When it comes to selecting a budget-friendly robot vacuum cleaner from iRobot, you’ll likely consider both the Roomba 692 vs 694. If I were to make a choice between the two, I’d opt for the Roomba 694.
In essence, these two vacuum cleaners are identical, and the Roomba 694 comes out on top because it includes an extra filter, which is definitely a bonus. I believe the Roomba 694 offers a better overall deal compared to the Roomba 692.
It’s important to stress once again that these machines are essentially the same. Whether you go with the Roomba 692 or the Roomba 694, you can expect reliable performance and excellent cleaning capabilities. As you continue reading this article, I’ll share valuable experiences and insights to assist you in making an informed decision.
Roomba 692 vs 694: Comparison Chart
Roomba 692 vs 694: Review & Comparison
As previously highlighted, the Roomba 692 and 694 are nearly identical, differing in only one aspect. Therefore, in this comparison, the final result stands at 1-0 in favor of the Roomba 694, with 3 ties.
Cleaning Performance
Tie
Roomba 692 and 694 both have the same 3-stage Cleaning System that includes Dual Multi-Surface Brushes and an Edge-Sweeping Brush. Moreover, they have the same suction power.
Underneath these robots, you’ll find the Multi-Surface Brushes doing their job perfectly – the first one loosening, grabbing dirt and hair from both floors and carpets, while the second one directs all that mess into the suction channel.
Plus, there’s a trusty Edge-Sweeping Brush that takes care of the tricky corners and walls, ensuring they don’t get left out during the cleaning process.
In terms of suction power, both the Roomba 692 and 694 boast a 9 CFM airflow. This airflow is about normal for Roombas but it is on the lower side compared to some other robot vacuums. But I think, with their efficient dual brush roll design, they don’t require excessive suction power to deliver effective cleaning results.
Given their identical features, it’s only natural to wonder if the Roomba 692 and 694 offer the same cleaning performance. Having used both of these vacuums, I can confidently say that I haven’t been able to notice any difference in their cleaning performance. So, it’s safe to say they’re on par with each other.
Carpets
In my experience, both the Roomba 692 and 694 excelled at picking up various debris types from my carpets. Their patented two-brush roll design, which sets them apart from many single-brush robots, proved to be a significant advantage, especially when dealing with carpets. Thanks to these dual brush rolls, they provided enhanced surface agitation, effectively lifting deep-seated dirt for easy removal.
However, in my carpet deep clean test, I did notice that the 692 and 694 struggled to clean fine debris thoroughly. Even after making three passes over a carpeted area, I found that a powerful upright vacuum was needed to pick up the remaining fine particles that the Roombas couldn’t handle. Nevertheless, when compared to other vacuum cleaners in the same price range, the Roombas still outperformed them.
Still, if you have a lot of carpets and are in the market for a budget-friendly robot vacuum, choosing either the Roomba 692 or 694 is a no-brainer due to their impressive performance on carpets.
Hard Floor
When it comes to hard floors, I noticed that the Roomba 692 and 694 performed quite similarly and quite well. However, one notable thing was that their side brushes tended to scatter debris more on hardwood floors compared to carpets. This scattering led to the robots taking a bit more time to clean up these dispersed particles, but they eventually managed to get the job done.
On another note, much like most round robot vacuums, these vacuums didn’t excel at cleaning corners, whether it was on carpet or hardwood flooring. It was a bit disappointing to consistently find some visible residue left behind in those hard-to-reach spots, and I had to pick it up manually.
I was once again disappointed when I tested these robot vacuums in the crevice areas, both the Roomba 692 and 694 struggled. I wish they offered any higher suction settings to try out in this situation but they solely operate on their default suction setting.
Hair Pick-up
In my hair pick-up tests, both the Roomba 692 and 694 managed to pick up all the thread strands. However, there’s a notable issue to be aware of – most of the threads ended up wrapped around the brush rollers of both models, instead of being neatly stored in their dustbins. So, yeah, I had to do some hands-on cleaning and untangle those rollers myself.
