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Roomba 690 vs. 960

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

When you’re shopping for the best robot vacuum, it can be difficult to find the balance between cost and features. Many users are looking for high-tech usability, ultimate cleaning performance, and a modern aesthetic.

Other users can sacrifice a few bells and whistles if it means saving hundreds of dollars. Today’s comparison is an example of this type of robot vacuum battle as Roomba 690 and Roomba 960 face off in a head-to-head.

Roomba Robot Vacuum Review Thumbnail
Roomba 690
  • Brushroll: Bristle
  • Run Time: 90 mins.
  • Cleaning Tests: 94%
  • Filter: Basic (AeroVac)
  • Price: $$
Roomba Robot Vacuum Review X
Roomba 960
  • Brushroll: Dual Rubberized
  • Run Time: 75 mins.
  • Cleaning Tests: 93%
  • Filter: High Performance (AeroForce)
  • Price: $$$

The Roomba 690 is a budget-friendly robot vacuum with good cleaning performance, wifi-connectivity, and voice control.

On the other hand, the Roomba 960 has exceptional cleaning performance, smart memory-mapping technology, and more improvements that make the 960 an intuitive and smart robot vacuum.

So the Roomba 690 vs. 960 — which robot vacuum is right for you? Keep reading as we dive into this robot comparison, evaluating everything from aesthetics and design, to noise and return policy, and everything in between. Let’s get started!

Which is the better Roomba?

moderncastle-fs-table__image

Roomba 690 vs. 960

In the case of Roomba 690 vs. 960, the Roomba 960 is the clear winner. Although it is quite a bit more expensive, overall it is a more powerful vacuum with smarter features and exceptional usability. The memory-mapping feature and larger camera greatly improve the navigational capabilities of this vacuum.Check Price

Roomba 690 Review

The Roomba 690 is a robot vacuum that is an affordable option for many users. It offers great features, without breaking the bank. 

iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum review

The 690 model replaced the Roomba 650 model and is one step up from the Roomba 614 baseline model, coming standard with wifi connectivity and voice control.

Pros

  • Wifi connectivity and voice control allow easy usability.
  • Within the $$ pricing category, it’s a great value

Cons

  • Bristle-style brushroll may be hard to clean or require more frequent replacement.
  • There is no memory-mapping feature, so multi-room navigation is a little hit or miss.

Bottom Line

Wifi app control is a great feature for a robot vacuum at this price point. If you’re not cleaning up pet hair, and don’t have a complicated floor plan, the Roomba 690 may be a great option for you.

Check Price

Roomba 960 Review

The Roomba 960 is a part of the 900 series which is the most advanced Roomba series to date. Capabilities include: exceptional cleaning, smarter navigation, and an intuitive interface.

Roomba 960 robot vacuum review

The Roomba 960 is only surpassed in features, by the Roomba 980 (which includes an extra virtual wall and longer run time).

Pros

  • On-board camera makes navigation smarter and more efficient.
  • Exceptional cleaning performance.

Cons

  • Quite a bit more expensive than the Roomba 690 model.
  • Struggles with cleaning fine debris (see the sugar test).

Bottom Line

For multi-room cleaning, the 960 does an excellent job, thanks in part to its longer battery life and on-board camera. In addition, dual brushroll does a better job of cleaning pet hair or long hair.

Check Price

Roomba 690 Design

The Roomba 690 uses a two-tone body style of black and silver, with subtle bright green accents, used to call out special features, like the handle or dust bin release.

There is a central “CLEAN” button that allows you to start a cleaning cycle, and the wifi app control allows you to schedule any cleaning up to 7 days in the future.

  1. Auto clean : On / Off
  2. Handle
  3. Bumper
  4. Dust bin release
iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum features

Roomba 960 Design

The design of the Roomba 960 is a little more techy than the Roomba 690. Unique from previous models, the 900 series Roomba models feature a central on-board camera which helps the robot to navigate tricky floor plans.

The “CLEAN” button is shifted upward on the robot. Scheduled cleanings are still set up using the iRobot app.

