The 7 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners of 2023
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The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Over the past year, we've tested 18 robotic pool cleaner models from the top designers on the market. We've always evaluated each model on setup, design, effectiveness, ease of use, and value.
Best Overall: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
Minimal set-up and dual filters make this robotic pool vacuum an easy option for maintaining your pool and capturing debris.
What We Like
Suitable for pools up to 50 feet
Tangle-free cable
Cleans pools in two hours
Built-in weekly timer
Dual filters
What We Don't Like
Power supply isn’t waterproof
What We Like
Suitable for pools up to 50 feet
Tangle-free cable
Cleans pools in two hours
Built-in weekly timer
Dual filters
What We Don't Like
Power supply isn't waterproof
Price at time of publish: $899
Pool Type: In-ground or above ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: 2 hours | Cleaning Coverage: Floor, walls | Brush Type: Dual scrubbing | Filter Type: Twin cartridge | Smart Capabilities: No
Best Value: Aiper Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner
This affordable robotic pool cleaner is a great tool to removing fine debris from your pool's floor.
What We Like
Effective at removing silt and small debris
Easy to operate
Self-parks near pool wall
Compatible with both in- and above-ground pools
What We Don't Like
Can't handle large piles of leaves
Long charge time
What We Like
Effective at removing silt and small debris
Easy to operate
Self-parks near pool wall
Compatible with both in- and above-ground pools
What We Don't Like
Can't handle large piles of leaves
Long charge time
Price at time of publish: $300
Pool Type: In- and above-ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: 90 minutes | Cleaning Coverage: Floor | Brush Type: Independent brushes | Filter Type: Top-load filter basket | Smart Capabilities: No
Best Under $500: Hydrus Robotic Cordless Pool Vacuum Cleaner
This pool cleaner is a super affordable model that can clean up all types of debris and has a ping pong-like cleaning method.
What We Like
Lightweight
Beeps above water when on
Easy to use
Self-parks near pool edge
What We Don't Like
Cannot climb steep inclines
Got stuck by ladder
Similar to our best value pick, this robotic pool cleaner from Hydrus doesn't have smart features or multiple cleaning modes, but it is effective at picking up dirt and keeping a pool in top shape during peak season. It required no assembly, just a full charge before we dropped it into a vinyl-lined in-ground pool. This pool cleaner does not have a methodical cleaning path but moves across a pool floor like a ping pong ball. We noted that it's also quite fast when it's moving along the pool floor.
The speedy and random path did mean that this cleaner didn't always pick up all of the dirt and debris out of our testing pool, but this was also the first cleaning it had seen for the season, so it needed extra care anyway. We really like that this unit beeps when it's turned on, so you know it's working, before dropping it in the pool. It also self-parks, once it gets below 10 percent battery, and returns to your pool's edge.
Although we were pleasantly surprised with this pool cleaner's abilities, it did struggle to orient itself initially. It got stuck behind a ladder several times and it cannot climb steep inclines. Despite a few quirks to its methodology, we still think this robotic pool cleaner is a great option at under $300.
Price at time of publish: $230
Pool Type: In- and above-ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: 90 minutes | Cleaning Coverage: Floor | Brush Type: Not applicable | Filter Type: Stainless filter | Smart Capabilities: No
Best Splurge: Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner with Wi-Fi Control
What We Like
Remote steering
Anti-tangle cable
Cleans walls and waterline
Three cleaning levels
What We Don't Like
Cannot clean steps
Misses some spots during automatic cleaning cycles
If you have a large pool or just want a pool cleaner with all the bells and whistles, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Operated Pool Cleaner is a worthwhile investment. This high-end pool cleaner is suitable for in-ground pools up to 50 feet long, and it needs about one and a half to three and a half hours to complete a cleaning cycle, depending on your selection. Unlike less-expensive models, this robot also cleans the pool’s walls and waterline, ensuring every inch is free from dirt and algae. Its two-filter system captures all manner of debris and keeps it out of the water.
We enjoyed using this robot’s corresponding app to keep up with its cleaning progress and see its location in the pool. We also tried this robot’s pre-programmed standard and enhanced cleaning times and noted that the cleaner was able to get a pool about 95 and 99 percent clean, respectively. For the remaining debris, we used the remote steering to direct the robot to the small spots it missed throughout the pool.
This pool cleaner is equipped with powerful scrubbing brushes—three to be exact—that provide a deeper clean, and smart navigation software scans the pool to create an efficient cleaning route. The tangle-free cable prevents the unit from getting stuck, and the unit features an automatic weekly timer and an LED indicator light that tells you when the filter is full. Although this model is effective at climbing walls and cleaning the waterline, we did note that it cannot clean steps that are too narrow for it. However, it did manage to clean a wider sun ledge.
