Shark Detect Pro Robot Review: 14 Real World Tests

In This Review
Cleaning Performance | Navigation | Build Quality | Noise Test | Usability | Maintenance | Size | Specs | Product Evolution | Comparison | FAQs

Performance Summary

At Modern Castle we test 14 different factors that impact the performance, build quality, and usability of the vacuum. Below is a complete list of our testing categories and their performance.

Test Type	Test Data
Overall Debris Tests	98.3%
Hardwood Floor Test	99.0%
Low Pile Carpet Test	98.6%
High Pile Carpet Test	97.2%
Long Hair Test	100%
Pet Hair Test	100%
Crevice Test	100%
Edge Cleaning Test	52.6%
Mop Test	Exceptional
Cleaning Speed	60 min.
Obstacle Avoidance	No
Build Quality Test	Excellent
Noise Test	66 dB

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The Shark Detect Pro robot vacuum had exceptional cleaning performance across the majority of our cleaning tests. Removing both small and large debris, the Shark Detect Pro sets itself as an excellent robot vacuum.

To test the debris removal performance of the Shark Detect Pro, we put it through a series of 12 different cleaning tests consisting of 3 different floor types and 4 different debris types.

We measure 0.5 oz. of each debris type, spreading it evenly across the floor for the vacuum to clean. Next, we run the Shark Detect Pro over the debris on the highest suction power, letting it perform 2 complete cleaning cycles. After, we measure how much of the debris remains by weight and compare it to the starting amounts to determine cleaning performance.

Here are the overall results for the Shark Detect Pro:

In our debris tests, the Shark Detect Pro was able to remove 98.3% of debris by weight. This is 5.9% more debris than the average of 92.4%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

The Shark Detect Pro had no difficulty in collecting our testing debris. With each pass it made over the debris fields, it left little behind. And what wasn’t picked up in its first pass, the Shark Detect Pro was able to use its large collection roller to capture the remaining.

The hardwood floor test was almost a perfect score for the Shark Detect Pro.

In our hardwood tests, the Shark Detect Pro was able to remove 99.0% of debris by weight. This is 1.8% more debris than the average of 97.2%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

The debris that was remaining was minimal both in size and quantity. In our opinion, the remaining debris was from the side brush pushing the debris around.

On the low pile carpet, the Shark Detect Pro used its powerful suction to remove even the smallest debris from in between the carpet fibers.

In our low pile carpet tests, the Shark Detect Pro was able to remove 98.6% of debris by weight. This is 9.0% more than the average of 89.6%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

The Shark Detect Pro was able to create just the right seal with the low pile carpet to collect nearly all the debris. As it moved over the carpet, we observed a nearly clean path behind it, only missing some of the smallest debris we tested.

This was the lowest scoring debris test we had for the Shark Detect Pro. However, it still beat our current testing average.

In our high pile carpet tests, the Shark Detect Pro was able to remove 97.2% of debris by weight. This is 7.1% more debris than the average of 90.1%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

While the cleaning area was again almost completely clear of debris, it was the smaller debris that had dropped to the deepest points in the high pile carpet. This can be a challenge for any robot vacuum to create enough suction power for proper removal.

To test how well the Shark Detect Pro manages long hair and avoids tangles, we pit it against 0.3 grams of long hair. We lay the strands of the hair on the hardwood flooring and run the vacuum over it on the maximum suction power completing 2 cleaning cycles. After cleaning, we check the floor for hair and the brush roll for tangles.

In our long hair tests, the Shark Detect Pro had 0% long hair tangle by weight in the roller. This is 50.6% less long hair than the average of 49.4%, based on all of our long hair tests to date.

This is the highest scoring vacuum we have ever tested for long hair tangled in the roller. Not only did it collect all the hair on the surface, it had no hair tangled in the roller. This is a truly impressive score for a robot vacuum.

For our pet hair test, we embed 1.0 grams of pet hair into high pile carpet. Next, we run the vacuum over the carpet completing 2 cleaning cycles on the highest suction power. Finally, we measure the amount of remaining pet hair in the carpet and compare it to the starting amount to determine performance.

In our pet hair tests, the Shark Detect Pro removed 100% of pet hair by weight. This is 27.0% more hair than the average of 73.0%, based on all of our pet hair tests to date.

It’s no surprise that the Shark Detect Pro continued to dominate our second hair testing category. However, not all pet hair is the same. While this robot vacuum had exceptional pet hair collection, it may vary depending on your specific pet hair.

For our edge cleaning test, we test to see how close to the edge the Shark Detect Pro can clean. To test this, we place 0.3 oz of debris (sugar, kitty litter, and a little bit of rice) directly along the edge of the wall, to about 4.0″ away from the wall. We let the vacuum complete 2 cleaning cycles in our enclosed testing lane.

