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Shark AI Ultra Robot [AV2501AE, AV2501S, AV2511AE, RV2502AE] Robot Vacuum Review

Tested using Methodology v0.8
Review updated Nov 09, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Latest change: Retest Aug 26, 2024 at 03:48 pm
Shark AI Ultra Robot [AV2501AE, AV2501S, AV2511AE, RV2502AE] Picture
6.6
Bare Floor
6.2
Low-Pile Carpet
6.3
High-Pile Carpet
5.1
Pets

The Shark AI Ultra Robot is a mid-range robot vacuum. It sits close to the top of Shark's lineup of robot vacuums, above cheaper models like the Shark AI Robot and Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty, as it features both LIDAR mapping and self-emptying capability to reduce hands-on maintenance requirements. Its docking station also features an onboard HEPA filter to reduce the spread of allergens as it transfers debris out of its internal dustbin.

It's worth noting that there are multiple variants of this vacuum, though they only really differ in color and the debris capacity of their external dirt compartment. Further details on the differences between models are outlined in the Differences Between Variants section of the review.

Our Verdict

6.6 Bare Floor

The Shark AI Ultra is decent for bare floors. It clears pet hair and small and bulky debris on this surface type without much of a problem. Its self-emptying base station also reduces hands-on maintenance requirements since you won't have to manually empty debris from its base station at the end of every cleaning session. Its LIDAR mapping system results in quicker room mapping than most other Shark robot vacuums, though it can register some benign household objects as hazards to avoid.

Pros
  • Self-emptying capability.
  • Long battery life.
  • Excellent performance on bare floors.
Cons
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
  • High recurring costs.
  • Terrible stain-clearing performance.
6.2 Low-Pile Carpet

Pros
  • Self-emptying capability.
  • Long battery life.
  • Can run over rug tassels.
Cons
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
  • High recurring costs.
  • Struggles with solid debris on low-pile carpet.
6.3 High-Pile Carpet

Pros
  • Self-emptying capability.
  • Long battery life.
Cons
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
  • High recurring costs.
5.1 Pets

Pros
  • Great overall pet hair pickup capability.
  • Quiet operation.
  • Self-emptying station has a HEPA filter.
Cons
  • Demanding maintenance requirements.
  • High recurring costs.
  • Terrible stain-clearing performance.
  • Self-cleaning brushroll is ineffective for resisting hair wraps.
  • 6.6 Bare Floor
  • 6.2 Low-Pile Carpet
  • 6.3 High-Pile Carpet
  • 5.1 Pets
  1. Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've updated the scores in the Hard Floor Pick-Up, High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, and Pet-Hair Pick-Up tests to align with a broader data set. For more information about the reasoning for this update, you can look at our forum post.
  2. Updated Aug 19, 2024: We've added a link to the bObsweep Dustin in the 'Build Quality' section of the review to provide an alternative that feels better built.
  3. Updated Jul 09, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
  4. Updated May 24, 2024: We've added a link to the Shark Matrix Plus in the 'Dirt Compartment' section of the review to provide an alternative with a higher-capacity self-emptying station.
  5. Updated Nov 09, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 0.7.
  6. Updated Nov 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.7.
  7. Updated Oct 25, 2023: We've added a link to the Shark Matrix Robot in the 'Build Quality' section to provide an alternative that feels sturdier.
  8. Updated Feb 27, 2023: We've changed the full product name to 'Shark AI Ultra Robot [AV2501AE, AV2501S, AV2511AE, RV2502AE]' in order for the review to encompass all model variants. We've also added the RV2502AE model to the 'Differences Between Variants' section.
  9. Updated Sep 15, 2022: Review published.
  10. Updated Sep 12, 2022: Early access published.
  11. Updated Sep 06, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  12. Updated Aug 26, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  13. Updated Aug 19, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

There are a few variants of the Shark AI Ultra, though they only really differ in terms of the size of their self-emptying station. We tested the entry-level Shark AV2501S model, and you can see the label for our test unit here.

