The Best Robotic Pool Cleaners – Ratings and Buyer’s Guide

Robotic pool cleaners make short work out of what was once a much-dreaded task. No one wants a filthy pool, but pools don’t clean themselves. You must be proactive about pool maintenance. Pool robots can shorten your cleaning time so you can take advantage of a cool dip any time you want during those hot summer days.
Being proactive about pool cleaning doesn’t mean you have to work harder. You just need to work smarter. This is where an automatic pool cleaner can save the day. But they’re not all created equally. Suction cleaners and pressure-side cleaners are okay, but they make your pool pump work harder. Therefore, we’ll show you how to find the best robotic pool cleaner in this handy guide.
What to look for in a robotic pool cleaner

To find a pool cleaner that’s right for you, there are 3 main questions you need to ask:
- What kind of pool do you have?
- How much cleaning do you want?
- What features on a pool cleaner are important to you?
Types of pools
Many robotic pool cleaners can tackle any kind of pool surface. However, some are made specifically for in-ground or above-ground pools. Also, if you have a vinyl, fiberglass or smooth tile pool, you won’t want a cleaner with a rough brush. You’ll want a robotic cleaner with a soft, grippy PVA brush.

Size matters, too. You’ll need a robotic pool cleaner that can reach all the way from one side to the other without you having to unplug it from one power source and plug it in somewhere else. Your power supply must also be 12 feet from the pool’s edge. Make sure you know your pool’s length, width and depth so you know how long of a cord you need.
How much cleaning do you want?

Depending on how much you use your pool or your budget, you may opt for a pool cleaner that only vacuums the pool floor. These may or may not come with brushes, and are often the simplest and cheapest. You could invest a little more in a premium pool cleaner that will be more efficient and cover more area.
Higher-end pool cleaning robots can clean the floor, cove, and part of the wall. They have rotating brushes and features that help them climb, so they’ll be more expensive.
Then you have the top-notch ones that can clean the floor, cove, the entire wall, and the waterline. These are the most advanced and often have smart features that can be controlled via mobile apps.
What features are important to you?

If you’re new to buying pool cleaners, you may not know exactly what features you want yet. That’s okay. Things you’ll want to consider are:
- Suction power
- Swiveling cables
- Filtration
- Power washing jets
- Warranty
- Programming features
Pool cleaning robot maintenance
If you spend a few hundred bucks on a new automatic pool cleaner, you want to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Unlike simpler pool cleaners such as brushes and nets, robotic pool cleaners need a little extra TLC to keep functioning well.

The best pool vacuums will keep going like the Energizer Bunny so long as you follow maintenance rules. First, you should ALWAYS follow the guidelines in the owner’s manual. Keep it handy for reference.
Here are some general tips to keep your pool cleaning robot running smoothly:
- When the cycle is complete, remove the robot from the pool. Prolonged submersion can damage the motor, and there’s always a risk of electrical shock if you swim with it in the water.
- Thoroughly drain all the water from the cleaner when you take it out. Your owner’s manual should tell you how. If not, look for videos online.
- Clean the unit after each cycle – clear brushes and wheels of debris, and empty and rinse the filters.
- Replace any worn brushes or filters ASAP.
- Store your pool robot out of direct sunlight, and protect it from the elements. The power supply is susceptible to damage if left in the rain.

Skip any of these steps, and you’ll be out a lot of money and time. It may not sound fun to clean filters and bother with proper storage, but just keep in mind all the hours of cleaning time you’re saving. That’s more time for you to enjoy a poolside drink and splash around with the kiddos.
Browse our reviews of the best pool robots to find one that fits your budget and pool cleaning needs.
MoreBest Robotic Pool Cleaners of 2021 – Ratings & Reviews
Why buy a robotic pool cleaner?
When it comes to pool cleaning, you have several options. Most depend on your time and budget. Of course, for those who can afford it, hiring someone to keep your pool clean is the easiest option. But since most pool owners can’t shell out that kind of cash, they need to invest in some good pool cleaning tools. Robotic pool cleaners are a big investment, but for most people, they’re worth it.

