iRobot Roomba 692 Vacuum Cleaner: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The iRobot Roomba 692 is an affordable and capable robot vacuum cleaner that offers strong performance, smart home connectivity, and useful features in a compact package. Part of iRobot's 600 series lineup, the Roomba 692 sits below more advanced and expensive models but brings excellent cleaning capabilities for the price.

This WiFi-enabled vacuum can be controlled via the iRobot app or voice assistants, allowing you to schedule and monitor cleanings even when away from home. Under the hood, it has a 3-stage cleaning system with dual multi-surface brushes that work together to lift dirt and debris from carpets and hard floors. The Roomba 692 navigates and maps your home methodically using intelligent sensors.

Overall, the Roomba 692 hits a sweet spot between price and features. For those seeking an automated vacuum that takes the effort out of regular cleanings, the Roomba 692 is an affordable option worth considering. This review will take a deeper look at the design, features, performance, maintenance needs, and other key factors of this capable robot vacuum.

Design

The iRobot Roomba 692 has a clean, sleek circular design with a diameter of 13.4 inches. This allows it to easily navigate and reach under furniture and into corners of rooms. The circular shape is optimal for maneuvering in tight spaces.

At 3.6 inches tall, the Roomba sits low enough to quickly clean under beds, sofas, and other low furnishings. However, the height is still sufficient to avoid getting stuck on most thresholds and edges. The low profile grants access to areas where dirt and dust tend to accumulate.

Weighing just 7.8 pounds, the Roomba 692 is lightweight enough to carry between rooms and floors. The top of the robot vacuum features a binary carrying handle for convenient portability. You can easily transport it around your home to clean different areas.

The main surface uses a matte charcoal gray finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. Physical buttons are kept to a minimum, with just 2 across the top for cleaning mode selection. The minimalist button layout helps prevent accidental presses during operation.

In contrast to the Roomba's simple design, the EICOBOT R20 features a more angular shape with rubber bumpers lining the perimeter. It has dimensions of 13.7 x 13.7 x 3.6 inches, making it very similar in size to the Roomba.

The EICOBOT R20 weighs in at 7.7 pounds, almost identical to the Roomba 692. It also includes a carry handle on top for easy lifting and moving between rooms. However, the EICOBOT R20 uses a glossy black finish that may show fingerprints and smudges more easily.

While the Roomba 692 limits buttons to just 2, the EICOBOT R20 has several more across the top. These allow for more mode selections like spot cleaning, scheduling, and adjusting suction power. The tradeoff is a busier appearance versus the Roomba's clean, minimalist look.

Both robot vacuums utilize a low profile circular shape for accessing under furniture and into corners. However, the Roomba 692's matte charcoal gray finish may resist fingerprints better than the glossy black surface of the EICOBOT R20.

With similar weights and carry handles, the Roomba and the EICOBOT R20 can be easily transported between floors. But the EICOBOT includes more physical buttons on top for mode adjustments compared to the Roomba's 2 button minimalism.

Features

The Roomba 692 comes packed with features that make it a versatile and user-friendly robot vacuum. Here are some of the key features:

• Wi-Fi Connectivity - You can connect the 692 to your home Wi-Fi network and control it directly from the iRobot app. Schedule cleaning, start jobs remotely, and view cleaning history.

• Intelligent Mapping - The 692 maps your home and intelligently navigates room-to-room to clean efficiently. The vacuum learns your home's layout over time for optimized coverage.

• Dirt Detect - Dirt Detect sensors identify high-traffic areas and concentrated dirt zones, then clean those areas more thoroughly. This ensures a deeper clean in the messiest spots.

• Edge-Sweeping Brush - The side brush spins along baseboards and wall edges to sweep debris from corners into the vacuum's path.

• Full Suite of Sensors - The 692 is equipped with cliff-detect sensors to avoid stairs, along with bumper sensors to absorb impact. Drop sensors also initiate stopping if picked up or falling.

