Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum – Smart Mapping, Self-Emptying, Pet Hair Ready
- 💨 Incredible Suction Power: Deep cleans carpets, tiles, and hardwood floors with powerful Shark suction that handles dirt, debris, and stubborn pet hair effortlessly.
- 🧭 Matrix Clean Navigation: Uses precision grid cleaning with multiple passes for complete floor coverage—no spots missed, even around furniture.
- 🗑️ 30-Day HEPA Self-Emptying Base: Bagless dustbin with HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of allergens (down to 0.3 microns) and holds up to a month of debris without manual emptying.
- 📍 Precision Home Mapping: Advanced 360° LiDAR technology creates a detailed map of your home, detects and avoids obstacles—even in the dark or low light conditions.
- 🐾 Ideal for Pet Owners: The self-cleaning brushroll and HEPA filtration system trap hair, dander, and allergens—designed for households with shedding pets.
- 🗣️ Hands-Free Smart Control: Works with Alexa and Google Assistant, or control via the mobile app to schedule, target rooms, and initiate cleaning on demand.
- 🔋 Long Runtime with Recharge & Resume: Enjoy up to 120 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning. If the battery runs low, it automatically docks, recharges, and continues where it left off.
- 🔧 Durable and Quality-Tested: Every Shark robot vacuum undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure reliability and performance in real homes.
- 📦 What’s in the Box: Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum, HEPA Self-Empty Base, 2 Side Brushes.
Brand: Shark
Model: AI Ultra (AV2501S)
Color: Dark Grey / Silver
Special Features: Matrix Navigation, HEPA Filter, Bagless, Self-Emptying, Pet Hair Pickup
Dimensions: 13.7″L x 13.7″W x 4.1″H
Downside- it’s loud when cleaning. And the turbo suction base station is very loud (momentarily) during the transfer.
I paid $250 and purchased 3 year protection for $39. Seems like a quality product so I am satisfied with my purchase. Would recommend this vacuum.
Functionality – Smart and Efficient Cleaning
One of the best things about this vacuum is how intelligent it is. The AI-powered navigation ensures that it cleans efficiently, avoiding obstacles and mapping out my home accurately. Unlike older models that randomly bounce around, this one follows a logical cleaning path, covering every inch of the floor without missing spots.
The self-emptying base is another game-changer! It holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris, so I don’t have to empty it constantly. I love that I can control everything through the SharkClean app or voice assistants like Alexa, making it incredibly easy to start or schedule a cleaning session from anywhere.
Coverage – Thorough and Precise Cleaning
This vacuum covers every room efficiently, whether it’s hardwood, tile, or carpet. The LIDAR-based navigation allows it to map my home and clean in neat, precise rows rather than a random pattern. I was amazed at how well it navigated around furniture and under tables, reaching areas that are difficult to clean manually.
It also does a great job transitioning between different floor types. Whether it’s hardwood to carpet or tile to rugs, it adjusts seamlessly without getting stuck.
Suction – Powerful and Effective
The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra delivers incredible suction power. It picks up dust, pet hair, and even larger debris with ease. I have pets, and this vacuum handles pet hair exceptionally well, keeping my floors fur-free.
Even on carpets, it does a fantastic job lifting deep-seated dirt, making it look freshly vacuumed every time. The UltraClean mode provides an extra boost of suction, perfect for high-traffic areas.
Traction – Moves Smoothly and Avoids Obstacles
I was pleasantly surprised by how well this vacuum moves across different surfaces. It rarely gets stuck, even on high-pile rugs or uneven flooring. The wheels provide excellent traction, ensuring smooth movement without slipping or struggling to climb over small obstacles.
It also detects and avoids cords, furniture, and small objects, so I don’t have to worry about it getting tangled or knocking things over.
Noise Level – Surprisingly Quiet
Compared to traditional vacuums, this robot vacuum is noticeably quieter. While it’s not completely silent, the noise level is low enough that I can watch TV or take a phone call without disruption while it cleans.
Even the self-emptying base is quieter than expected. While it makes a brief loud noise when emptying the dustbin, it only lasts a few seconds and isn’t bothersome.
Time Saver – A True Cleaning Assistant
The biggest benefit of this vacuum is the time it saves. I no longer have to vacuum every day, and my floors stay consistently clean with minimal effort. I can simply schedule a cleaning session through the app or voice assistant, and it takes care of the rest.
Because it empties itself, I only have to check on it once a month, which is incredibly convenient. This vacuum allows me to spend less time on chores and more time doing things I enjoy!
