iRobot Roomba 694 vs iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac
Quick take: The iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac costs $38 less; the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac runs longer per charge (120 vs 90 min).
Which one to buy
The newer Roomba was also $38 cheaper, though both are now discontinued and iRobot lists the Roomba 105 Vac as the replacement for each. The Roomba 694 is discontinued, and its owners name random navigation as its biggest flaw: it cleans some spots twice, misses others, and with a 90-minute battery needs several sessions past 800 sq ft. The Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac cleans in rows using LiDAR, keeps up to three floor maps, is rated at 120 minutes, and compacts debris into a 1.55 L bin that low-shed homes empty every few weeks to two months instead of after most runs.
694 owners still credit it with easy setup, a reliable app, decent hard-floor cleaning and years of service. Its weak spots go beyond navigation: a single brush that tangles with long hair, weak suction on carpet, and a habit of getting stuck on rug edges and under furniture.
The 205 has its own owner complaints. Emptying the compacted brick scatters dust, so allergy sufferers do it outdoors. Shedding pets fill the bin long before the 60-day claim and can jam the paddle. Owners also report navigation anomalies, a buggier app and a noisy robot, and like the 694 it has no obstacle avoidance. It's taller too, at 3.98 inches against the 694's 3.5, so check your lowest furniture.
For most buyers the 205 is the clear choice: mapped, newer and cheaper, if you can still find one. Homes with heavy shedders should skip both, since one tangles and the other's compactor jams.
iRobot Roomba 694
Choose the iRobot Roomba 694 only if you find it below the 205's price for a small space and want its simpler, proven app, keeping in mind it's discontinued.
iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac
Suits LiDAR maps, a 120-minute rating and weeks between emptying in a low-shed home, all for $38 less, while leftover stock lasts.
| Spec | iRobot Roomba 694 | iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$180 | ~$142 |
| Type | Robot Vacuum | Robot Vacuum |
| Suction | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Battery | 90 min | 120 min |
| Navigation | Gyroscope | LiDAR |
| Filtration | — | — |
| Cordless | Yes | Yes |
| Bagged | — | — |
| Noise | 65 dB | — |
| Dustbin | 300 ml | 1.55 L |
| Water tank | — | — |
| Self-empty dock | No | No |
| Auto mop washing | No | No |
| Hot water washing | No | No |
| Obstacle avoidance | No | No |
| Carpet detection | Yes | No |
| Auto mop lifting | No | No |
| Multi-floor mapping | No | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.3 x 13.3 x 3.5 in | 14.13 x 14.09 x 3.98 in |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs | 8.44 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
iRobot Roomba 694
- ✓Under $200 makes it the most affordable way to start with robot vacuums
- ✓iRobot brand reliability backed by decades of experience
- ✓App and voice control work well despite the low price
- ✓Does a surprisingly good job on hard floors for daily maintenance
- ✓28000+ reviews confirm consistent performance over time
- ✗Random bounce navigation pattern misses spots and is inefficient
- ✗90-minute battery means multiple sessions for larger homes
- ✗No mapping — cleans randomly rather than in organized rows
- ✗Single brush and basic suction struggles with pet hair on carpet
iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac
- ✓Internal compactor delivers weeks of hands-free running with zero dock footprint
- ✓Bagless — no recurring dust-bag cost, unlike every auto-empty rival
- ✓ClearView LiDAR maps up to 3 floors and cleans in neat rows
- ✓Quieter day-to-day than any robot that blasts debris into a dock
- ✓Low 3.98 in profile slips under sofas and beds
- ✓Cheap at ~$150 street versus its $450 launch price
- ✗No obstacle avoidance — cables, socks, and pet surprises are all at risk
- ✗60-day empty claim shrinks fast with fine dust or heavy pet hair
- ✗Emptying the compacted debris brick is an awkward, messy chore
- ✗iRobot publishes no suction spec, and deep-carpet cleaning is mid-pack
- ✗Combo (mop) variant is best avoided — pad blocks rug crossing
iRobot Roomba 694 vs iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Vac: common questions
Is the Roomba 205 a good replacement for an old Roomba 694?▾
For a low-shed home, yes. It maps rooms and cleans in rows instead of bouncing, and owners say its compactor stretches emptying to weeks. Expect a louder robot and some app and navigation quirks that 694 owners didn't deal with. The 205 is itself now discontinued, replaced by the Roomba 105 Vac.
Which one fits under lower furniture?▾
The Roomba 694, at 3.5 inches tall against the 205's 3.98. If your sofa or bed sits just above 3.5 inches, measure before switching to the 205.
Are either good for a home with long-haired pets?▾
Not really. 694 owners say its single brush tangles with long hair and its suction can't keep up with heavy shedding. 205 owners say pet hair fills the compactor bin in a week or two and can jam the paddle.