The cheapest options are manual brushes, nets and vacuums, but they’re also the most labor and time intensive. A happy medium lies in automatic pool cleaners, including suction-side, pressure-side, and robotic cleaners.
Robotic cleaners tend to be the most expensive, but not always. They are also the least labor-intensive of the automatic cleaners. Here are a few reasons to invest in one:

- You don’t have a lot of spare time. If you’re working full time and raising a family, you’d rather be in the pool when you get some time off rather than cleaning it. We get you.
- You have health issues. Manual cleaning can be good exercise, but all that reaching and scrubbing can be a nightmare if you have a bad back or other physical limitations.
- You want a healthier pool. A good robotic cleaner has just the right scrubbing and filtration power to remove things you can’t see with a regular pool vacuum. Those with smart navigation ensure every part of the pool gets a good cleaning.
- You want to prolong the life of your pool pump. Many pool cleaners and vacuums rely on your pool’s pump to power them, which puts extra strain on it and your pool filters. A robotic cleaner uses its own power source and filters, which prolongs the life of your pool system.
- You care about the environment. A clean pool means fewer chemicals are needed, plus robotic cleaners are very energy efficient.
What to consider before buying a robotic pool cleaner

What you buy will depend on your type of pool, its features, and how much cleaning you’ll need. Write down all these things so you can easily refer to them to find the best robotic pool cleaner that fits your budget.
- Type of pool – Some cleaners are meant to work for both in-ground and above-ground pools, but others are made for one or the other. Also, some are better at reaching corners than others, so the shape of your pool matters.
- Size of pool– Cord length on the machine will determine how far it can reach across your pool. The larger your pool, the longer the cord you’ll need. Too short, and you may have to move the power supply from one side of the pool to another.
- Steps, stairs, walls, and waterlines – Pretty much every pool cleaning robot can tackle the pool floor with no issues. But some can’t clean stairs and steps or climb walls. Some can’t clean sharp corners. Others won’t clean up to the waterline. Generally the more abilities the cleaner has, the more expensive it gets.
- The debris your pool collects– Depending on where you live, your pool may collect a lot of small particles like dirt, sand and pollen or a lot of large debris like leaves, seeds, and twigs. If you tend to have a lot of large debris, you’ll want a cleaner with a big filter basket so it doesn’t fill up too quickly. For very small debris, look for those with ultra-fine filters.

Once you’ve determined what you need, you’ll want to look for those extra features that can help make the difference between an okay cleaner and a great cleaner.
Robotic pool cleaners have a wide array of cleaning methods. For instance, cleaners that come with good scrub brushes can do a better job at dislodging debris like algae so it can be sucked up. Some cleaners only have suction power, so any additional brushing will need to be done manually.

Smart scanning systems work to map out the shape and size of your pool for an efficient cleaning path. These can be great for oddly shaped pools so that the cleaner doesn’t end up going over the same area multiple times, therefore wasting energy.

How much the unit weighs is also important since you’ll need to lift it out of the pool. Remember that the water and collected debris will make it weigh more. For heavy units, wheeled caddies can be a real lifesaver as well, so you can roll the cleaner from storage rather than carrying it.
Swivel cords are also a good feature since they keep the cord from tangling up. They don’t always work, but they’re important if you’re not going to be there while the pool cleaner is running.
Other features that are nice but not really must-haves are remote controls and programmability. If you want to run your cleaner on a set schedule while you’re not home or at night, etc, then a programmable timer would be a benefit.
What are the drawbacks to robotic pool cleaners?
As nice as they are to have for saving time and effort, there are a few cons when it comes to pool robots.

