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The consequences of ignoring either task are just as unhealthy. You can now save time by automating the tedious chores of manually scrubbing the walls and floor of your pool and skimming the leaves off the surface.
Buy a robotic pool cleaner to do the dirty work. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet found a robot capable of cleaning toilets.
These labor saving pool bots are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a diverse range of capabilities. The most advanced models cost $2,000 or even more. Here are our top picks and a buyers guide to help you decide what you need from a robotic cleaner.
Polaris Freedom Plus: Best cordless robotic pool cleaner in the world
Pros
Overall great cleaning quality
Lightweight, drains water quickly
Docks at waterline for easy retrieval
Cons
Slightly less effective than Polaris’ corded model VRX iQ+
Remote control is somewhat difficult to use
Very expensive
Price When Reviewed:
$1,699.00
Best Prices Today:
$1,699
Who should purchase the Polaris Freedom Plus?
For homeowners with large pools, the Polaris Freedom Plus offers hands-free cleaning and the option to remotely operate their pool-cleaning robot to ensure that specific areas are cleaned.
Polaris’s battery-powered pool robotic cleaner is a great choice for homeowners with larger pools who want hands-off cleaning. It also offers the option to remotely control the robot to ensure specific areas are cleaned. This robot has a large, easily-cleanable debris basket and was very effective at removing leaves, twigs, and other debris in our test pool.
Polaris Freedom Plus – Additional considerations
The pool cleaner is packed with convenience features. The bot parks itself automatically at the side of the swimming pool when it is finished cleaning. It comes with a caddy for contactless charging and its 20-pound mass makes it easy to move it from the caddy into the pool when cleaning is needed.
The Polaris Freedom Plus costs $1,699 and, while it’s the best, those with a limited budget may find cheaper options that do the same job.
Beatbot Aquasense PRO – Best cordless robot pool cleaner, runner up
Pros
Excellent underwater cleaning capabilities
App lets you tweak cleaning operations in dozens of ways
Outstanding battery life of 7 hours or more
Cons
Can still get stuck on occasion
Skimming feature isn’t overly effective
Expensive compared to some other high-end competitors
Price When Reviewed:
$1,869.00 (after $330 discount for Amazon Prime members or if purchased direct from Beatbot with code “BeatbotProCode”)
Best Prices Today:
$2,199
Who should buy the Beatbot Aquasense Pro?
Pool Owners looking for the ultimate flexibility and programmability in cleaning should give the Aquasense Pro a good look. This machine has nine motors that help it navigate around your pool with efficiency and focus.
This machine has four preset cleaning modes, including floor only, floor, wall and waterline, floor, wall and waterline, surface, and an eco mode which cleans the floor of the pool every other day, until its battery runs out. You can also create custom cleaning mode for the floor, wall, and surface, giving you more than 20 ways to keep your swimming pool clean.
Beatbot Aquasense Pro – Additional considerations
The Aquasense Pro, like many robot vacuums comes with a docking system that charges the battery automatically, eliminating the need to drag an electrical cord to the device at the end of each cleaning session. It cleans your pool’s waterline, floor, walls and water surface. It is very effective at vacuuming dirt and debris out of the bottom of your pool. The two-piece mesh basket it comes with traps the dirt and debris. If you choose to purchase the water-clarifying agent the robot will disperse it as it moves around sucking up leaves from the surface of the swimming pool.
Wybot S2 – Best cordless robotic cleaner for large pool
Pros
Outstanding coverage
Endlessly configurable via mobile app
Reasonably lightweight for easy maneuverability
Cons
Haphazard navigation
History of cleaning operations seems broken
App is rough around the edges
Price When Reviewed:
$999 .99
Best Prices Today:
$799.99
Who should buy the Wybot S2?
You’ll be amazed at the labor savings you can achieve with the Wybot S2. Its large battery ensures that the pool will always be clean and ready to use. The Wybot S2 is a powerful pool cleaner that can clean pools up to 3,230 sq. ft. and has a 7800mAh battery. It can scrub any pool within a few hours. Its ability to clean is just as good as it is to scrub thanks to its large basket with two filter, the second of these being great for capturing fine grit.
