Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.
“Instead, they use their own filter bag.
The Spruce
Some even have built-in solar chargersno need to worry about line tangles, kinks, or tripping hazards!
We will update this story soon with our findings.
We loved how much less time and effort it took thanvacuuming the pool manually.
We charged up the cordless, battery operated Aiper Scuba S1 Pool Cleaner before testing in our pool.PHOTO: The Spruce
After that, cleaning cycles typically took about 90 minutes each.
We found it a bit difficult to remove this cleaner from the pool.
Once the water drained out, we didn’t have any trouble carrying it around.
The Aiper Scuba S1 Pool Cleaner is heavy, but we like that it comes with a hook for a pool pole.PHOTO: The Spruce
In fact, this cleaner has had no problem removing any debris.
Because it uses a power cord, the Dolphin E50 doesn’t require charging.
It’s compatible with all types of pools though, including including gunite, fiberglass, and vinyl.
There’s also a quick-clean mode if you don’t need the entire pool to be deep cleaned.
Its easy to use and even easier to retrieve, which is why its our favorite budget option.
This automatic swimming pool cleaner is exceptionally easy to set up and use.
We wish this robot had some way to alert you when its done.
Its easy to retrieve, and the filter basket pops out effortlessly for a quick empty and rinse.
Thanks to its 70-foot tangle-reducing cable, this high-end robot cleans even the largest in-ground pools.
PHOTO: Pool Warehouse
The four-wheel drive helps this cleaner clean the walls, floor, waterline, and even the steps.
The AquaSense 2 Ultra also did a better job of cleaning a deep end seat and the semi-circle stairs.
It didnt perform flawlessly on the stairs, but it did climb them starting with the second cleaning session.
The Dolphin Explorer E50 has a 50 foot cord that can limit pool size without a nearby power outlet.The Spruce
It has buttons for floor only, floor and walls, and floor, walls, and surface.
We set the fourth custom button to just skim, but you could create whatever custom program you want.
This is a true all-in-one pool cleaning robot, and all of the functions work well.
PHOTO: The Spruce
It also has a safety bumper, which is key for preventing damage to above-ground pool liners.
Its ready to go right out of the box without any complicated setup.
Emptying the filter basket was easy (it lifts out from the top of the cleaner).
The Aiper Scuba SE scrubbed the bottom of our above-ground pool clean without getting stuck on the wrinkly liner.PHOTO: The Spruce
The ultra-fine filter cartridge was also easy to access, but there wasnt any visible debris on it.
We love that you might easily program it to clean at specific intervals and times.
Plus, the only setup required was attaching the power hose to the cleaner.
We also periodically stopped other household tasks to check on the cleaners movement and the status light.
It navigated our walls flawlessly and even handled the benches and other obstacles with ease.
Since its so big, we were able to execute the pool cleaner several times between cleaning the filter.
We werent able to implement the dock because the lip on our gunite pool prevented us from attaching it.
If your pool doesnt have that issue, its a great option to have.
That might sound like an exaggeration, but it isnt.
We watched it suck up a few large palm fronds that seemed to slip back out later.
We love the app connectivity provided by this skimmer, including the monitoring and tracking functionality.
That alone makes it the most effective skimmer we’ve used.
Each cleaner was rated on ease of use, design, effectiveness, and value.
For battery-powered models, we timed how long it took the battery to charge.
After use, we noted how easy it was to clean the filter and maintain the unit.
We also noted the noise level and how easy the cleaner is to store.
We are updating this list after each testing period and continuing to test new models.
Some pool cleaners work in both above-ground and in-ground pools, but others only work in one.
PHOTO: Leslie’s
It doesn’t work on inclines, but it performed very well in our flat-bottomed above-ground pool.
If you’re tired of scrubbing your pool walls, that’s worth taking into consideration.
The AquaSense Pro also has a surface skimming mode that can run after any other cycle.
The Polaris VRX iQ+ arrived tightly packed with all of its components and accessories secured.PHOTO: The Spruce
Some pool-cleaning robots even specialize in cleaning coves on an above-ground pool.
The power method impacts the convenience of using your robot and also how long it can run without stopping.
Smart Connectivity and Controls
Another feature worth considering is smart home connectivity.
They typically connect to a power supply outside the pool using a long power cord.
“They are electric and plug into the wall.
They operate independently from the rest of the pool.
Claudia Duncan, owner and CEO of Professional Pool Management and member of thePool & Hot Tub Alliance.
“It depends on how much they are used.
On average, robotic pool cleaners cost between $500 and $1,200.
Be sure to remove your robot when adding chemicals to the water.
Why Trust The Spruce?
The Beatbot Aquasense 2 Ultra includes a camera and AI processing capabilities for improved mapping.PHOTO: The Spruce
The Beatbot Aquasense 2 Ultra includes a camera and AI processing capabilities for improved mapping.PHOTO: The Spruce
Thanks to its built-in handle, the cleaner is easy to put into the pool by hand.PHOTO: The Spruce
The Aiper Scuba E1 comes with a charger and pool pole hook, but there is no assembly required.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: Leslie’s
The cleaner scrubbed and removed a thick layer of algae from the floor and cove.PHOTO: The Spruce
The Wybot S2 handled our L-shaped pool well, navigating around the corner and cleaning the whole thing.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The front of the robot has a large collection area with spinning brushes that help pull in debris.PHOTO: The Spruce
The Spruce
The Spruce
The Spruce
The Spruce
We tested solar-powered cleaners like the Beatbot iSkim Ultra Robotic Pool Skimmer that can work almost continuously.The Spruce
