Ryan McBride is a writer based in Los Angeles. He has contributed work to magazines and sites including Gayot, Spy, Paper, Ladygunn, 3AM and the Crab Creek Review. He writes consumer reviews, essays, science and tech journalism as well as literary and art criticism.
The mid-range Shark IQ Robot AV992 shines with 97% cleaning performance on hardwood, above-average pet hair pickup, and a bagless self-emptying base, adding value for the money, but it lacks a HEPA filter and smart navigation.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 is a mid-level robot vacuum introduced in 2021. It works with a self-emptying dock and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. Positioned between basic robot vacuums and high-end vacuum and mop combo models, the AV992 is aimed at users looking for added convenience and maintenance cleaning but isn’t designed to replace a handheld or upright vacuum.
The included app allows for scheduling and mapping functions. It doesn’t have virtual boundaries but is compatible with boundary strips. has a rubber roller and side brushes designed to avoid hair tangles. The best vacuum cleaners on the market today usually have some air filtration capability, and the Shark auto-empty base station filter meets HEPA standards. Like many of the best robot vacuums, the IQ Robot AV992 uses edge-detecting optical sensors. Battery life is rated for up to two-and-a-half hours.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 maneuvers well and maps out cleaning routes efficiently but lacks smart navigation and obstacle avoidance. It doesn’t have virtual no-go zones but comes with physical boundary strips. Performance is good, with 2.8 Pa suction and 97% debris pickup in tests on hardwood, but 65-70% average on carpets. Its self-cleaning brushroll avoids entanglement. The bagless base adds convenience.
The tested 2.5-hour battery life is sufficient but not extraordinary, and the four-hour recharging time is longer than average. The 60 dB noise is average. The app is cumbersome, and the AV992 requires significant maintenance. Still, it’s one of the more affordable self-emptying vacuums and offers considerable value for those who want hands-off cleaning but don’t need the most advanced features.
ReasonS to Buy
Better-than-average pet hair pickup ability
Methodical row-by-row cleaning mode
A bagless self-emptying base reduces hands-on maintenance needs
Self-cleaning brushroll prevents hair tangles
Alexa and Google Assistant compatible for voice activation
Manual controls enable it to work without an internet connection
Reason to Avoid
Lacks smart navigation with obstacle avoidance
Reliance on optical sensors means it doesn’t work well in the dark
Longer recharging time than most robot vacuums
Lacks an onboard HEPA filter
Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series Specs
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The Shark IQ Robot AV992 is a mid-level robot vacuum introduced in 2021. It works with a self-emptying dock and is compatible with Alexa and…
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 is a mid-level robot vacuum introduced in 2021. It works with a self-emptying dock and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. Positioned between basic robot vacuums and high-end vacuum and mop combo models, the AV992 is aimed at users looking for added convenience and maintenance cleaning but isn’t designed to replace a handheld or upright vacuum.
The included app allows for scheduling and mapping functions. It doesn’t have virtual boundaries but is compatible with boundary strips. has a rubber roller and side brushes designed to avoid hair tangles. The best vacuum cleaners on the market today usually have some air filtration capability, and the Shark auto-empty base station filter meets HEPA standards. Like many of the best robot vacuums, the IQ Robot AV992 uses edge-detecting optical sensors. Battery life is rated for up to two-and-a-half hours.
Compared to the Shark ION RV700 series, a simpler and more basic robot vacuum, the IQ Robot adds notable features like an optional self-emptying base…
Compared to the Shark ION RV700 series, a simpler and more basic robot vacuum, the IQ Robot adds notable features like an optional self-emptying base station and smart mapping capability. Cleaning performance is similar, though the IQ Robot AV992 series does a better job picking up pet hair and larger debris like cereal from bare floors, showing over 98% cleaning efficiency when its dustbin is empty, compared to the ION’s less-than-90% score. Check out our Shark ION RV700 (RV750, RV761) review to learn more, or if you’re interested in Shark’s more traditional handheld cordless vacuums, see our Shark Wandvac System WS620 review.
Compared to the iRobot Roomba j7+, the Shark IQ AV992 has similar app features but lacks autonomous object recognition and individual room scheduling. However, the…
Compared to the iRobot Roomba j7+, the Shark IQ AV992 has similar app features but lacks autonomous object recognition and individual room scheduling. However, the Shark IQ allows more manual control with individual settings for suction power and physical boundary strips. The iRobot model cleans more efficiently on the carpet and filters out allergens better thanks to its HEPA filter. For another iRobot alternative, check out our iRobot Roomba i1 review.
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 is less efficient than the Roborock S8+ but has a similar overall cleaning capacity. The Roborock performs more effectively on…
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 is less efficient than the Roborock S8+ but has a similar overall cleaning capacity. The Roborock performs more effectively on medium-pile carpets, with 99% dust and dirt pickup, but the Shark IQ avoids hair tangles more easily. Both models have self-emptying docks, but the Shark’s dock has a bagless dirt canister. However, the Roborock S8+ has more advanced automation, with LIDAR and obstacle avoidance. The Roborock also includes a mopping feature, which the Shark lacks.
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 series updates the Shark IQ Robot released in 2020. Most features are similar, but the IQ Robot AV992 series has…
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 series updates the Shark IQ Robot released in 2020. Most features are similar, but the IQ Robot AV992 series has a new brush that picks up pet hair from carpets more efficiently.
