In recent years, we’ve seen a tremendous deal of progress take place within the field of robotics technology. These developments have affected the entirety of how we think about and use robotic technologies and the ways in which we are able to integrate these tools and technologies into our daily lives.
From these developments, there have been many transformations that have taken place within large industries. Industries such as the military, computing, science, manufacturing, and… pool cleaning?
While it may not seem like the most notable, or most obvious, usage, robotics technology has greatly influenced the way we think about our pools and the way we clean them. These developments were taken from the advancements that robotics technology gave to vacuum cleaners, and they were then given to pool cleaners.
From these advancements, we have been able to take a process that was relatively tedious and annoying – that of manually cleaning your pool – and now, we can automate that entire process.
In this guide, you are going to learn all about robotic pool cleaners, what they do, how they work, and why they are such a great purchase. But, you are also going to learn all about the fifteen best robotic pool cleaners. These are robotic pool cleaners you can use to easily and effortlessly clean tiled pools, vinyl pools, and pools that are above ground.
Then, after we look at those fifteen robotic pool cleaners, we’re going to look at the main features and attributes to consider and look for, when searching for the best robotic pool cleaner for yourself.
However, before we dive into the guide itself, we need to talk about what, exactly, a robotic pool cleaner actually is.
What Is A Robotic Pool Cleaner?
To understand what a robotic pool cleaner is, we need to understand the design ethos that has inspired robotic pool cleaners, as well as robotic vacuums, and other, related, robotic cleaning devices.
When robotic technology was undergoing a myriad of developments, many people working in large businesses, and small businesses, saw a variety of opportunities. These opportunities were related to specific tasks that, essentially, we all have to do, even though they are annoying and tedious.
Most of these tasks were directly related to cleaning, such as vacuuming your floors, or, of course, cleaning your pool.
Back in the day, if you had money, you could pay someone else to do those things for you. Many people were unwilling, or unable, to do this, and so they were forced to do those cleaning tasks on their own.
This is a constant, throughout history. When certain inventions came along – such as the vacuum cleaner – it took those large and bothersome tasks, such as cleaning your floors, and it made them significantly easier. Instead of doing it by hand, you could use a vacuum cleaner to make the process much quicker, and significantly less annoying.
The same goes for pool cleaners, which took the process of manually removing debris and dirt from your pool, and streamlined it, so it was far more efficient and far less annoying.
When robotics technology was introduced into the mix, people saw the myriad of possibilities that lurked within the technology, and how it could be applied to those old processes and technologies. With robotics technology, for example, the robot would do the cleaning for you.
More often than not, due to the precision and quality of the sensors and the robot technology itself, it would do a better job, as well.
The best inventions are the ones that make your life more convenient. And they do this by taking tasks that are time-consuming or inefficient, in some way or another, and then they make that a far more efficient and less time-consuming task. Robotic pool cleaners are one such example of these types of inventions.
As for what a robotic pool cleaner actually is, well, it’s a type of robot that has been designed to remove the muck and gunk off of your pool. There are many types of robotic pool cleaners, but they all boil down to some basic fundamentals, but the capabilities tend to vary. Some robotic pool cleaners can clean the entirety of your pool. Others can only clean the walls of your pool. It depends on the robotic pool cleaner you buy.
What Are The Main Features And Attributes Of A Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Every robotic pool cleaner is equipped with sensors. These sensors are what enable the robotic pool cleaner to move around your pool without bumping into things or running around in random patterns that make no sense and aren’t conducive to actually cleaning your pool.
With the proper sensors, the robotic pool cleaner is able to map out your pool, and then, using algorithms, it finds the best cleaning paths that will enable it to clean your pool in the least amount of time, while also cleaning it in the most effective manner. The sensors tell the robotic pool cleaner what spaces of the pool are the dirtiest, and what spaces are less dirty, so it doesn’t need to spend as much time cleaning those spaces.
Sensors will be found on all robotic pool cleaners. And, furthermore, all robotic cleaners. They are what enables the robotic pool cleaner to actually clean your pool in a manner that isn’t completely random and lacking in efficiency.
Now, a robotic pool cleaner needs to have some kind of mechanism that enables it to, well, actually clean your pool. Usually, this takes the form of scrub brushes. These are scrub brushes that have been specifically designed to withstand water pressure of varying intensity and to remove gunk and dirt that has been on the surface of your pool for a very long time.
