Robotic vacuums have been around for a number of years by now. There’s no question that Roomba, the robotic vacuum manufactured by iRobot, is among the top vacuums on the market. But with all the different models available, it’s hard to tell the difference between them and figure out which will work best for you. Here, we’ll review three different models iRobot Roomba 630, 650 and 690 to make your choice just a little easier.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Roomba 630 | Roomba 650 | Roomba 690 |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 13.4 x 3.6 x 13.4 in. | 13.4 x 3.6 x 13.4 in. | 13 x 3.6 x 13 in. |
Weight | 7.9 lbs. | 7.9 lbs. | 7.8 lbs. |
Batteries | 1 Ni-Mh battery | 1 Ni-Mh battery | 1 lithium-ion battery |
Run Time | Up to 60 min. | Up to 60 min. | Up to 90 min. |
Cleaning System | iAdapt 3-stage cleaning | iAdapt 3-stage cleaning | iAdapt 3-stage cleaning |
Remote Control | No | No | Yes |
Wi-Fi Connectivity | No | No | Yes |
iRobot Home App | No | No | Yes |
Warranty | 1 year for the vacuum; 6 months for the battery | 1 year for both the vacuum and the battery | 1 year for the vacuum; 6 months for the battery |
As you can quickly see, the three models are very similar. They have almost identical dimensions and weight. They also use the same cleaning system, which is designed to vacuum every type of flooring—from rugs to hardwood floors. The Roomba 690 is a slightly more advanced model in that is has a longer run time, thanks to the lithium-ion battery, and can be controlled via the iRobot home app. The Roomba 650 can be scheduled to run ahead of time via the
In terms of cleaning capacity, there is no noticeable difference between the three vacuums, so the flexibility in controlling the appliance is likely to be the feature that influences your decision the most. But let’s look at each model a little more closely.
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Roomba 630
The Roomba 630 has been around for a while and has enjoyed overall positive feedback. It is particularly popular with pet owners, because it does well picking up pet hair and dander. It’s amazing to see the little machine get rid of hair that other vacuums simply cannot suck up. For many a pet owner, this achievement makes the expense of a robotic vacuum worthwhile.
Sometimes, rather than sucking pet hair into the dust bin, the vacuum will leave little clumps of hair behind, but if it doesn’t come back to vacuum them up eventually, they are easy to pick up and throw out. The dust bin needs to be emptied on a regular basis, and you should clean the rollers and sensors as well to keep the vacuum running efficiently. However, this is in line with standard maintenance and is nothing out of the ordinary.
The Roomba 630 comes with a virtual wall that you can use to control where the robot works its magic. You will also receive a flat brush cleaning tool that makes the machine even more versatile.
Key Features
- iAdapt navigation helps the vacuum detect obstacles in its path and ensures that the entire floor is cleaned, despite an erratic pattern.
- iAdapt responsive cleaning technology enables the Roomba 630 to detect dirty areas to clean them more thoroughly.
- Automatically adjusts to different floor types and transitions well between them.
- Automatically returns to the docking station to recharge, once the battery runs low.
- Sensors prevent it from falling down the stairs.
There are two drawbacks to the Roomba 630:
- There are times when the sensors prevent the Roomba 630 from going over dark carpets or black floor designs. To the sensors, these dark areas seem like a drop-off, so the vacuum avoids them. Even if you manually place the vacuum onto a dark area, you might have a hard time getting it to vacuum properly until it has reached flooring it recognizes.
- The only way to control the Roomba 630 is via the on/off button. You cannot schedule any cleaning runs ahead of time, and you cannot control the machine via an app.
If you are looking for a basic, but reliable robotic vacuum cleaner, the Roomba 630 is a good choice.
Roomba 650
The Roomba 650 is very similar to the Roomba 630. It uses the same navigation system and cleaning technology as the 630. That means that it is equally efficient in cleaning your floors, although it uses the same erratic pattern that seems odd to a casual observer. It has great suction power for about an hour, at which point it returns to its base to recharge. The Roomba 650 is another efficient vacuum when it comes to cleaning up after shedding cats and dogs. Unlike the Roomba 630, the Roomba 650 has no problem sucking pet hair into the dust bin. You won’t have to worry about finding rolled-up balls of hair on the carpet.
The Roomba 650 comes with a virtual wall that gives you some control over where the vacuum operates. Where the Roomba 650 differs from the 630 is in your ability to schedule cleaning runs. You can use the on-board controls to set particular times at which you want the vacuum to operate. If you want the house to be clean when you come home from running errands, or if you have guests coming and want the floors to sparkle, this is a great feature. It will save you from having to run the vacuum while you are home and having to listen to the noise of the machine.
Key Features
- iAdapt navigation is based on a number of strategically placed sensors that enable the vacuum to clean your entire floorplan. It quickly adapts to a changing home, should you decide to move any furniture or redecorate.
