Enjoying the best parts of owning a pool is easy. Things like partying with friends, lounging on a pool float with a cocktail, teaching your kids to swim and cooling off on hot summer days never get old. But, as they say, with a great pool comes great responsibility — in the form of maintenance and cleaning. Luckily, there are plenty of the best robotic pool cleaners lining up to take the hard work off your hands.
You can, of course, opt for a manual pool cleaner which requires you to physically move the device over the floor and walls of your pool. However, this can become tiresome. Don’t ruin your chilled out, summer vibes with manual, pool-cleaning labor. Instead, choose a robotic pool cleaner. Here are some of the things to look out for when choosing the best robotic pool cleaner for you.
Pool Size/Type – The most important factor when picking the right robotic pool cleaner is that it’s capable of cleaning your entire pool. Each device comes with a maximum capable size, usually around 30 to 50 feet, so be sure to check the size of your pool and that your pool is within the stated limits to avoid uncovered patches.
Wall Climbing/Cleaning – In addition to covering the entire swimming pool floor, some devices are capable of climbing slopes, vertical walls and even cleaning the waterline, too. It’s worth keeping this in mind, especially if you want to be involved in the pool cleaning process as little as possible. The better the coverage, the less work you have to do.
Corded vs Cordless – Another element to think about is whether you want or even need a cordless device. A cordless device has greater freedom to roam and can be better suited to some users whose pools have restricting objects in the way. However, it’s important to remember that these devices also have a limited runtime due to battery limitations.
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Remote Control/WiFi Connectivity – While it makes little difference to the device cleaning-wise, being able to control a vacuum through an attached remote or WiFi connectivity provides greater convenience for the user. If you like the idea of being able to switch the pool cleaner on and off as well as adjust its weekly schedule from the comfort of your couch, definitely keep this feature in mind.
Below you’ll find nine of the best robotic pool cleaners. Each device is well-reviewed and offers a comprehensive cleaning for your pool.
1. Dolphin Nautilus Robotic Pool Cleaner
BEST OVERALL
Everyone loves seeing a dolphin in the water. And this remains true for Dolphin Nautilus Robotic Pool Cleaner. The advanced device keeps your pool water clean with its powerful suction and advanced scanning technology. It’s capable of fully cleaning large pools, up to 50 feet in size, in as little as two hours. That’s two hours of hard work you won’t have to do. Furthermore, it requires no hoses or a booster pump, and the tangle-free power cable prevents interruptions. All of this means your biggest decision is how to best enjoy the water.
2. OT QOMOTOP Robotic Pool Cleaner
BEST CORDLESS
By removing the need for any attached cables or pipes, the OT QOMOTOP Robotic Pool Cleaner possesses the freedom to roam your pool which few other cleaners do. The design uses a built-in, rechargeable battery to achieve this cable-free design, which also means you never have to experience any time-consuming, tangling issues, either. The lightweight device is available in either blue or green and can function in all flat-bottomed pools. Additionally, you’ll enjoy up to 90 minutes of runtime from a full battery charge. Plus, you can clean the easily removed internal filters and chassis for optimum performance and appearance.
3. AIPER SMART Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner
COMPACT PICK
The AIPER SMART Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner is a compact device that is compatible with all in-ground swimming pools. It features large suction doors, a powerful brush and a cord-free design which provides greater in-water freedom. This means it can cover clean pools as big as 100 meters square in an impressive, 90-minute runtime. The IPX8-rated cleaner will also park near a pool wall when the battery is low for easy retrieval, while the grippy wheels mean it can climb pool floor inclines up to 15 degrees steep.
Read more: The Best Pool Vacuum Cleaners
4. Aquabot Pool Rover Junior Pool Cleaner
BEST USA MADE
The Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover Junior Pool Cleaner is a hybrid robotic pool cleaner that runs on a jet-propelled system. It’s attached to 40-feet of floating cable and capable of cleaning flat-bottomed, above-ground pools. The comprehensive cleaning system is able to remove everything from large leaves to small pieces of debris, down to only two microns in size. Furthermore, the extra-wide, non-marring wheels mean this pool cleaner can be used on both printed vinyl pool bottoms and rippled flooring.
5. Zodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner
BEST SIDE CLEANER
Thanks to its slim design and mobile capability, the Zodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner is surprisingly adept at climbing and cleaning, even on vertical walls and in tight corners. It is compatible with in-ground pools boasting concrete, tile, vinyl and fiberglass surfaces and connects to any skimmer or dedicated 1.5-inch vacuum line. The cleaner is able to function on low-flow inputs thanks to its ultra-efficient power source, resulting in floors, walls and water lines that are always comprehensively cleaned. Inside, X-Drive technology optimizes the device’s cleaning path, while the cleaner’s X-Trax tires provide the necessary grip to scale pool walls.
6. DOLPHIN Proteus DX3 Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
USER-FRIENDLY PICK
The DOLPHIN Proteus DX3 Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner is a self-powered device that doesn’t require a pump or suction hose to function. It’s capable of cleaning in-ground pools up to 33 feet in size and uses a single-click, filler basket to collect debris and grime from your pool water. The powerful suction and tank-like design give this advanced pool cleaner wall climbing capabilities, while the wired, remote control lets you turn the cleaner on and off and schedule cleaning days and times. Furthermore, the DX also comes in a more advanced model which can clean larger pools and offers WiFi connectivity for the ability to control your device using your smartphone.
7. Aquabot X4 In-Ground Robotic Pool Cleaner
BEST FILTRATION
By including an advanced filtration system, the Aquabot X4 In-Ground Robotic Pool Cleaner is able to remove more debris and contaminants. The filter cartridges load from the top of the device for greater convenience, while the accompanying caddy, which is supplied with the cleaner, offers effort-free portability. The 4WD, wall-climbing device works in all shapes of swimming pools, whether above or below the ground, up to 60 feet in size. Additionally, this smart device uses AutoX Pool Mapping to calculate the best way to clean your pool for greater efficiency and cleaning speed.
8. DOLPHIN Triton PS Robotic Pool
ALSO CONSIDER
The DOLPHIN Triton PS Robotic Pool is an impressive device that can clean in-ground pools of up to 50 feet in size in two hours or less. The lightweight and ergonomic device comes attached to a 60-foot, tangle-free cable and sports a removable, top-loading filter basket to complete the user-friendly experience of the device. You’ll also be able to use the scheduling program to choose between every day, every other day and every third-day cleaning. Plus, the device is power independent, as it doesn’t run off a pool filter or pump, and it has been designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind.
9. DOLPHIN Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner
BEST SPLURGE
If you want a pool cleaning device that possesses all the bells and whistles, look no further than the DOLPHIN Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner. This cleaner features WiFi connectivity that allows you to link your smartphone to your device for easier weekly scheduling as well as manually controlled cleaning. The cleaner features a gyroscopic mobility system and comes attached to an anti-swivel cable. It also runs on three, 24-volt DC motors which deliver impressive cleaning power as well as the ability to clean the floor, walls and the waterline, too. Plus, for easy maintenance, the cleaner utilizes top-loading cartridge filters which can be removed and replaced without difficulty.