Neato Unveils New Lineup:  D Series – D4 vs. D6 vs. D7 – Review & Comparison

Neato Robotics, one of the flagship companies in the self-cleaning appliance, has launched two new models. The new D4, D6, and D7 showcase Neato’s most cutting-edge features and capabilities and each model have been designed to capture a specific segment of the market. The D4 is intended for small homes and lighter use, D6 is intended for users with larger homes or who have allergies, and lastly, the D7 is the showcase model that with the new feature Zone Cleaning. Neato’s models feature advanced navigation systems, mobile connectivity, and other modern features that you don’t commonly find on cheaper models. Neato Robotics is on the front lines of the development of cutting-edge features and the improvement of automated cleaning devices for your home and their newest line up is more advanced than ever.

Comparison Table of Neato  D4 & D6 & D7

Cleaning System

*Tested in Neato’s Lab on a Combination of Carpeting and Hard Floors

A.I. Comparison

App Function and Misc. Features

Common Features

The D4, D6, and D7 have the following common features:

• “D” Shape

All Neato Robotics models feature their signature

• Automatic Cleaning Cycles

Use the Neato app to schedule daily cleanings, every other day, or whatever schedule works for you.

• Connectability

You can access your robot from all the major assistant apps such as Alexa and Google Assistant, plus you can control them from your iPhone or Android.

• Software Upgrades

Since your robot is connected to the internet it’s software is updated regularly and automatically, so your machine is always getting smarter and better without you having to do anything.

• Cleaning Controls

Neato’s proprietary SpinFlow technology uses an extra brush to cleaning power and suction dramatically. Models also include different cleaning modes: With Turbo Mode suction and cleaning power is maximized. Using Eco Mode your unit will use battery more economically and run more quietly than on standard or turbo.

• Laser Navigation

These robots have an adaptive navigation system that uses lasers to map your floor plan and intelligently guide it around your furniture and walls.

• NO-GO Barriers

You can configure NO-GO Barriers by using the Neato app on your phone. You can manage your floor plan and set virtual boundaries for areas that you want to set as off-limits for the vacuum. This means you can keep your vacuum out of trouble without putting up actual physical barriers and it makes customizing your robots cleaning cycle easy and hassle-free.

• Advanced Charging

These new models all have active battery management that tells the unit to return to it’s charging dock when it senses that the battery is losing its charge. You won’t have to worry about your robot dying in the middle of the cleaning cycle. To save you even more time, Neato’s lineup includes Quick Boost Charging. If your robot dies mid-cleaning cycle when it returns to its charging dock the robot will calculate how much juice it needs to finish the job it just paused and it will finish the task as soon as it has enough battery to do it. Your robot knows if it needs 10% battery to finish the job it will resume cleaning as soon as it has 10%, so there is less downtime the job gets done quicker.

• Careful Navigation

New Neato models include an Extra-Care setting for use when your vacuum is cleaning areas with delicate furniture or anything else that might require above average caution. However, since this mode will cause your robot to give obstacles a wider berth it will often not go under chairs or certain tables so it’s not good to keep it on all the time.

• Anti-Allergen

When a vacuum cleans it uses a motor to pull air and create suction, that air carries the dirt into the vacuum while the air through the vacuum and is pushed back into the air supply. Most particles are left behind in the vacuum’s bag or dust bay, but some very small particles that potentially cause reactions in people with indoor allergies can get released into the air supply unless the vacuum includes an allergen filter. Neato’s robot vacuums include an advanced allergen filter that removes particles as small as .3 microns. Additionally, Neato filters remove up to two times as many particles as competitor filters.

• Concentration Cleaning

You can set these Neato vacuums to concentrate on an area of the floor that may need extra attention. This is called Spot-Cleaning mode, and the robot begins to clean a 7 by 7 section of the floor once you activate it.

• Find Me

Sometimes these little guys can get stuck or into trouble. You may be looking around and wondering, “where did my vacuum get off to now?” But no need to worry, Neato vacuums include a ‘Find Me’ feature that you can access through the app. When you select this option the robot will begin beeping loudly so that you can track it down easily.

D6 and D7

• Side Brush

These vacuums include an additional side brush that is excellent at picking up pet hair and other problematic debris. It also allows the vacuum to clean in hard to reach corners and crevices that other models can’t pick up.

• Ultra-Performance Allergen Filter

The D6 and D7 feature and improved allergy filter that filters even more allergens than the high-performance filter found on the D4.

