Name: Neato D8 Robot Vacuum
Brand: Neato Robotics

Neato D8 Robot Vacuum

The Neato D8 Robot Vacuum is a high-performing, feature-rich device that stands out in the crowded market of robot vacuums. With its unique D-shaped design, advanced mapping capabilities, and impressive battery life, it offers a comprehensive cleaning solution for any home. This review will delve into the various aspects of the Neato D8, providing an in-depth look at its design, performance, and overall value.

Product Brand: Neato Robotics

Editor's Rating:
4

Pros

Unique D-shaped Design: The Neato D8's unique D-shaped design allows it to clean corners and edges more effectively than round robot vacuums.
Performance on Different Surfaces: The vacuum performs exceptionally well on various surfaces, including hardwood, tiles, and carpets, picking up everything from fine dust to larger debris.
Long Battery Life: With a battery life of up to 100 minutes, the Neato D8 can clean large areas without needing to recharge.
Advanced Mapping and Navigation: The vacuum uses LaserSmart technology to map your home and clean in straight lines, ensuring that no spots are missed.
User-Friendly Experience: The Neato D8 can be easily controlled via the Neato app, which provides cleaning history and detailed coverage maps. It's also compatible with smart home systems for voice control.

Cons

Struggles with Fine Debris on Carpets: While the Neato D8 performs well on carpets overall, it can struggle with finer debris like baking soda.
Can Get Stuck on Throw Rugs: The vacuum has been reported to get stuck on throw rugs, which could be a potential issue for some users.
Slow Mapping: Some users have reported that the vacuum can be slow to learn the layout of a space, and the map accuracy could be improved.
No Self-Emptying Feature: Unlike some other robot vacuums, the Neato D8 does not have a self-emptying feature, so you'll need to manually empty the dustbin.
Price: The Neato D8 is on the higher end of the price spectrum for robot vacuums, which might not be within everyone's budget.

The Neato D8 Robot Vacuum has carved a niche for itself with its unique features and superior performance. This sleek and modern device, with its distinctive D-shaped design, is more than just a pretty face. It’s packed with advanced technologies that allow it to navigate your home with precision, clean various surfaces effectively, and operate for extended periods on a single charge.

But how does it fare in real-world use? Is it worth the investment? In this review, we will explore the design and build of the Neato D8, its performance on different surfaces, battery performance, mapping and navigation capabilities, user experience, and its overall value. By the end of this review, I hope you’ll have a better understanding of whether the Neato D8 is the right robot vacuum for your cleaning needs.

If you would like to see more Robot Vacuum choices, check out our Top 10 Robot Vacuum Buying Guide.

Design and Build

The Neato D8 is a robot vacuum that stands out due to its unique D-shaped design. This design allows it to clean corners and edges more effectively than round robot vacuums. It’s a compact device, with dimensions of 12.71 in x 13.22 in x 3.99 in (D x W x H) and a weight of 8 pounds.

The vacuum is built with a sturdy plastic body that can withstand bumps and collisions. It also features a large dustbin, which reduces the frequency of emptying it. The top of the vacuum houses a large start button and a small LED that displays the cleaning status and any error indication.

Performance on Different Surfaces

The Neato D8 Robot Vacuum is designed to handle a variety of surfaces, making it a versatile addition to any household. Its performance on different surfaces is a testament to its advanced technology and thoughtful design.

On hard floors such as hardwood and tiles, the Neato D8 shines with its ability to pick up a wide range of debris. From fine dust particles to larger debris like crumbs and pet hair, the vacuum manages to capture it all, leaving the floor spotless. The large brush roll and the powerful suction work in tandem to ensure that dirt and dust have nowhere to hide. Even in corners and along edges, areas where some robot vacuums struggle, the Neato D8 performs admirably thanks to its unique D-shaped design.

Neato D8 Robot Vacuum Performance D Shape

When it comes to carpets, the Neato D8 continues to impress. Whether it’s low-pile or high-pile carpet, the vacuum transitions smoothly and maintains its cleaning performance. Larger debris like food particles and pet hair are easily picked up. However, it’s worth noting that the vacuum can struggle slightly with finer debris like baking soda on high-pile carpets. It might require an extra pass to fully clean such debris, but the overall performance is still commendable.

One of the standout features of the Neato D8 is its ability to handle transitions between different floor types. Whether it’s moving from a hard floor to a carpet or navigating over thresholds, the vacuum manages these transitions smoothly without any intervention required. This seamless navigation ensures that all areas of your home are cleaned effectively.

However, it’s important to note that while the Neato D8 is capable of climbing over obstacles like horizontal furniture legs, it can sometimes get stuck on throw rugs or other loose materials. Therefore, it’s recommended to clear the floor of such items before starting a cleaning session.

Battery Performance

The vacuum is equipped with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that allows it to operate for up to 100 minutes on a single charge. This long battery life is a significant advantage, especially for larger homes or areas with a high level of dirt and debris.

The Neato D8’s battery performance is optimized by its advanced mapping and navigation system. By planning the most efficient cleaning path, the vacuum can clean more area on a single charge, reducing the need for recharging during a cleaning session. This efficient use of battery power ensures that the vacuum can complete its cleaning tasks in a timely manner.

One of the standout features of the Neato D8’s battery performance is its quick boost charging feature. If the battery runs low during a cleaning session, the vacuum will automatically return to its docking station to recharge. But instead of waiting to fully recharge, the vacuum calculates the amount of power it needs to complete the job and charges accordingly. Once it has enough power, it resumes cleaning from where it left off. This feature ensures that the vacuum completes its cleaning tasks as quickly as possible, without unnecessary waiting for a full recharge.

