Robot vacuums buy back the time you would otherwise spend pushing an upright around, but picking the right one is its own small chore. iRobot owns a big slice of the market, and two of its entry-level options tend to leave shoppers stuck: the affordable Roomba 675 vs E5, the pricier model built with pet homes in mind.
If you are torn between these two, this comparison lays out the real differences. I have gone through the specs, the pros, and the cons of both vacuums so you can decide which one fits your floors, your budget, and your shedding dog.
| Features | Roomba 675 | Roomba E5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Surface Recommendation | Hard floors & carpets | Hard floors & carpets |
| Works With | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, the Roomba app & voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, the Roomba app & voice control |
| Cleaning System | Three-stage cleaning system | Premium three-stage cleaning system |
| Brushes | Dual multi-surface brushes & edge-sweeping brush | Multi-surface rubber brushes |
| Works Under Furniture? | Yes | Yes |
| Run Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Automatically Recharges? | Yes | Yes |
| Suction Power | Standard | 5x the standard with power-lifting suction |
| Intelligent Navigation? | Yes | Yes |
| Detects Stairs? | Yes | Yes |
| Tangle Resistant Brushes? | No | Yes |
| High-Efficiency Filter? | No | Yes |
| Good With Pet Hair? | Yes | Yes |
Product Overviews
Here is a closer look at each model and what it does well. These overviews cover the specs that matter and how each vacuum behaves on real floors. I pulled this together from owner feedback and independent expert reviews so you can make an informed buying decision.
iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Robot Vacuum
Most Powerful
If you want more suction, the Roomba E5 builds on the 675’s foundation and strengthens the core mechanics. It leans toward homes with pets or thicker carpets that need stronger airflow.
The E5 runs a premium 3-Stage Cleaning System with 5X the power-lifting suction of the 600 series, so it pulls heavier debris and embedded grit up out of rug fibers. The bigger difference, though, is the dual multi-surface rubber brushes.
Unlike bristle brushes, these rubber rollers stay in constant contact with the floor and shrug off hair tangles. For cat or dog owners, that one change saves hours of cutting hair out of the brush roll.
The E5 also adds a high-efficiency filter that traps 99% of cat and dog allergens down to 10 microns, which is a real help for allergy sufferers. Its dust bin is washable too, so you can rinse it at the sink (filter removed first) rather than just tapping it out.
Pros
- Tangle-resistant: Dual rubber brushes handle pet hair without getting clogged like bristle brushes.
- Better air quality: High-efficiency filter traps 99% of mold, pollen, and dust mite allergens.
- Stronger performance: Offers 5X the suction power of the Roomba 600 series for a deeper clean.
- Washable bin: You can rinse the dust bin with water (after removing the filter) for better hygiene.
- Smart connections: Works with Google Assistant and Alexa for hands-free voice control.
- Battery life: Provides a 90-minute runtime and automatically docks to recharge.
Cons
- Random cleaning pattern: Like the 675, it does not clean in neat rows or create a map of your house.
- Noise level: The increased suction power can make it slightly louder than basic models.
- Navigation limits: It may struggle to find its way back to the dock in very large or complex floor plans.
Product Specs
| Surface Recommendation | Hard floors and carpets |
|---|---|
| Works With | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, the Roomba app, and voice control |
| Cleaning System | Premium three-stage cleaning system |
| Brushes | Multi-surface rubber brushes |
| Works Under Furniture? | Yes |
| Run Time | 90 minutes |
| Automatically Recharges? | Yes |
| Suction Power | 5x the standard with power-lifting suction |
| Intelligent Navigation? | Yes |
| Detects Stairs? | Yes |
| Tangle Resistant Brushes? | Yes |
| High-Efficiency Filter? | Yes |
| Good With Pet Hair? | Yes |
iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum
Best With Smart Features
The Roomba 675 is a budget-friendly robot that still brings smart connectivity to the table. You run it through the iRobot Home App or with voice commands via Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can schedule cleanings and walk into tidy floors after work.
It runs a 3-Stage Cleaning System with dual multi-surface brushes, so it moves comfortably between carpets and hard floors in a typical layout. An edge-sweeping brush flicks debris out of corners and into the suction path, which is exactly where a lot of dust likes to hide.
The app also learns your routine and suggests schedules, nudging you toward extra runs during shedding season or high-pollen stretches. Set it once and it quietly keeps everyday dust under control.
Pros
- Smart navigation: Maneuvers around furniture and uses Cliff Detect to avoid falling down stairs.
- Dirt Detect technology: Sensors identify high-traffic areas with more dirt and prompt the robot to clean them more thoroughly.
- Versatile cleaning: The auto-adjust cleaning head adapts its height to clean carpets and hard floors effectively.
- Self-charging: Automatically returns to its Home Base to recharge when the battery is low.