Design & Usability
Tie
Dimensions, Weight & Shape
| Roomba 692 | Roomba 694 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H) | 13.4 x 3.54 inches | 13.4 x 3.54 inches |
| Weight | 6.77 lbs | 6.77 lbs |
These Roomba twins are basically clones of each other when it comes to design. I mean, seriously, they’re like two peas in a pod. Same color, same specs, same shape, same dimensions, same logo placement – you name it, it’s the same.
Both the Roomba 692 and 694 sport a compact and lightweight design, with a round body that’s about 13.4 inches in diameter and a little over 3.5 inches thick. With this slim design, they can easily slip through rooms and under furniture.
Battery Life
The Roomba 694 doesn’t differ from the 692 when it comes to battery and runtime. Both are equipped with the standard 1800mAh lithium-ion battery that iRobot commonly uses in its models. According to iRobot, these batteries should give the Roombas a solid 90 minutes of runtime.
However, in my real-world testing, neither of these models quite lived up to that 90-minute claim. They both ran for about 70 to 75 minutes before needing a recharge. Nonetheless, this battery life is still sufficient for smaller to medium-sized spaces.
It’s worth mentioning that some users do report achieving the full 90-minute runtime, and this can depend on factors like your home’s flooring type and the suction mode you choose.
Navigation & Obstacle Avoidance
The Roomba 692 and 694 share a navigation style that iRobot calls “adaptive navigation,” which basically means they move in a somewhat random manner. They go in one direction until they bump into something, then they try to figure out how to go around it before changing direction.
While this approach does eventually get the job done, it can be a bit annoying to watch because they tend to miss certain areas while repeatedly going back and forth over others during a single cleaning session.
These models don’t have obstacle avoidance built in, but in my tests, they did manage to change direction when they bumped into things like scattered pens or even my feet. However, when they encounter lightweight stuff, they may give it a little push before deciding to go another way. So, it’s a good idea to clear the floor of potential obstacles before letting these little Roombas loose.
Control
Tie
Buttons
In this age of technology and smart controls, I still appreciate having physical buttons to control my vacuum cleaner. It’s a practical backup for those times when Wi-Fi isn’t available or when I don’t have my phone in hand.
At the top of these Roomba vacuums, you’ll find a set of buttons and indicators, including:
- Clean/Power Button
- Dock Button
- Spot Button
- Wifi Indicator
- Battery Indicator
- Troubleshooting Indicator
App Compatible & Voice Control
Roomba 692 and 694, are a smart robot vacuum cleaners powered by 2.4GHz WiFi. You can sync the robot vacuum with your smartphone for remote operation via the iRobot Home app.
On the app, you have all the controls to start/stop a cleaning session without removing your couch or bed to push the buttons on their top.
From the app, you can limit timed cleanings in 15-minute, 30 or 45 minutes intervals. Let me tell you, it’s a real time-saver. For instance, when I’m in a hurry to get my home ready for guests, I can set it to do a quick 15-minute clean to tackle high-traffic areas. On days when I’m working from home and want a consistently tidy space, the 30-minute interval comes in handy. It ensures my floors stay clean without any effort on my part. Plus, scheduling a 45-minute cleaning right before bedtime means I wake up to a spotless home. It’s all about convenience, and I love how my vacuum can adapt to my daily routine.
Another feature that I really like is Schedule. I can choose each individual day of the week I want and set a time when I want it to start cleaning. What really impressed me is the ability to add new schedules that start when I leave home. They will detect when I’m gone and start cleaning. These little robots ensure my floors are tidy and welcoming when I walk in the door.
The iRobot Home Genius is worth mentioning as it’s a pretty new technology that adds an extra layer of convenience to these Roomba models. It learns and adapts to your cleaning habits, essentially getting to know your schedule and preferences and then personalizing your cleaning schedules, ensuring your floors are cleaned exactly when and where you want them to be.
The 692 and 694, do have their limitations. Since they lack mapping features, you don’t get some of the premium functionalities like clean map reports and digital Keep Out Zones. These features are typically available in higher-end Roomba models. Additionally, their package doesn’t include a Virtual Wall, which is used for setting boundaries, but they are compatible with this technology, so you can purchase it separately if needed.