  1. Auto clean : On / Off
  2. Camera
  3. Handle
  4. Bumper
Image of the labeled components on the Roomba 960

How Roomba 690 Cleans

The Roomba 690 cleans using a bristle-style brushroll with agitation and suction. Roomba navigates around your space using two large wheels centrally located on the vacuum, as well as a smaller directional wheel at the front.

Using iAdapt 1.0 technology and a combination of dirt detection and drop detection, the Roomba 690 vacuum “drives” around your home searching for particularly dirty areas, and cautiously avoiding drop zones, like stairs or lofts.

If you’re home watching the Roomba 690 during a cleaning cycle, you may notice it bumping into quite a few things, which is common for this type of navigation technology. A bumper ring around the front of the vacuum helps to protect the vacuum and your furniture.

There are four edge sensors along the front of the vacuum that help the Roomba detect edges and unsafe areas. This number of sensors is pretty standard for many comparable robot vacuums, but the Roomba 960 does include two extra sensors for enhanced navigation.

  1. Wheels
  2. Spinning brush
  3. Charging pins
  4. Brushroll
  5. Dust bin / filter
  6. Edge sensors
Roomba 690 robot vacuum how it cleans

How Roomba 960 Cleans

The Roomba 960 cleans using dual rubber debris extractors that rotate in opposite directions to help suck up dirt, dust, and debris. Similar to the Roomba 690, the 960 also uses the two large central wheels and smaller front wheel to navigate.

The Roomba 960 uses iAdapt 2.0 technology that has a couple major improvements over the older versions.

There is a large on-board camera that allows the Roomba to see obstacles in your space and navigate around them.

The 960 also has a memory-mapping feature so this robot vacuum will remember common obstacles in your home and won’t have to relearn the space for each cleaning cycle, resulting in less time bumping into things and more time cleaning.

In addition to the improved navigation, the Roomba 960 also comes with two additional edge sensors, located further at the back of the vacuum. These additional sensors help the Roomba to understand its location in your home even better and avoid dangerous or sensitive areas.

  1. Wheels
  2. Spinning brush
  3. Charging pins
  4. Debris extractors
  5. Dust bin / filter
  6. Edge sensors
Roomba 960 robot vacuum review how it cleans

Roomba 690 Size & Dimensions

The Roomba 690 only has a 13″ diameter and is 3.6″ tall. The diameter is noticeably smaller than the larger Roomba 960 model.

  • Diameter – 13″
  • Height – 3.6″
Roomba 690 robot vacuum size dimensions

Roomba 960 Size & Dimensions

The Roomba 960 is 13.8″ in diameter and 3.6″ high. The 960 is a little wider than the 690 model, but the difference really is quite minimal.

  • Diameter – 13.8″
  • Height – 3.6″
Roomba 960 robot vacuum review size & dimensions

Roomba 690 Accessories & Parts

The Roomba 690 comes with the basic set of Roomba accessories:

  1. Virtual barrier – This advanced virtual barrier helps block off certain rooms that you don’t want Roomba going into, using either an infrared straight line (up to 10′) or a halo (up to 4′ in diameter.)
  2. Charging station – When Roomba’s battery gets below 15%, this robot vacuum will automatically return to the charger for a boost. A complete charge takes 2-3 hours.
  3. Filter – The AeroVac filter system is the older style, but still does a nice job of filtering out fine particulate and debris.
  4. Cleaning tool – This small cleaning tool is used to help clear out the bristle brushroll and perform regular maintenance on the vacuum. This is one accessory that is not included with the Roomba 960, but also, the 960 does not have the bristle brushroll so it may not be as needed.
iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum accessories

Roomba 960 Accessories & Parts

The Roomba 960 robot vacuum has a very similar set of accessories, compared to the Roomba 690. The 960 does not come with a cleaning brush.

  1. Charging station – This is the same style of charging station as the 690 and is used when the battery gets low. The 960 also has the ability to Recharge & Resume for even longer cleaning cycles.
  2. Spinning brush – The spinning brush installs to the underside of the vacuum and helps collect dirt and debris from corners and edges (included with the 690 as well, but not shown).
  3. Virtual wall barrier – This virtual wall barrier can block a straight line up to 10′ or provide a safety halo of up to 4′ around sensitive areas, like pet food or breakables.
  4. Filter – The AeroForce filtration system is an upgrade over the AeroVac model, providing more efficient filtration and improved dual brushrolls (debris extractors).
Accessories included with the Roomba960

Roomba Comparisons

Looking for more Roomba comparisons? We’ve got you covered. Check out our full iRobot Roomba vacuum comparisons below:

AeroVac vs. AeroForce — Filtration

One big difference between the 690 and the 960 is the filtration system. The AeroVac system is Roomba’s older model of filtration. AeroVac utilizes the bristle style brushroll and a curved filter.