How It Performed Long-Term
This pool cleaner has continued to impress us over the course of several months. It's easy to operate and completes a thorough cleaning job every time. We only have one minor complaint about the remote steering feature in the smartphone app. There's a slight delay between the app and the cleaner, which makes spot cleaning and catching leftover debris more challenging. However, we've found its design to be a complete game changer during pool season, making it worth the high expense in our book.
Price at time of publish: $1,499
Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: 1.5 - 3.5 hours | Cleaning Coverage: Floor, walls, waterline | Brush Type: Triple scrubbing | Filter Type: Extra large twin cartridges | Smart Capabilities: Yes
Best for Leaves: Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner
This robot pool cleaner is the best for picking up leaves and other larger debris in a pool.
What We Like
Methodical cleaning pattern
Three cleaning settings
Simple design
What We Don't Like
Stairs seem to confuse cleaning pattern
Can be challenging to retrieve in a deep end
The Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner is a front-runner for tackling leaves and twigs among all the robotic pool cleaner models we've tested. We also happened to test this cleaner in a pool that's shaded by a cedar tree, oak tree, and bamboo, so it was well-challenged with a surplus of debris. Our favorite feature of this pool cleaner was its methodical cleaning pattern, which operates in an "S" shape across pool floors, and an elongated "N' shape along walls and waterlines. We will note it's very important to start this pool cleaner along a flat wall. We learned that the cleaning pattern is easily interrupted when initially placed near steps or a sun ledge (as we did at first use).
Despite a rocky start, we love how efficiently this pool cleaner can clean a pool's entire surface area. It also has three settings, so you can choose whether it cleans on an automatic setting (both floor and walls), floor only, or wall only. The setting dial also lights up in a series of colors to let you know when the battery is running low: Green is greater than 90 percent battery, blue is 50 to 89 percent, yellow is 10 to 49 percent, and red is less than 9 percent battery remaining. Just like many of the other models in our roundup, this robot pool cleaner also self-parks near a wall for easy retrieval. We will note that it has a smaller loop for hooking it out of the water, so we did experience some difficulty retrieving it from a deep end of the pool, simply because it was hard to discern the direction of the pool cleaner.
We did find ourselves wishing that this pool cleaner had some smart features like live tracking or a cycle status indicator, so we could better monitor its progress during a 3-hour cleaning cycle. This would also help prevent it from being stuck in one place for a long period of time and resulting in a drained battery, which only happened to us once when it got caught on the pool drain cover. Plus, given the higher price point, we think smart features would make this robotic pool cleaner even more competitive on the market. However, we are still very pleased with its ability to pick up twigs, leaves, silt, flowers, and more along a pool's floor and walls.
Price at time of publish: $900
Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: 180 minutes | Cleaning Coverage: Floor, walls, and waterline | Brush Type: Active scrub brushes | Filter Type: Top-load filter basket | Smart Capabilities: No
Best Smart: Polaris VRX iQ+ Robotic Pool Cleaner
A spendy but smart option like the Polaris VRXIQ+ automates nearly everything about the pool-cleaning process.
What We Like
Suitable for pools up to 60 feet
70-foot-long tangle-reducing cable
Easy Lift removal system
Caddy requires no tools to assemble
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Heavy
For the ultimate pool-cleaning convenience, the Polaris VRXIQ+ is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to control it right from the iAquaLink app. Using your smartphone, you can start or stop the cleaner, create customized schedules, and even see when the filter needs cleaning. This high-end robot cleans even the largest in-ground pools, thanks to its 70-foot tangle-reducing cable. It’s important to note that a member of our testing team was using this cleaner in an above-ground pool, so she could not test its wall, step, or waterline cleaning ability. All in all, though, we were impressed by this cleaner’s capacity, which easily handled the pool’s floor, which was covered in algae and leaves. It also learns your pool's size and dimensions during the first automatic cleaning cycle, so that it can further enhance and expedite cleaning during subsequent cycles.
The four-wheel drive helps this cleaner clean the walls, floor, waterline, and even steps. Thanks to its rear water-cleaning system, it easily blows debris off stairs and out of tight corners so the machine can suck it up. Although this model is more expensive, innovative features like a convenient storage caddy and the patented Easy Lift removal system, which drives the robot up the wall to be easily removed, make this cleaner worth the splurge. This cleaner is quite heavy, weighing 21 pounds, but we thought it was still relatively easy to lift out of the pool thanks to the Easy Lift technology, which aids in most of the exertion of lifting from the bottom of the pool.
How It Performed Long-Term
We love that we can control this robotic cleaner entirely from the compatible smartphone app. After experimenting with its cleaning capability in a hot tub, we'd advise that this model be used in larger pools, as it's not great at navigating smaller spaces. However, its performance and app capabilities make it a worthy splurge for busy families.