- Price – Pool robots are usually the most expensive type of automatic cleaner. The cheapest ones may be about the same price as a mid-range pressure or side-suction cleaner, but the cheapest ones don’t have nearly as many features and tend to break more often.
- Maintenance – With all the moving parts, there’s more to break and replace on a pool robot. The most common complaints are about the machines breaking down. Hint: Look for machines with good warranties, and purchase extended warranties if available!
- Filter cleaning – Unless you want to waste money on disposable filters, you’ll need to clean out the filter bags or cartridges after every cycle. If you have a big, busy pool with lots of debris, you may have to clean them a lot.
- Tangled up cables – Swivel cables help, but don’t always work. There’s always a chance your cable can get tangled on something or be a trip hazard. It’s a good idea to watch it the first few cycles to see if it will be a problem.
- Can damage some vinyl surfaces – If you have a vinyl-lined pool, make sure the cleaner is compatible with it. Some of the brushes can scratch the ink or remove the patterns on the vinyl. Always make sure your vinyl’s in good shape before using a pool robot with brushes.
- Can’t swim with it in the pool – All pool robots are grounded with GFCI plugs that are supposed to shut off at the first hint of any electrical imbalance. However, there’s always a risk of electric shock any time you have electricity and water together. So, while it’s running, you should play it safe and keep everyone out of the pool.


These quick tips and hints come from customers who’ve used the products listed above. They might help you if you need some troubleshooting.
- If debris tends to fall out when removing your cleaner from the pool, try either removing it really quickly or really slowly and keep it upright at all times.
- If you have a beach entrance style of pool, a robotic cleaner may get flipped over if it’s climbing a nearby wall. The water at the entrance may be too shallow for it to turn itself back over. Most cleaners have auto-shut off if this happens.
- To help prevent cord tangling, try stretching the power cord out straight and leave it in the sun for a few hours.
- Make sure the filters are completely enclosed with the door fully locked down, or the cleaner may not run.
- Don’t neglect the usual pool maintenance with regular brushing, testing water pH and chemistry, etc. There’s only so much your pool robot can do. If your pool is neglected and filthy, you need to manually clean it first, then use the pool robot for maintenance cleaning.
- The tracks on the rollers will stretch and loosen after a while, so if you notice it’s not climbing like it used to, try replacing the tracks.


