Modern Castle is supported by readers. When you buy with our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Roomba 614 vs. 690

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Roomba is one of the top robot vacuum companies, and their 614 and 690 are two of the more affordable, yet still impressive, models.

This week we will take a look at the Roomba 614 vs. 690 and see how they compare.

Roomba 614 vs. 690

Is the Romba 690 worth the extra money or does the Roomba 614 get the job done?

Continue reading to find out!

Table of Contents

Roomba 614Roomba 690
Roomba 614 robot vacuum reviewRoomba 690 robot vacuum review
Battery1,800 mAh1,800 mAh
Run Time60 minutes60 minutes
Recharge3.5 hours2-3 hours
Dustbin0.3 L0.3 L
Weight7.5 lbs7.8 lbs
Maintenance$32 / year$32 / year
PriceCheck PriceCheck Price

Roomba 614 vs. 690 Design Differences

The designs between the Roomba 614 vs. Roomba 690 are extremely similar. Color is really the only difference when looking at these two models.

Roomba 614
Roomba 614

Aesthetically speaking, both of these Roomba vacuums offer the same style design. Yet, the color scheme of the 614 is all black with a small bronze ring around the controls section of the vacuum, whereas the 690 offers Roomba’s more traditional gray and black color scheme.

Roomba 690
Roomba 690

Aside from these two models, iRobot does offer a multitude of other Roomba vacuums. Their most current models include:

  • Roomba 890 – Wifi enabled unit with up to 60 minutes of run time and a full dust bin indicator.
  • Roomba 960 – Wifi enabled robot vacuum with advanced cleaning technology, up to 75 minutes of run time, digital map reports, and a recharge & resume feature.
  • Roomba 980 – Wifi enabled vacuum with all of the same functions as the 960, plus a power boost mode for even deeper cleaning. Additionally, this model has a run time of up to 120 minutes.

How Roomba 614 & 690 Clean

3-STAGE CLEANING | Both the Roomba 614 and 690 utilize iRobot’s three-stage cleaning process; loosen, lift, and suck. While driving around your home, these robot vacuums work to complete this three stage process on all indoor floor types.

Two debris extractors (rolling brushes) complete the loosen and lift portion of the cleaning cycle as the vacuum drives over dirt and debris. Next, the suction path crosses over the debris field and sucks up the mess, storing it in the dust bin.

Both of these Roomba vacuums use iRobot's lift, sweep, and suck method to clean
Both of these Roomba vacuums use iRobot’s lift, sweep, and suck method to clean

DIRT DETECTION | A lot of mapping technology has entered the world of robot vacuums (most notably with the Roomba 980). That said, not all of these vacuums utilize this method when it comes to cleaning. The Roomba 614and Roomba 690 both operate by a dirt detection system, which literally detects dirt and debris, drives to it, and cleans it up.

Roomba 690 robot vacuum how it cleans
1) wheels, 2) spinning brush, 3) charging pins, 4) roller brush, and 5) dust bin

Comparatively speaking, Roomba’s higher end models have the ability to map out your home and memorize that map. Therefore, each time they clean they do so in a more efficient manner.

RELATED – Want the absolute best performance for the money? See our best cheap robot vacuums guide

Size & Dimensions

The Roomba 614 and 690 share an almost identical size, totaling about 13″ in total diameter and 3.6″ in height.

The weight difference between the two is less than half of a pound, which does not change the way these robot vacuums operate.

Roomba 614 Size

  • Height: 3.6″
  • Diameter: 13.4″
  • Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Roomba 690 robot vacuum size dimensions

Roomba 690 Size

  • Height: 3.6″
  • Diameter: 13.4″
  • Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Roomba 690 robot vacuum size dimensions

Roomba 614 & 690 Accessories

Please note, the following table indicates the parts and accessories that are included with the Roomba 614 and Roomba 690.

