Robotic pool cleaners are an extremely valuable piece of pool equipment. They’re easy to install, cost just pennies per day to operate, reduce strain on your pool’s filtration system, and so much more. But with so many benefits, it can be hard to know which robotic cleaner will work best for you and your pool. Don’t fret! We’ve put together this handy Robotic Pool Cleaner Buyer’s Guide to help you learn more about the different types of robotic cleaners currently available.
First, let’s take a closer look at the features and benefits shared by all robotic pool cleaners. These features set robotic pool cleaners apart from all other automatic pool cleaners, including suction side and pressure side cleaners.
Benefits of Robotic Pool Cleaners
- Robotic cleaners are independent of your pool’s filtration and circulation system. This feature actually offers a couple different benefits. Since robotic cleaners trap debris in an onboard filter, this alleviates the strain on your filtration system and prolongs the amount of time between filter cleaning. Consequently, this also extends the lifespan of the filter media. Because of this efficient cleaning process, you can run a robotic cleaner for only pennies per day.
- A robotic cleaner filters and circulates pool water. In addition to keeping excess debris away from the filter, increased pool circulation further helps alleviate strain on your pool pump. In fact, a robotic cleaner can help circulate and filter your pool in the event that your pool pump stops working, the filter breaks, or you encounter a plumbing problem. During the peak of summer, this buys you time to make appropriate repairs or replacements without the water turning green. Depending on the flow rate, robotic cleaners can filter pool water up to 5,000 gallons per hour.
- Sophisticated technology scrubs and vacuums the entire pool quickly. Efficient coverage patterns allow for the most efficient clean, while scrubbing brushes thoroughly clean pool surfaces from the floor, to the stairs, to the walls, and all the way up to the waterline. Some cleaners are able to clean an entire pool in less than an hour.
- Robotic cleaners are easy to install, use, and maintain. There’s no complicated plumbing to set up, no booster pumps needed, and no fancy adapters to track down. All you need to do is plug in the cleaner to a standard power outlet, turn it on, and place it in the water. When the cleaning cycle is complete, simply remove the filter canister and spray it out with a garden hose. That’s it!
- Programmable modes and remote controls offer maximum cleaning control. Control the type and duration of each pool cleaning cycle to best fit your pool’s unique needs. Some of the most recent models have WiFi connectivity, allowing you to control the cleaner directly from an app on your phone. Others come with a remote control for programming and other functions.
Robotic Pool Cleaner Comparison
Now let’s dig into the specs. What makes each robotic pool cleaner different? Each manufacturer brings their own unique technology and features to the table. But beyond that, the features themselves are vastly different. Some pool cleaners have a shorter cable, and may only be suitable for small inground or above ground pools. Some may only have basic controls, while others have multiple settings and are programmed through a mobile app or remote control. Certain cleaners are able to scrub the entire pool, while others are only limited to the floor. Some cleaners can even be programmed to only scrub the waterline if that area needs extra attention.
With robotic cleaners, the price generally goes higher to reflect the beneficial features and accessories included – you really do get what you pay for! But in some instances, you might not need a bunch of fancy bells and whistles. It’s important to do your research to find the model that’s right for your pool’s cleaning needs. We’ve put together a handy chart that gives you a quick snapshot of the main features offered by a few of the most popular robotic pool cleaners currently offered by In The Swim. Please note that all prices are subject to change.
Aqua Products Robotic Cleaners for Inground Pools | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand/Model | Aqua Products Evo 614iQ | Aqua Products Evo 604 | Aqua Products Evo 502 |
| Price | $999 | $899 | $779 |
| Max Pool Size | 50 ft. | 50 ft. | 40 ft. |
| Coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Cleaning Cycle | 1.5 Hours (Floor Only), 2.5 Hours (Complete) | 1.5 Hours (Floor Only), 2.5 Hours (Complete) | 2.5 Hours |
| Brush Info | 2 Active | 2 Active | 1 Active Dual-Traction |
| Cable Length | 60 ft. | 60 ft. | 50 ft. |
| Tangle-Free Swivel | Yes | Yes | No |
| Remote Control | iAquaLink Mobile App | No | No |
Maytronics Dolphin Robotic Cleaners for Inground Pools | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand/Model | Dolphin Proteus DX5i | Dolphin Proteus DX4 | Dolphin Proteus DX3 |
| Price | $1,149 | $949 | $649 |
| Max Pool Size | 50 ft. | 50 ft. | 33 ft. |
| Coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls |
| Cleaning Cycle | 1 Hour (Quick Clean) or 2 Hours (Standard) | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Brush Info | 2 Brushes (1 Active) | 2 Brushes (1 Active) | 1 Active |
| Cable Length | 60 ft. | 60 ft. | 50 ft. |
| Tangle-Free Swivel | Yes | Yes | No |
| Remote Control | MyDolphin Plus Mobile App, Power Supply Control | Power Supply Control | Power Supply Control |
Polaris Robotic Cleaners for Inground Pools | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand/Model | Polaris P965iQ | Polaris 9550 Sport | Polaris 9450 Sport |
| Price | $1,399 | $1,099 | $999 |
| Max Pool Size | 60 ft. | 60 ft. | 50 ft. |
| Coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls |
| Cleaning Cycle | 1.5-2.5 Hours | 1.5-2.5 Hours | 1.5-2.5 Hours |
| Brush Info | Solid Blade | Solid Blade | Pleated Blade |
| Cable Length | 70 ft. | 70 ft. | 60 ft. |
| Tangle-Free Swivel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control | iAquaLink Mobile App, Power Supply Control | Motion Sensing Remote, Power Supply Control | Power Supply Control |
| Caddy Cart Included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Robotic Cleaners for Small Pools | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand/Model | Aqua Products Sol IG | Aqua Products Sol AG | Dolphin E10 |
| Price | $629 | $499 | $519 |
| Pool Type | Inground | Above Ground, or Flat Inground w/ <15° Slope | Above Ground |
| Max Pool Size | 36 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. |
| Coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Cove | Floor |
| Cleaning Cycle | 2.5 Hours | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours |
| Brush Info | 1 Active | 1 Active | 1 Active |
| Cable Length | 50 ft. | 40 ft. | 40 ft. |
| Tangle-Free Swivel | No | No | No |
| Remote Control | No | No | No |
For larger pools, we also carry several high performance commercial pool cleaners. You can browse our entire In The Swim robotic pool cleaner selection online.
If you’re still not sure what type of cleaner is best for you and your pool, take a look at our comprehensive Automatic Pool Cleaners Buyer’s Guide blog post, where we dive into the pros and cons of robotic cleaners vs. suction or pressure side cleaners. Still have questions about automatic or robotic pool cleaners? We can help! Give our friendly customer service team a call at 1-800-288-7946.
