Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Shark Matrix Plus handle pet hair well?

Yes, the self-cleaning brushroll cuts away hair as it spins, and after a month of use only two hair tangles needed removal.

Does this robot vacuum mop?

It has a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop function with a 200 ml water tank, but it’s more of a damp wipe than a deep clean—good for sticky spots between proper mopping.

What is Matrix Mode navigation?

Matrix Mode makes the robot criss‑cross the room in a grid pattern using sensors and a gyroscope, so it covers the floor systematically rather than bouncing randomly.

Does the Shark Matrix Plus have a self-emptying base?

No, it does not have a self-emptying base; the dustbin holds about 0.5 liters and needs to be emptied after each full cleaning cycle in homes with pets.

Can I control this vacuum with my voice?

Yes, it works with Alexa and Google Assistant through the SharkClean app, which also lets you schedule cleanings and view history.

Two kids, a shedding dog, and a budget that says “no thanks”

You know that moment when you walk through the door after a long day, kick off your shoes, and immediately feel a fine layer of dog hair and crushed Goldfish crackers under your socks? That’s my life. Sparkles, my seven-year-old, claims she can “identify the source of every crumb by taste,” which is both impressive and slightly horrifying. I’ve got a medium‑sized house, one cat who thinks he’s a lion, and a golden retriever mix that sheds enough to knit a second dog every week. I needed help, but I didn’t want to drop a grand on a robot vacuum. That’s when I picked up the Shark Matrix Plus 2‑in‑1. And yes, Sparkles named it “Matty.” She said it sounds like a friendly janitor.

What is the Shark Matrix Plus 2‑in‑1?

To put it simply, this is Shark’s budget‑friendly entry into robot vacuuming that also pretends to mop. It’s called “Matrix Plus” because of its Matrix Mode navigation — basically, it criss‑crosses the room in a grid pattern to make sure it covers everything. The “2‑in‑1” means it can vacuum and then mop with a small water tank and a washable pad. It doesn’t have a self‑emptying base, which is a big clue that this isn’t the top‑of‑the‑line model. But for around $300 (often less on sale), it promises smart mapping, pet‑hair pickup, and the ability to switch between floor types without losing its mind.

Key features that matter in a real home

  • Self‑cleaning brushroll – This was a huge selling point for me. The brushroll is designed to cut away hair as it spins. I’ve had several robot vacuums that needed weekly haircuts with scissors; this one actually lives up to the claim. After a month of use, I’ve only had to remove two hair tangles from the ends of the brushroll.
  • Matrix Mode navigation – Instead of bouncing around randomly, the robot uses a combination of sensors and gyroscope to map your floor in a grid. It does a surprisingly good job for a budget bot. It learns the layout over a few runs, and you can set it to clean specific rooms or areas via the app.
  • 2‑in‑1 vacuum and mop – The water tank is small (about 200 ml), and the mopping is more of a damp wipe than a deep clean. You can control the water flow in the app. I use it only on our hard floors after vacuuming, and it picks up the sticky spots left by juice boxes and spilled cereal milk. It won’t replace a proper mop, but it keeps the floors presentable between deep cleans.
  • App control and voice assistant – You can start, stop, schedule, and view cleaning history from the SharkClean app. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant, which is handy when your hands are full of laundry and the dog is begging.
  • Bin size – The dustbin holds about 0.5 liters. That’s okay for a small apartment, but in my house with all the pet hair, I have to empty it after every full cleaning cycle. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but it’s worth noting.

Who should buy this robot vacuum?

If you live in a small apartment or a single‑story home with mostly hard floors and low‑pile carpet, this vacuum is a solid choice. It’s especially good for pet owners who don’t want to spend a fortune. I’d recommend it over something like a Roomba 600 series because of the self‑cleaning brushroll and the (basic) mopping. But if you have a large house, thick carpets, or multiple levels, you’ll probably find the battery life (about 90 minutes on standard mode) limiting. And if you absolutely cannot stand emptying a bin every day, you’ll need to look at a model with a self‑emptying dock — which costs at least double.

The good, the bad, and the hairy: pros and cons

What I love

  • Pet hair pickup is legit. I vacuumed the living room with my upright Shark, then let Matty run. It still filled its bin with hair from under the sofa and between the rug fringe. The self‑cleaning brushroll stayed tangle‑free.
  • For the price, it’s quiet. Not silent, but quieter than my upright vac. I can run it while Sparkles is doing homework without her complaining that “the vacuum is trying to eat my brain.”
  • Simple setup. Out of the box, I charged it, downloaded the app, mapped the main floor, and let it go. It didn’t require calibration or adjustment.
  • Matrix Mode actually works. It doesn’t miss spots the way random‑bounce bots do. It cleaned under the dining table in nice, neat rows.
  • Mopping is decent enough for daily dirt. I wouldn’t use it for a spaghetti dinner disaster, but for dust and light spills, it does the job.

What I don’t love

  • Navigation can get confused. It sometimes thinks a dark rug is a cliff and refuses to cross it. We have a black bathmat in the hall, and Matty will nudge it twice, then turn away. I had to add a virtual barrier in the app to keep it from getting stuck on the fringe of our living room rug.
  • The bin is small. For a house with one cat and one dog, I empty it after each full floor clean. If you have two heavy shedders plus kids, you’ll be emptying it mid‑clean.
  • Mapping isn’t perfect. It does learn, but the first few runs are a bit messy. I’ve had it get stuck on a stray shoe twice and once on a low TV stand that the sensors didn’t detect until it wedged itself.
  • Mopping pad gets smelly. If you forget to clean the pad after a wet run, it starts to smell like a damp towel left in a gym bag. The app reminds you, but it’s easy to ignore.
  • No self‑emptying base. For a budget robot, that’s expected, but it means daily maintenance. If that bothers you, wait for a sale on the Shark AI Self‑Empty model.

Verdict: Should you buy the Shark Matrix Plus 2‑in‑1?

Yes, if you’re a parent with pets, live in a small to medium‑sized home, and want a reliable robot vacuum that doesn’t break the bank. It handles pet hair better than most budget bots I’ve tested, and the self‑cleaning brushroll is a genuine time‑saver. The mopping is a bonus, not a feature you’d rely on for heavy cleaning. Sparkles has named it “Matty the Floor Friend,” and she even cheers when it starts cleaning under her bed. For me, the biggest win is vacuuming less often — I still do a weekly deep clean, but Matty handles the daily debris from dog fur, Goldfish dust, and whatever else my kids grind into the carpet.

Would I recommend it to a friend with a big house, multiple floors, and a deep desire to never see a dustbin? No. They should spend more. But if you’re like me — tired of stepping on dry cereal and pet hair, but also tired of spending your whole paycheck on a vacuum — the Shark Matrix Plus 2‑in‑1 is a fantastic, honest choice.