The iRobot Roomba 694 is an entry-level model within iRobot's lineup of robot vacuums. Compared to higher-end models like the iRobot Roomba i3, it has a far more basic navigational system that relies on random pathing to move around a room, with no area coverage maps and no support for scheduling individual room cleaning sessions. That said, it's a good option if you're looking for a no-frills robot vacuum that you can use without an internet connection.
Our Verdict
The iRobot 694 is a decent option for bare floors. It clears solid debris without much difficulty, though it struggles with pet hair. Thankfully, it's well-built and compact, meaning it can clean under most furniture. While its automation features are somewhat limited, aside from its surface detection function, it still has good area coverage, and you can use it without an internet connection.
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Can be used without an internet connection.
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Automatic power adjustment.
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Excellent performance on bare floors.
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Struggles to pick up pet hair on all surfaces.
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High recurring costs.
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Many parts need regular cleaning.
The iRobot 694 is middling for low-pile carpet, as it delivers poor overall debris pickup performance on this surface type, even with the rare-for-its-price automatic height adjustment feature. It also incurs high recurring costs, with many parts needing replacing periodically.
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Can be used without an internet connection.
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Automatic power adjustment.
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Struggles to pick up pet hair on all surfaces.
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High recurring costs.
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Many parts need regular cleaning.
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Struggles with fine debris.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is a sub-par option for vacuuming high-pile carpet. Its surface detection feature lets it automatically change the head height on high-pile carpet, but it still struggles with sucking up pet hair and may require a second pass to fully clear away solid debris.
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Can be used without an internet connection.
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Automatically adjusts its height to the surface.
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Struggles to pick up pet hair on all surfaces.
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High recurring costs.
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Many parts need regular cleaning.
The iRobot Roomba 694 has poor performance for pets. It struggles to pick up pet hair on all surface types and has a very tangle-prone bristled brushroll. It also does a terrible job of sealing in allergens, so it isn't the best choice for those who suffer from allergies. Like many robot vacuums, it has many parts that need regular cleaning and incurs high recurring costs.
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Can be used without an internet connection.
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Automatic power adjustment.
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Struggles to pick up pet hair on all surfaces.
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Many parts need regular cleaning.
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No HEPA filter.
The iRobot Roomba 694 isn't designed for use on stairs.
The iRobot Roomba 694 isn't designed for use in cars.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is a robot vacuum and isn't designed for workshop cleaning.
- 6.9 Bare Floor
- 5.9 Low-Pile Carpet
- 5.7 High-Pile Carpet
- 4.0 Pets
- 5.6 Stairs
- 4.6 Cars
- 4.2 Workshop
- Updated Jan 05, 2023: We've updated the text in the review to account for the new tests and scoring methodology in  Vacuum Test Bench 1.0  and Vacuum Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Dec 09, 2022: Added a link to the iRobot Roomba i1 vacuum review in the 'Maneuverability' section to provide an alternative with smart-pathing functionality.
- Updated Sep 23, 2022: We've lowered the score for the 'Recurring Cost' section to maintain consistency with similarly-designed iRobot models.
- Updated Aug 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Jan 04, 2022: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Mar 18, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Mar 16, 2021: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The iRobot Roomba 694 comes in one color variant: 'Black'. You can see the label for the model we tested here. The iRobot Roomba 692, sold on some online retailers, is effectively the same vacuum but only comes bundled with a single AeroVac filter.
If you come across another variant of this vacuum, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The iRobot Roomba 694 is a basic robot vacuum. Even compared to entry-level smart-pathing models like the iRobot Roomba i1, its mapping system is pretty rudimentary, as you can't set up virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning sessions for individual rooms. However, that isn't to say it's without merit. Its simple design makes it a solid option if you don't want to deal with the hassle of pairing your smartphone to the vacuum, and don't require much in terms of automation features. While it struggles with pet hair and finer debris, it does have a surface detection feature that enables it to automatically adjust its brushroll height depending on the floor type that it's on.
If you're looking for an alternative, see also our recommendations for the best robot vacuums, the best robot vacuums for pet hair, and the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors.
