Why we chose this:
Shark wasn’t a competitive player in the hybrid game until its launch in winter 2022. While the introduction of a cleaning pad on Shark’s smartest robot vacuum cleaner is huge in itself, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 also welcomes a new a feature that is perfect for carpeted homes with pets.
The Matrix Clean system shines in both wet and dry cleaning. During regular vacuuming, provides 30% better carpet cleaning (compared to older RV Shark models) by digging deeper into the carpet and making multiple passes in a criss-cross pattern to loosen and pick up debris from different angles. “Matrix” also refers to AI Ultra’s cleaning machine, which vibrates 100 times per minute to scrub away stains.
This Shark robot vacuum also has another distinctive feature: a spot cleaning mode. If your pets have made a part of your home extra sticky, send this hybrid vacuum to scrub the floors. Spot cleaning isn’t unique in the world of robot vacuums, but few vacuums do it better than the Shark.
Who is it for:
Pet hair is stubborn and often requires a “one for good measure” approach when it comes to cleaning. If you’re looking for a real thorough clean (beyond super-visible surface-level separation) from a potential robot vacuum, you’ll appreciate the extra effort the latest Shark vacuums put into dirty spots, even if they’ve already been through them once.
While the Shark Matrix 2-in-1 would be fine in fully carpeted rooms, it’s probably best for homes without a dire carpet situation, as the bot requires you to manually specify carpets or rugs in the app and can’t to vacuum while the water tank is attached. If you want to save a little money, you can skip the self-empty and pay less than $300 if the vacuum is on sale, but the auto-empty feature is especially useful for pet hair and allergy sufferers.
Read our full review of the Shark Matrix 2-in-1.
