Shark AI Ultra
#2 in Vacuum onlyFull review
A cheap self-emptying LiDAR vacuum for buyers who only need vacuuming.
Amazon $279.99$279.99
The Shark AI Ultra is the better robot vacuum overall, rated 4.1 to 3.7. The Shark AI Ultra leads on value. The Shark AI Ultra costs $99.96 less ($279.99 vs $379.95).
Shark Navigator Self-Empty
#5 in Vacuum onlyFull review
A no-frills LiDAR vacuum with a bagless self-empty base for people who don’t need mopping and want to stay under $500.
Amazon $379.95$379.95
Prices were last checked November 2, 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 AI Ultra for value ($280 vs $380).
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 AI Ultra | Shark Navigator Self-Empty |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.1/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Cleaning 33% | 68 not yet tested; estimated from 4 tested Shark robots and the median of the 70 tested robots | 49 measured 82% of sand from carpet, 85% of pet hair, some hair tangled (0.5) |
| Value 28% | 63 $280 | 44 $380 |
| Dock 22% | 100 Self-empties the bin | 100 Self-empties the bin |
| Navigation 17% | 65 LiDAR | 65 LiDAR |
Independent tests
Shark AI Ultra
No independent test published yet.
Shark Navigator Self-Empty
| Tested by | Carpet deep clean | Pet hair | Hair tangle (0 = none) | Area per charge | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Wars | 82% | 85% | 0.5 | 938 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 AI Ultra | Shark Navigator Self-Empty | |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum | ||
| Main brush | self-cleaning brushroll | self-cleaning brushroll |
| Dustbin | - | 190 mL |
| Mopping | ||
| Mop | None | None |
| Dock | ||
| Dock | Self-empty | Self-empty |
| Self-empties | Yes | Yes |
| Navigation & app | ||
| Navigation | LiDAR | LiDAR |
| Obstacle avoidance | LiDAR-based object detection | Detects and avoids objects (sensor type not given) |
| Matter | - | No |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant | - |
| Build | ||
| Run time | Up to 2 h | - |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Released | 2021-12 | 2025-05 |