The iRobot Roomba is a highly popular choice for a robot vacuum. Though there are many model numbers available, currently the official iRobot site only offer two versions of the Roomba 600 series: the 614 and the 675.
Let’s look at each vacuum so that you can decide which one is the right one for your needs.
Roomba 614
The 614 operates using a remote control. You can use the remote to choose various cleaning modes that the Roomba has. This remote is also useful to order the vacuum to recharge, and for setting a cleaning schedule. These features make it easy for you to control the vacuum and customize the workflow according to what you need.
The Roomba 614 can handle cleaning bare floors, carpets, and picking up pet hair. It uses a simple and effective cleaning system consisting of side brushes that suck up the dirt, dust, and other gunk within the vicinity of the robot as it crawls along the floor.
The brushes push the dirt underneath the vacuum and enters the main brush. The main brush cleans dirt that is directly underneath the robot. The final step of the cleaning involves pushing the dirt into the vacuum’s suction and ultimately dust bin.
This system makes it easy for the 614 to do thorough cleaning. Other than the simple brush system, it has powerful suction that works great on bare floors and similar surfaces. However, the 614 isn’t great for cleaning high-pile carpets or thick rugs.
The Roomba 614 can run for 90 minutes, a run time that isn’t as long as other robot vacuums that are more affordable, such as the Ecovacs DEEBOT. When it runs out of power, the Roomba will return to the charging dock to replenish its batteries.
The 614 is a good robot vacuum that’s affordable but not the cheapest, and has satisfying cleaning performance. That said, it’s best only for cleaning bare floors and not carpets.
Roomba 675
The Roomba 675 has more advanced features compared to it’s little brother, at a higher price. If you don’t mind spending a bit more money, you can get an easier cleaning experience with the 675.
The first notable difference between the 675 and the 614 is that the 675 is operational by using an app on your smartphone. Similar to the 614 remote, with this app, you can access all the cleaning features and set a cleaning schedule.
Even better, since you enter the orders through your smartphone, you can change the settings when you’re away from home. For example, you can set the vacuum to start cleaning a few hours before you get home so that your house is refreshingly clean once you arrive.
The cleaning system on the 675 is similar to the 614. It uses two side brushes and a main brush to collect the surrounding dirt and suck it up into the dust bin. The suction power is stronger than its little brother, making the 675 better for cleaning carpets and rugs up to a certain thickness.
It’s possible to clean low-pile carpets or thin rugs with the 675. However, even with more powerful suction, the Roomba 600 series isn’t a good choice for cleaning thick carpets since it’s unable to pick up the deep dirt.
The battery life on the 675 is the same as the 614, around 90 minutes.
Verdict
Both the iRobot Roomba 614 and 675 are great choices for robot vacuums. The 614 robot is more affordable but without smartphone controls, while the 675 is compatible with a Wi-Fi connection and Alexa but at a higher price.