpeted bedrooms. I would say the lidar is a nice feature to have, it allows the robot to localize much better and not get lost. I would strongly recommend this to anyone with carpet or hardwood floors and pets that shed!
Patrick D. Jones –
Empties intermittently
I like that it has a self emptying feature, but I’d like it allot more if it worked. It self empties about every third time we use the vacuum. We bought it 3 months ago. It’s past the return window.
Af243309 –
Came scratched and used
This item came scratched, it came containing cat hair (we don’t own a cat), and the top of it had something all over it. It looked like it needed wiped off but whatever was on it didn’t wipe off. Would not recommend.
R. Gupta –
Does not clean as expected, returning very expensive.
Does not clean as promised . Corners still stay dirty. Returning not a good option, seller wants to charge 20% restocking fee, incoming and out going shipping fee. This was not explained clearly when buying the item. Amazon only showed that item was returnable within 30 days. Very disappointed.
Shortcake –
Ugh
Used 2X and won’t go to dock. Reset and it won’t remap my house it just goes where it wants. I put it on the dock and it won’t shut off just keeps wanting to clean.
charles d barker jr –
Great for pet hair!
This vacuum has transformed our floors! It has been great for staying on top of the overwhelming German Shepherd fur. No problems at all vacuuming up the pet hair. I highly recommend for pet owners!
Z33C0 –
New technology is so cool
This Shark AV2501A robot vacuum is beyond impressive… I’m replacing an older (maybe even original-model?) Roomba. I have 3 large, shedding dogs, so vacuuming is a mandatory, regular thing in this house. It works well on hardwood and carpet. This Shark vacuum vacuums back and forth, so it really doesn’t miss a spot. Being able to control it from my phone is also amazing… I also like that it can empty itself out, even during a vacuum-trip, and then heads right back to where it left off. I hate bragging about stuff, but this robot vacuum is something I’ve been telling friends and family about nonstop since I got it. I absolutely love it.
ASB –
Love, love, love.
Great suction, and it transitions from hardwood to carpet very well. I’ve had it for two weeks and love it!
Laura A. Novak –
Doesn’t pick up dog hair on carpet
The media could not be loaded. This vacuum is about a week old. We loved it until we tried it on this carpet. It seemed to pickup a considerable amount of dog hair from the wood floors. And it is super quiet.but as you can see, it is just vacuuming over the dog hair and leaving more than half of it. 🙁 not good on carpets.
Ana Le –
Stopped working
Got this July 12 (13 days ago). Was working great, but suddenly it stopped working. It will work randomly and other times not at all. I was using the app to clean the room and it doesn’t work anymore. For this price and brand, I was expecting better. This is unfortunate.
KDE –
Terrible for pet hair
We’ve had this vacuum for 2 years now and it’s more of a pain than a help in our home. The app is great and I love that I can schedule it to run when I want – set it and forget it. But instead of forgetting it I have to clean the brush roll every time it runs or it won’t run properly. I skipped a couple of days of cleaning the brush roll and got an error message and the above photo is the reason. We have ONE golden retriever in the house and I don’t have the vacuum set to run over the rugs, only our hardwood. If I had known I would have to do maintenance on it every time it runs I would have opted to just run my Dyson stick vacuum myself instead. I purchased this vacuum because it said it was perfect for pet hair but that is absolutely false. Don’t buy if you’re buying for pet hair. If you don’t have any animals and it’s just picking up everyday crumbs and stuff I think it would be a good vacuum for you.
Okie from Missouri –
Did not work
It moved, on a flat surface, for approximately 20 minutes and stopped. Gave #7 as problem. Tried repositioning but still wouldn’t work after 5 attempts.
English –
Disappointing
We upgraded to this model after our “Shark AV2501AE AI Robot Vacuum with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base” was no longer usable and have been so disappointed. This one constantly goes into “No-go Zones” and go through the whole house when doing the “select room” option on the map. It also does not clean nearly as well and the brush gets stuck every time it runs. I have ordered new parts and cleaned it thoroughly multiple times. We loved our previous shark robot vacuum and have been so disappointed. Probably will switch to a new brand soon.
Cat –
Fantastic
Absolutely incredible! Runs quiet, picks up so well, easy to schedule. Works so much better than one from 2 years ago. Very Satisfied!!!
Dwayne Nickell –
I think I finally got a good vacuum
I’ve tried a couple other vacuums that was it to my satisfaction. This one seems to do well.
LWeaver –
Ordered NEW received USED robot
Update: When I went to add this to my Shark app, it was mapped to a very large house. They didn’t even bother resetting it before reselling!! I bought this on a prime day deal, wanting a second self-emptying model Shark. Upon opening, the wheels were dirty, the top is scuffed, and if I had to guess, I’d say it’s a returned item. It had no instructions inside the box, only a quick setup card. From my other two Shark robots, I know this isn’t new. It wasn’t boxed in a Shark box either.
don –
10 star!
Bought this on prime day. What a great Lil vacuum. Works amazing with the app. Lots of great options. It definitely doesn’t hold 30 days worth but hey I have pets so no complaints. Super easy to empty. I see people complain about the battery. I use it on max power so it doesn’t do the whole house on.a single charge but no big deal. It charges and finishes off where it left off. Perfect imo.
Kelly Blume –
Off line
I,Ike it til it goes off line. Then it is a pain in the neck to re connect. It goes off line about every month and a half. So irritating.
From New Hampsha –
Worst purchase ever.
It will not connect to Wi-Fi. It will try to run over my cats, drI’ve into a pill of papers or clothes and get stuck. Now it says error with the dust pan. It’s been vacuuming for 15 minutes.
