Best Robotic Pool Cleaner Reviews – Full Buyers Guide

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Having a good robotic pool cleaner in your pool shack pretty well means you can sit back and just enjoy your summer with a pool brush hardly ever touching your hands.

Nice !!

An automatic or robotic pool cleaner can take care of just about everything below the waterline for you. That’s right from the pool bottom up to the water line and tricky corners too. Some can even manage to climb and clean pool steps for you as too.

Some can even manage to climb and clean pool steps for you as well.

With this comprehensive guide to robotic pool cleaners it’ll be easy for you to find the best pool vacuum to suit your installation and budget.

So as you may have noticed there’s lot’s of products on the market, but our experts have just curated and reviewed this years best from trusted manufacturers.

A robotic pool cleaner is a hefty financial commitment, but when you buy the right one it’s the kind of purchase you’ll wish you’d made years earlier.

Let’s take a look at this years best….

BEST ROBOTIC POOL CLEANERS REVIEWED

Dolphin Nautilus CC PLUS Robotic Pool Cleaner 

The Best Selling Dolphin Pool Cleaner

• PROGRAMMED CLEANING:  Dolphin CleverClean technology first scans your pool then calculates the most efficient cleaning route. It even navigates around unexpected obstacles.
• SCHEDULED CLEANING: Fully automatic medium term timer can be set to  clean the pool daily, every other day, or every third day.
• TANGLE FREE:  The patented Dolphin anti-tangle swivel has effectively solved cord tangling issues that many lesser makes suffer from.
• FILTER:  Top loading. Nice and easy. Two sets of filters are included with the purchase. A springtime filter for fine particles and debris, and a summer set for general cleaning.
• POWER:  Runs from a standard 120v outlet. The manufacturer estimates running cost at just 5 cents per hour. That’s pretty hard to beat.

Option Models and Caddy

Polaris Model 9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner

Polaris Sports Range Pool Cleaner

• SCHEDULED CLEANING:  Seven programmable  cleaning cycles to run the cleaner on a specific days and times. So this clever little guy can perform its chores without supervision.
• REMOTE CONTROLLED CLEANING: A hand held remote control allows you to override the preset program and direct the robot yourself using hand gestures. Make sure your neighbours don’t see you waving at the robot though!!
• WATER LINE CLEANING: This robotic pool cleaner can be programmed just for water-line if needed.
• EASY LIFT SYSTEM: The 9550 surfaces where you direct it and waits to be picked up. It automatically evacuates water as well for effortless removal from the pool.
• 4 WHEEL DRIVE:  Copes with all pool terrain slopes. Climbs most steps too.
• OTHER FEATURES:  Dirty canister indicator. Vortex vacuum technology to enhance cleaning action.
• CADDY: A caddy is included with the robot. Easy assembly instructions are found in the manual,

AIPER Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner

AIPER Cordless Automatic Pool Vacuum

• CORDLESS CLEANING: A built-in 5000mAh lithium battery powers the robot for up to 90 minutes so plenty of time to clean the average sized Above Ground Pool
• ADJUSTABLE CLEANING PATTERN: Can be set up to clean either symmetrical or shaped pool profiles.
• AUTO REVERSE:  Backs away from obstructions and the side walls and recommences cleaning cycle.
• FILTER:  The easy to access filter tray is large enough to trap an impressive 3.9L volume of debris.
• ANGLED POOL BOTTOM:  This robotic pool cleaner is not a wall climber but it can manage up to a 15º climb along the pool bottom.

Hayward TigerShark Robotic Pool Cleaner 

 Tiger Shark QC Pool Cleaner

• CLEANING OPTIONS:  Easy to understand programming . A fast 90 minute touch up cleaning cycle, or a h three hour deep clean program.
• POOL TYPE AND SIZE: For pools up to 20 x 40 foot in size.  Cleans most surfaces including gunite, vinyl, fiber-glass and tile.
• COVERAGE:  This is a wall climbing robot, it can reach to the waterline.  Cleans coves well too.
• FILTRATION SYSTEM:  Bottom loading cartridge.  Able to filter particles as small as 5 microns. The robot has to be upended for filter access.
• ANTI TANGLE SYSTEM:  The lifting handle can be set to bias the cleaners path either left or right. Helps cord tangling problems.

