Neato Robot Vacuum Review: Is It Legit or Just a Scam?
Are you tired of spending hours pushing a heavy vacuum around your home? Neato robot vacuums have been changing the game with their unique D-shaped design and advanced LaserSmart navigation technology.
These intelligent cleaning machines promise to make your life easier by taking care of floor cleaning while you focus on more important things.
In this comprehensive review, we explore the best Neato robot vacuum models available on Amazon and help you decide if these smart cleaners are worth your investment.
Key Takeaways:
- Unique D-Shaped Design: The signature D-shape design allows Neato vacuums to clean corners and edges more effectively than traditional round robot vacuums, reaching areas that circular models simply cannot access.
- LaserSmart Navigation Technology: Neato uses LIDAR technology (the same technology found in self-driving cars) to map your home accurately, creating efficient cleaning paths without bumping into furniture or missing spots.
- Powerful Pet Hair Performance: With extra-large main brushes that are up to 70% bigger than most round robot brushes, Neato vacuums excel at picking up pet hair from carpets and hard floors.
- Extended Battery Life: Models like the D10 offer up to 300 minutes of runtime, while the D7 provides 120 minutes of continuous cleaning, perfect for large homes and apartments.
- Smart App Features: The MyNeato app lets you create custom cleaning schedules, set No-Go Lines to keep your robot away from specific areas, and view detailed cleaning maps showing where your vacuum has been.
- Multiple Cleaning Modes: Choose from Eco, Turbo, and Max modes to balance cleaning power with battery life based on your specific needs and floor types.
Neato Robotics Botvac D7 Connected
The Neato Botvac D7 Connected represents one of the most popular models in the Neato lineup. This robot vacuum combines intelligent navigation with powerful cleaning performance to tackle even the messiest homes. The D7 features LaserSmart mapping technology that scans and maps your entire home, creating a detailed floor plan for systematic cleaning.
What sets the D7 apart is its 120-minute battery life and recharge-and-resume functionality. If your home is large and the battery runs low, the D7 automatically returns to its charging base, powers up, and then resumes cleaning exactly where it left off. The D-shaped design with CornerClever technology ensures thorough edge cleaning, reaching deep into corners where traditional round vacuums struggle.
The MyNeato app brings smart home convenience to your fingertips. You can schedule cleanings from anywhere, set virtual No-Go Lines to keep the robot away from pet bowls or delicate areas, and receive cleaning reports showing coverage maps. The D7 also works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing voice-activated cleaning sessions. Pet owners will appreciate the ultra-performance filter made of HEPA material, which captures up to 99% of dust mites and allergens.
Neato D8 Intelligent Robot Vacuum
The Neato D8 offers excellent value for homeowners seeking smart cleaning without the premium price tag. This model provides 100 minutes of runtime, making it ideal for small to medium-sized homes and apartments. The D8 features LaserSmart navigation that maps your home accurately, avoiding obstacles and creating efficient cleaning paths.
With powerful suction and the signature D-shaped design, the D8 tackles dirt, dust, and pet hair across multiple floor types including hardwood, tile, and carpets. The robot includes both Eco and Turbo cleaning modes, allowing you to choose between extended battery life or maximum cleaning power. The high-performance filter captures up to 99% of allergens and fine dust particles, making it a smart choice for allergy sufferers.
WiFi connectivity enables full control through the MyNeato app. Set up custom cleaning schedules that work around your lifestyle, create No-Go Zones to protect specific areas, and monitor cleaning progress remotely. The D8 automatically returns to its charging base when the battery runs low, ensuring it’s always ready for the next cleaning session.
Neato D9 Ultra Performance Robot Vacuum
Positioned between the D8 and D10, the Neato D9 delivers ultra-performance cleaning for medium-sized homes. This model offers enhanced suction power and an extended runtime compared to the D8, cleaning up to 1,600 square feet on a single charge. The D9 combines powerful performance with smart features that make home cleaning effortless.
