If you have a dirty pool and limited time to deal with it, you possibly need the best robotic pool cleaners. These great machines take the harass out of keeping your water crystal-clear and aid make your pool like those you see on TV.
Shopping online is supposed to be equally simple, but the truth is it’s no longer the fast, easy process that it used to be. Misleading product descriptions make it harder than ever to find a good feel for a product, and with an investment as important as a robotic pool cleaner, you don’t desire to go into the deal with less than full knowledge.
We consider that it shouldn’t be that way. Our reviews of the best robotic pool cleaners of 2020 are intended to show you the upsides and downsides to every model, as well as aid you find the one that’s right for your pool. We’ve also contained a buyer’s guide, which will help you understand the buying process, yet if you’ve never owned a robotic pool cleaner before.
Besides, every robotic cleaner offers different features that may or may not be of importance to you. Though, here are the top five features every good robotic cleaner should have.
Durability and Reliability
No-brainers!
These cleaners aren’t inexpensive, and just like any other product you buy, you want it to last.
Top-Quality Brushes
The brushes are possibly the most important part as they do all the heavy lifting.
Hard-bristle brushes or rotating rubber brushes can clean the most obstinate debris and dirt.
Wheels that Fly
This subhead is a little bit of exaggeration. You don’t desire a super fast cleaner, but you absolutely want one that can go virtually anywhere in your pool. Otherwise, it will either get stuck or leave certain areas unclean.
Four-wheel drive cleaners with big and broad tires are the safest bet!
Smart and Programmable Features
You should be capable of program your cleaner once and forget about it. Isn’t that the whole idea behind robotic cleaners?
Besides, most advanced manufacturers pack their cleaners with advanced smart qualities that use artificial intelligence to learn the layout of your pool for capable and fast cleaning. Other smart features to search for include deflecting mechanism, efficient cleaning cycles, and so on.
Ability to climb stairs
You don’t desire a clean pool floor but dirty stairs. Most modern cleaners can climb stairs. Yous should too.
The 10 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners
The Dolphin Premier Robotic 2018 is one of the top robotic pool cleaners on the market today. Besides cleaning the floor of the pool, this cleaner is versatile sufficient to climb the walls and clean those as well. Its smart technology keeps track of where it has gone to maximize pool cleanliness. It comes with three cleaning accessories, counting an extra-large leaf bag, a standard cartridge for a pool that needs a good cleaning, and a microfilter, ideal for keeping pools at their peak level of cleanliness.
The Dolphin Premier also includes a smart control with a weekly timer, thus you don’t have to remember to set the cleaning. It also arrives with a tangle-free swivel, thus you’ll never come home to discover that the robot got stuck in a corner and didn’t do a good job. This model works very well, though it’s the most costly model on our list. It’s not going to be the right thing for all pool-owners due to its high price, but if you want the best, this is the model for you.
Pros- Cleans walls and floor
- Multiple cleaning functions
- Smart Control
- Tangle-free swivel
The Polaris F9450 is one of the extra efficient cleaners on our list. Its vacuum is up to four times as helpful as those found on similar models, giving you a cleaner pool in less time. This model is also able to scrub both the walls and bottom of the pool clean, thus you won’t have to touch up any spots by hand. Unique to this model is a waterline-only mode, which makes this model along the waterline—frequently, the worst-looking part of many pools and a spot that many robotic pool cleaners struggle to reach.
The F9450 is extremely programmable. You can set it on a seven-day cycle, allowing for multiple different cleaning operations every week. The only problem is it’s not great with fine dust. In some places, that will never be a problem, and in others, you’ll have to put up more money to get a fine-dirt filter to get your pool clean. largely, this is a great model, and it could take first place if the fine-dirt filter were included.
Pros- proficient cleaning
- Scrubs walls and floors
- Seven-day programmable cycle
- Waterline-only mode
It’s no surprise that another Dolphin model scores highly on our list. as you can get this model for some hundred less than you’d spend on our top model, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus gets the title of “best for the money”. This model also arrives with a two-year warranty, which is about the best you’ll find on a robotic pool cleaner. The warranty is also a fine sign that the manufacturer is willing to stand behind their product. This model also does a brilliant job cleaning both floors and walls, since you would expect from a Dolphin model.