However, it’s worth noting that the vacuum’s battery performance can vary depending on the cleaning mode and the type of surface. For instance, using the vacuum on high-power mode or cleaning high-pile carpets can drain the battery faster. But even in these situations, the Neato D8’s battery performance is still impressive compared to many other robot vacuums.

Mapping and Navigation

The Neato D8 Robot Vacuum is equipped with advanced mapping and navigation capabilities that set it apart from many other robot vacuums in the market. These features ensure that the vacuum cleans your home thoroughly and efficiently, covering all accessible areas and avoiding obstacles.

The Neato D8 uses LaserSmart technology, a sophisticated system that uses lasers to scan and map your home. This technology allows the vacuum to create detailed floor plans and determine the most efficient cleaning path. Unlike some robot vacuums that move randomly, the Neato D8 cleans in straight lines, ensuring that no spots are missed. This systematic cleaning pattern not only results in thorough cleaning but also saves time and battery life.

One of the standout features of the Neato D8’s mapping system is its ability to store multiple floor plans. This makes it an excellent choice for multi-story homes. Once the vacuum has mapped a level, it can remember the layout, allowing it to clean more efficiently in future sessions.

Through the Neato app, you can interact with the maps created by the vacuum. The app allows you to set no-go zones, areas where you don’t want the vacuum to enter. This is particularly useful for preventing the vacuum from disturbing pet bowls, delicate furniture, or rooms with loose cables on the floor.

While the mapping and navigation capabilities of the Neato D8 are impressive, they are not without their shortcomings. Some users have reported that the vacuum can be slow to learn the layout of a space, and there have been instances where the vacuum has gotten stuck or confused in complex environments. However, these issues tend to decrease over time as the vacuum learns more about its surroundings.

User Experience

The user experience is a critical aspect of any robot vacuum, and the Neato D8 excels in this regard. From setup to daily operation, the vacuum is designed to provide a seamless and convenient experience for the user.

Setting up the Neato D8 is straightforward. The vacuum comes with a user-friendly manual that guides you through the process, which involves charging the vacuum, connecting it to your Wi-Fi network, and downloading the Neato app. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is your main point of interaction with the vacuum.

Once the setup is complete, operating the Neato D8 is a breeze. The vacuum can be started, stopped, or scheduled for cleaning directly from the app. The scheduling feature is particularly useful, allowing you to set the vacuum to clean at specific times, even when you’re not at home. This means you can come home to a clean house every day without lifting a finger.

The Neato app also provides a wealth of information about the vacuum’s cleaning activities. It shows a cleaning history, including the duration of each cleaning session and the area cleaned. It also displays a detailed map of your home, showing the path the vacuum took and any areas it couldn’t access. This information can help you optimize the vacuum’s cleaning performance by adjusting its schedule or rearranging furniture to allow better access.

The Neato D8 is also compatible with smart home systems, adding another layer of convenience. It can be voice-controlled using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to start or stop the vacuum without even touching your phone.

Despite these positives, the user experience with the Neato D8 is not perfect. Some users have reported issues with the app, such as difficulty connecting to the vacuum or the app crashing. However, these issues seem to be relatively rare and are often resolved with app updates.

Value for Money

When considering the purchase of a robot vacuum, one of the key factors to consider is the value for money. The Neato D8, with its array of advanced features and high performance, offers significant value for its price point.

The Neato D8 is not the cheapest robot vacuum on the market, but it’s also far from the most expensive. It sits in the mid price range (due to ongoing discounts), so the features and performance it offers justify its cost.

Firstly, the vacuum’s unique D-shaped design and large brush roll allow it to clean more effectively than many cheaper round robot vacuums, particularly in corners and along edges. This design, coupled with the vacuum’s powerful suction, ensures a high level of cleaning performance on various surfaces.

Secondly, the Neato D8’s advanced mapping and navigation capabilities, powered by LaserSmart technology, are typically found in more expensive robot vacuums. These features ensure thorough and efficient cleaning and provide a level of customization that is not available in other robot vacuums at this price point.

The vacuum’s long battery life, which allows it to clean large areas on a single charge, is another feature that adds to its value. Many less expansive robot vacuums need to recharge more frequently, which can prolong the cleaning process.

Finally, the user-friendly Neato app and the vacuum’s compatibility with smart home systems add a level of convenience that enhances the overall value of the Neato D8. Being able to control and monitor the vacuum from your phone or through voice commands is a feature that many users find invaluable.

Overall, Neato has packed a lot of great features into this robot vacuum for an excellent price.

Conclusion

After a thorough examination of the Neato D8 Robot Vacuum, it’s clear that this device is more than just a standard robot vacuum. It’s a comprehensive cleaning solution that combines advanced technology, high performance, and user-friendly features to deliver a superior cleaning experience.

The Neato D8’s unique D-shaped design sets it apart from many other robot vacuums, allowing it to clean corners and edges more effectively. Its performance on various surfaces is impressive, handling everything from hard floors to high-pile carpets with ease. While it does struggle slightly with fine debris on carpets, its overall cleaning performance is commendable.

The vacuum’s advanced mapping and navigation capabilities, powered by LaserSmart technology, ensure thorough and efficient cleaning. The ability to store multiple floor plans and set no-go zones provides a level of customization that enhances the cleaning process. While there are minor issues with slow mapping and getting stuck on loose materials, these are outweighed by the benefits of the advanced mapping system.

The Neato D8’s long battery life allows it to clean large areas without needing to recharge, a feature that adds to its convenience. The user-friendly Neato app and the vacuum’s compatibility with smart home systems further enhance the user experience, making the vacuum easy to control and monitor.

In terms of value for money, the Neato D8 offers significant value. While it’s not the cheapest robot vacuum on the market, the features and performance it offers easily justify its price. It’s a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-performing, feature-rich robot vacuum without the premium price tag.

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