In this Neato XV Signature Pro Pet & Allergy robot vacuum cleaner review, we’ll look at the pros and cons of this model.
Pros of the Neato XV
- This vacuum costs are around $300 to $400 new. This is an affordable robot vacuum, cheaper than the comparable Roomba models that are around $600 to $800. Rival Hom-Bot is about $700. Refurbished units are even cheaper, but then you may lose the warranty. You can choose to buy a two year extended warranty when you buy it from an authorized seller.
- The laser guidance method means the vacuum covers the room in a logical pattern, instead of the rather random method of the Roomba. It tries to get every part of the room. And with its map created at the start, it probably will cover every part of the room it can reach before the batteries start to run out. However, it sometimes gets stuck under coffee tables and chairs, thinking it has no way out.
- It has a large dirt bin that can hold up to three quarters of a cup. And the dust bin is easy to lift out of the vacuum to empty.
- The Neato Signature Pro has drop sensors so it doesn’t fall off a ledge or down the stairs. This is fairly common in the latest generation of robot vacuums.
- This vacuum clearly communicates what is going on without complex error codes. The vacuum’s green light clearly indicates when the vacuum is charged and ready to go. An amber light indicates that something is wrong, whether the brush is jammed, the sensors need to be cleaned or that the dust bin is full. A flashing red light means it is still charging.
- The robot vacuum does a good job in corners relative to the Roomba. However, in tight corners, it may error out and say that you need to clear its path.
- This vacuum has been found in tests to pick up more debris than competitors like Roomba.
- It can handle hardwood floors, tile, linoleum and standard thickness carpet.
- The bristled brush of this model makes it great at picking up pet hair. One caveat is that it can’t suck up a fur ball.
Cons of the Neato XV
- This vacuum doesn’t have a remote control. This means you can’t redirect it to re-clean a dirty area.
If the vacuum gets stuck or runs out of energy on its way back to the charger, the vacuum forgets its location when you pick it up and put it back on the charger. This means it has to start all over once it is recharged.
- With the lower price, you get a higher noise level.
- This vacuum is prone to brush tangles. Pet hair can get caught between the plastic casing and end caps of the end caps. You’ll know this has happened when the brush becomes loose and vibrates loudly.
- The Neato XV lacks brushless cleaning.
- The filter is hard to wash, especially if covered with long pet hair.
Additional Information
There is information that should be included in this robotic pet and allergy vacuum cleaner review. This information is neither for nor against the vacuum, but it is information a reader may want to have.
The XV model has a much better design than the XV-21, which had a garish neon purple top. This is an aesthetic concern, not a functional one, and some users didn’t care. But enough users did care for Neato to go back to a classic, functional black and gray body.
The vacuum weighs about eight pounds, but it can be carried room to room or back to the charger if necessary.
The vacuum needs two to three hours to recharge the nickel metal hydride batteries.
This vacuum comes with two magnetic strips to set boundaries the robot cannot cross. Additional magnetic strips are twenty five to thirty dollars for a thirteen foot strip.
Neato has decent customer service, such as when the new unit apparently has a bad battery. They are slower to replace potentially defective vacuums.
Batteries last six months to a year, though they occasionally die after the first few days of use. After the warranty expires, new batteries are around $75 each.
Leave a Reply