The Neato Botvac Connected lives up to its name of being connected: it is Wi-Fi enabled and can communicate with the Neato app on your iOS or Android device. Use the app to start and pause the robotic vacuum, to set up a cleaning schedule, to manually control its cleaning path and to receive notifications.
Neato Botvac Connected: Overview
Neato robotic vacuum cleaners use the Lasersmart navigation system, which is less random. It cleans each room in a methodical pattern. It detects and avoids furniture and drop-offs.
The Botvac Connected has two cleaning modes: Turbo and Eco. It is in Turbo mode by default for full power vacuuming. The robotic vacuum uses less power and is quieter when in Eco mode. It docks and recharges its own battery, and then resumes cleaning.
The select button is used for accessing the main menu on the LCD screen. Select the schedule function to schedule up to one cleaning cycle for each day of the week.
The Neato Botvac Connected now also works with Alexa if you combine it with an Alexa device.
What is included?
- Side brush
- combo brush
- spiral blade brush
- integrated charge base
- power cord
- ultra performance filter
- boundary markers
- cleaning tool (for brushes and filters)
What is a combo brush?
The Neato Botvac Connected is fitted with a combo brush, which is great for picking up pet hair from all floor types. It can be used in homes which has different types of flooring. It can be removed, cleaned or replaced with the included spiral blade brush. The spiral blade brush is best for removing dirt and debris from all floor types, especially carpets.
What is the purpose of the side brush?
The side brush cleans the corners of rooms and the edges of walls. The D-shape of the Neato Botvac Connected helps it to get into the right angle of the corner for better cleaning.
What is an ultra-performance filter?
It seems like it is Neato’s best filter, which captures very small, 0.3-micron particles and removes it from the vacuumed air. This reduces the particles in the house which might cause allergies.
What are boundary markers?
The Neato Botvac and Neato XV series robot vacuums do not use virtual walls. They use magnetic strips which act as boundary markers for the vacuum cleaning robot. Each boundary marker strip is 13 feet long.
You can cut the magnetic strip into different lengths and place it on the floor where the Neato Botvac Connected should not clean. For example, cut a magnetic strip and place it in a doorway to keep the robot out of a specific room. Cut a few strips and arrange it on the floor around your pet’s water and food bowls to keep the robot vacuum from spilling it.
Where to get the Neato app?
You can download it from the App Store or from Google Play. It works on smartphones and tablets with either the iOS or Android operating systems.
Can it vacuum without Wi-Fi?
The Neato Botvac Connected can clean without being connected to a Wi-Fi network, but then you will not be able to use your smartphone to control it. Nonetheless, it has a control panel with these buttons: SELECT, UP, DOWN, BACK. It also has a CLEAN SPOT button and a CLEAN HOUSE button.
Still, there is no reason to buy the Botvac Connected if you are never going to use the Wi-Fi connection and app. You should rather save money and get a cheaper Neato robot vacuum that is not Wi-Fi enabled, such as the Botvac D80.
Botvac Connected vs. D80
Foremost, the Botvac D80 is not Wi-Fi enabled and cannot be controlled with the Neato app. It also has a high performance filter and a NiMh battery.
The Botvac Connected is Wi-Fi enabled, it has an ultra performance filter and a lithium-ion battery. The Li-ion battery gives it a longer run time between recharging its battery.
Botvac Connected vs. D3
There are a few differences to mention. The first is that the Botvac D3 Connected (read my review) does not have a side brush or a spiral blade brush. The second difference is that it has a standard filter. The third difference is that it has a standard lithium-ion battery with a run time of around 60 minutes.
The Botvac Connected has a high capacity lithium-ion battery with a run time of up to 120 minutes. It also has a side brush and includes a spiral blade brush. The vacuumed air is cleaned by an ultra performance filter, which removes the most common household allergens.
The D3 Connected is the more affordable Wi-Fi enabled robotic vacuum cleaner with a price of about $400.
Botvac Connected vs. Roomba 980
These two robots are direct competition for each other because of their Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone apps. They share quite a lot of features. The main distinctions are the tangle-free rubber extractors, slightly lower height and virtual wall support of the Roomba 980.
Conclusion
The Neato Botvac Connected seems like a good robotic vacuum cleaner with Wi-Fi, smartphone app and Alexa voice control capabilities. You might get it if you want to use the Neato app to control it remotely and to receive notifications (buy on Amazon).