iRobot Roomba Combo i5 vs Shark Navigator Robot Vacuum

Buy the Shark Navigator if you have carpets or pets and want hands-free emptying; buy the Roomba Combo i5 if mopping hard floors matters more than suction. The Shark has stronger suction, HEPA filtration, a self-empty base that holds about 60 days of debris, and object avoidance, and its 4.0 rating from 125 owners beats the i5's 3.4 from 74. The i5 is the only one of the two that mops, but it does so with a swappable bin, runs up to 180 minutes, and sits just 3.6 inches tall. Neither is a premium robot; expect basic navigation and modest pickup.

• Choose the Roomba Combo i5 if you have mostly hard floors and want one robot that both vacuums and mops, with long runtime and a low profile that fits under furniture.
• Choose the Shark Navigator if you have carpets, shed hair, or want the robot to empty itself for weeks and steer around shoes and cables.