Neato D3 vs D5 || What is the Difference Between the Neato models?

If you’re looking for a new robot vacuum that fits nicely into your budget and still gets the job done, then you must have come across the Neato Botvac D-connected series. A mid-range robot vacuum cleaner with many exciting features like Neato D3 and D5 connected, these robots have many similarities but they are basically different gadgets.

While we recently reviewed the entire Neato Botvac series, in this Neato D3 vs D5 comparison article we focus on the two models to explore their similarities and differences. Take the next few minutes to figure out which botvac is better suited to your needs.

Complete Review of the Neato Botvac D3 vs D5

Neato Botvac D3 

The Neato Botvac D3 is the first model in the Neato D Connected series. It combines the unique D-shaped design, combo brush roll, and strong suction for great cleaning performance. It has Laser Smart technology to map your home and moves in straight lines to clean every corner of the floor.

The D3 has a 2600mAh lithium-ion battery that gives it a run time of 60 minutes, after which it returns to the charging base for a quick charge and automatically resumes cleaning. This botvac has Wi-Fi and smartphone connectivity, and via the Neato mobile app, you can schedule it to clean every day or every other day. D3 is compatible with Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Neato Botvac D5

The Neato D5 is a mid-range robot vacuum designed for large, multi-story homes. It features the patented Neato D-shape and LaserSmart technology to intelligently navigate and map your home.  It uses a large core brush, a side brush, and strong suction to sweep up pet hair and dirt from various surfaces. With the D-shaped design and the side brush, this botvac perfectly cleans the edges and corners of walls.

The D5 also has an ultra-performing filter that captures up to 99% of small dust mites and allergens. You can connect the robot to the Neato app to create a cleaning schedule every day, another day, or on a schedule that works for you.

How does Neato D3 and D5 work

The Botvac D3 and Botvac D5 have very similar processes. They both use a multi-purpose brush with soft blade-like bristles to sweep up dirt particles from both hard floors and carpets and collect these particles in a 700ml dust container. A LaserSmart navigation algorithm enables them to create digital maps of their surroundings to avoid obstacles in a smart way and to clean more efficiently.

The robots first leave their charging station, turn on the laser navigation system and move back and forth to scan the room, contentedly move to a corner and methodically proceed from there.

The robots move in straight lines from one corner of a room to another, this systematic movement pattern ensures that every inch of the room is swept. While cleaning, they use two wheels to move seamlessly from hardwood to tile and carpet. Both botvacs feature automatic recharge and resume and are compatible with the Neato mobile app for remote control. For added convenience, both robots are also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Main Features

▶ Laser sensors for smart navigation

Both the Neato BoatVac D3 and D5 have laser sensors and S.L.A.M. Algorithms to navigate the rooms of your home smartly. With this function, the robots map a room and ‘know’ exactly where the furniture and objects are, so that they clean without bumping into objects.

▶ Auto charge and resume

During a cleaning cycle, if one of the robots’ batteries drops to 15%, they will return to the charging base to recharge, then resume cleaning from where they left off. These botvacs also come with a quick charge feature that determines exactly how much charge the robots need to complete a clean if the batteries run low halfway through the clean, ensuring the robots charge exactly the amount needed to get the job done, and so on. save time.

▶ Brush rolls

They both have the same combo brush, which is the main brush these gadgets use to sweep up dirt particles from all floor types. However, the D5 comes with an extra side brush for special edge sweeping and picking up all the dirt along the baseboards.

▶ Virtual forbidden lines

This is another trait that these two Neato Botvacs have in common. The virtual no-go lines in the mobile app allow you to create virtual walls and prevent your Botvac from entering some areas of the room where there is a danger of the robot vacuum getting stuck or dropping off.

▶ Wi-Fi and smartphone connectivity

These smart gadgets both feature Wi-Fi and smartphone connectivity for remote control. Each of the robots is also compatible with voice control devices such as Alexa or Google Home. This feature provides remote control and ease of use.

▶ Dustbin dimensions

Both robots have the same container size of 700ml or 0.7 liters. These robots can catch a lot of hair and fiber in this bin, and it’s one of the largest bin sizes you’ll find on robot vacuums.

Main Differences – Neato Botvac D3 vs D5 

⬛ Battery life and working time

The Neato Botvac D3 comes with a standard Lithium-ion battery that runs for up to 60 minutes before needing a recharge, while the Neato Botvac D5 uses a high-capacity Lithium-ion battery and has a run time of approximately 90 minutes before it can be recharged. returns to the charging dock. With their respective batteries, each robot can charge twice for 3 full cleans.