Final Thoughts – A Must-Have for Effortless Cleaning
The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum is hands down one of the best purchases I’ve made. It’s powerful, smart, and a huge time saver, making it perfect for busy households. With strong suction, efficient coverage, and hassle-free self-emptying, it keeps my home clean with minimal effort.
If you want a high-performing, smart vacuum that makes life easier, I highly recommend this one. It’s an absolute game-changer!
You have to download the app separately, but all the instructions for both assembly and usage of the robovac is clearly given.
It works really well and after a while will get used to the layout of your place.
Note: the mop section requires the cleaning solution to be bought separately (it comes with one).
On Amazon that includes pads, brush, a little tool to clean the roller and filters! I rarely need it but I’m always glad to have the back up supplies! I got this on a prime sale and it was worth every penny! Full price would be well worth the value of money for the peace of mind!
All I can say is WOW!!! We have 2 dogs whose job is to shed, 4 cats, a cocatoo, hubby and kids.
The first picture is random run, the second was from after returing to dock to empty and then back to point it had stopped at to finish.
The 3rd is from a whole house programmed run. 4 rooms, 1 bath and hallway. The last one the pad from cleaning one room with the mop function. That blew my mind, it is not a frequently used room and had been washed a couple days before.
Using a broom or cordless stick vac(not Shark, was a bad girl, i can say it will soon be replaced with a Shark version, no more straying from Shark)it looked like i could make a toupee daily!!! This robot vacuum 3 toupees in one cleaning! This was on normal mode, may try matrix next time and see what she finds!!!
Love how she mapped the rooms, it was very accurate and let's you know the size of the rooms, and also the size of cleaning it does. It was very impressive!!!
The mop feature worked great too. I have no complaints, no streaks, dried quickly and was not sticky.
My goal is to get the shark robot vacuum wet/dry model that auto fills cleaning fluid too. I can not believe how much crud it finds and how clean the floors are.
I do have some furniture it can not go under, but it does get under enough to help control dust bunnies, especially if able to go around the full piece of furniture. I will see if this helps lessen dusting since the floors are so much cleaner.
It really is not that loud when it empties itself. Very quiet when working. I love that she can be programmed her to sweep the whole house and she does at 0300 daily. Off she went with no prompts. Could not be easier!!! She loves working nights! HA HA.
I am not technically savy, so it took me a couple minutes to figure out the app. But, once I did, a piece of cake to set her up!
Now to see if she does hold 60 days of this crews fur and dirt!!! I have confidence in Shark, that it will!!!
If your home has two levels you would need 2, I have one room that has a step down into, I just place her in the room, push clean and off she goes.
I am impressed that my floors do not look like they need to be swept again a few hours afterwards. I do not have carpet, but i do have a dog rug that absorbs all with shag pile under their food and water bowls, and she goes right over it! Its time to put the one down by the front door like that one, and I am pretty sure she will not have a problem with it.
I am very happy that "Rosy" loves to keep my floors clean!
Okay I’ll be honest, I have yet to use the mopping feature so I’ll add to update when I do. I know I know… I just love it so much I had to share!
Even when the floors look clean this still manages to pick up a lot of dirt. It’s used only downstairs, the floors are a mix of ceramic tile, low pile rug, carpet, and a high pile rug with woven fibers. It maneuvers over all without an issue.
We have long haired humans and a long haired cat and I decided it was time to outsource some cleaning, at least on bottom floor where we are in and out of desert terrain (dirt, dust, mud, etc.). It cleans seamlessly on a schedule or by pressing clean on device.
It is a little on the loud side, but quieter than a normal vacuum and not so loud you have to adjust music or tv volume. Or previously feral cat doesn’t seem to mind it. She won’t approach it but she doesn’t run. There’s a genuine curiosity.
The only item it’s had a difficult time not running into is our cats food riser- however it is clear acrylic so perhaps it thinks it has a bit before it reaches the wall.
It will also drag small scatter rugs unless silicone backed, flip flops, shoe laces, and some cat toys. I do a pre-check before turning it loose.
I’ve caught everyone including myself following it around with arms crossed and smiling. When it makes the sound to return to base to empty everyone gets up and watched and thinks it’s just so cool!
It usually empties once half way through then at the end. I’m going to read how to do the mop part right now so I can share!
Buy one of these! Saves you from having to vacuum/mop and doesn’t ask for chore money!
This model is reasonably priced and if you manage to get it with any kind of discount (we did), it is great value for the money.
It is well designed and well built but this model feels a bit clunkier than our original self-emptying Sharks which are three years old.
Cleans very well but we do run it daily because - why not?