AccessoryRoomba 614Roomba 690
ChargerYesYes
Virtual wall barrierNoYes
FilterYesYes
Cleaning toolYesYes

As noted in the table, the 690 does include a virtual wall barrier, but the 614 does not.

irobot roomba 690 parts accessories
1) virtual wall barrier, 2) charging station, 3) cleaning tool, and 4) filter

The virtual wall barrier is just what it sounds like; a beam shoots out from the block provided, creating an invisible wall that the Roomba cannot drive past. This is beneficial for those who need to stop the Roomba from going into certain rooms, or around certain areas of the home.

Charger included with the Roomba vacuums

Charging base: All Roomba’s include a charging base. Once the unit is dead, it will return to its base to charge back up for its next cleaning cycle.

Roomba advanced virtual wall barrier halo mode

Virtual Wall Barrier: These barrier blocks shoot an invisible beam, creating a wall that prevents the Roomba from entering certain spaces.

Filter included with the 690 and 614

Filter: One extra filter is included with each of these Roomba vacuums. You’ll want to clean the filter every couple of weeks and replacing every few months.

Cleaning tool included with all Roomba vacuums

Cleaning Tool: A small protected blade cuts through hair and strings that could be wrapped around the brushroll on the 614 or 690.

Roomba 614 vs. 690 Cleaning Tests

The following vacuum cleaner tests are designed to show how the Roomba 614 and Roomba 690 perform on different surfaces, picking up a variety of debris types.

We test on three different floor types, including hardwood floors, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet.

Roomba 614

93%

Roomba 690

93%

Roomba 614 Cleaning

Overall

94%

Hardwood

98%

Low Carpet

93%

High Carpet

91%

Cleaning results for the 614 are estimates based on our 690 tested results. We have not yet completed the 614 cleaning tests.

Roomba 690 Cleaning

Overall

94%

Hardwood

98%

Low Carpet

93%

High Carpet

91%

Cleaning results for the 690 are based on our comprehensive testing as part of our full Roomba 690 review. See here full testing data.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

The performance of the Roomba 690 against hardwood floors was quite good. This robot vacuum was able to drive around and clean up at least 95% of each debris type.

Sugar, proved to be the most difficult for the 690 to handle, but being able to clean it up at 95% is still more than impressive.

irobot roomba 690 hardwood test

Unfortunately, since we have not tested the Roomba 614, we do not have our exact testing data. That said, the similarities between the Roomba 614 and 690 lead us to believe that the cleaning performance between these two vacuums would be extremely similar.

The Roomba 690 drove around our testing lane fior about 15 minutes while cleaning up each debris types and shut itself off after it thought the job was done.

Low Pile Carpet Cleaning

As we moved onto the low pile carpet cleaning tests, the 690’s performance was consistent for the rice, kitty litter, and cereal. Yet, there was a decline in performance during the sugar test.

The suction power of the 690 was simply not strong enough to dig deeply into the pile of the carpet, which allowed 28% of the debris to remain within the carpet.

irobot roomba 690 low carpet test

Although this Roomba was able to clean up 72% of the sugar from the low pile carpet, I would’ve like to see it make a few more passes over some of the remaining sugar before shutting itself off.

High Pile Carpet Cleaning

Once again, results on the high pile cleaning test were virtually identical to those of the low pile. The first three debris types posed no issues for the 690, but the sugar did.

Being a thicker carpet than the low pile, the sugar was able to fall even deeper into the pile, which meant the Roomba would have to work even harder to lift the sugar.

irobot roomba 690 high carpet test

After final measurements, the Roomba 690 was able to remove 66% of the sugar from the high pile carpet.

Again, we would expect the Roomba 614 to offer substantially similar performance to the 690.

Using the Roomba 614 & 690

UNBOXING | Unboxing these vacuums is as easy as it gets (all Roomba unboxings we’ve done have been basically the same). Remove all parts from the packaging, charge the vacuum, and let it clean. There is no assembly required with either of these iRobot vacuums.

SETUP | After everything is charged up, you can setup these units by using the buttons on top of each unit. These buttons allow you to send the vacuum into an automatic cleaning cycle, back to the base, etc..

