One of the most aggravating chores to do on a regular basis is vacuuming with an upright. You have to pull it out of the closet, unwind the cord, plug it in, then do the actual vacuuming part. Then you have to unplug it if the cord doesn’t reach all the rooms in your house and plug it back in.
When you’re finally finished vacuuming, you have to wind the cord back up, dump out the canister, and put the vacuum back in the closet. It’s a frustrating and aggravating experience for anyone who wants to have clean floors.
But there are ways to alleviate taking all these steps. One such method is by using a robot vacuum. No cords to wind up and they take up much less space. Not to mention many of them have features you’ll never find on an upright vacuum.
Two significant manufacturers of robot vacuums are Neato and iLife. They offer plenty of features and functionality to make your floor cleaning experience much better. But how do they stack up against one another? Let’s take a closer look at how these robot vacuum producers compare.
Main Differences Between Neato Botvac vs iLife
The Main Differences Between Neato Botvac vs iLife are:
- Neato Botvac has Wi-Fi connectivity support, whereas iLife has HEPA filters.
- Neato Botvac comes with built-in smart mapping capabilities, whereas iLife devices use built-in sensors to avoid bumping into furniture and other obstacles.
- Neato Botvac let you create a “No-Go” area from the Mobile app, whereas iLife units come with a 2,600 mAh lithium-ion battery.
- Neato Botvac can work with voice commands like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, whereas iLife is better for any type of floor without a problem.
Neato
One of the most prominent robot vacuum manufacturers is Neato. This company is known for making high-quality devices that offer some of the best features available on the market. These features are what make buying a Neato Botvac worth their cost.
Neato emerged in 2010 as a high-quality robot vacuum company, placing itself near the top of the industry with its premier devices. As a result, some of the best robot vacuums in the consumer market have been Neato Botvac units. When you see a Neato robot vacuum, you know you’re getting a solid, well-built device.
Design
Neato Botvacs are easy to spot due to their unique D-shaped design. The manufacturer believes that this type of design allows the robot vacuum to get to edges and corners that other vacuums can’t access. Additionally, many Botvac robot vacuums come with a brush, which helps to sweep up debris and dirt as it cleans your floors.
Technology
Neato isn’t one of the best robot manufacturer producers for no reason. Their robot vacuum lineup provides a robust set of features, perfect for anyone who wants to keep their floors looking good with minimal effort. Here are some of the technologies you’ll encounter when you use a Neato Botvac robot vacuum.
WiFi Support
Neato has plenty of options in its lineup that support wifi. These include the Botvac D7 Connected, D6 Connected, D5 Connected, D4 Connected, D3 Connected, and Botvac Connected units. Any of these robot vacuums will work with your wireless network.
With wifi connectivity, you can control the units listed through your smartphone. All you have to do is download the Neato mobile app on either your Android or iOS device, then move your robot vacuum through your home to address those heavily trafficked areas.
Smart Home Compatibility
Since they have wireless capabilities, the Botvac Connected, D3 Connected, D4 Connected, D5 Connected, D6 Connected, and D7 Connected all work well with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Neato Chatbot, and IFTTT. These amazing devices will also work some many smartwatches and a handful of other smart home components.
If you have a well established smart home network, then any of the previously mentioned units should work with what you already have.
Vacuuming Technology
Neato robot vacuums offer great suction, so you know you’re floors are going to get clean. However, they also provide a combination brush, which helps pick up debris, hair, and dirt scattered across your floor. That means your floors are getting clean anytime your Neato robot vacuum runs.
Technology Neato uses to clean your floors is referred to as “SpinFlow.” This is available in newer Neato Botvac models, like the ones listed previously that support wifi and smart home capabilities.
These models also offer additional cleaning modes, such as Eco and Turbo. For maximum suction power from your Neato Botvac, put it in Turbo mode. Or, if you want to run your vacuum, but don’t want the noise to be overwhelming, turn on Eco mode.
Navigation
Neato Botvac robot vacuums clean every inch of your house. In order to do so, these devices create a map of your floorplan. Infrared lasers are used to scan during your robot vacuum’s initial cleaning cycle.