AeroVac Roomba filtration system
Roomba 690 – AeroVac filtration system

By comparison, the AeroForce system uses dual rubber debris extractors and a smaller, more efficient, filter. The AeroForce system also has an improved motor and up to 50% better cleaning performance (compared to the Aerovac system, according to iRobot).

AeroForce Roomba filtration system
Roomba 890 – AeroForce filtration system

Cleaning Tests

In order to determine cleaning performance, we run all of the vacuums at Modern Castle through a series of cleaning tests. These tests are performed on a three different flooring types and use four different debris types, for a total of 12 cleaning tests.

For the robot vacuum cleaning tests, we allow each vacuum to run for up to 15 minutes, or less time if the vacuum determines that it has properly cleaned the area.

We use a consistent amount of debris for all tests. These specific amounts were selected as a baseline for what would cover the testing area, without being unreasonably dense or too sparse.

  • Rice – 3 ounces
  • Dry Cereal – 1 ounce
  • Kitty Litter – 3 ounces
  • Sugar – 3 ounces
Cleaning test debris types
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz.)

Roomba 690 Hardwood Floor Tests

The Roomba 690 did a great job of cleaning all debris types from the hardwood floor, collecting at least 95% of the debris for every test.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

96%

Rice

99%

Sugar

95%

Roomba 690 Low Pile Carpet Tests

The low carpet tests were also pretty successful. The Roomba 960 breezed through rice, cereal, and kitty litter— only starting to struggle a bit with the fine sugar test.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

98%

Rice

100%

Sugar

72%

Roomba 690 High Pile Carpet Tests

On high pile carpet, the Roomba 690 struggled a bit more with the sugar test. The other three tests remained at top performance.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

99%

Kitty Litter

99%

Rice

99%

Sugar

66%

Roomba 960 Hardwood Tests

The performance of the Roomba 960 was virtually flawless, capturing 100% of debris from every type of hardwood test we ran.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

100%

Roomba 960 Low Pile Carpet Tests

During the low carpet test, the Roomba 960 captured 100% of rice, cereal, and kitty litter debris from the carpet fibers. It only collected 52% of debris during the sugar test.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

52%

Roomba 960 High Pile Carpet Tests

During the high carpet test, the results were similar to those of the low carpet test— nearly flawless for the rice, cereal, and kitty litter, with struggles on the sugar test.

See before and after test images.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

49%

Roomba 690 Usability

Setting up the Roomba 690 was easy. Once unboxed, I installed the spinning brush, charged it up, and let it clean. To start a cleaning cycle, it was as simple as a press of the “CLEAN” button.

iRobot Roomba 690 - close up shot of the top
bility

The Roomba 690 also has app control and voice control. Installing and pairing this vacuum with the app was also easy to setup, taking just a few minutes to configure.

Roomba 960 Usability

Setting up the Roomba 960 was also easy— even slightly easier than the Roomba 690 since the spinning brush comes pre-installed. All you need to do is remove the packaging and charge it up.

Roomba 960 robot vacuum usability

Setting up the app takes about the same amount of time as the 690 model. All of the app-friendly Roombas use the same iRobot Home app.

Roomba 690 Maneuverability

The Roomba 690 is quite maneuverable, compared to similar models. It’s a little smaller than the Roomba 960 so it may be able to squeeze into slightly tighter areas, but the height is the same between the two.

  • Weight – 7.8 lbs.
  • Width – 13″
  • Height – 3.6″
  • Turning – 360°

As it maneuvers, the 690 may appear a little clunkier and may knock into more walls, furniture, or other obstacles. Without the on-board camera or memory-mapping feature, the Roomba 690navigates with the “bump-and-continue” style of cleaning.