The iRobot Roomba i4 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The i4 has fewer parts that require regular cleaning and a smart-pathing navigational system, which yields superior maneuverability. You can also use the included Dual Virtual Barrier device to mark areas the vacuum will avoid crossing. The i4 does a better job cleaning debris on low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the 694 clears more debris on bare floors, has a bigger dirt compartment, and lasts longer on a single charge, though this can vary in the real world.
The iRobot Roomba i3 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The i3 can empty its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment attached to its charging dock. It also has a smart pathing feature, yielding superior maneuverability and allowing you to check a map of its cleaning coverage or schedule cleaning sessions in advance. The i3 also delivers better performance on all surface types. Meanwhile, the 694 has a longer battery life, though this can vary in the real world.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is better than the eufy RoboVac G30. The iRobot feels more sturdily built, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, charges much faster, maneuvers over obstructions like electrical cords with less difficulty, and delivers better performance on bare floors and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the eufy comes with a couple of physical boundary strips that you can lay down to prevent the vacuum from entering certain areas. You can also adjust its suction power manually.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is slightly better than the iRobot Roomba 675. The 694 has a larger dustbin and delivers superior performance on bare floors as well as high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the 675 has a carrying handle that makes it easier to pick up and carry. The 675 also struggles less with sucking up larger material like sand from low-pile carpet.
The Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum is better than the iRobot Roomba 694 for most uses. The Xiaomi has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has more advanced automation capabilities, does a better job maneuvering itself, and sucks up more debris on bare floors and low-pile carpet. However, unlike the iRobot, the Xiaomi can't be used on high-pile carpet. The iRobot also feels better built and charges faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The eufy incurs lower recurring costs, has a longer battery life, allows you to change its suction power mode manually, and performs better on all surfaces. You can also use its companion app to set up virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms. Conversely, the iRobot feels better built, charges faster, and maneuvers itself more effectively.
The Wyze Robot Vacuum is superior to the iRobot Roomba 694. The Wyze has fewer parts that need periodic cleaning, uses an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, maneuvers itself more effectively, and performs better on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpets. You can also use the Wyze vacuum's companion app to set up virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning sessions for individual rooms. Conversely, the iRobot has a larger dustbin and charges much faster.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is slightly better than the Shark ION Robot AV753 Series. The iRobot has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, incurs lower recurring costs, charges substantially faster, has an automatic surface-type adjustment function, and offers superior maneuverability. However, the Shark has a slightly larger dustbin.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is slightly better than the eufy RoboVac 11S. The iRobot is better-built, easier to maintain, incurs fewer recurring costs, and takes less time to recharge while offering a longer maximum battery life, though this can vary in the real world. It can also climb over low-lying obstructions, like electrical cords, with less difficulty and also delivers better overall performance on bare floors. However, the eufy does a better job sucking up pet hair from all surface types. While it lacks a companion app, unlike the iRobot, you can use it without an internet connection with its included remote control.
The Shark AI Robot and iRobot Roomba 694 each have advantages, so one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Shark has a longer battery life, maneuvers itself more effectively, has a wider array of automation features, and clears more debris on low-pile carpet. However, the iRobot feels better-built, has fewer parts requiring regular maintenance, charges much faster, and is slightly more effective on high-pile carpet.
The iRobot Roomba j7 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The j7 has a pet waste detection feature and is advertised as capable of independently recognizing your schedule and organizing its cleaning sessions around it. It also feels better-built, does a better job of maneuvering itself, has a HEPA filter, and clears more debris on carpeted floors. The pricier j7+ variant comes with a self-emptying base station that reduces hands-on maintenance requirements too. However, the 694 performs better on bare floors.
The iRobot Roomba E5 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 694. The E5 clears pet hair much more easily and has a better cleaning performance overall on low-pile carpet. That said, the 694 has a better performance on bare floors, and its battery lasts longer.
The Shark EZ Robot Self-Empty is better for more use cases than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Shark has a self-emptying feature that lets it dump any accumulated debris from its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment mounted on its charging station. The Shark does a better job maneuvering itself and clears more debris on carpeted floors. However, the iRobot feels better-built, has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, and incurs lower recurring costs.
The iRobot Roomba 960 is slightly better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The 960 has an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, a larger dustbin, better maneuverability, and a broader range of automation features. It does a much better job clearing pet hair on different surfaces. However, the 694 does have a slightly longer battery life.