The LaserSmart LIDAR technology creates detailed maps of your home, learning the layout and identifying the most efficient cleaning routes. The D9 excels at navigating around furniture, avoiding obstacles, and adapting to different floor surfaces. Whether transitioning from hardwood to carpet or cleaning under low furniture, the D9 handles various challenges with ease.
Smart connectivity features allow you to control the D9 from your smartphone or through voice commands. The robot integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and other smart home platforms, making it easy to start cleaning sessions hands-free. The D9 includes multiple cleaning modes and customizable settings, letting you tailor performance to your specific cleaning needs.
Top 3 Alternatives for Neato Robot Vacuum
Neato D10 Flagship Model
The Neato D10 stands as the flagship model in the Neato robot vacuum lineup. This premium cleaner offers the longest battery life of any Neato vacuum, with an incredible 300 minutes of runtime. The D10 can clean up to 2,700 square feet on a single charge, making it perfect for large homes and multi-level properties.
Maximum performance defines the D10 experience. This robot features four cleaning modes including Eco, Turbo, Max, and a special mode for deep cleaning carpets. The True HEPA filter system captures even the tiniest particles, providing cleaner air and reducing allergens throughout your home. The extra-large dirt bin reduces the frequency of emptying, and the powerful suction handles everything from fine dust to large debris.
Advanced mapping capabilities allow the D10 to save multiple floor plans, making it ideal for homes with multiple levels. Switch between floors, and the robot knows exactly where it is and how to clean efficiently. The app provides detailed cleaning statistics, showing you exactly where the robot cleaned, how long it took, and what areas might need extra attention.
D-Shaped Design Advantages
The D-shaped design represents one of Neato’s most significant innovations in robot vacuum technology. While most robot vacuums follow a round design, Neato’s engineers recognized that homes have corners and edges that circular robots simply cannot reach effectively. The D-shape solves this problem by placing a flat edge at the front of the robot.
This unique shape allows Neato vacuums to get closer to walls and into corners, areas where dirt and dust naturally accumulate. The flat front edge houses the main brush, which extends nearly the full width of the robot. This results in a cleaning path that’s significantly wider than round robots, meaning fewer passes are needed to clean the same area.
The D-shape also improves navigation efficiency. The robot can clean in straight lines along walls rather than following curved paths, resulting in more systematic coverage and less missed spots. For homeowners with lots of furniture or tight spaces, the D-shape design proves especially valuable, reaching under and around obstacles more effectively.
LaserSmart Navigation Technology
LaserSmart technology sets Neato vacuums apart from camera-based competitors. This sophisticated LIDAR system, similar to what’s used in autonomous vehicles, scans the environment to create precise maps of your home. Unlike cameras that can struggle in low light or get confused by mirrors and shiny surfaces, LIDAR works reliably in any lighting condition.
The system works by emitting laser beams and measuring how long they take to bounce back from objects. This creates a detailed 3D map showing walls, furniture, and obstacles. The robot uses this map to plan the most efficient cleaning path, avoiding bumping into furniture and reducing cleaning time.
Privacy-conscious users appreciate that LaserSmart doesn’t use cameras, meaning no photos of your home are captured or stored. The technology simply creates geometric maps showing the layout of rooms and obstacles. This approach provides superior navigation while protecting your privacy, addressing concerns many people have about camera-equipped smart home devices.
Pet Hair Cleaning Performance
Pet owners face unique cleaning challenges, and Neato vacuums are specifically designed to handle pet hair with ease. The extra-large main brush, up to 70% bigger than those found in round robot vacuums, provides superior pet hair pickup from both carpets and hard floors. This larger brush combined with strong suction power ensures that even stubborn pet hair gets collected.
The SpinFlow Power Clean system combines potent suction with precision brushes to leave floors immaculately clean. Whether you have dogs, cats, or other furry friends, Neato vacuums tackle shedding season without breaking a sweat. The robots include both combo brushes for mixed surfaces and spiral brushes optimized for pet hair collection.
Neato’s ultra-performance filters capture pet dander and allergens, improving air quality in your home. The HEPA-style filtration traps up to 99% of dust mites and allergens, making these vacuums beneficial for family members with allergies or asthma. Regular use helps maintain cleaner floors and fresher air, even in homes with multiple pets.