When it has the information it needs, it will plot out the most efficient cleaning path from then on. As a result, you get clean floors from a robot vacuum that isn’t wasting time spinning around in circles.
This advanced feature is available with the most recent Botvac Connected models. Using your Neato mobile app, you can view all the areas your robot vacuum has cleaned, plus some usage statistics as well.
Filtration
When it comes to filtration, Neato Botvac robot vacuums use anti-allergen, high-performance filters. That way your floors and home remain clean of allergens, pet hair, and other particles that cause problems. If you have pets or severe allergies, you can’t go wrong with a Neato Botvac since it will catch and remove those particles down to the smallest micron.
Brushes
Neato Botvac robot vacuums come with the following: a blade brush, a side brush, a spiral combination brush, and a combo brush. These brushes are designed to remove dust, debris, and dirt from all different types of flooring in your home.
For instance, you can use the side brush to clean the deep corners and edges of your home. When used in conjunction with your robot vacuum, you’re getting clean floors every time your Neato Botvac runs.
Recharge and Resume
Current Neato Botvacs support the recharge and resume feature. With this capability, your robot vacuum will detect when its battery begins to get too low. When it does, it will head back to its dock to charge up. After it finishes charging, your robot vacuum will head back out, picking up right where it was before it needed to be charged.
Floor Types
Neato Botvac robot vacuums work on all floor types. It doesn’t matter whether you have carpet, vinyl, tile, hardwood, or something else entirely, your Neato robot vacuum will get it clean. Some models do have trouble moving from one to the other, but for the most part, getting a Neato Botvac robot vacuum means clean floors.
Scheduling
Another nice feature you’ll get with a Neato Botvac is the ability to schedule your cleanings. It doesn’t matter where you are, you can use your Neato mobile app to tell your robot vacuum when to kick off a cycle. Whether you’re on vacation or on your way to work, you can schedule a clean through the smartphone app.
Boundaries
Boundary markers are magnetic strips you can use to prevent your robot vacuum from going into a certain room or area. Put your markers in doorways or around areas you want to keep your Botvac from entering.
Additionally, those Neato robot vacuums that support the smartphone app offers “No-Go Lines.” These are virtual walls you define by drawing on your floorplan. The app communicates with your robot vacuum, telling it not to cross the lines you made.
Control
There are multiple ways you can control your smart robot vacuum, so long it supports wireless connectivity. All the robot vacuums listed under the wifi section will work through both the smartphone app and with voice commands through smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
That way if you want your robot vacuum to start cleaning, just tell Alexa and your Neato will get started.
Current Neato Models
There are plenty of high-quality robot vacuums available in the Neato lineup. Here are a few of the current models available.
Neato Botvac Connected
Neato’s Botvac Connected is one of the most feature-rich devices available in the Neato lineup. It boasts wifi support, making a “smart” device that you can control with both your voice and your smartphone app.
You can also use the app to set up your boundaries, tell your robot vacuum to spot clean, and schedule a cleaning while you’re away from home. Or if you don’t want to get out of your bed.
While the Neato Connected is one of the more expensive offerings in its lineup, it includes a lot of features that aren’t available with other robot vacuums. One such feature is its ability to clean up to 5,000 square feet on a single charge. That’s 500 more sq feet than the next best robot vacuum in the Neato lineup.
The Botvac Connected also has a coverage map, which shows you all the areas your robot vacuum has cleaned. You can also control your unit through your smartphone app if you notice that there are some tight areas that your robot vacuum overlooked.
Also included with this device are boundary markers, an ultra-performing filter, a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, and eco/turbo cleaning modes. It will also obey voice commands through your Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Neato Chatbot.
Pros:
- Cleans almost 5,000 square feet on one charge.
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Neato Chatbot.
- Smartphone app provides cleaning information showing where the vacuum has already cleaned.
- Comes with a high-performance filter.
Cons:
- Some units experience trouble with wifi connectivity.
- High-end when it comes to price.
