Having your own pool can make your summers that much more enjoyable. However, cleaning your pool regularly is a much less enjoyable task. Pool cleaner robots are designed to clean automatically for you while you sit back and relax or tackle other items on your to-do list.
We sure do love our robotic minions that keep our pool squeaky clean, so we’ve compiled reviews of the six best models on the market this year!
Our Top List
# | Preview | Product | Link |
1 |  | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus | No products found. |
2 |  | Dolphin Sigma Pool Cleaner Robot | No products found. |
3 |  | Dolphin Premier Cleaner with Dual Scrubbing Brushes | No products found. |
4 |  | Polaris F9450 Sport In-Ground Bot | No products found. |
5 |  | Aquabot Breeze IQ | No products found. |
6 |  | Hayward SharkVac Robot | No products found. |
1. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
No products found.
The Dolphin Nautilus can take over your cleaning duties and free up your time. This product can be used in pools that are up to 50 feet long. After setting up the cleaner, you’ll return to a clean pool after just two hours.
In addition to cleaning the bottom of your floor, this product also can climb the walls of your pool to ensure they are clean as well. It does not require any extra equipment, such as pumps or hoses, which can save you time and energy. The cleaners tangle-free swivel cable allows it to efficiently clean your pool without needing to worry about the cord getting bunches up, tangled, or caught under the cleaner.
This model includes several features to ensure your pools gets thoroughly cleaned every time. The dual scrubbing brushes work to remove dirt and grime from the floor and walls in the pool. The cleaner also has amazing filtering capabilities to ensure all the dirty contents remain in the machine and are not re-released into your pool.
You can program the Nautilus to automatically clean your pool on a set schedule each week. It offers three different settings to let you choose whether you want your pool to be cleaned daily, every other day, or every third day.
Pros
- You can program the machine to automatically clean your pool on a schedule that works for you.
- It has dual scrubbing brushes to loosen and remove dirt and grime from the floor and walls of your pool.
- The tangle-free swivel cable lets the machine work without worry of the cord getting caught or tangled.
Cons
- It doesn’t do a good job cleaning some stair types.
2. Dolphin Sigma Pool Cleaner Robot
No products found.
The Dolphin Sigma is packed with a lot of features that will make cleaning your pool a breeze. It includes dual scrubbing brushes the work to remove bacteria, algae, and other grime from the walls and floor of your pool.
Unlike other cleaners that have annoying and messy bags you need to clean out, this model features a top-loading cartridge filter. The filter collects all the debris that were removed from your pool during the clean process and can be easily rinsed out. It is designed to trap even very fine particles and remove them from your pool.
This model is designed to be set and let alone. It has an anti-tangle swivel cable that lets it easily clean pools that are up to 50 feet long. It also comes equipped with a smart navigation system that will scan your pool to determine the most efficient route for cleaning.
You can program the cleaner to automatically clean your pool every day, twice a week, or three times a week. It can also be paired with your smartphone, allowing you to spontaneously schedule a spot cleaning when the need arises.
Pros
- The filter is designed to be easy to clean.
- You can pair the cleaner with your smartphone to schedule cleanings and keep track of the progress of a cleaning.
- This model features a gyroscope mobility system for cleaning stairs and walls.
Cons
- If your pool frequently is filled with leaves and other large droppings, this cleaner may get clogged more frequently.
3. Dolphin Premier Cleaner with Dual Scrubbing Brushes
No products found.
Another product you’ll want to consider is the Dolphin Premier Cleaner. This model can be used for cleaning any pools up to 50 feet long. It features dual scrubbing brushes designed to remove dirt and other debris on the waterline, floor, and walls of your pool.
There are three different filter options designed to work together to remove particles from the pool. The machine has a cartridge for fine particles, a cartridge for ultra-fine particles, and filter bag for fine particles.
This model can analyze your pool and use algorithms to determine the most efficient way to clean the entire area. It has an anti-tangle swivel cable that lets it move freely around in the water without worrying about the cord getting caught on something or bunched up.
