Best Neato Robotics Botvac D85 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:
Flagship model of the new range of Neato Robotics D Series, the BotVac D85 – not to be confused with the old high-end model BotVac 85 – is a robot vacuum cleaner launched at € 599. It incorporates the main assets that made the success of its predecessors and benefits from some improvements.
Presentation
Technological developments on robot vacuum cleaners are such that we had to review the rating of this model. The Neato D4 , D6 and D7 proved to be more efficient in the lab. In addition, they provide more functions from the application to which they are attached.
There is indeed a systematic navigation served by a laser rangefinder that maps the parts, a side brush inherited from the latest generation of BotVac and some similar accessories, including magnetic delimitation tags and always a D shape. Main novelty on this iron with a fairly low price – indeed, for comparison, iRobot launched its high-end Roomba 880at € 730 -, it sports a new design, a central brush with twisted rubber blades to improve the collection of waste on all types of soil and a revised suction system. Finally, Neato promises less noise and easier brush cleaning. Knowing that we had already greatly appreciated the previous models, these promises are very attractive – it remains to be seen whether they are kept.
Best Neato Robotics Botvac D85 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020
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5. Neato Robotics D7 Connected Bundle Laser Guided Robot Vacuum + Extra Charge Base, Works with Amazon Alexa
Convenience of use
We immediately note that the design has evolved. If the last BotVacs were more modern than the first generations, their white shell gave them a little “Fisher Price” look. Neato is evolving towards a more sober design, proudly displaying the name of the brand on a blue dot.
Even if it’s all a question of taste, there is an undeniable aesthetic gap between the XV-15. The first model we tested and this D85, which we leave more easily visible at home. The D-shape is kept, however, Neato ensuring that it is the best choice for optimizing the cleaning of the angles (diagram to support).
At the level of the commands of the device, we find the same functioning as on the Neato Robotics Botvac D85 : 2 main buttons very explicit to launch the automatic cleaning of the whole house (on the right) or a localized cleaning of an area (spot, at left). As for programming, it is done via a small screen and sensitive, responsive keys. The central key under the screen is used to validate an order, arrows to navigate in the menu up, down and to go back. The menu is always as clear and ergonomic. Setting the language, time and day by day programming has never been easier than on the Neatos. This is still the case on this D85.
Finally, we note that the device is delivered with a complete pack of accessories, including a new central brush. If in reality the combined brush (recommended for pet owners) is the same as that of the BotVac 85, it is the brush with rubber blades which is new.
Interview
The Neato Robotics Botvac D85 has a magnetic side brush, which can be removed very simply to get rid of hair that has slipped underneath.
Regarding the collector, it always displays the same capacity (0.7 l and it is quite large. To empty it, you must remove the filter – a small protrusion facilitates this manipulation.
Finally, Neato worked on the attachment system of the central brush to prevent the hairs and hair tangling on the sides at the level of the “branches” of attachment, now non-existent. The brush goes to the edge of its housing. It works well, but the phenomenon seems inevitable since there is always some waste at the edge of the brush; waste that does not interfere with operation.
It is expected that the central brush can be easily removed, by removing the grid which is simply clipped.
Finally, to facilitate the maintenance of the device, Neato delivers a small comb to clean the brushes and filters. It also has a small cutting recess to rid the central brushes of any hair that may have become tangled; the presence of this accessory is new.
Navigation system
The Neato Robotics Botvac D85 uses a laser rangefinder, like all other Neato models, which allows it to map the room in order to navigate systematically. It then cleans in a zigzag while bypassing obstacles. Thus, it passes only once in the same place, but promises coverage of the surface without forgetting.
In fact, he very precisely cleaned our entire apartment, as well as our test room. The precision with which he goes around each object and follows it closely is always as surprising. It had already pleasantly surprised us on previous models.
Even if he uses a laser rangefinder and even if he navigates systematically, we had the impression that this new model cut the parts into smaller areas and cleaned them with even more precision. More specifically, it navigates in large bands (zigzags) when the space is clear, but divides the space into zones when it is more complex – small zones which it covers each in small zigzag. The cleaning systematically begins (as on the old models) by the contour of the part.