Neato Botvac D3 Connected
If you’re looking for something more entry-level, then take a moment to consider the Neato Botvac D3 Connected. This robot vacuum includes all the basics you get from Neato, including recharge and resume, mapping, wifi support, and navigation.
Since this robot vacuum supports wifi, it will also obey voice controls through Amazon Alexa, Neato Chatbot, and Google Home. The D3 Connected includes a combo brush, along with a standard filter, which makes it a great device for those who want to start simple.
Neato’s D3 Connected cleans almost 1,800 square feet before it has to head back to its charger to recharge.
Pros:
- High-performance suction gets your floors clean.
- Wifi support which includes voice controls through smart assistants.
- Great and affordable robot vacuum for beginners.
- Set up cleaning schedules through the mobile app.
Cons:
- Device may get stuck under low sitting furniture or obstacles.
- May drop wifi every once in a while.
- The battery only runs for one hour.
Neato Botvac D4 Connected
Another newer model in the Neato Botvac lineup is the D4 Connected. This top-notch robot vacuum offers features such as virtual boundaries, navigation, mapping, and voice commands. It supports wifi connectivity, which means you can download the Neato mobile app for additional functionality.
You’ll only get about an hour’s worth of battery out of this robot vacuum, which will clean a little over 900 feet on a single charge. If you have an apartment or a smaller home, this makes the Neato D4 an excellent option for you.
Pros:
- Control with voice through Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
- Use the smartphone app to define virtual barriers.
- Recharge and resume capabilities.
- Navigation and mapping technology.
Cons:
- One of the noisiest Neato lineup.
- Short battery life compared to other robot vacuums.
Neato Botvac D5 Connected
The Neato Botvac D5 is arguably one of the best middle of the road units in the robot vacuum industry. If you have pets or kids and need something that provides more power then some of the lower tier robots in the Neato lineup, the Botvac D5 is a great choice.
Included with the D5 Connected is a high-quality performance filter that will pick up all the dirt, debris, hair, and allergens that are hanging out on the floors of your home. Additionally, the Botvac D5 has a cool “Find Me” feature that helps you find it if it gets stuck while cleaning.
This robot vacuum also includes wifi connectivity, so you can tell it when to start or stop cleaning through your Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Pros:
- Comes with a high-quality filter.
- Includes “Find Me” feature which helps locate your D5 if it gets stuck.
- Will handle up to 4,500 square feet on one charge.
Cons:
- May drop wifi every once in a while.
- Laser navigation cover hangs on low sitting furniture every once in a while.
Neato Botvac D7 Connected
The Neato Botvac D7 Connected is perhaps one of the most powerful robot vacuums on the market today. You’ll get plenty of features with this top of the line vacuum that includes excellent suction, wifi support, and a high-quality filter.
With the Neato mobile app, you can tell your D7 Connected to get cleaning no matter where you are. Don’t want to come home to dirty floors? Just pick up your phone and tell your robot vacuum to start cleaning.
One charge lasts for nearly 120 minutes, and if that’s not long enough, the D7 will just head back to its dock, recharge, and then finish the job.
Pros:
- Cleans in the dark.
- 120 minutes runtime.
- Define boundaries through the mobile app.
- View coverage maps and cleaning summary as unit cleans.
- Will connect to both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless networks.
Cons:
- Makes more noise than other Neato robot vacuums.
- Expensive.
iLife
Another robot vacuum company that has been around for the past ten years is iLife. This manufacturer is based in China, with iLife Technology producing its robot vacuums. You’ll get a robot vacuum for a decent price if you decide to select an iLife device.
Design
You’ll discover that most iLife robot vacuums are designed with a low profile. For the most part, these units come in at less than three inches in height. The V7 is one of the taller robot vacuums available in the iLife lineup and is still shorter than other robots on the market.
iLife robot vacuums have similar circular designs to other robot vacuums on the market, however, iLife devices are usually slimmer. Even though its measurements are similar to other robot vacuums iLife does offer a wide variety of colors for its devices.