Wybot S2: Additional considerations
The robotic pool cleaner is excellent in every other way. Polaris Freedom Plus, on the other hand, is better if price is not an issue. However, it is also nearly twice as costly. Be prepared to deal with some quirks. It seems that the app could have been polished a bit more before it was released, but this software should be relatively simple to update. Don’t be fooled by its idiosyncratic interface. It may look like the robot is wandering aimlessly, but it will cover every inch of your pool’s walls, floor, and waterline.
Fanttik Aero X – Best cordless robotic cleaner for large pool, runner-up.
Pros
Outstanding cleaning quality
Epic battery life
Best-in-class remote control
Cons
Easily gets stuck on steps
Both retrieval and cleanup can be tricky
Snaking cable makes for less tidy storage and appearance
Price When Reviewed:
$1,199.99
Best Prices Today:
$499.99
Who should purchase the Fanttik Aero X cleaner?
Those with extra-large pools or pools that are prone to large volumes of debris will find the Aero X to be a cleaner that is more than capable. Don’t be fooled by its appearance. It may look more like a mower than a cleaner for pools, but that shouldn’t deter you.
The robotic pool cleaner is a powerful underwater machine that can clean for six hours. Its large basket and long battery life make it a good choice for larger pools, whether commercial or public.
Fanttik Aero X – Additional considerations
While the Fanttik Aero X is not the cheapest robotic pool cleaner available, it is a great choice if you have a large pool to clean and require a robot with a long battery life.
The Aero X is a great toy, even though it works well on its own. The centerpiece joystick allows for full, real-time control, which is rare among manually controlled pool cleansers. It also makes it feel more like a remote controlled car, which is fun to play with.
Aiper Seagull SE: Best robotic pool cleaner for smaller swimming pools
Pros
Very easy to use
Lightweight, sleek, and fast
Reasonably effective at cleaning considering the price
Cons
Failed to park itself near the wall at end of its cycle
Struggles with larger leaves
Requires significant regular maintenance
Price When Reviewed:
$249.99
Best Prices Today:
$179.99
Who should purchase the Aiper Seagull SE?
Aiper’s entry-level swimming pool bot is ideal for those with smaller pools, up to 850 square feet. If you have a limited budget, you can try using one in a large pool. However, the battery will require multiple charging cycles. Aiper’s entry level pool bot will have no problem cleaning your small pool. It’s not very feature-rich, aside from the on/off switch. But it’s an excellent and affordable option if you only need occasional help with leaves that you would otherwise have to pick up by hand. It can also be used as a second pool cleaner when there isn’t a lot of debris to warrant a larger cleaner.
Aiper Seagull: Additional considerations
This 8-pound device is very easy to maneuver and can run around the pool for 90 minutes before the battery runs out.
Although the Seagull SE is a cheaper alternative to other robotic cleaners, it requires daily maintenance rather than the weekly maintenance required by larger models.
Best performance of any pool cleaning robot we’ve tested to date
Optimizes run time based on pool size
Lift system lets you retrieve the robot on demand without a pole
Cons
Very expensive
Wrangling power cable requires some extra effort
A bit of an eyesore even when not in use
Price When Reviewed:
$1,649.00 ($100 rebate available via Visa Rewards Card through Sept. 2, 2024)
Best Prices Today:
$1,649
Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc.
$1649
Who should purchase the Polaris VRX IQ+?
The Polaris VRX is a great robotic pool cleaner if you want the most efficient one. If you have a space to store it and its bulky cart when not in use or and don’t mind wrestling its power cord every time you start it up and again when it finishes, it’s hard to beat. If these chores are an issue, we recommend one of our battery powered recommendations.
What it lacks in portability it makes up for with performance: the Polaris VRX IQ+ is the most effective robotic pool cleaner that we’ve tested, leaving the large pool we used for this review completely spotless.
Polaris VRXiQ+: Additional considerations
Polaris’ VRXiQ+ is different from the other robotic pool cleansers we tested because of its 70-foot-long insulated power cable that connects to the control panel located out-of the-water. The cord can be a pain to manage, whether or not the robot is being used. It is also quite expensive. You’re paying for the best performance. Read our full review.
