Which robot vacuum best suits your cleaning needs?

When it comes to cleaning, there’s one thing we can all agree on: vacuuming is no fun. First, there’s the setup that requires you to grab a clunky vacuum from your closet, find a nearby outlet, and somehow not trip on a long cord. Then, you pray for the thing to work, considering the lights flicker whenever its power button goes on. When you’re finally cleaning up week-old Cheerios or a dust colony, you realize the vacuum doesn’t suck up the mess. Oh, and we can’t forget about the noise. It’s an awful soundtrack of clicking, rolling, and picking up that drives you nuts and scares your pets.

If you’re over this inconvenient task, there’s hope. Thanks to new technology developments, you can avoid this cleaning drama and buy a . These devices are game changers when it comes to tidying your home. They’ll take care of the dirty job in a pinch, so you can have more time for yourself. Sounds easy, right? 

There are many robot vacuums available for your cleaning needs. Two notable leaders in the space are iRobot and Neato Robotics. Both companies offer high-tech robot vacuum cleaners, and each are recognizable for many reasons. 

Neato Robotics’ products, including the Botvac 70e and the Botvac D80, have sparked a lot of interest over the past few years. In August, Neato Robotics launched the , a robot vacuum that takes tidying to a new level with its anti-allergen defense and multiple floor plan mapping. Meanwhile, iRobot is making the smart home dream a reality with its innovative products. Following the launch of the Roomba floor vacuuming robot in 2002, the company has expanded their fleet with popular robot vacuums, including the Roomba 960 and the Roomba 675. This month, iRobot launched the Roomba i7+ , which has intelligent visual navigation and the ability to empty itself when paired with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal. 

Even though both companies are similar in their core mission — making cleaning easier with high-tech products — their robot vacuums offer different benefits and features when it comes to managing messes. 

Ready to take the robot vacuum plunge? Here’s what you need to know if you’re deciding between the Botvac D6 Connected or the Roomba i7+.  

The basics

Botvac D6 Connected

The is a new robot vacuum part of Neato Robotics’ Botvac Connected Series. It’s a bot with bonafide benefits—packed with smart features and the power to clean allergens, dust, and pet hair. Key features include a new core brush specially made for stubborn messes and multiple floor plan mapping for precise cleaning. 

The Botvac D6 Connected weighs 7.5 pounds and its dimensions are 13.21 inches x 12.56 inches x 3.92 inches. It has a unique D-shape design, which helps it pick up debris in corners. 

Using the Botvac D6 Connected doesn’t require much effort. It connects to the Neato App, where you can control its activity, schedule cleanings, and note no-go areas around the house. Have a smart device at home? You can use the Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, and Google Home for hands-free control, too.  

Each Botvac D6 Connected set includes a Neato Botvac D6 Connected robot vacuum, a spiral combo brush, an ultra performance filter, a brush and filter cleaning tool, a charge base, a power cord, and a boundary marker. 

Roomba i7+

As a new addition to iRobot’s Roomba fleet, the takes cleaning to a new level. Unlike its predecessors, the Roomba i7+ ramps up the convenience factor with its automatic disposal capability. When paired with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, the robot empties itself after cleaning. Imprint Smart Mapping is another key feature of this vacuum. It can remember up to 10 floor plans of your home and keep track of previous cleaning locations. 

The Roomba i7+ weighs 7.44 pounds and its dimensions are 13.34 inches x 3.63 inches. Unlike the Botvac D6 Connected, the Roomba i7+ has a round shape. It’s high-tech cleaning system can suck up messes on tougher surfaces, including carpets and hard floors. 

Like Neato Robotics, iRobot has an app for monitoring Roomba i7+ activity. With the app, you can turn the Roomba i7+ on and off and schedule cleanings. This vacuum is also compatible with Alexa-enabled devices and the Google Assistant, just in case you need an impromptu cleaning of your bedroom, kitchen, or living room.   

When you buy the Roomba i7+ with the Clean Base, you’ll get the following: an iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum, a dual-mode virtual wall barrier, an extra high-efficiency filter, an extra side brush, a North American line cord, a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal (Clean Base station), and two dirt disposal bags. 

You can also buy the Roomba i7+ without the Clean Base.

Cleaning benefits

Botvac D6 Connected

Allergens, dirt, dust, and pet hair are sneaky little things. They’re hiding in the air, under furniture, or on your pet’s favorite couch spot. If you’re having sneezing fits and feeling super congested, the can help. 

Removes allergens: Its core brush and ultra performance filter are the best shields against these pesky particles. According to Neato Robotics, the core brush is up to 70 percent bigger than competitors’ round robot vacuums, including iRobot’s Roomba 890. Of course, there’s always those stubborn areas that are hard to clean, but the Botvac D6 Connected has your back. Its Turbo mode increases suction and makes the core brush rotate faster, so more debris can be removed from the floor. Plus, the ultra performance filter traps in dirt, dust, and pet hair, so you can stop allergens in their tracks. One downside is that you’ll need to empty out the dirt bin, because the vacuum doesn’t empty itself after cleaning.  

