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Roomba 675 vs. 690

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Both of these robots are affordable, entry-level, but do have wifi-connectivity.

What sets the Roomba 675 vs. 690 apart? Continue below to find out.

Roomba Robot Vacuum
Roomba 675
  • Dimensions: 13″ dia. X 3.7″ H
  • Runtime: 90 mins.
  • Scheduling: Yes
  • Filter: AeroVac, High Performance
  • Virtual Walls (included): 0
Roomba Robot Vacuum Review
Roomba 690
  • Dimensions: 13″ dia. X 3.7″ H
  • Runtime: 90 mins.
  • Scheduling: Yes
  • Filter: AeroVac, High Performance
  • Virtual Walls (included): 1

Which is the better Roomba?

moderncastle-fs-table__image

Roomba 675 vs. 690

Considering cleaning performance, features, and overall value, it’s hard to overlook the performance of the Roomba 675. Unless you specifically need the benefit of the virtual wall barrier, the Roomba 675 is mostly identical to the slightly more expensive 690 model. For a robot vacuum with great cleaning performance, long battery life, wifi connectivity, and voice control capability, the Roomba 675 is a great option.Check Price

Roomba 675 & 690 Differences

Functionally, they are effectively identical. Roomba 690 is slightly more expensive under normal pricing conditions. Additionally, Roomba 690 comes with a dual-mode virtual wall barrier, while the Roomba 675 does not. Lastly, the Roomba 690 is a light silver color with black accents and the Roomba 675 is a dark gray color with black accents.

Prefer to watch rather than read? We’ve got our full Roomba 675 vs. 690 video comparison here:

YouTube video

Roomba 675 vs. 690 Design

The design of the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 is basically identical, with only slight differences in the color. The Roomba 675 has an all black aesthetic, while the Roomba 690 uses a combination of black and light gray.

Roomba 675
Roomba 675

The buttons are the same, including a central “CLEAN” button, a spot clean button, and a dock return button. Additional settings and features can be accessed through the iRobot app on your smartphone.

Roomba 690 robot vacuum review
Roomba 690

The dust bin release on the 675 is slightly different compared to the 690. Roomba 675 uses a smaller button style, while the 690 is the more typical wide push down latch.

RELATED – More Roomba Reviews and comparisons here.

Size Comparison

Considering size, both the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 are identical in size. They are both:

  • 13″ diameter
  • 3.7″ tall
  • 7.8 pounds

Across the board of robot vacuums, this is a pretty average size, and does a nice job of maneuvering most areas. For more size comparisons and reviews, see our full list of robot vacuum reviews.

Roomba height size
Both Roomba 690 and 675 are 13″ diameter and 3.7″ tall
Roomba 675 size
Roomba 675 size

Accessories & Parts

Included accessories is one area where there is a notable distinction between the Roomba 675 and the Roomba 690.

Both of these models include the following parts and accessories in the box:

  • Robot Vacuum
  • Charging Station
  • Battery
  • Filter (x2)
  • Cleaning Tool
  • Spinning Brush
  • User Guide
Roomba 675 accessories and parts
Roomba 675 accessories and parts
iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum accessories
Roomba 690 Accessories – 1) dual mode virtual wall barrier, 2) charging base, 3) filter, and 4) cleaning tool

The accessory the separates these two models is the:

  • Virtual Barrier Wall (dual mode)

The virtual barrier wall is used to block off certain areas of a floor plan that you don’t want Roomba to access. This can be a useful tool when cleaning larger floor plans or complicated layouts with numerous obstacles.

Roomba Virtual Wall Barrier

VIRTUAL BARRIER | The dual-mode virtual barrier is capable of blocking off a linear path up to 10′ long or a radial area up to 4′ in circumference. This helps to protect a variety of areas including hallways, open concept wide spans, as well as sensitive areas around pet food areas or other furniture.

Roomba 675 vs. 690 Performance

So we’ve looking at the outside—now let’s dive into the inside and analyze cleaning performance.

Performance of each of these vacuums is based on a number of factors, including:

  • Brushroll style
  • Filtration system
  • Battery
  • Motor
  • Cleaning tests

Each of these factors work together to establish the overall cleaning performance.

MORE – Check out how Roomba compares to Dyson vacuums.

Brushroll Style

Both the Roomba 675 and 690 model uses a bristle style brushroll (compared to the rubberized brushroll in advanced models, like the Roomba 980 and i7+).

