Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you hit links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Keep your pool clean and free of debris with these easy-to-use models.
The Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner is highly effective and easy to use, and has a user-friendly app.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Robotic pool cleaners are easy to use and very effective at removing debris in both in-ground andabove-ground pools.
There are some that are good all-around cleaners but can’t scrub tile lines.
Some cleaners have a hard time on steps, sun shelves and swim outs.
Credit: Pool Warehouse
For more information on how we tested robotic pool cleaners at home, check outour testing processbelow.
Its one of the most expensive cleaners on our list.
We even called it the Ferrari of cleaners for its exceptional cleaning ability.
The Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner is highly effective, easy to use, and has a user-friendly app.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The basket was also big enough to clean the entire pool without needing to be emptied.
The pool cleaner includes an app to select cleaning modes and schedule cleaning.
We thought the app was very user-friendly and easy to set up.
Because it isnt very heavy, we could easily drop the cleaner into the pool with one hand.
It also features a built-in handle for easier handling.
Product Details: Cycle Time:1.5 to 2.5 hrs.
|Cable Length:60 ft. |Weight:29.3 lbs.
This model struggled to pick up large debris at times.
Overall, the cleaner picked up almost all of the debris in the bottom of our pool during testing.
The battery also fully charges in just 2.5 hours, so you dont have to wait long between uses.
The cleaner was so quiet that we nearly forgot it was in the pool.
Product Details: Cycle Time:1.5 hrs.
|Cable Length:Cordless |Weight:7.6 lbs.
The setup instructions were somewhat confusing.
The Dolphin Escape Robotic Pool Cleaner was our favorite cleaner for thoroughly cleaning above-ground pools.
Our pool during testing was right next to a tree, so it was full of leaves and branches.
The cleaner was very effective and collected every piece of debris with its oversized debris cartridge.
The rollers on the robot helped it to easily navigate and clean the pool during testing.
Credit: Amazon
Rubber tracks also prevent the cleaner from slipping away from the pool surface.
The robot is corded with a 40-foot cable, which never got tangled during testing.
The robot features a scrubbing brush to remove stubborn buildup and dirt from the pools floor.
Once in use, the cleaner picked up almost all of the debris in the bottom of our pool.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
We used the cleaner for an entire summer, and it kept our pool spotless the whole season.
We thought the cleaner was very lightweight and had a compact design.
Weighing only 14 pounds, the cleaner is easy to lift in and out of the pool.
Product Details: Cycle Time:1.5 hrs.
|Cable Length:40 ft. |Weight:14 lbs.
It doesnt clean the waterline.
The cleaner is ideal for in-ground pools up to 50 feet.
Setting up the robot was also very easy and user-friendly.
Our pool had visible dirt and leaves from nearby trees in the water.
With a top-load filter, it was easy to pull the robots filter out to rinse and clean it.
The cleaner is ideal for scrubbing walls, but keep in mind that it doesnt clean the waterline.
We also thought the robot cleaned much faster than previous Dolphin models we had used.
Credit: Amazon
The cleaning cycle takes about two hours for a full clean.
It even features intelligent mapping capabilities to ensure it cleans every inch of the pool.
Product Details: Cycle Time:2 hrs.
The Dolphin Escape robotic pool cleaner was effective at cleaning up the debris and leaves in the pool.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
|Cable Length:60 ft. |Weight:19 lbs.
The cordless design is ideal for cleaning pools up to 50 feet long or 861 square feet.
The robot is also compact and weighs only 11 pounds, so its easy to handle and store.
Credit: Amazon
After a full 90-minute cleaning cycle, nearly all of the debris was picked up.
Product Details: Cycle Time:90 min.
|Cable Length:Cordless |Weight:11.4 lbs.
This robotic pool cleaner picks up even the finest particles of dirt and sand.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We thought the robot was a bit heavy.
The robot sits upright on the caddy, which saves space to make it easier to store.
Then, it provides a calculated time for how long it will take to fully clean the pool.
Credit: Amazon
Overall, we thought it was a breeze to set up and use the robot.
Before using the cleaner, the bottom of our pool was covered in algae and debris.
The robot includes multiple cleaning modes like a quick clean, bottom-only cleaning, or walls/waterline-only cleaning.