Model CodeIncluded AccessoriesColorNotes
AV2501S2x side brushes, 1x filterBlackComes with standard-size Self-Empty Base with 30-day debris capacity.
AV2501AE2x side brushes, 1x filterBlack/BronzeComes with XL-size Self-Empty Base with 60-day debris capacity.
AV2511AE2x side brushes, 1x filterSilver/BlackComes with XL-size Self-Empty Base with 60-day debris capacity.
RV2502AE2x side brushes, 1x filterBlack/SilverComes with XL-size Self-Empty Base with 60-day debris capacity. Replaced by AV-series robot vacuums.

If you encounter a differently-equipped variant of the Shark AI Ultra Robot Self Empty XL, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Robot Vacuums

The Shark AI Ultra is a bit of a step up over most other Shark robot vacuums. Not only can it self-empty, a capability found on some other Shark models like the Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty, but it's also one of the few products in Shark's robovac lineup to offer LIDAR mapping, which is quicker and more precise than optical sensor-based systems. That said, if those features don't matter much to you, the vacuum doesn't offer any significant jump in debris pickup performance compared to cheaper Shark models.

If you're looking for an alternative, look at our list of recommendations for the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors, the best robot vacuums for carpet, and the best robot vacuums for pet hair.

Shark Matrix Robot [RV2300S, RV2310AE]

The Shark Matrix Robot ultimately improves on the Shark AI Ultra Robot in a few key ways. The Matrix feels better built, takes considerably less time to recharge while offering similar battery life, and delivers better debris pickup on low-pile carpeting. Its integration with the SharkClean companion app is also noticeably smoother. That said, the AI Ultra could be a better option if you have pets, as it does a better job of dealing with hair and is more effective in sealing in fine particles.

Shark Matrix Plus

The Shark AI Ultra Robot and Shark Matrix Plus are fairly evenly matched robot vacuums with self-empty base stations. The AI Ultra is the slightly older model, with a lower-capacity external dustbin and a battery that takes longer to recharge, though it can run for a lot longer. The Matrix Plus' CleanEdge feature is supposed to provide better performance along walls and in corners, but this feature doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

Roborock Q5/Q5+

The Roborock Q5 is better than the Shark AI Ultra Robot. The Roborock feels better built, is easier to maintain, and lasts even longer on a single charge. It can also be bundled with a self-emptying station that has a much greater overall debris capacity. The Roborock also does a better job maneuvering itself, has a vastly better companion app, and performs better on bare surfaces. Conversely, the Shark does a better job of sealing in allergens and makes less of a mess when clearing away debris in cracks and crevices.

Shark AI Robot

The Shark AI Ultra Robot is better than the Shark AI Robot. The AI Ultra is self-emptying compatible, does a better job of clearing debris from cracks, performs better on bare floors, has an easier time dealing with pet hair, and has a LIDAR mapping system, which allows for quicker room mapping, even in the dark. Conversely, the AI Robot has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, incurs lower recurring costs, and offers better overall coverage despite its simpler navigation system, as it won't identify everyday objects as hazards to avoid.

Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty

The Shark AI Ultra Robot is better than the Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty, though the two vacuums are similar in some ways. The AI Ultra has a LIDAR sensor for faster, more precise room mapping, though it can also register common household objects as obstacles to avoid. Performance on bare surfaces is pretty similar, though the AI Ultra has an easier time dealing with pet hair and clears more debris on low and high-pile carpet.

Shark IQ 2-in-1 [RV2410WD, UR2410WD]

The Shark AI Ultra Robot and the Shark IQ 2-in-1 each have advantages, so one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The AI Ultra is compatible with a self-emptying dock, helping to reduce hands-on maintenance. It also does a better job of maneuvering itself. That said, the IQ is equipped with a mopping system, takes considerably less time to recharge while offering similar battery life, and feels better built.

yeedi vac station

The yeedi vac station is better than the Shark AI Ultra Robot for most uses. The yeedi feels better built, has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, does a better job maneuvering itself, has an easier-to-use companion app, performs better on carpeted floors, and comes with a mopping attachment for dried-on stains, though the latter isn't especially effective. The yeedi's external dirtbag also has a larger overall capacity than the Shark's bagless external dirt compartment. However, the Shark does a better job of sealing in fine allergens and clears more debris on bare surfaces.

