Roomba 675 next to Roomba 690.

Roomba 675 vs 690 – Differences to Know Before You Buy

Vacuum cleaners are not cheap, let alone a vacuum robot so when we buy home appliances like these, we always want to get the most of it. We want it to be worth it.

iRobot knew that people are always looking for affordable things so their Roomba line offers everything, from high end to the budget-friendly. Their Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 are the brand’s entry-level vacuum robots.

They are affordable and packed with smart features. Both the Roomba 675 and 690 are worth exploring if you are new trying out vacuum robots for the first time. They are not only budget-friendly, but beginner-friendly as well. In this article we will discuss more about the similarities of the 675 and 690, what sets them apart, and their specifications.

The Differences between Roomba 675 vs 690

  • The Roomba 675 and 690 have different colors: the 675 is black while the 690 is silver.
  • The 690 has a Virtual Wall Barrier Technology while the 675 does not.
  • The 690 is a little more expensive than the 675.
  • The 690 comes with an extra replacement filter in the box while the 675 does not come with any.
See Roomba 675 on Amazon

The Similarities between Roomba 675 vs 690

  • Both have AeroVac filters.
  • They are WiFi-enabled.
  • They have a 3-Stage Cleaning System.
  • Both automatically dock and recharge when their batteries are low.
  • Can clean all types of floor.
  • They have a running time of up to 90 minutes per charge.
  • Both follow a pseudo-random navigation pattern when cleaning.
See Roomba 690 on Amazon

Comparison Table

The table below provides the specifications for the Roomba 675 and 690:

Roomba 675 Roomba 690
3-Stage Cleaning Yes Yes
Brushes Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brush
Power-Lifting Suction No No
Multi-Surface Cleaning with Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head Yes Yes
Automatically recharges itself Yes Yes
Automatically resumes cleaning No No
iAdapt technology Yes Yes
Virtual Wall Barrier Accessory No Yes
Navigation Camera No No
Battery Lithium Ion Batteries Lithium Ion Batteries
Running Time Up to 90 minutes Up to 90 minutes
Dirt Detect Technology Yes Yes
Imprint Link Technology No No
Filter AeroVac Filter AeroVac Filter
Dust Bin capacity AeroVac Bin, 300 ml AeroVac Bin, 600 ml
Scheduling Yes Yes
Cleaning Reporting No No
Automatic Dirt Disposal No No
Wireless Connectivity Yes Yes
Smart Home Integration Yes Yes
Intelligent Navigation No No
Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes No No
Entire Level Cleaning No No
Height 3.6 inches 3.6 inches
Weight 7.8 lbs 7.8 lbs
Price Check on Amazon Check on Amazon

Comparing the iRobot Roomba 675 and 690 in Detail

Design and Dimensions

The Roomba 675 and 690 look identical. They both have the same dimensions: 3.6 inches tall and weigh 7.8 lbs. They have a black and round body built with three control buttons in the center: CLEAN, Dock icon, and Spot icon.

The only thing that sets them apart is the color. The 675 maintains an-all black design while the 690 has  a silver accent on top. The logo of each vacuum robot is located at the bottom, a little below the control buttons.

These machines look like a big cd player. Underneath the devices, you will find the brushes, a pair of wheels, and a bunch of sensors.

Cleaning Performance

The 675 and the 690 may be iRobot Roomba’s cheapest, but these machines use premium and high-tech materials. They both use the same Dual Multi-Surface Brushes to pick up dust, dirt, and large debris; Edge-Sweeping Brush to remove the debris away from edges and corners; and a vacuum suction to lift deep seated dirt, especially on carpets.

They have a special 3-Stage Cleaning System that you can find on expensive Roomba units. These robots also use filters to clean dirt and dust that we normally do not see with our bare eyes. They use an AeroVac filter to capture ultra fine dust and debris. As for their dust bin, both of them use an AeroVac dust bin with a 600 ml dust capacity.

Navigation

To navigate around the area, the 675 and the 690 both use iAdapt Technology – a navigation technology, made especially for the Roomba line, that uses different cliff and bump sensors to go through the obstacles at home. The sensors also prevent the 675 and the 690 from falling down the stairs or from bumping into walls and fragile objects, the 690, however, has a Virtual Wall Barrier which helps you contain the vacuum robot into a particular area in your home.

