Frequently Asked Questions
How much suction does the Shark Matrix Plus have?
It has 2500 Pa in Matrix mode and 1800 Pa in regular mode, which handles pet hair and cheerio crumbs but is not for deep-pile carpet.
Does the Shark Matrix Plus work with voice assistants?
Yes, it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and the author’s kids use it to start the vacuum from the couch.
Is the Shark Matrix Plus good for pet hair?
Yes, the article states it handles a golden retriever’s hair on hardwood and low-pile rugs without tangling the brush roll.
What is the battery life of the Shark Matrix Plus?
It has about 100 minutes on a single charge in standard mode and closer to 60 minutes with Matrix mode enabled. It docks and recharges automatically.
How much does the Shark Matrix Plus cost?
It is around $350, often on sale for $300, making it affordable for a self-emptying robot vacuum.
Shark Matrix Plus Review: Affordable Robot Vacuum That Works
The Shark Matrix Plus is the robot vacuum that finally made me stop rolling my eyes when someone says “set it and forget it.” I’ve been through enough robovacs — some that got stuck under the couch, some that mapped my living room like a confused Roomba on a bender, and a few that just plain gave up after three months. The Matrix Plus isn’t perfect, but it’s the first budget-friendly robot vac I’ve actually recommended to other parents without crossing my fingers behind my back. Sparkles named it “Bumpy” because of the way it navigates over cords and toy dinosaurs. She’s not wrong.
Key Specs and Features
- Suction power: 2500 Pa in Matrix mode, 1800 Pa in regular mode — enough for pet hair and cheerio crumbs, but not for deep-pile carpet.
- Battery life: About 100 minutes on a single charge in standard mode, closer to 60 with Matrix mode enabled. It docks and recharges automatically, then resumes cleaning.
- Navigation: Matrix Clean uses a back-and-forth pattern with side-to-side wiggling to get into corners. No lidar, so it relies on optical sensors and bump detection.
- Self-emptying dock: The base holds up to 30 days of debris. It’s loud — sounds like a startled goose — but it works.
- App control: Works with the SharkClean app. You can start, stop, schedule, and set no-go zones (sort of — more on that later).
- Voice control: Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. My kids use it to start “Bumpy” from the couch.
What’s in the Box
- Robot vacuum
- Self-emptying base
- Side brush (one, sadly)
- HEPA filter and dust bin
- Pre-mopped pad holder (for the mopping version — yes, I got that one, but the mopping is underwhelming)
Who Is This Vacuum For?
Honestly? The Shark Matrix Plus is for families who want a decent robot vacuum without spending BMW service-plan money. If you have hard floors, low-pile carpet, and the occasional pet hair tumbleweed rolling through the living room, this will do the job. It’s also great if you’re tired of manually vacuuming every day just to keep up with a shedding dog or a toddler who treats Goldfish crackers like confetti.
It is not for homes with thick shag carpets, multiple area rugs with long fringe, or a layout where furniture sits less than three inches off the floor. The Matrix Plus is 3.5 inches tall and will get stuck under anything lower. Sparkles once wedged it under her bed frame and the thing sat there beeping until I came home. Not fun.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Price: At around $350 (often on sale for $300), this is genuinely affordable for a self-emptying robot vac. Most competitors cost twice as much for the same feature set.
- Matrix Clean mode: The zigzag pattern really does help with edge cleaning. It won’t replace a handheld for baseboards, but it reduces the dust bunnies that usually line the walls.
- Pet hair pickup: We have a golden retriever mix named Gus. The Matrix Plus handles his hair on hardwood and low-pile rugs without tangling the brush roll. (I’ve owned Roombas that needed weekly brush-roll haircuts — this is better.)
- Self-emptying dock: This is the feature that makes it “set and forget.” The bin cycles debris into a sealed bag. I change it every three weeks. One less chore.
- App is simple: It’s not flashy, but it works. You can schedule cleaning for when the kids are at school and the dog is out of the way.
Cons
- No true lidar mapping: The Matrix Plus uses a gyroscope and bump sensors, so it doesn’t remember your floor plan. Every cleaning cycle starts fresh. That means it sometimes misses rooms or cleans the same spot twice. You can set no-go zones in the app using virtual barriers, but they’re not as precise as lidar-based magnetic strips.
- One side brush: Single brush means it pulls dirt from the right side only. Left-side corners can get neglected. I find myself running it twice in opposite directions to compensate.
- Self-emptying noise: The dock is loud. Not “vacuum loud” — more like “slightly angry goose on a megaphone” loud. It lasts about 10 seconds, but if you schedule cleaning at 2 AM (don’t), everyone will know.
- Mopping feature is weak: If you get the mopping version (Matrix Plus Pro or similar), the water tank is small and the cloth just drags. It’s fine for a light freshening, but don’t expect to clean up dried ketchup spills.
- Struggles with high-pile carpet: It will go over medium shag, but it slows down and loses suction. If your whole house is thick carpet, look elsewhere.
Real-World Experience With Kids and Pets
We’ve had the Matrix Plus for about six months. My wife calls it “the third parent” because it picks up the crumbs we miss. On a typical day, I run it in the morning after breakfast. It zigzags through the kitchen, living room, and hallway. Usually it finishes in about 45 minutes, then docks and empties itself. I empty the bag every three weeks or so. The HEPA filter catches most allergens — good for my daughter who has mild dust sensitivity.
Sparkles’ favorite part is naming it and watching it “dance” when it gets stuck. Not exactly a feature, but it’s kid entertainment for free. Her least favorite part: when the dock empties during dinner and scares the cat. The cat now hides under the sofa when that happens.
One frustration: if you have a lot of low furniture, you’ll need to baby-proof it. I had to raise my couch legs by an inch using cheap risers. Took ten minutes. Worth it to stop the constant “Bumpy is stuck” notifications on my phone.
Also, the app’s “Manual Control” mode is a gimmick. It’s like driving a remote-controlled car through a skating rink. Just let it do its thing.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Shark Matrix Plus?
Yes, with one big “but” — buy it if you have hard floors or low-pile carpet and want a budget robot vac that actually empties itself. The self-emptying feature alone is worth the price compared to competitors. You’re getting 80% of what a $700 robot offers for half the cost.
Don’t buy it if you have thick carpet, a complicated floor plan, or need mopping that actually works. For those situations, look at the Roborock Q5 or the iRobot Roomba j7+. But be prepared to spend more.
For me, the Matrix Plus has earned its spot. It’s not perfect — no vacuum is — but it’s affordable, reliable, and handles the daily chaos of dog hair, cracker crumbs, and random LEGO pieces. Sparkles approves. Gus the dog is indifferent, but he doesn’t have to pay the electric bill. So there you go.
If you’re on the fence, wait for a sale (they happen every few months). At $300, it’s a no-brainer for a busy household that needs a little help staying clean.