Perhaps you own a pressure-side or suction cleaner. They are technological breakthroughs of their own accord, however, robotic pool cleaners are, without question, the best sanitizers around today. The ease of just placing the device into your swimming pool for automatic cleaning can’t be beaten.
How does one know what robotic pool cleaner to choose, though? What aspects should you be keeping an eye out for? What should you keep in mind before purchasing one? We did the research so you don’t have to! You simply need to select one that accommodates what you need it to do, and before you know it, you’ll have an immaculate, low-maintenance pool to swim in.
Pick the Robotic Cleaner that Appeals to You the Most
Robotic pool cleaners vary in cost, but don’t forget; they are an investment that will end up saving you a substantial amount of time, electricity, and energy.
1. Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
Rather than navigating through your pool based on patterns, this robotic cleaner scans the pool first to optimize its route around the walls and floor.
The Dolphin Nautilus features a pair of scrubbing brushes that offer more friction, which collects both small and large debris. It’s most efficient in pools as long as 50’. There are no tangles to worry about thanks to the cord’s swiveling ability. It is easy to take out, empty, wash, and reload the filters, too.
Buy "Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus" on Amazon2. Aquabot Turbo T2 Plus Inground Pool Robotic Cleaner
This small robot offers a quartet of approaches to sanitize your pool and is quicker than its counterparts. The power wash feature of the Aquabot Turbo T2’s Scrub DeepClean handles troublesome smudges on the walls and floor of your pool. The circulation, microfilter, and vacuum features take on smaller messes surrounding your waterline and pool.
The 60’ long cord is paired with a swivel to stop tangles and knots from forming. Besides the hassle-free cord, this device is also quite fast. The Turbo T2 can combine as much as 75 gallons of water per minute and sanitize your pool in approximately 60 minutes (based on the size of your pool).
Buy "Aquabot Turbo T2 Plus" on Amazon3. Maytronics Dolphin Triton Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
At times, you simply need to spot clean. This is where the Dolphin Triton Plus excels. The Triton maps and scans your pool to produce the most effective sanitation pattern possible, just like the Nautilus model. The Triton can be paired with your mobile device through Bluetooth so that it can be steered towards challenging areas.
Your waterline, walls, and floors will be scrubbed with the Triton’s dual brushes. The extra-large filter it comes with requires dumping, rinsing, and reloading. You can begin the process by merely pressing a button, and three hours or so later, your pool will be thoroughly sanitized.
Buy "Maytronics Dolphin Triton Plus" on Amazon4. Polaris 9550 Sport Pool Cleaner
If you are scaling core crevices and pool walls, four-wheel drive is crucial. The Polaris Sport is ideal for pools with tight corners. There is a rear water propulsion system built into the device, which aids it in handling hard-to-get-to areas. The Vortex vacuum technology does not lose suction while picking up sizeable debris.
If certain areas aren’t being cleaned by the Sport, there is an adjustment you can make. The device includes a motion-sensitive remote that steers the device towards the area you want to be sanitized. Simply point and click to see it in action.
There is no need to make contact with any debris thanks to the device’s filter canisters. You simply need to have the filter sprayed down after shaking out the mess. The cord features a tangle-minimizing swivel to stop pausing during the cleanup process.
Buy "Polaris 9550 Sport" on Amazon5. Aquabot Breeze IQ Robotic Pool Cleaner
If dust and pollen are big concerns where you reside, the Aquabot Breeze IQ might be just the thing you’re looking for. The filters are able to catch debris as small as 2 microns (for perspective’s sake, a strand of human hair is approximately 50 microns). As such, it can filter bacteria from your water.
The 60’ long cable includes a swivel to stop tangling from transpiring. The Breeze IQ has a robust pump system for obstinate pollen or dirt patches, as well as a couple of top access baskets. The PVC scrubbing brushes are durable and safe to use all surfaces, vinyl-lined pools included.
Buy "Aquabot Breeze IQ" on Amazon6. Hayward TigerShark Robotic Pool Cleaner
With its speedy Quick Clean cycle, it only takes an hour and a half for the Hayward TigerShark to scour your waterline, coves, walls, and floors. It has an onboard pump for additional power to use on unyielding debris and dirt patches. The cord is long enough to handle pools as wide as 20’ and as long as 40’. Sanitation is simple: take out the filter, empty it, rinse it, then reload it.
Buy "Hayward TigerShark" on Amazon7. Hayward SharkVac Pool Cleaner
On the lookout for dirt, this robotic cleaner has smart sensors that stop it from marooning itself as it cleans the waterline. These sensors safeguard the motors of the Hayward SharkVac and prolong its sanitation life. The device’s top-access debris canister is user-friendly and straightforward to sanitize.
Though it is simple enough to handle by itself, the SharkVac includes a caddy so it can be rolled away from wherever you keep it.
Buy "Hayward SharkVac" on Amazon8. Maytronics Dolphin Premier Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner
As far as robotic pool cleaners go, the Dolphin’s Premier ups the ante. The premier doesn’t need a lot of power to perform – in contrast to other Dolphin models – courtesy of its industrial-grade DC motors. As such, your pool can be sanitized as needed without the worry of energy costs or pump cycles.
There is a quartet of filter types on the Premier that can handle oversized leaves, fine algae, and everything in between. Simply select the filter you require and perform the job in one fell swoop. In addition to smart navigation, the Premier’s power cord has anti-tangle swivel technology, just like every Dolphin model.
Buy "Maytronics Dolphin Premier" on Amazon9. Pentair Kreepy Krauly Prowler Robotic Pool Cleaner
The Pentair Kreepy Krauly Prowler is capable of sanitizing many pools in under 3 hours and costs about $0.20/day to run.