Amazon Customer –
My little Rosie the Robot
This is my first Robot Vacuum, and I cannot be happier with it. It has done a fantastic job handling the pet hair generated by my Labrador Husky Mix. I like the after action report it has after each cleaning session. It shows a map of where it cleaned as well as the square footage cleaned.
Firdouskhan –
Fantastic Cleaning Companion!
I recently purchased the Shark robot vacuum, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. This little device has been a game-changer in keeping my home clean with minimal effort on my part. Maintenance is a breeze as well. Overall, the Shark robot vacuum has exceeded my expectations. It’s reliable, efficient, and has made my cleaning routine so much easier. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hassle-free way to keep their home clean
Amazon Prime Customer –
Overly impressed
I have a Rottweiler and as a result I’m constantly vacuuming. This vacuum works incredibly well. You would not be disappointed.
Amazon Customer –
Best investment
Don’t know why I didn’t get one of these years ago. The app is easy to navigate, instructions are clear, and the vacuum itself does a great job.
Robert –
Much Smarter
Much smarter than previous ones I have tried in the past. Very quiet as well. Only got stuck once so far which actually is a plus. Certainly not perfect but cleans ok for a robovac. Easily finds home base and empties itself quite well. I would never get 30 days as I have 3 pups so 2 days and it’s pretty full which is no big deal as it’s very easy to empty.
Amazon Customer –
Fun to watch and actually performs as advertised
I had seen another brand perform at our friends home and went to work researching different brands, because I was concerned about pet hair and battery life, while wanting a bag-less cleaner. I must say that after nearly 2 weeks using almost daily, my wife and I are impressed. I like the way it first explores our home and maps the rooms and hallways. It does take some editing, with either my iPad or iPhone, of the room map to fine tune the desired coverage. I like that it senses and automatically empties the robot into the home base hopper, which we empty after a few days with our dogs. I like we can do a full cleaning on one full charge, but it will return to home if necessary to empty and/or recharge, and then resume where it left off. I like that you can select specific rooms or targeted spots to clean if desired, and select either a quick clean or matrix cleaning. Matrix cleaning basically cleans twice both vertical and horizontal, with increased suction and lowered battery life. The robot navigates well our hardwood, carpet and throw rugs. I thought it might get hung up after going under certain furniture, but no it found its way out. Very impressed after 2 weeks.
Lance T –
Incredible Cleaning Power and Convenience
The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum has completely transformed how I clean my home. Powerful Cleaning: The Matrix Clean technology ensures every corner of my home is spotless. It tackles pet hair effortlessly, leaving my floors pristine. Smart Home Mapping: The home mapping feature is fantastic. It navigates my home efficiently, covering every inch without missing a spot. Self-Empty Base: The 30-day capacity HEPA bagless self-empty base is a game changer. I don’t have to worry about emptying the vacuum constantly, which saves so much time. Great for Pet Owners: As a pet owner, dealing with pet hair can be a challenge, but this vacuum handles it with ease. My floors have never looked better. Convenient and Connected: The WiFi connectivity allows me to control the vacuum from my phone, making cleaning effortless even when I’m not home. Overall, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum offers powerful cleaning, smart features, and incredible convenience. Highly recommend for anyone looking to make their home cleaning routine easier and more efficient!
C. Moxley –
Shark robot
I was skeptical about this purchasing a robot vacuum. I’m super impressed with this product. It far exceeded my expectations.
Grant michaelis –
Love it so far
Works fine wish it would do by the baseboards and edges of the wall a little better but other than that works fine
Placeholder –
Don’t waste your money
I love shark items, I have had several for years. This vacuum is a huge disappointment. It leaves wads of dog hair everywhere. I have to get out the manual vacuum and go behind it. I guess if you had no pets it might be OK, but if you have fur babies, don’t buy this one.
Amazon Customer –
Received a CLEARLY USED product
Very disappointed. I took advantage of the so called prime day deals and bought this vacuum which actually was not a deal at all. Received product that has been clearly used or refurbished, it has scratches all over and stains. Very upset. Sending this thing back for a full refund.
Renee –
Does not work right! Do not buy!
Initially it was a great product. It did what it said vacuumed the house etc. A few months later it started doing this thing where it would leave the dock get like 3ft out then say all clean and head back to the docking station. Learned how to bypass the issue via reddit. Now, it only cleans one area of the house even when told to clean the entire house and returns to dock saying it’s all clean. Another thing is it gets stuck doing the exact pattern over and over rather than moving to different areas. I have reset this thing so many times and still I get the same issues happening. Very disappointed with this product.
Pam Lynn –
Great vacuum for our single family home.
It works as described and gives me more time to clean other areas of our home.
shaquille h. –
Best robot vacuum ever
Best robot vacuum ever
Nathan Acuff –
Lidar sensor broken first day
First day and it won’t do anything except tell me to clean the sensor. I may update this review if things are corrected and it works out, but still completely unacceptable
Kindle Customer –
I was skeptical. I was wrong.
As a two cat family, I was not convinced that this vac would clean the house well. After learning the house, it went to work quietly cleaning. It did a thorough job. Carpets look amazing. Cats are intrigued and entertained. A great purchase.
Shannon A. –
My awesome robot vacuum
I’ve been wanting one for awhile and finally got it. It is awesome. Suction is great, easy to set up and work, the app is easy to navigate. I’ve got mine set to vacuum 4 days a week at 4. The trash reservoir isn’t huge but that’s ok bc I just empty it after it runs. It navigated the house well. I recommend this as it helps out with the task of vacuuming!!! Win win.
Patty A. –
Happy wife with Shark robot vaccum
Love it and it cleans very well