Neato's original factory brushes with "fins" created spatter on contact with hardwood floors and picked up dust and dirt well. Of course, these new brushes are much quieter, and yes, the Neato battery lasts longer because the brushes aren't in full contact with the hardwood. They appear to be floating 1/16 inch above the surface. So they still pick up the big stuff, but they don't completely clean my wood. I always find little things left over. I can't return them, but I will order original brushes now. Oh I have two Neato XV Signature Pros (so twice the price of the brushes for me. I really should have tried a set before buying a second one).