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Notice: We've updated our robot vacuum testing methodology! Check out the full list of changes in the Test Bench 1.0 Changelog!
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Build Quality
    2. Build Quality
    3. User Maintenance
    4. Recurring Cost
    5. Storing
    6. Dimensions
    7. Dirt Compartment
    8. Internal Dirt Compartment
    9. Station Maintenance Capabilities
    10. In The Box
    11. Range
    12. Portability
    13. Battery
    14. Quality-Of-Life Features
    15. Brushroll And Tools
    16. Tools And Brushes
    17. Alternative Configuration
  5. Performance
    1. Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
    2. Hard Floor Pick-Up
    3. High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
    4. Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
    5. Pet Hair Pick-Up
    6. Low-Pile Carpet Performance
    7. High-Pile Carpet Performance
    8. Pet Hair Floor Performance
    9. Suction
    10. Airflow
    11. Noise
    12. Maneuverability
    13. Pet Hair Furniture Performance
    14. Air Quality
    15. Cracks
    16. Stains
    17. Water
  6. Automation
    1. Physical Automation
    2. Companion App Automation
  7. To Be Deleted
  8. Comments

iRobot Roomba 981 vs iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

iRobot Roomba 981
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]

Tested using Methodology v0.7

Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Mar 21, 2025 06:04 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
iRobot Roomba 981 Picture
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Picture
Wet Compatible
No
Vacuum Type
Robot
Bagless
Yes
Cordless
Yes
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
Wet Compatible
No
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
No
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. iRobot

Variants

  • Roomba 981 (Black)
  • Roomba 980 (Black)
  • Roomba 981 (Night Blue)
  • Roomba 694 (Black)
  • Roomba 692 (Charcoal Grey)
  • Roomba 690 (Grey)

Review

See iRobot Roomba 981 Review
See iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Review
0 
0 

Our Verdict

iRobot Roomba 981

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]

The iRobot Roomba 981 is a better vacuum than the iRobot Roomba 694. The 981 has a better cleaning performance on bare floors and low-pile carpets, though it performs similarly on high-pile carpets. It also follows a more efficient cleaning route than the 694. That said, the 694 has a longer battery life.

0 

Check Price

Black
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
Black
Roomba 694
Searching
Finding store
Black
Roomba 980
Searching
Finding store
Charcoal Grey
Roomba 692
Searching
Finding store
Night Blue
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
Grey
Roomba 690
Searching
Finding store
Read more

Main Differences for
Bare Floor

Threshold 

0.10

Bare Floor 

8.1
6.7

Airflow 
 

2.4
5.7

User Maintenance 
 

7.5
4.5

Maneuverability 
 

8.5
7.0

Noise 
 

8.7
7.2

Cracks 
 

5.5
4.5

Full Comparison

Design

Build Quality 
 

8.0

Vacuum Type 
 

Robot

Build Quality Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0

Build Quality Picture  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Build Quality Picture

Vacuum & Mop Combo 
 

No
Show Text 

User Maintenance 
 

7.5
4.5

Maintenance Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 Maintenance Picture
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Maintenance Picture

Brushroll Cleaning Video  

Show Text 

Recurring Cost 
 

5.5
5.0

Recurring Cost Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 Recurring Cost Picture
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Recurring Cost Picture

Bag Part Number  

No bag
No bag

Filter Part Number  

4636433
4636450

HEPA Filter Part Number  

4636433
No HEPA Filter
Show Text 

Storing 
 

8.9

Storing Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 Storing Picture

Height 
 

3.94" (10.0 cm)

Width 
 

13.58" (34.5 cm)

Depth 
 

15.75" (40.0 cm)

Cord Storing 
 

Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage 
 

Not needed

Vacuum Rack/Station 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions 
 

Robot Vacuum Dimensions  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Robot Vacuum Dimensions

Robot Vacuum Height  

9.2 cm (3.6")

Robot Vacuum Width  

33.9 cm (13.3")

Robot Vacuum Depth  

34.0 cm (13.4")

Docking Station Dimensions  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Docking Station Dimensions

Docking Station Height  

10.2 cm (4.0")

Docking Station Width  

17.5 cm (6.9")

Docking Station Depth  

14.6 cm (5.7")
Show Text 

Dirt Compartment 
 

7.2

Dirt Compartment Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 Dirt Compartment Picture

Bagless 
 

Yes

Volume 
 

0.12 gal (0.45 L)

Full Indicator 
 

Yes

Bag Included 
 

No Bag Needed
Show Text 

Internal Dirt Compartment 
 

6.7

Dirt Compartment Photo  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Dirt Compartment Photo

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

0.35 L

Full Indicator 
 

No
Show Text 

Station Maintenance Capabilities 
 

0.0

Station Photo  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Station Photo

Auto Empty 
 

No

Bagless Station 
 

No Dirt Compartment

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

0.00 L

Automatic Tank Refill 
 

No

Mop Washing 
 

No

Mop Drying 
 

No
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 In The Box Picture
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] In The Box Picture
Show Text 

Range 
 

10

Cordless 
 

Yes

Cord Length 
 

N/A

Hose Length 
 

N/A

Minimum Wand Length 
 

N/A

Maximum Wand Length 
 

N/A

Total Range 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Portability 
 

8.8

Total Weight 
 

8.64 lbs (3.92 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)

