The budget robot vacuum market basically comes down to two names: Eufy and Roomba. Eufy undercuts on price and keeps things simple. Roomba charges a premium and leans on brand trust and a bigger ecosystem. But when you strip away the marketing and actually run both machines on the same floors, the answer isn't as obvious as either brand wants you to think.
We put the Eufy RoboVac 11S and the iRobot Roomba 694 through their paces — hardwood, tile, low-pile carpet, pet hair, and fine dust. We timed cleaning runs, measured noise levels, tested app connectivity, and tracked how much maintenance each one demanded over several weeks. Here's what we found. If you want a broader look at the category, check our full best robot vacuums guide or our picks for best robot vacuums under $200.
Short on time? Here's the bottom line: Eufy RoboVac 11S wins on value — it's quieter, slimmer, and costs significantly less. The Roomba 694 wins on smart features — better app, Alexa/Google integration, and more reliable navigation. Which one is right for you depends on what you actually need from a robot vacuum.
Quieter, slimmer, cheaper. Great for simple daily cleaning without the app overhead.
Check Price on Amazon →Better app, Alexa/Google support, smarter navigation. Worth the premium if you want hands-free scheduling.
Check Price on Amazon →Meet the Contenders
Eufy RoboVac 11S — The Slim Value Pick
Eufy RoboVac 11S
The Eufy RoboVac 11S is Eufy's flagship slim robot vacuum and one of the best-selling robot vacuums on Amazon for good reason. At just 2.85 inches tall, it slides under furniture that stops most competitors cold — sofas, bed frames, and low-clearance cabinets are no problem. The 1300Pa suction is strong for the price, and the triple-layer cleaning system (rolling brush + two side brushes + filter) does a solid job on hardwood, tile, and low-pile carpet. It runs for up to 100 minutes on a charge, which is enough to cover most apartments and smaller homes in a single pass. The remote control is simple and functional — no app required, which is either a feature or a limitation depending on how you look at it. It's not the smartest robot vacuum on the market, but it's one of the most reliable at this price point, and it's been refined over multiple generations. If you want a set-it-and-forget-it cleaner that won't break the bank, the 11S delivers.
Pros
- Ultra-slim 2.85" profile — fits under most furniture
- Very quiet — one of the quietest budget robot vacuums
- Strong 1300Pa suction for the price
- Up to 100-min battery life
- Significantly cheaper than Roomba
Cons
- No Wi-Fi or app — remote control only
- Random navigation pattern (not systematic)
- Smaller dustbin (0.6L)
- No virtual wall / boundary features
iRobot Roomba 694 — The Smart Budget Roomba
iRobot Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 is iRobot's entry-level Wi-Fi connected robot vacuum, and it's the most affordable way to get into the Roomba ecosystem. At around $180–$220, it costs noticeably more than the Eufy 11S, but you get a lot for that premium: full Wi-Fi connectivity, the iRobot Home app with scheduling and cleaning history, Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, and iRobot's Dirt Detect technology that makes the robot spend more time on dirtier areas. The 3-stage cleaning system handles pet hair and debris well on hard floors and low-pile carpet. Navigation is random-pattern like the Eufy, but the Roomba's cliff sensors and bump sensors are more refined, leading to fewer stuck situations in our testing. The dustbin is slightly larger at 0.6L, and the filter is washable. The main trade-off versus the Eufy is noise — the Roomba 694 runs noticeably louder — and height, at 3.54 inches it won't fit under as much furniture. But if smart home integration matters to you, the 694 is the clear choice at this price.