Pool Maintenance Tips & Tricks




Kevin,
Would you mind updating us on best robot for leaves and junk from the trees? I’m looking at the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme, but I’m open to others if they are better at handling leaves since they are my main challenge. Does Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme also offer a leaf bag?
Thanks you!
Hey Josh!
Looks like you picked the right machine.
When it comes to sucking up leaves, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme is superior to other robotic pool cleaners on the market. Customers have gotten excellent results when freak storms have deposited an avalanche of foliage into their pools.
Some experts will tell you to go with a machine with a filter basket to get rid of this kind of plant matter.
While the CC Supreme doesn’t have a basket, it boasts extra-large filter cartridges and superior suction that’s powerful enough to remove virtually every leaf from your pool. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t come with a leaf bag, but why would you want one?
They’re a relic of an earlier evolutionary time and are such a hassle to clean. The good news is that you won’t need one with the extra-large filters and superior cleaning ability of this machine.
Keep in mind that no robot pool cleaner can remove leaves floating on the surface—only those that have sunk to the bottom or have gotten stuck to the walls. For surface leaves, I recommend using a skimmer before you deploy the CC Supreme.
If you have many leaves to vacuum up, you’re going to need to clean the filters every two hours.
I hope this helps!
Given the fact that so many pools now days have very shallow sections, ie splash pads, which of these robo cleaners can run in 4 to 6 inches of water?
We supposedly a have self cleaning infloor jet system. Still needs vacuuming. Will the robotic cleaning vacuums be safe to use with these pop up jets on the floor of the pool? What would you recommend?
Hi there thanks for the article – much appreciated.
I have a small (2x5x2m) but deep plunge pool with steps at each end – it doesn’t get lots of leaves but does get fine dust / particles and has smooth tiles.
Wondering what’s view on the best equipment for the job!! Thank you in advance
Are there any pool robot cleaners that can run more than once a day? My neighbor has a leafy tree right on top of my pool and it becomes a nightmare in the fall. Surprisingly I cannot find a single robot that allows me to set a schedule to more than once a day.
Thanks,
great article we are looking for first Robotic cleaner for our inground pool
Saw the Dolphin Natulius CC Supreme was best, but what about Natulius Supreme CC, at about half the price of supreme model?
Thanks for your answers to this
Hi. I bought a paxcess robotic pool cleaner on Amazon. Does a great job cleaning but I am now seeing black scratches on the bottom of the walls from the sides of the cleaner rubbing. It’s a 30k gallon indoor concrete pool and would be a nightmare to get it painted because the pool is near a lake with high water table. Do you have any suggestions one how to prevent? I do like the convenience but don’t want to damage the concrete. Thinking about pads etc to stick on the Plastic corners on the side of the brush or just filing the plastic? Thanks and very informative article
We have an L shaped pool. Our local pool store says a robot won’t work because of that. Do you believe that to be true or do their mapping systems work around it?
Kevin,
I have a vinyl pool liner and the automatic cleaners have worn the color from the water line. Can you recommend a cleaner which does only the floor and walls
Sorry to hear about the damage to your pool, Tim. That’s horrible! There really aren’t any robotic pool cleaners out there that do the walls and the floor and not the waterline. However, a pool cleaner is supposed to be improving the aesthetics of your pool. It’s not normal if it instead detracts from them by removing the color from your pool surfaces.
I would have a professional fix the damage, and then, replace your obviously defective machine with a different one. I recommend the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme. As I mentioned in the Buyer’s Guide, it happens to be the best one on the market right now. And I haven’t heard of a single complaint of one causing damage.
You could also write to the manufacturer to tell them about what happened. Maybe they can shed a little insight into how their product could do such a thing, or even compensate you for your troubles.
That was one very helpful article. Thanks for sharing! So I am planning on using/renting pool cleaners for business purpose, what pool cleaner would last longer if I were to use it on a daily basis on multiple pools..? or how often should I use it for it not to get damaged to quickly? Thanks in advance for your answers.
Hey, Pool Cleaner, glad you found the article helpful! I think it’s fantastic that you’re planning to start a robot-based pool cleaning business. However, you shouldn’t think about which one lasts the longest, but which one does a better job.
After all, the primary mission of any business owner is to make the customer happy. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme has all the advanced features you’ll need to do a bang-up job for every one of your customers.
The Supreme has three brushes instead of two, so it’s more likely to clean more thoroughly than other robots without this invaluable feature. The center brush is particularly adept at getting rid of stubborn stains.
The center brush also helps the robot not to get stuck on the drain. I don’t know how you’re planning on running your business. Still, I assume you’re going to drop the robot into the pool and come back after the cleaning cycle’s conclusion.
