I tested a $1,200 robot vacuum vs a $550 robot vacuum for 2 weeks — here's the winner

I've tested my fair share of smart gadgets over the years, but hands down the one thing everyone needs in their home is a robot vacuum. One of the best robot vacuums can make your life so much easier by giving your floors a daily clean while you get on with other tasks.

I’ve been testing the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 ThermaCharged NeverTouch and the Roborock Q10 S5+ for the past two weeks, and I’ve found one is worth your money. So can a budget model actually give a premium model a run for its money?

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: Specs

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: Price & availability

The Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 ThermaCharged NeverTouch is available at Amazon for $1,199 / £949. This is a premium model with all the bells and whistles, so it commands a premium price.

The Roborock Q10 S5+ is available at Amazon for $549 / £399. This is a lot cheaper than the Shark, but does it reflect in the performance?

Well, I’m going to spoil it for you here: absolutely. To be honest, it’s not even a competition, but it really depends on what your home needs. So let’s get into the details.

Winner: Roborock Q10 S5+

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: Design

Like with most robot vacuum cleaners, these two models look virtually identical. They’re about the same size, so they can fit through the same-sized gaps and under the same height of furniture. But where things start to differ is the self-emptying docks.

But vacuums have a self-empty function, but the size of the docks is quite different. The Shark dock measures 18.2 x 17.5 x 14.3 inches, so it takes up quite a lot of space, whereas the Roborock is a little more discreet and measures 10.2 x 8.3 x 7 inches.

The Shark dock is also capable of a lot more since it is entirely self-sufficient, as it can wash and dry its mop and refill with water. The Roborock is a lot more hands-on since you ned to fill the water manually and clean the mop attachment after each use or else risk a funky smell.

Winner: Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: App & mapping

Both robot vacuums have access to a companion mobile app. This makes controlling the vacuums super simple. And honestly, both apps work very similarly.

The Wi-Fi connection process is straightforward with both vacuums. Both apps also give you the option to name rooms, set schedules and zones, and follow the vacuum’s progress live.

Getting an accurate map of your home is also super quick with both devices and takes under 10 minutes, meaning you’re able to get going right away.

Where the vacuums differ is the navigation. While the Shark is reliable, the Roborock is an absolute nightmare. It required me to babysit it the entire time it was cleaning, as it kept getting itself jammed and mounted on top of things. It even dented my wash basket by ramming into it repeatedly. So yeah, I think the Shark takes this one.

Winner: Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: Vacuum performance

Shark doesn’t specify the suction power of this vacuum, but it has three settings, all of which are totally effective in picking up debris and leaving carpets and hard floors dust-free. The side sweep bristles get everything out from the edges of the room too.

The Roborock has a max suction power of 10,000Pa, which sounds impressive, but when it’s in action, it’s not so impressive. Having the Roborock set to its max power drains the on-board battery incredibly fast, so it had to dock to charge three times before completing the cleaning process, which the Shark can do with about 50% of its charge.

The Roborock left my floors clean, but it’s frustrating that it’s not as efficient as the Shark.

Winner: Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: Mop performance

Both vacuums have mop attachments and can recognize carpet and hard flooring, so they know when to deploy the mop. The Shark certainly gets a more sparkling clean result than the Roborock as it heats the water to remove even tough stains.

The Shark attaches the mop pad itself to the dock when it needs it, meaning it’s not always dragging around, which is useful. It also cleans the pad with 185ºF water to kill bacteria and dries it with 175ºF air to avoid any damp smell. This makes the user experience incredibly easy.

The Roborock always has the mop attached and requires you to manually remove and wash it after every use. This becomes tedious, especially when you have other tasks to get on with, and the whole reason you got a robot vacuum was to do the vacuuming and mopping for you.

Winner: Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1

Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 vs Roborock Q10 S5+: Which should you buy?

So which one is the winner? I think it’s clear that the Shark takes the top spot in every area apart from the price. But is it actually worth that premium dollar?

Absolutely. The beauty of a robot vacuum is to make life easier and give you time to take care of other tasks or simply kick back and relax. The hassle that comes with the Roborock just doesn’t seem worth it.

The Shark vacuum makes day-to-day cleaning in my home so easy, and it’s the perfect home addition for anyone with pets who drag their muddy paws through the house, because that hot water can take care of any stains.

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