Neato Botvac D7 Connected: A powerful, smart, and reliable robot vacuum cleaner
This review focuses on one of the most functional models on the robotics market – the American-made Neato Botvac D7 Connected robotic vacuum cleaner. The device has just one button on the body to activate it; all other controls are handled entirely through the Neato app for smartphones. Using the app, you can set virtual cleaning boundaries, customize the desired mode, set a schedule, and manually control the robot's movements. A powerful drive on the drive wheels ensures smooth maneuvering on carpets and over thresholds, while unique laser scanning and room mapping technology allows the robotic vacuum cleaner to navigate with pinpoint accuracy, improving cleaning quality and reducing cleaning time. The model's specifications and features are discussed below.
Equipment
Botvac D7 Connected package includes:
- Robot vacuum cleaner.
- Charging base.
- Two network cables (with a Euro plug and a UK plug).
- Adapter from MicroUSB to USB type A socket.
- Magnetic tape.
- Ultra-Performance Filter (1 main + 2 spares).
- Brush for cleaning the device.
- Instructions.
Neato Equipment
The remote control is not included with the robot vacuum cleaner.
Appearance
The Botvac D7 Connected robot vacuum cleaner's appearance differs from most devices on the market. However, this design is quite typical of the manufacturer Neato. The D-shaped body provides improved maneuverability and the ability to clean corners more effectively. The body is finished with metal inserts that increase strength and damage resistance, as well as reduce noise and vibration during operation.
Viewing the robot vacuum from above, we notice a minimalist front panel: it houses the LCD display, start button, and status indicators, while the protruding lidar tower is located at the top. Under the top cover is a 700-milliliter dust bin equipped with a modern Ultra-Performance cleaning filter.
Top view
The Neato Botvac D7 Connected traditionally has a soft protective bumper on the side and obstacle avoidance sensors.
Front view
On the bottom of the robot there are two pairs of wheels (a pair of drive wheels and a pair of small roller wheels), a charging port, fall sensors, one side brush and a central turbo brush.
Bottom view
Technical specifications
We have summarized all the main characteristics of the Neato Botvac D7 Connected in the table:
| Type of cleaning | Dry |
| Battery | Li-Ion 14.4 V, 4200 mAh |
| Opening hours | Up to 130 minutes |
| Charging time | 150-180 minutes |
| Cleaning area | up to 465 m2 |
| Height of obstacles to be overcome | Up to 15 mm |
| Dust container type | Bagless (cyclone filter) |
| Dust collector capacity | 700 ml |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 335x321x100 mm |
| Weight | 3.35 kg |
| Noise level | Eco mode up to 59 dB; turbo mode up to 63 dB |
Functional capabilities
Without a doubt, the main distinguishing feature of the Neato Botvac D7 Connected is its improved navigation system, based on a laser rangefinder. As the robot moves, it scans the room, identifying the dirtiest areas along its path. After analyzing the area, the device creates a personalized room map, My Floor Plan, which can be adjusted by the user via the app.
Navigation
You can also use the app to set cleaning boundaries for the robot vacuum and mark areas it shouldn't go. A magnetic strip is included for this purpose.
Application
In addition, the robot uses LaserSmartTM technology, which connects the robot vacuum cleaner to the map with minimal error and is capable of guiding it through different rooms.
The Neato Botvac D7 Connected robot vacuum cleaner works on various flooring types (linoleum, laminate, parquet, ceramic, tile, carpet, and rugs) and can adapt automatically. A side brush is used for more thorough cleaning of corners.
Garbage collection
It's important to note that the Neato Botvac D7 Connected is not suitable for vacuuming liquids from floors and is particularly sensitive to moisture. Therefore, to avoid malfunctions, it is not recommended to use the robot vacuum in rooms with high humidity.
The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a powerful motor with high suction power. In this regard, the Neato Botvac D7 Connected has few competitors. In addition to the automatic mode, users have access to Turbo and Eco modes.
Additional features include interaction with smart watches and voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, FTTT, Apple Watch, Google Home).
Operating instructions
The Neato Botvac D7 Connected user manual is available in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. This manual provides useful information about the robot vacuum's design, cleaning performance, features, and operating and maintenance recommendations.
You can download the general operating instructions by following the link: Neato Botvac instructions.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- Stylish appearance, D-shaped body.
- Quality of execution and assembly.
- Excellent equipment.
- High battery capacity.
- Large cleaning area.
- Highest suction power rating.
- Laser navigation and cartography.
- Capacious dust collector.
- Different operating modes.
- Cleaning schedule.
- Control from a smartphone.
- Limitation of cleaning zones.
- Working with voice assistants.
Cons:
- High price.
- One side brush.
- The application and menu are not Russified.
In conclusion, we'd like to point out that this robot vacuum cleaner is well worth its hefty price tag (around $470 in 2019). Therefore, if you can afford the Neato Botvac D7 Connected, you won't regret it. In our opinion, it's one of the best robot vacuums for dry cleaning.
Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the model, as well as a cleaning test:
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