Neato D8 vs. Roomba S9+

After completing our Neato Botvac D8 review, I feel it is a good time to compare it to Roomba S9+.

Neato and Roomba were the pioneers of robotic vacuums, and this comparison should be a good measure of whether Neato caught up with the iRobot or needs more work.

I’ve spent several days testing both bots, so I have a good understanding of how these two compare.

But first, here’s an overview of the Neato D8 vs. the Neato D8. Roomba S9+

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Introduction to Neato D8 and Roomba S9+

Before the likes of Roborock and Ecovacs entered the fray, two brands dominated the robot vacuum industry – Neato and iRobot.

And in this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at these specific variants: the D8 and the S9+.

Both robots have one thing in common – smart robot vacuums with efficient mobility, but each is unique in how they achieve it.

The Neato D8 is based on the top-mounted LIDAR sensor, while the model Roomba S9+ Uses a camera installed on top.

These bots use SLAM, so each can locate itself and have advanced features like recharge and resume, but the similarity ends there.

Best performing robot vacuum cleaner: Roomba S9+

I tested a lot of robot vacuums, and Roomba S9+ It is, by far, the best performing option available.

It does so through a combination of high airflow, excellent agitation, and patented dirt detection technology.

The S9+ is the only Roomba product with a D-shaped frame, and thanks to this design, iRobot can place wider extractors.

And this wide cleaning path and high airflow make it more efficient.

Not sure why iRobot is back in the circular shape with J7 +but I think they found a winning formula with the S9’s D-shape.

Anti-rollover extracts are another factor why the S9+ cleans so well. It’s the only one in the industry to have these reels because iRobot owns the patent.

It is unique in that it does not have any bristles, but rather a series of edges, which act as a trigger for picking up debris.

Roomba products are excellent for carpet cleaning because of this feature, even low airflow types like Roomba E5 and 690.

It is the only option between these two with the self-discharge feature. iRobot is a leading company in Automatically unloading botsThe S9+ is the best performing option in their lineup.

Widest brush roll: Neato BotvacD8

If you think a file Roomba S9Wide rollers, then did not see Neato distance.

The Neato D8 brush roll is 11″ wide It’s the widest I’ve seen, wider than a stick like emptiness Dyson V15 revealed.

This width helps capture more debris, making it effective with the amount of vacuum in each pass.

You could say Neato is a leading manufacturer of D-shaped robots and all of their products use the same frame.

The D8 is the least expensive of the three new Botvacs models (D8, D9 and D10), but it has the smallest battery (2100 mAh only), so it runs in the shortest time (100 minutes).

Airflow is decent at 19.74 CFM, but cleaning performance is frustrating for a high airflow robot.

I’ve tested the Neato D8 extensively for a week, and its biggest drawback is mobility.

There are glitches in the algorithm that hinder its potential.

The first problem is that they get very aggressive in turbo mode and hold themselves up against the levers.

I’m not sure why this D8 has this problem, but Neato has to address it to compete with emerging brands like Roborock, Dreame and Ecovacs.

Cleaning performance is good, especially with deep cleaning (85.7%), but it could have been better with a better algorithm.

Similarities Between Neato D8 and Roomba S9+

Next, we’ll look at the similarities between Neato D8 and Roomba S9.

1. Body shape

The most obvious similarity is the frame. Both use a D-shaped frame with obvious benefits such as moving the position of the brush in the front.

2. wide brush

Thanks to the D-shaped frame, these robots have a wide brush. The Neato has a wider brush at 11″, while the S9 has a narrower brush at about 9″.

3. Top-mounted litter box

Neato D8 and Roomba S9 A litter box is mounted on top, but the D8 is larger at 0.7 liters versus the S9’s at 0.6 liters.

However, the S9+ (with clean base station) has a larger capacity considering the self-discharge feature.

4. Intelligent navigation

The final similarity is that they both use SLAM to track location, recharge, and resume.

but the Roomba S9 It uses a top-mounted camera, while the Neato D8 uses LIDAR.

Differences between Neato D8 and Roomba S9

Next, we’ll take a look at the differences between the Neato D8 and Roomba S9.

1. Get rid of dirt

The biggest difference between the D8 and the S9 is the dirt disposal system.

Just Roomba S9+ It has an automatic discharge system, while the Neato D8 does not.

I’m not sure why Neato didn’t add a self-emptying feature to their product line, but it’s a huge bug.

2. Brush roll design

The next variation is the brush roll design.

Neato uses a more traditional combo brush design with rubber bristles and a set of blades.