Carrying handle 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Battery 
 

9.0
9.4

Minimum Battery Life 
 

57 min
130 min

Maximum Battery Life 
 

123 min
130 min

Recharge Time 
 

134 min
107 min

Recharge Dock 
 

Yes

Battery Life Indicator 
 

Yes

Removable Batteries 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Quality-Of-Life Features 
 

Picture Of Controls  

iRobot Roomba 981 Picture Of Controls
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Picture Of Controls

Power Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Easy On/Off 
 

Yes
Yes

Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Only Automatic

Rotating Head 
 

No

Self-Propelled 
 

Yes

Headlights 
 

No

Head Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Only Automatic
Show Text 

Brushroll And Tools 
 

Brushroll And Tools Photo  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Brushroll And Tools Photo

Brushroll Setup 
 

Dual

Brushroll Type 
 

Rubber And Bristles

Side Brush Setup 
 

Single

Side Brush Type 
 

Fixed

Tools And Brushes 
 

Tools And Brush Picture  

iRobot Roomba 981 Tools And Brush Picture

Brushroll 
 

Yes

Brushroll On/Off 
 

No

Removable Brushroll 
 

Yes

Turbo Brush 
 

No

Crevice Tool 
 

No

Upholstery Tool 
 

No

Soft Bristle Brush 
 

No

Hard Bristle Brush 
 

No

Extension Wand 
 

No

Ceiling Fan Tool 
 

No

Pet Grooming Tool 
 

No
Show Text 

Alternative Configuration 
 

Alternative Configuration Photo 1  

iRobot Roomba 981 Alternative Configuration Photo 1

Alternative Configuration Photo 2  

iRobot Roomba 981 Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Blower Mode 
 

No
Show Text 
Performance

Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles) 
 

9.4

Setting Used  

"Turbo" (App)

Bare Floor Large Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 Bare Floor Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

100%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

80%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Bare Floor Small Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 Bare Floor Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

100%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

99%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

Hard Floor Pick-Up 
 

8.5

Hard Floor Pick-Up Video  

Hard Floor Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Hard Floor Pick-Up Post Test
Show Text 

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up 
 

6.0

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test
Show Text 

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up 
 

4.0

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test
Show Text 

Pet Hair Pick-Up 
 

8.0

Pet Hair Pick-Up Video  

Pet Hair Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Pet Hair Pick-Up Post Test
Show Text 

Low-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

5.9

Setting Used  

"Turbo" (App)

Low Carpet Large Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 Low Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

66%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

62%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Low Carpet Small Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 Low Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

37%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

25%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

High-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

6.7

Setting Used  

"Turbo" (App)

High Carpet Large Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 High Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

67%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

64%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

High Carpet Small Debris Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 High Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

26%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

17%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

Pet Hair Floor Performance 
 

9.2

Pet Hair Graph  

iRobot Roomba 981 Pet Hair Graph

Bare Floor 
 

100%

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

86%

High-Pile Carpet 
 

91%
Show Text 

Suction 
 

0.1
3.4

Suction Video  

Maximum Hose Suction 
 

N/A

Maximum Head Suction 
 

0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)

Normal Head Suction 
 

0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)

Setting Used For Normal  

"Standard" (App)
"Clean"

Hose Diameter 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Airflow 
 

2.4
5.7

Maximum Airflow Video  

Maximum Head Airflow 
 

11.4 CFM (0.3 m³/min)
5.8 CFM (0.2 m³/min)
Show Text 

Noise 
 

8.7
7.2

Noise Video 
 

Bare Floor 
 

65.5 dBA
64.3 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

74.9 dBA
63.7 dBA
Show Text 

Maneuverability 
 

8.5
7.0

Maneuverability Video  

Show Text 

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

0.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 981 Sofa Pickup Post Test

Air Quality 
 

Sealing Quality Video  

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Cracks 
 

5.5
4.5

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 981 Wood Cracks Post Test
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Wood Cracks Post Test
Show Text 

Stains 
 

1.0
1.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 981 Stain Pickup Post Test
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Stain Pickup Post Test
Show Text 

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Wet Compatible 
 

No
No

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test  

iRobot Roomba 981 Water Pickup Post Test
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Water Pickup Post Test
Show Text 
Automation

Physical Automation 
 

7.1
4.9

Recharge And Resume 
 

No

Automatic Recharging 
 

Yes

Automatic Bag Emptying 
 

No

Pathing Algorithm 
 

Smart
Random

Physical Boundary Markers 
 

No
No

Scheduled Start Buttons 
 

No
No

Cycle Control Buttons 
 

Onboard Only
On-Board Only

Navigation Control Buttons 
 

Return to Base Only
Return To Base Only
Show Text 

Companion App Automation 
 

7.5
7.5

Companion App Screen Grabs  

iRobot Roomba 981 Companion App Screen Grabs
iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692] Companion App Screen Grabs

App Name 
 

iRobot HOME
iRobot HOME

Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones) 
 

No
No

App Scheduled Start 
 

Yes
Yes

App Cycle Control 
 

Yes
Yes

Navigation Control Within App 
 

No
No

iOS Availability 
 

Yes

Android Availability 
 

Yes
Show Text 
To Be Deleted

Check Price

Black
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
Black
Roomba 694
Searching
Finding store
Black
Roomba 980
Searching
Finding store
Charcoal Grey
Roomba 692
Searching
Finding store
Night Blue
Roomba 981
Searching
Finding store
Grey
Roomba 690
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

iRobot Roomba 981

iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

iRobot Roomba 981 vs iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]: Main Discussion

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