Roomba 960 Maneuverability

The maneuverability for the 960 is definitely an improvement, compared to the 690, despite its slightly larger size. The on-board camera and memory-mapping feature helps this robot vacuumnavigate more complex floor plans and also limit excessive bumping.

  • Weight – 8.6 lbs.
  • Width – 13.8″
  • Height – 3.6″
  • Turning – 360°

Memory-mapping means that the vacuum does not have to rescan an entire room for every cleaning cycle. As it adjusts to your unique layout, the Roomba 960 will learn where certain obstacles are and regularly avoid contact with them.

Roomba 690 Maintenance

The maintenance for the Roomba 690 is relatively easy.

The cost to maintain the unit is around $33 / year.

The Roomba has a few replacement parts that are pretty easy to swap out, as needed. If you have pets or long hair in your home, the bristle-style brushroll may need a little extra TLC, since hair can easily get wrapped up around the axle of the brushroll and tangle.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
Filter2 monthsCheck Price
Spinning brush6 monthsCheck Price
Front wheel12 monthsCheck Price
Brushroll12 monthsCheck Price
Battery18-36 monthsCheck Price

Roomba 960 Maintenance

The Roomba 960 has a similar maintenance schedule and replacement costs compared to the Roomba 690 model.

The cost to maintain the unit is around $35 / year.

The improved brushroll on the 960 does make maintenance a little easier since hair is less likely to get tangled. But tangles aside, both do have the same replacement lifespan, according to iRobot.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
Filter2 monthsCheck Price
Spinning brush6 monthsCheck Price
Front wheel12 monthsCheck Price
Debris Extractor12-24 monthsCheck Price
Battery18-36 monthsCheck Price

Roomba 690 Battery

The battery for the Roomba 690 has around a 90 minute run time and takes 2-3 hours for a full charge, sometimes longer depending on how long the vacuum was dead. Battery replacements for both the 690 and the 960 are inexpensive, especially if you go with a non-iRobot brand.

BatteryDetails
Size1,800 mAh
Charging Time2-3 hours
Run Time90 minutes
Replacement CostCheck Price

Roomba 960 Battery

The battery of the Roomba 960 has up to a 75 minute runtime and also takes about 2-3 hours for a full charge, sometimes more depending on how long the Roomba has been dead. The 960’s battery is also a bit more powerful than the 690’s and has a capacity of 2,600 mAh.

BatteryDetails
Size2,600 mAh
Charging Time2-3 hours
Run Time75 minutes
Replacement CostCheck Price

Noise Comparison

We put all of the vacuums at Modern Castle through a standard noise test where we use a decibel meter to read how much noise is put out when standing approximately 3′ away from the vacuum.

Compared to the Roomba 960, the Roomba 690 was slightly louder.

Roomba 690 robot vacuum noise test
At 3′ away, the Roomba 690 robot vacuum emits 68 dB of sound.
Roomba 960 robot vacuum noise test
At 3′ away, the Roomba 960 robot vacuum emits 65 dB of sound.

Roomba 690 Value

Considering the overall value, the Roomba 690robot vacuum is a great deal, in my opinion. Although the exact price may fluctuate, it floats well within the moderate $$ pricing range.

To totally assess the product’s value we look at that price point and compare it to all of the features of the vacuum— design, how it cleans, size, accessories, cleaning performance, usability, maneuverability, maintenance, battery, noise, and company details like warranty, and return policy.

Compared to the $$$ expensive Roomba 960, the cleaning performance was similar— at least in our closed-off testing lane. So as long as the Roomba 690 has the battery power and navigational ability to get around your house, it’s going to clean the messes it can find.

The biggest weakness is simply that, the added navigational abilities, floor plan mapping, and sensing data on the Roomba 960 will likely yield better overall cleaning compared to the 690.

Wifi connectivity and voice control is a nice addition for ease of use and the ability to schedule cleanings makes this robot vacuum truly a time saver.

As a downside, the navigation is a little cumbersome and clunky, especially if you have pets, a large home, or numerous obstacles in the cleaning path.

  • Warranty – 1-Year limited
  • Returns – Varies by retailer
  • Company – Great
  • Value – Great

Roomba 960 Value

Looking at overall value, the Roomba 960 offers top-of-the-line performance, but it comes at a cost. The 960 is significantly more than the Roomba 690 (although the exact price may vary based on time and retailer), but what exactly do you get for that?

