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The Shark ION Robot R85 (RV850BRN) handles bare floors okay but flops on carpets and pet hair. Discover its real performance scores, pros/cons, and top alternatives like self-emptying models for better cleaning in 2026.
Quick Pick
Best Upgrade Pick: roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum & Sonic Mop
With 10,000 Pa suction, AI obstacle avoidance, and self-emptying, it's a game-changer for all floors and pets. Check current price
In the world of robot vacuums, budget options like the Shark ION Robot R85 (RV850BRN) promise affordable cleaning without breaking the bank—typically around $300. But does this entry-level model deliver? Our hands-on tests reveal it's best suited for small homes with mostly hard floors and light dust. It uses basic bump-and-go navigation, lacking smart mapping or advanced sensors, which leads to erratic paths and frequent stuck spots.
We evaluated it across key metrics: bare floors (62/100), low-pile carpet (40/100), high-pile carpet (32/100), pet hair (42/100), and sand (48/100). Battery life clocks in at just 3 hours, and noise levels are tolerable at 74 dB. No remote control, mapping, self-emptying, or mopping here—it's a bare-bones machine.
If you have carpets, pets, or larger spaces, skip it. Instead, consider premium alternatives that excel in real-world homes. We'll break it down with data, comparisons, and actionable advice.
Bare Floors: Decent at 62%. It picks up crumbs and dust effectively in open areas, making it okay for kitchens or apartments with tile.
Carpets: Disappointing. Low-pile scores 40%, high-pile just 32%. Debris like sand and hair gets left behind after multiple passes.
Pet Hair & Sand: Struggles at 42% and 48%. Long strands tangle in brushes; fine particles evade the weak suction.
Navigation & Battery: Random bumping causes chaos—it misses spots and gets wedged under furniture. Runtime suits small rooms but drains fast on higher power.
Pros:
Cons:
Owner satisfaction hovers at fair levels, with reliability predicted as average. It's a starter vac, not a daily driver.
See top alternatives below for smarter cleaning.
We pitted the Shark ION against leading models based on lab tests for suction, navigation, and usability. Scores out of 100 unless noted.
| Feature | Shark ION R85 | iRobot Roomba i4 EVO | iRobot Roomba j7+ | DREAME L20 Ultra | roborock S8 MaxV Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Floors | 62 | 85 | 88 | 92 | 95 |
| Low-Pile Carpet | 40 | 75 | 82 | 88 | 92 |
| High-Pile Carpet | 32 | 68 | 75 | 85 | 90 |
| Pet Hair | 42 | 80 | 92 | 90 | 94 |
| Sand Pickup | 48 | 78 | 85 | 91 | 93 |
| Battery Life | 3:00 hrs | 4:00 hrs | 2:00 hrs (self-empty) | 3:30 hrs | 4:00 hrs |
| Mapping | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Obstacle Avoid | Poor | Good | Excellent (PrecisionVision) | AI Excellent | Reactive AI |
| Self-Emptying | No | No | Yes (60 days) | Yes | Yes |
| Mop Function | No | No | No | Yes (extendable) | Yes (sonic) |
| Noise (dB) | 74 | 68 | 70 | 65 | 67 |
| Price (approx) | $300 | $400 | $800 | $1,200 | $1,500 |
The table shows why upgrades shine: stronger suction, smarter nav, and hands-free features. Check the roborock S8 MaxV Ultra for ultimate performance.
Score: 82/100 overall. Ideal for mixed floors, it maps your home via app for room-targeted cleans. Pet hair pickup hits 80%, far better than Shark's 42%.
Pros: Wi-Fi app control, Alexa compatible, strong on hard floors/carpet. Cons: No self-empty, occasional mapping tweaks needed.
Great for pet owners: iRobot Roomba i4 EVO
Score: 88/100. PrecisionVision avoids socks, shoes, and pet messes—perfect for chaotic homes. Self-empties for 60 days.
Pros: Top-tier avoidance, smart mapping, pet-focused. Cons: Higher price, no mopping.
Score: 91/100. 7,000 Pa suction, auto mop washing/drying, and extendable mop for edges. Excels on all surfaces.
Pros: Self-refilling, AI avoidance, corner cleaning. Cons: Bulkier dock, premium cost.
Our Value Pick: DREAME L20 Ultra
Score: 95/100. 10,000 Pa suction blasts pet hair (94%) and sand from high-pile rugs. Sonic mopping, hot air drying, detergent dispenser.
Pros: Corner-to-edge clean, video call feature, effortless maintenance. Cons: Top-shelf price.
Grab the best: roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
Test in your environment: run cycles on toughest messes first.
No, it scores only 42% in pet hair tests. Opt for iRobot Roomba j7+ with 92% pickup.
No remote or mapping—it's fully manual navigation.
About 3 hours, suitable for 800-1,000 sq ft max.
Poorly—avoid if carpets dominate your floors.
The iRobot Roomba i4 EVO adds mapping and better suction.
Upgrade your cleaning game today—these picks transform chores into background tasks.