You can use the weekly scheduler feature to set the cleaner to operate every day, every other day, or every third day. There is a full filter indicator that will let you know when the filter needs to be cleaned out.
Pros
- The dual scrubbing brushes work to remove dirt from the floor, walls, and waterline of your pool.
- It will analyze your pool to determine the best route and method to ensure a thorough cleaning.
- The anti-tangle swivel cable prevents a cord from getting tangled up or caught and lets the cleaner move easily around the pool.
Cons
- The cleaner is a bit heavy and may be challenging to remove from the bottom of your pool.
4. Polaris F9450 Sport In-Ground Pool Cleaner Bot
No products found.
The Polaris Sport Robotic Cleaner is designed to provide a thorough cleaning job to your pool. This model utilizes Vortex Vacuum Technology, allowing it to remove up to four times as much debris as other cleaners.
It uses four-wheel drive technology to clean your pool’s floor and walls. It also has a pleated scrubbing brush which lets it clean the tile line of your pools.
This model can be used in pools with lengths of up to 50 feet. When it needs to be cleaned, you can easily access the large filter through the top of the machine.
You can program the Polaris Sport Cleaner to clean your pool on a schedule that works for you. It offers a seven-day programmable cleaning cycle. You can also customize the cleaning cycle you select to ensure your pool is cleaned to meet your standards.
Pros
- It can clean the floor, walls, and tile line of your pool.
- The filter has a large capacity, so it won’t need to be emptied as frequently.
- You can program the cleaner and customize the cleaning cycle.
Cons
- This model does not have a tangle-free cord.
5. Aquabot Breeze IQ
No products found.
The Aquabot Breeze IQ is another model you may want to consider. This product is designed to use less energy than other models while still providing a thorough cleaning for your pool.
It is designed to clean the floor, walls, inclines, and waterlines in a pool. To remove grime and debris from your pool’s walls and floor, this model features a vibrating brush on its base. It can safely be used on all pool surface types, including vinyl-lined pools.
There are two filter baskets that can be easily accessed from the top of the unit. The filters and pump system allow this product to filter down to two microns, ensuring your pool is left clean and safe to swim in.
This product has an AquaSmart system for navigating in a pool and ensuring all areas are cleaned. You can set the timer for a 1.5-hour or 2-hour cleaning session.
Pros
- The filter baskets work together with the powerful pump to filter down to two microns.
- You can use this product to clean pools with any surface type.
- The 60-foot swivel cable allows the cleaner to clean your pool without worrying about a cord getting caught to tangled.
Cons
- You cannot program this model to clean on a set schedule.
6. Hayward SharkVac Robot
No products found.
If you’re looking for a more economical option, consider the Hayward SharkVac Robot. This product is energy efficient and easy to use. You will not need any additional hoses, pumps, or hook-up ports in your pool.
The cleaner users smart steering technology while cleaning your pool. This technology allows it to easily navigate around your pool, identify areas that need to be cleaned, and effectively remove dirt and debris. Each cleaning cycle lasts about two hours.
This model has a scrub rush on the bottom to release grime from the floor and walls of your pool. These particles are then picked up by the filter. When it is time to clean out the filter, you can easily access it from the top of the unit.
Pros
- This is an energy-efficient model.
- The filter can be accessed from the top for easy cleaning.
- This model is less expensive than the other robotic cleaners we reviewed.
Cons
- It may not get the floor and walls of your pool as clean as some of the other products on our list.
Verdict & Review
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Pros
- Programmable schedule
- Dual scrubbing brushes
- Cleans floor and walls
- Tangle-free cable
Cons
- Doesn't clean all types of stairs perfectly
All six of the robotic pool cleaners we reviewed above would be an excellent purchase to make, but the Dolphin Nautilus is our top pick. This model does an excellent job keeping the surface, walls, and floor of a pool clean.
It features dual scrubbing brushes designed to effective remove dirt and grime from the floors, walls, and waterline of your pool. Debris will remain trapped in the filter until you clean it out, prevent items from being released back into your pool and making a new mess.
