Shark Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum vs iRobot Roomba Combo j7+

Pick the Roomba Combo j7+ if you have a mix of carpet and hard floors and want one machine to vacuum and mop. Its mop pad lifts up onto the robot when it reaches carpet, so it never drags a wet pad across rugs, and it weighs about half as much as the Shark. Pick the Shark Detect Pro if you mainly have hard floors, want true HEPA filtration for allergies, and want longer runtime per charge. Owners rate the Shark higher (4.5 vs 4.1), but the Roomba has far more ratings behind it. Neither is a light-duty machine: the Shark is bulky and the Roomba's mopping is a pad, not a deep scrub.

• Choose the Shark Detect Pro if you have mostly hard floors, want HEPA filtration for allergies or pet dander, and want the longest runtime per charge.
• Choose the Roomba Combo j7+ if you have carpet plus hard floors and want vacuuming and mopping in one robot without wetting your rugs.