Welcome to Vacuum Cleaners Advisor, your nudge to the best value. Today, we’re presenting you with two of the most innovative brands in the industry. It’s a Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720 comparison.
These two are not the best robot vacuums from both brands, however, they’re on the same level.
The e5 is a recent offering from iRobot while the ION 720 has been pleasing users for a while now.
Do we even need to tell you about these brands? iRobot and Shark have made their presence known in the vacuum cleaner industry with consistent quality products that users are always happy with.
iRobot specializes in robot vacuums and arguably started the sub-industry. Shark, on the other hand, is a top player with upright and cordless vacuums with lots of models you can choose from.
We are convinced that these robots we’re comparing will sufficiently prove their worth to you as you learn more about them.
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Comparison Overview – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
One of these vacuums has come to improve on its past while the other is a legend still getting some love.
The Roomba e5 has come with more power and cleaning performance over its predecessors.
It retains some of their good features such as dirt detection and 3-stage cleaning. However, it still carries over their flaw of random navigation.
The flaw should not be a decider since the Shark ION 720 too moves the same way. However, there’s an extent of smartness to the randomness of the Shark.
This robot favors the performance of its brush rolls over suction power and proves that cleaning performance is not all about brute force.
This move makes it operate quietly which will give some succor to those weary of vacuum noise.
As you keep reading, you will get more detailed information on both vacuums. The more you understand what you need a robot vacuum for, the more benefit you will get from this review toward making the better selection.
Comparison Table – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
| Roomba e5 | Shark ION 720 | |
| Battery Life | 90 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Filtration System | High-efficiency | HEPA |
| Dust Cup | Washable | Non-washable |
| Dimension | 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.6 inches | 12.6 x 12.6 x 2.6 inches |
| Weight | 7.23 lbs | 5.51 lbs |
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Robot Vacuum - Wi-Fi Connected, Works with Alexa, Ideal for Pet Hair, Carpets, Hard, Self-Charging Robotic Vacuum, Black | Buy Now |
 | Shark ION Robot Dual-Action Robot Vacuum Cleaner with 1-Hour Plus of Cleaning Time, Smart Sensor Navigation and Remote Control (RV720) | Buy Now |
What Situation is Each Best For? – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
| Roomba e5 | Shark ION 720 |
| To simply put, more time is always better on a robot vacuum. The Roomba e5 offers 90 minutes of runtime on a full charge.
So, if the runtime a robot offers is important to you, this one is better in that area. |
One thing anyone can admire in a vacuum cleaner is if it is quiet. That, my friend, is something you can get from this Shark.
It is nothing compared to this, or any Roomba, that are known to be almost as loud as an upright. You can watch TV or have a conversation while this robot is at work. So, this is your guy if “the silence of the robots” is on your checklist. |
| If you have a lot of carpets, the Roomba e5 is what you need. While the Shark relies on brush action to clean, this Roomba relies on suction.
The suction power will help you deep clean your carpets better than the Shark 720 will. |
Though both robots navigate randomly thorough the floor, the Shark ION does it a bit more intelligently.
Firstly, it inculcates the edge cleaning path in its movement. You can clearly notice that the robot is deliberately cleaning edges. Secondly, bumping into things is one of the ways the random-moving robots get to know there’s something in its path. However, the ION 720 bumps into things less often than the e5. |
Common Features – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
Just like any other product, those that are in the same category and designed to do basically the same things are bound to have similarities.
It doesn’t make them the same since brands attempt to do the same things in different ways. This section will show you which approach suits your needs best.
HEPA Filter
This is the highest standard of filter you will find in a vacuum cleaner. It is also the recommended filter type for respiratory devices. Now you know how important the HEPA filter is.
If you’re allergic or asthmatic, either of these vacuums will work for you in the area of protection against inhaling dust and allergens.
A HEPA filter is so efficient that it will trap 99.97% of the allergens that pass through it down to 0.3 microns.
If you are wondering how small a micron is, the diameter of a human hair is about 50 microns. So, you can only imagine how visually inconceivable 0.3 microns is.
Navigation and Sensors
Both robots are similar in the way they move around the floor.
They both have the random navigation where they clean in straight lines till they bump into something and change direction.
This might seem like a negative but in reality, they eventually cover the entire floor leaving it clean.
They also have sensors that support their navigation. One of such sensors is the cliff detector.
This one helps the robots detect changes in floor height so when it notices a fall, it stops and changes direction.
Low-Profile Design
Both robots are quite close to the ground which gives them the advantage to get where other vacuum types cannot.
