We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Patio Furniture & Outdoors The 6 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners That Do the Hard Work for You, Tested in Our Own Pools Let a robot scrub your pool floor, walls, and waterline while you sit back and relax By Cai Cramer Cai Cramer Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 15, 2024 12:45PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried Add to Cart Things to Consider Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is People Tested? Photo: People / Kathryn Stephenson Having a pool in your backyard can sometimes feel like more work than pleasure. Manual pool cleaning is a grueling task, and as soon as your pool is sparkling, a gust of wind delivers more leaves, pollen, and grime. Luckily, robotic pool cleaners can skim, scrub, and scour your pool to its full potential so that you can sit back, relax, and actually enjoy your pool. To make your decision easier, we tested the most popular robotic pool cleaners on the market to determine which are actually superior. We put 12 devices to the test in our own pools, rating them on their ease of use, cleaning abilities, and value. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Aiper Scuba S1 Pool Cleaner at Amazon $700 Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner Up: Polaris Freedom Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner at Amazon $1,399 Jump to Review Best Budget: Aiper Seagull SE Robotic Pool Cleaner at Amazon $200 Jump to Review Best Investment: Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner at Amazon $1,549 Jump to Review Best for Touchups: Hydrus Robotic Cordless Pool Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon $206 Jump to Review Still Great: Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner at Amazon $750 Jump to Review Best Overall Aiper Scuba S1 Pool Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $700 at Amazon View on Aiper.com Star Qualities Navigates with ease Traps dirt in a convenient basket Four intelligent cleaning modes Red Flags Doesn’t skim the pool water’s surface We know it sounds crazy, but the Aiper Scuba S1 robot really made the pool-cleaning process fun. Setup took five minutes (ours came pre-charged), then we plopped the robot into our pool and watched as it whizzed over the floors, around the walls, and even up onto the steps. The brushes expertly scrubbed tiles on the edge of the pool, and the filter kept dirt, leaves, and debris neatly inside. It has four cleaning modes: auto, eco, floor-only, and wall-only. The auto mode cleans every surface in the pool, while the eco mode runs every 48 hours for 45 minutes at a time. The robot vacuum is completely cordless, which means you won't have to worry about tripping over cables. It’s designed to clean every pool shape and work on any flooring material, and it has a two-year warranty. We only wish that it also skimmed the pool surface. Dimensions: 20 x 17 x 10 inches | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Pool size: Up to 1,600 feet | Filter: Basket | Cleaning time: 150 minutes | Charge time: 3–4 hours | Smart features: Intelligent navigation, four cleaning modes, anti-slip treads The More You Know A huge variety of pool cleaners exists on the market. Some models can clean pool floors, walls, and stairs, while others offer superior scrubbing and cordless designs. People / Paden Reich People / Paden Reich People / Paden Reich Best Overall, Runner Up Polaris Freedom Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $1,399 at Amazon View on Polarispool.com View on Lesliespool.com Star Qualities Easy to use right out of the box Four cleaning modes to customize by surface Red Flags Wasn’t able to clean pool stairs With dual filters to trap both small particles and large debris, this robot cleaned our pool in under three hours, and proved impressively easy to use. The Polaris Freedom robot has cleaning modes for the floor, multi-surfaces, the waterline, plus a smart time-saving mode. When the robot is done cleaning, it automatically crawls up to the edge of the waterline, making it easy to lift out of the pool and dock at its charging station. While this robot left our pool floor nearly spotless, we wish that it also had the ability to clean our stairs. For pools without stairs, we’d definitely recommend this easy-to-use robot. Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 14 inches | Weight: 32 pounds | Pool size: Up to 50 feet | Filter: Basket | Cleaning time: 150 minutes | Charge time: 3–4 hours | Smart features: Cordless People / Kyle Rock People / Kyle Rock People / Kyle Rock The 12 Best Sunscreens from Neutrogena, Supergoop, and More, Tested on the Beach Best Budget Aiper Seagull SE Robotic Pool Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $200 at Amazon View on Aiper.com Star Qualities Best value Sleek, cordless design Sucked up 90 percent of visible debris Red Flags Doesn’t clean walls or waterline Had to empty the filter three times during 90-minute cleaning session For its modest price, we got much more than expected with this robot vacuum. We dropped the robot over the edge of the pool and watched it suck up and scrub off 90 percent of the dirt, debris, and dead leaves. We didn’t have to guide the robot pool cleaner and could sit back and relax while it got to work. One of the most impressive things about the SE Cordless pool cleaner is that it’s, well, cordless. For under $300, the sleek design feels luxurious. That said, we had to fish the robot out of the pool three times during the 90-minute session to empty out the filter because it slowed down once full. (Note: Our test pool was 40 by 18 feet, which is a fairly large pool.) Regardless, we still think that it’s a good value. Dimensions: 17.13 x 13.74 x 7.8 inches | Weight: 10.67 lbs. | Pool size: Up to 850 square feet | Filter: Trey | Cleaning time: 90 