With the Roomba 690 having Wifi capabilities, users can also use their smartphone to setup and use the unit.

irobot roomba 690 battery
Roomba 690 – docked at charging station

Setting up the iRobot app for the Roomba 690 was quite simple. It took less than 2 minutes and the instructions on the app were extremely clear every step of the way.

By setting up this app, users are able to turn the vacuum on / off, set a cleaning schedule, view past cleanings, pause / resume a cleaning in progress, and more.

EMPTYING THE DUST BIN | All of the Roomba robot vacuums use the same method when it comes to emptying the dust bin. Pull the dust bin away from the main base, squeeze the color indicted tabs, and dump the dirt / debris into the trash can.

Roomba Comparisons

Looking for more Roomba comparisons? See our complete list below:

Roomba 614 vs. 690 Maneuverability Differences

Once again, we would expect the Roomba 690  and 614 to be almost identical with regard to maneuverability.

PORTABILITY | The 614 weighs 7.5 pounds compared to the 7.8 pound 690. This weight is not different enough to cause any damage (or really change how either clean), or show a different level of power when running into objects.

RELATED – Need an inexpensive vacuum? See our primer on the best cheap vacuums

CLEANING ANGLES | Since both of these vacuums are built with a circular design, both of them are able to rotate 360°. Additionally, each of them are about 3″ tall, which allows them to drive under furniture, getting into places most other vacuum cleaners cannot reach.

iRobot Roomba virtual wall barrier block

Corners are the one flaw associated with the maneuverability of these robot vacuums. The Roomba 614 and 690 both have a side brush that reaches into corners and crevices, but the brush does not always get the dirt and debris out of those areas.

Maintenance Costs on the Roomba 614 & 690

Maintaining each of these vacuums is not a tough task, but certainly worth paying attention to. The most important areas to maintain are the emptying the dust bin, replacing the filter, clearing the brush rolls, replacing the side brush, and replacing the battery after it dies.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyRoomba 614Roomba 690
Filter2 monthsCheck PriceCheck Price
Spinning brush6 monthsCheck PriceCheck Price
Front wheel12 monthsCheck PriceCheck Price
Brushroll12 monthsCheck PriceCheck Price
Battery18-36 monthsCheck PriceCheck Price

Emptying the dust bin should be completed after every major cleaning cycle.

The filter should be replaced every 2 months.

The battery should last at least the life of the warranty, but will more than likely need to be replaced between months 18 and 36, depending on how often it is used. My first Roomba’s battery (the 870) lasted around two and a half years.

Both the Roomba 614 and 690 should cost around $32 / year to maintain.

Keep in mind, these replacement frequencies might not always apply to you. These are the time frames recommended by iRobot for their Roomba vacuums. Your replacement frequencies could vary, depending on how often you are using the vacuum cleaner.

REPLACEMENT FREQUENCIES | In my experience with my personal Roomba I have not needed to replace the front wheel or brushroll. And I generally have replaced the filters every 3-6 months and spinning brushes every 6-12 months. So it really does depend on how often you clean (and how dirty your home is).

Does 614 or 690 Have a Better Battery?

Based off of the research we have done, we believe that the battery in the 614 is identical to that of the 690. Both are lithium-ion batteries that offer 1,800 mAh and about 60 minutes of run time.

PartRoomba 614Roomba 690
Capacity1,800 mAh1,800 mAh
Charging Time2-3 hours2-3 hours
Run Time~60 minutes~60 minutes
Replacement CostCheck PriceCheck Price

That said, both the Roomba 614 and Roomba 690 can be upgraded with a new battery that’s 3,500 mAh, which should effectively double the cleaning time to more than 120 minutes.

LONGER RUN TIME | If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of upgrading the battery check out the Roomba 980Eufy Robovac 11, Ecovacs Deebot N79, and Xiaomi Mi robot vacuums, all of which have a run time of 100-120 minutes.

