Roomba Essential Q0120 vs Roomba 692 – Comparison Review
Author: Richard Harrison
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Roomba Essential
Roomba 692
Roomba Essential
Main characteristics:
- Dimensions 13"L x 13"W x 3.15"H
- Weight 10.98 Pounds
Roomba 692
Main characteristics:
- Dimensions 13.4"L x 13.4"W x 3.54"H
- Weight 5 Pounds
iRobot Company has been producing automatic robotic vacuum cleaners under the Roomba brand for more than 20 years. Since the foundation, many models from the tenth generation have been released. You can find models with mopping or vacuuming or even dual functionality for every budget. In this article, I compare the new Roomba Combo Essential without the mopping map released in 2024 and the best-seller Roomba 692 from 2017.
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Roomba Essential Q0120 vs Roomba 692 – Face-to-Face Comparison
I will compare these models based on their main technical characteristics and perform tests to find the best model in terms of cleaning qualities and price.
Design and dimensions
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.6 inches | 13.4 x 13.4 x 3.54 inches |
| Weight | 7.23 lbs | 6.77 lbs |
| Color Options | Black, White | Black |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Button Controls | Touch buttons | Physical buttons |
I can say that the Roomba Essential Q0120 and Roomba 692 are typical robotic vacuum cleaners. They have a round-shaped form with the same size and height (13.4 x 3.5”), allowing them to reach narrow spaces under the furniture. Nevertheless, the Roomba 692 is almost twice as light, which is essential if you need to carry the robot from one to another. It is important for my house; I use the same robot on the ground and first floor. Unfortunately, there is also no choice in color of this model – only standard black, but I have to say this does not impact the functionality. For moving, two rubber wheels are used on both robots at the bottom.
Cleaning orientation
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Modes | Auto, Spot, Edge | Auto, Spot, Edge |
| Surface Types | Hard floors, Carpets | Hard floors, Carpets |
| Dirt Detect | Yes | Yes |
| Carpet Boost | Yes | No |
| Edge Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
In this part, I could not find significant differences between Roomba Essential Q0120 and Roomba 692, as both robots do not have a mopping ability. They have a three-stage cleaning system consisting of scrubbing the floor and lifting the dirt from carpets and hard floors using brushes and powerful suction. Both models do not have mopping pads and are designed only for dry cleaning on all types of floors. I honestly would prefer a combo model with a mopping function, but the price is very interesting for these models, and many homeowners choose only vacuum models.
Suction power
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Suction Power | 1700 Pa | 600 Pa |
| Power Adjustment | Automatic | Manual |
| Performance on Hard Floors | Excellent | Good |
| Performance on Carpets | Excellent (with Carpet Boost) | Fair |
| Noise Level | 58 dB | 65 dB |
| Debris Type | Fine dust, Pet hair, Large debris | Fine dust, Pet hair, Large debris |
| Airflow Rate | Higher | Lower |
According to the promo materials, Roomba Q0120 is a more advanced vacuum cleaner, as it has three levels of suction power, which you can switch based on the level of dirt and surface. I can manually choose the required suction level in the smartphone app – between a powerful suction level or quiet cleaning. iRobot does not provide exact figures for suction power, neither for Roomba 692 nor for Q0120; the indicated suction power is standard for both. According to my tests, the auto suction level is 600 Pa, while Q0120 has a higher level in a powerful mode – about 1000 Pa. For comparison, Deebot X2 has up to 8000 Pa but costs many times more. I would say Roomba Q0120 and 692 are good robots for everyday cleaning.
Navigation and Mapping
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation Tech | iAdapt 2.0 | iAdapt 1.0 |
| Mapping Tech | Imprint Smart Mapping | None |
| Obstacle Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Cliff Detect | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Wall Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
As one of the latest Roomba models, Q0120 has more advanced navigation; it can clean under and around furniture. I like its automatic cleaning, as based on the program, it cleans in ordered rows and escapes stairs and other objects using sensors. Moreover, I have tried a spot-cleaning function to clean the designated area for two minutes with the most powerful suction, and it works very well. Surprisingly, Roomba 692, which has the same conditions, has shown better navigation in terms of finding and cleaning the dirtiest spots at my home. It has a dirt sensor with patented dirt detection technology, which really works. The cleaning patterns are not so neat, based on my tests, and it can miss some spots, but it goes easily under and around the obstacles, and it has cliff sensors. These robots do not have carpet sensors, and you can’t send them to clean a room separately.