Ours is a somewhat heavy traffic household with multiple pets, houseplants, gardeners and so on. This vacuum manages beautifully however I do have to empty the container every two weeks, so for us it is an approximately 14-15 day storage capacity.
The app is simply wonderful, really. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. You can add a vacuum easily, schedule creation is a piece of cake.
We have a variety of floors - hardwood, wool area carpets, sisal rugs, tile and this vacuum works on all of them very, very well.
Great mapping. Gets to every place it is supposed to, always finds the dock, follows "no go" instructions. If full, returns to the dock, empties itself and resumes cleaning till done.
Impressive battery life, cleans for at least an hour perhaps can even go longer, cannot say.
When it came time to replace one of our vacuums that refused to hold charge anymore (different brand and in all fairness it did last for six years), I decided to get another Shark. Very happy I did.
Oh, also need to mention. When this vacuum arrived I could not find the snap-om side brushes. Seemingly looked and looked and finally called their customer service. Very nice guy asked to show the video of the box. And when I did, pointed out the brushes. I really felt like an idiot and hopefully reading this will save someone the same embarrassment. The brushes are in tiny reddish tinted plastic bag stuck to the packing materials. So please make sure to look closer unlike some other people....
My first impression was that the mapping feature needs some updating. I know the layout of my house and when I mark the carpet zones or no go zones, Dobby still goes where I thought the rugs should be. It is a little complicated to get those set up and I have not quite figured them out yet. In the meantime the little guy is just mopping the carpets to his hearts content. I also have a very thick but fine threaded shag rug in my library and even though I have it marked as a no go, he keeps getting his brush caught in the rug and asking for help. I’m not even mad about it- it’s actually pretty impressive that he can climb onto it as Steve the Roomba could not. I do wish they had the no pass barriers that the Roombas come with as the mapping just isn’t easy to decipher.
Next, the noise level is actually pretty impressive. Even when on max clean, you can hardly hear it. Steve was crazy loud and you could hear him through the house. You can leave the room and won’t hear a thing. I had to check the bin because I didn’t think it was actually doing anything because it was so quiet and to my surprise there was actually debris in there. I have a large dog with short hair that sheds like crazy and a preteen who loves making messes so there is always something to clean up.
Dobby can find his dock and will back up with precision to dump his load off before resuming cleaning and when he needs to charge. Steve, which may have been due to his age, would have to adjust himself a million times to line himself up with his charger if he didn’t just die in the house somewhere random.
Another impressive mention is that this robot can navigate through the bottom of the bar chairs and around the kitchen chairs with ease. When ole Steve was cleaning I had to move all of the chairs out because he just could not get around the bottom of them so hair would collect under them if I didn’t. Dobby will avoid objects without touching them, including the dog so I’m not worried about him knocking into things.
One thing the Roomba could do but the Shark could not was get under the couch. This may be a blessing because while Steve could get to the dust bunnies, he would constantly get stuck under there or rip off his edges while shuffling around. I won’t have to worry about that with Dobby since he is taller, but it means I will have to manually vacuum under there more often.
I would say that Dobby is not as good as Steve when it comes to cleaning the carpets. The Roomba had to carpet boost that would kick on when it went from hard floors to carpet and it definitely makes a difference those rooms. It does work, but it left some strings and some dog toy fluff behind. So it isn’t as deep of a clean as I was expecting in the carpeted rooms. Steve would leave those satisfying perfect lines in the carpets and I would know that he had been in there. After Dobby does his rounds those lines are not evident. The comparison on hard floors is evenly matched though.
The final impression is that for the price point on these it seems to be a great little vac. I am pleased with the sound level, the collection bin showing proof that Dobby was doing his job, his ability to find the dock, the runtimes are great, and the object navigation ability. My only con would be the mapping and no go zones needing some updating.
First, I have a large main floor with hardwood and some deep-pile area rugs as well. Also a guest bed and office, each with carpet, and the guest bath and powder room with tile. This vacuum cleans all those surfaces well, and switches between them well. It will also return to its dock and empty itself and head back out to finish, with no input from me, which is nice. I included a picture of the "lines" it leaves behind on one of my rugs, something that makes me happy and helps me feel like it is really cleaning.
The only "negatives" are that I cannot do my entire main floor in one run, the battery won't last. This works okay for me, as the app allows you to select a room or rooms for it to do. It does take a bit for the AI to get a good feel for your map, and the instructions are not very clear. I had to delete the first few maps, but eventually we got there. Once it's mapped, though, I find it easier to pick up one room at a time and have it run, then put that room back together and pick up another room while it charges... I like to move chairs and pet toys and other things to let it run it's route smoothly. I find when I leave something unexpected out, it does a good job going around it. But then that spot gets missed- and under chairs is a spot that always needs attention on my house.