Is Roomba 614 or 690 Quieter?

As we take a look at noise, the 690 came in around 68 dB. This is a measurement taken from about 3′ away in a carpeted room. Due to not physically testing the 614, we cannot give an exact number with regards to the amount of dB it produces.

But, being  such a similar model to the 690, our estimated guess would be around 68 dB as well.

Roomba 690 robot vacuum noise test

Noise also depends on the setup of your home, meaning it could vary from house to house.

Roomba 614 Value

Overall, the 614 seems to be a good value. The only major differences between this vacuum and the Roomba 690 is the Wifi connectivity and the scheduled cleanings. Although this model does not include those features, the lower price helps the 614 pickup notable value points.

  • Warranty – 1 year
  • Returns – Varies by retailer, other retailers may vary
  • Check Price

Roomba 690 Value

All things considered, the value of the 690 is great. The extra features, solid cleaning performance, and small difference in price make this the better overall value, in my opinion.

If budget is an issue, saving some money and going with the 614 may be the better choice. Yet, if you like the idea of Wifi capabilities and scheduled cleaning sessions for just a bit more money, then the 690 is definitely worth the upgrade.

  • Warranty – 1 year
  • Returns – Varies by retailer, other retailers may vary
  • Check Price

Other Value Vacuums

If you’d like to see how other vacuums compare please see our best cheap vacuum and best cheap robot vacuumprimers. These guides look at a broader selection of brands and may be able to help you find a better vacuum for your needs.

Roomba 614 vs. 690 Specifications

SpecsRoomba 614Roomba 690
TypeRobotRobot
ManufactureriRobotiRobot
Model614690
Width13.4"13"
Weight7.5 lbs.7.8 lbs.
Floor TypeAll (indoor)All (indoor)
Dustbin Capacity0.3 L0.3 L
CordlessYesYes
BaglessYesYes
ReturnsVaries by retailerVaries by retailer
Warranty1 Year limited1 Year limited
BuyCheck PriceCheck Price

Summary of Major Differences

WiFi

The Roomba 690 has Wifi connectivity and can be controlled through the iRobot app. The Roomba 614 does not have wifi connectivity and cannot be controlled via your smartphone.

Scheduled Cleanings

The Roomba 690 has the ability to create scheduled cleaning sessions. The 614 can only run when manually turned on by the user.

Extras

The Roomba 690 includes a virtual wall barrier, which blocks off the vacuum from specific areas inside your home. The 614 is not compatible with the virtual wall barriers.

Should You Buy the Roomba 614?

The Roomba 614 is currently the most inexpensive Roomba model, but the lower price point means you give up on a handful of notable features (virtual wall barriers, filter, smartphone control).

You should buy the Roomba 614 if you…

  1. Want a lower cost unit – The price difference between the 614 and 690 is typically feasible. While this is not a large difference, it can be important if you’re on a budget.
  2. Don’t need the WiFi – The 614 does not include WifI and therefore cannot be controlled with a smartphone. This Roomba has to be manually turned on in order to operate.
  3. Don’t need a virtual wall barrier – If you are not worried about the Roomba getting into certain areas of your home, the virtual wall barrier may not be necessary.

See here for more information or to buy the Roomba 614.

Should You Buy the Roomba 690?

The 690 offers everything the 614 does, plus a few extras. The addition of Wifi and a couple of other extras makes the value of this Roomba a touch better than that of the 614, in my opinion.

You should buy the Roomba 690 if you…

  1. Want Wifi connectivity – The 690 offers WifI connectivity, which allows users to control this Roomba vacuum through the iRobot app.
  2. Want to be able to schedule cleanings – Also included with this Roomba is the ability to schedule specific cleaning days and times. Therefore, the vacuum will take off and clean on its own, when instructed to do so.
  3. Need a virtual wall barrier – The 690 does include one virtual wall barrier, which allows users to block the 690 off from a specific area / room in their home.

See here for more information or to buy the Roomba 690.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.