In contrast, the Roomba S9 Uses patented bristle-free rubber extractors.

I like Roomba’s design better because it’s proven to deliver better excitement.

Even low air flow models like Roomba 675 (8.37)And 690 (8.2 cubic feet per minute)And E5 (6.98 cubic feet per minute) Get decent grades in deep cleaning.

3. Side brush design

Another difference is the side brush design, both in terms of placement and structure.

The S9 has it in front of the brush, which, in my opinion, is the best.

In comparison, the Neato D8’s side brush is located slightly behind the brush roll.

You can see the difference in how it picks up debris at the edges (more on later), with the S9 doing much better.

Another contrast is the design, with the S9 having longer prongs versus the shorter D8.

Again, this affects how these robotic vacuums perform.

4. Navigation

While both robots have intelligent navigation, there are slight differences in how each crosses over.

The Roomba S9 It has better overall mobility with “dirt detection” and optional two-track operation.

However, it relies on a top-mounted camera as its primary sensor. So there is a dependence on light not found in Neato’s LIDAR-based robotics.

Turning off all the lights will affect how the S9 navigates.

She’s tried it, and there have been cases where she’s gone back home base because she couldn’t recognize her surroundings.

Neato will not have such problems as the laser is not dependent on light.

Unfortunately, the D8’s navigation system lacks the refinement of the Roomba.

It pushed the baffle out of position during the cleaning test, which it didn’t with the Roomba.

5. Battery capacity and runtime

The Roomba S9 It uses a 3600mAh Li-ion battery, with a shorter runtime 75 minutes onlywhile the Neato D8 Runs longer (100 minutes) Despite having a smaller battery (2100 mAh).

One of the reasons is the S9’s more powerful motor and dual brush system that consumes more power.

This number drops to 45 minutes with the maximum set. So I would not recommend this in larger homes.

6. Application Features

While both bots have smartphone apps, the feature set is different. The iRobot app has more, including block zones, clean zones, and selective room cleaning.

Consumers can also designate sections on the map—something the Neato app lacks.

The D8 uses MyNeato, a new version of Neato, but with abstract features.

Neato added the ban zone, similar to iRobot’s ban zone, but strangely enough, they removed the blocked fonts.

Apart from the restricted area, the D8 does not have any outstanding feature. It only contains the basics like scheduling, cleaning history, and saving maps.

Unfortunately, it only saves one map level. Although it states in the app that multiple map levels will be available soon.

Regardless, it had to be settled prior to release.

I will count [important] Features of both models.

containment [Both]

Both options have a containment feature, allowing users to block regions. Roomba calls their version exclusion zones, while Neato calls it exclusion zones.

Neato’s restricted areas look like this.

And the Roomba version looks like this.

But that’s it, none of these robots have the feature of an invisible wall to block out diagonal areas.

The Neato app has it, but the MyNeato app that the D8 uses doesn’t, which is unfortunate.

clean areas [Roomba S9+]

The iRobot app has this unique feature whereby consumers can define areas of the vacuum cleaner.

It’s the same as other brands’ spot-cleaning feature, but the option to save these areas saves a lot of time.

You can place a box in the living room or any crowded area by scheduling it to clean two or three times a day (if necessary).

Save the map [Both]

The iRobot app can save up to 10 map levels, which is the highest number so far (at least of the bots I’ve tested).

MyNeato can only save one map level.

I’m not sure why Neato didn’t implement the multi-map feature with the initial release, but it’s a bug because the Neato app provides multi-level saving, which should be in the MyNeato app.

Selective room cleaning [Both]

The iRobot app has a selective room cleaning service, allowing consumers to select the room or area they want to clean.

But unlike other apps like Roborock or Ecovacs that allow users to mark an area on a map, the iRobot app lets you check these boxes.

It’s disappointing that MyNeato doesn’t have this feature because it uses LIDAR.

Android Options [Both]

The iRobot and MyNeato app have customization options for their products.

However, the iRobot app offers more.

Consumers can adjust the number of pass and suction settings [under the custom option].

MyNeato doesn’t have that flexibility. It only offers these options.

To be honest, I’m not sure what these options mean. But it is about moving the base from its original position.

Other LIDAR bots like Roborock do not need this because the bot repositions itself and locates the base during the initial scan.

Again, this is an oversight from Neato, and they have a lot of work to do. The good news is that it is a software issue and can be easily fixed with a firmware update.

scheduling [Both]

Users can schedule runs to automate the sweeping task.