Dolphin Escape Robotic Pool Cleaner

 Dolphin Escape ABOVE GROUND Pool Cleaner

• NAVIGATION:  SmartNav scans the pool to map pool and optimises cleaning . The robotic pool cleaner remembers where it has cleaned and avoids overlapping.  A really robotic pool cleaner.
• HYPER-BRUSH:  The high powered spinning brushes fitted on the Dolphin Escape can dislodge and clean even stubborn problems like algae. They spin twice as fast as some traditional systems.
• MOBILITY: It’s built with a HyperGrip system,  continuous rubber tracks instead of wheels so directional control and grip is improved. It climbs pool walls with ease.
• SMART SENSORS:  Ladders and drains are no problem to the Dolphin Escape, it can sense them and avoid getting hung up.
• FILTRATION:  Utilises filter cartridges and debris canister are accessed from the top of the unit. Debris of all types down to really fine is captured using this neat and convenient system. Messy debris bags are no longer required. Nice!

Aquabot Rover Junior Auto Pool Cleaner

 Aquabot  ABOVE GROUND Pool Cleaner

• Manufactured in the USA   (If you hadn’t noticed !!)
• Uses an onboard filter bag to collect pool debris and particles.
• The chassis design allows the Aquabot  to ride over an undulating pool bottom without any hanging up problems.
• It’s equipped with an adjustable axle pin to bias the direction of the cleaners guidance system if desired.
• Can be used with saltwater pool systems.  It’s recommended to rinse with fresh water after every clean.
• Works on all pool shapes and sizes, but remember that is comes with a 40 foot cable so large pool owners should check the plug in point to make sure it can cover all areas safely.

Aquabot Breeze Robotic Pool Vacuum

 Aquabot Breeze XLS  ABOVE GROUND Pool Cleaner

• NAVIGATION: Not a robotic pool cleaner in the full sense. It doesn’t  utilise smart navigation, it basically moves forward and reverse and the tilt of the front axle manoeuvres the cleaner around the pool. Works great on smaller pools.
• CLEANING SYSTEM:  A fixed brush and a system of jets loosen stubborn debris before the suction evacuates it into the filter bag.
• CORD SWIVELl:  An anti-tangle swivel connects the robot to the power line. It is found a couple of feet above the cleaner body. Cord tangling is an issue with many of these types of cleaners however the Aquabot EZ swivel system combined with the slow directional changes makes it work well.
• CLEANING CYCLE: Can be pre-programmed to run for one or two hours.
• FILTRATION:  Convenient top loading easy access filter basket. With fine filters it can pick up particles as small as 2 microns

AIPER Automatic Pool Cleaner

 The Excellent Above or In Ground AIPER  Pool Cleaner

• BRUSHES: This robot works on all pool surfaces. It has four durable PVC brushes making it extremely effective cleaning machine indeed.
• FILTER BASKET: Dual top loading filters makes cleaning fast and easy. Rinsing them and reinstalling a breeze.
• CLEANING CYCLES:  This robotic pool cleaner can be scheduled to clean the pool by every one, two or three hours.
• CABLE:Tangle free no hassle cable.
• WALL CLIMBING: Can scale pool walls up to the waterline.
• LIGHTWEIGHT: Easy to retrieve from to pool when it’s finished its cleaning chores.

Aquabot Pool Rover S2 Pool Vacuum

 Aquabot Rover Automatic Pool Cleaner

• POOL SHAPES:  A perfect choice for all shapes and pool surfaces up to 40-feet. It is particularly suitable for above-ground pools.
• COVERAGE:  Cleans pool floor, cove and partial wall climb with cove radius of 6 inches.
• FILTER:  Simple to service the top access filter media. Capable of filtering at 80-85 gallons per minute.
• AXIL SETTINGS:  Pick from three adjustable axle pin settings to adjust the direction of the movement across the pool bottom..
• CABLE:  The robot is run from a 40′ kink free cable.The EZ swivel ensures the cable remains relatively twist free.
• TIMER:  Pick the one or two hour timer setting options.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUTOMATIC & ROBOTIC POOL CLEANERS

Although they are close cousins there are a number of key differences between automatic and robotic pool cleaner.  It’s helpful if buyers understand in the way theyr go about their cleaning chores.