• Multiple Floor Plans (D6 / D7 Only)

The D6 and D7 models support multiple floor plans. If your house has multiple floors or maybe you even have multiple houses, these vacuums can save up to three different floor plans for quick and convenient use. You can use your Neato vacuum just about anywhere and you can do it conveniently without having to overwrite the floor plan data from your primary cleaning area.

D7 Only

• Zone Clean

The flagship D7 model includes the Zone Cleaning feature option. Using this feature you can set your vacuum to concentrate more cleaning on a particular part of your home and you can program this priority into its basic cleaning cycle. You can use it to set your vacuum to make a couple of extra passes under the dining room table on or on the living room in front of the couch, anywhere you think you might need a little extra attention you can customize your vacuum to handle the task.

• 5G Wi-Fi

The D7 model has enhanced connectivity and is not only limited to 2.4 GHz band Wi-Fi. It can utilize 5G WiFi for quicker response time and more flexibility.

• Manual Remote

Should you ever get the urge to run your vacuum around under your own control, you can do it with the D7. You can set the vacuum to manual remote control mode and use your phone to guide around where ever you want it to go.

Botvac D4

For Small Homes

The D4 is the cornerstone of the Neato Robotics line up. It’s a great choice for small homes and apartments or anyone on a budget. It has an extraordinary amount of features for such a modest priced robotic vacuum, such as advanced laser mapping, that are usually found exclusively on higher priced models. It also has support for virtual barriers, Neato’s “No-Go” lines. This feature was previously only available on the top of the line models, but in their latest release, Neato has included the feature in even the basic models. Neato has also made improvements to the battery and power system, increasing power capacity by 30% and introducing the Quick Charge feature, which gives the vacuum the ability to gauge it’s power needs and get just enough of a charge to finish its scheduled task. All and all, this vacuum has seen a lot of improvements over its predecessor and it’s a great value for anyone looking for a modestly priced entrance into the world of robotic vacuums.

PROS

• Virtual Barriers (No-Go Lines)
• Maneuverable D-shape Design
• Automatic Software Updates
• Improved Battery and Power System

CONS

• Supports One Floor Plan
• No 5G Connectivity
• No Zone or Spot Cleaning
• Smaller Cleaning Path

What’s in the Box?

• Neato Botvac D6 Connected
• Charging Base
• Power Cord
• Spiral Combo Brush
• Spide Brush
• Ultra-Performance Allergen Filter
• Cleaning Tool
• Physical Boundary

Botvac D6

For Allergies and Bigger Home

The next step up in the Neato Robotics lineup is the Botvac D6. This model is suited to users with larger homes, pets, or indoor allergies. The main brush is up to 70% larger than its major competitors from other manufacturers. This model improves over the D4 with the inclusion of an additional side brush that specializes in picking up pet hair and getting into hard to reach areas. Additionally, the D6 has an Ultra-Performance filter that removes allergens up to .3 microns in size and improves quality of life for allergy sufferers. The D6 also includes support for multiple floor plans, so you can create exclusive navigation layouts for each floor plan in your home. This model offers a good compromise between value and quality. You will get many high-end features without having to pay top-of-the-line prices.

PROS

• Comprehensive Pet Hair Cleanup
• Enhanced Filter for Allergen Removal
• Maneuverable D-Shape Design
• Extended Battery
• Automatic Software Updates
• Included Virtual Barriers
• Spot Clean Mode
• Side Brush
• Multiple Floor Plans

CONS

• No 5G Connectivity
• No Zone Cleaning Support
• No Manual Drive

What’s in the Box?

• Neato Botvac D6 Connected
• Charging Base
• Power Cord
• Spiral Combo Brush
• Spide Brush
• Ultra-Performance Allergen Filter
• Cleaning Tool
• Physical Boundary

Botvac D7

Flagship with New feature Zone Cleaning

The Botvac D7 is Neato’s signature model and showcases all of the company’s latest upgrades and technological improvements. It’s comparable to the Roomba 980, the flagship model from iRobot, one of Neato’s biggest competitor. In fact, the D7 has several improvements over the Roomba, such as a 50% larger dustbin. The D7 boasts all of the companies newest and most advanced features like manual remote control from your cell phone and connectivity to 5G Wifi. It also includes all of the best features from the other models such as the ultra-performance filter and support for multiple floor plans. Even the software protocols have been upgraded with the addition of Zone Cleaning more. Enabling Zone Cleaning allows you to set an area to be cleaned more intensively using the app. The vacuum will cover the assigned area and pass over it additional times to ensure a more thorough clean. This is a great option for areas like the kitchen, dining room, or high traffic areas of your home. It packs all of these benefits into a robotic vacuum that can run for up to 120 minutes and weighs less than 8 pounds. That’s pretty impressive. If cost isn’t a concern and you are looking to buy nothing less than the best available, the D7 is definitely going to be on your short list.