Cleans multiple floors: Have a large home? The Botvac D6 Connected has LaserSmart technology and a multiple floor mapping feature for seamless cleaning. With the LaserSmart technology, the vacuum scans your house and moves in a straight line when it cleans rooms. It can remember up to three floor plans with the multiple floor mapping feature, just in case there are messes in the kitchen, master bedroom, or attic. This feature comes in handy if you need different cleaning routines for upstairs and downstairs, too. In the Neato App, choose where you would like the vacuum to clean, and it will track its route everytime. It’s that easy. 

Off-limits boundaries: Of course, there’s the personal space question. Some vacuum robots don’t get the fact that certain places are off-limits. If you’re concerned about this situation, you can set No-Go Lines for the Botvac D6 Connected. Open the Neato App, add a No-Go Line on your home virtual map, and the Botvac D6 Connected will avoid the area. It won’t bang into belongings, get stuck on laundry mountains, or flip over stairs. 

Roomba i7+

Wouldn’t it be great  if vacuuming didn’t require carrying, dumping, or unplugging? Well, the Roomba i7+ will make your cleaning dreams come true with its automatic emptying feature option, 3-Stage Cleaning System, and Imprint Smart Mapping Technology. 

Automatic emptying: Vacuum maintenance is a pain in the butt. It’s like the afterparty you wish you never had, because it doesn’t end even though the mess is gone. You still have to remove a dirt bag, which could make a mess on your floor again if it leaks. Avoid this situation and buy a Roomba i7+ with the Clean Base. When it’s paired with the Clean Base, the vacuum empties itself after cleaning. (Yes, we aren’t kidding!) But wait, there’s more. iRobot says this Clean Base is good for 30 bins of debris, which means you’ll only have to dump it out about once a month. It does most of the dirty work for you. The only downside is that if you buy the Roomba i7+ without the Clean Base, it doesn’t have this self-emptying feature.  

In-depth cleaning system: The Roomba i7+ has a great cleaning system that tackles allergens, dirt, and pet hair. Power-lifting suction and multi-surface rubber brushes help pull up debris hiding under furniture and other hard-to-reach spaces. For rooms that are always dirty, such as the kitchen, the vacuum’s Dirt Detect Technology uses sensors to recognize spots that need additional cleaning. Plus, iRobot says the vacuum’s filter captures 99 percent of common allergens, including dust mites, mold, and pollen. (Goodbye coughing, congestion, and sneezing!)

Maps cleaning route: You might think most robot vacuums clean in circles, but the Roomba i7+ is waaay smarter than that. Imprint Smart Mapping Technology allows it to learn multiple floor plans and clean each room effectively. With the iRobot HOME App, you can customize an Imprint Smart Map and the vacuum will follow it every time. Unlike the Botvac D6 Connected, the Roomba i7+ does not have a No-Go Line feature. But, it has cliff detection sensors that prevent it from falling down stairs and tumbling off uneven areas. 

Hands-free control

Botvac D6 Connected

Let’s remember why you wanted a robot vacuum in the first place: It’s convenient, easy to use, and requires minimal upkeep. If you’re buying the , the Neato App (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) is your ultimate personal assistant. With the app, you can switch the vacuum on and off, select quiet or Turbo mode, determine if an area needs careful navigation, set up multiple floor plans and No-Go Lines, and schedule cleanings. Plus, you can use other smart home devices, including the Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, and Google Assistant, to power the vacuum on and off.

Roomba i7+

If you have your heart set on a , it also offers the perk of hands-free control. Download the iRobot HOME App (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) to power your vacuum on and off, choose the rooms that need tidying, set up cleaning schedules, and receive activity reports. On the app, you can also create and save multiple floor plans, so your robot will remember how to clean upstairs and downstairs areas. Like the Botvac D6 Connected, you can also use Alexa-enabled devices and Google Assistant to give the Roomba i7+ cleaning commands.

Price

Botvac D6 Connected

At $699, The doesn’t come cheap, but it offers more than the average robot vacuum and it’s more affordable than the Roomba i7+. It’s top of the line when it comes to removing allergens, cleaning up multi-story homes, and establishing no-go boundaries. For this price, you get a Neato Botvac D6 Connected robot vacuum, a spiral combo brush, an ultra performance filter, a brush and filter cleaning tool, a charge base, a power cord, and a boundary marker. The Botvac D6 Connected is available to purchase at Amazon, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond. 

