Neato Botvac D85 Review

Neato Botvac D85 Review - best robot vacuum for thick carpet

Before we start with this Neato Botvac D85 review, let me tell you about BABYMOP, which is something I found on Amazon. The BABYMOP is a romper for babies aged 8 to 12 months old. The idea is to dress your baby in it and turn him or her into a floor mop as he crawls across your floor. We say it’s an excellent way to clean floors with minimal effort, as well as a nice way to let babies work for their formula and their diapers!

If you are reading this Neato Botvac D85 review, that might mean you have older kids who will not fit into a BABYMOP. Or you just do not want to check on child labor laws in your area. And you are on the right track because if a cute baby in a BABYMOP is not an option, a robot vacuum is the next best thing you can get. Just think of the Neato Botvac D85 as a three-year-old that can also effectively clean your floors and save you the hassle of using your upright vacuum cleaner.

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The Neato Botvac D85 is one of the first D-shaped robot vacuums that the company launched in 2015. Compared with other robot vacuum models, the Botvac D85 stood out for a variety of reasons. Its unique shape, its black and white color combination, and its focus on pet hair are just some of them.

Let’s start this Neato Botvac D85 review with the robot’s design and features.

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Design

Measuring 12.7 by 13.2 by 3.0 inches, the Neato Botvac D85 has a flat side that allows it to get closer to walls. The shape gives this robot an advantage over the round vacuums of its rivals. Not only does its D shape enable it to sidle up to walls and edges, but it also allows it to accommodate a wider brush. The Botvac D85 robot vacuum uses a 50 percent broader brush compared to the ones used in round robots. It also has a low profile that enables it to go under furniture.

Features and specifications

It would not be a Neato Botvac D85 review without delving into the robot vacuum’s features and specs. What can you expect from the Botvac D85?

Cleaning system

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The Neato Botvac D85 uses either a spiral blade brush or a combo brush. The spiral blade brush gives your floors a thorough cleaning. It is also less prone to getting tangles because it does not have bristles. Meanwhile, the combo brush has both brush bristles and blade brushes. This combination allows the robot vacuum to sweep and pick up pet hair more efficiently.

This robot vacuum also uses a side brush that extends its cleaning path and reaches into corners. The main and side brushes can sweep, loosen, and agitate dirt and dust, while the powerful vacuum sends all that into the dustbin. The Neato Botvac D85 also uses a high-performance filter that traps the collected dust inside the trash receptacle.

LaserSmart navigation

Almost every Neato Botvac D85 review mentions the LaserSmart navigation technology. The Botvac D85 robot vacuum uses lasers to scan your floors and create a map of your rooms. It will then use this virtual map to find its way around.

The technology helps the robot vacuum follow a precise cleaning path. Other robot vacuums rely only on sensors to navigate. These robots tend to move randomly or bump their way around. They travel in a straight line until they encounter something in their path, so they retreat in another direction.

With laser mapping, the Neato Botvac D85 starts cleaning the edges first and then moves on to vacuum the rest of the room. This technology also allows the Neato Botvac D85 to continue cleaning where it left off before going back to the charging dock to replenish its battery.

As such, the Neato Botvac D85 can clean an entire level of your home without you needing to do anything.

Other features

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The Neato Botvac D85 allows you to schedule the robot’s cleaning sessions. This feature will tell the robot vacuum to start cleaning at the appointed time even when you are not home. The robot vacuum also comes with boundary markers, which keep it inside a room or prevent it from entering another area. You can lay down the boundary marker to block off a doorway, or close off a particular spot within a room.

Furthermore, the Neato Botvac D85 uses a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery.

Neato Botvac D85 Reviews and Ratings

More than 200 people left a Neato Botvac D85 review on Walmart.com. This robot vacuum gets an average rating of 4.2 stars out of 5.0. People love how well this robot vacuum picks up dirt from their floors, even attesting that opening its dustbin can be a pretty gross experience.

Some reviewers report that the robot still manages to pick up a lot of dirt and debris even when they have just finished a cleaning session with an upright vacuum. They also like how well the Botvac D85 picks up pet hair. Meanwhile, others also say that this robot vacuum is easy to set up and maintain.

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  • picks up dirt from their floors
  • manages to pick up a lot of dirt and debris even when they have just finished a cleaning session with an upright vacuum
  • picks up pet hair
  • easy to set up and maintain

However, there are complaints that the robot vacuum can get stuck because of the turret on top. This tower houses the laser system that the robot vacuum uses to navigate. Because it needs to be able to scan your floors all the way around, the turret protrudes on top, and this causes the robot vacuum to get stuck under furniture with lower clearance. Meanwhile, others report a variety of minor issues such as the robot not being able to find the charging station or failing to continue cleaning after a charge.

Moreover, some reviewers warn interested buyers about how their Neato Botvac D85 stopped working only after a few weeks or months of use. Others complain that their robot did not work at all.

Pricing

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A Neato Botvac D85 review would not be complete without pricing information. If you are wondering how much you are going to pay for one, then here’s your answer: The unit is within the average to high price range, that may seem to be expensive for some consumers.

How We Came up with This Neato Botvac D85 Review

To create this Neato Botvac D85 review, we looked at the manufacturer’s product page for information about the robot vacuum. We also looked at its sales pages on online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as the reviews of credible consumer blogs such as CNET.

We did a similar process for the Neato Botvac D85’s closest competitors.

Before You Buy: The Alternatives You Should Consider

A Neato Botvac D85 review can be more informative if you compare the robot vacuum to similar products. This way, interested buyers will be able to choose between this robot or any one of its rivals. How does the Neato Botvac D85 compare with ILIFE A4s, the Eufy Robovac 15C, and the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner?

