Choosing between the Roomba j6+ and the Shark Matrix Plus feels a lot like choosing between a reliable, slightly expensive sedan and a feature-packed, budget-friendly sports car.
I’ve spent weeks testing both of these robots in my own home—watching them dodge dog toys, get tangled in rugs, and navigate the labyrinth of chair legs in my dining room—so I can give you the real answer on which one actually deserves a spot on your floor.
My main intent with this article is to break down the flashy marketing terms into real-world performance differences, helping you decide if you need Roomba’s superior intelligence and pet-waste guarantee or if Shark’s powerful suction and bagless convenience are the better value for your wallet.
Here is a quick snapshot of how they stack up before we get into the details:
| Feature | iRobot Roomba j6+ | Shark Matrix Plus |
| Navigation Tech | PrecisionVision (Camera-based) | Matrix Clean (LiDAR Laser-based) |
| Self-Empty Base | Bagged (Clean Base) | Bagless (HEPA Self-Empty Base) |
| Brushroll Type | Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Self-Cleaning Brushroll |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Excellent (Pet Waste Guarantee) | Good (Detects larger objects) |
| Filtration | Standard High-Efficiency Filter | HEPA Filtration (Base & Unit) |
| Cleaning Pattern | Linear Rows | Grid Matrix Pattern |
| Smart Mapping | Imprint Smart Mapping | SharkClean App Mapping |
| Ideal User | Pet owners worried about accidents | Allergy sufferers & Value seekers |
Key Differences Between Roomba j6+ And Shark Matrix Plus
- The Navigation Philosophy: Camera Vs. Lasers
The biggest fundamental difference I noticed immediately is how these two robots “see” the world.
The Roomba j6+ uses a camera mounted on the front.
This allows it to actually recognize specific objects.
When it sees a charging cable or a pile of dog doo, it doesn’t just bump into it; it identifies it as a hazard and steers clear.
However, because it relies on a camera, I found it struggles a bit in pitch-black rooms unless it turns on its little headlight, and it takes a few runs to learn the map perfectly.
On the other hand, the Shark Matrix Plus uses LiDAR—that little turret popping out of the top. This shoots invisible lasers to map the room instantly.
My experience with the Shark was that it mapped my entire floor plan in one quick “exploration run” without even cleaning. It doesn’t “see” a sock the way the Roomba does; it just sees an obstacle. This means the Shark is faster and works perfectly in total darkness, but it isn’t as smart about what it is avoiding.
- The “Bag Vs. Bagless” Debate
This is a polarizing topic for robot vacuum owners. The Roomba j6+ empties itself into a sealed bag inside the dock. When the bag is full, you pull it out, toss it, and put in a new one. It is incredibly clean—I never see a puff of dust.
However, you are locked into buying those bags forever.
The Shark Matrix Plus has a bagless bin. It sucks the dirt out of the robot into a plastic canister on the dock. To empty it, you press a button and the bottom drops out over your trash can. I love that I don’t have to buy bags, which saves me money every month.
However, despite the HEPA claims, I always get a tiny cloud of dust when I dump that bin into my kitchen trash. If you have severe allergies, that moment of exposure might be a dealbreaker.
- Cleaning Agitation Mechanics
I have to give credit to iRobot here.
The Roomba j6+ uses two rubber brushes that spin in opposite directions.
One loosens the dirt, and the other lifts it.
This system is practically magic on my carpets. It pulls up hair that I didn’t even know was there.
The Shark Matrix Plus uses a single brushroll with a combination of bristles and fins. It is decent, and the “self-cleaning” design effectively cuts hair so it doesn’t wrap around the roller as much.
However, on deep carpet, I felt the single brush just didn’t vibrate the fibers as aggressively as the Roomba’s dual setup. The Shark compensates for this with higher airflow (suction), but mechanical agitation usually wins on rugs.
- The “Matrix” Scrubbing Feature
This is Shark’s secret weapon. The Roomba cleans in neat, parallel rows. It goes back and forth, and then it’s done. The Shark Matrix Plus can do that too, but if you select the “Matrix Clean” mode in the app, it does a grid. It goes horizontal, then comes back and does the same area vertical.
I tested this on a dried muddy footprint in the hallway. The Roomba went over it once and got about 80% of it. The Shark, using the Matrix grid, hit that spot from four different angles. It took longer, but the floor was spotless.
If you have hard floors with stuck-on messes, this cleaning pattern is a legitimate advantage over the Roomba.
