Best Pool Cleaning Robot: Top 5 Rankings

How We Chose The Best Pool Cleaning Robots

The Home Experts research team used a 5-point scale to determine our robotic pool cleaner rankings. We relied on the following 5 criteria to make our decisions:

1. Functionality: How do we rate the overall function of each pool cleaning robot?
2. Ease of Use: How easy is the device to use? Are its remote control and/or app capabilities easy to learn and operate?
3. Optionality: Does the automatic pool cleaner operate best in inground pools, above ground pools, or does it clean both equally well?
4. Brand Trust: Does the pool robot brand have a strong track record of creating quality products for consumers? This trust isn’t just about making great products — it also ensures strong customer support and that your warranty will be honored.
5. Price: All things being equal, which pool robot offered the best price?

We ranked these 5 criteria in the order they appear. Functionality and ease of use are the most important factors in our pool robot rankings.

Our research team placed greater weight on the opinions of real homeowners with inground pools than on other professional reviews. We found residential pool owners spoke about their robot pool cleaner purchases with less bias and more evidence based on real-life use cases. 

DFW Residents: Check out our updated ranking of Dallas pool builders! We’ve got you covered from new pool construction to ongoing maintenance.

Robotic Pool Cleaners: Our Top 5

These 5 automatic pool cleaners comprise our top 5 pool robot rankings:

• Dolphin Quantum 2024: Best Pool Cleaning Robot Overall
• Betta SE Solar: Best Automatic Pool Skimmer
• Aiper Scuba S1: Best Cordless Pool Robot
• Hayward Poolvergnuegen: Best Suction Pool Cleaner
• Dolphin Explorer E70: Best Upgrade Pick

Here’s a breakdown of why we chose these products and how to buy them.

Dolphin Quantum 2024: The Best Pool Cleaning Robot

Buy Dolphin Quantum Pool Robot from Amazon: $1,079 (at time of publication)

The Maytronics Dolphin Quantum 2024 is the best overall pool cleaning robot for most homeowners. Its combination of lightweight design, superior filtration and reliable manufacturer makes it a premium option at a competitive price point.

Why We Chose the Dolphin Quantum 2024

We like Maytronics' history of long-lasting robotic pool products, and Dolphin Quantum is no exception. It's designed to clean pools up to 50 feet freely, and uses 3 propulsion jets to power along the waterline. The XXL MaxBin filter is 225% larger than standard filter cartridges, and its nanofilters trap algae, bacteria, dust and small particles using an expanded surface area.

Maytronics is regularly listed as the best robotic pool cleaning company by pool cleaning professionals. Their cleaning products and parts are so reliable, they're often white-labeled to other pool robot companies. 

Dolphin Quantum 2024 scored highly on ease of use. Schedule its programmable weekly timer to automatically clean every 1-3 days — most users will figure out the system after 1 or 2 uses. 

Key Features of the Dolphin Quantum Pool Cleaning Robot

• Triple propulsion jet: Three propulsion jets help the Dolphin Quantum navigate your pool powerfully, with less sticking and jamming.
• Expanded nanofiltration system: Not only does the small micron value ensure small particle clean-up, its expanded surface area cleans more efficiently.
• Simple programmable weekly timer: Schedule your weekly pool cleaning in advance with simple settings for 1-3 cleanings per week.
• Anti-tangle swivel mechanism: Who wants a tangled mess of cords on their pool deck? The anti-tangle mechanism keeps your equipment neat and functional, and prevents a trip hazard near your pool.

Get back to sunbathing and let HOMR schedule your pool service!

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Best of the Rest

Betta SE Solar: Best Robotic Pool Skimmer

Buy Betta SE from Amazon: $359.99 (at time of publication)

Why we like it: The Betta SE solar powered automatic robotic pool skimmer cleans the surface of your pool better than all skimmers we reviewed. Pool owners note its excellent functionality in both inground and above ground pools, as well as its ability to hold a strong, prolonged charge after a day in the sun.

Betta SE requires no electricity to run, which saves homeowners on utility bills. Its ultra-fine 200 um mesh debris basket handles the collection of small debris like pollen, insects and even dust. Its adjustable bumper rods keep Betta SE from getting stuck in the shallow end of your pool.

The twin salt chlorine tolerant motors are a plus feature and allow Betta SE units to function in virtually any type of pool water.

Reddit users love the Betta SE! Of all the robot pool cleaning products we reviewed, the Betta SE scored highest in reviews written by pool owners on Reddit.

Things to consider: The Betta SE is a robotic pool skimmer only. We think it's the best pool cleaner for your water's surface — don't expect it to clean the bottom of your pool. As the Betta SE is a solar powered product, it does experience some battery life issues during prolonged cloudy weather.

