Botvac Neato D7 vs Roomba i7+ Comparison
If you read our Roomba 980 vs. Botvac D7 Connected comparison review, you understand that Neato is a big deal.
Today we want to find out if it is better than iRobot’s new model regarding convenience as well as cleaning performance.
So without further ado, here’s the Botvac Connected D7 vs. Roomba 980 face to face comparison review.
To start, we will first review the two models to see the unique features it offers. At least that way, we will be all on the same page when we start comparing the features.
Table of Contents
1.Botvac D7 Connected Laser Guided Robot Vacuum
One of the most noteworthy features of the D7 Connected is the new 5GHz compatibility. If you have a house with dead spots, even with a mesh network system, probably 5GHz Wi-Fi would do the trick. As the name suggests, it supports Smartphone app operation and Alexa, among many other integrations.
Another cool feature this vacuum headlines with is the boundary marking technology called No-Go lines. You don’t need any extra devices like Virtual Walls nodes. Draw the border on the app, and that’s it.
Regarding cleaning performance, this is among the few vacuum cleaners that have seriously rivaled Roomba 980 as an all-round cleaner for bare floors, carpets and pet hair.
It features a 3rd generation two speed motor and a dual combo brushroll for versatile cleaning. The Turbo mode is particular here as it works in the same way as Carpet Boost; a feature that makes Roomba 980 stand out from all over there Roomba’s, including the new i7 series.
2.Roomba i7+ Empties on its own
To be honest, Roomba i7+ isn’t better than the Roomba 980 as far as cleaning performance is concerned. This is because it doesn’t have a Carpet Boost. That means it’s not the best vacuum for carpets, especially the high pile carpets. But still, there’s something about this robot vacuum cleaner, and that’s why it’s even expensive than Roomba 980. The Roomba i7 comes with two new features.
First, we have the i7+ series that comes with iRobot CleanBase technology. This is a revolutionary system that empties the bin automatically. While earlier Roombas and all other vacuum cleaners, in general, require daily attention of emptying the bin. This one will empty itself automatically and can last a whole month. But it’s imperative to note that the Roomba i7 doesn’t come with the CleanBase unit. If you want this feature, buy the Roomba i7+ only.
Another thing, the Roomba i7 series comes with iAdapt 3.0 which is an advanced system of the previous VSLAM technology. This time, iRobot included what is called Imprint Smart Mapping. This is a system that recognizes the rooms in your house. You can always tell the Roomba to concentrate on the dirty rooms like the kitchen only instead of cleaning the entire house.
Roomba i7+ vs. Botvac Connected D7 Comparison Review
Now, we come to the day’s main business. In this section, we have compared all the important aspect that you should be on the lookout for when buying a vacuum cleaner.
In each section, we will be discussing the essence of the feature or aspect, what each model offers and lastly, the winner.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
So, how does the Connected D7 compare to Roomba i7+?
Shape
There are two basic shapes robot vacuums come in; round and D-shape vacuums. Most of the robot vacuums are round, but we also have several other shapes.
Our two vacuums in this review happen to be round and D-shaped.
Roomba i7+
Roomba i7+ just like all other Roombas and most vacuums is round shaped. It’s not able to efficiently clean the walls, edges, and corners. But at least there is a side brush to sweep dirt along the wall edges.
Neato Connected D7
Neato Connected D7, on the other hand, is D-shaped like the Connected D3 and D5. The advantage of this is better cleaning in the deep corners and along wall edges. There’s also a side brush just like Roomba, so definitely here, Neato carries the day.
Weight and dimensions
To be honest, Neato and Roomba are not the best when it comes to the slimness of the vacuum.
But anyway, let’s see what each offers.
Roomba i7+
The Roomba i7+ is not any different from Neato, but at least it stands at 3.6-inches. It has a 13.4-inch diameter and weighs 7.45 lbs. This is excluding the CleanBase unit.
CLEANING PERFORMANCE
The most important factor when selecting a vacuum cleaner is obviously the performance. But then, the cleaning performance of robot vacuums is determined by an amalgam of factors: from the motor to the brushroll and filters, among others.
We are going to look at each factor separately. In this segment also, we will share the cleaning test results of the test vacuums to help you understand what the features translate to when it comes to the actual cleaning.
Priority
What are your cleaning needs? Will the vacuum cleaner that you are buying to handle all the specific needs you have? Robots are highly specialized to handle specific tasks. While they may all use the sweep and vacuum approach, the performance varies depending on the task. So, what is Botvac D7 and Roomba i7+ designed for?
Roomba i7+
Roomba i7+ is best for bare floors (tile, hardwood, vinyl), low-medium pile carpets, pet hair and allergens.
Unfortunately, on high pile carpets, it gets overwhelmed just like Roomba 890 and 960.
Neato Connected D7
When it comes to the Botvac D7 Connected, at least it is an all-around cleaner that has a dedicated mode for carpets (Turbo mode). This means it can handle all carpets including high pile carpets and shag. Bare floors, pet hair, and allergens are not a problem as well.
Motor performance
The suction power of vacuums is very fundamental. The motor is the component that is responsible for producing this vacuum power. A good robot cleaner should have a powerful, efficient and quiet motor.
So, is Roomba’s motor better than Neato’s?
Neato Connected D7
As for Neato, we have a 3rd Generation motor that runs on two speeds; Eco mode and Turbo mode. In Eco mode, it generates around 1,000 Pa, and when switched to Turbo mode, it hits 1500Pa. This is one feature that makes the Neato Connected D7 a worthy competitor of Roomba 980.
