iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo vs Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE)
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 31, 2026
As of Oct 31, 2026, the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo costs $470 and the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) costs $500, so the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo is $30 cheaper. The iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo has a published review score and ranks #37 in our robot vacuums ranking; the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) is not scored yet. Pick the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo for small spaces with no room for a dock. Pick the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) for vacuum only cleaning with no bags.
- Suction
- iRobot claims 70x
- Navigation
- ClearView LiDAR
- Mopping
- Reusable microfiber pad
A space saving Roomba with no tall dock, good LiDAR navigation and a large compacting bin. TechRadar needed to empty it after 8 days rather than 60 and measured 78 dB. Mopping and obstacle handling are weak, so it suits small tidy homes.
Full iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo review →- Suction
- No Pa rating from Shark
- Navigation
- 360 degree LiDAR
- Mopping
- No
- Runtime
- 90 min
A plain, vacuum only Shark with LiDAR and a bagless base that Vacuum Wars called Shark's best performing robot when it tested it. It is an older 2023 model with a short 90 minute runtime, and the $499.99 store price is high when the Matrix Plus 2 in 1 sells for less. Most buyers should pick the Matrix Plus instead unless this one is discounted.
Full Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) review →Side by side
| iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo | Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $470 | $500 |
| 3 year cost | $470 | $500 |
| Our score | 5.8/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Floors | #37 | #56 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | n/a | 1 year limited, 2 years on parts (SharkNinja US store) |
| Suction | iRobot claims 70x the suction of Roomba 600 series, 4 levels; no Pa figure published | No Pa rating from Shark; Vacuum Wars rated bench suction well above average but published no kPa figure |
| Navigation | ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 maps (iRobot) | 360 degree LiDAR with Matrix Clean grid passes (Shark); Vacuum Wars mapped about 350 sq ft in just over 5 min and found it about 28% faster than a Roomba i3+ EVO |
| Obstacle avoidance | Basic; TechRadar saw it push toys and drag a cable, Tech Advisor saw it suck up a glove and get stuck | Shark says it detects and avoids objects day or night; Vacuum Wars did not test it |
| Mopping | Reusable microfiber pad with Carpet Detect to avoid rugs (iRobot); Tech Advisor found it mostly spread mess | No |
| Self empty | No dock emptying; compacts debris onboard, claimed up to 60 days (iRobot); TechRadar needed to empty it after 8 days | Yes, bagless base that holds up to 45 days of debris (Shark) |
| Dock features | Small charging base only (Tech Advisor) | Auto empty and charging only (Shark) |
| Runtime | Not published; iRobot says it covers up to 1,000 sq ft | 90 min, 6 hour charge (Shark); Vacuum Wars estimated about 1,000 sq ft per charge |
| Dustbin | About 1.5 L compacting bin (TechRadar, Tech Advisor) | 0.2 qt robot cup (Shark) |
| Height | 3.98 in (robot 14.1 x 14.09 x 3.98 in, iRobot) | 4.2 in (Vacuum Wars spec table) |
| Pet hair | No measured pet hair result published in the reviews we read | Self cleaning anti hair wrap brushroll (Shark); Vacuum Wars said it did not notice a big difference from anti wrap rolls on robots |
| App | Roomba Home app; works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant (iRobot) | SharkClean app with map editing, zones and schedules; works with Alexa and Google Assistant (Vacuum Wars) |
| Threshold | Not published | n/a |
| Noise | TechRadar measured an average of 78 dB from five feet | n/a |
| Best for | small spaces with no room for a dock | vacuum only cleaning with no bags |
| Skip if | you want real mopping or good obstacle avoidance | you want mopping or a newer model |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo
- TechRadar (Performance 2.5/5): Measured an average of 78 dB from five feet. The roughly 1.5 L bin needed emptying after eight days. It pushed aside toys and dragged a phone cable. Called a crushing disappointment. Source
- Tech Advisor: Good carpet cleaning and LiDAR navigation, but mopping mostly spread mess and it got stuck on furniture bases and thin table legs. Source
Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE)
- Vacuum Wars: Called it Shark's best performing robot vacuum at the time. Covered about 1,000 sq ft per charge versus about 820 for a Roomba i3+ EVO, mapped about 350 sq ft in just over 5 min, and beat the Roomba on crevice pickup and carpet deep cleaning. Battery efficiency 1.29 min per 1%. Source
- 9to5Toys: Tested the Shark Matrix with the bagless 45 day self empty base at a $499.99 MSRP (the review does not print a model number). LiDAR avoided objects taller than a few inches, stopping about an inch away, but did not detect cords. It was barely audible on normal mode and Matrix mode added about 5 min in the largest room. The app does not show live robot position. Source
Pros and cons
iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo
Pros
- Compact charging base with no dock bin
- About 1.5 L compacting bin
- Reliable LiDAR navigation per Tech Advisor
- Good carpet cleaning per Tech Advisor
- Works with Alexa, Siri and Google
Cons
- Emptied after 8 days in TechRadar testing, not 60
- 78 dB average noise in TechRadar testing
- Weak mopping
- Gets stuck and pushes obstacles
- Out of stock at iRobot on 2026-10-26
Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE)
Pros
- Bagless self empty base
- Fast, efficient LiDAR mapping
- Strong hard floor and carpet pickup in Vacuum Wars tests
- Good crevice cleaning
Cons
- No mop
- 90 minute runtime
- Older 2023 design
- Costs more than the Matrix Plus 2 in 1 on Shark's store
- Obstacle avoidance not independently tested
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo or the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE)?
The iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo has a published review score and ranks #37 in our robot vacuums ranking; the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) is not scored yet. Pick the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo for small spaces with no room for a dock. Pick the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE) for vacuum only cleaning with no bags.
Which is cheaper?
The iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo at $470, versus $500 for the Shark Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE), checked Oct 31, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $470 vs $500.
What is the difference between the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo and the Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE)?
Suction: iRobot claims 70x the suction of Roomba 600 series, 4 levels; no Pa figure published on the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, No Pa rating from Shark; Vacuum Wars rated bench suction well above average but… on the Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE). Navigation: ClearView LiDAR, up to 3 maps (iRobot) on the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, 360 degree LiDAR with Matrix Clean grid passes (Shark); Vacuum Wars mapped about 350 sq… on the Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE). Obstacle avoidance: Basic; TechRadar saw it push toys and drag a cable, Tech Advisor saw it suck up a glove… on the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, Shark says it detects and avoids objects day or night; Vacuum Wars did not test it on the Matrix Self Empty (RV2310AE).
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