- iAdapt responsive cleaning technology is built on the idea that the vacuum should clean the entire floor, but be able to detect dirty areas and focus on additional cleaning power there.
- It uses a combination of agitators, brushes, and suction power to ensure that every bit of dirt and dust goes into the dust bin.
- Automatically adjusts to different types of flooring and navigates the transitions between them.
There are two drawbacks to the Roomba 650:
- Some users have complained that the Roomba 650 sometimes scratches up baseboards and hardwood floors. However, these seem to be isolated incidents. Just keep it in mind when you first start running this appliance and keep an eye on any unwanted negative effects.
- When it first starts operating in your home, it might get stuck under your furniture. However, once the navigation system has mapped out the floor plan, this problem is unlikely to occur again.
The Roomba 650 is an effective robotic vacuum, particularly for its price. If you are looking for an economic model, particularly if you are new to the world of robots, this is a great starter piece.
Roomba 690
The Roomba 690 is the most advanced of the three we discuss here. In terms of cleaning power, it’s similar to the 630 and 650. However, you have much greater control over when to operate it. Once you install the iRobot home app on your
Additionally, you can view maps of your home that have already been vacuumed, and you can also contact iRobot’s customer support services through the app. Should the Roomba 690 get stuck and run out of batteries before making it back to the charging station, the app will help you to easily locate the appliance.
Like the Roomba 630 and 650, the Roomba 690 also comes with a virtual wall barrier that can be used to block parts of the house you don’t want cleaned on any particular day. The vacuum makes very little noise, so it won’t disturb you if you run it while you are home.
The Roomba 690 has two drawbacks:
- Replacement batteries are fairly expensive. Even if you run the vacuum every day, it will take a while for the battery to wear down, but when it does, it is almost more cost-effective to simply get a new vacuum, rather than spend the money on just a new battery.
- If there are issues with the app, the vacuum doesn’t always work well. It can take a few days for the app to update and the vacuum to sync with the app. During that time, the vacuum might stop working inexplicably.
Key Features
- iAdapt cleaning system with multi-surface brushes picks up every kind of dirt that might assemble on your floors. It works well on every type of flooring you might have in your home.
- A full suite of sensors guides the vacuum through your home, preventing it from bumping into walls and furniture, falling down stairs, or skipping parts of your floor plan.
- Special dirt-detection sensors enable the vacuum to concentrate on high-traffic areas that might be dirtier than other parts of your house.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and controllable via the iRobot home app.
Pros and Cons of the Roomba 600 Series
Pros:
- Great choice for pet owners: There’s no question that the Roomba 630, the Roomba 650, and the Roomba 690 are all very able to clean up after your pets. Dog and cat owners, in particular, know how much work is involved in cleaning up after the furry friends, and how frustrating it can be when their vacuum doesn’t get the job done. Any of the three models introduced here will excel in keeping your home clean, with no annoying pet hair remaining ignored in the corners of your house.
- Great choice for homes with different floor types: Owners of these three vacuums agree that each one does a good job transitioning from carpet to hardwood floor, and from tile to linoleum. If your home has a shaggy carpet, or an accent carpet with tassels, the concern is always that strings will get stuck in the vacuum. But with the 630, the 650, and the 690, there’s no need to worry. Each one is able to move around your home with no problem, and users consistently praise their ability to adjust to different types of flooring.
- Virtual wall offers control over cleaning area: While these three Roombas operate fairly quietly, you might still be concerned about the noise. With the virtual wall that comes with each model, you can better control where your Roomba vacuums. If you have work to do in your home office, you can set up the wall so that the machine only operates in other parts of the house and doesn’t disturb you. You can also use the virtual wall to confine the Roomba to high-traffic areas that might need extra attention, such as the kitchen, the entrance hall, or the room that has your cat’s litter box.
Cons:
- Better models are available: As we’ve already stated, each model in the 600 series is efficient and well-liked among users. However, that does not take away from the fact that more advanced models are now available. Both the Roomba 890 and 960, for example, feature an Advanced Dirt Detection system and more suction power than the three models discussed here.
- Less control: As previously discussed, of the Roomba 630, 650, and 690, only the last model comes with Wi-Fi connectivity. Since the introduction of the Roomba 690, the connectivity and remote control capabilities have only become more sophisticated. With the Roomba 960 in particular, you have the option to operate the vacuum 100% remotely. You can do anything from scheduling to troubleshooting via your smartphone and an app. You can even get cleaning reports.
Conclusion
Roomba 630, Roomba 650, and Roomba 690 are very similar. They are competitively priced and reliable. All three work well in homes with pets that shed. However, only the Roomba 690 offers Wi-Fi connectivity and remote control via an app. If you are looking for the flexibility that comes with this, then the Roomba 690 is the vacuum to select. If this feature is not important to you, then pick the Roomba 650. It is an economically priced, reliable model that can be programmed ahead of time so as to give you a little more freedom of when to clean your home.