What is the Best Robotic Pool Cleaner? Find an Automatic Vacuum for Your Pool

Cleaning your pool can be a daunting job, with all the leaves and debris floating. But, buying the best robotic pool cleaner will save you a lot of time and money. 

Our team reviewed some of the best robotic pool cleaners on the market to help you pick the right one for cleaning your pool.

Reviews of the Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

1. Water Tech Pool Blaster CX-1 Cordless Robot Pool Cleaner

A cordless pool cleaner can do the job thoroughly without the restriction of a cord. The CX-1 can be considered a smart pool cleaner that always keeps your swimming pool spic and span. It can drive itself into your pool or you can feel free to drop it in and leave it to do its job.

The rechargeable cordless robot cleaner can run for up to a week on a single charge. The CX-1 can clean pools of all sizes and types including soft-sided ones. It will make sure every surface is free of grime and it does the job all by itself without the need for your supervision. 

2. Dolphin Nautilus CC Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Nautilus CC robotic pool cleaner is perfect for above and in-ground pools of up to 33 feet. Nautilus CC climbs and cleans the pools’ walls with ease. 

Similar to our top pick above ground pool robotic cleaner, this cleaner saves energy and does not rely on your pool pump or filters to clean pools. The standard cleaning cycle is about 2 hours, being energy efficient.

Our team noticed that this robotic pool cleaner cannot climb very well on narrow steps, but it eventually manages to clean them with a little help. 

Nautilus CC cleaners can be scheduled to clean your pool. Overall, this is one of the best pool cleaners of 2020, backed by a 2.5-years warranty.

 3. Polaris 9550 4WD Sports Robotic Pool Cleaner

The Polaris 9550 4WD robotic pool cleaner is an engineering miracle that cleans odd-shaped swimming pools like a pro. This is the best robotic cleaner for in-ground swimming pools up to 60 feet.

Its four-wheel drive and the ActivMotion Sensor Technology help Polaris F9550 navigate large and free-form pools easily. The cable length is 70 feet, so nothing will stop it from getting into the tightest corners.

Featuring a rear water propulsion system, F9550 can reach the space under stairs and corners. Its scrubbing brushes will clean your pool surfaces perfectly. 

Although it is an expensive device, its great cleaning properties and 2-year warranty more than make up for it.

4. Dolphin Triton PS Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Triton PS robotic pool cleaner is ideal for swimming pools up to 50 feet. It works for any pool, from gunite to tile.

Due to the PowerStream mobility technology, Triton PS can climb on walls and deliver a thorough clean waterline. It has some issues with cleaning the corners but eventually, it does a great job, leaving your in-ground pool sparkling clean.

The dual scrubbing brushes clean your pool, but eventually, they will require replacement. Spare parts are available at an affordable price. 

Triton PS saves 8x energy compared to traditional pool cleaners. You can connect the robot to your phone via Bluetooth and schedule weekly cleanings.

5. Polaris 9350 2WD Robotic Pool Cleaner

Polaris F9350 is designed for in-ground pools up to 60 feet. The device features large wheels that prevent it from getting stuck on twigs or rocks.

The ActivMotion sensors scan your pool and determine the best cleaning path. However, as our team noticed, it does not clean the steps well and tends to get stuck around drains. Despite these, this robotic pool cleaner thoroughly cleans the waterline. 

Debris is removed from the cleaner’s top that features a lid and a large capacity canister, thus eliminating the bag’s need. Easy to assemble and to use, the Polaris robotic cleaner is ideal for swimming pools. A 2-years warranty backs it.

6. Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner

Perfect for in-ground pools up to 50 feet, Premier climbs the walls and stairs, performing a great cleaning of the waterline. This is the best cleaner for hotel pools or gyms.   

Featuring dual 24 Volts DC motors, Premier robotic cleaners use 90% less energy than older suction and pressure cleaners. The Smart Navigation software makes sure that the dual scrubbing brushes reach any corner of your pool. 

Our experts noticed the ability of this device to clean large debris like leaves or sticks. It also comes with an oversized leaf bag and three filter options with the cleaner.

As a plus, Dolphin Premier comes with a 3-years warranty. 

Robotic Pool Cleaners Buyer’s Guide    

Type and Size of Pool

Choosing the best robotic pool cleaner highly depends on the size and the type of your pool. A device designed for small pools will not perform well in large swimming pools. Also, a larger cleaner is not suitable for small or above ground pools. Make sure you buy a cleaner suitable for your pool size.

It is also important to buy a cleaner that performs well on different materials like gunite, tile, or vinyl. Corners and steps also require cleaning, so the best robotic pool cleaner must be able to clear these too.

Climbing Ability 

The best robotic pool cleaners including the Aquabot Breeze 4WD cleaner are capable of climbing your pool walls and stairs and clean them thoroughly. Black and yellow algae [1] tend to form on the pool walls and give the pool a dirty aspect.

A good in-ground pool cleaner like Aquabot Breeze XLS we reviewed should be able to clean both the pool floor and walls. Most of the robotic pool cleaners can climb on walls and scrub at the waterline. However, some models get stuck at the stairs. Make sure you check the devices’ specs before making a decision.