This model can be programmed to clean your pool every day, every two days, or every three days depending on your preferences and how dirty your pool gets. It has a tangle-free swivel cable that allows it to move around your pool freely without worrying about it getting caught or bunched up.
Buyer’s Guide
A robotic pool cleaner can certainly save you the time and hassle of cleaning your pool. However, each pool robot offers different features and functions, so you’ll want to carefully compare the different options you’re considering before making a purchase. Alternatively to robots, you could also check out suction pool cleaners to compare.
Cleaning Capabilities
First, you should identify the cleaning capabilities of each model. Look for products that will clean not only the floor of your pool, but also the walls and waterline. This will result in a cleaner pool and leave less touch-up work for you to finish.
Think about the types and sizes of debris that regularly fall into your pool, and find a cleaner that should be able to handle these items. You should also ensure that your pool is not too deep for any of the cleaners to handle.
Filter
Next, look at the filter for each cleaner. What is it designed to filter out? Can it remove large debris, such as leaves and sticks, as well as smaller particles?
Think about the capacity of the filter and how frequently it will need to be cleaned out. Also consider how easy it is to remove and clean the filter.
Cables and Cords
If a cleaner has long, thin cords, they may get tangled easily. This could cause the cleaner to get stuck in one space and may make it challenging for you to remove the cleaner and untangle the cord.
Some products are designed with a tangle-free cable system. Choosing a model that offers this feature can eliminate the hassle of tangled cords.
Cleaning Time and Pool Size
You should also consider the size of your pool and the length of the cleaning cycle on the different cleaners you’re looking at. If you have a larger pool, you may want to find a product that offers a longer cleaning cycle to ensure it is able to do a thorough job cleaning all the different parts of your pool.
Scheduling Functions
Another thing to look for before making a purchase is whether you’ll be able to create a cleaning schedule with the different models you’re considering. Can you set the cleaner to clean your pool every day or a few days a week based on your preferences?
Compatibility with Smart Devices
Some robotic cleaners can also be paired with your smartphone or other devices. This can allow you to start a cleaning when one is needed or keep track of the progress of a cleaning that is taking place.
Budget
Finally, keep your budget in mind when making a purchase. You want to find a quality product that will meet your needs, without exceeding the amount you have allocated for this purchase. There are numerous quality products available at different price points.
FAQ
Are robotic pool cleaners worth it?
Pool cleaner robots offer a lot of features that you won’t find in other pool cleaner. Unlike other options, robots are powered by electricity. They have the ability to know which sections of your pool have been cleaned and still need to be cleaned. These products also have powered treads to effectively clean the walls and steps in your pool.
Some robots can also clean the waterline of your pool, instead of just the ground and walls. Other features you may find with robot cleaners include a tangle-free cord, powerful scrub brushes, the ability to program the cleaner to clean at set times, and connection with smart devices to monitor cleaning progress.
Can you leave a robotic pool cleaner in the pool?
Yes, you can leave a robot pool cleaner in the pool. When they aren’t actively cleaning your pool, they can also be used as a water filtration system. If you’d prefer, you can also remove the robot when it is not in use.
How long do robotic pool cleaners last?
Every product is different and the way you use it and maintain it will impact its lifespan. That being said, most robot cleaners last for an average of three to five years. With proper care, yours may last as much as eight years.
How do I choose a robotic pool cleaner?
When choosing a pool cleaner bot, there are a few things you should think about. First, make sure the cleaner is able to clean pools as large as your pool. You should also decide whether you will want to be able to create a cleaning schedule where the cleaner will automatically clean your pool, or whether you’d rather start the cleaner whenever you feel it is necessary.
You will also want to consider the types of debris that frequently fall into your pool. Some cleaners work better than others at removing larger debris, such as sticks or leaves, than others.
Next, consider the different cleaning settings and features offered by the cleaner? Can it clean the walls, the floors, and the waterline? How does it do on steps and inclines?
Finally, look for models that fit your budget. You don’t want to spend more than you have available for a robot, but you also want to purchase a product that will meet your needs and keep your pool clean.