Filtration
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration System | High-Efficiency Filter | AeroVac Filter |
| Allergen Control | Yes | No |
My Roomba 692 comes with a non-washable AeroVac filter to capture fine dust, hair, and dirt down to 0.3 microns. You need to pay attention to the fact that the filters for this model are blue and have curved forms. They are made from ABS shells, HEPA filters, and anti-slip sponges. The size of the filter is 2.7 x 4.5 inches. Roomba Q0120 has a standard black Roomba filter with a square form (4.9 x 2.5 inches). It also consists of a high-efficiency HEPA filter, ABS frame, and sponge seal. But this filter can capture dust up to 0.1 microns. I read that you can rinse the filter with water from time to time, but it is not recommended to do this frequently. I have washed this filter but waited until it was completely dry before installation. From my experience and based on the tests, there is no visual difference between 0.1 and 0.3 microns, but if you have allergic persons in the family, you should filter in Roomba Q0120.
Tools and Brushes
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Brushes | Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes | Multi-Surface Brushes |
| Side Brushes | 1 | 1 |
| Brush Design | Tangle-free | Bristle |
I have found differences in Roomba Essential Q0120 vs. Roomba 692 in terms of main brushes, which impact the ability to pick dirt. I like the V-shaped brush of Q0120 for easy cleaning from hair and debris, but the brush modules of Roomba 692 for picking up dirt better. This module consists of two brushes – one rubber and one with bristles, one to loosen the dirt and another to pick it up. The automatic adjustable heads on Q012 and Roomba 692 adapt to the surface level to clean effectively carpet and hard floors. The main brushes on both robots are protected with easy-removable guards. Meanwhile, the edge-sweeping brush is the same for both modules. Its plastic bristles at 27 degrees remove all dirt and debris from debris and corners. To remove a side brush on Roomba 692, I used a screwdriver, while at Q0120, it is removed for cleaning or changing by simple pulling. The standard package of Roomba Q0120 also includes the cleaning brush for cleaning the main brush.
Built-in tank features
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.5 liters | 0.35 liters |
| Self-Emptying | No | No |
Both robotic vacuum cleaners are equipped only with a plastic dust bin with a built-in filter, which you can remove for cleaning using a release button. Please do not make a mistake and fill the water in the tank. If required, you can replace the bin, but it is made for the whole service life of robots. The filters are non-washable, but you clean the bins with water. The bin safely traps all dirt, dust, and pollen captured by the filter. Based on my experience, the size of the bins is enough to clean and capture all dirt from 2-floor house cleaning. Everybody and I recommend cleaning the dustbin, filter, and brushes after each cleaning procedure. Otherwise, the robots are not so effective. So, I can’t say that bins differ in features.
Battery and home base
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | Up to 90 minutes | Up to 90 minutes |
| Charging Time | 2-3 hours | 2-3 hours |
| Home Base Return | Yes | Yes |
Roomba Q0120 and 692 are equipped with LiON batteries of different capacities. For sure, I prefer the Q0120 as it can work for 120 minutes without charging in standard mode. While Roomba 692 can work only 90 minutes. By the way, I can prove that both robots automatically recharge and resume if required. For charging, they use a home base (a charging station) that comes with the robot, which should be connected to the electricity during the whole cleaning session. On the top of the Roomba 692, I find a separate battery indicator, while the Roomba Q0120 battery indicator is built-in with the main clean button in the middle. The battery life is also visible in the smartphone app.
Control
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | iRobot Home App | iRobot Home App |
| Voice Control | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) |
| Remote Control | No | No |
Surprisingly for me, in a good way, these two budget models are compatible with Wi-Fi, which means you can use voice assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant) and iRobot smartphone app for controlling your Roomba 692 and Q0120. You also have a standard way of control using buttons on the models. Roomba Q0120 and 692 have spot cleaning, auto-mode cleaning, and home buttons on the top. The locations of buttons on models are slightly different, but both options are user-friendly. So, there are no differences in control features of Roomba Essential Q0120 vs Roomba 692.