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The ILIFE A4S promises deep cleaning for your carpets, as well as being able to handle all floor types. This robot vacuum uses the company’s third generation CyclonePower cleaning systems that use the main brush, two side brushes, and a powerful vacuum to leave your floors spic and span. The main double V-shaped bristle brush can pick up dust and dirt off the floor. Because of its shape, the brush is less prone to tangles.

The ILIFE A4S comes with a remote control that you can use to operate the robot. You can also use the remote to schedule its cleaning runs. The ILIFE A4S also uses a high capacity lithium-ion battery that can give you a runtime lasting 90 minutes. It can cover an area of up to 2,100 square feet without needing to recharge.

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This robot vacuum gets an average rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.0 on Amazon, with more than 2,400 reviewers leaving their impressions. Some reviewers wrote about how they needed to empty the dustbin several times during the first run with the A4S. Others are amazed at how well it cleans all floor types, flawlessly transitioning from hardwood floors to rugs. It does this without any problems. They also attest that this robot does not get stuck that easily.

However, there are complaints about how the robot stopped working only after a few months. They warn potential buyers that customer service from the Chinese manufacturer is terrible. They do not even reply to your e-mails. Others have to junk an initially positive review because of problems that cropped up while using the ILIFE A4S for only a few months.

ILIFE A4S vs. the Neato Botvac D85

Compared with the Neato Botvac D85, the ILIFE A4S is more affordable than the Botvac D85. It also wins because it uses a lithium-ion battery. The battery is rated to last longer and is more durable than the NiMH battery you see on the Neato robot.

On the other hand, the Neato Botvac D85 has the LaserSmart navigation technology, while the A4S only relies on sensors to find its way around your floors.

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The Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner has 12 sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, cliff sensor, and ultrasonic radar. It also has three different processors for mapping and positioning. Furthermore, the main brush can adjust itself on uneven surfaces.

Additionally, this robot vacuum has a 5,200 mAh battery that the manufacturer claims can deliver up to 150 hours of runtime. The Xiaomi Mi robot has the same navigation as the Neato Botvac D85, but it cleans more silently and has a longer battery runtime. It is rather thick, measuring 13.6 by 13.6 by 3.8 inches.

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The Xiaomi Mi has an average rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. People like the sensors included in this robot vacuum and the purposeful way it moves around your floor. Verified users attest that this robot always finds its way back to the charging dock. They also confirm that the battery life lasts longer than most of its rivals. The app is also easy to use.

However, some reviewers note that the robot vacuum’s default language is Chinese. Others warn potential users that this robot will not last long, with some reviewers saying that their Xiaomi Mi robot lasted only for a month or so. 

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Eufy has designed the Robovac 15C to be its slimmest product at only 2.85 inches. The low profile of the robot vacuum allows it to go underneath more furniture than the Neato Botvac D85. It also has suction power rated at 1,300 Pascals. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity like the Xiaomi Mi robot. This feature allows you to use a companion mobile app to operate the robot. You can also use voice commands to start a cleaning session if you have Amazon Alexa.

Further, the robot has a lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 100 minutes of runtime. On Amazon, this robot vacuum gets an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.0. A lot of reviewers praise the robot vacuum’s thorough and efficient cleaning, as well as its ability to climb a high pile carpet without any problems.

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However, some reviewers complain that the robot vacuum sometimes has a hard time finding its way back to the charging base. Other negative reviews talk about how the Eufy Robovac 15C does not clean edges and furniture legs that well because its sensors tell it to retreat once it gets within four inches from any obstacle.

Some people also complain that the sensor-based navigation does not ensure complete coverage of your floors. The Eufy Robovac 15C goes over certain areas more, while neglecting other areas. Nevertheless, most of the reviewers do recommend this product, and they think that it is an affordable robot vacuum that you should buy. 

Benefits and Drawbacks

The Neato Botvac D85 works rather well. It can rival most other robot vacuums when it comes to cleaning performance. It is particularly excellent with pet hair. What’s more, the robot also has a good design that gives it an edge over most competitors.

The Neato Botvac D85 is supposed to replace the Botvac 85. But CNET finds that these two robot vacuums are practically the same. There are only a few very minor differences such as the different colors used by each model, and some added accessories. CNET further notes that the previous model proves to be the more efficient cleaner, except when pet hair is involved. As such, if you already have the old Botvac 85, then there is no reason why you should dump that to get the Botvac D85.

What’s more, the Neato Botvac D85 does not have the more advanced features that we have come to expect from today’s vacuums, including Wi-Fi connectivity and voice command compatibility.

Pros

  • Excellent with pet hair
  • Good design

Cons

  • Does not have Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Does not have voice command feature/compatibility

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You Might Want to Pass on This Robot Vacuum

If you are going to write your own Neato Botvac D85 review and you have no other considerations but the product itself, then it will not be difficult to recommend this robot vacuum. For a device released three years ago, the Neato Botvac D85 has some great features. For sure, you will be writing about LaserSmart navigation that helps it avoid looking like a drunk robot going nowhere. It has a great design that allows it to clean more efficiently. It also “sucks.” For a robot vacuum, that’s a good thing.

However, it is 2019. Today, the Neato Botvac D85 pales in comparison with other newer devices in the same price range. Robot vacuums that are cheaper than the Botvac D85 have Wi-Fi connectivity and are controlled via voice commands. Some even have reviews indicating that these newer vacuums perform better.

Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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neato-botvac-d85-reviewThe Neato Botvac D85 is an excellent vacuum cleaner that offers a lot of excellent features. It is an ideal vacuum for pet hair, thick carpets and has an stylish and elegant design. However, it doesn't have wifi connectivity which is its biggest drawback.