Both apps can schedule multiple runs, but the iRobot app has a gap of at least three hours between runs, so there’s a limit to how much you can schedule.

Navigation comparison

These variants use SLAM, so they are smart mobility robots with recharge and resume.

The Roomba S9+ It is based on a top-mounted camera, while the Neato D8 uses LIDAR.

Both will move in straight lines, but there are subtle differences.

Like most LIDAR-based robots, the D8 starts off by sweeping the edges before moving toward the middle regions.

The S9+ does the opposite and starts cleaning the middle areas (first) before moving to the edges.

Although not the most efficient navigation, my choice would be Roomba S9.

I’ve talked about the Neato D8’s navigational issues previously, and it’s the D8’s biggest Achilles heel.

It lacks refinement and multiplayer, which is disappointing since Neato has been in the industry for decades.

Coverage test

The Roomba S9 And the Neato D8 performed well in the coverage test, devouring debris efficiently.

But the S9 offers a better pickup based on eye testing, leaving the cleanest score between the two.

The Neato D8 performed well, but I wasn’t able to use the max setting during testing because it kept getting stuck on one of the overlays.

Another feature of the S9 is the dirt detection technology that performs an extra swipe over the most polluted areas. This is above the two pass path you specified in the bot settings.

Neato doesn’t have a multi-pass option, and the oddity of the maximum setting hampers its cleaning capabilities.

Air Flow Comparison

I use an anemometer for all of my air flow tests with a robotic vacuum cleaner.

It is an excellent way to measure robot vacuum performance as most high airflow robots clean well, especially on carpets.

The Roomba S9+ It has the highest airflow of all the robot vacuums I’ve tested at 25 CFM, which is an important reason why it performs so well in our cleaning experiments.

The D8 wasn’t bad at 19.74 CFM. It’s on the same level as a file Roomba 980Another excellent robot vacuum cleaner.

cleaning performance

Cleaning performance scores mirror those of airflow, with the S9+ performing better in every category.

One reason for the discrepancy is the D8’s inability to navigate its maximum settings.

Like I said, I tried using the turbo setting during the cleaning tests, and it moved the fender out of place.

This issue has also arisen with the Economy setup, so Neato has some bugs to fix.

So the above results are from the Eco setting, which is decent but not great.

The eye test also confirms the numbers as the S9+ had cleaner lanes and didn’t leave any shards of debris during the tests.

It’s a testament to the high airflow and impressive thrill, which the D8 lacks.

I had high hopes for the D8, and its results were disappointing.

The S9 had no such issues, and it moved inside the bulkhead without a hitch.

What is the best robot on hard floors?

Without a doubt, the Roomba S9 It was better with test and eye test results.

It has done better in every hard floor test I’ve done, and one of the metrics I use is sand in my hard floor test.

The S9 was 100% perfect, while the Neato D8 was just 96.5% up.

And an eye test confirms that the S9 picked up every single bit of sand I scattered.

Not so with the Neato D8, which left a residue.

You won’t see them in the before and after shots, but there are sand traces.

Edge cleaning comparison

One of the benefits of a D-shaped robot is that it snaps at the edges. We’ll look at how well each variant performs in this area.

The Roomba S9+ She was virtually flawless, catching every crumb.

And I got most of it after the first pass, which is the impressive aspect.

The Neato D8 wasn’t doing well, leaving a lump at the edges.

This is where side brush placement and styling come into play. I said earlier that the S9+ has a better design and better placement in front of the main brush.

These results are evidence of my previous analogy.

Hair wrap comparison

Next, we’ll look at how well each robot can resist tangling hair from five- and seven-inch strands.

The Neato D8 is even better with shorter 5-inch filaments that get an excellent score of 94%, with nothing to wrap around the brush.

Here is a shot of the S9’s rollers after the five-inch test.

Most of the hair is wrapped over the axes. So bristle rollers aren’t maintenance-free, iRobot claims.

While it’s good at resisting tangles, you still need to check the curl of the hair, especially on axles.

However, the S9 does much better with threads longer than seven inches, at over 80%.

The Neato D8 didn’t perform well with longer 7-inch threads, going up just 45%.

In general, the Roomba S9+ Better, considering longer hair strands and something I would recommend to pet owners.

It is one of the best hair picking robot vacuums.

Which is better on the carpet?

Again, based on the test and eye test results, the Roomba S9+ Score higher than Neato D8.

With superior airflow and navigation, it did better with surface and compact debris.

Detecting dirt and agitation from its dual hoods are important factors that make Roomba products superior to this surface.