Key Features of Roomba j6+ And Shark Matrix Plus
- Roomba j6+: P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise)
It sounds like a joke, but this is a serious feature. iRobot guarantees that the j6+ will avoid pet waste.
If it fails and runs over a pile, they will replace the robot.
I obviously didn’t test this with real waste, but I used fake rubber poop.
The j6+ stopped dead in its tracks and navigated around it carefully.
For me, the peace of mind knowing I won’t come home to a “poopocalypse” smeared across my hardwood is worth the extra cost alone.
- Shark Matrix Plus: HEPA Filtration System
Shark puts a heavy emphasis on air quality. The self-empty base on the Matrix Plus is completely sealed and uses a HEPA filter. This means that 99.97% of dust and allergens are trapped inside the base.
When the robot empties itself, it sounds like a jet engine taking off (both of them do, honestly), but I noticed the air coming out of the Shark’s exhaust didn’t smell like dusty dog hair. The Roomba uses a high-efficiency bag which is good, but Shark’s commitment to a full HEPA seal on the bin is a win for allergy season.
- Roomba j6+: Imprint Smart Mapping & Directing
The mapping on the j6+ is incredibly flexible. Once it learns your home, you can name rooms and even specific zones. I set up a “clean zone” around my kitchen table.
After dinner, I just say, “Clean under the kitchen table,” and the j6+ undocks, goes exactly to that 5×5 foot square, cleans it, and goes home. The Shark has room cleaning and spot cleaning, but the level of granular control in the iRobot app feels much more polished and intuitive to me.
- Shark Matrix Plus: CleanEdge Technology
One frustration with round robots is that they can’t reach into square corners. Shark added a feature called “CleanEdge,” which essentially uses a blast of air to blow debris out of corners and into the path of the vacuum.
I watched it approach my baseboards; it does a little wiggle, and you can actually hear the air puffing. It’s not perfect—a square robot would still be better—but it definitely left less dust along the walls than the Roomba did.
Also Read: Comparison of Roborock Q Revo And QX Revo Robot Vacuums.
Roomba j6+ Pros
- Superior Carpet Cleaning: The dual rubber brushes are unmatched. On my medium-pile carpet, the bin was full of fine dust and fluff that other vacuums missed. It essentially beats the carpet while vacuuming it.
- Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance: I left socks, cables, and shoes on the floor intentionally. The Roomba saw them and routed around them. It even takes a photo of the obstacle and asks you in the app if it should avoid it in the future. This “human-in-the-loop” AI training makes it smarter the longer you own it.
- Polished App Experience: The iRobot Home app is clean, rarely crashes, and integrates seamlessly with Google Home and Alexa. Setting schedules or “Do Not Disturb” times is straightforward.
- Low Maintenance Brushrolls: Because the brushes are all rubber, hair doesn’t get tangled around them easily. Instead of cutting hair off bristles with scissors, I just pop the rubber ends off and the hair slides right off.
- Aesthetically Pleasing: The dock is shorter and looks a bit more premium. It blends into my living room furniture better than the Shark’s somewhat utilitarian plastic bin.
Roomba j6+ Cons
- Ongoing Cost: You have to buy bags. A pack of three costs around $15-$20, and depending on your pets, a bag might last a month or two. It’s a subscription to clean floors that you can’t opt out of.
- Slower Mapping: Because it relies on visual landmarks (VSLAM), it took the j6+ about three full runs to create a reliable map of my downstairs. If you move furniture, it gets confused for a while until it relearns the space.
- Camera Privacy Concerns: Even though iRobot processes images securely, having a camera rolling around your house might make some people uncomfortable compared to the anonymous lasers on the Shark.
- Weaker Airflow: If you measure raw suction at the inlet, the Roomba actually has lower numbers than the Shark. It relies on the brushes to do the work, which is great for carpets but sometimes less effective for heavy debris like kitty litter on hard floors.
Shark Matrix Plus Pros
- Incredible Value: You effectively get self-emptying, mapping, and HEPA filtration for often $200-$300 less than the Roomba. The price-to-performance ratio is extremely high here.
- No Recurring Costs: The bagless bin means once you buy the robot, you are done paying. Over the life of the vacuum (say, 5 years), this saves you hundreds of dollars compared to the Roomba bags.
- Lightning Fast Navigation: Thanks to LiDAR, this thing moves with purpose. It doesn’t bump into walls as much; it sees the wall and turns an inch before hitting it. It mapped my 1,500 sq ft floor in 15 minutes.