The Nautilus CC Plus is too one of the easier ones to operate on our list. It doesn’t need a hose and can be plugged into any standard outlet. Unfortunately, it may take more than one cycle to find the job done. While most people are satisfied with two or three consecutive cycles, one typically isn’t enough. If you’re willing to put up with that to find a great deal, then this is the model for you.
Pros- Easy operation
- Two-year warranty
- Works on floor and walls
- Great cost
Cons- Sometimes requires multiple cycles
The Aquabot Breeze IQ can be had for a sensible price, but it has some serious problems that limit its price relative to some of its competitors. Like other models, it can clean the floor of the pool, but also arrives with tracks that allow it to climb the walls to clean those as well. It also appears with a 60-foot cable, which is about 10 feet longer than most contain cables. Aquabot also makes some of the best filters on the market, with pores as tiny as two microns, which is small enough to capture pollen, dirt, dander, and even some bacteria.
However, the Breeze IQ isn’t cheap, so most individuals will want it to last at least a couple of years. Unluckily, this model tends to last about a year or less. It doesn’t often survive the winter, which speaks to broad troubles with design and manufacturing. Despite being advertised as “tangle-free”, the cord yet tangles frequently, thus if you’re looking for a model that will run on its own without monitoring, this one will upset you. Likewise, if you were looking for a model that will last a long time.
Pros- Cleans floors and walls
- Long cable
- Great filters
Cons- Poor stability
- Cord tangles
The Aquabot X4 strikes a decent balance between cost and quality. If you don’t want to spring for a model that costs thousands of dollars, this unit just costs a few hundred bucks. It arrives with a single, extra-large cartridge that can be removed from the machine for simple cleaning. It also comes with automatic pool mapping that “sees” the shape of your pool and calculates a proficient cleaning regimen. And, its four-wheel-drive allows it to climb the walls without breaking a sweat.
The X4 is backed by a three-year warranty, and you end up requiring using it. About 70 percent last more than three years, but this model will probably break down within the first two years, requiring annoying warranty service. While most robotic models resist with pools with 90-degree wall connections, this model is worse than most in that area, which provides it just average value for the price.
Pros- Very large cartridge
- Automatic pool mapping
- Four-wheel drive
Cons- May require warranty service
- Struggles with 90-degree walls
The Hayward RC9740CUB SharkVac Robotic Pool Vacuum is one more robotic pool cleaner that provides decent performance at a sensible price. While it doesn’t map the pool, it uses a smart steering system that remains track of where it’s been to help it determine where it needs to go next. It features simple filter cartridge access, although you should know that it has two smaller cartridges that require be removing and cleaning independently. Unlike many robotic pool cleaners, this model has no trouble with stairs.
Unluckily, the RC9740CUB doesn’t have a great time with walls. It struggles to rise on steep, extended vertical surfaces, so as it does okay with stairs, you can’t expect much when it comes to walls. At 21.5 pounds, it’s also heavy. You should slowly lift this model out of the pool and gradually lower it back in. The weight puts a lot of extra strain on your arms and back. If you have lots of strength, it can be a good choice. Otherwise, you possibly won’t like it.
Pros- Smart steering system
- the simple filter cartridge access
- Does well with stairs
If you’re looking for the fastest cleaning model, think the Hayward RC9990CUB TigerShark Robotic Pool Vacuum. Speed is an important characteristic. It can clean most pools in just 90 minutes, which is quick enough to put just about any other model to shame. It also arrives with an easy-clean cartridge system, so you spend less time cleaning this robotic pool cleaner out than other models. Plus with a one-button press operation, you won’t have to spend lots of time on setup, either.
Unluckily, you have to pay a big premium for this model. If you really value the 90-minute cleaning time, then it might be worth it. Keep in mind that most robotic pool cleaners take just two hours, thus it’s not that much faster overall. At a whopping 40 pounds, it’s remarkably heavy for a pool cleaner. This is not a good choice for people with back problems. Largely, the RC9990CUB does a lot of things right, but it doesn’t have enough value to justify its cost, and it’s much too heavy for many users.