Wyze Robot Vacuum

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is better than the Shark AI Ultra Robot. The Wyze feels sturdier, is easier to maintain, clears away more pet hair, does a better job on bare floors, and has a markedly superior companion app. However, the Shark is compatible with a self-emptying base station to reduce hands-on maintenance requirements.

bObsweep Dustin

The Shark AI Ultra Robot and the bObsweep Dustin each have their advantages. The Shark performs better overall, with superior debris-pickup performance on hard floors and carpets. It also gets stuck less frequently. That said, the bObsweep provides a slightly more premium ownership experience: it feels better made, and its self-empty station uses disposable dirtbags, unlike the Shark base station's bagless design. This makes for much easier, more hygienic routine maintenance. While the bObsweep's app is somewhat clunky, it does have a wider range of features than the Shark.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
7.0
Design
Build Quality
Vacuum & Mop Combo
No

The build quality is decent. Like most other Shark models, this vacuum's body is made mainly from matte-finish hard plastic, giving it a reasonably upmarket, if nondescript, appearance. However, the Shark Matrix Robot does feel sturdier. It uses the same 'self-cleaning' brushroll design as the cheaper Shark AI Robot, with pronounced vanes meant to reduce hair buildup over time, though pet hair can still get tangled around the roller. The vacuum itself doesn't flex or creak to a significant degree when picked up, though the hard plastic covering the top of its LIDAR sensor scratches very easily. If you're looking for a self-emptying robot vacuum that feels a little more premium, the bObsweep Dustin is worth a look.

The out-of-the-box assembly is quite simple; you only need to snap the two side brushes into place and plug in its docking station.

4.0
Design
User Maintenance

The Shark AI Ultra has many parts that need periodic cleaning, but thankfully, they're easy to access.

  • Dustbin: You can remove this part by pressing its release button. The vacuum's self-emptying capability ensures that you won't have to empty it yourself very often, which is good, as the dustbin itself is quite small and opens from the top, allowing debris to spill out pretty easily.
  • Pre-motor filter: The pre-motor filter is located inside the dirt compartment and can be pulled out by its release tabs. You can tap this part over your garbage to dislodge dirt and dust after each use, though it shouldn't be washed under water, which is a pretty big inconvenience should the filter ever get really dirty. The manufacturer recommends clearing away any stuck-on debris periodically to ensure peak performance, though no specific time frame is given.
  • Brushroll: You need to remove the brushroll guard underneath the vacuum to access this part, which isn't too hard. While it's billed as 'self-cleaning', long hair can still get tangled around the brushroll, forcing you to pull it away with your bare hands or cut it free with a pair of scissors. Hair can also get caught around the brushroll bearings, which aren't as easy to clean.
  • Side brushes: The side brushes can be pulled out of their sockets. You should check them weekly and clean them as needed by removing hair or debris. You can also wipe them with a damp cloth.
  • Drive wheels: The drive wheels and their housing need periodic cleaning, as hair can get wrapped around them pretty easily. In light quantities, this won't have too severe an impact on performance, but you should still get into the habit of cleaning the wheels periodically.
  • Front wheel: You can pull the front wheel from its housing, but this can be hard, and you might want to use a screwdriver for a bit of added leverage. You should clean it periodically and take it out of its housing to clear it of debris.
  • Sensors and charging pads: The sensors and charging pads are on both the robot and its charging station. You should clean them regularly by dusting off the sensors and pads with a dry cloth.
  • Self-Emptying Dustbin: You can remove the dustbin in the vacuum's charging dock by pressing the button on top of the dock. A small observation window gives you an idea of how full it is.
  • Self-Emptying Dustbin Filters: The self-emptying station has two filters. The foam pre-motor filter can be found under the top cover of the docking station, while the post-motor HEPA filter is located on the right side of the dock. The pre-motor filter should be rinsed with water once a month, while the HEPA filter needs rinsing once a year. Make sure to avoid using soap when cleaning either filter.