Improvements of the Roomba 960 over the Roomba 690 include:

  • Improved navigation – The addition of onboard camera and memory-mapping makes for smarter navigation and less bumping.
  • Improved brushroll – The dual rubber debris extractors, in lieu of the original bristle brushroll, are more efficient at agitating and collecting dirt, as well as lower maintenance. They also result in fewer tangles when cleaning pet hair.
  • Carpet boost – The Roomba 960 is equipped with carpet boost, providing additional suction and cleaning power when on carpets.
  • Improved filtration system – The new AeroForce filtration system is an upgrade to the older AeroVac system and offers a more efficient filter.

Another feature unique to the Roomba 960 over the 690 is the Recharge & Resume feature. This allows the 960 to run until the battery is low, return to the charger for a quick juice-up, and then get right back to cleaning, without any interference from the user.

  • Warranty – 1-Year limited
  • Returns – Varies by retailer
  • Company – Great
  • Value – Good

Roomba 690 Specifications

Specifications
TypeRobot
ManufactureriRobot
ModelRoomba 690
Length13"
Width13"
Height3.6"
Weight7.8 lbs
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Battery1,800 mAh
Dust Bin Capacity0.3 liter
CordlessYes
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Roomba 960 Specifications

Specifications
TypeRobot
ManufactureriRobot
ModelRoomba 960
Length (inches)13.8
Width (inches)13.8
Height (inches)3.6
Weight (pounds)8.6
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Battery2,600 mAh
Dust Bin Capacity0.3 L
CordlessYes
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Roomba 690 vs. 960, Which Should You Buy?

So between these two, Roomba 690 vs. 960, which robot vacuum is right for you? This vacuum review comparison was a little unique in that each of these robots is at drastically different price point.

Check 690 Price

Check 960 Price

Bottom line

If you have the money for the Roomba 960, you should get the Roomba 960. The more advanced features, smarter navigation, improved debris extractor, and multiroom cleaning are simply going to yield better overall performance compared to the 690.

That said, I don’t want to leave you with the impression that the Roomba 690 is a bad robot vacuum. It’s not. Not by any stretch. It remains one of the best (if not the best) budget friendly robot vacuum on the market. If money is tight, the Roomba 690 is still excellent, however, since we have to select a winner, it’s got to be the Roomba 960.

The Finer Details

The Roomba 690 comes in as a budget option, offering some techy features like scheduled cleanings, wifi connectivity, and voice control, while still having quite good cleaning performance (one of the best budget robot vacuums we’ve tested to date).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the Roomba 960, which is one of Roomba’s most expensive models. This vacuum also offers scheduled cleanings, wifi connectivity, and voice control. In addition, the 960 also has improved filtration, improved navigation, and a longer run time, and is slightly quieter as it cleans. 

The actual cleaning performance between these two vacuums, strictly concerning debris pickup, was fairly similar. That said, I do believe the improved navigational abilities of the Roomba 960 will ultimately yield better total house cleaning performance.

Both vacuums did an excellent job with the cereal, rice, and kitty litter test. Both vacuums also struggled with picking up sugar when tested on low and high pile carpets.

Roomba 960 Wins

moderncastle-fs-table__image

Winner: Roomba 960

If you’re looking for the most intuitive robot vacuum that can truly learn your home and adapt to clean it in the best way, the Roomba 960 is for you. This robot vacuum is packed with advanced features, smarter navigation, multi-room cleaning, better debris extractor, and has a larger capacity better. It does everything the 690 does, and more. The Roomba 960 is the winner.Check Price

