If you know anything about vacuums, then you’re already familiar with robot vacuums. You’re already familiar with the fact that robot vacuums are unlike any other vacuum cleaner on the market. Robot vacuums are so different from other vacuums, because they automate the vacuuming process. You don’t need to move the vacuum around, on your own, and you don’t need to push and prod the vacuum cleaner and to fiddle with a bunch of settings. Instead, a robot vacuum cleaner does the work for you.
While robot vacuum cleaners are certainly popular, and they are very useful, there is still a lot of progress that needs to be made. For one thing, robot vacuum cleaners haven’t quite reached the level of performance that would allow them to clean on any surface, and to vacuum up any material. They’re still limited, in that regard. And, of course, some of the sensors and navigation systems just aren’t as great as they could be.
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Here’s the thing, though, while there are a lot of robot vacuums that fall within the category of being “really good, but not great”, there are a number of robot vacuums that fall into the category of “absolutely” fantastic”!
Sometimes, you need to look a little harder for the fantastic robot vacuums, but they’re there, and they work incredibly well!
In this buying guide, you’re going to learn about the iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum. This robot vacuum comes directly from iRobot, and it’s an excellent robot vacuum that gives you excellent performance, a simple and easy-to-use design, and an affordable price tag.
You aren’t just going to learn about the iRobot Roomba 690, though, you’re also going to learn about three other robot vacuums. Namely, the iRobot Roomba 891, Eufy 30C, and the Ecovacs Deebot 500. You’re going to learn what makes these robot vacuums great, and which robot vacuum you should purchase, based on your criteria and needs.
[fusion_accordion type=”” boxed_mode=”yes” border_size=”1″ border_color=”” background_color=”” hover_color=”” divider_line=”” title_font_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_boxed_mode=”” icon_box_color=”” icon_alignment=”” toggle_hover_accent_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””][fusion_toggle title=”Show Video of the iRobot Roomba 690″ open=”no”]What Does The iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum Offer?
Underneath the iRobot Roomba 690, you’re going to notice that there are three brushes. Right in the middle of the vacuum, there’s a big brush. This is the main brush, and it’s used for much of the vacuuming process. But, on the sides, there are two small side-brushes.
Every single iRobot vacuum – the recent ones from the current product line, to be more specific – consists of a 3-Stage Cleaning System. This is a system that iRobot has refined and adjusted over the years, and those three-brushes are integral to the system.
When the iRobot Roomba 690 is moving across your floors, it uses the two side-brushes to lift the dirt, dust, and grime from your floor. Sometimes, it will use the main brush, if it’s too difficult for the side-brushes to remove that stuff. Then, the brushes sweep it into the main brush. Once they’ve done that, the suction channel that is right by the main brush vacuums it up, and throws it into the dirt tank. When you are done vacuuming, you can open up the dirt tank and empty out the contents.
In terms of the performance and efficiency of this robot vacuum, it’s one of the most powerful robot vacuums on the market. You can vacuum on hard floors, as well as soft floors. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re vacuuming on hardwood floors, stone floors, or thick rugs; you can vacuum on those surfaces, and the process is easy and swift.
Using a variety of different sensors that are located all across the iRobot Roomba 690, the robot vacuum can detect where it is, where it needs to go, and just how dirty the surfaces that it’s moving across actually are.
Navigation is quite easy, thanks to these sensors. And, you don’t need to manually adjust the suction speed or the intensity of the suction process, because the Dirt Detect sensors that iRobot has installed allow the robot vacuum to do this on its own, for you.
To use the iRobot Roomba 690, you have two choices. You can use a remote control that iRobot has provided, and this remote control does work quite well. Or, you can use your smartphone.
Using your smartphone is the preferred option for most people, and that’s because, when you use your smartphone, you can access the iRobot Roomba 690 at any time. You can create a custom schedule, turn the vacuum on and off, tell it to recharge, and adjust various settings. If you have an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device, you can also use those devices to access the iRobot Roomba 690.
The last thing to mention is that the iRobot Roomba 690 comes with a Virtual Wall Barrier. This is a physical device that you place in front of a space that you don’t want the iRobot Roomba 690 to leave or enter. If you want to have more control over the vacuuming process, this is a great device to have!