Polaris VRX IQ+ Review
Wybot F1 Pool Scimmer: Best robotic swimming pool skimmer (19659136)
Pros
The overall best skimmer at capturing debris in our tests
Huge filter basket
Remote control allows for manual steering when needed
Cons
Extremely loud
Blunt operation; runs into the wall Constantly
Weak battery life
Price When Reviewed:
$329.99
Best Prices Today:
Who should purchase the Wybot F1 Pool Skimmer?
We found that the Wybot F1 pool skimmer was more effective than any other skimmer in capturing floating debris and leaves. It captured about 85 percent of them, while the rest had already settled to the bottom.
I don’t recommend pool skimmers because their performance is usually inferior to that of a full cleaner. However, the Wybot is a notable exception. It’s not only cheaper than a robotic pool cleaner but also effective enough that you may not notice the difference. The Wybot is an excellent alternative for users who are diligent in running their skimmer immediately after a storm, or on a windy day.
Wybot F1 pool skimmer: Additional considerations
Since the F1 is solar-powered, you won’t have to stop mid-session in order to recharge the batteries – as long as the sun is shining.
The Wybot F1 can be quite noisy when it is in operation. This is mainly due to the impellers which allow it to move quickly around the pool but also make it seem like a boat.
Although we think the pool cleaners above represent the best money can buy, there are other products which may be of interest. The Airrobo PC10 is a robotic pool cleaner whose main attraction is its price. It’s not the most powerful robot we’ve ever dropped in the swimming pool, but it’s one of the more affordable midrange models. It took a few updates to the firmware before we were able to be satisfied with the Dreame Z1 Pro, which is a more intelligent pool cleaner than most. The Dreame Z1 Pro took a few firmware updates for us to be mostly satisfied with this pool cleaner, which is more intelligent than most.
Ofuzzi Cyber 1200 Pro (19459249) won’t clean the walls of your pool, but it does a great job at vacuuming up leaves and debris from the bottom. It’s also reasonably priced. It’s also very reasonably priced.
Seauto Shark excels in picking up dirt and debris from the bottom of a pool. However, during our tests, it missed key sections.
How I test pool cleansers
To test robotic pool cleaners, I use two methods: First, I do real-world tests, allowing debris to accumulate for a few weeks, and then I drop the robot in the water to see how well it performs. This is not scientific, and it depends on the season for falling leaves. So I devised another test using 100 silk craft leaves. These I scatter over the pool before starting a standard cleaning cycle. It is easy to compare the cleaning abilities of different robots by measuring the amount of leaves that are left behind.
TechHive does not have any robot pool cleaners tested in an above-ground swimming pool.
Why you should trust my word
: I’ve owned my pool since 2022 and have been around swimming pools and home swimming pools most of my adult life. I maintain the pool almost every day, as it is used daily. I have tested many cleaning devices, including the old-fashioned water-powered Polaris cleaners as well as a number of modern robots. The pool is an L-shaped pool measuring 12×36 with a depth of 4-7 feet. A small leg protrudes from the shallow end adding another 6×6 foot. Totaling 468 square ft.
Who created this article?
Christopher Null has been a technology journalist for over 25 years. He is an award-winning journalist who writes about and reviews consumer and business tech. He is also a regular contributor to Wired Magazine, This Old House Magazine, and AAA’s Via Magazine.
How to choose a robot pool cleaner
As is the case with most tech products these days, the features and capabilities of pool cleaning robots increase as their prices rise. Here’s a partial listing of features to look for. They are sorted by price, starting with the least expensive models, which should have the most common features.
Battery life/square footage (19659164) These specs are related: the larger the battery the more area that the robot can cover. I have found that most manufacturers exaggerate the number of square feet their robots can cover with a single charge. Look for a model which promises to cover at least twice as much space as your pool.