These robots may have built-in smart sensors but they are still not smart enough to map their surroundings. The navigation that they use has a pseudo-random pattern therefore the 675 and the 690, randomly pinball around the room. They do not follow a logical straight line pattern unlike the more expensive Roomba models.

Anti-Tangle Technology

The 675 and the 690 both have Anti-Tangle sensors. These sensors prevent the 675 and the 690 from picking up and sucking electrical cords and wires. They will move away if they detect wires, cords, and tassels.

Dirt Detection Technology

The 675 and the 690 are equipped with iRobot Roomba’s patented Dirt Detection Technology. This technology detects heavily soiled areas and the robots will automatically go through that area back and forth until it is thoroughly clean.

Battery Life

Both the 675 and the 690 use lithium-ion batteries. They can run for up to 90 minutes per charge. They also automatically go back to their cleaning docks when their batteries are low. These robots, however, do not resume cleaning where they left off after charging.

Connectivity

Unfortunately, the Roomba 675 and the 690 do not come with a remote control. If you want to start the device you have to press the big CLEAN button in the center of the device. Or if you have a home network, you can link the 675 and the 690 to a WiFi connection and download the iRobot Home App to your smartphone or tablet. The app will then serve as a remote control giving you a more hands-free control over the 675 and the 690. Through the app, you can schedule and monitor cleaning sessions. You can also check information regarding the device like its battery life and dust bin capacity.

If you have smart home integration, the 675 and the 690 are also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa therefore you can control the device using voice commands.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Which is better for pet hair?

A. In terms of cleaning performance, the 675 and the 690 are alike in all aspects. They are both great for pet hair. Choosing which unit to get depends on your budget.

Q. Do they have brushless rollers?

A. No, the Roomba 675 and 690 do not offer brushless and tangle-free extractors. These features are only available on the Roomba 800 and 900 Series. The 675 and 690 use bristle brush rollers that are usually found on average vacuum cleaners.

Q. Do I have to clean the 675 and 690 after using them?

A. Yes, the Roomba 675 and 690 pick up long hair and carpet fibers that become entangled on the brushes plus you have to throw away the collected dirt and dust in the dust bin every day or every cleaning cycle.

Q. Do they have WiFi?

A. Yes, the Roomba 675 and the 690 both support WiFi – a very helpful feature since they do not have a remote control to begin with. The WiFi feature gives you a more hands-free control over the device by using the iRobot Home App or via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Q. How long is the battery life of these vacuum robots?

A. The Roomba 675 and 690 both use lithium-ion batteries and have up to 90 minutes running time per charge.

See Roomba 675 on Amazon

What to like about the 675

  • Cleans everywhere, even under the furniture.
  • Has a 3-Stage Cleaning System: loosens, lifts, and suctions.
  • Duo brush design: Edge-Sweeping brush and Dual Multi-Surface Brushes.
  • Uses vacuum suction.
  • iAdapt technology along with cliff and bump sensors that keeps the device from falling off the stairs.
  • Uses 600 ml AeroVac Dust Bin and has an AeroVac filter.
  • Patented Dirt Detection technology.
  • Lithium ion batteries that can run up to 90 minutes.
  • WiFi-enabled
  • Can be linked to the iRobot Home App to schedule and monitor cleaning sessions.
  • Recognizes voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
  • Has anti-tangle sensors.
  • Affordable 

See Roomba 690 on Amazon

What to like about the 690

  • It has everything the 675 offers.
  • Has a Virtual Wall Barrier.
  • Has a silver accent.

Conclusion

The 675 and the Roomba 690 have very good cleaning performance despite being an entry-level vacuum robot. They do not have many differences and are very alike in all aspects – technologies used and cleaning performance.

The only difference that they have is the color. Also, the 690 has a Virtual Wall Barrier technology included in the box while the 675 does not have that kind of accessory.

Choosing between the 675 and the 690 really depends on your budget. If you want to have the Virtual Wall Barrier accessory and you have extra money to shell out, the 690 is the good pick. If you want to save more money and you think you won’t be needing the accessory anyway, the Roomba 675 is the best pick.

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