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- First reviewDecember 5, 2015
- Last reviewDecember 5, 2015
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Ambress's Reviews
Neato Robotics Botvac D80 Robotic Vacuum: Take care of your home while barely lifting a finger using this robotic vacuum. Simply schedule the daily cleanings or push a button for thorough cleaning. The filter removes particles as small as 0.3 microns to effectively remove mold and pet dander.
Customer Rating
5
Surprised and Impressed - And so convenient!
on December 5, 2015
Posted by: Ambress
from Fort Worth, TX
This Neato D80 purchase was my first-ever of a robotic vacuum, deciding even at the high cost it would be a worthwhile investment to augment my not vacuuming as frequently as I should, particularly being owner of a dog that sheds a fair amount. I've only owned/used the vacuum for 12 days, so this review might be premature, but my initial observations are that I can already tell a difference in how fresh my house feels when I come home each night, with the vacuum scheduled for 3 cleanings per week. The cleaning takes 2 charges for the vacuum to cover the house, which is about 2000 sq. ft, and has 1 of 4 bedrooms closed (too much clutter at the moment). With the dust bin pretty much full after the 1st cycle, I usually empty it and clean the filter quickly with my Dyson DC07 vacuum when I arrive home, and then the vacuum finishes the 2nd cycle. Thus far, even when I've moved the charging base around, the D80 finds it way home without a problem and I've yet to see it get stuck anywhere...also surprising!
I mention my Dyson vacuum specifically as a point of reference for any who may own one. I've read some reviews where people speak of the Neato D80 as noisy while others say it is quiet. I'm definiltely in the "quiet camp"...very pleased with how quiet this D80 is, although having never heard a Roomba for sake of comparison. But, if my Android phone Sound Meter app is anything close to accurate, my Dyson registers 80dB just freestanding with the phone about 2 feet away, while the Neato D80 registers 60dB, the latter value being what the app compares to "normal conversation at 3 feet". I already thought the Dyson seemed quiet in contrast to a prior Hoover WInd Tunnel vacuum I once owned, so something even quieter is terrific!
Not really a compliaint, because I understand the limitations of small vacuums like this, but my biggest wish would be for a dust bin large enough to accomodate full house cleaning. That said, perhaps I'll find it meets up with that wish once I have gone over the house well with the Dyson for a deeper clean. Recommended before using a robot vacuum, I deliberately didn't do that because I'm curious to see just how much dust/dirt/hair remains behind for the Dyson to vacuum up after the Neato has done its job a few times. Perhaps a good and thorough cleaning with the Dyson, will then find that the frequent scheduled vacuuming with the D80 leaves little enough behind that a full-house run can be completed with only a single emptying of the dust bin required, thus I could schedule the D80 to run earlier while away and be done before I'm home after work. If it reduces me to only needing to "Dyson" my house on a monthly basis, that would be super.
I bought the Neato after being very undecided between the D80 and Roomba 880, but really liking the concept of a more methodical cleaning path than the haphazard one of the Roomba. However, I really liked the Roomba's advertised dirt/dust sensors for giving extra attention to cleaning where needed. I don't doubt that the Roomba has a better support network, being a long-established brand, but I opted for the 4-year Geek Squad coverage for a little peace of mind in that regard. I actually anticipated buying the Roomba 880 but in spite of the store I visited being shown online has having it in stock, that wasn't the case. So, the D80 being available and knowing I could easily return either vacuum if I didn't like it, I chose to save $100 and go with the D80. At the moment, I think I'm going to be very happy with that decision, but have the advantage of an extended holiday return period to still take it back if I change my mind for any reason.
I've been happy to see that I don't really need the magnetic boundary marker to restrict where the D80 goes. Thus far, I've only used it when truly wanting to keep the D80 to one room, such as when first evaluating it. Thinking this to be adhesive magnetic tape, I was happy to find it is simply a magnetic strip that is cut, placed, and moved as necessary, so nothing unsightly to leave out if that's not desired. But, one could leave it in place if desired, without it being too much of an eyesore if neatly trimmed to fit and then stuck in place with double-sided tape or other adhesive. Probably a bit too pricey to use in that manner though. I conveniently put it away by just sticking it to the side of my refrigerator where it's not seen but is readily convenient for use. Review of how well mag. strip work are mixed, relative to whehter you cut a strip to fully span a gap being closed off, or go with a shorter length. My observations are that is is prone to being pushed away from the area enough when the D80 comes to run along it, such that it could open up the area enough for the D80 to make an undesired entry/exit. Better to position the mag. strip so each end is braced a little against something if the strip is short enough to not have much weight. Overall, a minor issue and again, one I've not been concerned with given a general lack of need to use it.
I was a little concerned about a need to block off my dog's food & water dishes with the magnetic strip, but a far cheaper and easier solution was an inexpensive $4 platic utility tray I found at Walmart that is large enough to accomodate 3 dishes, and stands high enough that the D80 chooses to ignore it. I wasn't sure if that was going to be the case after seeing the D80 roll up on a heavy rubber mat and then again atop a dog frisbee on that mat. Humorous to watch, it did seem to get stuck but finally freed itself. I thought the same might happen with the tray but it didn't, thankfully. So, a very easy and effective solution, doubly good because the tray also collects scattered dog food or water splashes.
Of the impression that even the higher-end Roombas might still need to be repositioned to fully clean a house, the laser-mapping feature of the Neato suggested it might well be able to navigate my house without troubles, and so far, so good. It's super-convenient not having to worry with the Neato magnetic strips or the lighthouse/virtual wall of the Roombas. The first time I watched the D80 doing a full-house clean, I wondered if it really would cover the house properly after seeing it turn out of a room before finishing, and again after entering another room. But, sure enough, it did seem to seek out boundaries first, and then return to each area and clean them with what I'll call its "straight path" method. Lastly, yes, where the Roomba is said not to do this, the Neato does indeed return to resume vacuuming where it left off at before returning home to charge.
I'm not sure how effective the spinning side brush is, but that would also apply in a review of the Roomba, as both the Neato and Roomba brushes seem relatively lightweight, such that they primarily will just whisk lightweight balls or clumps of dust, hair, etc. from along baseboards and such. I think a slightly stiffer brush would be more effective, but that's only a guess. So, regardless of how effective the brush is, the Neato's square front design does truly seem to offer a more effective approach to cleaning than the Roomba, not to mention allowing for a wider roller brush to be used.
I'm the type of person who does pretty thoroughly scrutinize a product before buying it and am happy to report that for this initial period of observation, I really don't find anything negative to report with regard to the D80. Lower-cost filters...OK, that would be nice, but regardless, great job Neato!
My Best Buy number: 0053063403
I would recommend this to a friend!
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