minutes | Charge time: 2.5 hours | Smart features: Auto-parking, LED indicator lights, one-switch activation, dual-drive motors People / Michael Navarro People / Michael Navarro Best Investment Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner PHOTO: Pool Warehouse $1,549 at Amazon View on Poolwarehouse.com $1,599 at Lowe's Star Qualities Most thorough model we tested Multiple cleaning modes Easy-to-use app Red Flags Most expensive model on our list Not cordless With three powerful cleaning modes, the Dolphin Explorer E50 cleaned our pool better than any other robotic pool cleaners we tested. The double-filtered collection basket handled large piles of leaves on the floor of our pool, and the built-in rolling brush scrubbed all visible dirt and grime off the floor, walls, waterline, and stairs, which no other robot was able to do. It uses smart navigation to maneuver the entire pool, and it connects to a user-friendly app so that you can customize the cleaning to your preferences. This isn’t a cordless cleaner, which would dock it a few points in our rating if not for the superior deep clean that this robot delivered. Though it may cause some sticker shock, this device has impressive cleaning power and a convenient app that makes it a product worth investing in. Dimensions: 21.45 x 17.55 x 11.31 inches | Weight: 29 pounds | Pool size: Up to 50 feet | Filter: Basket | Cleaning time: 90-minute quick clean, 150-minute standard clean | Smart features: Scheduled cleaning, connected app, smart navigation, large canister, quick clean, standard clean People / Henry Yung People / Henry Yung Best for Touchups Hydrus Robotic Cordless Pool Vacuum Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $192 at Amazon Star Qualities Lightweight and simple to use Super fine stainless steel filter grabbed both large and small debris Cordless design Red Flags Random navigation path missed a few spots Only cleans pool floor Had trouble navigating around the pool ladder If you’re looking for something lightweight that you can toss into the pool and go, then consider the Hydrus Robotic Pool Vacuum. The cordless robot is a breeze to set up — just plug it in to charge, then throw it into the pool and let it do its thing. The Hydrus reminded us of an iRoomba robot vacuum, the way that it pinged around the floors of the pool with seemingly little direction. Each time we used the small, lightweight robot, we were impressed with how quickly it navigated the pool floor and how much dirt and debris it lifted. The device comes fitted with a stainless steel filter that sucked up both large and small messes. The seemingly random navigation pattern does backfire a bit: The Hydrus vacuum missed a few spots on our test pool floor and got stuck around our pool ladder. But given its light weight and user-friendly design, it feels like a great option for quick pool touchups alongside a regular pool cleaning routine. Dimensions: 14.3 x 14.3 x 8.3 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Pool size: Up to 50 feet | Filter: Durable stainless-steel screen | Cleaning time: 90 minutes | Charge time: 2.5 hours | Smart features: Self-parking, two suction inlets The 8 Best Hot Tub Covers, Tested in Real Backyards Still Great Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $700 at Amazon View on Walmart $611 at Aiper.com Star Qualities Efficiently cleaned the entire pool Cordless design Red Flags Had trouble auto-navigating pool stairs Expensive After charging for 90 minutes, the Aiper pool cleaner got to work. A rotating rubber brush on the front of the robot scrubbed built-up grime and algae off the floor, walls, and waterline of the pool, moving in snake-like curves across each surface to ensure a full surface area clean. The design and performance impressed us: It has a quick charge time, is cordless, and only took about three hours to fully clean a 30- by 15-foot pool. It removed leaves and surface dirt, and at the end of the cycle, our pool looked as clean as it does after the use of more tiring manual cleaners. While this used to hold our “best overall” title, we’ve found newer models have achieved the same levels of cleanliness without some hiccups we noticed with this robot, such as its difficulty navigating pool stairs. That said, it’s still great in our book. Dimensions: 19.6 x 18.43 x 14.5 inches | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Pool size: Up to 3,200 feet | Filter: Basket | Cleaning time: 180 minutes | Charge time: 90 minutes | Smart features: Auto-parking, quick water release, one-switch activation, three cleaning modes (auto mode, floor only, wall only) Others We Tried Beatbot AquaSense Pro Pool Cleaner: It powerfully cleaned the pool, sucking up so much dirt, dust, and debris that we had to empty the filter mid-cleaning. That was our biggest qualm with the robot — the filter wasn’t large enough to hold all of the dirt from one cleaning when our pool was particularly dirty. Another thing: It’s really heavy at 54 pounds. Dolphin Explorer E70 Robotic Pool Cleaner: This app-controlled Dolphin Explorer expertly climbed our pool walls and floors. The robot’s scrubbing brushes effectively removed stuck-on grim, and our pool looked cleaner after every use. Unfortunately, the robot did miss a few spots, and we found the manual mode to be pretty tricky to use. For the high price, we wish it did a more thorough job. People / Meredith Butcher Add to Cart Funboy Clear Mesh Lounger $39 at Funboy.com Picture this: you're sitting in this adorable floaty chair, drink in hand, drifting around your freshly cleaned pool — life is good. After you grab a robotic pool cleaner to do the hard work for you, snag yourself one of these comfortable floating chair hammocks from Funboy. The seat is made of mesh, keeping your lower half cool while you take in the summer sun. Bonus points: it has a cup holder! Spotlight on Stanley: The Brand’s Best