The iRobot Roomba i1 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The i1 is easier to maintain, does a better job handling pet hair, and offers a more comprehensive suite of automation features, including smart pathing and full compatibility with self-emptying base stations. The i1 also does a much better job of sealing in fine particles. Conversely, the 694 doesn't struggle as much with bulky debris, thanks to a beater brush that crushes larger debris before it gets sucked up.
The iRobot Roomba i7 is superior to the iRobot Roomba 694. The i7 has a self-emptying feature that enables it to dump any accumulated debris from its internal dustbin into an external dirt compartment mounted on its charging station, reducing hands-on maintenance requirements. It also has a HEPA filter, maneuvers itself more effectively, clears more debris on carpeted floors, and allows you to set up virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas using its companion app. Meanwhile, the 694 has a longer battery life and performs better on bare floors.
The iRobot Roomba 981 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 694. The 981 has a better cleaning performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, though it performs similarly on high-pile carpet. It also follows a more efficient cleaning route than the 694. That said, the 694 has longer battery life.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is a little better than the eufy RoboVac 15C. The iRobot feels better-made, has fewer maintenance requirements, incurs lower recurring costs, charges much faster, maneuvers itself with less difficulty, and performs better on bare floors. Meanwhile, the eufy has a slightly larger dustbin, and you can use it without an internet connection.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is better than the eufy RoboVac 30C. The iRobot feels better-built, has a longer battery life, recharges much faster, maneuvers itself more effectively, and delivers superior performance on bare and carpeted floors. However, unlike the iRobot, the eufy has physical boundary strips to keep it out of certain areas.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is better than the Shark ION Robot RV700 Series. The iRobot feels better-built, has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, and incurs lower recurring costs. It also does a better job of maneuvering itself and charges faster, though the Shark does have a longer battery life. The Shark also has a slightly larger dustbin and comes with a set of physical boundary strips in the box, unlike the iRobot, with which you need to purchase the boundary strips separately.
The Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Ecovacs feels better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, has a mopping attachment, does a better job of maneuvering itself, and has a more advanced suite of automation features. Its battery life is also more than twice as long, though the iRobot charges in less than a third of a time. The iRobot also has fewer parts requiring regular maintenance.
The Roborock E4 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Roborock has a much better cleaning performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, and it follows a more efficient cleaning path. Its dirt compartment is also larger, and its battery can last longer when used on the lowest power setting. However, the iRobot does a better job of picking up large debris like sand on high-pile carpet, and it has dirt sensors that detect which areas need a more thorough cleaning.
The Roborock S5 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Roborock has fewer parts requiring regular cleaning, lasts longer on a single charge, comes with a mopping attachment for bare floors, maneuvers itself more effectively, and performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpet. It also has a broader range of automation features. Conversely, the iRobot charges faster.
The Shark IQ Robot AV992 Series and iRobot Roomba 694 each have advantages, so one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Shark has a longer battery life, a broader range of automation features, and superior performance on low and high-pile carpet, especially with pet hair. However, the iRobot feels better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, has fewer parts needing periodic cleaning, and recharges much faster.
The Shark IQ Robot is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Shark has a slightly bigger dustbin, lasts a little longer on a single charge, delivers superior performance on bare and carpeted floors, and comes with physical boundary strips to keep it out of certain areas. You can also use its companion app to direct it to a specific room. Conversely, the iRobot feels better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, and has fewer parts that need regular cleaning.
The Neato Botvac D7 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Neato has fewer parts that need periodic cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has a larger internal dustbin, and delivers better performance on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. It also has substantially more advanced automation features, with a more advanced LIDAR mapping system that allows for smart-pathing capability, allowing you to set up virtual boundary lines to keep it out of certain areas. However, the iRobot does incur lower recurring costs.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is better than the iRobot Roomba 614, though the vacuums are similar in design. The 694 performs better across all surface types and has a much broader range of automation features than the 614, which doesn't have a companion app or even a remote control.