From a buyers point of view they are both hands off.  They’ll both get the job done they just go about it in different ways.  Basically it’s the navigation and sometimes the propulsion system that is different.

The good news is that with both systems owners will be able to sit back and just enjoy a clean and debris free pool.

Our old friends the pool skimming net, pool brush and extendable pole are not completely obsolete, but their excursions from the pool shack are much less when a robotic pool vacuum takes charge of cleaning.

So let’s unpack them to see how the different pool cleaning robot systems work.

Automatic Pool Cleaners

These are not fitted with smart navigation technology like a fully robotic pool cleaner, but that doesn’t mean to say they are not smart too, they’re just not quite as smart, just “clever”.

Automatic cleaners use “ blind navigation” to get around to pool and clean it.

There’s  a number of  innovative methods of navigation used by manufacturers to steer their pool cleaners around the pool bottom and walls.

The most basic example is used by the Aquabot above ground pool robots that we have highlighted in these reviews.

They use just a simple front axil bias that is set by the owner.  This will steer the robot slightly to the left or right.

When these robots go into reverse they tend to back up in a straight line so over the course of a two or three hour cleaning cycle they are able to reach all point of the pool.  Sounds a bit implausible?  But it does work, and works really well.

Sounds a bit implausible?  But it does work, and works really well.

Another common navigation method uses a series of preprogrammed turns as the robot makes it’s clean up journey around the pool. 

Some periodically just perform a 90 degree turn , but the impressive Hayward Poolvergnuegen suction side cleaner has five different programmed turns ranging from 90 to a full 450 degrees.

It pulls a complete pirouette in fact.  A pool cleaner that can dance, now that’s pretty cool!!!

Robotic Pool Cleaner

When most people think of an in-house robot they imagine a machine that’s bristling with high tech,  programmed to repeatedly carry out a mundane kind of task.

The best robotic pool cleaners do exactly that, and yes they are bristling with state of the art technology.

The new top of the range models from the best manufacturers are packed with cutting edge technology that can scan the pool, memorise and map the shape and layout. 

Then they calculate an optimal cleaning pattern for a faster cleaning cycle. Fast cleaning means high energy efficiency; so lower utility bills.

The best example of this microchipped technology is found in the Maytronics Dolphin range. All of the models incorporate what they have called their SmartNav 2.0™system that incorporates all the technology mentioned above. 

Another good example is the Zodiac Polaris range, it uses ActivMotion sensors to safely navigate around the pool, and their robots can even right themselves when they have been tipped on their side by an obstruction, or have slipped off a stair.

These type of robots run completely independently from the pool pump and filtration system.  Tethered via an electrical cord to a pool side surface transformer / control box they do their work using on board electrical motors.

Most models have two; and some of the very top end even have three motors on board. They take care of running the rotating scrubbing brushes (if fitted), the vacuum power and the robots mobility.

Debris, sand and dust collection are all held on board in an integrated canister or waste collection bag for retrieval at the surface. Many models can, or certainly have an option filter to take out particles as small as 2 microns if you are a pool perfectionist!!

As you can probably guess this kind of robotic pool cleaner technology comes at a price.

But these are what we would term real pool cleaning robots. They don’t rely on any mechanical tweeks to control their path around around the pool.

Everything is done using the smart technology which is either built into the robot or the pool side control box.

The high initial outlay for the best robotic pool cleaners can be offset by their very low running costs when compared with conventional cleaners that require the pools filtration system to run them. 

It’s been estimated that pool pump usage can be cut by as much as 70% using a good robotic cleaner. 

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