Corded vs. cordless: Corded models do not have to be charged, so they are great for cleaning large spaces, but you’ll often have to unplug and then plug into a different outlet if the cord isn’t long enough. Cordless models offer more flexibility in that you don’t have to worry about having an outlet in the area you're cleaning, but they are limited by the battery's runtime. APEX/Vertex/Stratos: Flagship series of upright models, with the Vertex lineup superseding the APEX lineup and the Stratos lineup replacing the Vertex lineup. Things get more interesting as you move slightly up the product range. For example the Eufy Robovac X8 adds laser navigation and AI mapping to automatically scan your home and find the best way around it, spotting and avoiding obstacles as it goes. Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson What to Know About Vacuum and Mop Combos Before Shopping Power Source

Inside, there was a small amount of dirt, but the pad would last for at least another session before having to be replaced with a fresh pad. EZ/IQ: Mid-range robot vacuums that use VSLAM navigation, with some models offering self-emptying capability.We love the sleek design of the Neakasa Powersrub 2, but its performance quite didn’t live up to our expectations. The vacuum required cleaning in between each of our tests, but once the roller was used, it left streaks and smears on our hard surfaces. It didn’t glide easily on the carpet, either, so it may be more of a hassle than it's worth. We did notice, however, that wet debris like egg yolk would drip out the bottom after turning the vacuum off. Brown explains that this is a common problem with these devices. “And if you don't clean out that cup immediately after you're done, it's going to turn moldy and get bacteria,” she says. The above are some general problems you will face when using a Shark vacuum, plus their fixes. Below, we have also explored the problems that are specific to some Shark models. Shark DuoClean Troubleshooting Guide

Self-cleaning mode: A quality self-cleaning function is a must-have for these devices. In fact, it's so important, that we're mentioning it before any other feature. Without a self-clean function, vacuum mops are very difficult to clean because of all the parts that need to be washed after use. During testing, we found that a lot of food can remain inside the vacuum nozzle (pictured) causing odors and, in some cases, leading to mold growth inside the device. Even with a self-clean function that washes out all the debris from your vacuum mop, it's a very good idea to remove all the parts and allow them to air dry before re-assembling your device to keep it free from odors. There are a few steps you can try to ensure that your Shark AI robot is communicating with your network: Next, you have to attach the floor mop pad – Shark uses disposable floor heads. These mount a cleaning cloth onto a hollow plastic chamber, which has an inlet at the front. In effect, the mop pads are also a disposable vacuum bag. If the settings are too low, your vacuum may not mop effectively because the mop pad isn’t getting wet enough. If they’re too high, it might leave puddles and not clean efficiently. Incorrect settings can make Mopping less effective. Solutions 2. Incorrect Water Flow Settings If the mop pad is heavily soiled and cleaning doesn’t restore it to an effective state, consider replacing it with a fresh one.Move the robot closer to the router: If your robot is too far away from the router, it may not be able to connect. Try moving the robot closer to the router to see if this resolves the issue. You may have seen the word “Stratos” attached to some but not all of Shark’s models. This designation has been around 2022 for models equipped with stronger suction or cleaning power, anti-hair wrap technology to keep hair from tangling the brushrolls, and odor neutralizer technology to leave your floors smelling fresh. How we tested these Shark vacuums