Runtime comparison

The Roomba S9+ Has a shorter runtime, In just 75 minutesAlthough there is a larger battery (3600 mAh).

It’s a drawback for high-flow bots like this alternative, and consumers should consider this trade-off before purchasing it.

Neato D8 features an extension Claimed run time of 100 minutesthe shortest of the three new Neato Botvac products.

It has the smallest battery of the three (2100 mAh), so it’s only suitable inside small and medium-sized homes.

However, both have recharge and resume, which mitigates the shorter range.

noise comparison

One problem with both variants is the high noise level. It is not surprising that these products have a high air flow.

I use a sound meter to check noise levels from a few meters away, and here are the results.

The Roomba S9+ is the most noisy option, break 70 decibelswhich is not surprising given that it also has the highest air flow.

By comparison, the Neato D8 is the least noisy option, but it’s still annoyingly loud (67.9 dB).

maintenance

Robotic vacuums require more maintenance than hand or stick vacuums because they rely heavily on sensors to operate.

I will list the items that need to be cleaned or replaced and the corresponding schedules. These products are expensive, and maintenance is one way to extend their life.

1. Basic brush: It’s the most abused ingredient since it’s responsible for picking up debris. Check and clean once a week to clean out any dirt and hair buildup around the drum and hubs.
2. Side brush: Beside the main brush, another part that needs cleaning is the side brush. The frequency is similar – once a week. You will have to remove to clean any coiled hair on the base.
3. Dustbin: Empty the trash after each run to prevent dust mite breeding. This does not apply if you have an S9+ (with a clean base station) as it has a self-discharge feature.
4. filter: These bots have filters inside the trash. Check it once or twice a month and tap it with a hard tool to get the debris out on the folds. Replace the filters after three or four months.
5. fall sensors: All robotic vacuums have drop sensors that prevent them from falling off cliff points (for example, stairs). Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe these sensors once per month to prevent any error codes from triggering and disabling the robot.
6. Clean base station (S9+ only): Make sure the port is not clogged and throw the bag away once full.

Availability of spare parts

Roomba products are distinguished from most other brands by the availability of spare parts. You can buy any iRobot component stores like Amazon and eBay. Its popularity is a big reason why third-party manufacturers sell items like the battery. Even obscure parts like the side wheel assembly or even fall sensors are available.

Neato robots also have a good selection of spare parts, but they don’t have as wide a selection as the iRobot. It is hard to find more obscure parts for Neato products such as wheel assembly or brush assembly.

Product Spec.

Where can I buy these bots?

You can buy a file Roomba S9 and Neato D8 in online stores such as Amazon. Check out the links below for the latest pricing information.

• Roomba S9+

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON

• Neato D8

BUY NOW FROM Amazon

Disclaimer: I’ll earn a commission if you buy through any of the links above, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win for us!

Which is the better option, Neato D8 or mother Roomba S9+?

The Roomba S9+ It is the better product overall but it costs a lot more.

So it’s more about pursuing the performance of the S9 or the cost savings of the D8.

I will enumerate the reasons for each variable to help you decide.

4 reasons to choose Roomba S9+

1. superior performance: The Roomba S9+ Beat Neato D8 in all cleaning tests. There is no doubt that it is the best vacuuming robot.
2. Better Mobility: Although there is a LIDAR, the Neato D8 has a lot of problems with navigation. The Roomba S9+ Navigation in + is more comprehensive and efficient.
3. Self-discharge feature: Just Roomba S9+ Has the option of automatic unloading. Neato has not implemented this feature in any of its new products.
4. Best features of the app: The iRobot app has more useful features like selective cleaning of the room and clean areas, which are absent in the MyNeato app.

Reasons to choose Neato D8

1. Much cheaper: The D8 costs three times less than Roomba S9+. If budget is a high priority, go with this option.
2. Lidar: Laser sensors are not dependent on light, so the D8 will work even in dark conditions.
3. Large litter box: The 700ml D8 Dustbin is the largest of all the robotic vacuum cleaners I’ve tested.

Verdict: Roomba S9+ Is the best option but expensive

The Roomba S9+ is the clear winner between the two. It performs at a higher level in every category, with the exception of the black-grade navigation, because it relies on the camera sensor for navigation.

It’s also the most expensive option, with the additional alternative costing three times more.

If cleaning performance is a high priority, then Roomba S9+ is the best option.

The design of the Neato D8 offers a lot of potential, but mobility issues hold it back. Until Neato fixes these bugs, it’s hard to recommend this option.