Price at time of publish: $1,649
Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: Not listed | Cleaning Coverage: Floor, walls, steps, waterline | Brush Type: Dual blade | Filter Type: Extra large filter canister | Smart Capabilities: Yes
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Best for Above-Ground Pools: Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner
Above-ground pools shouldn't be left out of the robotic pool cleaner club. This cleaner from Dolphin is effective and lightweight.
What We Like
Suitable for pools up to 30 feet
Plug-and-play operation
Compact and lightweight
Top-load filter easy to empty and rinse
What We Don't Like
Can't climb walls
The Dolphin Escape Robotic Above-Ground Pool Cleaner is designed for use in vinyl above-ground pools up to 30 feet wide. It easily navigates the floor of any above-ground pool and even smoothes out the liner. The vacuum head sucks up dirt and dust, and the large-capacity basket can accommodate larger debris like leaves.
We appreciated how easy it was to dump debris from the top-load filter after a cleaning run, which took about three hours. You can also clean out the filter basket with a garden hose. This cleaner’s plug-and-play operation is easy to set up and use immediately. We loved how much time this cleaner saved us from having to manually clean a pool, especially since the pool this robot was tested in is covered by a tree, which frequently drops leaves. Overall, this unit may be simple in performance (and not able to climb walls), but it’s compact and effective, making it a top choice for an above-ground pool.
Price at time of publish: $679
Pool Type: Above-ground | Cleaning Cycle Time: Not listed | Cleaning Coverage: Floors | Brush Type: Active scrubbing brush | Filter Type: Top-load filter | Smart Capabilities: No
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Final Verdict
We recommend the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner for hands-free cleaning of your in-ground pool. This model can scrub down the walls and floor of pools in just two hours, and its built-in scheduler makes it incredibly convenient to operate. For smaller pools, we think AIPER Seagull 1000 Robotic Pool Cleaner is a great budget-friendly pick, based on our testing. The lightweight design actually runs on battery power, and it can clean for around 90 minutes before needing to be recharged.
Other Options We Tested
DOLPHIN Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner: Although we were thoroughly impressed with this cleaner's overall performance at clearing large leaves and other debris, it just recently stopped working after six months of testing. We weren't able to tell what the exact problem was with the cleaner, but the customer service representative was incredibly helpful and offered to send a pre-paid shipping label to send the unit back to the company for repairs.
DOLPHIN Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner: Aside from the initial sticker shock at this robotic pool cleaner's price, we thought its performance was great for a larger pool. Its suction is even powerful enough to pick up the occasional pool toy. We will note that setup was slightly confusing for this model, as it only comes with a quick start guide rather than detailed instructions. However, we had it running in about 15 minutes after searching for extra guidance on the DOLPHIN website. While we have no real complaints about this cleaner's functionality, we think you can find a less expensive robotic pool cleaner that's just as effective.
Aiper Seagull Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner: While this cleaner is very similar to our best value pick, the Aiper Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, we found this unit struggled to pick up debris. The vacuum also disturbed debris and made it difficult to capture unless it was directly under the port. Although it has a great price point, we think there are better-performing models in our roundup that are worth the slightly higher price points.
Polaris P825 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner: We spent more time getting this model unstuck from nooks in our pool than the time it spent attempting to clean the pool. While it had no problem navigating the pool floor, it never actually sucked up larger debris and instead just pushed it around. Even after several cycles, the pool just didn't look clean. This was extra disappointing given this model's almost $1,000 price point.
The Spruce / Marissa Stampolis
How We Tested the Robotic Pool Cleaners
To test the best pool cleaners on the market, we initially purchased 11 robotic pool cleaners (out of a total of 20 pool cleaners of various styles we initially tested) and used them in our own home pools across the country for several weeks. For the robotic pool cleaners, we noted how long it took to set up the cleaner before dropping it in the pool. If the cleaner had smart features, we also considered the ease of pairing the cleaner to Wi-Fi, the user experience of the app, and the remote capabilities of the cleaner. As we placed the cleaners into our pools, we started a stopwatch to track how long the cleaner took to clean the entire pool.
We also made note of how easily the robotic cleaners navigated walls, water lines, steps, ladders, and sun shelves, if applicable. We watched the cleaner to see whether it had a methodical movement, especially if it was equipped with pool mapping technology or a random cleaning path. After completing at least two separate cleanings, about a week or so apart, we rated the cleaners on their design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. We also thought about whether we would recommend the cleaner to a friend or family member or purchase the cleaner ourselves.
In our latest iteration of testing, we tested 7 additional robotic pool cleaner models in our own home pools. This time, we conducted at least three separate cleanings and made sure to rate the models on the same attributes of setup, design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. We then compared the performance of these latest models to our previous list and made updates where necessary.