You can get an iLife robot in blue, gold, or black depending on what type of model you want. Additionally, iLife robots are usually lighter than their competitors. The heaviest iLife Robot vacuum comes in at just six and a half pounds!
Technology
iLife robot vacuums come with plenty of features and capabilities. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll get if you choose an iLife unit.
WiFi Support
The reality is that many iLife robot vacuums do not support Wi-Fi. At this time there are only two options available. The iLife A9s and A7 both offer Wi-Fi support. This is a distinct disadvantage for iLife robot vacuums as many other units on the market provide wireless integration.
Smart Home Compatibility
Since most iLife robots don’t support wifi, it stands to reason that most of their units won’t integrate with smart home systems. For the ones that do, iLife does offer a smartphone application.
You can download the app on either iOS or Android. Even though you can download the app through either iOS or Android there are a lot of improvements that need to be made. At the time this article was written iLife robot vacuums do not work with Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Vacuuming Technology
iLife robot vacuums will clean your floors in three stages. First, the unit uses sensors to keep it from running into walls or furniture. Next, side brushes sweep up debris and dirt that gathers in corners and edges.
Last, but perhaps most important, a powerful suction system and centralized brush take care of everything else.
Navigation
While the iLife robot vacuums do come with sensors that help it avoid obstacles and obstructions, they do seem to run into things more than other devices. Unfortunately, most of the units in the iLife lineup do not come with any type of mapping capabilities.
As a result, your robot vacuum relies primarily on its built-in sensors. iLife robot vacuums typically follow a pre-set routine, beginning at the outside of your room and then progressively working its way back to the middle.
On the other hand, if you need to use your iLife device in spot cleaning mode, the unit will begin moving in a spiral from the location of the spot outward.
Filtration
iLife is a great robot vacuum if you have allergies or a lot of pet hair floating around your home. Almost every iLife device uses a HEPA filter. This means all the allergens and contaminants in your home are getting sucked up and trapped by your iLife robot vacuum.
Brushes
Your iLife robot vacuum comes with a brush under the unit, plus two brushes on the side used to gather dirt. Some iLife devices also come with bristle brushes you can use to clean your robot vacuum out.
Several also come with side brushes, which means that when your iLife robot vacuum is running, your floors are getting clean.
Recharge and Resume
Even though your iLife unit does head back to its dock when its battery needs charging, it doesn’t have the functionality to return to where it was. To get your iLife robot vacuum back on its way, you’ll need to put it in the appropriate location and press the “Start” button.
Floor Types
Your iLife robot vacuum is built to get any type of floor clean. There are a few models that have trouble moving from one type of flooring to another, but for the most part, you shouldn’t experience any trouble. This is especially true if you have one type of flooring covering your entire home.
Scheduling
While you can’t control your iLife robot vacuum through the mobile app, there are several models that will allow you to create a schedule. As a result, you can tell your iLife to clean whenever you need it to.
Boundaries
Some robot vacuums in the iLife lineup have electro wall barriers that help you create boundaries in your home. This keeps your device from going into certain rooms or areas. Just put up your barrier and your unit will ignore those areas.
Control
Unfortunately, since most iLife robot vacuums don’t offer wifi, then you cannot use it with a mobile app. However, if you do want to control your iLife unit, most come with an infrared remote control. With this remote, you can tell your robot vacuum exactly where you want it to go and clean.
Dustbin
While some people don’t care whether or not they get notified when the dustbin on their robot vacuum is full, it’s a nice feature to have. Regardless, iLife suggests emptying the dustbin every time your robot vacuum runs to ensure it doesn’t overflow.
Battery
The majority of iLife units include a lithium-ion battery with 2,600 mAh. As a result, your iLife robot vacuum will get roughly two and a half hours of run time. Unless you have a very large house, this is plenty of time for the device to get your floors clean.
Current iLife Models
Here are some of the current iLife robot vacuums you’ll find on the market. We’ve offered a quick review, along with some of their pros and cons.
iLife A4
The iLife A4 is a great robot vacuum for anyone who needs their floors cleaned quickly. This unit provides fantastic suction, which means hair that gets stuck in your carpet gets taken care of. Plus, it has a low profile that allows it to clean under beds, sofas, and tables with ease.