Without these scrub brushes, the robotic pool cleaner would be ineffective, and rather useless, as a cleaning robot.
Of course, once these things have been scraped off, this begs the question of “Where do these things actually go?” And the answer to that question is that robotic pool cleaners are able to produce suction, using the pressure of the water, that enables the debris that is being cleaned off to be sucked into the robotic pool cleaner.
Then, it usually goes through a filtration mechanism, which helps to sort out and, in some cases, break up the debris, so it doesn’t damage the suction or the filters. Everything is then stored in a bag, and the size of the bag depends on the robotic pool cleaner that you buy. Once you’re done cleaning, you can take out this bag, and dump everything out into the garbage.
Finally, when the cleaning process has finished, the majority of robotic pool cleaners have a feature that enables you to press a button that tells the robotic pool cleaner to come out of your pool, so that you don’t have to actually go down there and grab it yourself. Most units have this, but not all of them.
Why Should I Purchase A Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Robotic pool cleaners are great devices because they make your life easier and more convenient. If you own a pool, then you know just how expensive and time-consuming it can be to maintain that pool. Owning a pool is no joke, and it takes a lot to keep that pool in tip-top condition.
While robotic pool cleaners may be rather expensive devices, they provide the convenience and efficiency that manual pool cleaners don’t offer. They streamline the entire process of cleaning your pool and making sure that it doesn’t have debris or gunk in it. Along with that, when you buy a good robotic pool cleaner – and you’re about to learn about fifteen good robotic pool cleaners – you can be assured that it will last a long time.
These are strong and durable devices, built to last a long time. And this is because they need to be built this way if they are going to work in the water. If they aren’t built with the same level of strength and durability, then they are unable to actually work in the water, without their components degrading. Because of this, they are built to last, and the initial investment pays off quite a bit, down the road.
Ultimately, though, a robotic pool cleaner is a great choice for you because it makes your life easier, gives you more time, and streamlines the entire process of maintaining your pool. We’re already starved for time as it is, so owning a good robotic pool cleaner can help give you, at the very least, a little extra time to do what you really enjoy.
Top 15 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners For Cleaning Tiled Pools, Vinyl Pools, And Above Ground Pools
The Top 5 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners For Cleaning Tiled Pools
Aquabot Junior
First on the list is the Aquabot Junior Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner! This is a convenient robotic pool cleaner that is great for cleaning tiled pools, as well as cleaning just about any other pool you can imagine.
When Aquabot was designing this robotic pool cleaner, their main design philosophy was that it would be able to clean all types of pools, regardless of the shape of the pool, the size of the pool, or the surface material.
Because of this, it’s an incredibly versatile robotic pool cleaner. Using it is simple, as well, but one of the things that makes it so great is the fact that it is completely self-contained. While you do need a power cord – this power cord is 50 feet long, which is plenty of length – but you don’t need to connect any extra hoses or tubes since everything is built into the pool cleaner.
If you want a versatile and efficient robotic pool cleaner, this is a great choice.
Dolphin Nautilus CC
Next on our list is the Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner. This is a special robotic pool cleaner that comes straight from Dolphin.
Dolphin is one of the most well-known and recognizable robotic pool cleaner brands, and for a good reason, too. Every one of their robotic pool cleaners is absolutely fantastic, and this one is certainly no different!
Using an advanced navigation system, the Dolphin Nautilus CC is absolutely fantastic when it comes to figuring out where it needs to be, and what it needs to clean with extra thoroughness. Due to the navigation system, the cleaning paths it creates are absolutely perfect, and they enable the device to be as efficient as possible.
Through the use of active scrub brushes, gunk and debris are effortlessly cleaned up and removed from your pool. This is absolutely fantastic and ensures that when you’re done using the device, your pool is spotless.
One of the best things about the Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner, though, is the fact that it allows you to schedule when it cleans, and it enables you to make the process as “hands-off” as possible. It is this convenience and ease-of-use that makes this such an amazing robotic pool cleaner.
Pentair Kreepy Krauly Prowler 930
As brands go, Pentair isn’t really that popular, but the robotic pool cleaners they have manufactured are exceptional. The Pentair Kreepy Krauly Prowler 930 is definitely not an exception to that general rule.