PROS

• Ultra-Performance Allergen Filter
• Manuel Smartphone Control
• 5 Ghz Connectivity
• Zone Cleaning Mode
• Automatic Software Updates
• Multiple Floor Plans and Virtual Barriers (No-Go Lines)

CONS

• Larger Size
• Expensive
• Some Features Can Be Complicated

What’s in the box

• Neato Botvac D7
• Connected robot vacuum
• Charge Base
• Power Cord
• Spiral Combo Brush
• Ultra Performance Filter
• Brush and Filter Cleaning Tool
• Boundary Markers (2M)

Conclusion

Neato Botvac’s new lineup of Botvacs is the most advanced release yet. These robot vacuums are some of the most advanced models in the industry. The proprietary D-Shaped design gives these vacuums a distinct edge in maneuverability over their competitors. If you are considering purchasing a Neato Botvac finding the best one for your home can be decided by asking yourself some basic questions about your home’s layout, budget, and individual needs. Do you have pets? Does your home have multiple floors? Do you suffer from indoor allergies? These are examples of the kinds of things to consider when comparing these models. Find the best value for you. Here are our picks for the best in each category.

Smartest Software

     

The Neato D7 Connected Flagship boasts the full array of Neato’s latest advances in software. It features the class-exclusive Zone Cleaning mode which sets the vacuum to make extra passes on areas that collect more dirt, like under the dining room table to clean up the crumbs. The D7 also has Spot Cleaning mode that causes the robot to concentrate cleaning on small localized area. This model also supports multiple floorplans, so it’s great for multi-level homes, and it’s the only Neato Botvac to have 5 GHz Wifi Connectivity. All of this, plus all the other standard features you find on the other Botvac models, makes the Neato D7 Connected Flagship clearcut winner for smartest vacuum on the list.  

Best For Larger Homes

Winner: Neato D7 and D6 Connected

In this category, we have a tie. Both the Neato D7 and the Neato D6 Connected have what is takes to keep you large or multi-story home clean. Both models support multiple floor plans, so you can easily transfer it between floors to keep up your entire home clean. These models also feature extended life batteries that last for up 120 minutes, so they have enough juice to cover the large area floors that are found in bigger homes. The D7 and D6 also feature a wider coverage area than their smaller cousins and cleans a foot wider path with each pass, making it even more of an efficient cleaning option for larger homes. Both these models also include a side brush so they can keep all the nooks and crannies of your home clean and dust free.

Best For Smaller Homes

Winner: Neato D4 (Best Value)

If you live in an apartment or a single-floor home you may not need to spend extra for some of the more advanced features found on the higher priced options. The Neato D4 is more than enough vacuum for users with smaller homes. You still get a lot of Neato’s most useful features, like No-Go Virtual Barrier support and multiple cleaning modes. Of course it has the signature D-Shape Body that you find on all Neato Botvac’s and has extensive connectivity options. including an app for iOS and Android. With the lowest price tag in the lineup, this model is great for anyone with an apartment or small home, a simple floor layout, or a tighter spending limit. Overall, it’s a great value and has a ton of features that you might not even find on higher priced models from competitors.

For Larger Homes and/or Allergies

Winner: Neato D6 Connected

If you’re looking for the best balance between functionality in price, or if you have a larger home or allergies but are looking to cover those needs in the most economical way possible, the Neato D6 Connected is probably just the right thing for you. This vacuum can support larger homes with the same extended battery found on the D7, with a life of up to 120-minutes it’s perfect for homes with a larger floor area. The D6 Connected also has you covered with support for multiple floor plans, another feature that makes life easier for users with larger homes by allowing you to switch the vacuum between floors with no fuss. If your an allergy sufferer on a budget you don’t have to break the bank to spring for the D7, the Ultra-Performance Allergen Filter comes with the D6 as well. If you are just looking to cover the needs of having a large home or indoor allergies but you think you need all the extra bells and whistles that come with the D7 you should take a good look at the D6 Connected, it may be just the robot vacuum you are looking for.