iRobot Roomba 694 is a budget-friendly model that offers some smart features through its app, such as personalized cleaning recommendations, location-based cleaning, and voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant. However, it is not a mapping robot, so it will not learn the layout of your home or follow a specific pattern. It will bump into obstacles and change direction until it covers the whole area. Here are some pros and cons of this robot vacuum based on my experience and research.
- Asus ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD: A stunning gaming monitor with a hefty price tag
- Gaming Monitor Philips Evnia 42M2N8900 Review
- iPhone X Is No Longer Supported By Apple
Pros
- Solid cleaning performance: The Roomba 694 has a three-stage cleaning system that can loosen, lift, and suction dirt, dust, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. It has an auto-adjusting cleaning head that adapts its height to different surfaces. It also has dual multi-surface brushes that can handle large debris and fine particles. It has a dirt detect sensor that recognizes areas with more dirt and cleans them more thoroughly. In my tests, it picked up most of the dirt on my low-pile carpet and hardwood floor, leaving only some fine dust behind.
- Timed cleaning options in app: The Roomba 694 can be controlled via the iRobot Home app, which is easy to use and intuitive. You can start, stop, pause, or schedule cleaning sessions from your smartphone. You can also view the cleaning history, battery status, and maintenance tips. The app also gives you personalized cleaning recommendations based on your habits and preferences. For example, it can suggest extra cleanings during allergy or pet shedding seasons, or when you are away from home.
- Location-based cleaning options: One of the smart features of the Roomba 694 is that it can use your phone’s location to start or stop cleaning automatically. You can set up geofencing in the app, which means that the robot will start cleaning when you leave your home and stop when you return. This way, you don’t have to worry about scheduling or manually controlling the robot. You can also use voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant to start or stop the robot with your voice.
Cons
- No mapping: The Roomba 694 is a bump-and-clean robot, which means that it does not have a camera or a laser to map your home’s layout. It will randomly navigate your rooms until it covers the whole area or runs out of battery. This can make the cleaning process longer and less efficient than mapping robots, which can plan the optimal route and avoid obstacles. It also means that you cannot create virtual boundaries or no-go zones for the robot, or select specific rooms to clean.
- Similar model still available for less: The Roomba 694 is essentially the same machine as the older Roomba 675, but with a slightly different design and price. The Roomba 675 has a grey plastic accent and a carrying handle, while the Roomba 694 has a sleeker black look without a handle. However, both models have the same features, performance, and battery life. The only difference is that the Roomba 694 costs $274, while the Roomba 675 costs $249 (or even less if you find a deal). Unless you really care about the aesthetics, you might want to save some money and go for the older model.
Verdict
The iRobot Roomba 694 is a decent robot vacuum for those who want a simple and reliable device that can clean their floors without much hassle. It has a solid cleaning performance, a user-friendly app with some smart features, and a reasonable price. However, it is not a mapping robot, so it will not learn your home’s layout or follow a specific pattern. It will bump into obstacles and change direction until it covers the whole area. It is also very similar to the older Roomba 675 model, which is still available for less money. If you don’t mind these drawbacks, you might enjoy using the Roomba 694 as your daily cleaner.