Pros- 90-minute cleaning cycle
- simple cartridge cleaning
- Easy operation
Note: This pool cleaner is completed for above ground pools, but can work for in-ground pools
The Kreepy Krauly 910 Robotic Aboveground Pool Cleaner 360321’s cost makes it a model to consider for first-time buyers. It’s a fine “starter” pool cleaner. Though the best thing we can say about this model—other than it’s cheap—is it provides easy cartridge access, thus you won’t spend a lot of time cleaning out the collected debris.
As you may have guessed, this model has some serious problems. First, it has quality control issues. An important number of units are dead on arrival or break soon thereafter, which suggests the company isn’t doing its due diligence. It also has a cord that’s prone to tangles, thus it sometimes keeps itself from being able to clean the whole pool. If you live in a dirty area, you’ll dislike this model because it struggles with fine particles. eventually, this model isn’t expensive, but it has a ton of flaws.
Pros- Decent price
- simple cartridge access
Cons- Quality control issues
- Cord tangles simply
If you’re looking for a very inexpensive robotic pool cleaner, check out the Aquabot Pool Rover Hybrid Robotic Pool Cleaner. You can find it for half, or less, of what you’d spend on other models on our list. Though, as with all discount models, you have to choose if the flaws are worth the savings. On the plus side, this is a great model for vinyl pools. It arrives with oversized wheels that make short work of little obstacles at the base of the pool.
Unluckily, it has a habit of getting stuck in corners. This is rarely an issue with vinyl pools, but it can become a grave issue with concrete. The cord also tends to get tangled. That means it sometimes won’t be capable of reach a significant portion of the pool until you untangle it. It’s also not a great option for dusty regions, as it really struggles with fine particles. Largely, this model has enough problems that most people won’t like it despite the low cost.
Pros- Very inexpensive
- fine for vinyl pools
Cons- Gets stuck in corners
- Cord tangles simply
The best about the Cobalt NC22 Robotic Pool Cleaner is that it doesn’t cost a lot of money. Actually, you can get it for about half of what you might pay for the top models on our list. It arrives with a large bag that holds a great deal of debris in a single sitting without getting full, thus you may not have to clean it out after each session, even though you possibly should. It also does a fine job in a single pass in smaller pools.
As it only has a 40-foot cord, you’re not going to be able to use it in medium-sized or larger pools. This model isn’t designed to clean walls, and honestly, it can’t. If you require work on the walls and floor of your pool, you’ll be out of luck with the NC22. Though, if you have a smaller pool and don’t have issues with debris building up on the sides, you could be happy with this model. Unluckily, the majority of people will be upset with this model’s cleaning performance.
Pros- inexpensive
- Large bag
- Good one-cycle machine
Cons- Doesn’t clean walls
- Short cord
Buyer’s Guide
Our reviews should already have given you a few insights into what makes for a great robotic pool cleaner, and what makes for a model that you might desire to skip. If you’re looking to ensure that you understand all the features that can come with these great devices, or just want to ensure you’re thinking through everything you need to know before you buy, ensure you check out this buyer’s guide.
The differences between robotic, suction, and pressure pool cleaners
There are three main types of pool cleaners: robotic, suction-side, and pressure-side.
Suction-Side Pool Cleaner
Suction-side pool cleaners make use of the devoted suction line in your pool by attaching to your pool skimmer or dedicated vacuum line, not the major suction port. Basically, they draw in water and debris, which they deliver to the main pool filter, which does all the cleaning and brings the water back to the pool.
The suction lets them grip the walls and climb around the pool. They don’t require a lot of mechanical parts, making them a cheap buy. However, they struggle with larger debris like leaves and sticks, which can cause jams in the suction line or the pool filter. If you don’t have an extremely powerful pool pump, it may take a while to clean the pool as its speed straight correlates with the pump’s power.
Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner
Pressure-side cleaners either connect to the devoted return line that brings clean water back to the pool from the filter or by joining a dedicated cleaner line. They use the pressure from these lines to drive them around the pool. They have more moving parts than suction-side cleaners, so they can be more costly. In some pool setups, they need the installation of a discreet booster pump to have the pressure they require to run, further increasing the price.
Pressure-side cleaners filter debris on their personal, which lowers pressure on your pool’s filter system. Though, that means you’ll need to periodically clean them out, something you don’t should do with a suction-side cleaner. If you have enough pressure coming out of your filtration method or already have a booster pump, this can be the most economical option.
The Robotic Pool Cleaner
Robotic cleaners run on electricity. The big benefit to this is that they can be smarter and can recognize wherein the pool they have cleaned, and where they have yet to go. It also lets them use powered treads, which gives them a superior capability to climb steps and the side of the pool to scrub it clean and capture debris. Several models, called “waterline” robotic cleaners, can rise out of the water to fresh buildup along the waterline.
Therefore, these models provide the best overall cleaning. They also don’t put any extra strain on your pool’s filtration system. Though, they have the most moving parts and are the most costly. Like pressure-side cleaners, they need to have their debris containers cleaned periodically. Though, if you can afford them, they’re the simplest to install and do the overall best work.
Walls, floors, and more
The first generation of pool cleaners was only able to clean the floor of the pool. And while that’s still the most vital task today, newer models can do more when it arrives in keeping your pool clean. The next-best robotic pool cleaners can clean the floor of the pool and climb the walls, as well.
The fourth kind of pool cleaner is called a “scrubber.” Scrubbers are intended to float on top of the surface of your pool and pick up debris, for example leaves on the water surface. Thus, a scrubber won’t get the walls or floor, but it could make the job easier for a more usual underwater pool cleaner, as it won’t have to deal with as much large debris.
Tangle-free cabling
One of the best about modern robotic pool cleaners is that they don’t require a bulky water hose to operate. Instead, they make use of a far thinner electric cable, which makes the whole ensemble more efficient and lighter. However, electric cords can find tangled. If the cord gets too tangled, the robotic pool cleaner will find lifted off the bottom or sides, and it will do nothing for the rest of its cleaning cycle.
A tangled cord also gets shorter as it finds increasingly tangled, so it could stop your pool cleaner from getting to spots at the far end of your pool.
Many robotic pool cleaners have cords that are intended not to tangle. Most make use of a mechanical swivel found on the cable, which lets the cable to rotate extra freely without getting caught on it. High-end models feature a gyroscopic system that stabilizes the cord to decrease tangling, and top-tier models feature motor-driven systems that really reduce a cord’s ability to tangle.
Most people will be a lot satisfied with a model with a swivel, but if you’re buying a robotic pool cleaner whose variety is just a bit larger than your pool, investing in a more costly anti-tangle system may be worth it.
Debris
If lots of large items fall into your pool, like leaves, it might be a good idea to get a skimmer in addition to a regular pool cleaner. Certainly, not all cleaners work equally well against all debris types, as they come with different filters and different suction and collection devices.
High-end models tend to arrive with multiple filters that you can switch out to change what they collect. These classically include a “large debris” filter that will pick up large objects like leaves. A few filters will be fine enough to pick out algae, as others will have pores small enough to catch dirt and bacteria.
Remember that some base model filters may not be up to the task if you live in a place with fine dust or dirt. Though you can buy filters for very fine dust for most models separately, though, it means spending more money.
It’s also important to remember that you require maintaining your robotic pool cleaners. Cleaning these filters after every use can go a long way towards extending the life of your robotic pool cleaner.
Pool size
You may consider that you need a more powerful robotic pool cleaner if you have a larger pool. It’s proper that more powerful models work faster, but that doesn’t necessarily bring a lot of advantages to your larger pool.
Instead, the main restraining factor on a robotic pool cleaner is the length of its power cord. The shorter the cord, the smaller the pool it can clean. Though, the relationship isn’t linear. That is, taking a foot off the cord takes off extra than a foot of pool space from the cleaning zone.