- Solid battery life: Runs for up to 90 minutes, covering plenty of ground in standard-sized homes.
Cons
- Standard suction: Lacks the power-lifting suction found in the E series and above.
- Bristle brushes: Traditional bristles can get tangled with long human or pet hair, requiring more maintenance.
- Random navigation: Does not map the home; it bounces off obstacles in a random pattern, which can miss spots in large areas.
Product Specs
| Surface Recommendation | Hard floors and carpets |
|---|---|
| Works With | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, the Roomba app, and voice control |
| Cleaning System | Three-stage cleaning system |
| Brushes | Dual multi-surface brushes & edge sweeping brush |
| Works Under Furniture? | Yes |
| Run Time | 90 minutes |
| Automatically Recharges? | Yes |
| Suction Power | Standard |
| Intelligent Navigation? | Yes |
| Detects Stairs? | Yes |
| Tangle Resistant Brushes? | No |
| High-Efficiency Filter? | No |
| Good With Pet Hair? | Yes |
In-Depth Feature Comparison
With the overviews covered, here is how the Roomba 675 and E5 stack up in the categories buyers actually weigh.
Suction Power
Both vacuums are capable of removing daily dust and crumbs, but there is a clear difference in raw power.
The Roomba 675 relies on a standard AeroVac system. It loosens, lifts, and suctions dirt, which is perfectly fine for hard floors and low-pile carpets.
The Roomba E5 is a clear step up. It delivers 5X the suction power of the 600-series baseline, and that “Power-Lifting Suction” shows on carpets where fine dust settles deep in the fibers. If you want a deep clean rather than a surface sweep, the E5 has the edge.
Winner
Roomba E5
Pet Hair Cleaning
Handling pet hair is a major reason people buy robot vacuums, and the hardware matters here.
The Roomba 675 uses bristle brushes. While they pick up hair, that hair tends to wrap tightly around the bristles, forcing you to cut it out manually on a regular basis.
The Roomba E5 solves this problem with dual rubber brushes. These flexible rollers adjust to the floor and, crucially, do not have bristles for hair to tangle around. Combined with the high-efficiency filter that traps dander and allergens, the E5 is the superior machine for shedding season.
Winner
Roomba E5
Intelligent Navigation
Both the 675 and E5 utilize a suite of intelligent sensors to move around your home, but neither offers advanced smart mapping (cleaning in straight lines).
They both use “adaptive navigation,” meaning they bounce off obstacles and walls in a seemingly random pattern to cover the floor. Both feature “Dirt Detect” sensors to spend more time on messy spots.
While the navigation tech is nearly identical, the Roomba 675 is often praised for its simplicity and reliability in smaller layouts. It gets the job done without over-complicating things. The E5 shares these traits but is physically heavier and focuses more on power than improved movement patterns.
Winner
Tie (Functionally Similar)
Stand Out Features
Sometimes a single feature can make or break your decision. Here are the dealbreaker attributes for these models.
Rubber Brushes (Roomba E5)
The Roomba E5 features unique multi-surface rubber brushes, whereas the 675 uses older-style bristle brushes.
This is a massive quality-of-life difference. Rubber brushes flex to stay in contact with wood and carpet, and they naturally shred hair rather than letting it wind around a cylinder. For pet owners or people with long hair, the rubber brushes on the E5 eliminate the nastiest part of robot vacuum maintenance.
Washable Dust Bin (Roomba E5)
The Roomba E5 allows you to remove the dust bin and rinse it out in the sink (just remember to remove the filter first).
The Roomba 675 houses the fan motor inside the bin effectively, meaning you cannot get it wet without damaging the electronics. Being able to wash the E5 bin helps prevent grim build-up and keeps the vacuum smelling fresh.
Filtration System
The E5 uses a high-efficiency filter that captures 99% of allergens, pollen, and particles as small as 10 microns. The 675 uses a standard AeroVac filter.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies or are sensitive to dust, the E5 is the clear choice to help improve your indoor air quality while it cleans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roomba 675 vs. E5 Conclusion
Now that we have compared these two robots head-to-head, which one belongs in your home? Both are capable cleaners, but your specific needs regarding pets and budget will dictate the winner.
Roomba 675 Verdict
The Roomba 675 is the ideal choice for budget-conscious buyers with simpler floor plans. If you don’t have pets that shed heavily and just want a reliable robot to keep the daily dust under control, this model offers excellent value and durability.
Roomba E5 Verdict
The Roomba E5 is the stronger pick if you have carpets or shedding pets, thanks to rubber brushes that cut down on maintenance and extra suction for a deeper clean. If allergies are a concern, or you are tired of cutting hair out of vacuum bristles, the E5 earns the extra spend.
Our Review Criteria