• Automatic Recharging - When power gets low, the 692 navigates back to its dock and charges automatically, then resumes cleaning where it left off.

• Scheduling - Build a customized cleaning schedule for each day of the week. The 692 will automatically start cleaning at the designated times.

• Alexa & Google Assistant Compatible - You can control the robot with voice commands through any Alexa or Google Assistant enabled device.

With its robust feature set, the Roomba 692 provides a comprehensive cleaning experience that requires minimal effort on your part. Once scheduled, the 692 takes care of vacuuming your floors until the job is done. If you're looking for a hands-off approach to keeping your home tidy, the 692 is a great option.

Of course, iRobot isn't the only maker of robot vacuums on the market. Many consumers also consider options from Shark when shopping for an automated cleaner. The Shark AV753 is a popular alternative with its own standout features.

Like the Roomba, the Shark AV753 offers Wi-Fi connectivity for app and voice control. It also has a self-cleaning brushroll to prevent hair wrap, a large dust bin so you empty it less often, and a tri-brush cleaning system to handle debris on carpets and hard floors.

One unique aspect of the Shark is its ability to empty the dust bin automatically into an enclosed bag after cleaning. This means you can go weeks without having to empty the vacuum manually. The AV753 also comes with a handheld vacuum so you can quickly clean upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.

When comparing the Roomba 692 and Shark AV753, you'll find many overlapping features like mapping, app control, scheduling, Alexa compatibility, etc. The Shark does provide longer run times per charge and includes the self-emptying base, while the Roomba offers stronger suction power at 1200 Pa vs. the Shark's 1020 Pa.

Ultimately, both represent solid options that excel at autonomous floor cleaning. The choice comes down to your budget and any extra convenience features that appeal to your needs.

Navigation

The Roomba 692 navigates and maps your home using vSLAM technology and intelligent navigation algorithms. It uses an array of sensors to scan and map the room as it cleans, building a floor plan that allows it to methodically clean each area.

The robot vacuum uses patented iAdapt 2.0 technology with onboard sensors to navigate smoothly around furniture, walls, and other obstacles. It can transition between surfaces and clean multiple rooms, halls, and open floor plans. The 692 remembers where it's been and won't get repeatedly stuck or lost.

As the Roomba cleans, it continuously updates its map and intelligently optimizes its cleaning path. The navigation system allows full coverage cleaning in neat rows across all floors of the home. It navigates dynamically around clutter like shoes, cables, and kids' toys that are moved or added between cleanings.

Overall, the advanced navigation and mapping capabilities allow the 692 to thoroughly clean rooms while avoiding falls down stairs or getting trapped under furniture. It navigates like a pro to clean your floors efficiently.

Performance

The Roomba 692 delivers impressive cleaning performance thanks to its 3-Stage Cleaning system. It features dual multi-surface brushes that work together to actively grab dirt from carpets and hard floors. The brushes are specially designed to avoid getting tangled with pet hair.

For picking up fine dust and dirt, the Roomba 692 uses a High-Efficiency Filter. This filter captures 99% of pollen, dust mites, and other allergens as small as 10 microns.

When it comes to suction power, the Roomba 692 provides 5 times more powerlifting than previous Roomba models. This strong suction allows it to deep clean carpets and suck up large debris like cereal. Tests show it can pick up an average of 93% of debris from carpets and hard floors.

The vacuum seamlessly transitions between floor types and uses intelligent sensors to detect dirtier areas of your home. The Dirt Detect sensors alert the robot to spend more time cleaning concentrated areas of dirt. This ensures a thorough clean even in high traffic zones.

Overall, the powerful suction system combined with dual multi-surface brushes gives the Roomba 692 excellent pickup performance on carpets and hard floors. It excels at deep cleaning and picking up pet hair without getting tangled.

Maintenance

The Roomba 692 requires some regular maintenance to keep it running optimally. Here are the key maintenance tasks:

Filter

The Roomba 692 has a dual HEPA filter that traps 99% of cat and dog allergens, pollen, and dust. The filter should be cleaned once every 2 weeks by tapping it gently over the trash to remove dirt and debris. It's recommended to replace the filter every 2 months.

