I’m a big fan of robot vacuums – the way they buzz around your home sweeping up dust and working into your carpet is amazing to me. This isn’t to say all robot vacuums are equal; some just push dust and dirt around, and some are terrible at managing pet hair.
I had a model that I realized was just pushing things around, so I decided to upgrade, which led me to the question, “Which is better, the Neato Botvac Connected vs Roomba 980?”
I picked these particular models because they are both voice-controlled using smart speaker systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so which one comes out ahead? Let’s take a look!
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Compare Neato Botvac Connected and Roomba 980: Which is Better?
Before we get into the precise details of each product, let me say that I did find the Neato Botvac Connected robot vacuum to come out slightly ahead of the Roomba 980.
Before we go into my reasons, let’s look at similarities. Both products have more than two-hour runtimes, and both are fully controllable by voice or by a smart device, so they occupy a similar product space, especially when it comes to premium quality.
Devices like these are designed for convenience. Both bring more utility than many of the other products from Neato and other Roomba models like the Roomba i7.
Most Neato Botvac Connected reviews talk about the stellar 150-minute charge time, which is also the feature that beats the competition for me as well.
Neato Botvac Review
My review of the Neato Botvac will sound similar because it has many of the features I covered in my Roomba 980 review. The Botvac has HEPA filtration that picks up fine particles in the air, and it also does an excellent job of managing hard to vacuum objects like pet hair and fine dust.
One place where it differentiates is in the floor planning feature – you perform the mapping yourself by setting up no-go lines. This prevents the Botvac from accidentally toppling downstairs.
Neato also regularly updates the software for its Neato D7 app, so it’s possible to have no features rolled out during your ownership. Like the iRobot Roomba 980 robot vacuum with Wi-Fi connectivity, the Botvac connects to your home network so that you can schedule cleanings or activate the vacuum by voice alone.
Pros
- The Neato Botvac has a 120-minute runtime.
- The main brush is larger since the vacuum has a U-shaped design.
- It only takes 150 minutes to charge.
Cons
- Neato’s support isn’t very good.
- It takes a while to learn the shape of your home.
Roomba 980 Review
There’s a reason why iRobot’s Roomba series is so popular; they bring utility and easy management to automated room cleaning. The Roomba 980 uses the three-stage cleaning system that ensures that your home gets a truly deep clean.
It works equally well on hardwood floors as it does on the carpet, and it also employs a HEPA filter to remove allergens from the air as it vacuums.
The iRobot Roomba 980 is a robot vacuum with Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can schedule cleanings or initiate impromptu cleanings with your wake words, “Hey Google” or “Alexa.”
It runs for a full 120 minutes, and when it needs a charge, it’ll return to its cradle. If the job isn’t complete, once a full charge is available, it’ll automatically resume.
Pros
- The Roomba 980 mapping functionality means that it learns the layout of your home.
- The iRobot Roomba 980 manual is very clear.
- You set weekly cleaning targets for the Roomba 980.
Cons
- This is a loud robot vacuum.
- iRobot Roomba 980 reviews state that it sometimes has issues returning to its base.
Comparison of Features: Neato Botvac vs Roomba 980
Since the Roomba 980 and the Neato Botvac have similar features, you are going to want to take a close look at each model to see if there are features that one possesses that the other does not that your robot vacuum cleaner will need. Of course, not all functions are essential for everyone, so let’s take a look at some of the ones that you will want to compare.
Design
When it comes to design, both look very different – the Roomba 980 is disc-shaped, while the Neato Botvac has a U shaping. With its leading flat edge, the Botvac may pull ahead since it has more surface area to manage dirt and debris. In fact, its brush head is 70% larger than round robot vacuums.
It even uses this shape to better get into corners. The Botvac also has a slightly larger 0.7 liter bin than the Roomba 980, which can hold 0.5 liters of dust and debris.
Performance
Both of these products shine when it comes to the removal of pet hair and allergens. This is due to the fact that each has HEPA filtration and powerful suction. Also, unlike other robot vacuums that kind of wander around your rooms, both of these are powered by guidance systems that ensure your entire room is cleaned efficiently.
In the performance category of this Neato Botvac connected vs Roomba 980 battle, they both come out equal when it comes to performance.
Systems
Systems are everything for a robot vacuum because there are no Botvac or Roomba 980 manual modes where you control the device. For example, the Neato provides zone cleaning for those areas that are extra dirty.
This mode allows the device to come back as often as you wish to really get a good clean. Similarly, the Roomba 980 has Dirt Detect technology that recognizes the level of dirtiness and cleans the area longer if need be.
Neato Botvac Connected vs iRobot Roomba 980: Which Should You Buy?
While I said before that the Botvac came out ahead for me, both of these are great, premium machines that will do good work in your home. It’s worth noting that the Botvac Connected is a bit more expensive, so if you don’t mind sacrificing the quick charging and larger brush surface area, then the 980 will work admirably.
Final Thoughts
In the robot vacuum standoff pitting the Neato Botvac connected vs Roomba 980, the Botvac definitely comes out ahead as the clear winner. This is probably due to the higher price point and the fact that it was developed later. Both of these devices will clean your home for two hours and produce a high level of suction, so it really will be up to your personal preference when it comes to the device you select.
