Neato Botvac D3 Connected Laser Guided Robot Vacuum

Neato Botvac D3 Connected is a mid-range robot vacuum cleaner that features advanced laser guided navigation and may be controlled via smartphone, smartwatch, Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Neato Botvac D3 Connected is suitable for small to medium size homes and apartments - it support task scheduling, can be used for cleaning both bare floors and carpeted areas, it features large dirt bin, wide cleaning path, advanced navigation system that also ensures Recharge&Resume feature, cleaning maps and history etc.

Published: September 3, 2019.

Neato Botvac D3 Connected Features and Specifications

When compared with other robot vacuums, Neato Botvac feature 'D' shape, instead of round shape.

This allows them to access and clean edges and corners more easily, although it can makes maneuvering in tight areas harder.

Also, 'D' shape helps the Botvac D3 to have extra wide main brushroll - Neato Botvac D3 Connected comes with 11 inches (~28 cm) wide brushroll/cleaning path.

Such wide cleaning path is combined with the advanced LDS navigation system, helping the robot vacuum to clean larger area faster and more efficiently.

LDS navigation system creates accurate map of the home/apartment and help locate and automatically dock with the charging/docking station.

When positioning charging base, in order to help the unit locate and dock with the charging base, it is recommended to leave 3 feet (~1m) of free space around the charging base.

Neato Botvac D3 Connected comes with Extra Care Navigation feature - unit navigates slowly with extra care around the furniture, walls, stairs and other objects and obstacles found at home.

Thanks to its low height, Neato Botvac D3 is able to reach and clean under common objects and obstacles like tables, chairs, and even some beds and sofas.

No-Go Lines are virtual lines that user can draw on the smartdevice and they represent virtual lines that the unit will not cross during the cleaning. Also, Neato Botvac D3 Connected support the use of magnetic strips, but they are not included - since virtual No-Go Lines do their job well.

Since unit doesn't use random motion while vacuuming, LDS navigation also makes possible 'Recharge and Resume' feature - if the battery is discharged before the cleaning task is complete, unit finds the charging station, recharge the battery and continues with the cleaning task where it was stopped due to the low battery event.

Note: one of the very interesting features of the Neato Botvac D3 Connected is that it will charge the battery only as much as needed to complete the cleaning task, speeding up the cleaning itself. If required, Neato Botvac D3 Connected support up to 2 'Recharge and Resume' events during single cleaning task. Since it is connected to the world with WiFi, with new algorithm updates, maybe will this '2 Recharge&Resume' per single cleaning task limit increase over time.

Maximum operating time on a single battery charge is 60 minutes, and it takes approximately 100 minutes to fully charge the battery.

Neato Botvac D3 Connected doesn't feature side brush, which may be helpfull when cleaning edges - side brush comes with Neato D5, D6 and D7 models.

Neato Botvac D3 Connected comes with two suction modes: Eco and Turbo. Eco suction mode is used for everyday cleaning, while Turbo mode is used for vacuuming stubborn dirt and piles of pet and human hair and other dirt.

Of course, Turbo mode drains the battery faster, but it also significantly increase the unit's suction.

Main cleaning brush is so-called 'Combo Brush' and it does very fine job on both bare floors and carpeted areas.

Unit's physical dimensions are 12.6 x 13.2 x 3.9 inches and it weighs 7.37 pounds (~3.34 kg). Maximum obstacle climbing height is 0.75 inches (19 mm), helping the Neato Botvac D3 to clean various surfaces and to transition easily from bare floors to the carpets and back.

To help the unit navigate complex and everchanging environment, Neato Botvac D3 Connected comes with other sensors as well, not just LDS navigation laser.

Cliff sensors, for example, help the unit avoid falling off the cliffs, or in most cases, stairs. Cliff sensors do their job well with few rare (if any) 'false positives' on the dark/black carpets.

Note: Although Neato Botvac D3 Connected is relatively simple to use and maintain robot vacuum cleaner, when it arrives, be sure to read the manual and to connect your new robot vacuum to Neato Home App.

Thanks to its shape, Neato Botvac D3 Connected comes with relatively large dirt cup of 700 ml. Dirt cup can be quickly emptied, but it must be done manually.

Air filter that comes by default with Neato Botvac D3 Connected is standard air filter. However, Neato also manufactures high-efficiency air filter that fits Neato Botvac D3 Connected vacuum and is able to filter out rather small particles, down to 0.3 microns in size.

But, that filter must be ordered separately.

Note: when ordering spare parts like air filter, main brush and similar, be sure to get spare parts for your exact model and to get OEM spare parts - there is nothing more expensive than cheap spare parts :)

Neato Botvac D3 Connected is WiFi enabled unit and the main way of setting and controlling the unit is using Neato Home App.

Neato Botvac D3 Connected support the use of smartphones, Apple Watch, Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Neato Home App enables the features like Coverage Map, Cleaning History, No-Go Lines, push notifications, Spot Cleaning, House Cleaning, scheduling and similar.

It is also possible to connect several smart devices and use them all to control and monitor single Neato Botvac D3 Connected robot vacuum cleaner.

Note: Neato App is not required - unit can be used and controlled via control buttons on the top of the unit. For example:

- single press on the Start Button starts House Cleaning,

- two presses on the Start Button starts Spot Cleaning, etc.

But, since Neato Botvac D3 doesn't feature IR remote control, and because there are features that are available only via Neato Home App (scheduling, push notifications, cleaning map etc.) Neato App is highly recommended.

 Neato Botvac D3 Connected Maintenance

There are several typical maintenance tasks that user has to do periodically in order to keep the unit functioning properly.

Dirt Bin should be emptied after each cleaning task - it is relatively large dirt bin (700 ml), but it can be filled quickly in homes with pets, for example.

Air filter can be quickly cleaned using cleaning tool comb whenever the dirt bin is cleaned. Depending on the use and amount and type of the dirt, air filter should be replaced every 1-2 months.

Main cleaner brush should be cleaned periodically from tangled pet and human hair and similar debris. Also, when it wears out, replace it with the new one.

Cliff sensors and rest of the unit can be cleaned using dry cloth, etc.

Exact maintenance procedures are given in the manual in the greater detail, so be sure to read it thoroughly.

Neato Botvac D3 vs D4 vs D5 vs D6 vs D7 Connected Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Neato Robotics manufactures several Neato Botvac units that differ in the list of available features and of course, price:

Neato Botvac D3 comes the shortest operating time on the single battery charge, but thanks to the Resume & Recharge feature (available twice during one single cleaning task) it can clean much larger area, making it suitable even for medium size homes and apartments.

Also, it doesn't come with the side brush and doesn't support the multiple floor plans, and it is not delivered with magnetic boundary strips.

These and few more features are available in newer and more expensive Neato Botvac models.

Note: from time to time, some of the models can be found on sale and can be cheaper than previous models with less features and shorter operating time.

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Long Story Short: Neato Botvac D3 Connected and other similar robot vacuums can't replace main home vacuums, but they can help in keeping homes cleaner and safer.

Also, they are not set and forget units, and must be regularly maintained in order to operate properly.

With its WiFi connectivity and Neato App, Neato Botvac D3 Connected can send push notifications to the users and can be easily set and controlled.

If you are looking for a robot vacuum with such features, consider Neato Botvac D3 Connected as you next vacuum.

For more reviews and recommendations, check Neato Botvac D3 Connected Amazon link (link opens in the new window).