Finally, we measure in inches how close the vacuum was able to clean in proximity to the wall and how much of the debris remained by weight.

In our edge cleaning tests, the Shark Detect Pro was able to remove 52.6% of debris by weight. This is 28.7% less debris than the average of 81.3%, based on all of our edge cleaning tests to date.

There are two reasons we believe the Shark Detect Pro had poor edge cleaning performance. First, the side brush had a slow rotation speed. This caused the brush rotation to miss debris as the robot’s speed outpaced the rotation coverage. Lastly, the obstacle avoidance detection was preventing it from getting close enough to the edge.

To test the crevice cleaning capabilities of the Shark Detect Pro, will fill 3 crevices in our tile testing lane with 0.1 oz of sugar each, totaling 0.3 oz. We then let the robot complete a single cleaning cycle on the highest suction power and check how much of the sugar remains by weight to determine performance.

In our crevice tests, the Shark Detect Pro was able to remove 100% of debris by weight from the crevices. This is 2% more debris than the average of 98.0%, based on all of our crevice tests to date.

The Shark Detect Pro had no problems creating the suction needed to collect the debris within our tile crevices. Its grid pattern cleaning method was able to capture all the debris within the single cleaning cycle.

How well a robot vacuum can navigate and clean the home can greatly impact the overall user experience. To check how well the Shark Detect Pro navigates, we focus on three key factors.

Our cleaning speed test showed the Shark Detect Pro was able to clean our ~1,000 sq. ft. office space within 65 minutes.

The average cleaning speed we find, based on all robot vacuums we’ve tested to date, is 90 minutes. The Shark Detect Pro is 30 minutes faster than the average. Its grid cleaning patterns helps ensure each area gets attended to.

The obstacle avoidance is guided by the LiDAR module that sits on top of the robot, its front facing radar, and the side EdgeDetect radar.

To test the obstacle avoidance of the Shark Detect Pro, we place 4 objects in an area on the floor and send the robot to clean around them. We observe the cleaning cycle, checking to see how well the robot vacuum navigates the space and avoids objects.

What was interesting about the Shark Detect Pro’s obstacle avoidance was how well it worked, and how well it didn’t work. When it detected an object, it carefully navigated around the object, ensuring the entire surface area around the object was cleaned with the brush. However, it wouldn’t always detect the object every time. When that failed the Detect Pro would clean until it detected the object with other sensors.

We also test how well the Shark Detect Pro cleans on a broader scale. We have the robot perform multiple cleaning cycles in our office and studio space, focusing on 3 core requirements: can it fully clean the space, can it not get stuck, and can it return to the base.

The Shark Detect Pro showcased fantastic performance in our tests. It fulfilled all the requirements and returned to base every time.

As mentioned in the obstacle avoidance section, it does a great job of navigating around the office space. It does hit a few objects here and there, but it’s very efficient in its cleaning pattern and cycle.

Our build quality test is a subjective test where we examine and assess the major material and design components of the robot vacuum. Specifically, we are looking for build and design issues that are more likely to break and/or be difficult to use.

The overall build quality of the Shark Detect Pro was excellent. Its main body is well-constructed and a majority of the components are made from plastic. It’s not too heavy and can be easily picked up by any user.

Part	Build Quality
Overall	Excellent
Body	Excellent
Dustbin	Very Good
Display / Controls	Exceptional
Spinning Side Brush	Good
Wheels	Excellent
Brush Roll	Very Good
Charging Dock	Excellent

The base station is constructed out of plastic as well and has a matte black finish for the color. It’s well weighted and does not slide around while the robot is docking.

Vacuums are loud while in operation. To measure how loud, we run them on high pile carpet on each power mode and measure the noise generated with a sound meter. Before the test, we take a measurement of the ambient noise in the room to use as a baseline comparison to the vacuum. 

Power Level	Noise Level
Ambient	40.0 dB
Eco	55.1 dB
Normal	58.9 dB
Max	65.8 dB
Self Empty	75.5 dB

In our noise tests, the Shark Detect Pro generated 65.8 dB of noise on the max power mode. This is 3.24 dB lower than the average of 69.04 dB, based on all of our noise tests to date.

Additionally, the self emptying base station generated 75.5 dB of noise while emptying.

What sets this robot apart from other vacuum robots is the singular function as a vacuum robot. Since the Shark Detect Pro does not have a mopping feature, it heavily focuses on its vacuum capabilities and functionality

Set up and unboxing took no more than 5 minutes to get the robot ready to clean. The longest part of the set up is the first mapping, which starts during the first cleaning cycle.

Make sure to install the Shark Odor Neutralizer to help prevent unwanted odors around your base station.