You don’t want to find out, upon your return, that the robot was helplessly trapped on an obstacle the entire time. This cuts into the efficiency of your operation and could affect your bottom line.
The Supreme can also clean larger pools—up to 50 feet. So, you’ll be able to tackle practically any job a residential customer has for you.
Another fantastic thing about the Supreme is there are two separate motors—one for the suction, and one for the brushes. A dual motor system ensures that there will always be enough power for vacuuming AND scrubbing. More power for both means your little underwater grease monkey will do a much better job.
The Supreme has extra-large filters too, so it’ll trap more debris. You’ll be spending less time emptying the collection chamber, which also adds to efficiency.
It’s one of the best robots on the market for scrubbing the waterline. The waterline is one of the visible parts of a customer’s pool. Therefore, it’s imperative that it be kept as immaculate as can be.
This is also a fantastic machine to rent out because it’s a top-of-the-line premium robot with cutting-edge technology.
I believe the Supreme will last longer than most other cleaners if you’re using it commercially since this is a well-constructed, well-engineered model. As far as how often you should use it, so it doesn’t get damaged too quickly, I don’t think as a business owner you should be worrying about that.
After all, the more you use it, the more money you’ll make. So, the Supreme becomes an investment that’ll pay for itself.
Good luck with your new venture!
a tried many brands , many prices honestly without the expected results .. 2 month ago i decided to take the risk and try again ..for me i consider thes wimming pool as a part of me .. it must be always clean haha even in winter i tried this product and honestly he’s doing good till know .. i can control it by my mobile phone .. i cant say more .. it works for me at least better than other brands .. https://cleanup.expert/dolphin-nautilus-cc-supreme/ i hope i can help
My neighbor and I are thinking of buying a Dolphin robot and sharing the use and cost of a Dolphin S200. Our pools are not though of similar size and have different filtering systems.
Thanks for your help.
I have a mosaic tile pool using the salt water system and tiles from the bottom of the floor are popping up after many years of use. Before we retire, I want to make sure I buy the right robot or should I be using a robot at all? It needs to be a robot that can be purchased in Italy. We have an old robot now and I am concerned it might be harming the tiles because they are often scooped up in the bag.
Coco, no robotic pool cleaner that I know of will damage your pool. I would look to other causes for your tile problem. For example, I would carefully inspect the substrate for cracks, which would cause your tiles to crack and fall off.
If your inspection fails to reveal the source of the problem, have a qualified technician check the robot on the off chance there’s a defect or a malfunction in it that’s causing the tile damage. If this fails to turn up any problems and you want to give a new machine a try, check out the Dolphin Sigma. This is one of the best robots for cleaning tiles, and it can be ordered in Italy through Amazon.
Dual brushes scrub your tiles on the floor and sides. There’s also a third center scrubbing brush that vigorously moves back and forth. All this brushing action will get your tiles sparkling clean, so they look brand new. But don’t worry–the Dolphin Sigma won’t cause properly affixed tiles to fall off.
I have lots of leaves And debris what is best pool cleaner
Georges, if your pool is plagued by a constant stream of leaves and other junk that falls from God-knows-where, you’ll want a bigger, more powerful robotic pool cleaner than normal. This would be one with a large-capacity filtration sytem that also has excellent suction. I would recommend the Dolphin Premier because it has these capabilities. Its suction rate is an impressive 4,500 gallons per minute, sufficient to remove all that nasty stuff just lying at the bottom of your pool.
The Premier also comes with an oversized leaf bag roomy enough to pick up large amounts of twigs, sticks, nuts, seeds, and other by-products of the natural world. Debris like this can wreak havoc on your pool pump and filtration system. The Premier is also terrific for sucking up leaves when you’re opening the pool for summer, or after devastating storms that deposit tons of dead foliage in your pool water.
Is there a robot pool cleaner that can stay in the pool all the time and I can swim in the pool while it is there?
Hi Mark! Thank you for your question and for reaching out. Ideally you should remove your robotic pool cleaner between cycles to clean its basket and before people swim in the pool. While we do not advise leaving any robotic pool cleaner in the pool all the time as corrosive chemicals used in pool maintenance may accelerate wear and discoloration, all of these devices are built for long-term submersion and can be left in the pool indefinitely. Additionally, while we do not advise swimming in a pool while a robotic pool cleaner is in operation given the risk of hitting the cord or robot and the generally expensive cost of these devices, there are people that readily and frequently swim when their robots are cleaning.
Would the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus work in a 30′ above ground pool? I currently have a Dolphin E10 and the power cable twists up so badly that I am shopping for a new cleaner. You mentioned that there are some robotic cleaners for in ground and above ground pools but, I can’t find any. What would you recommend.
Thank you for sharing your experience and tips. I have a infinte pool, so what robot pool cleaner would you recommend me?