The Aiper Seagull 1000 robotic pool cleaner effectively cleans smaller pools up to 50 feet.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We think the cleaner would be ideal for large in-ground pools since it cleans quickly and effectively.
Product Details: Cycle Time:Varies |Cable Length:70 ft. |Weight:44 lbs.
This model doesnt skim the surface of the water.
Credit: Leslie’s
The improved grip and maneuverability allow the cleaner to navigate heavily sloped walls.
The robot even climbed on top of a built-in seat at the end of the pool to scrub it.
The robot easily cleaned up both large debris like leaves and finer debris like pine needles and yellow pollen.
This pool cleaner is easy to move and store with its wheeled caddy and cord holder.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Once you pull the cleaner out of the pool, it starts dumping out the water.
It also has a large handle on the top to hold it while it drains.
After six months of testing, we didnt notice any reduction in the battery life.
The cleaner could still clean our entire pool on a single charge.
Product Details: Cycle Time:150 min.
|Cable Length:Cordless |Weight:26 lbs.
|Suggested Pool jot down:In-ground or above-ground |Pool Length:Up to 1,600 sq.
It couldn’t clean the stairs of the pool.
At the end of the cleaning cycle, the robot climbs to the surface for easy retrieval.
you could also access special cleaning modes, like a waterline-only cleaning option, on the robots app.
The only downside to the cleaner was that it couldnt clean the stairs in our pool.
Product Details: Cycle Time:2.5 hrs.
|Cable Length:Cordless |Weight:32 lbs.
First, we prepared our pool and timed how long it took to set up each pool cleaner.
For cordless models, we recorded how long it took for the batteries to charge before we used them.
We also connected any applicable apps if the pool cleaner was Wi-Fi enabled.
Finally, we noted the noise level of the cleaner and whether or not it was distracting.
This allows the cleaner to reach every inch of the pool, including the deepest point.
Most pool cleaners have a cord length between 40 and 60 feet.
Most pool cleaners can complete a full cleaning cycle in two or three hours.
Some filters are disposable, but many cleaners use reusable filters that can be sprayed clean with a hose.
Pollard prefers cleaners with a minimum of 3.5 liters of storage.
However, some models are less flexible and are only designed for a specific pool jot down.
Not all robotic cleaners are created equal.
Credit: Amazon
We prefer models that can map the pool and allow the user to specify particular zones, Pollard says.
However, the pool cleaner stopped working after about six months of use.
The motor completely stopped, and we werent able to troubleshoot the issue.
The Aiper Scuba S1 can get to harder-to-reach places and climb walls with angles as steep as 105 degrees.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Hydrus Robotic Pool Vacuum
TheHydrus Robotic Pool Vacuumwas an affordable option that quickly cleaned our pool floors.
We think it would work better for above-ground pools since it cant easily navigate inclines.
Your Questions, Answered
Are robotic cleaners worth the investment?
Robotic cleaners are also one of the best options for keeping your pool clean.
Many robotic cleaners offer additional advantages that you cant get from other cleaning methods.
They also help circulate the water when the system is off, Pollard explains.
Can you swim in your pool while using the cleaner?
A robotic pool cleaner may also be less effective if it has to avoid people while cleaning.
How often should you clean your pool cleaner?
Most robotic cleaners will notify you when the filter or basket is full and needs to be emptied.
How do you store a robotic pool cleaner?
We recommend storing your robotic pool cleaner in a dry area after each use.
The wireless versions need to dry out before charging and should be stored in a dry area.
Storage caddies are ideal for holding the robot and its accessories in one place.
For corded cleaners, [caddies] hold the robot, the cord, and the power center.
The cordless models hold the charging dock and the robot, Pollard explains.
Then, you could transfer the cleaner to and from the pool without having to carry it.
Were waiting until summer to get more insights on the pool cleaners effectiveness.
Credit: Amazon
The robot operated quietly, so there werent any disruptive noises while it cleaned.
Who We Are
Molly Blancois a senior writer forBetter Homes & Gardens.
What Is BHG Recommends?
This pool cleaner uses tracks instead of wheels that offer excellent gripping, which worked well cleaning the pool’s walls and bottom during our tests.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