Aiper Scuba S1: Best Cordless Pool Robot

Buy Aiper Scuba S1 from Amazon: $549.99 (at time of publication)

Why we like it: The Aiper Scuba S1 is an excellent choice for a cordless pool robot to clean your pool floor. It offers more than enough features (and excellent cleaning capabilities) at a very reasonable price point.

Our review team found the cleaning patterns of the Scuba S1 to be highly intuitive. It cleans in a uniform, easy-to-predict pattern that optimizes dirt and debris collection. It also offers 4 distinct cleaning modes — Auto, Eco, Floor Only and Wall Only. These settings maximize the unit’s cleaning potential in each setting. 

Things to consider: The Aiper Scuba S1 struggles to climb pool wall surfaces and is best suited for cleaning your pool floor. Consider adding a surface skimmer to maximize your cleaning coverage.

Pool coping, mastic, weir — your pool has a lot of lingo! Learn these simple pool anatomy terms and talk to your pool service like a real pro.

Hayward Poolvergnuegen: Best Suction Pool Cleaner

Buy Hayward Suction Pool Cleaner from Amazon: $419 (at time of publication)

Why we like it: The Hayward Poolvergnuegen cleans pool floors as well as most robots at a fraction of the price. Its durable tires navigate drains, impediments and uneven pebble and shotcrete flooring without concern.

Hayward suction pool cleaners aced our ease of use testing. It took our reviewers roughly 10 minutes to fully set up the product. Once set up, the Hayward unit cleans pools up to 32 feet.

Things to consider: The one drawback of the Hayward suction pool cleaner is speed — it simply isn’t as fast as other models. What it lacks in speed, it makes up for in thorough cleaning. Be sure to budget enough time for cleaning with this product.

Maytronics Dolphin Explorer E70: Best Upgrade Pick

Buy Dolphin Explorer E70 from Amazon: $1,899 (at time of publication)

Why we like it: Large pool owners enjoy the fleet of features and expansive cleaning capacity of the Dolphin Explorer E70, which cleans big pools with intricate shapes and layouts. The Explorer E70’s best cleaning feature is its waterline cleaning, thanks to exceptional wall grip.

Explorer E70 scored high in ease of use due to its exceptional WiFi capabilities. We like the ability to schedule and monitor your pool cleaning from anywhere, even away from home or on a long vacation.

Things to consider: The Dolphin Explorer E70 has all the bells and whistles, but it also has the matching price tag. Unless you have a large or uniquely shaped pool, we think the Dolphin Quantum offers a better bang for your buck.

Get a free quote on pool coping repair and maintenance from HOMR!

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5 Features Every Pool Cleaning Robot Must Have

Our research team looked for 5 specific features in its pool robot analysis:

• The micron value of its filter
• Its vertical climbing capability
• Compatibility with different pool floor materials
• Automation capabilities, specifically scheduling
• Strong product warranty offering

Here are the benchmarks we rated as “excellent” for each of these robotic pool cleaner features.

Filter with Excellent Micron Value

Be sure to check your pool robot filter’s micron value before making a purchase. The smaller the micron value, the better the filter on your robotic pool cleaner.

As a benchmark: the Betta SE robotic pool skimmer has a micron value of 200 um, which is excellent. 

Vertical Climbing Capability

Does your pool cleaning robot climb vertically, or does it struggle to clean pool walls? This isn’t a dealbreaker for all pool owners — if your pool has angled or steep walls, be sure to find a climbing robot or purchase a surface skimmer.

Small particles, pollen, bacteria and dust cling to wall areas away from filters. A robot with vertical climbing capability alleviates this issue.

Pool Floor Material Compatibility

Ensure your pool cleaning robot or automatic pool cleaner is compatible with your pool floor material. Pool robots operate well on vinyl and tile, but some struggle to clean gunite, fiberglass or pebble flooring.

If you have a vinyl inground pool, your cleaner must clearly state it properly cleans vinyl. 

Scheduling and Automation

Your pool cleaning robot is only as good as your ability to automate it. Look for robots with the following 3 automation features:

• Weekly programmable cleaning
• Remote control
• Navigation

Pool Robot Warranty

Your robotic pool cleaner should offer no less than a 2 to 3 year product warranty. Also, be sure to locate a trustworthy source for replacement parts and filters — ordering from the manufacturer itself is usually the best option.

A robotic pool cleaner is part of stress-free outdoor living. Learn 10 more low maintenance landscaping tips to decrease yardwork and increase R&R.