The iRobot Roomba S9 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The premium-priced S9 feels better-built, has an onboard HEPA filter, uses a larger dustbin, has a far more advanced suit of automation capabilities, does a better job of maneuvering itself, and performs better on all surfaces. However, the 694 incurs lower recurring costs.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is better than the ILIFE A4s. The iRobot is better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, maneuvers itself more effectively, and performs better on bare floors and high-pile carpet. It also charges much faster while offering a similar overall battery life. However, the ILIFE comes with a physical boundary marker to keep it out of certain areas. The ILIFE also performs better on low-pile carpet.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is better than the Coredy R500. The iRobot is better-built, incurs lower recurring costs, maneuvers itself more effectively, performs notably better on bare floors and high-pile carpet, and charges much faster while offering a similar battery life. It also has a companion app and a more advanced suite of automation features. That said, the Coredy doesn't need an internet connection to function and has a HEPA filter.
The Roborock S4 is superior to the iRobot Roomba 694 for most uses. The Roborock has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, a larger dustbin, a longer battery life, and more advanced automation capabilities. It also performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpet and does a better job maneuvering itself. However, the Roborock isn't suitable for cleaning high-pile carpet, unlike the iRobot.
The Roborock S7 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Roborock feels better-built, has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, comes with a mopping attachment, offers a broader range of automation features, does a better job of maneuvering itself, and performs better on all surface types. Meanwhile, the iRobot charges faster and has a larger dustbin.
The Roborock S4 Max is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The Roborock uses an E11 filter to trap some measure of allergens, has a larger dustbin, lasts longer on a single charge, has a more advanced suite of automation features, does a better job of maneuvering itself, and performs better on all surfaces. Conversely, the iRobot charges much faster.
The yeedi K650 is better than the iRobot Roomba 694. The yeedi has a larger dustbin, weighs less, has a longer maximum battery life, and performs better on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the iRobot feels better-built, charges faster, maneuvers itself more effectively, and has fewer parts requiring regular maintenance.
Test Results
This vacuum feels very well-built. It has a high-grade hard plastic body and drive wheels with a rubber tread. The body has a sturdy feel, and its removable dustbin feels sturdier than similar components from many other robot vacuums in the same price range, like the eufy RoboVac 11S. Out-of-the-box setup is very simple, only requiring that you plug in its docking station.
This vacuum has many parts that need regular maintenance.
- Dustbin: You can easily remove the dustbin by pressing the release button. You should empty it into a garbage bin after every cleaning session.
- Brushrolls: You'll need to flip the vacuum over and remove the brushroll compartment door to access the bristle brush and beater brush. The bristle brush has long bristles and can take a while to clean, especially if you have a pet with long hair. You'll also need to remove any tangled hair from both brushrolls' bearings. You should clean them once or twice per week, depending on whether or not you have pets.
- Filter: The filter is located inside the dustbin, and you can pull it out via release tabs. You can clean it by tapping it against the edge of a garbage can. You should clean it once or twice a week, depending on if you have pets. Make sure to remove it and clean it before emptying the dustbin.
- Side brush: You can remove the side brush by unscrewing it from the bottom of the vacuum. Like the bristled brushroll, it's very tangle-prone, with hair getting wrapped tightly around its bearings and trio of arms; you'll need to use a pair of scissors to cut away any long hair, which can be a bit of a hassle. You should clear it of any hair or debris approximately once a month.
- Front wheel: While you can pull the wheel free by hand, you'll probably find this easier by using a set of pliers or a flat-head screwdriver to lever it out of its socket. You should clean it every two weeks. Also, you should clean its socket of any debris to allow it to spin freely.
- Sensors/Charging pads: You should wipe down the sensors and charging pads on the vacuum and dock station with a dry cloth once a month.
This vacuum incurs high recurring costs.
- Filter: You should replace the filter every two months.
- Brushrolls: You should replace the brushrolls every six to 12 months.
- Front wheel: You should replace the front wheel every 12 months.
You can buy all these parts from iRobot's website individually or together as a 'Replenishment Kit'.
This vacuum is remarkably easy to store. It has a compact design that takes up very little room, and its charging station has a low-profile design that can fit in small nooks between furniture and walls.
The iRobot 694 has a mediocre dirt compartment. It's smaller than alternatives like the Roborock E4 and doesn't have a max fill sensor to indicate when it's full.
- iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
- AeroVac dirt compartment
- 2x AeroVac filter
- Beater brush
- Bristle brush
- Charging dock
- Charging cable
- User guide
This vacuum's range is limited only by the remaining battery life and the room left in its dirt compartment. However, it can't go up or down stairs.