The Shark Clean app was user friendly and did not over complicate the process of setting up the robot with the settings for your preference.

With the app you can:

• Manage maps
• Adjust cleaning settings
• Adjust mopping settings
• Adjust cleaning sequence
• Change smart settings
• Create a custom cleaning schedule
• View cleaning history
• Turn on do-not-disturb settings

There are only 2 buttons on top of the Shark Detect Pro.

• Dock Button – The docking button will return the Shark Detect Pro Robot to the base station and empty the dust collection bin.
• Clean Button – When pressed, the clean button will start to orient itself in the room. Then it will conduct a cleaning routine of the current map.

In The Box

• Shark Detect Pro Robot
• Self Empty Base
• Odor Puck
• 2 x Side Brushes

The Shark Detect Pro has an estimated yearly maintenance cost of $43. The following are the major maintenance tasks for the Shark Detect Pro.

Task	Description	Est. Annual Cost
Base Station Dust Bin	Empty dust bin as needed	$0
Brushroll	Remove tangles and any obstructions; replace every 2 years	$10
Battery	Replace every 5 years	$12
Spinning Side Brush	Remove tangles, replace every 2 years	$6
Odor Neutralizer (2 Pack)	Replace Every 6 Months	$15

The Shark Detect Pro Self Cleaning Robot Vacuum is an exceptional choice for a low maintenance robot. It requires little regular part maintenance and its bagless debris container removes the need to purchase collection bags.

Size & Dimensions

The Shark Detect Pro is about the same size as other robot vacuums on the market with a large base station with what shark calls an “XL Dust Bin” on the base station.

Size	Measurement
Dustbin Capacity	8 oz. (227 mL)
Water Tank Capacity	n/a
Dock Debris Capacity	1.0 gal. (3.7 L)
Dock Clean Water Tank Capacity	n/a
Dock Dirty Water Tank Capacity	n/a
Height	4″ (10 cm)
Diameter	13″ (32 cm)
Weight	14 lbs. (7 kg)

Specifications

The following table details the product specifications according to the manufacturer.

Manufacturer Specifications
Type	Robot Vacuum
Manufacturer	Shark
Model	Detect Pro
Height	4″ (10 cm)
Diameter	13″ (32 cm)
Weight	14 lbs. (7 kg)
Floor Type	all (indoor)
Sensors	LiDAR
Dustbin Capacity	8 oz. (227 mL)
Water Tank Capacity	n/a
Dock Debris Capacity	1.0 gal. (3.7 L)
Dock Clean Water Tank Capacity	n/a
Dock Dirty Water Tank Capacity	n/a
Run Time	65 min.
Suction Power	0 AW
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes
Zone Cleaning	Yes
Room Cleaning	Yes
Digital Mapping	Yes
Bagless	Yes
Warranty	1 year
Price	Check Price

Product Evolution

The Shark Detect Pro is part of a new series Shark has with both a cordless stick vacuum and the robot vacuum. The series is centered around Shark “Detect” technology that helps the cleaning system identify the surface they are cleaning to provide better suction and power when needed.

Shark has previously made robot vacuums, beginning back with their ION series and steadily improving from there. Their more recent line-up includes all self-emptying models with different capabilities between them. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 is the only vacuum with mopping functionality from Shark. That and the mopless version, the Shark AI Ultra, had fantastic performance in our tests. Finally, the Shark Matrix is another excellent flagship robot that manages long hair exceptionally well.

How does Shark Detect Pro compare?

Below is a complete list of our vacuum tests and critical product data compared side by side to the average based on all of our vacuum tests to date.

Test Type	Test Data	Avg. Data
Overall Debris Tests	98.3%	92.4%
Hardwood Floor Test	99.0%	97.2%
Low Pile Carpet Test	98.6%	89.6%
High Pile Carpet Test	97.2%	90.1%
Long Hair Test	100%	49.4%
Pet Hair Test	100%	73.0%
Edge Cleaning Test	52.6%	81.3%
Crevice Test	100%	98.0%
Mop Test	n/a	88.8%
Cleaning Speed	60 min.	63 min.
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes	Yes
Cleaning Efficiency	Exceptional	Exceptional
Build Quality	Excellent	Exceptional
Noise Test	66 dB	69 dB
Type	Robot Vacuum	Robot Vacuum
Bagless	Yes	Yes
Self-Empty	Yes	No
Auto-Wash	No	No
Dustbin Capacity	8 oz. (227 mL)	15.4 oz. (454.5 mL)
Weight	14 lbs. (7 kg)	8.3 lbs. (3.8 kg)

When comparing the Shark Detect Pro robot vacuum, it has exceptional scoring in several of our testing categories against our testing averages. Notably the debris cleaning test where it almost received a perfect score.

Other Vacuums to Consider

FAQs