Automation and smart features
| Feature | Roomba Essential Q0120 | Roomba 692 |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Mapping | Yes | No |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) |
| Cleaning Reports | Yes | No |
| Room Selection | Yes | No |
| Keep Out Zones | Yes | No |
| Recharge and Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Software Updates | Yes (via Wi-Fi) | Yes (via Wi-Fi) |
| Multi-Floor Mapping | Yes | No |
| Custom Cleaning Preferences | Yes | No |
| Battery Status Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning History | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) | Yes (Alexa, Google Assistant) |
| App Control | Yes (iRobot Home App) | Yes (iRobot Home App) |
All automation and smart features of both models are connected to smartphone applications. I like that both models can be scheduled for cleaning. Moreover, Q0120 allows you to be set to clean while you are not at home. Also, I like to control the app’s cleaning process and receive cleaning suggestions using Q0120. The cleaning report, including details and robot health monitoring (the time left for your accessories), is available only for Q0120 users. However, both robots are automatically updated with available options while WI-FI is on. I didn’t use the barrier by myself for Roomba 692, but I still recommend virtual wall barriers (purchased separately) to prevent some places from cleaning. So, in conclusion, Q0120 is smarter.
What is in the box?
Roomba 692 comes with:
- Robot vacuum
- Charging station
- Power adapter
- Quick start guide
- Manual
Testing:
Vacuuming performance on Bare Floors
I have performed several tests on bare floors and carpets for Roomba 692 and Q0120. It is not surprising that their cleaning capabilities are close.
9/10
8/10
Vacuuming performance on Bare Floors
- Pet hair
- 96
- 95
- Flour
- 96
- 95
- Rice
- 95
- 94
- Sugar
- 94
- 93
- Kitty litter
- 95
- 94
- Cherrios
- 94
- 95
- Saw dust
- 95
- 95
- Sand pebbles
- 95
- 96
Vacuuming performance on Carpets
9/10
8/10
Vacuuming performance on Carpets
- Pet hair
- 91
- 91
- Flour
- 94
- 94
- Rice
- 92
- 92
- Sugar
- 93
- 91
- Kitty litter
- 91
- 91
- Cherrios
- 93
- 94
- Saw dust
- 91
- 91
- Sand pebbles
- 92
- 92
Setting up the robots
The installation recommendations for both Roomba 692 and Q0120 are universal and I consider them easy. First, I installed the charging docking station with a clearance of 1.5 ft. from left and right and 4 ft. in front (according to the manual). I had placed the stations on a hard surface, away from stairs and near the electric socket. After that, I plugged in the adapter and connected it to the charging station. Do not forget to remove all transportation packages and install filters, dust bins, and brushes in place. The robot is supplied only partly charged, so I had them on the metal charging contacts for charging. The battery indicators show the status. The QR code on the manual or quick start guide should be used for installation of the iRobot Home App on your smartphone; the robots are compatible with 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi. The whole installation process without charging has taken me 25-30 minutes (the same for both models).
Maintenance
In terms of maintenance, Roomba Essential Q0120 is not significantly different from Roomba 692. I consider the recommendations essential for effective cleaning.
Cleaning Frequency
Replacement frequency
Main brush / brushes
After each cleaning cycle
Every 12 months
Side brush
After each cleaning cycle
Every 3 months
Dustbin
After each cleaning cycle
Not required
Filter
After each cleaning cycle
Every 6 months
Front caster wheel
Every two weeks
Every 12 months
Sensors and charging contacts
Every month
Not required
Cleaning Frequency
Main brush / brushes
After each cleaning cycle
Side brush
After each cleaning cycle
Dustbin
After each cleaning cycle
Filter
After each cleaning cycle
Front caster wheel
Every two weeks
Sensors and charging contacts
Every month
Replacement frequency
Main brush / brushes
Every 12 months
Side brush
Every 3 months
Dustbin
Not required
Filter
Every 6 months
Front caster wheel
Every 12 months
Sensors and charging contacts
Not required
My recommendations
I have tried to summarize all features in a convenient form. Roomba 692 and Q012 have been released in different years, but they both are good vacuum cleaners with similar cleaning performance. I have found mainly differences in the main brush, smart features, and filters. For sure, Q0120 has better navigation and longer battery capacity, but for 1-2 bedroom apartments, Roomba 692 is fine. However, if you have more square feet and carpets, then Roomba Q012 with several suction levels is preferable.