That’s a great question, Ernani. Any higher-end robotic pool cleaning robot should get the job done well. For instance, the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner is an excellent choice since its various attachments provide a ton of versatility, and it’s one of the best at wall climbing. That said, it’s best to consider what your specific wants and needs are and look for the high-end robot that most closely aligns with them.
Your post was very useful for me and it was a pleasure reading your post. Thank you for sharing!
Maytronics M600 recently came out. Would this be the “gold standard” of robotic pool cleaners now, or would Dolphin Premier or Polaris F9550 (or even Aquabot) still be in the running?
Hi, thanks for your question. We haven’t had the pleasure of reviewing the M600 yet, but it certainly looks promising! As far as being the gold standard, that might not be the case just yet. As we’ve seen with many of the newest robotic Wi-Fi connected devices, right after they are put on the market, bugs in the app and software will often pop up, causing more frustration than convenience.
Within a few months, however, those bugs will probably be fixed. Also, right now the price is quite a lot more than the Dolphin Premier and will likely go down after a few months. So as of now, you’d probably have a better experience for less cost with the older models.
Is the size of the pool important when choosing a robot pool cleaner? We have a 50-foot long in-ground pool.
Yes, size is very important actually (at least when it comes to robotic pool cleaners). The cleaner is limited by the reach of its power cord. Plus you have to keep the power supply 12 feet from the pool’s edge. Then you also have to consider the pool’s depth so it will reach the bottom of the deep end.
For a 50-foot pool, your best bets are the Dolphin Premier, Nautilus CC Plus, or Quantum, which all work for pools up to 50 feet. There’s also the Polaris F9550 Sport, which will work for pools up to 60 feet.
I have a Vanishing Edge pool. Are the robotic pool cleaners that climb on walls suitable or the robot will fall at the gap?
Hi, thanks for your question. A vanishing edge (also called infinity, negative, or zero edge) pool can be tricky when it comes to cleaning since you have to worry about both the main pool and the catch pool. However, most robotic cleaners should be fine in a vanishing edge pool. As soon as they reach the waterline and determine they’re coming up out of the water, they’ll stop and go back down.
It most likely won’t be able to clean your catch pool since catch pools are usually so narrow. You’ll have to manually clean that part.
Customers who have used the Dolphin Premier, Dolphin Nautilus, and Polaris F9550 Sport have all commented that they work well in infinity edge pools. Just to be safe, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to call the manufacturer of whichever pool robot you are considering.
My wife keeps saying we should get a robot pool cleaner. I’m really on the fence after using suction cleaners for the last several years. Are robotic pool cleaners really worth the money? Do they actually work as well as the suction cleaners?
Ten years ago, that would have been iffy. Like robot vacuums (ex: Roomba), robotic pool cleaners have come a long way in technology in the last decade. They’ve also become much more affordable.
In many cases, you still get what you pay for with a pool robot, so if you’re concerned about performance, opting for a premium model with an extended warranty would be your best bet. It’ll last longer and have the tech to clean more efficiently than the simpler, cheaper robots.
The Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC offers a lot of functionality for the price, so that might be a good one to start with.
I just got a Dolphin Premier robotic pool cleaner. How long should I expect it to last?
One of the downsides to robotic pool cleaners is once they’re done, they’re done. While there are a few parts that can be replaced such as brushes and filters, the electronics within can’t be replaced easily. So, you can expect between 3 – 5 years with most models.
The Dolphin Premier and other higher-end models can often last up to 8 years so long as you practice good maintenance and maintain your pool’s chemistry to lessen the chances of corrosion to the internal parts. Always opt for an extended warranty when you can, which will likely save you money if your pool robot dies young.
Hi, my neighbor leaves his robotic pool cleaner in the pool all the time, I think he said even over the winter. We do have mild winters, but his cleaner is still running after a couple years. The guy down at the pool store says that’s not a good thing to do, that we should take it out after every cycle. So, who’s right? Can I leave my robotic pool cleaner in the pool?
Thanks for your question. As far as leaving a robotic cleaner in the pool, your pool guy is right. You really should take it out and store it out of the elements after cleaning cycles and definitely over the winter, even a mild winter. Pretty much every owner’s manual will say the same thing.
While you may luck out like your neighbor and not have any issues, what you’re risking is damage to the rubber seals and plastics, hardware corrosion, etc. This is even more likely if your pool chemistry is off, which can easily happen over the winter.
Think about it this way. If you keep your car in a garage, it’s less prone to damage from rust, salt, hail, and so forth. If you leave it on for a cycle and go to work and take it out when you get home, this would probably be fine. Just take it out when you home, drain out the water, clean off the filters and brushes and store it in a dry, covered place out of the elements.
One of the best pool cleaner buyer’s guide for newbies. Thanks a lot for sharing!