Robot vacuums have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing busy homeowners to keep their floors clean with minimal effort. Two of the top models on the market are the Neato D6 and D8.
But what exactly are the differences, and which one is better for your needs? Let’s explore their comparison across key categories.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Features | Neato D6 | Neato D8 |
| Suction Power | 1200Pa | 1500Pa |
| Battery Life | Up to 120 mins | Up to 150 mins |
| Runtime | 75 mins avg | 90 mins avg |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.7L | 0.7L |
| Filters | Standard + Ultra Performance | Ultra Performance |
| Brushes | 1 Main | 2 Combo + 1 Side |
| Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| No-Go Lines | Yes | Yes |
| App Control | Yes | Yes |
| Alexa/Google Assistant | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
As you can see from the table, the D8 builds upon the D6 with added suction power, longer battery life, and an extra brush for improved corner cleaning. But let’s take a deeper look at each model.
Overview of the Neato D6
The Neato D6 is a reliable mid-range robot vacuum suitable for most homes. It uses Neato’s signature D-shape design to reach deep into corners and along walls.
The D6 has a single high-performance spiral combo brush that sweeps up debris from all floor types. It has strong 1200Pa of suction power utilizing Neato’s turbine technology to lift dirt from carpets. This makes the D6 effective for homes with a mix of bare floors and medium-pile carpets.
For navigation, the D6 uses laser scanning and mapping to methodically clean in neat rows. You can view and edit the generated floor plan via the Neato app. It’s also possible to create no-go lines to keep the robot out of certain areas.
With a 7-day cleaning schedule, the D6 can run automatic vacuuming cycles when it’s most convenient. Or you can manually control and monitor cleaning through the app.
The Li-ion battery provides up to 120 minutes of runtime for large homes. Recharging and resuming is supported if the battery runs low mid-cycle.
Overall, the reasonably priced Neato D6 delivers powerful cleaning and handy app features without going overboard. It’s a great choice for most households without plush carpets.
Overview of the Neato D8
Moving up a tier, the Neato D8 brings added conveniences and capabilities. It retains the excellent D-shape design for edge-to-edge cleaning.
The D8 has 50% more suction power at 1500Pa to lift stubborn dirt trapped deep in thick carpets. It also comes with two combo brushes instead of one, plus a side brush for improved cleaning along walls and baseboards. The brushes are 70% larger than the D6.
For the filters, Neato uses an improved ultra performance filter on the D8 to capture more allergens and keep them out of the air. This is ideal for pet owners and allergy sufferers.
In terms of mapping and navigation, the D8 matches the D6 with laser scanning, floor plans, no-go lines, and app/voice control. But you get up to 150 minutes of max runtime from the larger Li-ion battery, allowing the D8 to cover more ground before automatically recharging.
Of course, the extra features come at a higher price point. But for large homes with lots of carpeting, the upgrades can be worthwhile.
Also Read: Comparison Between Bissell CleanView and PowerClean
Key Differences Between the Neato D6 and D8
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each model, let’s do a side-by-side comparison of some of the most important distinguishing factors. This will help determine which vacuum fits your cleaning needs.
- Suction Power
The Neato D6 offers 1200Pa of suction, which is suitable for hard floors and medium-pile carpets. It can handle common debris like dust, dirt, pet hair, etc. However, the suction starts to struggle a bit on plush or high-pile carpets.
In comparison, the D8 bumps the suction up significantly to 1500Pa. This extra power lets it thoroughly clean even thick, plush carpets with deeper fibers. So the D8 is the better choice if you have lots of carpeting.
- Battery Life and Runtime
While the D6 provides up to 120 minutes of max runtime, real-world battery life is closer to 60-75 minutes on a full charge. This is generally enough to clean most apartments or small homes in a single session.
The D8 improves the average runtime to around 90 minutes per charge. And max runtime reaches 150 minutes. So you can clean larger homes for longer periods before the D8 needs to automatically recharge.
- Brush System
The D6 has a single high-efficiency spiral combo brush that can handle all floor types. But the D8 steps it up with two larger combo brushes plus a side brush.
The dual brushes provide wider cleaning coverage to reduce cleaning time. And the side brush is especially useful for sweeping debris away from walls and into the path of the main brushes.
So the D8’s more advanced brush system leads to faster, more thorough cleaning – especially in corners and along edges.
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- Filtration
Both vacuums come with Neato’s standard filter to capture most dust and allergens. But the D8 also includes their Ultra Performance filter which traps more microscopic particles. So the D8 offers superior filtration for cleaner indoor air.
- Price
With the increased suction, battery life, brushes, and filtration – the Neato D8 predictably costs more than the D6. The D6 retails around $500, while the D8 ranges from $700-$800.
So you’ll have to decide if the upgrades are worth the additional investment for your home’s floor plan and cleaning needs.
- Warranty
Neato covers both models with a 1-year limited warranty. This protects against defects in materials and workmanship. Make sure to register your vacuum upon receipt to activate coverage.
Also Read: Comparison Between Shark and Roborock
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, the Neato D6 can work without WiFi connectivity. It uses laser mapping to navigate and clean your floors. However, you won’t be able to start cleaning cycles from the app or view mapping data without WiFi.
Here are the steps to connect your D6 to WiFi: Open the Neato app and select your D6 vacuum. Go to Settings > My Robot > Wireless Setup. Choose your WiFi network and enter the password. Wait for the D6 to connect. This may take a few minutes. Once connected, you’ll see a checkmark by your network in the app.
Yes, Neato Robotics is an American company founded in 2005. Their headquarters are located in Newark, California. All Neato vacuums are designed and assembled in the United States.
Neato Robotics is the manufacturer of Neato brand robot vacuums. The company pioneered the unique D-shape design and laser navigation technologies found in their vacuums. They design, engineer, and assemble all Neato models in their California facilities.
Also Read: Comaprison Between the Neato D7 and D8
Final Thoughts
When choosing between the Neato D6 and D8, consider your floor types, home size, and budget. The D6 provides excellent cleaning for hard floors and medium carpets at an affordable price point. It works well for smaller homes.
For plush carpets or larger spaces, the D8 is likely the better investment. The extra suction power, longer battery life, superior filtration, and upgraded brushes justify the higher cost for some buyers.
Both Neato vacuums offer user-friendly operation, strong cleaning performance, and handy app features. So you can’t go wrong with either model depending on your cleaning needs and budget. Take time to consider which model fits your home best.