Any part you can rinse under water should be left to dry for at least 24 hours before reinstallment.

4.0
Design
Recurring Cost
Bag Part Number No bag
Filter Part Number XPRFRV2500 + XBPFRV2500
HEPA Filter Part Number XPSFRV2500

This vacuum incurs high recurring costs.

  • Pre-motor filter: There isn't a specified replacement time for this filter, as it's washable. That said, you can buy a replacement from Shark's website.
  • Brushroll: You should replace the brushroll every six to 12 months, depending on your usage. You can find a replacement here.
  • Side brushes: You should replace the side brushes if they're bent or damaged. You can find replacement three-armed side brushes here.
  • Self-Emptying Dustbin Filters: No replacement time is given for either the pre-motor or post-motor HEPA base station filters. Still, you can buy a replacement pre-motor filter here and a replacement HEPA filter here. It's worth mentioning that the manual for the Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty, which has a similarly-designed dustbin post-motor HEPA filter, advises replacing this filter after three years of use.

Design
Dimensions
Robot Vacuum Height 10.3 cm (4.1")
Robot Vacuum Width 34.0 cm (13.4")
Robot Vacuum Depth 34.2 cm (13.5")
Docking Station Height 30.0 cm (11.8")
Docking Station Width 33.9 cm (13.3")
Docking Station Depth 21.5 cm (8.5")

The Shark AI Ultra Robot Self Empty XL takes up fairly little room for a robot vacuum bundled with a self-empty dock. The vacuum itself has a smaller overall footprint than alternatives like the Roborock Q5. Its bagless self-empty docking station is also quite compact, with a remarkably low-profile base plate that doesn't protrude very far.

3.2
Design
Internal Dirt Compartment
Dirt Compartment Capacity
0.16 L
Full Indicator
No

The Shark AI Ultra Robot's internal dustbin is incredibly small. Even when using it to clean up small messes, you'll still need to empty its dustbin at the end of almost every cleaning job.

4.7
Design
Station Maintenance Capabilities
Auto Empty
Yes
Bagless Station
Yes
Dirt Compartment Capacity
0.60 L
Automatic Tank Refill
No
Mop Washing
No
Mop Drying
No

This vacuum comes with a self-emptying station. Unlike most other models on the market, the Shark AI Ultra Robot doesn't use disposable dirtbags, with debris instead being sucked into a bagless compartment. This cuts down on ownership costs but also makes for a messier, less hygienic debris disposal process. As per the manufacturer, you'll need to empty out this dustbin every 60 days. If you purchase the  AV2501S model variant instead, note that it uses a different docking station with an advertised capacity of 30 days instead.

Design
In The Box

  • Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum
    • Vacuum body
    • Internal dust bin
    • Pre-motor filter
    • 2x Side brushes
    • Brushroll
    • Brushroll door
    • Owner's guide
  • Base Station
    • Self Empty Station/Charging station
    • Base station dust bin
    • Base station dust bin pre-motor filter
    • Base station dust bin post-motor HEPA filter and cover

9.3
Design
Battery
Minimum Battery Life
92 min
Maximum Battery Life
172 min
Recharge Time
280 min
Removable Batteries
Yes

Battery performance is fantastic. On its high-suction 'Max' setting, it provides roughly 90 minutes of continuous runtime, which is more than enough even for cleaning stubborn messes. Using it in its more energy-efficient 'Eco' suction power setting extends its runtime to almost three hours. However, it's worth noting that whenever you turn the vacuum on, it defaults to its 'Normal' suction power setting, and you have to choose either the 'Eco' or 'Max' manually at the start of every cleaning session, which is somewhat annoying. This vacuum also takes approximately four hours to fully recharge, which is fairly long.

Design
Quality-Of-Life Features
Power Adjustment
Yes
Easy On/Off
Yes

The Shark AI Ultra has a few quality-of-life features. It has three power settings: its energy-saving 'Eco' mode, its default 'Normal' mode, and its high-power 'Max' mode. If you want to adjust these settings, you have to set them in the app for each job you run. There's also an on/off switch for its self-emptying base station.