He works piece by piece, without forgetting any (and even in the dark); the return to base is also done without hesitation. As soon as the cleaning is finished, the D85 stops the suction and crosses the different cleaned parts to find its charging base, without hesitation.
The result is astonishing in precision, both in the almost perfect coverage of the surface – wherever its size allows it to pass – and in the care given to the outline of objects.
Obstacle management
Obstacle management is also almost perfect. Like the latest models, the D85 is a little thinner (10 cm), which does not allow it to pass under our test coffee table, while other robots on the market do. On the other hand, it is able to pass under certain pieces of furniture, like our bookcase or our sofa.
It takes very little brushes and brushes in electric cables. Although it is always better to store them, as before the passage of any robot.
Finally, once again, we note the particular care with which he goes around objects, precisely.
Aspiration
Tested in situ, the combined brush indeed offers very good results on animal hair. We criticized the Neato Robotics Botvac D85 for blowing air from the rear, sometimes causing hairs to fly, which is no longer the case with the D85.
Not passing under our low test table, on fine carpet, the D85 manages to collect 96% of test materials (with the combined brush), most of the unharvested material being under the table – all in just 10 minutes for about 14 m²). If we remove the coffee table, this score goes up between 99% and 100%, regardless of the brush chosen.
On thick, long-pile carpet, the combination brush provided better results. In a very short time and without ever coming up against the carpet, the D85 harvested 87% of materials with the rubber paddle brush and up to 96% with the combined brush, knowing that it generates more noise. With such a result, nothing is visible to the naked eye, the test carpet looks perfectly flawless.
We reach impressive levels of efficiency, especially since the coverage of surfaces is very good.
Noise
Neato promises less noise. The D85 still does and should not be classified in the category of silent cameras. We measured from 65 dB to 68 dB with the combined brush depending on the type of soil, and a little more (from 66 dB to 69 dB) with the rubber flap brush. Better to program it to make it work in the absence of the inhabitants. If the noise seems a little less annoying at first, the measurements are no less important than on the Neato Robotics Botvac D85
Consumption
While many competitors have switched to the Li-ion battery, Neato remains faithful to the NiMH battery, which undoubtedly helps to maintain a reasonable price level.
We have measured a consumption of around 2 W once loaded (screen on). This consumption rises to 34 W while charging the battery. That’s about the consumption level of the Signature models . We have already seen lower consumption on some robots.
Additional modes and functions
Only two cleaning modes are available: automatic mode, represented by a house or spot mode for localized cleaning (of an area of 1.2 x 1.8 m). This is more than enough because, in most cases, even if the robots offer 5 or 6 modes, it is the automatic mode that is used.
This Neato, like the previous ones, also does without a remote control. In reality, it is undoubtedly a choice of the manufacturer linked to the fact. That it is enough to bend down once to program the robot and let it work; the only manipulations will consist in emptying the collector. No gadget like controlling the device from a remote control or a smartphone; Neato is not burdened with the superfluous. This did not bother us during recurring tests, but some users want it. We also note that Neato has not yet moved on to connectivity.
Programmable like all the others, the D85 can be very precisely programmed each day of the week at a different time. It is very comfortable since the settings are made very intuitively on the days chosen, at the times chosen.
Among the options, there are some additional settings, which are certainly not essential, but which improve comfort: for example, it is possible to deactivate the LEDs which light up the buttons when the robot is in standby, or else to deactivate the alert when the bin is full. They were already present on the BotVac 85, but do not exist on all robots; this deserves to be pointed out.
CONCLUSION
Too bad, the promise to make less noise is not kept and the Neato Robotics Botvac D85 remains a bit noisy. All the other promises are kept and we reach a level of efficiency and precision in the coverage of spaces that will make the main vacuum cleaner go out less often. Autonomous in a domestic environment and performing on all floors, the BotVac D85 has a lot of reasons to please.
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