- Navigation
- Top mounted LiDAR plus
- Mopping
- No
- Runtime
- Up to 120 min
Shark AI Ultra (AV2501S)
LiDAR Shark with a bagless HEPA self empty base, no bags to buy
Researched by Riley Hart · updated Oct 23, 2026
SCORED
A cheap way to get LiDAR mapping and a bagless self empty base with a HEPA filter, so there are no bags to buy. It is an older 2021 model, and RTINGS found it weak on pet hair in low pile carpet and demanding to maintain. Pet homes will do better with the Dreame D20 Plus at about the same price.
Best for: allergy minded homes that want no bags. Skip if: you need strong pet hair pickup on carpet.
Specs
- Suction
- Not published; Vacuum Wars called airflow and suction above average
- Navigation
- Top mounted LiDAR plus front infrared sensors with home mapping and Matrix Clean grid pattern (Vacuum Wars, Amazon listing)
- Obstacle avoidance
- No true obstacle avoidance; Vacuum Wars called the AI in the name mostly marketing
- Mopping
- No, vacuum only (RTINGS); the AI Ultra 2 in 1 is the mopping version
- Self empty
- Yes, bagless base with a HEPA filter, up to 30 days of debris on the AV2501S (Amazon listing)
- Dock features
- Bagless auto empty with HEPA post motor filter and charging
- Runtime
- Up to 120 min (Amazon listing); Vacuum Wars cited 80 min claimed on low and called runtime below average
- Dustbin
- Not published
3 year cost of ownership
- Robot
- n/a
- Total
- n/a
The bagless base means no bags to buy. RTINGS still rates its recurring costs as high and maintenance as demanding, and says to replace the brushroll every 6 to 12 months. Most Shark robot filters and brushes showed out of stock on the SharkNinja US store on 2026-10-23.
Status and safety
- US availability
- ● On sale
- Recalls
- 1 Shark recall in the CPSC database: Shark Vacuum Cleaners Recalled by Euro-Pro Due to Shock Hazard (Apr 22, 2015). Check whether your model is listed.
- FCC authorized
- Not checked
- Company
- ● Active
- Warranty
- ● 1 year limited (Amazon listing)
Parts and refills for the AI Ultra (AV2501S)
- Shark self empty base pre motor filter kit (XMFRV2500S)
unit price $19.99; out of stock on 2026-10-23; returned by a SharkNinja store search for AV2501S, but the store did not confirm fit or publish an interval (source: SharkNinja US store) - Shop on Amazon →
- Shark AI Robot side brush (406GP2300)
unit price $14.95; out of stock on 2026-10-23; no interval published (source: SharkNinja US store) - Shop on Amazon →
Check the part number matches your model before you order. Affiliate links.
Price history
Tracked dailyPrice tracking starts when a price is confirmed.
Where to buy
- Amazon
- See price →
Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure
Pros
- No dust bags to buy
- HEPA filter in the base
- LiDAR mapping with near full coverage
- Good on bare floors
- Runs over rug tassels
Cons
- Weak on pet hair in low pile carpet
- No real obstacle avoidance
- Buggy app in Vacuum Wars testing
- High recurring costs per RTINGS
- Many spare parts out of stock
What independent reviewers found
- Decent on bare floors and can run over rug tassels, but bad at pet hair on low pile carpet, struggles with solid debris on low pile, and has demanding maintenance and high recurring costs. Max threshold 1.9 cm.
- RTINGS
- Tested the AV2501AE XL base variant: above average carpet deep cleaning and nearly 100% coverage, but no true obstacle avoidance, below average battery life and a buggy app.
- Vacuum Wars
Spec history
Checked dailyNo spec changes since we started tracking on Oct 24, 2026.
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Questions buyers ask
Does it need dust bags?
No. The base is bagless with a HEPA filter. You empty its bin into the trash, up to every 30 days on the AV2501S.
Does it mop?
No. It is vacuum only. Shark sells a separate AI Ultra 2 in 1 that mops.
Is it good for pet hair?
On hard floors it is fine, but RTINGS rates it bad at pet hair on low pile carpet.