Tumblers, Water Bottles, and More Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof Disposable Camera Amazon Orig. $23 $13 at Amazon Let the kids (or grandkids) occupy themselves with an underwater camera while you enjoy yourself in the float above. The Fujifilm Disposable Quicksnap camera takes 35mm photos and comes in a waterproof case that can handle depths of up to 35 feet. The camera can take 27 photos before you'll need to bring it to your local photo developer (most pharmacies still offer that service). Things to Consider Before Buying a Robotic Pool Cleaner Surface Abilities While all of the pool cleaners on our list are capable of cleaning pool floors, some are also able to clean the walls, waterline, and stairs. This is an important thing to keep in mind when choosing a robotic pool cleaner because if your chosen device isn’t able to scrub the entire surface area of your pool, you may have to do manual cleaning after the device is finished. The Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner was able to clean every surface in our pool. Charge Time If you’re opting for a cordless robotic pool cleaner, then the battery life and charge time are important factors to consider. The Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner charges for just 90 minutes and offers a 180-minute run time, but many cordless pool cleaners will need to charge for longer than they’re able to clean. If you don’t want to worry about charging your pool cleaner in between uses, then a corded model might serve you better, though that also comes with the unsightly wires, the risk of tripping, and the need for a nearby outlet, depending on the cord length. Price Robotic pool cleaners are available in a wide price range, starting at around $230 and going up to $1,600. While a more expensive robotic pool cleaner typically offers a more efficient cleaning and a few extra perks, like apps and long battery life, you can find a perfectly capable pool cleaner in the middle of the price range. Lower-end pool cleaners, like the Aiper Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, can still do a great job of clearing debris from the pool floor but probably won’t provide a deep enough clean that you could skip manual cleaning altogether. Behind the Scenes In order to find the best robotic pool cleaners, we tried out 23 of the most popular pool cleaning devices on the market in our own outdoor swimming pools, challenging them to scrub the dirt and grime that built up over the winter. While testing, we evaluated them for the following qualities: Ease of Use: We started by unboxing the pool cleaners and gauging setup difficulty. We read included instructions and downloaded the connected phone apps for the robots that came with them. Then, we noted their weights and how difficult the robots were to lift into the pool. Performance: Once the pool cleaners were charged or plugged in, we placed the robots in our pools and timed them with stopwatches to see how quickly they worked. Over the course of testing, we used each pool cleaner three times to ensure accurate results and consistency. We evaluated the cleanliness of our pools after use, noting any visible leaves, dirt, or algae left behind, as well as spots the robot might have missed. Smart Features: Some of the pool robots we tested came with smart features like automatic obstacle navigation or auto parking. We took notes on the navigation pattern of each robotic pool cleaner and whether they were able to maneuver around obstacles like ladders and drains. In the end, we were able to create a list of the best robotic pool cleaners that make scrubbing, skimming, and scouring your pool as easy as pressing a button. People / Lindsay Buss Frequently Asked Questions How often should you clean your pool? According to Dr. Claudia Duncan, owner and CEO of Professional Pool Management and member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, the frequency with which you should clean your pool is dependent on factors such as the weather and conditions of the pool area. A general rule of thumb, Dr. Duncan shares, is to clean the pool weekly if it doesn’t get visibly dirty in between cleans. Do robotic pool cleaners work? Robotic pool cleaners can absolutely provide an effective cleaning depending on a few factors, including the model you choose, your pool’s surface area, and how much dirt and grime typically build up in your pool. To make sure that your chosen pool cleaner will work most effectively, make sure to read the device’s pool-size specifications. Depending on which robotic pool cleaner you chose, you may need to follow it up with some manual cleaning on areas that it isn’t able to reach. What is the best robotic pool cleaner? After completing our in-depth Tested process, we deemed the Aiper Scuba S1 as the best overall pool cleaner because of its ability to thoroughly clean the pool’s floor, walls, and waterline, all for a mid-range price compared to other pool cleaners that we tested. But the best pool cleaner for you depends entirely on your needs. If you’re looking for something simple that is also cordless, the Aiper Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner does a good job of sucking up dirt and debris for a reasonable price. Why Trust PEOPLE? Cai Cramer is a staff shopping writer at PEOPLE who covers the best and buzziest products across beauty, fashion, health, and lifestyle. Cai wrote this story based on the insights from our real-world testers, who put multiple robotic pool cleaners to the test in their own outdoor pools to see which was the best. The testing process was also based on insights from our expert, Dr. Claudia Duncan. Our Expert Panel Dr. Claudia Duncan is the owner and CEO of Professional Pool Management and a member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. What Is People Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.