Bin

The bin where all the vacuumed debris collects needs to be emptied after each cleaning cycle. The bin easily pops out from the top of the Roomba. After emptying the bin, it's a good idea to also clean any hair or dust buildup from the front sweeper brush in this area.

Brushes

Over time, debris can get tangled around the extractors and side brush. It's important to clean them regularly so they can continue to sweep efficiently. The extractors can be popped out and cleaned with the included brush cleaning tool. The side brush can also be easily removed and cleaned of hair and debris.

Smart Home Integration

The iRobot Roomba 692 is compatible with several popular smart home platforms, allowing you to control the robot vacuum with just your voice.

The Roomba 692 works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Connect the robot to your home's WiFi network, enable the skill in the Alexa or Google Home app, and you can start cleaning with a simple voice command. Tell Alexa to "start vacuuming" or ask Google to "tell Roomba to begin cleaning."

In addition, the 692 model is compatible with iRobot's own mobile app. The iRobot HOME app allows you to schedule cleanings, monitor the robot's status, and customize settings. You can start or stop cleaning and steer the Roomba to specific rooms or areas all from your smartphone.

With smart home integration, the Roomba 692 offers effortless automated cleaning. Just connect with Alexa, Google Home or the iRobot app and enjoy hands-free control using intuitive voice commands or the convenience of your mobile device. The robot seamlessly blends into your connected home ecosystem for simplified operation.

Battery Life

The Roomba 692 offers excellent battery life and runtime. It features a lithium ion battery that allows the robot to clean for up to 90 minutes on a full charge. This is more than enough time to clean most average sized homes in a single cleaning cycle.

Recharge time is also impressive at just 1-2 hours. The Roomba will return to its charging base when power gets low and can quickly replenish its battery when not in use. This means you don't have to worry about constantly recharging it and can have it ready to clean with just a short downtime in between cycles.

The battery is designed to last hundreds of cleaning cycles, so you shouldn't notice fading performance over time. Overall the battery performance allows you to set and forget the Roomba 692, confident that it will have ample power to thoroughly clean your floors day after day.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Powerful suction picks up debris on all surface types including carpets and hard floors
• Automatically increases suction power on carpets for deeper cleaning
• iRobot's patented iAdapt 2.0 navigation system learns your home's layout and methodically cleans room by room
• Connects to WiFi for smart home integration, scheduling, and remote control via the iRobot app
• Self-charging dock means the robot can recharge itself as needed
• Low profile design allows it to clean under furniture
• Automatically returns to dock when battery is low or cleaning is complete

Cons:

• Lacks advanced mapping features found on higher-end Roomba models
• Struggles to get over high thresholds between rooms
• Dustbin needs frequent emptying, especially in homes with pets
• Tendency to get stuck on cables, cords, and tassels on area rugs
• No virtual no-go zones to keep robot out of certain areas
• Relatively short battery life of around 60-90 mins per charge

Conclusion

The Roomba 692 is a solid mid-range robotic vacuum that offers strong cleaning performance and convenient features at a reasonable price point. It navigates effectively throughout homes thanks to its smart navigation sensors, and provides thorough vacuuming on both carpets and hard floors. The 3-stage cleaning system with dual multi-surface brushes grabs dirt from all surfaces, while the auto-adjust cleaning head flexes to maintain contact.

Maintenance is straightforward with minimal effort needed to empty the bin and clean the filters. The Roomba 692 also offers Alexa and Google Assistant integration for voice controls. Battery life is decent at around 90 minutes per charge.

Overall, the Roomba 692 hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance. It conveniently handles vacuuming duties without much input needed. If you're looking for an effective robotic vacuum that won't break the bank, the Roomba 692 is a great option worth considering. It delivers solid cleaning capabilities and useful features at an affordable price point.