Neato Botvac D4 Connected review

Alongside smart light bulbs and security cameras, we’ve seen an explosion in robot vacuum cleaners recently. Ranging from discount devices by obscure manufacturers to luxury models from top-tier brands like the iRobot Roomba i7+, hordes of robotic smart cleaners are piling off production lines, ready to tackle a life of grime.

At $499, Neato’s Botvac D4 Connected drops neatly in the middle of the pack. While it can’t deliver all of the features that impressed in our reviews of the Botvac D6 and range-topping D7 cleaners, it’s certainly a step up from the entry-level D3. But it retains a chunky price tag that puts it at risk of being overshadowed by plucky discount performers like the Ecovacs Deebot 601 and Deebot 901.

So, the Botvac D4 – competent contender, or a mid-range miss? Let’s find out.

SOLID SPECS WITH SOME SURPRISING GAPS

Packing a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection plus laser-guided mapping and navigation, the Botvac D4 Connected may be accurately named, but compared to other Neato cleaners, its features are solid rather than spectacular. App control and support for Google Home, Amazon Alexa and even Apple Watch provide convenience, but the D4 misses out on luxuries like multi-floor mapping and zone cleaning, and surprisingly lacks the side-sweeping brushes you’ll find on all but the cheapest competitors.

Feature highlights like No-Go Lines (virtual barriers which prevent the robot from travelling into specified areas), spot cleaning, and a high-performance Turbo mode boost ease of use and performance, but Neato cuts the corners on consumables. A close comparison with other modelsshows a downgraded filter, cleaning brush and battery, delivering a quoted 75 minutes per charge (compared to 120 minutes on the D6 and D7).

Visually, the D4 looks similar to its pricier brethren, but lacks some of the more stylish finishes available higher up the range. A subtly-patterned top surrounding the robot’s laser sensor adds interest (smudges and fingerprints, too) to an otherwise dull design. The cleaner retains the ‘D’ shape chassis that encourages Neato to boast improved edge and corner cleaning, although without side-spinning brushes, the 11-inch front ‘combo’ brush (comprised of plastic fins and bristles) and vacuum have their work cut out to deliver.

As with all Neato models, the front face of the robot is equipped with a safety bumper that detects physical collisions. Some competitors choose to rubberize this bumper for protection from bumps, although Neato’s designers have opted for a textured, plastic finish, which may scuff over time.

Lift up the center panel and you can pull out the D4’s dustbin, with a neatly-integrated dust filter that prevents debris from escaping back on to your floor. According to Neato, this “high performance’” filter is able to capture dust particles as small as 0.3 microns, but it’s not the ultra performance HEPA-style filter you’ll find equipped on the D6 and D7 models. Owners should change filters every two months, and Neato provides a spare in the box for your first changeover. If allergies are a concern, Neato’s HEPA-style filters are compatible with the D4, so you can upgrade.

Compared to other cleaners, the D4’s features are solid rather than spectacular.

Manual controls are limited to a physical button to start the robot (a selection of cleaning modes are available from a smartphone controller app), while two indicators keep you informed of battery and operating status.

Flip the robot over and you’ll find two sturdy, spring-loaded, rubberized wheels and the impressively wide spiral brush. The brush is held in place by a plastic guard, which snaps into the underside of the chassis, making replacement easy.  While the D4 misses out on those side-sweeping brushes, you’ll find plenty of additional technology packed into the robot. Alongside the top-mounted laser sensor, which allows the robot to also operate in the dark, the D4 is equipped with additional sensors at the sides for following walls and drop sensors on its undercarriage, preventing the robot from hurtling down your stairs.

Terry Walsh/Digital Trends

For charging, Neato includes a reasonably compact dock with wide plates to connect to the D4’s rear charging pins. Neato quotes a 75-minute battery life, which is well behind the 120-minutes available on more premium models, and will vary by cleaning mode. We found battery life to be nearer to 55 minutes in the robot’s high-performance Turbo mode.

However, the D4 is able to pause and resume cleaning to top-up its lithium-ion battery, which works really well. Rather than wait to be fully-charged, the D4 only pauses until it has enough juice required to finish cleaning up, and can auto-recharge twice during a cleaning cycle, minimizing delays. We found battery life to be just about sufficient for a 500-square-foot floor plan — any larger, and the D4 will be returning to its dock for a recharge. Expect a full charge to take around two and a half hours, which is reasonable.

FAST AND FRIENDLY SETUP

Getting up and running with the D4 is very simple. First, the robot arrives assembled and fully charged, so you can get going straight away. Neato’s friendly app does a great job in guiding you step by step through connecting the robot to your Wi-Fi and downloading any available firmware updates. Unbox the robot, and you should be cleaning in no more than five minutes.

It surprisingly lacks the side-sweeping brushes you’ll find on all but the cheapest competitors.

You can choose from a selection of cleaning modes – Turbo is the high-performing option, incurring additional noise during operation (it isn’t deafening) and reduced battery life. Eco mode is the default setting, providing a balance between cleaning performance, duration, and comfort. When required, a Spot Cleaning mode can also be launched from the app, enabling the D4 to focus cleaning in radiuses up to 13 square feet.