Roomba vacuum AeroVac system brushroll
Roomba AeroVac bristle brush system

Look:

The bristle style does offer a lower price point, and cleans well on hardwoods, but tends to struggle with fine debris types on carpeted floors.

Filtration System

Both the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 use the AeroVac filtration system.

Roomba 614 filter and dust bin
AeroVac filter and dust bin

What is it?

This system is slightly less efficient than its successor, the AeroForce system. But that’s not to say that the AeroVac is bad by any measure. The AeroVac filter is still a filter.

Battery & Motor

The Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 come with the same 1,800 mAh battery and use the same motor (at least from what we can tell during our research).

irobot roomba 690 battery
Roomba 690 – docked at charging station

And the run time is?

Both Roombas have the same 90 minute run time.

Roomba 675 on docking station
Roomba 675 on docking station

Cleaning Performance

All of these details listed above help to determine the overall cleaning performance of each model.

Due to the hardware and software similarities between the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690, we have historically assumed that the cleaning performance would also be virtually the same.

Our recent Roomba 675 tests confirmed those assumptions. See data and tests below.

A full cleaning performance test here at Modern Cycle consists of 12 different tests; that’s four different debris types (cereal, kitty litter, rice, and sugar) and on three difference flooring types (hardwood floor, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet).

RELATED – Also see Roomba 690 compares to 960

Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tests

Cleaning performance on hardwood floor was excellent. The Roomba 690 was able to remove 97.5%+ of all debris types.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

96%

Rice

99%

Sugar

95%

irobot roomba 690 hardwood test
Roomba 690 hardwood floor tests

Roomba 675 performance on hardwood was slightly better (though within a reasonable margin of error), removing 99% of all debris on hardwoods.

Roomba 675 hardwood floor cleaning tests
Roomba 675 hardwood floor cleaning tests

Low Pile Carpet Cleaning Tests

Overall cleaning performance on low pile carpet was great as well, with 3 of the 4 tests scoring 98%+.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

98%

Rice

100%

Sugar

72%

Cleaning performance on sugar wasn’t great, scoring a 72%. However, this is still a fairly good score for most robot vacuums. The ultra fine sugar particles are difficult for robovacs to remove.

In order for a robot to remove sugar particles in carpets you have to step up to a more expensive pricing tier.

irobot roomba 690 low carpet test
Roomba 690 low pile carpet tests

The Roomba 675 scored similarly on low pile carpet, removing 95% of all debris. Like the 690, it’s biggest struggle was removing all of the sugar.

Roomba 675 low pile carpet cleaning tests
Roomba 675 low pile carpet cleaning tests

High Pile Carpet Cleaning Tests

Lastly, cleaning performance on high pile carpet mirrored what we saw with low pile carpet cleaning tests.

Cereal

99%

Kitty Litter

99%

Rice

99%

Sugar

66%

Bottom line…

99%+ of debris was removed on 3 of our 4 cleaning tests. The one problem area again was the sugar tests, which only scored a 66%.

Again, this is still a pretty good score for a robot vacuum. Most robot vacuums really struggle with sugar on carpet.

irobot roomba 690 high carpet test
Roomba 690 high pile carpet tests

Yet again, we saw similar results on the Roomba 675. The 675 removed 90% of all debris (sugar being the biggest problem).

Roomba 675 high pile carpet cleaning tests
Roomba 675 high pile carpet cleaning tests

Roomba Usability

The usability of the 675 and the 690 is another area that is hardly distinguishable. Both robots have identical physical buttons on the face of the robot as well as wireless connectivity.

How to get started?

Starting a cleaning is as easy pressing the “CLEAN” button on the vacuum itself, scheduling a cleaning on the app using your smartphone, or even simply saying “Roomba, clean” (provided you have Alexa or Google voice setup).

iRobot Roomba smartphone app
iRobot Roomba smartphone app

The Roomba 675 and 690 are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control (when paired with a voice control device like the Amazon Echo or Google Home.

Wifi Connectivity

Both the Roomba 675 and the Roomba 690 are able to connect fully to the iRobot Home app for full wireless controls. Using the app, you can start or stop a current cleaning, view cleaning history, or schedule a cleaning in the future.

