Neato may be overshadowed by some top brands in the vacuum cleaning industry but their premium quality robot vacuums are worth highlighting. With their current Botvac Connected Series, you won’t just dismiss the Neato models at first sight.
Botvac D6 features multi story mapping plus compatibility with voice assistants and costing only $ 699, it is among the most affordable vacuums with the same properties. But even a more advanced member of the Botvac Connected Series is D7 which utilizes zone cleaning technology. The additional feature increases the cost by about $ 100.
Below we look at the features of Neato D6 and D7 highlighting their similarities and differences. So before you make a quick purchase, go through this article that will greatly inform your decision-making.
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Specifications Chart
| Product | Home Mapping | Zone Cleaning | Battery Runtime | Wi-Fi | Control | Floor Type |
| Botvac D6 | Laser-guided Multistory | No | 120 minutes | 2.4 GHz | App, Alexa, Google Home | All Indoor floors |
| Botvac D7 | Laser-guided Multistory | Yes | 120 minutes | 5GHz | App, Alexa, Google Home, Manual | All indoor floors |
Neato Botvac D6
Design & Accessories
Similar to other vacuums in the Botvac Connected Series, D6 has a signature D-shape with a brushed finish. The design allows it to work effectively along the edges and in the corners.
For the accessories, the unit includes a 0.7-liter top-loading dustbin which can hold any debris. On the top are also laser navigation system turret holders, battery and connectivity indicator lights plus a start button.
Setup and Control
Using the Neato app for either iOS or Android, you can control the Boctav D6 through a mobile device after connecting the bot to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The app shows battery life, cleaning maps, account settings, scheduling, and many more.
Compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant makes controlling the bot even much easier. You can schedule vacuuming or check battery levels with a simple voice command.
D6 also works with IFTTT and Apple Watch.
Multistory Mapping
Multistory mapping is a rare feature in robot vacuums but Botcav D6 stands out with up to three different floor plan mapping.
You activate the home mapping function on the Neato app, by tapping the overflow button to reach the My Floor Plan tab. Thereafter, a prompt to remove any objects along the corridors and open all the doors on the floor to be mapped.
The robot vacuum will then begin an exploratory cleaning exercise which it uses to generate the floor plan. D6 can accommodate a total of three-floor maps while drawing No-Go boundary lines in areas you have not scheduled for cleaning.
Any disturbance during the exploratory clean prevents map creation and the process has to be restarted. For a multistory building, you have to physically move the bot between floors for it to map the area.
Performance
The Botcav D6 cleans in a methodical back-and-forth pattern using the latest laser navigation technology to escape tripping on cords. It handles various kinds of floor ranging from wood, vinyl, tile, and even carpets collecting all forms of debris such as hair, food particles, dust, and many more. Every time the bin fills, the bot sends a push notification to your phone as a reminder to empty it.
The D6 battery has a runtime of approximately 120 minutes on Eco mode and this can be recharged in 150 minutes to resume cleaning.
Pros
· Compatible with smart home appliances
· Battery run time of 120 minutes
· Multistory mapping
· No-Go boundaries
Cons
· Quite noisy when cleaning
· A small bin of 0.7 liters
Neato Botvac D7
As the improved version of D6, Botvac D7 is the most advanced and expensive robot vacuum by Neato. But is the price justified? We will find out shortly.
Design
The Botvac D7 features the signature D-shape just like any other Botvac Connected Series member. As a Wi-Fi smart robot vacuum, it comes with high-end features such as advanced navigation, scheduled cleaning, a runtime of 120 minutes, digital memory mapping as well as No-Go boundaries.
Brushes and Cleaning Performance
Fitted with a full-width combo brush roll, the bot cleans a wider path compared to the other Botvacs. The small side brush increases cleaning efficiency by sweeping the extra debris into the suction path.
It excellently cleans the edges and corners, thanks to its spinning brushes that remove and push debris into the vacuum front for suction. Underneath, the spiral brush loosens the particles for easy suction into the bin.
With a built-in top camera, the digital memory mapping prevents the vacuum from cleaning in random directions rather than in straight lines. No-Go lines feature also ensures the bot only cleans the required floor regions. Restriction can also be done manually.
Zone Cleaning
Exclusive to the D7, the zone cleaning feature allows you to focus on specific trouble spots and have the bot deep clean the area. Using the mobile app, you can determine the stain tough areas on your floor and mark them on your map for regular deep cleans.
Control
The mobile Neato app allows you to control the gadget straight from your Android or iOS device. Connected to the Wi-Fi, you can also integrate D7 with your smart home assistant allowing you to schedule and monitor cleaning using your voice. But you can still control your bot manually using the buttons at the top.
Pros
· Superior multi-floor plan mapping
· Multiple control options
· Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
· Battery run time of 120 minutes
Cons
· Quite expensive
· Inability to make tight turns due to design shape
What should you consider when choosing between Neato D6 and D7?
Are you torn between which Botvac model you should take for your home? The following considerations can help you decide.
Control
For a Botvac Connected with more diversified control options, the D7 wins as it can be operated from the app, using voice control or manually. D6 does not have a manual control option.
Cleaning performance
While both the D6 and D7 have superior general cleaning, the D7 has a better cleaning technology that includes the Zone Clean feature and a built-in camera for straight-line cleaning.
Price
As the most advanced model of the Botvac connected series, the D7 is more expensive than D6. But generally, the two are pricier than bots with similar features by other manufacturers.
Neato D6 and D7 FAQs
Does Botvac require a Wi-Fi connection?
For you to enjoy the advanced features of either the D6 and D7, you must connect the bot to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi connection is done via the mobile app that you can download from either the iOS app store or Google Play store. You then follow the stepwise procedure as per the manual.
How do you resolve Botvac D6 or D7 dirt bin errors?
If the robot vacuum sends a ‘Please put my dirt bin back’ notification, it implies either the bin is full or it can’t be detected due to dust blocking the filters. So depending on the circumstance, you need to empty the bin or clean the filters.
Conclusion
The D6 and D7 Botvacs are premium robot vacuums that utilize advanced technology to offer a high-end cleaning experience. The two have digital mapping, No-Go boundary features among many others. But the D7 still outshines the D6 model as it has Zone Clean feature, powerful 5GHz Wi-Fi Connection, and allows for manual control.