The Neato Botvac D3 Connected offers Wi-Fi connectivity. The robot vacuum can be controlled with a smartphone and the Neato app. It seems like it is also compatible with Alexa voice control. However, the D3 Connected lacks a side brush and ships with a standard filter.
Botvac D3 Connected: Overview
The Botvac D3 Connected is a self-charging robot. It returns to its charging dock when its lithium-ion battery is running low on power. It resumes cleaning after its battery has recharged.
The Botvac D3 Connected can navigate and clean multiple rooms and different floor types. It might cover up to 1800 square feet in multiple cleaning runs.
You can set up and use a Wi-Fi network and the Neato app on your smart device to control the robotic vacuum, to create a cleaning schedule and to receive notifications. The app is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Botvac D3 Connected vs. D5
The biggest contrast is the sales price. The Botvac D3 Connected has a list price that makes it one of the most affordable Wi-Fi enabled robotic vacuum cleaners on the market. The D5 Connected is more expensive (read my review).
The D3 does not have a side brush for sweeping corners and wall edges. You cannot upgrade it with a side brush attachment. However, the D5 has a side brush.
Another dissimilarity to mention concerns the dust bin filter. The Botvac D3 Connected is shipped with a standard air filter, which is pretty basic when it comes to air filtration. The standard air filter is a disadvantage in our opinion. Nevertheless, you can buy a pack of Neato ultra performance filters after a few months and replace the standard filters. The D5 Connected already has an ultra performance filter installed.
The Botvac D5 Connected has an advanced spot cleaning function. It also has a few more functions and statistics available on the smartphone app.
The Botvac Connected series of robots uses Wi-Fi connectivity and a smart device app for advanced scheduling. They do not have remote control units with batteries.
Botvac D3 Connected vs. D80
First, the Botvac D80 has a side brush. Second, it uses a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, which is cheaper than the lithium-ion battery used by the D3. However, the lithium-ion battery lasts longer and is stronger. Third, the D80 has a high-performance filter. Finally, the Neato Botvac D80 is slightly more expensive.
Wi-Fi Connection
Start the process by unboxing and setting up the vacuum cleaning robot so that it charges its battery. You need your smartphone or tablet, a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, name and password to connect the robot.
Download the Neato app and create a Neato account. Open the email that is sent and verify your email address. You may then follow the steps that the Neato app tells you to take in order to connect the robotic vacuum. Keep an eye on the information LED, which shows you the status of the current connection (solid blue color indicates a successful connection).
You should check the product setup guide or the owner’s manual for more details or to troubleshoot connection problems.
Conclusion
The Neato Botvac D3 Connected uses smart laser navigation to clean multiple rooms in the house. It cleans both hard floors and carpets. It self-recharges when low on battery power and resumes cleaning until it is satisfied.
A possible downside is that a Neato standard filter is installed. It would have been nice to get a Neato ultra performance filter in the robotic vacuum cleaner. The standard filter is not very good, so upgrade to better filters when you discard the used standard filter after a month or two.
A longer-lasting battery would also have been nice (the D5 has a stronger battery). It could then spend less time recharging and resuming in order to clean all the floors of a house.
The Botvac D3 Connected offers Wi-Fi connectivity and app control at an affordable price. You cannot buy a Wi-Fi enabled Roomba 960 at the same price point. Even so, it would have been nice to have access to all the Neato app functions and statistics that are only available for the slightly more expensive Botvac D5 Connected. Some owners feel that the full app should have been made available.
Bottom line: the Botvac D3 Connected is an affordable robotic vacuum cleaner with Wi-Fi connectivity, a smartphone app and Alexa voice control (view more details on Amazon).