Battery Life and Runtime
Battery performance varies across Neato models, offering options for different home sizes. The D8 provides 100 minutes of runtime, perfect for small to medium homes. The D9 extends this to handle medium-sized spaces efficiently. The D10 leads the pack with an impressive 300-minute battery life, enough to clean even the largest homes on a single charge.
All Neato vacuums feature smart charging capabilities. When the battery runs low during a cleaning session, the robot automatically returns to its charging base. After recharging, it resumes cleaning from where it left off, ensuring complete coverage even in large homes. This recharge-and-resume feature means you never have to worry about partially cleaned floors.
The multiple cleaning modes help optimize battery usage. Eco mode maximizes runtime by using lower suction power, ideal for light cleaning or maintaining already-clean floors. Turbo and Max modes provide deeper cleaning with more powerful suction, consuming more battery but delivering superior results on carpets and heavily soiled areas.
App Features and Smart Home Integration
The MyNeato app transforms your smartphone into a comprehensive vacuum control center. Download the free app for iOS or Android, and you gain access to features that make cleaning scheduling and management incredibly simple. View your home’s floor plan, see where the robot has cleaned, and access detailed cleaning reports showing coverage area and time spent.
No-Go Lines represent one of the app’s most useful features. Draw virtual boundaries on your home map to keep the robot away from specific areas. Protect pet water bowls, keep the vacuum out of the kids’ play area during nap time, or prevent it from wandering into rooms with delicate items. These virtual boundaries work perfectly without requiring physical barriers.
Voice control integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant adds another layer of convenience. Simply say “Alexa, ask Neato to start cleaning” or “Hey Google, tell Neato to return to base” to control your vacuum hands-free. Create routines that automatically start cleaning when you leave home or stop when you arrive, building the vacuum seamlessly into your smart home ecosystem.
Cleaning Modes and Performance
Neato vacuums offer multiple cleaning modes to address different situations and floor types. Eco mode provides gentle cleaning with maximum battery life, perfect for daily maintenance cleaning on hard floors. Turbo mode increases suction power for deeper cleaning, ideal for carpets and rugs. Max mode delivers maximum performance for the toughest cleaning challenges.
The robots automatically adjust suction power when transitioning between floor types. Moving from hardwood to carpet triggers increased suction to pull dirt from carpet fibers. This automatic adjustment ensures optimal cleaning without manual intervention. The D-shaped design and wide brush path mean fewer passes are needed to clean thoroughly.
Zone cleaning allows you to target specific areas that need extra attention. Had a small spill in the kitchen? Send your Neato to clean just that room without running a full house cleaning cycle. The app makes it easy to select zones, schedule spot cleaning, or set up recurring cleaning sessions for high-traffic areas that need more frequent attention.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Maintaining your Neato robot vacuum requires minimal effort but helps ensure long-term performance. The dirt bin should be emptied after each cleaning session or when full. Simply remove the bin, empty it into your trash, and snap it back into place. The process takes less than a minute and keeps your robot running efficiently.
Filter maintenance involves replacing the high-performance filter every two to three months, depending on usage. Pet owners or homes with high dust levels may need more frequent replacements. The ultra-performance filters are affordable and easy to replace, maintaining optimal suction power and air filtration capabilities.
The main brush and side brush should be checked regularly for hair and debris wrapped around them. Remove the brushes, clear any tangled material, and reinstall them. Neato provides tools to make this process simple. Regular brush maintenance prevents reduced performance and extends the life of your vacuum. Most users find that spending five minutes every week or two on maintenance keeps their Neato running like new.
Comparing Neato Models
Choosing between Neato models depends on your home size and specific needs. The D8 works well for apartments and small homes up to 750 square feet, offering 100 minutes of runtime. The D9 targets medium homes up to 1,600 square feet with ultra-performance cleaning. The D10 handles large homes up to 2,700 square feet with its 300-minute marathon battery life.
All models share the signature D-shaped design and LaserSmart navigation technology. The main differences lie in battery capacity, cleaning power, and coverage area. Higher-tier models also include additional features like True HEPA filtration and extra cleaning modes. Consider your home’s square footage and layout when selecting a model.