The Shark ION is even slimmer at 2.6 inches, this allows them to get under even low-profile furniture to clean out the dirt that is often there.
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What’s Unique to Each Product – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
Features Unique to Roomba e5
3-Stage Cleaning System
This is a patented feature that has been responsible for how well Roombas have been cleaning whether hard floors or carpets.
It constitutes of the bristle-less brush roll underneath and the side brush that extends beyond the robot.
The side brush sweeps dirt into the path of the brush rolls and the suction picks it up.
The brush rolls are rubberized and without bristles so they save you the hassle of cutting off hairs afterward. These ones cannot get tangled with hairs or strings.
Dual Brush Roll
The brush roll in front loosens dirt and the one at the back picks it up for the powerful suction does the rest.
This is the process the robot follows to provide the deep clean it promises. Whether it is debris or pet hair, the dual brush roll will help you clean them all on both hard floors and carpets.
Wi-Fi and Smart App
The Roomba e5 is compatible with Wi-Fi and that is what it uses to connect to your phone.
You need to download the dedicated app on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
Then, through the app, you can monitor and give instructions to your robot remotely.
The connection, as well as the app usage, is painless. Although it is advised to use a strong Wi-Fi connection to make the pairing smooth.
You can schedule the robot to clean floors for every day of the week at certain times.
This gives you a lot of freedom to choose when they clean.
When you go to sleep or when you leave the house. Whatever works for you works for the robot.
If using your smartphone to control the robot is not enough, you can go futuristic if you want.
If you have Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you could pair either robot to those and give voice commands to the robot.
- Power Lifting Suction delivers 5X the air power for improved pick up performance; (Compared to Roomba 600 Series)
- Ideal for homes with pets; Premium 3 stage Cleaning System cleans the dirt and pet hair you see and the allergens and dust you dont; Simply rinse away dirt or debris left behind in the washable bin
- Unique dual multi surface rubber brushes adjust and flex to stay in constant contact with carpets and hard floors
- Full suite of sensors intelligently navigate the robot under and around objects and under furniture to help thoroughly clean your floors
- High efficiency filter traps 99 percent of cat and dog allergens
- Customize and control how you clean with the iRobot Home app, Alexa or the Google Assistant
- Runs for upto 90 minutes before automatically docking and recharging
- Featuring Roomba Essentials: Wi Fi connected, Smart Navigation, Patented Dirt Detect Technology, Edge-Sweeping Brush, Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head, Works on Carpets and Hard Floors
- Box Content: 1 Roomba e5 Robot Vacuum, 1 Home Base Charging Station, 1 North American Line Cord, Owner’s Guide, Documentation Package
- IRobot does not certify the quality or authenticity of products purchased from non authorized resellers on Amazon, and will not cover claims, provide service or offer replacements for products purchased from these sellers
Features Unique to Shark ION 720
Innovative Design
Shark did something incredible with this robot. While others rely on suction power to pick up dirt, this one uses more of its advanced brush roll. This can indicate why it works so quietly.
Don’t be mistaken though, it cleans thoroughly, in fact, better than some upright even with its average suction.
This innovative focus on brush roll design and less suction has helped the robot in different ways.
For instance, it does not get stuck where other robots with higher suction power will.
In one of our tests, the robot cleaned a carpet without issues. However, most of the uprights, yes uprights, we have tried on that carpet got stuck.
Self-Cleaning Technology
Roomba solved the hair tangle dilemma by using brush rolls without bristles. Shark has solved the problem too by taking the work of cutting through tangles away from you.
The helix design of the brush roll on this robot is not only great for dirt pickup. It also makes it easy for self-grooming as it is easier for the robot to cut through the hair, strings, and fibers that lock around the bristles. Now you can use your scissors for something else.
Dual Side Brushes
Robot vacuums generally have side brushes. Some have one, others have two. The purpose of the side brush is to widen the robot’s cleaning path.
Imagine if it was only the brush roll underneath that is doing the cleaning. The floor the robot will cover at a time will be limited to the width of the brush roll.
With the side brush, dirt that is beyond the cover of the vacuum can still be reached. The brush will simply sweep it into the path of the suction and that is done.
Another advantage of the side brush is that it works great for edge cleaning. We all know that even some upright vacuums still have issues with edge cleaning.
The side brush will easily deal with dirt t close to the wall. These are the things one side brush can do. What if you have two!? You will get double the advantage. That is what the Shark 720 has to offer.
Remote Control
If you are disappointed that the ION 720 cannot be controlled via your phone, this can offer you some solace.