Design
Brushroll And Tools
Brushroll Setup
Single
Brushroll Type
Rubber And Bristles
Side Brush Setup
Dual
Side Brush Type
Fixed
Performance
7.0
Performance
Hard Floor Pick-Up
7.0
Performance
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
6.5
Performance
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
5.0
Performance
Pet Hair Pick-Up
2.0
Performance
Suction
Maximum Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
0.0 inH₂O (0.00 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal "Normal" (App)

This vacuum's real-world suction performance isn't very strong, especially compared to most conventional manually operated vacuums. Its suction inlet is positioned too high above the contact surface to generate a tight seal on bare surfaces.

8.7
Performance
Airflow
Maximum Head Airflow
17.7 CFM (0.5 m³/min)

This vacuum's airflow performance is actually quite good for a robot vacuum, delivering comparable performance in this regard to more expensive models like the iRobot Roomba S9. That translates to relatively good debris pickup performance, though it's important to note that it still falls short of even the most basic of manually operated vacuums.

8.0
Performance
Noise
Bare Floor
59.8 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
59.0 dBA

This vacuum is remarkably quiet. You'll hear nearby conversations even with the vacuum running in its 'Max' mode.

7.0
Performance
Maneuverability

This vacuum has decent overall maneuverability. While it cleans in an organized pattern, its room coverage isn't actually any better than cheaper, non-LIDAR Shark models like the Shark AI Robot. It may interpret some common household items, like thicker carpets or power cords, as objects to avoid, so it's best to ensure that its cleaning area is free of any obstacles before letting it run. Unlike high-end robot vacuums like the Roborock S7 MaxV, it doesn't have a camera or an actual AI system that would allow it to see and identify the sort of obstacles that fall beneath the view of its LIDAR sensor. Its LIDAR sensor is also somewhat tall, and the vacuum can't clean under low-lying couches and TV stands. Still, it can climb over tasseled rugs without getting stuck too frequently, which is rare among other robot vacuums.

Performance
Air Quality
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes

The Shark AI Ultra has good air filtration performance despite lacking an onboard HEPA filter. Better still, its base station has an allergen-trapping post-motor filter that the manufacturer advertises can capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.

5.0
Performance
Cracks
Wood Cracks Post Test

The Shark AI Ultra does a poor job sucking up debris from cracks and crevices compared to most manually-operated vacuums. Still, it outperforms alternatives like the Shark IQ Robot in this regard, which tends to throw around lightweight debris from cracks.

1.0
Performance
Stains
Stain Pickup Post Test

The Shark AI Ultra has terrible stain-clearing performance. This variant doesn't have any mopping capability that would allow it to scrub away dried-on stains.

0
Performance
Water
Wet Compatible
No
Water Pickup Post Test

This vacuum can't clear liquid spills.

Automation
8.9
Automation
Physical Automation
Recharge And Resume
Yes
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
Cycle Control Buttons
On-Board Only
Navigation Control Buttons
Return To Base Only

The Shark AI Ultra Robot Self Empty XL has excellent physical automation capabilities. Its headlining feature is its self-emptying capability, which reduces hands-on maintenance requirements. Still, its overall feature set is very limited when you aren't connected to the internet and using its companion app. The 'Clean' button starts a cleaning session, while the 'Dock' button simply sends it back to its base station.

6.0
Automation
Companion App Automation
App Name
SharkClean
Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones)
Yes
App Scheduled Start
Yes
App Cycle Control
Yes
Navigation Control Within App
No

The SharkClean app is mediocre. It's slow and rather buggy, with the app occasionally reporting incorrect status information. You need a 2.4 GHz network to connect to the vacuum. The app also allows you to check the battery life, set different cleaning modes, or schedule cleaning times, though not necessarily for specific rooms. You can also check the cleaning session history and create no-go zones to prevent it from entering certain areas or maneuvering around delicate objects.