Let’s be real. It is 2026, and we’ve got robots that can climb stairs, recognize individual pieces of dog poop with AI, and even empty their own bins into sleek towers that look like high-end furniture. In this world of high-tech cleaning, the iRobot Roomba 694 feels like a relic. It’s a "bump-and-go" bot. It doesn’t map your house. It doesn’t have a laser on its head.
Honestly? It’s still one of the best-selling vacuums for a reason.
If you've spent any time looking for a cheap way to stop sweeping every single day, you've definitely seen this charcoal-grey puck. It’s basically the "old reliable" of the robot world. But as someone who has watched the market shift toward the newer Roomba Essential and the fancy j-series, I can tell you that the 694 is a specific kind of beast. It’s for the person who wants a vacuum, not a computer science project.
The "Dumb" Navigation Mystery
Most people get frustrated with the iRobot Roomba 694 because they expect it to act like a Tesla. It won't.
It uses what we call "random navigation." This essentially means it drives in a straight line until it hits a wall, then it turns and goes another way. To a human watching it, the Roomba 694 looks like it’s drunk. It might miss a spot in the middle of the room for twenty minutes and then spend five minutes obsessively cleaning the same corner.
But here is the thing: if you let it run long enough, it usually hits everything.
It’s a game of probability. Because it doesn't build a map, it doesn't get "confused" if you move a chair. It just bumps into it and moves on. For people with small apartments or simple layouts, this is actually a benefit. You don’t have to worry about "map drift" or the robot getting lost because the sun created a weird shadow on the floor.
Performance on the Ground
If you have thick carpets, listen up. The 694 uses a dual multi-surface brush system. One brush loosens the dirt, the other pulls it in.
Modern Castle’s testing actually showed this thing hitting a 97% debris recovery rate on high-pile carpet. That’s insane for a budget bot. Most cheap robots just glide over the top of the carpet fibers, but the 694 actually digs in.
- Hardwood: Flawless. It’s basically a motorized broom.
- Low-pile rugs: Good, though it sometimes struggles with fine dust.
- Pet hair: This is where it gets tricky.
Because the iRobot Roomba 694 uses actual bristles (not the all-rubber rollers found on the Roomba i3 or j7), hair will wrap around those brushes. If you have a Golden Retriever, you’re going to be sitting on the floor with a pair of scissors once a week cutting hair out of the rollers. It’s the trade-off for that deep-carpet agitation.
The Dirt Detect Factor
One thing the iRobot Roomba 694 has that many $400 competitors still lack is "Dirt Detect."
Inside the robot, there are acoustic sensors. When the Roomba passes over a particularly sandy or dirty patch of floor, it "hears" the debris hitting the sensors. It’ll then circle back and hit that spot again until it’s clean. It’s a low-tech solution that works remarkably well. You’ll hear the motor pitch change, and the "Clean" button will flash.
It’s satisfying. It feels like the robot actually cares.
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The App and the "Smart" Features
You can connect the 694 to the iRobot Home App. You get Alexa and Google Assistant support, too.
"Alexa, tell Roomba to start cleaning."
It works. But remember, since there’s no map, you can’t tell it to "clean the kitchen." It’s all or nothing. You can schedule it to run at 10:00 AM every Tuesday, which is the "set it and forget it" dream.
However, users on Reddit and Home Depot reviews frequently mention one big headache: the return to base. Because it doesn't have a "brain" map, it has to "see" the infrared signal from its charging dock to go home. If it’s in a bedroom three doors down when the battery gets low, it might just wander aimlessly until it dies under your bed.
It’s like a game of hide-and-seek where you’re the loser.
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Why Buy This in 2026?
The robot vacuum market is currently flooded with "no-name" brands from overseas that promise LIDAR and mopping for $150. They usually break in six months.
The iRobot Roomba 694 is built like a tank. You can buy every single part for it—the battery, the wheels, the motor, the bin—on Amazon or the iRobot site. It’s a vacuum you can actually repair. In a world of disposable tech, that’s a massive win.
Who should skip it?
- People with massive, multi-room mansions.
- Owners of long-haired pets who hate maintenance.
- Anyone who needs "Keep Out Zones" (like for a dog's water bowl).
Who should buy it?
- Small apartment dwellers.
- Students in dorms.
- Seniors who want a "one-button" solution.
Actionable Advice for New Owners
If you decide to pick up an iRobot Roomba 694, don't just let it loose and expect magic. First, "Roomba-proof" your house. That means picking up phone chargers and loose tassels on rugs. The 694 will eat a USB-C cable for breakfast.
Second, use the "Spot Clean" mode for spills. If you drop some flour in the kitchen, carry the robot there, set it down, and hit the spiral button. It’ll stay in a 3-foot circle and scrub that area specifically.
Finally, keep an eye on the front caster wheel. It pops out. Pull it out every month and remove the hair that gets trapped in the axle. If that wheel stops spinning, it’ll eventually sand down your hardwood floors. A 30-second fix saves you thousands in floor repairs.
The iRobot Roomba 694 isn't the smartest kid in class, but it's the one who shows up every day and works hard. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.
To keep your 694 running for years, you should check the filter every two weeks and tap it against the trash can—it’s not washable, so don't get it wet, but clearing the dust keeps the suction at its peak.