Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty
#2 in Vacuum onlyFull review
For carpet and pet homes that want Shark’s PowerDetect cleaning features in a vacuum-only robot for about $400.
Amazon $399.99$399.99
The Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty is the better robot vacuum overall, rated 4.0 to 3.6. The Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty leads on navigation. The iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty wins on value. The iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty costs $120.99 less ($279 vs $399.99).
iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty
#5 in Vacuum onlyFull review
A budget self-emptying LiDAR vacuum for hard floors and low carpet in homes without pets; its poor pet hair score rules it out for shedding animals.
Amazon $279$279
Prices were last checked October 26, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty for navigation (LiDAR + 3D light vs LiDAR).
- Choose the iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty for value ($279 vs $400).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every vacuum only robot vacuum; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty | iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.0/5 | 3.6/5 |
| Cleaning 33% | 68 not yet tested; estimated from 4 tested Shark robots and the median of the 70 tested robots | 29 measured 82% of sand from carpet, 29% of pet hair, some hair tangled (0.8) |
| Value 28% | 41 $400 | 63 $279 |
| Dock 22% | 100 Self-empties the bin | 100 Self-empties the bin |
| Navigation 17% | 85 LiDAR + 3D light | 65 LiDAR |
Independent tests
Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty
No independent test published yet.
iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty
| Tested by | Carpet deep clean | Pet hair | Hair tangle (0 = none) | Area per charge | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Wars | 82% | 29% | 0.8 | 754 sq ft | Embedded sand in medium-pile carpet; flattened 2.5 in pet hair on carpet, two runs; 7 in hair tangle on hard floor (0 = none wrapped). |
Specifications
| Shark PowerDetect Self-Empty | iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty | |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum | ||
| Main brush | - | multi-surface bristle brush |
| Dustbin | 189 mL | - |
| Mopping | ||
| Mop | None | None |
| Dock | ||
| Dock | Self-empty | Self-empty |
| Self-empties | Yes | Yes |
| Navigation & app | ||
| Navigation | LiDAR + 3D light | LiDAR |
| Obstacle avoidance | 3D object detection | Object sensing (sensor type not given) |
| Voice assistants | - | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant |
| Build | ||
| Height | - | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
| Retracting LiDAR | - | No |
| Weight | - | 6.2 lb (2.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 year | - |
| Released | - | 2025-03 |