Neato Robotics offers a for the Botvac D6 Connected. Consumable parts (batteries, brushes, and filters) that undergo normal wear-and-tear, are not covered under the warranty. Neato Robotics recommends having extra filters on hand and replacing batteries to keep the Botvac D6 Connected in good shape. If you can’t solve an issue with Neato Robotics’ technical support, you can submit a warranty claim to Neato Robotics or an authorized Neato Robotics merchant. 

Roomba i7+

The Roomba i7+ with the Clean Base might make you accomplish #cleaninggoals, but at $949.99, it has a pretty steep price tag. Even though you’ll be dropping major bucks on this robot vacuum, its self-emptying feature is a major timesaver. Plus, some other robot vacuums, including the Botvac D6 Connected, don’t have this advanced benefit, so you’ll be ahead of the smart home game. At this price, you’ll get an iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum, a dual-mode virtual wall barrier, an extra high-efficiency filter, an extra side brush, a North American line cord, a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal (Clean Base station), and two dirt disposal bags. The Roomba i7+ with the Clean Base is available for pre-sale on irobot.com. 

Don’t want to drop $949.99 on a robot vacuum set? You can buy the Roomba i7+ without the Clean Base for $699 on irobot.com. The Roomba i7+ will also be available at select retailers starting in October. The Clean Base will be available to purchase separately for $299 on irobot.com. 

If you’re not happy with your Roomba i7+ purchase, iRobot offers a 30-day, money-back satisfaction guarantee. iRobot also provides a for some of its robot vacuums, including the Roomba i7+. The one-year warranty is only valid for parts, including the battery. You can contact iRobot to receive limited warranty service. 

Reviews

Botvac D6 Connected

, a Best Buy customer, writes:

“There are two kinds of people in the world: People that own laser-guided robot vacuums and people that need them. Sure, it has a pretty high price tag, but then it’s a leap ahead of the other three generations of botvacs I’ve used. The main difference with this one is how it systematically cleans areas rather than driving around semi-randomly. It was super easy to link up with the Neato phone app and get connected to my wifi. After picking up cat toys and putting up barriers for areas I didn’t want it to explore, I turned it loose on its first learning cleaning cycle. It was fascinating to watch it explore. It seemed to divide the task into two areas and thoroughly cleaned one side before it went into the next area.” 

And , another Best Buy reviewer, says:

“Hiding behind that cute NEATO BOTVAC name is a dirt terminator. This is a powerful, useful, and sophisticated robotic vacuum. I’m going to recommend this robot vac highly, but I’m also going to recommend you take the time to read the instructions and utilize the advanced features that are available in this NEATO BOTVAC D6. Its MAPPING with No-Go Lines mark-up features provides a level of control that lets you avoid most robot vacuuming problems. This is what you paid for.” 

Roomba i7+

iRobot customer says:

“I’m in love with the iRobot Roomba i7+! It helps maintain/keep our carpet, wood, and tile flooring clean throughout the day, every day of the week. It’s amazing that I can control it by using my iPhone app or by voice control through Alexa. The automatic disposal is one of my favorite features because it eliminates always having to touch the mess collected. The iRobot will detect that it’s full and head back to it’s home dock to be emptied! The smart mapping technology helps by giving me control via the iRobot HOME App, available on iTunes/Google Play Store, over what rooms need to be cleaned and also allows you to set areas in which you would like to be off limits/blocking zones. Within the app you can also get battery alerts, start or stop the Roomba, select which rooms you’d like to be cleaned, set a cleaning schedule, doing one single cleaning pass or two – essential for deep cleaning or for homes with pets.”

And , another iRobot reviewer, says:

“It’s easy to set up, and really easy to use. I love how it is not very loud sounding at all. It’s amazing how it senses where to go and it gets up all the dirt in my home. It’s also really good at picking up animal hair without getting clogged. I don’t have to worry about watching it do it’s thing, it is able to successfully navigate in and around rooms with ease. It’s also nice that it can go back to its home base when needed and I really like that it can empty by itself. Added plus, my dogs who are afraid of the regular vacuum are not afraid of this vacuum! I love this vacuum!”

So which one should you choose?

Allergens, debris, and pet hair killing your tidy house game? The is your best pick for a robot vacuum. Its core brush and ultra performance filter take on all those pesky particles that are causing you major congestion and sneezing spells. Plus, you can tell the vacuum to clean upstairs and downstairs with the multiple floor mapping feature or set up No-Go Lines to keep it away from certain areas. 

For those who can’t stand vacuum maintenance, the Roomba i7+ hits all the sweet spots for cleaning convenience. Even though it can be more expensive if bought with the Clean Base, its self-dumping feature makes cleaning a breeze. Other cool benefits of the Roomba i7+ include its ability to map your home and its Dirt Detection Technology for stubborn messes.