What is the Best Neato to Buy in 2018: Model Comparison Chart

[Update September 2018] Neato released the newest cleaners: the Botvac D4 Connected and the Botvac D6 Connected.

Neato Robotics is a robotics company located in Newark, California founded in 2005. The robot vacuum cleaners that are produced by Neato can compete with the most popular beasts such as Roomba or Roborock having decent cleaning performance and about the same price tag. Have a quick look at the article where we compare the latest Roborock S5 vs. the newest Neato's robot - the Botvac D7 Connected.

[Update December 2018] If you are interested in a detailed review where we are talking about all the main differences between the newest (and probably best) Neato robots such as the Botvac D4, D6, and D7 Connected, have a look at our latest Neato robot cleaner comparison chart.

Let's dive deeper into the model comparison chart of Neato robot vacuums.

Neato Botvac robot cleaners comparison chart

The D-shape

Neato produces intelligent robot vacuum cleaners that have a unique D-shape with a rounded back and squared-off front for cleaning wall edges and corners.

Wi-Fi Support

The Botvac Connected, the D3 Connected, the D5 Connected, the D7 Connected, and the newest D4 Connected & the D6 Connected support Wi-Fi. All of the following models can be controlled via your smartphone using the associated Neato app that supports both Android and iOS systems.

SmartLife compatibility

The D3 Connected, the D5 Connected, the D7 Connected, the Botvac Connected, the D4 Connected & the Botvac D6 Connected are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Neato Chatbot, IFTTT, smartwatches, and other smart devices.

Vacuuming Technology SpinFlow

Along with strong suction, Neato uses a combo brush to pick up stuff that lands on the floor providing a super-powered clean. This technology is called SpinFlow.

The newest models such as the Botvac Connected, the D7 Connected, the D4 Connected, and the D6 Connected come with exclusive Turbo and Eco modes. On the Eco mode, the robots work quieter and longer. The Turbo mode delivers strong suction with a maximum pickup.

Laser Smart Navigation

Neato uses an infrared laser for scanning the surroundings of a building to produce an accurate map. The robot then automatically plans the most efficient cleaning path, able to clean without bumping into things and never missing a spot. The D80 and the D85 also use this technology, but in the latest Connected versions, the mapping feature is seriously upgraded. Those with Neato's app allow its owner to see the map, cleaning statistics, and cleaning summary.

Robot vacuums mentioned in the article:

• Neato Botvac D6 Connected — from $599.00
• Neato Botvac D4 Connected — from $379.95
• Neato Botvac D80 — from $319.99
• Neato Botvac D85 — from $391.06
• Neato Botvac Connected — from $479.99
• Neato Botvac D5 Connected — from $449.99
• Neato Botvac D7 Connected — from $689.99
• Neato Botvac D3 Connected — from $328.88

Filtration

Neato uses an anti-allergen high-performance filtration system. One of the oldest versions of D3 Connected comes with the standard filter.

The Neato D80/D85 and the Botvac D4 Connected use a high-performance filter perfect for homes with pets and allergy sensitivities. The filter captures fine dust particles and reduces allergens as small as 3 microns in size.

The Neato D5 Connected, the D7 Connected, the Botvac Connected, and the newest Botvac D6 Connected come with ultra-performance filters that catch the small 0.3 microns particles, thereby minimizing particulates in the air.

Cleaning Brushes

Neato's robots come with the following cleaning brushes: a blade brush, a combo brush, a spiral combo brush, and a side brush. These brushes were designed to pick up dirt, dust, and debris from carpets, handle pet hair and work on all types of floor. The side brush allows the robot to get deep into corners and right up against walls. Along with Neato's powerful suction, the cleaning brushes and side brush make the perfect combo for maximum pickup.

Recharge & Resume

All the Neato robots have the recharge & resume feature which means the device will come back after recharging to resume an interrupted job in case a room is only partially cleaned, but the battery is running low.

Cleaning all Types of Floors

Neato robots clean all floor types, whether vacuuming a carpet or hard floors such as hardwood, tile, or vinyl. The only surfaces Neato machines have a hard time with are high-pile carpets and rugs. We haven't seen a robovac that can clean high-pile carpets better than an upright vacuum.

Scheduling

You can set up cleaning at a specific time up to 7 times a week.

Boundary Markers & No-Go Lines

As a virtual wall barrier, Neato uses boundary markers to prevent the robot from entering off-limit areas. These are made of magnetic strips, so you only need to cut the required amount and fit it into areas where you don't want the robot to go. You can also set virtual walls by drawing as many lines as you want on the map on your smartphone. All Neato bots come with magnetic strips, except the Neato D3 Connected that does not include them in the box. Additional boundary marker rolls can be bought separately if needed.

No-Go Lines - virtual walls that you can set using the Neato Robotics app by drawing it on the screen. It means the robot will not cross those areas. You can create as many lines as you want.

Control

The Neato D3 Connected, the D5 Connected, the D7 Connected, the Botvac Connected, the D4 Connected and the D6 Connected can be controlled via voice commands (if you own a smart voice assistant) or the app. However, the D80/D85 do not support Wi-Fi and do not have a remote controller. Each of these machines has a display on the top you can use to command the robot.

Warranty

Neato provides a one-year warranty. A 6-month warranty applies to batteries.

Additional Features

The newest Neato Botvac D4 Connected, the Neato Botvac D6 Connected, and the Neato Botvac D7 Connected support Quick Boost Charge. With a quick boost, the robot calculates how much it needs to finish the job and only charges that amount. If only 10% of the floor plan needs to be cleaned, the robot knows only to charge enough to clean this last area, instead of taking the time to complete a full charge to finish this small area.

The Botvac D6 Connected, and the Botvac D7 Connected come with multiple floor plans that allow the robot to store up to three floors of your house in memory meaning it doesn't need to create a new map every time it cleans.

The Neato Botvac D7 Connected has the availability of zone cleaning. It allows you to set areas where you want the robot to clean.

Which Neato is better?

Why didn't we review the oldest robotics from Neato? The new technologies bring so many cool features, making old robots not that nice anymore.

Again, it's hard to decide which Neato robot is better. It depends on your preference and budget. They all have a different design and about the same vacuuming technology and filtration system that prevent allergies.

If you want a 21st-century robot with the possibility of speaking to it using your Alexa or Google Home, go with the D3 connected, the D5 Connected, the Botvac Connected, the D7 Connected, or the newest D4 Connected, the D6 Connected.

For those with a bigger than average house, get the Botvac Connected, the D7 Connected or the D6 Connected that covers a whopping 5,000 square feet (about 460 square meters) in one charge and runs longer - about 120 minutes.

For those who have a cat or a dog, go with the D5 Connected, the D7 Connected, the Botvac Connected, or the D6 Connected because they have more suction power and cleaning brushes designed for maximum pet hair pickup.

For people who suffer from asthma and allergies, we recommend getting the newest Connected series, but in case you are on a low budget, the D80 or the D85 are still good choices even in 2018.

What robot vacuum cleaner from the Neato model line would you buy? Write in your comments below.