Finding the Right Automatic Pool Cleaner

Manually cleaning a pool is time-consuming and tedious. From removing leaves on the surface to scrubbing the floor and walls, maintenance requires constant effort to ensure pristine water quality and appearance. An automatic pool cleaner can take over these tasks, giving you back valuable time.

This article serves as your guide. We will introduce different types of robotic pool cleaners and explain the crucial criteria you should consider in your selection. Our goal is to provide you with an objective basis to find a model that precisely matches your pool and your requirements.

What to Look for When Buying a Robotic Pool Cleaner

Choosing the right model depends on several factors that go beyond just the price. The following points will help you define your needs and make an informed decision.

1. Cleaning Area: Floor, Walls, Waterline, or Surface?

Not every robotic pool cleaner is designed for all tasks. The fundamental distinction lies in the intended cleaning area:

• Floor Cleaners: These models focus exclusively on cleaning the pool floor. They are often a more cost-effective entry point for pools with minimal dirt on the walls.
• Floor and Wall Cleaners: A robotic cleaner for floors and walls has the necessary power and suction to climb vertical surfaces. Many of these models also clean the critical waterline, where oils and dirt tend to accumulate stubbornly.
• Surface Cleaners (Robotic Pool Skimmers): These specialised devices, also known as robotic pool skimmers, autonomously patrol the water's surface, collecting leaves, insects, and pollen before they can sink and cloud the water.

For comprehensive cleaning, combination units or using two specialised robots (one for the floor/walls, one for the surface) is a strategy worth considering.

2. Power and Handling: Corded vs. Cordless

The power source is a crucial feature for user convenience:

• Corded Models: These robots are powered by a long, buoyant cable. The advantage is unlimited runtime. The disadvantage is the potential for the cable to tangle and the manual effort required to place and remove the device.
• Cordless Models (Battery-Powered): A battery-powered robotic pool cleaner offers maximum flexibility. There's no cord to get tangled or limit its reach. Pay attention to the battery life and charging time. Modern devices often offer smart features like automatically surfacing at the pool's edge when the battery is low, which makes retrieval much easier. A cordless robotic pool cleaner is the preferred choice for users who prioritise ultimate convenience.

3. Control and Smart Features

Modern robotic pool cleaners are more than just simple vacuums. Smart features enhance efficiency and convenience:

• Intelligent Navigation: Basic models often move in a random pattern. Advanced devices use sensors and algorithms to systematically navigate the pool, ensuring complete coverage. This saves time and energy.
• App Control: A robotic pool cleaner with app control allows you to schedule cleaning cycles, monitor progress, or manually steer the robot—all conveniently from your smartphone. Some models even offer "Over-the-Air" (OTA) updates to continuously improve the robot's software.

Recommended Robotic Pool Cleaners

Here, we present a selection of models that stand out for their specific features and applications.

Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro: The 5-in-1 All-in-One Solution

The Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro is designed as a flagship model for comprehensive pool care. It combines floor, wall, and waterline cleaning with integrated surface skimming and a water clarification function.

Why it stands out: Its unique selling point is the 5-in-1 cleaning. While other robots focus on the pool body, the AquaSense 2 Pro also takes care of the water surface and water clarity. The CleverNav Path Optimisation ensures systematic cleaning, and the Smart Surface Parking feature brings the robot to the surface for easy retrieval after its job is done. The cordless design with an induction charging dock avoids corrosion-prone charging contacts.

Pros:

• Comprehensive cleaning: Floor, walls, waterline, surface, and water clarification in one device.
• Cordless robotic pool cleaner with intelligent navigation for pools up to 360 m?.
• Convenient app control for selecting cleaning modes and monitoring.
• High-quality, UV and chemical-resistant materials.
• Automatic surfacing and water release for easy retrieval.

Best for: Owners of large in-ground pools who are looking for a fully automated, "set-it-and-forget-it" solution that covers the entire pool ecosystem, from the surface to the floor.

AIPER Surfer S2: The Specialist for an Immaculate Water Surface

The AIPER Surfer S2 is a specialised robotic pool skimmer dedicated exclusively to cleaning the water's surface. Thanks to solar technology, it can operate around the clock with sufficient sunlight.

Why it stands out: The combination of solar and DC charging makes it particularly energy-efficient and flexible. It not only captures coarse debris like leaves and insects but also filters fine particles such as pollen and dust from the water with its 150 ?m fine filter. Smart sensors prevent it from getting stuck on obstacles or steps.

Pros:

• Continuous surface cleaning powered by solar energy.
• Removes both coarse and fine debris (down to 150 ?m).
• Intelligent obstacle detection and optimised edge cleaning.
• Control and scheduling via a smartphone app.
• UV-resistant housing and motors suitable for both salt and chlorine water.

Best for: Pool owners who primarily struggle with surface debris and are looking for an energy-efficient, continuously operating supplement to an existing floor cleaner or manual cleaning.

Beatbot AquaSense 2: The Waterline Expert

The Beatbot AquaSense 2 is a powerful, cordless robotic pool vacuum designed for the thorough cleaning of floors, walls, and especially the waterline in pools up to 300 m?.

Why it stands out: Its standout feature is the Double-Pass Waterline Scrubbing. The robot cleans the waterline twice in every pass to effectively remove stubborn buildup. Like the Pro model, it features CleverNav Navigation and Smart Surface Parking technology for easy handling. The powerful 10,000 mAh battery allows for long cleaning cycles.

Pros:

• Specialised, intensive cleaning of the waterline.
• Systematic cleaning paths for the floor (S-path) and walls (N-path).
• Long battery life of up to 3.5 hours in combined mode.
• Cordless robotic pool cleaner with a wireless charging dock.
• Automatic surfacing at the pool's edge simplifies retrieval.

Best for: Owners of in-ground pools where grime lines quickly form on the waterline. It is ideal for anyone who places a strong focus on the cleanliness of the entire pool body.

Looking for More Options?

The models presented here cover specific use cases. If you want to focus on removing leaves and pollen or are looking for another type of specialised device, you can find more surface cleaners in our category.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How often should a robotic pool cleaner run? The frequency depends on pool usage and environmental conditions (e.g., nearby trees). During the swimming season, a daily or every-other-day cleaning cycle is recommended for surface cleaners, and 2-3 cycles per week for floor and wall cleaners to maintain consistently high water quality.

2. Can a robotic pool cleaner be used in a saltwater pool? Most modern robotic pool cleaners are designed for use in saltwater pools up to a certain salt concentration (usually up to 5,000 ppm). However, it is important to check the manufacturer's specifications in the product data sheet. After each use in saltwater, the robot should be rinsed with fresh, clear water to extend the life of its components.

3. What is the difference between a pool vacuum and a robotic pool cleaner? Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a "pool vacuum" traditionally refers to a manual or semi-automatic device that connects to the pool's filtration system. In contrast, a robotic pool cleaner or automatic pool cleaner is a standalone, electric device with its own motor, filtration system, and often intelligent navigation, which operates completely autonomously.