Pool Debris  

Depending on the area where your pool is placed, the dirt and debris you need to remove differs. A swimming pool placed in your backyard is like a magnet for leaves, twigs, insects, or finer debris like pollen.

A good robotic pool cleaner should be able to remove all these and return crystal clear water. Before deciding on a specific model, check whether it can clean the dirt and debris you usually have in your pool. For small particles of dust or pollen, your cleaner should have ultra-fine filters. 

There is no point in spending money on an expensive in-ground pool cleaner if you still need to gather the leaves with a classic net.

Maintenance  

Properly maintaining your robotic pool cleaner especially topnotch Aquabot pool cleaner is mandatory if you want to have it for a long time. Although many manufacturers advertise low maintenance requirements, your cleaner still needs minimum attention.

Remember to take it off the pool after you used it and clean it with water. The pool’s chemicals and salted water are harming the device. Also, it is very important to clean the filters and empty the filter bag.

To conclude, even the best robotic pool cleaner requires minimum maintenance. The key is to find one that does not need too much attention.

Filter Cleaning 

The filter box is the most important part of a robotic pool cleaner. All particles of dirt and debris are retained by the filter while clean water is sent back into your in-ground pool.

Filters should be checked weekly and changed when worn. However, you will be able to use them for a time before replacement is needed.

In case you own a large pool, you must choose a cleaner that features dual filter bags so you would be able to run the device for longer between changes.

Cables and Cords  

Robotic pool cleaners require electricity to function. The simple idea of water and electricity might seem scary. However, these devices have security measures that prevent accidents.

When shopping for a robotic pool cleaner, you need to make sure that the power cord length allows the device to clean the whole pool.

Buying a device with a 30 feet cable to clean your 50 feet pool does not make any sense.  A larger cable will cause your robotic cleaner to tangle despite the existence of an anti tangle swivel cable.

Always pick a cleaner suited for your pool size, with the proper cable length.

Extra Features  

Lately, many robotic pool cleaners come with smart functionality. You can link the cleaner to your smartphone or remote control and manage it via this device.  

Other very useful extra features are the smart sensors that find the best cleaning path and shut down the cleaner after finishing the cleaning cycle. It is far more comfortable for the cleaner to find the waterline and the walls.

One of the best features of the robotic pool cleaners is the programmable timer. You can schedule the swimming pool cleaner to clean pools every day or every other day. This way, you keep your pool ready for a swim. 

It's worth checking if the robotic pool cleaner you have in mind has all these smart features. And if they work as advertised.

Price  

If you consider buying a robotic pool cleaner, our team recommends you to avoid really cheap devices as these might prove to be a waste of money. As a rule of thumb, a robotic pool cleaner with the same price tag as an old-fashioned automatic pool cleaner will surely disappoint you.

Another important aspect is the warranty. These devices often require replacement parts due to the long exposure to water. Having an extended warranty is always a good idea that will save you money.

Reasons for Buying a Robotic Pool Cleaner  

Apart from being cool to own a high-tech gadget, a robotic pool cleaner saves you a huge amount of time and money. These devices use less energy to run compared to a standard pool filtration system.

And since you will regularly use the robotic cleaner, you won’t have to change the pool filter too often. All the waste is picked up and contained by the cleaner.

Using the robotic cleaner helps you reduce the number of chemicals needed in your swimming pool, and this has many health benefits. 

Lastly, although it might seem expensive, a robotic cleaner will save you a lot of time and money especially when you know how to properly use a vacuum or the robotic cleaner —no more spending time under the scorching sun or risking back pain.

Frequently Asked Questions  

What is the best rated robotic pool cleaner? 

The best-rated robotic pool cleaner is Dolphin Premier, produced by Maytronics. This is the best cleaner you could choose for your pool due to its smart features and performance.

Are robotic pool cleaners worth it? 

Robotic pool cleaners are worth it. Saving energy and reducing costs related to pool maintenance, it is worth buying one of these devices. They will clean your pool in less than 3 hours. 

How long do robotic pool cleaners last? 

A high-quality robotic pool cleaner can last up to eight years. Storing the cleaner properly when not used and cleaning its filters will prolong its life span.

How do I choose a robotic pool cleaner? 

When choosing a robotic pool cleaner, you must consider several factors like the pool type and size and the debris type. Also, check whether the model you have in mind can clean the pool’s walls and the waterline. Smart features are also very useful, especially the smart navigation systems. 

How often should I use my robotic pool cleaner? 

The robotic pool cleaner can be used daily, weekly, or every two weeks. If you use the swimming pool every day, it is recommended to run the cleaner daily. It will pick up any small or larger debris that might affect your swimming session. Pollen is especially bad for people with allergies. 

Our Top Pick For a Robotic Pool Cleaner: Water Tech Pool Blaster CX-1

Our team has unanimously decided on the Water Tech Pool Blaster CX-1 as the best robotic pool cleaner. It speaks for itself with the long-lasting charge, quick cleaning time, and reliable performance.

You can depend on the CX-1 to do a very in-depth job of clearing all types of debris and it works with pools of all sizes and cleans all surfaces.