Review of the Roomba 694
The iRobot Roomba 694 is an affordable robotic vacuum offering Wi-Fi connectivity, personalized cleaning recommendations, and Alexa compatibility. It’s ideal for pet hair, carpets, and hard floors, and it automatically recharges.
With a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on over 23,000 reviews, the Roomba 694 is an accessible and efficient option.
iRobot Roomba 694 Specifications Table
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | iRobot |
| Model | Roomba 694 |
| Suction Power | Standard |
| Brushes | Central bristle brush, edge brush |
| Battery Life | 90 minutes |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.6 liters (20.3 ounces) |
| Navigation and Mapping | Yes, advanced sensors |
| Multi-Surface Capability | Yes, wood, tile, carpets |
| Remote/WiFi Control | Yes, voice assistant compatible |
| Mopping Function | No |
| Scheduling | Yes, through the app |
| Obstacle and Drop Detection | Yes, stair detection |
| Size/Dimensions | 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.54 inches |
| User Ratings | 4.2 out of 5 stars (+23,800 ratings) |
| Price | Approximately $94 |
Key Features
🧹 Three-Stage Cleaning: The three-stage cleaning system loosens, lifts, and suctions dirt, ideal for carpets and hard floors.
🕹️ Voice and App Control: Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing cleaning sessions to be started with voice commands or through the iRobot Home app.
🗺️ Adaptive Navigation: Advanced sensors help the Roomba 694 navigate around furniture and edges without falling down stairs.
🔋 Auto-Recharge: Operates for up to 90 minutes before automatically returning to its base to recharge.
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Multi-surface brushes and powerful suction are perfect for picking up pet hair.
🛠️ Easy Maintenance: Designed for easy cleaning of the dustbin and brushes to maintain performance.
📅 Personalized Scheduling: Learns your cleaning habits and suggests personalized cleaning schedules, especially useful during high dust or pet hair periods.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable Price: One of the most economical robot vacuums with good features.
- Voice Assistant Compatibility: Easy operation without direct interaction.
- Intelligent Navigation: Sensors prevent falls and efficiently navigate the home.
- Pet-Friendly: Effective at picking up pet hair and other debris.
- Auto-Recharge: Automatically returns to its base to recharge when the battery is low.
Cons
- Limited Suction Power: Adequate but not as powerful as higher-end models.
- No Mopping Function: Lacks a mopping feature, which other models may offer.
- Noise: Some users find the noise level somewhat high during operation.
- Occasional Stuck: Can get stuck under low furniture or in tricky areas.
- Incomplete Cycles: Some users report it doesn’t always return to the charging base automatically.
Customer Reviews
5 stars: “I have 3 dogs and use this Roomba almost every day. It’s basic and I haven’t used the wireless function, but it does the job well. It’s not very quiet and sometimes gets stuck, but emptying the bin is easy. Good value for money.” – Anonymous User
5 stars: “It really works. Doesn’t program like the more expensive ones but covers all key areas. You need to clean the dust compartment after each session.” – Erika Keeling
4 stars: “The suction is impressive for this little device. It’s pretty quiet and doesn’t scare my dogs. Easy to use and clean, although sometimes it doesn’t return to the charging base on its own.” – FW900
5 stars: “Does exactly what I wanted, frees up cleaning time. Vacuums well and isn’t too noisy, though you need to check the spinning brush often.” – Mayte Diaz
5 stars: “Works as expected. Simple to use, seems durable, a bit noisy but acceptable for a basic machine. Satisfied with its performance.” – Swaran S.
Overall Ratings
The iRobot Roomba 694 is a budget-friendly solution for those looking to get into the world of robotic vacuums without a significant investment. With an elegant design and a range of features aimed at making home cleaning easier, this model seems like an attractive option. However, it’s important to break down its features, advantages, and disadvantages in detail to determine if it’s truly worth purchasing.
The Roomba 694 has a modern design in charcoal gray, fitting well with most interior decors. Its dimensions are 13.4 inches in diameter and 3.54 inches in height, making it compact enough to slide under most furniture. Weighing around 6.77 pounds, it is easy to handle and place in different parts of the house.
This model offers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing it to be controlled via the iRobot Home app. It is also compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, adding a level of convenience by allowing cleaning sessions to be started or stopped with simple voice commands. The ability to schedule daily cleanings from the app is a standout feature, ideal for maintaining a clean home without constant effort.
The Roomba 694 uses a three-stage cleaning system, including multi-surface brushes, an edge brush, and powerful suction to pick up dust, dirt, and pet hair. This combination is effective on both carpets and hard floors. The adjustable cleaning head automatically adapts to different surface heights for efficient cleaning.
Equipped with advanced sensors, it navigates intelligently around furniture and along edges, avoiding falls thanks to Cliff Detect technology. However, its navigation system is random, meaning it may take longer to cover large areas compared to more advanced models using structured mapping.
The lithium-ion battery provides up to 90 minutes of continuous cleaning. Once the battery runs low, the robot automatically returns to its base to recharge. This automatic recharge cycle is a significant advantage for those seeking an uninterrupted cleaning experience.
It is quite effective at picking up pet hair, dust, and small debris. However, its suction power is not as strong as high-end models, which may result in less thorough cleaning on some occasions. It may leave residues in particularly dirty areas, potentially requiring an additional pass.
While the sensor system prevents the robot from falling down stairs, its navigation can be problematic in environments with many obstacles. It can get stuck under low furniture or tangled with loose cables. Nevertheless, for more open spaces with fewer obstacles, it performs its job without major issues.
The noise level of the Roomba 694 is moderate, similar to a traditional vacuum, which can be a nuisance for some users. In terms of maintenance, emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushes is straightforward, although some users have mentioned that maintenance tasks can be somewhat tedious if the robot is used frequently.
Priced at approximately $94, the Roomba 694 is one of the most affordable options in the robot vacuum market. While it does not offer all the advanced features of more expensive models, it provides basic functionality suitable for maintaining daily cleanliness in the home. It is especially good for pet owners seeking a solution for hair and debris.
In conclusion, the iRobot Roomba 694 is a good choice for those on a budget who want a device capable of performing daily cleaning tasks without constant manual intervention. Its connectivity and scheduling features, along with its ability to handle pet hair and various floor types, make it a solid choice. However, if you have a bit more budget, it might be worth considering more advanced models that offer greater suction power, better navigation, and additional features such as room mapping. That said, the Roomba 694 remains a valuable and functional option for those seeking an automated cleaning solution at a reasonable price.