This vacuum is very portable. While it doesn't have a carrying handle, it's fairly light, so you can easily bring it between rooms.
This vacuum offers outstanding battery performance. This vacuum has a surface detection feature that automatically adjusts its suction power depending on the floor type that it's on. As such, its battery life can vary significantly depending on the mix of carpets and bare floors in your home. If you have a home with minimal carpeting, it can provide over two hours of runtime on a single charge. There's a battery indicator light on top of the vacuum, and you can also see the battery level through its companion app.
This vacuum has a few quality-of-life features. It has a surface detection feature that allows it to change its head height automatically depending on whether the vacuum is cleaning bare floors or high-pile carpet. It can also adjust its suction power depending on how dirty the contact surface is.
This vacuum has a few accessories included. It has a two-part brushroll that uses a beater brush to crush debris and a bristle brush to pick up these smaller pieces. It also has a side brush that pushes debris around the vacuum toward its cleaning path.
This vacuum has excellent performance on bare floors. It has no problem cleaning small and bulky debris like rice and cereal. However, it struggles with clearing bulky debris as its dustbin is filled up.
This vacuum performs poorly on low-pile carpet. It can pick up some larger debris like sand, though it may need to take an extra pass to clear it all. Unfortunately, it struggles to pick up fine debris like baking soda. Thankfully, its performance is consistent as the dirt compartment fills up.
This vacuum delivers mediocre performance on high-pile carpet. It's reasonably effective in clearing away larger debris like sand, but it struggles to pick up finer debris like baking soda. Thankfully, its performance doesn't decrease much as the dirt compartment fills up.
This vacuum does a bad job of dealing with pet hair. It struggles with hair on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpet. The long bristles on its primary brushroll are very tangle-prone, and you'll have to spend a bit of time removing any stuck-on hair at the end of a cleaning session.
Like many robot vacuums, especially entry-level models, the iRobot 694 exerts very little suction force at its floorhead. Its suction inlet is positioned too high above the contact surface to create a tight seal, so real-world suction measurements are low.
This vacuum is very quiet, and you won't have to speak very loudly to be heard over the sound of its motor, even if it's cleaning within the same room. However, its wheels are somewhat squeaky, even in the absence of any significant obstructions.
This vacuum does a decent job of maneuvering itself. Despite its relatively simple mapping system, it does a good job cleaning most parts of its coverage area. Still, you might want to consider something like the iRobot Roomba i1 if you're looking for an entry-level robot vacuum with smart pathing. Its small size lets it fit under furniture like couches and low tables. While it can move freely from bare floors to rugs, it can sometimes get caught on rug tassels. Thankfully, it can climb over low-lying obstacles like electrical cords, but it might push them around a bit.
Unlike the iRobot Roomba i1, which is equipped with a high-efficiency filter, this vacuum does a terrible job of sealing in fine allergens like pet dander.
This vacuum does terribly when it comes to sucking up debris in cracks and crevices. Like a lot of low-powered robot vacuums, it doesn't exert enough suction force to draw out debris from deeper crevices, and its bristled brushroll is ineffective in helping to lift debris.
This vacuum is ineffective when clearing away stains, though that isn't too surprising, given the lack of a mopping feature.
The iRobot 694 has okay physical automation features. There are a trio of buttons on its top cover. The 'Clean' button has it start a cleaning session, the 'Dock' button has it return to its docking station, and the 'Spot Clean' button has it vacuum a small area. You can also set up voice commands with Alexa or Google Home devices. It's also compatible with magnetic boundary strips, which you can lay down to stop the vacuum from going to certain areas, but none are included, and they'll have to be purchased separately at an additional cost. Unlike the iRobot Roomba i1, it isn't compatible with self-emptying docking stations, which would reduce hands-on maintenance requirements. Due to the lack of any sort of advanced mapping capability, there's no recharge and resume capability either, which would allow it to pick up a cleaning session from where it left off if it needed to return to its base station.
The iRobot HOME app is pretty comprehensive. You can use it to start and stop the vacuum, check the battery, schedule cleaning times, and get the vacuum to return to its charging dock. However, unlike the Wyze Robot Vacuum, this vacuum doesn't map out its coverage area, which would allow you to set up virtual boundary markers or schedule cleaning sessions for individual areas.