Setup to the app is also easy. Below are some of the setting and control views on the iRobot app.

iRobot Roomba App
iRobot Roomba App

Psychical Controls

As mentioned above, the Roomba 675 and 690 model have the same physical buttons on the face of the vacuum. This includes:

  • “CLEAN”: Immediately begins a cleaning cycle
  • Spot Clean: Cleans in a circular pattern, growing increasing wider until the area has been sufficiently cleaned
  • Dock: Returns the Roomba to the charging station to juice up
Close up of the CLEAN and other control buttons
Close up of the CLEAN and other control buttons

Maneuverability

Since both the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 are identical in size, maneuverability from that perspective is basically the same. The other factor that comes into play when considering maneuverability, is navigation technology.

What is iAdapt?

Both the Roomba 675 and the Roomba 690 operate with iAdapt 1.0 technology. Roombas in the 800 and 900 Series generally have the iAdapt 2.0 navigation technology while the newest Roomba i7 and Roomba i7+ employ the most advanced navigation, iAdapt 3.0.

Roomba i7 smart cleaning maps
Smart cleaning maps available with more advanced Roomba

What do you get with advanced navigation? 

With advancements in navigation comes the ability the see obstacles before they hit them, advanced memory mapping, Imprint Smart Mapping, and the ability to remember digital maps of different floor plans. For more information on iAdapt 3.0 see our Roomba i7+ review.

Look:

The Roomba 675 and 690 is a more basic approach, basically “Bump and Continue”. Both models have edge sensors on the underside of the robot to prevent the robot from driving off of drop zones, like stairs or lofted space. But outside of these sensors, the cleaning pattern is sporadic, zig-zag, and a bit unpredictable.

Roomba 675 cleaning

Bottom Line…

Despite this random approach, the cleaning performance above shows these models with base level navigation still clean up an astounding amount of debris from the cleaning tests.

Which is the Better Value?

Both the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690 are excellent values. Depending on your needs, one model could be a better value than the other, seeing as they have slight differences.

Roomba advanced virtual wall barrier halo mode

What’s the difference? 

The Roomba 690 is slightly more expensive, but includes the virtual barrier wall, an accessory that is not included with the Roomba 675 model.

Roomba 675 robot vacuum

That said, for smaller floor plans or simpler layouts, you may find that you don’t need a virtual barrier anyway. In these cases, it could be a better value to forgo the additional costs and enjoy the savings, without the virtual barrier.

But at the end of the day…

Keep in mind that if your environment changes, the Roomba 675 is compatible with dual mode virtual barrier walls if you ever decide to add them. No pressure to feel like you have to decide immediately.

Roomba 675 vs. 690 Specifications

Below you’ll find a complete comparison of important specifications on the Roomba 675 vs. Roomba 690.

Check it out here:

Roomba 675Roomba 690
Roomba 690 robot vacuum review
Size13" dia. x 3.7" H13" dia. x 3.7" H
Weight7.8 lbs.7.8 lbs.
Price$$$$
Runtime~90 mins~90 mins
SchedulingYesYes
Self-ChargingYesYes
Drop DetectionYesYes
Full Bin IndicatorNoNo
Dirt DetectionBasicBasic
NavigationBasicBasic
TechnologyAeroVacAeroVac
Roller BrushesBristle styleBristle style
Remote ControliRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google AssistantiRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Virtual Walls (included)01
Score94%94%
PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
ReviewRead ReviewRead Review

Which Roomba is Right for You?

If you’re deciding between the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690, as mentioned above, the first thing you need to do is decide what is most important in a robot vacuum.

That said, if blocking off sensitive areas is important to you, the Roomba 690 is your best bet, as it already comes with a virtual barrier wall.

If you don’t care about the virtual wall you can save yourself a few bucks by going with the Roomba 675.

The following factors are identical with the Roomba 675 and Roomba 690:

  • Overall Design (slightly different colors)
  • Size & Dimensions
  • Physical Buttons
  • Navigation (iAdapt 1.0)
  • Battery / Run Time
  • Wifi Connectivity
  • Voice Control Capability

For more information on the Roomba 675 robot vacuum, check it out here.

For more information on the Roomba 690 robot vacuum, check it out here.

Update Log

  • February 27, 2020 – Updated the page with our new Roomba 675 testing data. Also added new photos of the 675. A number of points were clarified / improved based on our 675 tests.
  • March 31, 2019 – Overhauled the layout and design of the page.
  • November 22, 2018 – Fixed a couple of small formatting issues.
  • October 10, 2018 – Updated a re-designed comparison table and a few other small formatting changes.
  • September 19, 2018 – Initial version of the comparison was published.

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.