Consider the cleaning zone for a robotic pool cleaner as a sphere. If the base station to which the power cord is joined is at the center of that sphere, then the furthest point out from which the cord can make is equal to the radius of the sphere. The connection between the radius of a sphere and the volume of the sphere, or the potential cleaning area is cubic.
For instance, a pool cleaner with a cord radius could clean a spherical pool of about 392,700 cubic feet. A cord that is 10 feet shorter, or 40 feet long, could just clean a pool that had 201,000 cubic feet. Still, though you only took 20 percent off the length of the cord, the cleaning area went down by almost 50 percent.
Certainly, pools aren’t spheres, but the math stays the same, and the connection between cord length and the area that a robotic pool cleaner can clean stays exponential.
Automatic settings
Having a robotic pool cleaner is a huge convenience, as it does the cleaning that you would have to do yourself, or would otherwise have to give someone to do. Of course, you yet have to turn it on and tell it to go.
That is unless you have a model that arrives with automatic settings. These robotic pool cleaners can be programmed in progress. The top models can be programmed differently for every day of the week so that you can schedule full cleanings for days that you discern you won’t be using the pool, and touch cleanups on the days that you expect using the pool. That way, you keep a high level of cleanliness, without having to consider to run the pool cleaner.
Lower-end models can be set to automatically clean once a week and provide you less control over the timing of the cleaning.
Which robotic pool cleaner is right for you?
If you want to find great value on your next purchase, it’s a good idea to take a moment and consider attributes other than the cost tag. If you don’t like how you’re robotic pool cleaner performs, you didn’t get a good value on your buy, no matter what the price was.
Instead, it’s a fine idea to focus on what kind of cleaning job you want your robotic pool cleaner to be capable of doing. Consider the kinds of debris and the size of your pool, and then consider the level of cleaning that would make you most satisfied with your buy. Make a shortlist of robotic pool cleaners that convene those qualifications.
Once you’ve done that, it’s a good idea to decide the cheapest model from that list. It does everything you need to be satisfied with its performance. Since it gives that experience for the least amount of money, it’s the best overall for your money, making it a great cost, and a great deal.
FAQs
Got a few questions related to robotic pool cleaners? These FAQs might address them:
Can I put down My Dolphin Pool Cleaner In The Pool?
Certainly, you can leave your Dolphin pool cleaner in the pool when it’s not in use. Though, it’s not recommended to leave it inside when you are adding chemicals to the pool water for balancing the PH and chlorine levels.
How Long Do Robotic Pool Cleaners Last?
Robotic pool cleaners can very last between 3 and 5 years. With good maintenance, they might even last up to 8 years.
How Often Should You Backwash Your Pool?
You have to backwash your pool once a week or as per the scheduled maintenance. The best period for that is right after you have vacuumed the pool. If you have used the pool more than common, backwash it twice a week.
Are Robotic Pool Cleaners Worth It?
Completely! They are very effective at cleaning large and small debris. They can still circulate pool water if your filter is not working. The brushes attached under the hood of the cleaner remove manual scrubbing. The cleaner will rub the tile lines and pool wall on its own.
How Often To Run Robotic Pool Cleaner?
If you swim lots, run the robotic pool cleaner once a day or every other day. On the other hand, if you are not a common summer, once every 1 to 2 weeks would be enough.
Robotic Pool Cleaner Vs Pressure Cleaner?
Robotic pool cleaners concentrate on picking all kinds of debris. They are more powerful since they program themselves. They work lacking a pool pump or filtration system. Pressure cleaners, on the other hand, can only choose fine materials better. They find clogged by bigger debris and leaves. They need a filter pump for pushing water.
Conclusion
These tips should aid you to figure out the best robotic pool cleaners for your pool.
Just like any other product, always remember your unique needs and shop around before making the purchase. Besides, since it’s a long term investment, only believe reputed manufacturers and products backed by a decent warranty.
We have tried our best to contain only the bestselling products that have high ratings from people like yourself. Since if most other people like a product, chances are high that you’ll also like it.
We hope you the best of luck and happy cleaning!
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