There is hardly anything you can do to control the robot from your phone that you can’t with the remote.
The only thing you will have to forfeit is the remoteness of the control.
You can also schedule future times you want the robot to clean using the remote.
If the smartphone connectivity matters to you that much, you can check out the Shark ION 750 here.
The only difference between that and the one we’re featuring is that the ION 750 has Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Dust bin capacity - 0.45 quarts. The Shark ION Robot brings the ease of automatic cleaning to everyday upkeep.
- Smart sensors assess their surroundings on all floors and carpets, adapt to obstacles, and help the robot seamlessly navigate.
- Self-cleaning brush roll removes hair, dust, and dander to prevent everyday buildup.
- Dual side brushes effectively remove dust and debris in hard-to-reach areas like edges, corners, and under furniture.
- An easy-to-use remote allows you to set a recurring cleaning schedule and control your robot from the comfort of your couch.
- The long-lasting lithium-ion battery provides the runtime your robot needs to complete its cleaning job.
- Includes: (1) Shark ION Robot, (2) side brushes, (1) filter, (1) lithium-ion battery, (1) charging dock, (1) 8-foot strip, (1) scheduling remote, (2) extra side brushes, (1) extra filter
Unique Pros – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
Roomba e5
i. Its rubberized brush roll prevents tangles.
ii. The robot has dirt detection.
iii. It uses a smart app.
iv. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
v. The robot comes with a virtual barrier unit.
Shark ION 720
i. Its navigation is a bit smarter than the Roomba e5’s.
ii. The dust cup is larger.
iii. It is lighter.
iv. There are two side brushes to extend its cleaning path.
Unique Cons – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
Roomba e5
i. It is more expensive
Shark ION 720
i. It is not compatible with Wi-Fi or smart home device.
Pros Common to Both Products – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
| Roomba e5 | Shark ION 720 |
| The dust cup is easy to access and emptying it is quite easy. | Same as the Roomba e5. However, the dust cup on this one is not washable as the e5’s. |
| It offers sufficient runtime. 90 minutes is a long time and with its cleaning ability, it should get its job done in time. | Same as the e5 but it offers only 60 minutes. |
| You’re fully protected from inhaling dust and allergens. The robot uses a HEPA filter | Same as the Roomba e5 |
| It is low-profile enough to get underneath furniture to clean out the hidden dirt. | Same as the Roomba e5 |
Cons Common to Both Products – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
| Roomba e5 | Shark ION 720 |
| The e5 moves randomly which is an inefficient cleaning pattern. It also does not do well in terms of power management. | Same as the Roomba e5 |
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General Feeling Among Users – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
| Roomba e5 | Shark ION 720 |
| Some users were happy with how easy this robot is to use. They said you didn’t need to do anything but plug it and let it charge. Emptying the dust cup is also easy and they love that you can now wash it. | Majority of the users find this robot easy to use. From the moment you get it out of the box, setting it up is pretty straightforward.
Once you have it charged, which does not take long, it is ready to start working. Once it is done, emptying the dust cup is nothing complicated.
You just need to pull it out from underneath, open the lid and turn its content into the trash can. To make things a lot easier, there is a little brush that you can use to clean the HEPA filter that comes with the vacuum. |
| A lot of users love how well and deep it cleans on all floor types as well as how it tackles almost every type of dirt thrown its way. The pet owners especially praised the e6 for how well it dealt with pet hairs. | A user who owns a husky said that her dog sheds throughout the year. She too had difficulties keeping up with the hairballs littering the floor.
After getting the Shark RV750, she claimed that there are no litters of pet hairs on her floors anymore. Her robot vacuum was doing a good job keeping up with their dog’s shedding. |
| Some users complained that the e5 is rather noisy. That is a rather common complaint about the mid-level Roombas.
Some users complained that the robot has a small dust cup which makes them empty too often for comfort. However, the same user expressed love for the fact that it is washable. |
Some users were a bit disappointed that it does not have the smartphone connectivity. However, they also said that the remote control served its purpose well enough. |
Our Verdict – Roomba e5 vs Shark ION 720
| Roomba e5 | Shark ION 720 |
| Now you have the information you need. What conclusion have you reached?
Do you favor its deep cleaning ability to a double side brush or less noise?
If the Roomba e5 looks like it is better for your need, then that is what you should go for. |
The ION 720 is sleek with its performance and the users are in awe of it. Almost everyone who experienced this robot loved it and its price point.
If what the Shark ION 720 has to offer meets your needs, why pay more for what’s not necessary? |
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