Mobile app support
Robotic pool cleaners that cost around $1,000 include Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile app support and a price range of about $1,000. These features allow you to monitor battery life, the robot’s cleaning modes, and – at least in theory – map your pool visually. These features may not always work as intended, but they can be useful to receive a push notification if your robot gets stuck.
Remote control
Some robots come with a remote control that allows you to “drive” it toward debris or have it abort the cleaning cycle.
Self-parking
Many robotic devices can park themselves at the bottom of a pool after they finish running. This makes it easier to retrieve them with a pole. (A hook attachment is included). This feature is hit or miss with the cheaper models. The more advanced ones will float to the surface. Then, you can easily pull them out by hand. No tools required.
Surface-cleaning capability
Beatbot
Want a robot that can skim leaves that haven’t yet sunk to the floor? Look for a model with a skimming feature–although note that these won’t provide perfect coverage due to the tendency of leaves to migrate while the robot is in motion.
Wall-cleaning capability
Christopher Null/Foundry
I didn’t think I needed this feature until I tried it out: Who gets debris on the walls of the pool? Well, you do, more than likely. Wall-cleaning robots can physically scrub off algae that you’d otherwise need to do manually, with a brush—and that’s a terribly painful, back-breaking task. The best models use spinning treads, while cheaper robots rely on just suction power.
FAQ on Best robotic pool cleaners
What is the best robotic cleaner? What is the best robotic pool cleaner?
Polaris VRX has proven to be the most reliable and efficient pool cleaner that we have tested. It is fast, thorough, and simple to use. Its reliability is largely due to the fact that it’s corded and therefore free from the limitations imposed by a battery. Polaris Freedom Plus is the best cordless robotic cleaner. It is slightly less efficient than its VRX-iQ sibling, but it still cleans well, has many features, and does not require a bulky power cord.
2.
How do robotic pool cleaners operate? Robotic pool cleaners work in a similar way to robot vacuum cleaners. However, their navigational technology is different. Simple cleaners use water jets that move in wide arcs and reverse when they hit an obstruction. They also suction debris through a port at the bottom of the robot.
Advanced cleaners use multiple mechanical motors and sensor to move the robot in a more organized cleaning routine. They move back and forth like a person driving a lawnmower. Models that clean the side of a swimming pool can also climb its walls. These models have spinning brushes that are more effective in scooping up sand and dirt.
3.
How do you control the robotic pool cleaners? You don’t. Robotic pool cleaners can be “set and forget”, though some models are more sophisticated and can be programmed to clean only the floor, only the walls, or both floor and wall. If you want to stop it mid-run you can grab the robot with a pole and turn it manually or use a remote control, if provided.
Mobile apps will not work when the robot is inside a pool. The water and concrete tends to block the wireless signals.
4.
How effective are robotic cleaners?
You might be disappointed with the results of a robot cleaner, which runs for less than three hours and sometimes even less. I’ve never had a cleaning session where there was no debris left, but the models above do a good job. They can remove 80 to 95 percent depending on how dirty it was when you started.
Advanced robotic pool cleaners with treads do a remarkable job of cleaning up fine dirt and algae. They are much better than hose cleaners which need to be removed from the pool to swim. They are also nearly as effective as a person with a brush. It is worth investing in a more expensive, but more advanced unit just for this capability.
5.
What maintenance is required for robotic pool cleaners?
Very Little. After each run, you will need to empty the debris baskets. You may need to use a brush for the filter screen. You should also dry off the robots. After a few charging hours, the robot will be ready to go. Pool robots, being electronic devices, are susceptible to malfunctioning over time. This is especially true since they spend a lot of time underwater. Always store your robot out of direct sunlight to prevent UV rays from damaging its plastic components. Batteries will naturally lose capacity with time. None of the robots I’ve seen allow you to replace them.
6.
Do there exist robotic pool cleaners that can clean above-ground pools as well? There are many robotic pool cleaners that can clean both in-ground and above-ground swimming pools. These pools have different surfaces and lack a smooth surface for the robot to navigate.
While some pool-cleaning robotics can clean both types of pools (and more), don’t assume that the one you are considering can. The manufacturer’s product specification should specify which type of pool the robot was designed to clean.