⬛ Filtration System

Another difference between these gadgets can be seen in their filtration systems. The D3 has a standard filter, while the D5 uses an ultra-performance filter. At first glance, these labels mean little, but essentially it means that the D3 can only capture up to 90% of dust particles, while the D5 can filter much smaller particles (up to 99%) from the air. The first is clearly suitable for dirt particles only, while the second works better for allergens and pollen, which only matters for people with pets and allergies.

⬛ Brush rolls

These two Botvacs actually have the same primary sweeping brush rollers, but the D5 has a special side brush to sweep up dirt particles from the edges and corners of rooms. Despite the robots’ inventive D-shape, which allows them to better orient themselves for edge cleaning, the primary sweeping brushes don’t extend beyond the robots’ corners, which is why the extra side brushes on the D5 give it a much better edge cleaning.

⬛ Boundary Marking Tape

This is similar to the No-go lines feature available in the Neato mobile app for both robots, but it’s a magnetic strip to create boundaries in your room to prevent the robot from driving into parts of the room you don’t want to. that he is coming. It essentially keeps the robot within a certain area of ​​the room, just like the virtual walls do. The D5 comes with a boundary marker tape while the D3 does not, but it is very compatible with it, and the boundary marker can be purchased as an extra accessory for the D3.

How do they perform?

These robots are designed to clean hardwood floors, tiles, and carpets, and they do it beautifully. They are both able to pick up all the dirt on hard floors and most dirt particles on carpets, but they may have some trouble with thick pile carpets as the rubber spikes of the sweeping brushes can become entangled in the long fibers of the carpet.

For edge cleaning, the D5 performs much better because it has an extra side brush that is especially suitable for cleaning corners and edges. The D5 also has a high-performance ultra-high-efficiency filter to extract ultra-fine air contaminants, including pollen and allergens.

Another feature that makes the D5 outperform the D3 is the 2X Spot Clean function, which allows the D5 to focus on a particular spot and crank up its suction power to clean more powerfully. Of the two, the D5 is undoubtedly the more advanced and better-performing robot.

Setup and use

Although the robots only have a few buttons, especially the “Power” button, they are very easy to set up and operate. Both robots must be connected to the Neato mobile app from which you can access all programmable features including daily scheduling, virtual no-go lines, multiple floor plans, spot cleaning, etc.

The mobile app has an intuitive user interface and lets you program the robot to your cleaning needs. Since the user interface is app-based, you can always upgrade to new technology when it comes out and enjoy newer features with your older model. You can also control these robots with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Trustworthiness

Basically, the design features of these two gadgets are the same. They follow the same systematic cleaning pattern, moving seamlessly by avoiding obstacles on their part.

At 3.9″ tall, these robots are small enough to squeeze smoothly under most furniture, but they do get stuck a few times and when that happens, the mobile app notifies you to give your little polisher a hand. to come and help. You can rely on these gadgets to do your cleaning job, they work quite well.

Additional purchases and charges

The D3 and D5 require very similar maintenance procedures to maintain optimum performance. The bins should be emptied as often as possible, and the main sweeping brushes should be cleaned regularly to prevent them from becoming entangled with hair and dirt. The filters should then be cleaned at least every one or two weeks.

To keep the robots working perfectly, Neato recommends changing the combo brush rollers every 6 to 8 months, the filters every 1 to 2 months, the batteries every 1 to 2 years. And replace the side brush on the D5 between 6 and 12 months. Maintenance for each of the robots costs about $100 per year.

Neato Botvac D3 vs D5: Which Should You Buy?

Both the Neato D3 and D5 are mid-range robotic vacuum cleaners with very similar design features. They basically do the same thing, but as you would expect they have their differences in both design features and performance.

Of the two botvacs, the D5 is the advanced robot with better features, and it clearly outperforms the D3. The two robots have the same sweeping brushes, but the D5 comes with an extra side brush for better edge cleaning, the D5 also has an improved filtration system to filter allergens from the air and better deal with pet hair.

Neato D3 has a runtime of 60 minutes, while the Neato D5 runs for up to 90 minutes on a single charge. Neato D5 is the better robot for large multi-story houses, as it has multi-story mapping features, and it generally outperforms the D3, so it’s a better buy. 

Final Thoughts

These two Neato robots are designed to do the same thing with similar functions, and they both perform quite well. However, the Neato Botvac D5 has a clear edge over the Neato Botvac D3; the former has more advanced features making it more efficient and faster than the latter. That’s why we recommend the Neato D5 as the better buy option.

The D5 also costs a little more than the D3, but that shouldn’t stop you from making the extra investment. If you want a robot vacuum that cleans absolutely every corner of your house, including corners and edges, go for the D5.