This device includes a caddy to simplify storage and transportation, along with a wireless remote to regulate center-cleaning. You won’t have to worry about forgetting a cleaning period since you can program regular sessions into the Prowler.
Buy "Pentair Kreepy Krauly Prowler" on Amazon10. SmartPool 9i Robotic Pool Cleaner
Capable of cleaning pools as deep as 8’, as long as 40’, and as wide as 20’, the SmartPool 9i is a lightweight but strong robot. Superseding the 7i version, the 9i comes with intelligent navigation, and as such, it won’t bang into walls to determine what direction to head in.
The cleaner’s top handle lets you effortlessly take it out of the water, and the clean-up process is expedited thanks to the Quick-Drain system it comes with. For safety purposes, the device is ETL-certified, which is reassuring if you’re worried about an electrical device within your pool.
Buy "SmartPool 9i" on AmazonWhat are the Differences Between these Robotic Pool Cleaners?
With regards to maintaining a debris-free pool, there are a few different kinds of automatic pool cleaners to pick from: robotic, pressure-side, and suction-side cleaners. While they will all sanitize your pool upon entering the water, robotic cleaners have a huge leg-up over its counterparts because they only require one power source (assuming they don’t have a battery that is charged internally).
What is a “Power Source”?
You may be concerned with the insertion of an electrically-charged cleaner in the water. That’s understandable; you should be wary of the dangers of electrocution.
However, robotic cleaners operate using low-voltage sources via CFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets, which switches power off automatically upon detecting any electrical irregularities. As such, electrocution is prevented.
Features to Keep in Mind
Prior to choosing a cleaner, you should be mindful of what features are the most valuable and helpful.
Lightweight
Although a robotic pool cleaner’s size isn’t relevant, weight is. Of course, the larger the pool, the larger the robot should be, but it should be easy enough to lift so it can be inserted into (and removed from) the water. A hefty pool cleaner will be troublesome to maintain, and your pool’s sanitation won’t be optimized as a result.
4-Wheel Drive and Broad Tires
A robot cleaner won’t be able to perform well if it is unable to maneuver around the pool. We suggest using broad and 4-wheel drive tires produced with rubber (as opposed to plastic). In doing so, the robotic cleaner will be able to overcome bumps easily, and will not have difficulty gliding along slippery surfaces on the bottom and sides of the pool.
Swivel Cord
Sadly, pool cleaners still warrant an electrical cord. Since it will be maneuvering around the pool – as well as climbing stairs and vertical walls – tangling of the cord is possible, which will stop the movement of the device. Tangles can be prevented with a swivel cord, allowing your robot pool cleaner to move around as liberally as necessary.
Brushes of High-Quality
Eliminating pool debris and dirt is a tough process, something that warrants the use of brushes on your pool cleaner. We suggest using rotating rubber brushes or hard-bristle brushes that are capable of scrubbing any pool surface.
Timers to Program
A robotic pool cleaner’s purpose is to simplify your life. If it needs to be manually activated each time you need it to perform, the simplicity of use and automation is nullified. Look for a cleaner with a timer you can program so that you don’t have to activate the device on your own. Be mindful of cleaning the device from time to time, too!
Ability to Climb
In theory, a robotic pool cleaner should be able to climb. Devices that can effortlessly climb the walls of a pool, sanitize the waterline, and get up the stairs of your pool – if there are any – will give you the best post-cleanup outcome.
Sensors and Deflecting Features
Robotic pool cleaners occasionally get caught in corners. Several devices include deflective features that stop them from being caught in various obstacles and corners.
Effective Sanitation Cycles
Each robotic pool cleaner has its own sanitation cycle, some of which are shorter than others. In theory, you should look for one that can sanitize your pool as fast and effectively as it can while still performing a proper job. Several cleaners offer multiple cycles to accommodate various levels of cleaning.
Strength
A robotic pool cleaner will be costly. If you’re going to shell out money for one, you might as well buy one produced with high-grade materials. At some point, the device might warrant repairs, but this shouldn’t happen until several swimming seasons have passed. Go through your warranty prior to using the device. In doing so, you’ll know what actions to take in the event of failure.
Efficiency of Energy
Your robotic pool cleaner’s size will establish the amount of energy needed for it to run. Smaller cleaners use up about 200 watts of power each hour. Bigger units will warrant more wattage. Stay away from models that use over 1,000 watts each hour as, in the long run, they’ll be more expensive to operate.
Fundamentals of Robot Maintenance
After you choose a robotic pool cleaner, ensure you maintain it. Doing so allows it to perform at optimum levels for a long duration. Review all instructions the device comes with prior to using it in your pool. You are also encouraged to conduct some basic care for the sake of preserving its functionality.
- As per the manufacturer directions, the cleaner should be drained of water.
- The cleaner should be removed from the water upon completion of its cycle. Doing so will help keep the motor in top shape (and make your pool safer to swim in).
- Monitor the condition of the brushes. When they start to get worn out, have them replaced, just like you would when your toothbrush starts to wear down.
- After you finish using it, the robotic cleaner should be washed each time. Inspect the wheels and brushes for debris, then rinse and empty the filter.
- Keep the device away from direct sunlight.
Maintenance of your cleaner need not be difficult. Several small upkeep steps are nothing compared to all the time you won’t spend cleaning it.
Simplify the Process of Cleaning Your Pool
Reap the rewards of the modern era. Robotic pool cleaners are a worthwhile investment as far as saving time and energy goes. Further, they free up time for you to have fun in your pool rather than spending that time sanitizing it.
After you choose an appropriate device, don’t forget to maintain it correctly. The better condition it’s in, the more longevity it will have.