The Spruce / Marissa Stampolis
What to Look for in a Robotic Pool Cleaner
Features
Your budget, the size and shape of your pool, and the amount of debris your pool generally collects should be factored into which features you want in a cleaner. Many robotic cleaners come with a compatible smartphone app, which allows you to schedule cleaning times, designate specific zones in your pool's layout, and even drive your cleaner remotely for spot cleaning. Our best smart pick, the Polaris VRXIQ+ Robotic Pool Cleaner with iAquaLink Control, has delayed scheduled cleanings and remote steering, plus you can monitor the temperature of your pool water. We loved that we could easily control this cleaner from the app and move it to spots that it missed during an automatic cycle.
Functionality
Some pool cleaners can skim the top surface of your pool to collect floating dirt and debris before sinking. Whether you choose to let it automatically skim your pool's surface or control it through the remote, the top-open debris basket is easy to remove and empty.
Other pool cleaner designs crawl the sides and bottom to suck up anything in their path. You also want to consider the size of the debris basket, especially if your pool is surrounded by trees and plants that regularly deposit leaves and dirt into the pool. Some robotic pool cleaners even specialize in cleaning coves on an above-ground pool. Our best for coves pick, the Polaris 7000 Above Ground Robotic Pool Cleaner, easily captures dirt and debris along the sloped edge of an above-ground pool floor.
Value
Pool cleaners can vary widely in price. In most cases, the more functionality and features a unit has, the higher the cost. When determining how much to spend on a unit, consider your budget and the size of your pool, and how much debris you regularly find in it. While all of the pool cleaners in this roundup are more expensive, the time and effort that they offset from your daily routine may justify a steep price tag. Our pick for best value, the AIPER Seagull 1000 Robotic Pool Cleaner does lack smart features, and mapping, but we found it to be effective, affordable, and easy to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do robotic pool cleaners work?
Robotic pool cleaners use a power supply and onboard filtration to clean your pool, with little user intervention required during a cleaning cycle. 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. They are usually listed for a certain size of pool, so you should ensure that the robot is suitable for the size of your pool," says Dr. Claudia Duncan, Owner and CEO of Professional Pool Management and Member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance.
However, you can find cordless models. Once placed in the pool, the robot travels along the pool's floor and walls, collecting dirt and debris in an onboard canister, filter tray, or bag. Our best splurge pick, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme WiFi Operated Robotic Pool Cleaner, is capable of cleaning a pool's waterline, in addition to the floors and walls.
How long do robotic pool cleaners last?
These advanced pool cleaners involve plenty of moving parts and electronics, and the average lifespan of a robotic pool cleaner will vary, depending on use frequency and maintenance. "It depends on how much they are used. Pool cleaners run on a clock, so they generally have a set lifetime or a number of hours that they are able to run for," Dr. Claudia Duncan adds.
However, most people will find that a robotic pool cleaner lasts for at least three to five years, with some extending the longevity of their machine to seven years or more with basic maintenance and occasional parts replacement.
How much do robotic pool cleaners cost?
“Robotic cleaners are the priciest yet the easiest pool cleaners to use,” explains Stewart Vernon, COO and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company. On average, robotic pool cleaners cost between $500 and $1,200. Some budget robotic pool cleaners cost as little as $200 to $300 but are more limited in cleaning capacity and features. Options like advanced programmed steering, built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and multiple filter media types tend to increase the price of a robotic pool cleaner.
Can you leave a robotic pool cleaner in the pool?
It's certainly easier to leave a robotic pool cleaner in a pool, especially if it's a heavy model, but this could lead to excessive exposure to chlorine and wear a cleaner's motor and other parts. Be sure to remove your robotic pool cleaner when adding chemicals to the water. While some of the best robotic pool cleaners feature a built-in timer that automatically runs the cleaner at certain intervals if it’s left in the pool, we recommend pulling your pool cleaner out overnight and dropping it back in your pool before starting your work day.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was updated by Emma Phelps to include our initial and long-term insights from recent rounds of testing top-rated pool cleaners in real-world scenarios. We tested the pool cleaners in our own pools for several weeks and recorded positive and negative experiences with each model.
This article was also written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While researching the pool cleaners, she spoke with Stewart Vernon, COO and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company, for insights on how to select the best option for your pool. She also spoke with Dr. Claudia Duncan, Owner and CEO of Professional Pool Management and Member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance about how robotic pool cleaners work. Rabideau evaluated different robotic cleaners, she considered factors such as their setup, ease of use, versatility, and overall cost, aiming to select top-rated products at a wide range of price points to cater to different shoppers.
What Is The Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut.
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