Using your smartphone, you can create custom schedules for this robotic pool cleaner, and you can also maneuver the robotic pool cleaner around, on your own, if there is a specific cleaning path you want to follow or something specific you want to clean on your own.
However, the main reason this is such a great robotic pool cleaner for cleaning tiled floors is the fact that it has some extremely powerful scrub brushes, and the suction is strong, too, making the cleaning process incredibly easy. It can clean most surfaces, but it works great on tiled floors. Due to the small size, it moves around freely, without being constrained or confined to a slow pace.
Dolphin Triton PS Plus
The Dolphin Triton PS Plus Automatic Pool Cleaner is easily one of the most advanced and feature-rich robotic pool cleaners on the market today. This robotic pool cleaner has so many excellent features that make cleaning your pool an absolute breeze.
Using a technology known as “PowerStream”, the Dolphin Triton PS Plus is able to easily grasp onto surfaces of any sort, and then using the swiveling power cord, it can move in any direction freely, cleaning whatever is in the pool. Using this technology, it can clean the waterline, as well as the walls of your pool, and, of course, the surface of your tiled pool.
With the active scrub brushes, the cleaning process is incredibly efficient, as well. Dirt and debris is removed easily, and then it flows into the robotic pool cleaner, through various filters, and is safely stored within the debris bag.
All of these things coalesce to form the Dolphin Triton PS Plus Automatic Pool Cleaner, an incredibly advanced and useful robotic pool cleaner that offers some of the best overall convenience and performance that you can find.
Dolphin Sigma
Last on our list for the top five robotic pool cleaners for cleaning tiled floors is the Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner.
This is a great robotic pool cleaner that blends all of the trademark Dolphin features, such as an excellent navigation system and strong cleaning abilities, with the convenience and versatility that a robotic pool cleaner should have.
Through the use of a triple-motor, the cleaning performance on the Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner is absolutely fantastic! It’s exceptional, and it makes the entire cleaning process easy and effortless. When the device finished the work, your tile pool will look spotless. All of the dirt and gunk has been scraped off and removed, due to the intense cleaning power.
Dolphin Sigma Video
Top 5 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners For Cleaning Vinyl Pools
Polaris F9550
From Zodiac, we have the Polaris F9550. This is an efficient and easy-to-use robotic pool cleaner that makes cleaning vinyl pools an absolute breeze.
Using four-wheels, and tires that are known as “AquaTrax Tires”, the Polaris F9550 glides across vinyl surfaces, and other pool surfaces, moving around with complete freedom and effortlessness. This is accompanied by a powerful set of sensors that make it easy for the robotic pool cleaner to detect spaces that are especially dirty or full of nasty dirt and debris.
| Polaris F9550 Sport – Main Specs | |
| Pool Size | Up to 60 Ft |
| Pool Type | In-Ground |
| Cleaning Cycle | 1.5 / 2.5 Hours |
| Tangle-free Swivel | Yes |
| Cable Length | 70 Ft |
| Weight | 21 lbs |
| Dimensions | 22 x 22 x 18.5 in |
All of this is accompanied by the “Vortex Vacuum Technology”, which provides fantastic suction, and enables you to pick up larger chunks of debris in a quick and efficient manner.
In terms of convenience, there is a programmable schedule, so that way you can tell the Polaris F9550 when it should be cleaning, without having to activate the device yourself.
For convenience and efficiency, the Polaris F9550 is a fantastic choice.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Earlier, when we were talking about the five best robotic pool cleaners for cleaning tiled floors, we brought up the Dolphin Nautilus CC. Well, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a lot like the Dolphin Nautilus CC, but it improves on some of the basic features and is especially great for cleaning vinyl pools.
Through the use of “CleverClean” technology, the navigation has been improved and streamlined. It’s more efficient and a lot easier now, and this makes it even easier to clean all kinds of different floors, without needing to worry about the robotic pool cleaner getting lost or not cleaning a certain space properly.
Really, though, the biggest difference is that the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a much better robotic pool cleaner because it offers more power and is especially good at removing dirt and debris from your pool, due to the powerful scrub brushes and the suction that easily grabs it all up and throws it through the filters.