It also is decent on pet hair, and I have three cats so we keep it busy. But it doesn't do well on my one rug that has a patterned pile. Basically, it's bumpy. The robot doesn't pick up as well on that rug, with the raised pattern making different depths. To be honest, I cannot even get my uprights to do this rug well, and use a hand attachment. So it's not a surprise but a bit of a disappointment, as that's my busiest and rug that needs the most attention. It does a passable job, but simply not as good as it does in other places.
My last complaint is is will sometimes struggle to find its home. I think it has sometime to do with where I put the dock-maybe too close to sliding glass doors that also seem to confuse it for some reason. This can create a frustrating loop of picking it up and putting it on the dock, it venturing out and going away from it, repeat a few times until it figures it out. I'm moving this to a different floor with a more basic floor plan, and will find a better dock home. I expect some of these issues here and there, it is not a thinking being after all. So I feel it has a tolerable amount of glitching.
I guess my only other wish would be for it not to let my cat stare it down and turn it away. The cat likes to protect his spilled kibble and will stand over it when the robot comes to get it. The cat wins the stand-off every time, and I end up having to sweep that little spot. But I understand why a robot would not want to deal with the wrath of my 15 lb knucklehead. He can be a jerk.
I do recommend this robot vacuum, especially if you have multiple floor textures to deal with. And pets. Just don't expect it to replace human cleaning completely.
The clearance height on it is a little higher (about 4 1/2 inches high) but it still goes under the couches and most other furnishings I have. I still have a dust mop for areas around plants in the corners, etc that are not wide enough for it to fit through - hey this thing isn't perfect but it's close. Next, you'll want to know that with as much dog hair that this thing picks up I empty it every 2nd day it runs to keep the bin in the base clean. Some people said it filled up quickly, well mine did the 1st couple of times also because of the amount of hair it picked up.
This unit is not loud, it's quieter than my last one. I read reviews that said it was loud but it isn't. It plays a sound when it's going home to empty and then it plays a different sound when it's going back out. Neither bother me. Be sure to let it map the house, you'll be glad you did. Be sure to register it. I had one issue of it not getting the charge but I think it was user error and when I called customer service (CS) they were helpful and it was back to doing what it's supposed to do. The preliminary steps the CS rep used to determine what was wrong were in my opinion elementary, items I had already done but the customer service rep said it was required. Overall, I really wanted to write this review because I really love this unit. If any negative issues occur I'll update my review of course!
'Hammerhead' as he is named has been cleaning our house every day and today is day 5. We have a 4 bedroom home thats roughly 2100 sq ft. Mostly carpet except for the kitchen and entryway. 2 teen bedrooms have way too much on the floor so he doesn't even go in those 2 rooms. 1 room is also a step down so it doesnt go in there. 2 dogs but only 1 sheds. We have a Shark upright vacuum which we use regularly.
Setup was easy. Connected wifi, charged him overnight and then set it to map out the house. The map was confusing at first since it is not simply boxes and straight lines for each room. Everywhere there is furniture, it maps around it. On our map, the wide gray section is the kitchen island. You can name your rooms, identify high traffic areas and assign zones. This is helpful if I want to set it to clean just one room/zone/etc. When its running, its surprisingly quiet. It got stuck once and alerted me on my phone. It will head back to its base to empty itself or recharge. The self-empty is loud like a standard vaccum and takes about 20 seconds.
The 30-day dust bin (inside the docking station) has now been emptied twice and we are only half way through day 5 of cleaning AND the internal dust bin was so packed full that it couldn't even suck itself out - it alerted me to do it. This is NOT a design flaw or that the bin is too small. Its completely due to the amount of dog hair and dust! We are clean people and keep our house tidy. I mean, I know carpets in general are gross, but am thoroughly disgusted. I thought the carpets were clean. I also completely underestimated just how much power that little thing has to suck up all the dust.
I was thinking that I would still have to vacuum weekly with the upright, but I'm actually really curious to see how many days it takes to actually empty the carpets. For now, it gets through about 2/3 of the house, then empties and recharges, then it finishes on its own.
A few nights ago, one of the kids or dogs bumped it at the docking station and it quit charging. It alerted me on the app that the battery was low so I was able to put it back and let it charge before its scheduled cleaning.
If you are on the fence, just buy it! I am so happy I did. I know the carpets are at least cleaner already and it leaves nice lines so it 'looks' like someone else cleaned the house!