- Matrix Clean for Hard Floors: As I mentioned, the grid pattern is excellent for kitchens. If you have mostly hardwood or tile, this feature alone might make the Shark the winner.
- Quiet Operation (Vacuuming): While the base is loud, the robot itself running on “Eco” or “Normal” mode seemed quieter to me than the Roomba’s rumbling rollers.
Shark Matrix Plus Cons
- The App Needs Work: The SharkClean app is functional but glitchy. I’ve had the map disappear on me once, and sometimes it takes a solid minute just to connect to the robot. It feels like software built by a hardware company.
- Obstacle “Avoidance” Limitations: While it sees walls and chair legs, it does NOT see low objects well. It ate a phone charger cable during my test and dragged it halfway across the room. It also will not detect pet waste. If you have a puppy, this robot is a risky gamble.
- Messy Bin Emptying: Even though the base is convenient, eventually you have to empty that base. Dust flies up, and hair sometimes gets stuck inside the chute, requiring me to reach in with a finger to fish it out.
- Hair Wrap: Despite the “self-cleaning brushroll” marketing, I found long human hair still wrapped around the ends of the roller. I had to perform maintenance on the Shark brush more often than the Roomba’s rubber rollers.
Maintenance And Long-Term Care
- Cleaning the Sensors
The Roomba relies on a clear view. I found that after a month, the front camera lens got a bit dusty, and the robot started acting hesitant. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth fixed it. You also need to wipe the charging contacts on the base.
The Shark’s LiDAR sensor is spinning constantly. You need to make sure no hair gets wrapped around that turret. Additionally, the Shark has sensors on the bottom to prevent it from falling down stairs (cliff sensors). These get dirty faster on the Shark for some reason, perhaps because it sits lower to the ground.
- Filter Replacements
On the Roomba, the filter is inside the robot’s bin. It’s a small rectangular cartridge. You tap it out in the trash, but you need to replace it every 2-3 months.
On the Shark, you have filters in the robot AND filters in the base. The base has a pre-motor foam filter and a post-motor HEPA filter. The foam one is washable (rinse and dry), which is nice and saves money. The HEPA filter needs replacing once a year or so.
- The Hair Situation
If you have long hair in your house, listen up. On the Roomba, hair migrates to the sides of the rubber rollers. Every two weeks, I pop the rollers out, pull the yellow caps off the ends, and a ring of hair slides right off. It takes 30 seconds.
On the Shark, hair wraps around the barrel of the brush. While the “fins” are supposed to cut it, I found tightly wound hair that I had to cut away with a tool. It’s not terrible, but it is definitely more work than the Roomba.
Also Read: Comparison of Roborock S8 And Q8 Robot Vacuums.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For hard floors and budget-conscious buyers, the Shark is often better due to the Matrix scrubbing and lack of bag costs. However, for carpet deep-cleaning and obstacle avoidance, the Roomba is the superior machine.
Its raw airflow is lower than the Shark, but its cleaning performance is better on carpets because the dual rubber brushes physically lift dirt that suction alone misses.
The biggest disadvantage is the ongoing cost of disposable dirt bags and the reliance on a camera, which makes navigation slower and less effective in dark rooms compared to LiDAR robots.
Yes, it is excellent. The dual rubber brushes resist tangling much better than bristled brushes, and the self-emptying base ensures the robot doesn’t clog up mid-clean during shedding season.
Wrapping Up
After living with both, my recommendation comes down to your household chaos level. If you have pets that might leave “accidents,” or kids who leave socks and cables everywhere, the Roomba j6+ is the only safe choice.
The camera-based AI is a safety net that prevents disaster, and the dual brushes are unmatched on carpet. I personally kept the Roomba for my living room because I trust it not to get stuck while I’m away.
However, if you keep a tidy floor, have mostly hardwood, or are strictly looking for the best bang for your buck, the Shark Matrix Plus is a powerhouse. You will save money upfront and over time by not buying bags.
The Matrix cleaning grid leaves hard floors feeling cleaner than the Roomba does. It’s a louder, slightly dumber beast, but it cleans relentlessly and costs less.
Ultimately, neither robot is perfect. The Roomba is the smarter, more expensive butler, while the Shark is the hardworking, low-cost janitor. Choose the one that fits your budget and your floor type, and you will likely be thrilled to never push a manual vacuum again.