Winner by Category

CategoryWinner?Explanation
AccessoriesDrawThe 690 and the 960 have basically the same set of accessories.
CleaningRoomba 960 robot vacuum reviewRegarding cleaning performance, this one is close. In the closed space of our testing lane both Roomba 690 and 960 were about the same. However, the Roomba 960's smarter navigation, advanced brushroll, and advanced filter are going to yield better house-wide cleaning performance in the majority of cases.
UsabilityDrawBoth of these Roomba were easy to setup and used the same app for wifi connectivity.
ManeuverabilityRoomba 960 robot vacuum reviewThe 960 gets the nod for maneuverability here. The on-board camera and memory-mapping allows this vacuum to shine as it cleans. With these improvements, the 960 can navigate multi-room layouts for a whole home clean.
MaintenanceDrawThe maintenance for both the Roomba 690 and 960 is virtually the same. Although exact parts and model numbers are slightly different, the ease and frequency of replacement is very comparable. Both vacuums can be properly maintained for under $40 a year.
BatteryRoomba 690 robot vacuum reviewThe Roomba 960 runs for 75 minutes, while the 690 can run for up to 90 minutes.
NoiseRoomba 960 robot vacuum reviewDuring the Modern Castle decibel test, the Roomba 960 only emitted about 65 dB of sound at 3' away, while the Roomba 690 emitted 68 dB. Not a huge difference here, but the 960 was slightly quieter than the 690.
ValueRoomba 690 robot vacuum reviewFor value, the Roomba 690 was the clear winner. Despite the bells and whistles of the Roomba 960, if you're looking for the best value, Roomba 690 is likely your best bet.

Should You Buy the Roomba 690?

If you’re looking for a great clean and a budget-friendly package, the Roomba 690 may be right for you. Cleaning performance is excellent and the wifi connectivity really makes this vacuum highly user-friendly.

Low maintenance costs, the included virtual wall, and the ability to program scheduled cleanings are all great features of the Roomba 690 as well.

As downsides, this robot vacuum may struggle a bit more with large homes, or layouts that have multiple rooms. Newer Roombas are able to navigate through more difficult layouts, but the older models, like the 690, may tend to trap themselves in certain rooms.

You Should Buy If You…

  1. Want a better value – Looking specifically at cleaning performance and price, the Roomba 690 is a no-brainer. It basically cleaned just as well as the Roomba 960 in a closed space, minus a few bells and whistles along the way.
  2. Want wifi connectivity – If you’re looking for a less-expensive model, but don’t want to give up wifi connectivity, the 690 is a great option as well. Many comparable models at a similar price point lack this feature.
  3. Want a smaller vacuum – If the overall vacuum size is critically important, the Roomba 690 is 0.8″ smaller in diameter, compared to the Roomba 960.

For more information or to buy, check out the Roomba 690 here.

Should You Buy the Roomba 960?

If you’re looking for nearly the top of the line that Roomba has to offer, the Roomba 960 robot vacuum is certainly a contender (you may also consider the Roomba 980, iRobot’s most expensive choice). Although the price is steep, the added features really make this vacuum one that you can plug in and forget about.

So many of the design changes than occurred between Roomba 690 and the launch of the 960 were implemented to make the Roomba less work for the consumer. Less time bumping into furniture, less time being lost, less time with clogged brushrolls — more time cleaning. 

You Should Buy If You…

  1. Want great navigation – With the on-board camera and memory-mapping feature, navigation is a breeze. The underside of the 960 also includes two additional edge sensors, which helps Roomba to understand it’s position in your home at all times.
  2. Want a vacuum good for pets – The improved AeroForce filtration system uses an improved filter as well as dual brushrolls (debris extractors). The extractors rotate opposite directions from each other, and do a better job of tackling pet hair or long human hair in the home with limited tangles around the brushroll.
  3. You have high pile carpets – The Roomba 960s addition of the carpet boost feature means it is able to provide a deeper level of cleaning for carpets, but especially higher pile carpets that 690 might have more difficulty with.

For more information or to buy,  check out the Roomba 960 here.

Updates

  • October 28, 2020 – It seems that iRobot removed the Keep Out Zone feature for the 960 at some point in the last few months. We have removed the section regarding the KOZ addition from 2019.
  • October 29, 2019 – Added new info regarding the Keep Out Zones for the 960.
  • November 23, 2018 – Earlier this year Roomba updated the run time on the 690 from 60 to 90 minutes. We have updated the relevant facts within our review above, while also updating many of the opinions and remarks that related to the comparative run time.
  • October 15, 2018 – Cleaned up some small formatting issues. Also added a new comparison table to the top of the page.
  • January 12, 2018 – Initial version of the page 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.