Pros:
- Transitions easily from one flooring type to another.
- Cleans carpet, tile, hardwood, and marble flooring.
- Just select “Start” and your robot vacuum starts cleaning.
- Well-designed.
- Gathers dirt, debris, pet hair, and other contaminants from your floors.
Cons:
- No recharge and resume functionality.
- Must replace HEPA filters every six months, which adds to the overall cost.
iLife A6
iLife’s A6 model is one of the newer options available in the manufacturer’s lineup. The A6 provides users with a long-lasting lithium-ion battery that allows the robot vacuum to run longer than others in the iLife lineup.
It also features a powerful suction feature, which means your floors will be clear of debris, dirt, and pet hair anytime the A6 vacuums.
Pros:
- iLife Gen 2 motor provides additional suction power when the A6 cleans thick carpets.
- Multiple color options allow you to select one that fits your home decor.
- Comes with a battery that will last long enough to clean larger homes.
- Strong suction will clean up debris, pet hair, and dust in your home.
Cons:
- Dustbin could be bigger, which means you will have to empty it every time it cleans.
- No dustbin indicator to let you know when it is full.
- Takes longer to clean since it uses random navigation technology to clean.
iLife V3s
Next on the list is the iLife V3s. This fun little robot vacuum provides more powerful suction, a quieter cleaning, and updated navigation capabilities. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t care a lot about fancy bells and whistles and just want a unit that works, the V3s is a robot vacuum you should consider.
Pros:
- Low profile allows the robot vacuum to easily fit under low sitting obstacles.
- Easy to use and efficient.
- Lower noise levels make for a quieter cleaning experience.
Cons:
- Not a lot of fancy bells and whistles.
- Won’t notify you if it gets stuck or lost.
iLife V5s
You’ll get updated sensors with the V5s, which allow this robot vacuum to move through your home without bumping into obstacles and furniture. It will clean any surface type, moving from hardwood to carpet (for example) with ease.
The V5s comes with an infrared remote control, so you can move your robot vacuum anywhere you need it to clean.
Pros:
- Avoids furniture and obstructions as it moves throughout your home.
- Infrared remote included, which allows you to manually control your robot vacuum.
- Long-lasting battery means your robot vacuum can clean more before needing to recharge.
Cons:
- No wifi support.
- Average suction means this robot vacuum is not as efficient on thicker carpets.
iLife V8s
If you live in a larger home and you need a robot vacuum with a long-lasting battery, the iLife V8s might be the unit for you. The battery is big enough that it can clean al your floors before it needs to head back to its dock to recharge.
Plus, with its side sweeping brush, the V8s will take care of even the most stubborn debris and dirt in your home.
Pros:
- Robot vacuum will return to its charging dock when its battery gets low.
- Larger dustbin that other iLife robot vacuum models.
- Side sweeping brush picks up pet hair, dirt, and debris other models may not get.
Cons:
- Makes more noise than other robot vacuums in the iLife lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I spot clean with a Neato Robot?
The Spot Clean option is available on the robot screen. You just have to go to “Menu”, and “Spot Clean”. Some Neato Robots come with a “Spot Clean” button, especially for this option. If you have any questions, you can always consult the manual instruction.
Is it dangerous to touch the iLife charging pins on the robot or charging home base?
You don’t have to worry about being careful of not touching the charging pins, both the robot and the charging deck has a voltage that is safe for human contact.
Why doesn’t my iLife Robot clean around the charging home base?
To prevent it from getting into the station before the battery cycle has ended, the iLife robot are set up to avoid the area around the deck.
Conclusion
The Neato Botvac and iLife robot vacuums don’t have a lot in common, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options that will work for you.
If you prefer the latest in technology, you may lean more toward a Neato Botvac. But if you want a robot vacuum that offers high-quality filtration and a long-lasting battery, a model from the iLife lineup might make more sense for you.