Pros
- Wi-Fi + iRobot Home app with scheduling
- Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
- Dirt Detect technology focuses on dirtier spots
- More refined sensors — fewer stuck incidents
- Strong brand support and parts availability
Cons
- Noticeably louder than Eufy 11S
- Taller (3.54") — won't fit under low furniture
- Costs $50–$80 more than the Eufy
- Random navigation — no room mapping
Head-to-Head: 6 Key Dimensions
We compared both vacuums across the six factors that matter most for budget buyers. Here's how they stack up.
| Category | Eufy RoboVac 11S | iRobot Roomba 694 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$130–$160 | ~$180–$220 | ✅ Eufy |
| Suction Power | 1300Pa | ~600Pa (est.) | ✅ Eufy |
| Navigation | Random pattern | Random + Dirt Detect | ✅ Roomba |
| Noise Level | ~55 dB | ~65 dB | ✅ Eufy |
| App / Smart Home | No app (remote only) | Full app + Alexa/Google | ✅ Roomba |
| Maintenance | Simple, affordable parts | Easy, but pricier parts | ✅ Eufy |
1. Price — Eufy Wins Clearly
The Eufy RoboVac 11S typically sells for $130–$160, while the Roomba 694 runs $180–$220. That's a $50–$80 gap — meaningful at this price tier. Both go on sale regularly (especially around Prime Day and Black Friday), but the Eufy almost always maintains its price advantage. If budget is your primary constraint, the Eufy is the obvious starting point. The Roomba's premium is real, and you need to decide whether the smart features justify it for your use case.
2. Suction Power — Eufy Has the Spec Edge
Eufy rates the 11S at 1300Pa of suction, which is strong for a budget robot vacuum. iRobot doesn't publish suction specs for the 694, but independent testing puts it around 600Pa. In real-world use, the difference is noticeable on fine dust and pet hair on hard floors — the Eufy picks up more in a single pass. On low-pile carpet, both perform similarly. Neither handles thick carpet well, which is expected at this price. If you have pets or dusty floors, the Eufy's suction advantage is a genuine win. For mixed hard floor and light carpet homes, the gap narrows considerably.
3. Navigation — Roomba Edges Ahead
Both vacuums use random-bounce navigation rather than systematic room mapping — don't expect either to methodically cover your floor in neat rows. That said, the Roomba 694's navigation is more refined in practice. Its Dirt Detect acoustic sensors identify dirtier areas and trigger extra cleaning passes, which is genuinely useful. The Roomba also handled transitions between floor types and navigated around chair legs more gracefully in our testing. The Eufy got stuck more often on thick rug edges and power cords. Neither vacuum is a navigation champion, but the Roomba's sensor suite gives it a real-world edge in complex floor plans.
4. Noise Level — Eufy Is Noticeably Quieter
This is one of the clearest differences between the two. The Eufy RoboVac 11S runs at around 55 dB — quiet enough to run while you're watching TV or on a call without it being disruptive. The Roomba 694 runs closer to 65 dB, which is a meaningful step up. In a small apartment, the Roomba is hard to ignore. The Eufy's slim profile and motor design contribute to its quieter operation, and it's one of the quietest robot vacuums at any price point. If you work from home, have a baby, or just hate noise, the Eufy's acoustic advantage is a real quality-of-life win.
5. App & Smart Home — Roomba Wins Decisively
The Eufy RoboVac 11S has no Wi-Fi and no app. You control it with a physical remote or the buttons on the unit. You can set a cleaning schedule via the remote, but that's the extent of it. No voice control, no cleaning history, no remote start from your phone. The Roomba 694, by contrast, connects to the iRobot Home app over Wi-Fi and supports full scheduling, cleaning history, and status notifications. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can say "Alexa, start the Roomba" and it just works. If smart home integration is important to you — or if you want to start a cleaning run from your couch or while you're out — the Roomba is the only option here. The Eufy's lack of connectivity is a genuine limitation for smart home households.
6. Maintenance — Eufy Is Simpler and Cheaper
Both vacuums require regular maintenance: emptying the dustbin after each run, cleaning the filter weekly, and replacing the rolling brush and side brushes every few months. The Eufy 11S has a slight edge here. Its parts are cheaper — replacement filter sets and brush kits run $10–$15 on Amazon — and the dustbin is easy to access and clean. The Roomba 694's parts are more expensive (iRobot's brand tax is real), and the filter replacement cycle is similar. Both vacuums have washable filters, which helps. Neither requires anything complicated, but the Eufy's lower ongoing cost of ownership is worth factoring in over a 2–3 year ownership period.