Brush system
But one important thing to note here is that hard floors require a soft brush and carpets require, at least a tougher brush. A good vacuum cleaner should have both brushrolls to handle the carpets and the bare floors.
Roomba i7+
Roomba i7+ comes with the dual multi-surface brush system. Basically, these are rubber extractors, and the advantage is that they are durable, and gentle on fragile floors like hardwood. Tangling shouldn’t be a concern even if you have dogs that shed long hairs. On the side, there is a sweeping brush for the wall edges.
Neato Connected D7
When it comes to Botvac D7 Connected, we also get an 11-inch spiral combo brush. It can handle fragile floors and carpet as well. One thing we didn’t like is that it’s tough and rigid when new. (Try it out on one corner of the carpet first). It also has a side-sweeping brush that complements the D-shape design for thorough wall edge cleaning.
Filtration system
If you keep pets and you have allergies, you understand that life can at times be unbearable. This is because of the pet-related allergens.
Even though pet hair is the primary carrier of Fel d1 protein, the biggest of allergens, skin flakes and dander are still a concern. Get a vacuum with true HEPA filters. These are 99.97% efficient meaning no allergens will be spared.
Roomba i7+
Roomba i7+ uses the AeroForce filtration system. It packs true HEPA filters which will ensure your house is free from allergens and also bad odor.
Neato Connected D7
Neato Robotics also uses HEPA filters which are 99% efficient. That makes it best for allergy sufferers, just like Roomba.
Bin capacity
Neato Connected D7
When it comes to the Roomba i7+, we have the exclusive self-emptying bin system. This means you can forget the worries of having to empty the bin. Under the Roomba i7+, we have a vent where the CleanBase hose attaches and empties the bin. The CleanBase can hold up to thirty bags; that’s a whole month’s dirt!
Please note, Roomba i7 doesn’t come with the CleanBase. Only the i7+ has this self-emptying capability.
Cleaning tests
Now, having compared all the crucial features, let’s now share with you the cleaning results of both vacuums.
Previously, we have tested Neato in the Roomba 980 vs. Botvac D7 Connected comparison review. It performed exceptionally well though Roomba 980 was slightly better on deep carpet pile.
So, did the new Roomba i7+ live up to the expectation? Let’s find out.
As usual, we used the common household dirt; Cheerios, sugar, flour, kitty litter, sawdust, hair and so on. Our tests were on a hardwood floor surface, low pile carpet and a high pile carpet.
Hardwood floors
Neato Connected D7
Botvac D7 Connected has two power modes and its the standard mode that;’s ideal for hardwood floors.
The performance was more or less the same as Roomba i7+ as they have the same power when Neato is in Eco mode.
All the dirt was sucked up in two to three passes.
Our rating for Botvac D7 Connected on the hardwood floor is 98% as well.
Low pile carpet
Neato Connected D7
Neato Botvac Connected D7 has better performance on carpets because of the Turbo mode. In this mode, the 1500Pa suction power flushed out all the dirt from inside the pile.
Flour and sugar posed some resistance, but on the second pass, nothing is left behind.
To be honest, the D7 Connected was dominant on the low pile and even the medium pile.
Our score here is 98%.
High-pile carpet
Neato Connected D7
On the other hand, the Connected D7 did an excellent job. It collected all the dirt in a buzz.
Slowly but surely, it picked up the large dirt particles and then zeroes in on the small sugar and flour particles.
Of course, all the flour wasn’t collected, but this is not even something you’d expect on a high pile carpet.
In our Roomba 980 vs. D7 Connected review, Roomba won the battle here because it has 1700Pa in Carpet Boost mode.
Our rating for Botvac Connected D7’s performance is 96%.
NAVIGATION & MANEUVERABILITY
There are several important factors to consider when discussing the navigation and maneuverability of robot vacuums.
Navigation technology
The fundamental factor when it comes to navigation is the native system.
We have two types of systems; SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) and VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping).
Right now, the advanced vacuum cleaners use the latter as it’s more accurate and efficient. SLAM is also efficient but not as accurate.
If you have high traffic rooms, then it’s critical that you get the best navigation system lest you end up buying a vacuum that gets stuck and hits obstacles now and then.
So, how do the two vacuums compare here?
Neato Connected D7
The Connected D7 comes with Neato’s LaserSmart navigation system which is a SLAM based technology. It uses sensors to find it’s position in relation to the walls.
In high traffic rooms, it’s not very accurate and will get stuck or hit obstacles frequently.
Roomba i7+
The Roomba i7+ is definitely the best here and is actually better than Roomba 980. It comes with iAdapt 3.0 which is an upgrade of the previous iAdapt 2.0. Besides the camera navigation, Roomba i7 and i7+ have the additional Imprint Smart Mapping. With this system, your Roomba identifies all the rooms in your house. You can tell it to clean the kitchen only, and it will do so.
Floor mapping
Many people ignore the floor mapping system when buying robot vacuum cleaners.
The floor mapping system will determine if the vacuum will reach every corner of your house and most importantly, it determines the time it takes to complete cleaning the entire house.
So if you have a large apartment, this is a really important aspect. That said, better floor mapping system than the new Roomba i7.
Roomba i7+
Here, Roomba i7 and i7+ carry the day as the floor mapping and scanning system is the Imprint Smart Mapping. It understands the floor better than just relying on smart mapping.
Neato Connected D7
For Neato, we still haven’t seen the company embrace VSLAM technology, so the scanning and mapping system is not comparable to Roomba’s floor mapping. That’s the reason it takes Neato longer to clean.
div class=”incld”>Also read: Roborock S5 vs Neato D7 Full Face to Face Comparison