And you know what’s even cooler? The Roomba 692 and 694 can team up with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Picture this: I’m chilling on the couch, maybe watching some TV, and suddenly I notice some crumbs or pet hair on the floor. Instead of getting up, hunting down the remote, or reaching for my phone, I just say, “Hey Alexa, tell Roomba to clean the living room.” Boom! It’s like magic.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The Winner: Roomba 694
The filtration system on both the Roomba 692 and 694 is pretty impressive. They’re equipped with high-efficiency filters to capture allergens and those pesky elements that can trigger allergies or leave unpleasant odors. It’s been a relief for me, especially as someone with allergies.
Now, the only difference I’ve noticed in terms of filtration between the Roomba 692 and 694 is that the 694 comes with an extra filter, which can come in handy for extended use.
As for their dustbins, they both have a 0.3-liter dustbin, and there’s a handy full bin indicator. But keep in mind, these robots don’t have the fancy automatic self-emptying feature you’ll find in some other Roomba models like the Roomba i7+, Roomba S9+, and Roomba i3+, so you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and empty it manually.
I’m leaning towards giving the Roomba 694 a win in this department, and it’s not because it’s necessarily easier to clean and maintain compared to the 692. It’s more about the thoughtful inclusion of an extra high-efficiency filter with the 694.
Sure, you can buy this additional filter separately, but when faced with two options on the market at the same price, like they were when I was researching this comparison, going for the 694 makes perfect sense. So, if you stumble upon both models at an equal price point, I’d say go for the Roomba 694 and enjoy the bonus filter.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba 694
- Design: Sleek, premium design complements your home decor; The Roomba 694 is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter. Just schedule it to clean up daily dirt, dust, and debris with the iRobot Home app or your voice assistant. - for effortlessly clean floors
- Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head: Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head automatically adapts its height to effectively clean carpets and hard floors
- Adaptive Navigation: A full suite of advanced sensors allows Roomba to navigate under and around furniture, and along edges. Cliff Detect keeps it from falling downstairs
- Clean Floors Every Day: The Roomba 694 provides a system of cleaning features and smart sensors that allow the robot to adjust to your unique home and deliver a daily clean
- Automatically Recharges: The Robot Vacuum runs for up to 90 minutes before automatically docking and recharging
Quick Rundown Of Roomba 692
- CLEAN SMARTER - Sleek, premium design complements your home décor; The Roomba 692 is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter. Just schedule it to clean up daily dirt, dust, and debris with the iRobot HOME app or your voice assistant..Runtime : 90 minutes
- LOOSENS, LIFTS, AND SUCTIONS - The 3 Stage Cleaning system and Dual Multi-Surface brushes grab dirt from carpets and hard floors, an Edge-Sweeping brush takes care of corners and edges.
- LEARNS YOUR LIFE LISTENS TO YOUR VOICE - Learns your cleaning habits to offer up personalized schedules, while Google Assistant and Alexa allow you to start cleaning with just the sound of your voice.
- ADAPTIVE NAVIGATION - A full suite of advanced sensors allow Roomba to navigate under and around furniture, and along edges. Cliff Detect keeps it from falling down stairs.
- SENSES AND ELIMINATES DIRT - Dirt Detect Sensors alert your robot about dirtier areas of your home, like high-traffic spots, and cleans them more thoroughly.
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References:
- Roomba 692: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming-robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-69-2020/R692020.html
- Roomba 694: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming-robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-69-4020/R694020.html
Richard B. Schmidt is a prominent figure in the vacuum cleaner industry, boasting over 15 years of expertise. Armed with a Robotics Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Consumer Science from Harvard, his unique blend of technical knowledge and consumer insights positions him as a sought-after authority in vacuum cleaner evaluation. Richard’s career began at Dyson, where he contributed to the development of innovative vacuum models. Transitioning to advocacy and reviews, he co-founded the first Vacuum-focused blog in 2008, offering comprehensive analysis and user guides for various vacuum cleaners. In 2020, he founded RoboMop.net, providing ongoing insights through columns and buyer’s guides.