Dolphin Quantum
Yes, we have yet another Dolphin robotic pool cleaner. With the Dolphin Quantum Robotic Pool Cleaner, we have a very advanced and efficient robotic pool cleaner that is great for cleaning vinyl pools, because of its unique and powerful features.
The first of which is the “Hypergrip Continuous Rubber Tracks”, which are great for climbing the walls and gripping onto those surfaces easily, without any problems. This is accompanied by the “SmartNav 2.0” technology, and this technology is great because it enables the device to quickly navigate your pool easily and to hone in on areas that are especially dirty and filled with gunk and grime. Then, using the scrub brushes and the powerful suction, these spaces are cleaned up easily and effortlessly.
One of the most notable features is the “Variable Micron Filtration”, which is one of the best filtration systems you can find on a robotic pool cleaner. This system is fantastic, because it traps the smallest pieces of debris and the smallest particles like moss and algae, ensuring that everything is swept up and kept away from your pool.
Hayward RC9950GR
With the RC9950GR, Hayward has produced an absolutely fantastic robotic pool cleaner. This is a basic robotic pool cleaner, and in many respects, it lacks the more advanced features of other robotic pool cleaners, but it makes up for that by providing an affordable and easy-to-use device.
Through the use of an efficient 24 Volt motor, the cleaning process is quick and easy, and the Hayward RC9950GR is good at cleaning whatever is in its path.
Then, there is an onboard pump, and this pump produces a great deal of suction, so that the cleaning process is made even easier, and you can effortlessly vacuum up whatever grime is in your pool. Using the filter cartridges, everything you vacuum up is stored within them, and to clean them, you just need to use your hose to spray them all down, and that’s it.
Ultimately, while this is a simple and basic robotic pool cleaner, it’s still a good one, and it works great for cleaning vinyl pools.
Dolphin Premier
Yet again, we have another Dolphin robotic pool cleaner. These really are some of the best pool cleaners you can find on the market. With the Dolphin Premier Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner, you get the versatility, efficiency, and cleaning power that you need for cleaning vinyl pools in the most effective manner that you could possibly want.
Smart-Nav technology is in full effect here, and this technology is used to create the best cleaning paths for the robotic pool cleaner. Using this technology, the device finds the dirtiest spots and applies all of its cleaning power to ensure that those spaces are cleaned in the most efficient and effective manner that they can be cleaned in.
While the cleaning power is great and all, the multi-filtration system is really fantastic. You have multiple filter cartridges for cleaning all types of different debris, and there is a nice big bag to store it all in.
Dolphin Premier Video
Best Robotic Pool Cleaners For Cleaning Above-Ground Pools in 2023
Dolphin E10
First on the list for the top five best robotic pool cleaners for cleaning above-ground pools is the Dolphin E10 Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner. Dolphin has specifically engineered this robotic pool cleaner for above-ground pools, and as such, it includes features that are especially useful for cleaning above-ground pools.
Features such a power cord that has been designed with above-ground pools in mind, when it comes to the length and durability. An easy-access filtration system where you can easily access the filters with the single press of a button.
Other than that, though, the other features are the same ones you’ll find in other Dolphin robotic pool cleaners. And that’s a good thing!
Whether it’s the powerful scrub brushes or the CleverClean navigation technology, the Dolphin E10 Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner is very efficient and very easy-to-use. It’s one of the best robotic pool cleaners that you can find on the market!
Aquabot APRVJR
Next on the list is the Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover. This is a basic robotic pool cleaner that is great for cleaning above-ground pools due to its simplicity and cleaning power. Now, you’re not going to be getting a lot when you buy this robotic pool cleaner, but you are getting a robotic pool cleaner with a good navigation system, strong wheels that make navigation easy, and good cleaning performance.
For a basic and affordable robotic pool cleaner, you really can’t go wrong with the Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover!
Dolphin Escape
The Dolphin Escape Robotic Above-Ground Pool Cleaner is similar to the other Dolphin robotic pool cleaners on this list.
However, in many ways, it’s a lot better for cleaning above-ground pools, as the name would suggest, and this is because Dolphin has introduced a couple of really great features into the mix.
First off, this is a very sleek robotic pool cleaner. It’s fairly lightweight and has a simple and concise design that makes it easy for the robotic pool cleaner to move around, and this accompanied by tracks, instead of wheels, which allow the device to stick to walls and other surfaces more easily.