Final Recommendation: Which One Should You Buy?
Eufy RoboVac 11S — Buy This If You Want the Best Bang for Your Buck
The Eufy RoboVac 11S is the better buy for most people. It's quieter, slimmer, more powerful on paper, and costs $50–$80 less than the Roomba 694. If you have a straightforward floor plan — mostly hard floors or low-pile carpet, not too many obstacles — the 11S will clean your home reliably without any fuss. The lack of an app is only a problem if you actually want app control. For people who just want a robot vacuum that runs on a schedule and keeps the floors clean, the Eufy delivers everything you need at a price that's hard to argue with.
iRobot Roomba 694 — Buy This If Smart Features Matter
The Roomba 694 is the right choice if you're invested in a smart home ecosystem or want the convenience of app-based scheduling and voice control. The iRobot Home app is genuinely well-designed, Alexa and Google integration works reliably, and the Dirt Detect technology makes a real difference in homes with pets or high-traffic areas. The Roomba also has better long-term brand support — iRobot has been in the robot vacuum business longer than anyone, and their parts and customer service ecosystem reflects that. Pay the premium if the smart features will actually get used. If you're just going to press a button and walk away, save the money and get the Eufy.
Want to explore more options before deciding? Our best robot vacuums under $200 guide covers several strong alternatives in this price range. And if you're also looking for a handheld option for quick cleanups between robot runs, check out our best handheld vacuums roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eufy or Roomba — which is better for the money?
For pure value, the Eufy RoboVac 11S wins. It costs $50–$80 less than the Roomba 694, runs quieter, has stronger rated suction, and handles daily cleaning on hard floors and low-pile carpet very well. The Roomba 694 is better value if you specifically need app control, voice assistant integration, or Dirt Detect technology — those features justify the premium for the right buyer. But if you just want a reliable robot vacuum that keeps your floors clean without spending a lot, the Eufy is the smarter purchase.
Does Eufy work as well as Roomba?
On core cleaning performance — picking up dust, debris, and pet hair from hard floors and low-pile carpet — the Eufy RoboVac 11S is competitive with and in some cases better than the Roomba 694. Its 1300Pa suction outperforms the Roomba's estimated 600Pa on fine dust. Where Roomba pulls ahead is navigation intelligence (Dirt Detect), smart home connectivity, and sensor refinement. So: Eufy cleans as well or better in straightforward environments; Roomba is smarter about where and how it cleans in complex ones.
Which is quieter, Eufy or Roomba?
The Eufy RoboVac 11S is significantly quieter. It operates at around 55 dB, which is quiet enough to run while you're watching TV or working from home without much distraction. The Roomba 694 runs at approximately 65 dB — noticeably louder and harder to ignore in a small space. If noise is a concern (work-from-home setup, sleeping baby, thin walls), the Eufy is the clear winner.
Can Eufy RoboVac connect to Alexa?
The Eufy RoboVac 11S does not connect to Alexa or any smart home platform — it has no Wi-Fi connectivity at all. It's controlled via a physical remote control only. If you want Alexa or Google Assistant voice control for your robot vacuum, you'll need to step up to the iRobot Roomba 694 or look at Eufy's higher-end models (like the RoboVac G30 or X8) which do include Wi-Fi and app support.
Is iRobot worth the premium over Eufy?
It depends on what you value. The Roomba 694's premium over the Eufy 11S buys you: Wi-Fi connectivity, the iRobot Home app, Alexa/Google voice control, Dirt Detect technology, and iRobot's brand support ecosystem. If those features matter to you and will actually get used, yes — the premium is worth it. If you just want a robot vacuum that runs on a schedule and keeps your floors clean, the Eufy does that job for less money and does it quietly. Most buyers who don't care about smart home integration will be happier with the Eufy's value proposition.