iRobot Roomba 698: The same Roomba 676 with an updated design
Today's review is dedicated to the new iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum. Designed for dry cleaning of various surfaces, the device features iAdapt® Navigation intelligent navigation technology. The robot features a refreshed, tech-inspired design, distinguishing it from its predecessors. Priced at $169, it falls into the mid-price range. A more detailed description of the gadget's features can be found further down the review.
Equipment
The iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner comes with a very limited set of accessories, including only the most essential components needed for operation:
- Compact docking station with integrated charger.
- Lithium-ion battery.
- Operating instructions.
Equipment
The iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner is initially equipped with an AeroVac dust bin with a filter, a dual main turbo brush, and an additional side brush. No spare accessories or consumables are included. It also lacks a remote control, a virtual wall, or a magnetic strip for delimiting the cleaning area. Apparently, the manufacturer decided that a mobile app for controlling and configuring the robot would be sufficient.
Appearance
Looking at the device's appearance, we see that iRobot has stuck to its tradition and released the Roomba 698 in the familiar and most common round "pill" shape, also known as a "puck." The main body color is silver, with a secondary color of black. Its dimensions, measuring 330 x 330 x 91 millimeters, aren't the most compact on the market for automated cleaners. However, this is large enough to reach under most furniture and other hard-to-reach areas and clean them.
Front view
The front panel of the robot vacuum cleaner features a large "CLEAN" button, surrounded by two more control buttons arranged in a semicircle. The panel itself is dominated by a lid, which houses the dust container and a button for lifting it. A protective bumper is installed at the front of the robot, and exhaust vents are located at the rear.
On the back of the iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum are the side drive wheels, the front swivel caster, and the charging pads. Also visible underneath is the battery pack under the cover, a single side brush for cleaning corners and along walls and furniture, and the main cleaning module with two scraper rollers and a self-adjusting floating head for various flooring types, including carpets and rugs. The rollers are capable of handling not only large debris but also fine dust. The mechanism and shape of one brush roller help it separate and lift dirt, while the second brush directs the collected dirt into the suction port.
Bottom view
Technical specifications
The main characteristics of the iRobot Roomba 698 are summarized in the table:
| Type of cleaning | Dry |
| Power supply | Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 1800 mAh |
| Opening hours | Up to 60 minutes |
| Charging time | 180 minutes |
| Cleaning area | up to 60-70 sq.m. on one battery charge |
| Dust collector | Cyclone filter (bagless) |
| Dust collector capacity | 600 ml |
| Dimensions | 330*330*91 mm |
| Weight | 3.54 kg |
| Noise level | 68 dB |
Let's move on to an overview of the functionality of the iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner.
Functional capabilities
Thanks to a special sensor suite (this technology is called iAdapt® Navigation), the iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner easily navigates its surroundings and avoids obstacles like furniture and other floor objects without hitting them. In reality, navigation is chaotic; the robot doesn't map the room or move in a serpentine pattern. However, you don't have to worry about the robot falling down stairs, as it's equipped with cliff sensors.
Navigation
The robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with Dirt Detect technology, which can recognize the dirtiest areas of the room and automatically activate a more intensive cleaning mode.
Definition of contaminants
As we mentioned in our review, the iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner features a built-in three-stage floor cleaning system, which includes versatile brushes (squeegee rollers) adapted to various surfaces. They remove dust and dirt from hard and carpeted floors, while an additional side brush helps clean hard-to-reach areas, corners, and along walls.
The collected debris is conveyed through a vacuum channel into a 600-milliliter dust container. This robot, like several other models from the manufacturer, features a built-in AeroVac filter system. This proprietary, hypoallergenic technology ensures the collection of even the smallest debris and dust.
In addition to automatic and intensive modes, the Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner features local and scheduled cleaning modes. You can adjust these and other settings using the dedicated iRobot HOME app via Wi-Fi.
The mobile app provides full user support. It allows you to not only set the mode but also monitor the operation and current status of the device. It is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones.
In addition, the iRobot Roomba 698 robot vacuum cleaner is capable of receiving voice commands via Google Assistant or Alexa.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- Large dust collector capacity.
- Dirt Detect technology.
- Universal scraper rollers for effective cleaning.
- Control via mobile app and voice commands.
Cons:
- Poor equipment (no remote control, motion limiter or consumables).
- Chaotic navigation.
- Wet wiping of the floor is not provided.
If you need a reliable robot vacuum cleaner for dry cleaning in small areas and have carpets in your home, this might be the best option. However, in the sub-$200 price range, there are more attractive models with advanced navigation, wet cleaning, and well-equipped features. You can check them out by visiting our ranking of robots under $200: https://robovac.washerhouse.com/en/rejtingi/robovac-top-7-robotov-pylesosov-do-20-tys-rublej.html.
However, in any case, the choice is yours. Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iRobot Roomba 698:
Analogues:
