The swimming pool can be a difficult space to clean. Because of the pool’s slippery tiles, there’s always that risk that your feet may go out from underneath you while you’re cleaning.
Chances are that the pool is also positioned right where the sun’s rays will hit it squarely. What that means is that you’ll likely be sweating up a storm while trying to clean it.
Thankfully, robotic cleaners are now available. A robotic pool cleaner functions quite similarly to a smart vacuum cleaner.
Instead of you being the one who has to struggle with cleaning up the swimming pool, you can call on a robotic cleaner to handle that job.
In this article, we will talk about how you can find the best robotic pool cleaner for your home. We will also highlight some of the top robotic pool cleaners that are currently available.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of robotic pool cleaners.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table to Find Best Robotic Pool Cleaner Quickly
# | Image | Product Name | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 |  | Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner | Dimensions (In Inches): 40.1 x 9 x 14.6 | |
4 |  | Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Pool Cleaner | Dimensions (In Inches): 16 x 10 x 16 | |
3 |  | Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner | Dimensions (In Inches): 22 x 22 x 22 | |
2 | | Polaris F9450 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner | Dimensions (In Inches): 22 x 22 x 22 | |
1 |  | Maytronics Dolphin Pool Cleaner | Dimensions (In Inches): 23.5 x 19.5 x 14 |
The Robotic Pool Cleaner Reviews
Now that we’re done learning about robotic pool cleaners in general, let’s take a closer look at specific products that may interest you.
5. Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner – Easy to Handle
It’s never a bad idea to go with the more energy-efficient product, and among robotic pool cleaners, the MX6 from Zodiac makes a strong case for doing the most with what it has.
If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your swimming pool, the MX6 should be able to handle all the overtime work you’re throwing its way pretty easily.
This robotic pool cleaner also features programmed navigation so expect it to get the work done without you having to do much of anything.
Just because the MX6 prides itself on being energy-efficient, that doesn’t mean it lacks the ability to thoroughly clean your swimming pool.
This machine features exceptional suction power and it can also go up the sides of your pool to clean those spots.
For homeowners with swimming pools that are equipped with variable speed pumps, going with this particular robotic cleaner is a wise move.
The specific way in which it moves around enables it to perform well within that type of environment.
You’re also getting several hoses together with this robotic cleaner and they can all be connected to the machine pretty easily.
Sadly, this cleaner does experience its share of tangling issues. Some better-designed hoses could have made this machine into a way more effective cleaner and one that you would have to worry about even less.
4. Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus – Best Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus from Maytronics is designed to make the whole task of cleaning up the swimming pool so much simpler.
Once you’re ready to clean, all you really need to do is hit a single button on this robotic pool cleaner.
Utilizing CleverClean technology, this Maytronics creation will be able to work out a plan of attack for efficiently cleaning your swimming pool.
For the most part, the Nautilus CC Plus does its job well and cleans as expected, but it will inevitably run into some issues.
To be more specific, this particular pool cleaner also has problems with getting stuck.
It tends to get stuck while it’s trying to navigate areas like ledges and stairs.
That kind of issue is not exclusive to the Nautilus CC Plus, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying.
Going back to the more positive features of this Maytronics product, you can also make use of its scheduler to set up specific cleaning times.
You have the option to ask it to clean your pool every day, every other day, or after every third day.
That feature is going to come in very handy during the summer when the pool is going to be used a lot and you won’t have the time to devote to cleaning it regularly yourself. You can just call on this machine to do that job for you.
3. Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner – Best Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner
If you simply don’t want to deal with robotic pool cleaners that have problems with getting stuck, then perhaps the right move for you is to get the F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner from Polaris.
The F9550 relies on ActivMotion Sensor Technology to makes its way around your pool.
After getting to see this robotic pool cleaner in action more than a few times, I can vouch for it being a better navigator than the items listed above.
It’s comforting to know that you won’t walk in on this pool cleaner struggling against the stairs when you were already expecting it to be done with the cleaning.
Temper your expectations when it comes to how fast this pool cleaner will work with its magic though. I’ve noticed that it lacks the high-end power of some of the other items in this article.
The power level is still adequate, but I would urge you to get this cleaner started earlier so that you can be certain that the job will be finished.
On the plus side, this cleaner excels at picking up larger debris floating in your pool. The powerful vacuum onboard enables it to haul those larger pieces in.
You also don’t have to worry about this robotic cleaner being unable to clean certain pools because its wheels are designed to handle just about any type of swimming pool surface.
2. Polaris F9450 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner -Best Energy-efficient
In all likelihood, your robotic pool cleaner is going to be most active during the summertime.
Coincidentally, that’s also the time when many of us tend to have our ACs and fans at full blast to beat the heat.
That’s why our energy bills also tend to increase quite significantly during the summertime.
If you’re going to regularly use a pool cleaner during that time of the year, you will want one that doesn’t consume a lot of energy such as the F9450 from Polaris.
Compared to the other robotic cleaners available, the F9450 makes a smaller dent on your electricity bill.
You can opt to have it clean every day and you still won’t have to worry about it vacuuming up your money together with the debris in your pool.
Once this cleaner has filled up from using its powerful vacuum, you can easily empty out its canister.
Just spray the canister for a few minutes and it should be ready to serve as a dirt container again.
Be careful when you’re taking this cleaner out of the water because it is on the heavier side. It’s also not a good idea to keep this cleaner hanging around your pool when it’s not working because its outer shell can be easily damaged.
1. Maytronics Dolphin Premier – Best Robotic Pool Cleaner
Think of the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner from Maytronics as an upgraded version of the Nautilus CC Plus.
Just about every feature you love in the Nautilus CC Plus is also present in the Dolphin Premier.
If you love the automated features on that other Maytronics creation, then you’ll be glad to know that this cleaner still has them.
This is not just a complete replication of the Nautilus CC Plus though. It also has some notable improvements.
Because this cleaner is bundled together with three different types of filters, it can easily handle any type of mess in your swimming pool.
The micro cartridges are obviously best suited to picking up the smallest particles, while the standard-sized cartridges can handle the various kinds of foreign materials that tend to fall into the water.
The included leaf bag will remove the larger items.
I also want to point out the fact that this cleaner is capable of cleaning more than just pool tiles. Even those tile lines that often get passed over will get extra attention from this cleaner.
The only real issue I had with this cleaner is that its full filter indicator is kind of faulty.
It will light up even when the cleaner can still pick up more debris. You will still have to check the filter yourself to see if you can keep going.
It’s an inconvenience you can live with given the other features of this robotic pool cleaner though.
The Factors to Consider When Shopping for Swimming Pool Robot Cleaner
It’s easy to fall in love with the first robotic pool cleaner you see because this type of machine is inherently cool. However, you need to be mindful of certain factors before you put any money down for a new cleaner.
What Type of Swimming Pool Do You Have?
The first and most important thing you have to consider before you purchase any robotic cleaner is the type of swimming pool you have.
Check the size of your pool. Is the robotic cleaner you’re eyeing actually capable of covering every little bit of it?
Don’t forget about the pool’s surface as well. If your pool is made out of fiberglass or features some extra slippery tiles, the robotic cleaner needs to be capable of clinging such slippery tiles surfaces.
For those aforementioned surfaces specifically, getting a robotic cleaner with a PVA brush is crucial.
Swimming pools that feature other types of surfaces can be cleaned by machines that make use of PVC brushes.
You’ll also want to check if you require just an above ground robotic pool cleaner or a robotic inground pool cleaner. Preferably, the machine will be able to reach down into the pool so you’re covered either way.
What Are the Capabilities of the Robotic Pool Cleaner?
After determining what kind of swimming pool you have, the next step is to figure out which robotic pool cleaner is best suited to handle it.
Obviously, all of these machines will be able to clean your pool, but the degree to which they can do so may vary.
For instance, some pool cleaners will vacuum the surface of your pool but stop there. Other pool cleaners will function almost like a robotic mop and also wipe away any debris that may be lurking in your pool.
Ideally, though, you’re getting a robotic cleaner that is capable of scrubbing the swimming pool surface clean.
If you’re investing money in a new piece of cleaning equipment, you might as well get one that’s capable of being as thorough as needed.
Also, try to look for a machine that can do more than just clean the deep portion of the pool.
Remember that you also have to keep the walls and tile lines of your swimming pool clean. Having a machine that can handle that task for you would be best.
How Long Should the Cable Be?
The best part of having a robotic cleaner is that you can just trust it to do its job independently. However, it may struggle to do that if it doesn’t feature a long enough cable.
With no long cable included, the cleaner won’t be able to work its way through your swimming pool.
Pool sizes vary obviously, but if you want to err on the side of caution, get a cleaner that comes bundled together with a 60-foot cable. A cable that long should be enough for most pools.
Make it a point to look for a machine that also has a swivel cable. Tangling can be a real issue for robotic pool cleaners.
You can effectively eliminate that potential problem by getting one that’s attached to a swivel cable.
Additional Considerations
Automated features are often found on robotic pool cleaners. Instead of having to switch on your pool cleaner every time you want it working, you can just schedule it to conduct regular cleaning sessions.
Having this feature on your pool cleaner will save you plenty of time in the long run.
If you’re unable to find a pool cleaner that can be scheduled for automatic cleanups, at least get one that can be operated using a remote control or via an app you can download. Those can save you time as well.
Conclusion
Since I can only choose one item as my personal favorite robotic pool cleaner, my vote has to go to the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner from Maytronics.
I will acknowledge that the full filter indicator being unreliable is very annoying but it’s certainly not enough to detract from the whole package.
In terms of being able to provide thorough cleaning on numerous types of surfaces, the Dolphin Premier simply stands out from the other options.
The automated features only serve to further increase the appeal of this robotic pool cleaner.
Cleaning up your pool doesn’t have to be a tiresome task and it won’t be any longer with the help of the right robotic cleaner.
