The Neato Botvac 70e robot vacuum is one of the mid-price Neato models, typically available for $430. What are the pros and cons of this model? What do potential buyers need to know?
Pros of the Neato Botvac 70e
- The Neato 70e is smart enough to learn where it can’t go through magnetic strips and drop offs. This model is also upgradable via software, so you won’t have to buy a new and improved vacuum next year to get the better operational software.
- It uses the laser guided navigation system to map a room before it starts cleaning. This means it is less likely to bump into furniture, get stuck or clean the same spots repeatedly.
- The Neato Botvac 70e has three flat sides to allow it to clean corners, along edges and under most cabinets.
- The Neato Botvac will run at night and in the dark, times the Roomba often won’t work well.
- The Neato Botvac 70e is smart enough to realize when its battery is running low and return to the charging station before the battery dies, assuming its path isn’t blocked. It can also remember where it stopped cleaning and return to that spot to resume its work after it has recharged.
- The Neato Botvac 70e has better error reporting than the Roomba. Is the battery low? Does the battery need to be replaced? Does it think you need to get something out of its way? Its error codes clearly communicate this via text as well as a numeric error code.
- Neato has larger dust bins than comparable Roomba vacuums. This means you probably won’t have to empty the dust bin in the middle of the house cleaning. However, if the Botvac says the dust bin is full, empty it. If you don’t, it can spill dirt when it hits carpet to tile transitions or runs into something.
- Neato is a better vacuum than the Roomba. The Roomba and Neato are equally good as sweepers on smooth floor surfaces like tile or concrete.
Cons of the Botvac 70e Vacuum
- While Neato says it has a heavy duty blade brush, the brush sometimes gets stuck. This is in addition to its difficulty with thick pet fur.
- The Neato Botvac’s fall prevention software is not yet smart enough to distinguish between a step and a black stripe on carpet in many cases. If you have black squares or stripes of tile wider than the vacuum’s sensor, it won’t cross it to the rest of the room assuming there is a drop off. This may be solved in later software updates or become something you can over-ride.
- Neato has excellent customer service. If the new robot vacuum is defective or the battery is bad, they’ll often replace the whole thing. One caveat though is that the replacement vacuum will only have a 90 day vacuum, regardless of the warranty you had on the new one. However, this is far better than Frigidaire and Whirlpool, appliance manufacturers who rarely answer their phones, send techs on several trips to fix a problem and often make you wait days to get replacement parts. Neato is far superior to a Bosch vacuum, a company that often says it takes weeks to get replacement parts from Germany.
Observations
I have several observations that potential buyers reading this Neato Botvac 70e robot vacuum review should know about in order to make an informed decision.
The Neato Botvac 70e and Roomba 600 and 700 series models are equally loud. While Neato says its silicon brushes are quieter than Roomba’s, it is the motors that make the noise – and both brands are just as noisy.
Depending on where you order the Botvac 70e vacuum, you may be able to get free shipping on the order.
The Neato Botvac 70e is as good at cleaning pet hair as the pet and allergy version of the Neato Botvac, especially if you install the pet and allergy grade air filters. Whether this means the 70e model is better than expected or the allergy and pet version is a rip-off is a matter of opinion.
You get one battery for the Botvac 70e when you buy it. If you need a replacement battery, that will set you back sixty dollars. You can improve the life of the battery by fully charging the vacuum for at least twelve hours prior to first use and fully charging it between uses.
If you like remotes, you won’t get one with a Botvac. If you hate remotes, get the Botvac. The lack of a remote doesn’t affect program-ability of the Botvac like updating its software or scheduling cleaning. The only time this might affect convenience is if you want to control the robot vacuum like a remote control car, following a specific child, pet or path.
Summary
The summary of this Neato Botvac 70e robot vacuum review is that it is one of the better robot vacuums on the market. It is affordable and performs well, with excellent service from the manufacturer.
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