Price differences reflect the enhanced capabilities of premium models. While the D8 offers excellent value for smaller spaces, the D10’s extended runtime and enhanced features justify its higher price for owners of large homes. The D7 Connected provides a middle ground with smart features and reliable performance. All Neato vacuums deliver the brand’s hallmark thorough cleaning and intelligent navigation.
Is a Neato Robot Vacuum Right for You?
Neato robot vacuums excel in specific situations and for certain types of homeowners. If you value thorough corner and edge cleaning, the D-shaped design provides clear advantages over round competitors. Pet owners particularly benefit from the extra-large brush and powerful suction designed to handle pet hair effectively.
Tech-savvy users appreciate the smart features, app control, and voice assistant integration. If you enjoy having control over your smart home devices and want detailed cleaning reports, Neato’s technology delivers. The ability to create virtual boundaries and set custom schedules adds flexibility that manual vacuuming cannot match.
Consider your home’s layout and floor types. Homes with lots of corners, furniture, and mixed flooring benefit most from Neato’s capabilities. Open floor plans with minimal obstacles work well with any robot vacuum. If you have thick carpets, ensure you choose a model with sufficient suction power. Neato vacuums perform best on low to medium-pile carpets and excel on hard floors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Neato robot vacuum battery last?
Battery life varies by model. The Neato D8 provides 100 minutes of runtime, suitable for small to medium homes. The D9 offers extended runtime for medium-sized spaces. The D10 delivers an impressive 300 minutes of continuous cleaning, enough to cover large homes up to 2,700 square feet on a single charge. All models feature automatic recharge and resume, returning to the base when the battery runs low and continuing cleaning after recharging.
Can Neato robot vacuums clean multiple floors?
Yes, higher-end Neato models like the D10 can save multiple floor plans. The robot remembers the layout of different levels in your home. When you move it to another floor, it recognizes the environment and uses the appropriate map. This feature makes Neato vacuums excellent choices for multi-level homes, though you must manually move the robot between floors.
How does the D-shape design improve cleaning?
The D-shaped design allows Neato vacuums to get closer to walls and deeper into corners compared to round robot vacuums. The flat front edge houses a wider brush that extends nearly the full width of the robot, cleaning more area with each pass. This shape also enables more efficient navigation patterns, cleaning in straight lines along walls rather than following curved paths.
What makes LaserSmart navigation better than camera systems?
LaserSmart LIDAR technology works reliably in any lighting condition, including complete darkness. Unlike cameras that can struggle with low light, shiny surfaces, or mirrors, LIDAR creates accurate maps using laser measurements. The system also protects your privacy by not capturing photos or videos of your home, instead creating simple geometric maps showing room layouts and obstacles.
How often should I empty the dirt bin?
Empty the dirt bin after each cleaning session or when the robot indicates it’s full. Homes with pets or high dust levels may require more frequent emptying. Regular emptying maintains optimal suction power and prevents the robot from spreading dust. The process takes less than a minute, simply remove the bin, empty it into your trash, and snap it back into place.
Are Neato robot vacuums good for pet hair?
Neato vacuums excel at pet hair removal thanks to their extra-large main brushes, up to 70% bigger than those in round robots. The powerful suction and specialized brush design effectively collect pet hair from carpets and hard floors. The ultra-performance filters also capture pet dander and allergens, improving air quality. Many pet owners choose Neato specifically for its superior pet hair performance.
Can I control my Neato vacuum with voice commands?
Yes, Neato robot vacuums integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Use voice commands to start cleaning, stop the robot, send it back to the charging base, or check cleaning status. This hands-free control works seamlessly with your smart home setup, allowing you to include the vacuum in automation routines and schedules.
What is the warranty on Neato robot vacuums?
Neato typically offers a one-year limited warranty on their robot vacuums, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Some retailers may offer extended warranty options for additional protection. Always check the specific warranty terms when purchasing, as they can vary by model and retailer. Register your product after purchase to ensure warranty coverage.