When you combine them with the strong cleaning performance and strong scrubbing brushes, as well as the strong and efficient design, you get a pretty great robotic pool cleaner!
Aquabot Spirit
Here, we have another Aquabot robotic pool cleaner. This one is the Aquabot Spirit, designed for both above-ground pools, as well as in-ground pools.
Due to this versatility, it’s a great robotic pool cleaner to have if you have both types of pools, or intend to clean both types of pools, for whatever reason.
There is an anti-tangle power cord that can swivel up to 360-degrees. This makes cleaning a lot easier since it gives the robotic pool cleaner much more versatility.
On the bottom of the device, there is a jet propulsion system. This is a functional jet propulsion system that forces the Aquabot Spirit around effortlessly, and when combined with the strong wheels, lead to some easy and effortless movement.
The overall cleaning performance is quite good, as well. This cleaning performance ensures that all of the gunk and grime in your pool is cleaned off, without any problems. It may not be the best performance, in comparison to others, but regardless, it works very well!
Ultimately, for an inexpensive and simple robotic pool cleaner, you can’t go wrong with the Aquabot Spirit.
Hayward 900
Finally, last, but definitely not least, on our list is the Hayward 900 Above-Ground Pool Cleaner.
As far as robotic pool cleaners go, this is one of the most affordable robotic pool cleaners that you can find, and probably will be able to find. It may lack the efficiency and convenience of other models, but for the price point, you really can’t beat this.
Using a simple turbine system, the device is able to propel itself around your pool with immense ease. It attaches itself to your current filtration system, which takes a moment or two to install, but makes things more convenient, overall.
As for cleaning performance, it is quite good. Not as efficient as other models, but it makes sure to get rid of the big stuff, and most of the small stuff, too.
For a good and affordable robotic pool cleaner, the Hayward 900 is a great choice!
What Do I Need To Consider When I Look For A Good Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Whenever you buy any tool, there are always a couple of key features that you are going to need to consider. In this part of the buying guide, we’re going to look at what those things are. Fortunately, though, there aren’t many, and they’re relatively simple factors that will, nevertheless, greatly affect your experience with the device.
What Types Of Pools Is The Robotic Pool Cleaner Designed For?
Every robotic pool cleaner has some kind of surface or pool-type that it is designed to clean. And, this particular type of pool is the ideal type of pool to use the robotic pool cleaner on.
For some robotic pool cleaners, they’re meant to clean above-ground pools. For others, they’re meant to clean pools with tile surfaces. For others, concrete surfaces. And on and on, it goes.
Ultimately you’re going to need to find one that can best clean the surface that you intend to clean. So, make sure you know what, exactly that surface actually is, and whether or not the robotic pool cleaner you intend to purchase can adequately clean it.
What Kinds Of Debris Can The Robotic Pool Cleaner Clean?
This one does vary quite a bit, as well. You see, some robotic pool cleaners are great at picking up larger chunks of debris, such as chunks of grass or acorns, and even small branches that may have fallen into the pool. But, others aren’t really that great at picking up those larger pieces of debris, and because of this, you won’t be able to clean pools that well.
Naturally, this does vary. So, when you purchase a robotic pool cleaner, make sure you are familiar with the most common types of debris that are in your pool, that you will be cleaning. But, along with that, familiarize yourself with the types of debris that the robotic pool cleaner has been designed for, so that you can tailor your decision to one that fulfills your needs.
What Types Of Automation Features Does The Robotic Pool Cleaner Offer?
Every robotic pool cleaner varies with this aspect, as well. Some robotic pool cleaners offer a myriad of useful features, such as custom schedules and being able to choose specific spaces for the robotic pool cleaner to clean, as well as choosing the cleaning mode/modes that are used.
Others are less elaborate, and simply offer a basic scheduling feature, and others don’t even offer that.
Ultimately, this one depends on what you want. If you want a fully automated experience, then make sure to do your research so that you can find one that offers that experience and those features. If you don’t really want that, you can find robotic pool cleaners that offer a scheduling feature, and others that don’t but still provide the basics of an automatic robotic pool cleaning experience.
Our Recommended Robotic Pool Cleaners
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API