iRobot Roomba 690 Vs. iRobot Roomba 891
With the iRobot Roomba 891, you are getting the same basic features and design attributes as the iRobot Roomba 690. There aren’t that many unique differences, but that’s part of why a lot of people like iRobot vacuums. Each one of their robot vacuums is quite similar, and uses many of the same basic designs, because they have been perfected.
So, you might be asking yourself, what sets the iRobot Roomba 891 apart from the iRobot Roomba 690?
Performance. Performance is what separates the iRobot Roomba 891 from the iRobot Roomba 690. The iRobot Roomba 891 offers, according to iRobot, five-times the performance, in comparison to the iRobot Roomba 690.
The other difference is the fact that the iRobot Roomba 891 does not include a Virtual Wall Barrier.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for more performance, but the same design, the iRobot Roomba 891 is a great choice!

iRobot Roomba 690 Vs. Eufy 30C
The Eufy 30C consists of many of the same design qualities and features that the iRobot Roomba 690 offers, but it adds a few unique features that you’re only going to find in the robot vacuums that Eufy offers.
For example, BoostIQ Technology is a wonderful technology that allows the Eufy 30C to detect when it moves from one surface to another. If the Eufy 30C is vacuuming on a marble floor, and then moves to a thick rug, it detects this. Then, it adjusts the suction speed to accommodate the needs of that surface.
Just as with the iRobot Roomba 690, you have a Virtual Wall Barrier. Only, with the Eufy 30C, they’re called “Boundary Strips”, but they perform the same basic function.
The suction power that the Eufy 30C offers is similar to the iRobot Roomba 690. Definitely not as powerful as the iRobot Roomba 891, but for basic cleaning on hard floors and soft floors, you won’t have any problems or issues.
If you want a fast, easy-to-use, and efficient robot vacuum, then you can’t go wrong with the Eufy 30C!

iRobot Roomba 690 Vs. Ecovacs Deebot 500
The Ecovacs Deebot 500 is a direct product of the design trends that the iRobot vacuums we’ve looked at consist of. But, in the case of the Ecovacs Deebot 500, it adds one very nice feature with the smartphone app.
Ecovacs Deebot 500 Main Specs | |
Suction Power | 1000 Pa |
Сleaning Area | 1292 ft2 |
Dust Container | 520 ml |
Battery Capacity | 2600 mAH |
Run-time | 110 min |
Charging Time | 240 min |
Noise | 65 db |
Weight | 7.28 lbs |
Height | 3.07 in |
Release | Jul, 2019 |
Price | Click here |
Right before we dive into that, let’s just say that the Ecovacs Deebot 500 offers excellent suction power and a great cleaning system. It’s a great robot vacuum, in that aspect.
When it comes to the smartphone app, you can change the cleaning mode, create a schedule, turn the vacuum on and off, and you can also control the vacuum directly. This is a great feature that makes it so easy to clean in the specific spaces that need to be cleaned.
The Ecovacs Deebot 500 doesn’t add a lot that is particularly new, but it does a great job at integrating the design qualities of the best robot vacuums, while adding a unique feature of its own!

iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum Comparison Chart
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Roomba | 980 | 891 | 690 |
Cleans carpet and hard floors | +Power Boost Technology | Yes | Yes |
3-Stage Cleaning System | 10X Suction* | 5X Suction* | Yes |
Filter | High-Efficiency | High-Efficiency | Yes |
Dirt Detect Technology | Advanced Dirt Detect | Advanced Dirt Detect | Yes |
Automatically Recharges | Recharge & Resume | Yes | Yes |
Intelligent Navigation | Visual Navigation + Mapping | Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi & Smart Home Connected | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
Ideal for Homes with Pets | Yes | N/A | N/A |
Entire Level Cleaning | Yes | N/A | N/A |
Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Conclusion
In the end, the iRobot Roomba 690 provides an effortless and seamless user experience that is fantastic for all robot vacuuming needs!
Our Recommended Robot Vacuums
Robot Vacuum Type
• Best Automatic Dirt Disposal Robot Vacuums
• MOOSOO Robot Vacuum
Robot Vacuum Reviews
• iRobot Roomba i3
• Roborock S6 Pure
Robot Vacuum Comparison
• Roomba e5 vs i7
• Roomba i6+ vs. Shark IQ
• Roomba 675 vs e5
Robot Vacuum Related Articles
• Best Robot Vacuum and Mops
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you have any questions, please add them below in the comment section. Similarly, please let us know if you spot any mistakes.
Sources
SmartCleaningTips: Best Robot Vacuums
TomsGuide iRobot Roomba 690 Review
RTings The 3 Best Robotic Vacuums For Hardwood Floors
Last update on 2023-06-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API