Match three things: the pool type the robot is rated for, the pool size (square feet or length), and which surfaces you want cleaned. Floor-only robots cost least; wall and waterline robots save you the brushing.
Our picks at a glance
From published specs and our sizing rules. Not lab tested.
- 1
Above-ground, floor only
BRINBO S2 cordless above-ground pool robot
861 sq ft pool
Check price on AmazonPaid link
- 2
In-ground, walls and waterline
WYBOT C1 cordless in-ground pool robot
1,618 sq ft pool
Check price on AmazonPaid link
- 3
Longest cordless run
Beatbot Sora 10 cordless pool robot with waterline cleaning
3,229 sq ft pool
Check price on AmazonPaid link
Cordless robots are easy, with no cord on the deck. Corded robots run as long as needed and suit long pools.
Top picks, and why
BRINBO S2 cordless above-ground pool robot
- 90 min runtime
- above-ground
- pools to 861 sq ft
- cordless
Cordless, rated for 861 sq ft of floor, about 90 minutes a run. under $100.
- Cordless, no cable to tangle
- Rated for pools up to 861 sq ft
- Dual-layer filtration for leaves and fine dirt
- Floor only, no wall or waterline cleaning
- Not for in-ground pools with a bottom main drain
Under $100, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
WYBOT C1 cordless in-ground pool robot
- 160 min runtime
- in-ground
- pools to 1,618 sq ft
- walls
+2 moreFewer
- waterline
- cordless
Cordless, rated for 1,618 sq ft, cleans floor, walls and waterline, about 160 minutes. $250 to $500.
- Floor, walls, waterline and steps
- Up to 160 minutes, pools up to 1,618 sq ft
- Triple motors, climbs slopes up to 45 degrees
- 4-hour recharge between cycles
- Built for in-ground pools only
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
Beatbot Sora 10 cordless pool robot with waterline cleaning
- 300 min runtime
- in-ground or above-ground
- pools to 3,229 sq ft
- walls
+2 moreFewer
- waterline
- cordless
Rated for in-ground or above-ground pools to 3,229 sq ft, walls and waterline, about 300 minutes. $250 to $500.
- Up to 300 minutes, pools up to 3,229 sq ft
- Floor, walls, waterline and 12 in shallow areas
- Parks at the waterline for 10 minutes after a cycle
- Ultra-fine 3 micron filter is an optional extra
- Saltwater limit of NaCl under 5000 ppm
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
Compare every pick
Paid links: we earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you. Amazon prices change often, so we show a range and link to the live price.
Above-ground pools
Soft-sided and metal-wall above-ground pools usually need only the floor cleaned. Check the robot is rated for above-ground pools.
BRINBO S2 cordless above-ground pool robot
- 90 min runtime
- above-ground
- pools to 861 sq ft
- cordless
Cordless floor cleaner for 861 sq ft, about 90 minutes. under $100.
- Cordless, no cable to tangle
- Rated for pools up to 861 sq ft
- Dual-layer filtration for leaves and fine dirt
- Floor only, no wall or waterline cleaning
- Not for in-ground pools with a bottom main drain
Under $100, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
WYBOT A1 cordless above-ground pool robot
- 130 min runtime
- above-ground
- pools to 1,100 sq ft
- cordless
Cordless, rated for 1,100 sq ft, about 130 minutes. $100 to $250.
- Up to 130 minutes runtime, 1,100 sq ft rating
- 2280 GPH suction, 180 micron filter plus foam layer
- Parks near the wall when the battery runs low
- Wall and waterline cleaning not listed
- Not for slopes over 15 degrees
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
Dolphin Nautilus AG corded above-ground pool robot
- 90 min runtime
- above-ground
- pools to 33 ft
Corded floor cleaner for above-ground pools up to 33 ft, about 90 minutes. $500 to $1,000.
- Corded power, no battery to charge
- Active scrubbing brush and top-load filter
- Finishes a cycle in 1.5 hours
- Does not clean walls or waterline
- Rated for pools up to 33 ft long
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
In-ground pools: cordless
Algae usually starts on the walls, so for an in-ground pool pick a robot that climbs them; waterline scrubbing takes care of the scum ring.
WYBOT C1 cordless in-ground pool robot
- 160 min runtime
- in-ground
- pools to 1,618 sq ft
- walls
+2 moreFewer
- waterline
- cordless
1,618 sq ft, about 160 minutes. $250 to $500.
- Floor, walls, waterline and steps
- Up to 160 minutes, pools up to 1,618 sq ft
- Triple motors, climbs slopes up to 45 degrees
- 4-hour recharge between cycles
- Built for in-ground pools only
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
WYBOT C2 cordless in-ground pool robot
- 180 min runtime
- in-ground
- pools to 2,152 sq ft
- walls
+2 moreFewer
- waterline
- cordless
2,152 sq ft, walls and waterline, about 180 minutes. $500 to $1,000.
- Up to 180 minutes, pools up to 2,152 sq ft
- 10 micron fine filter plus 180 micron primary
- Seven modes, docks at the pool edge when done
- Bluetooth control, so range is limited to poolside
- Built for in-ground pools only
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
Beatbot AquaSense 2 cordless pool robot with surface parking
- 210 min runtime
- in-ground
- pools to 3,230 sq ft
- walls
+2 moreFewer
- waterline
- cordless
3,230 sq ft, walls and waterline, about 210 minutes. $500 to $1,000.
- Pools up to 3,230 sq ft on a 10,000mAh battery
- Floats to the surface when done or when low
- Wireless charging dock, no exposed ports
- Wall and waterline mode runs 3.5 hours, not 4
- 4-hour recharge time
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
In-ground pools: corded
A cord means unlimited run time and no battery to replace down the road.
Dolphin Nautilus CC corded wall-climbing pool robot
- 120 min runtime
- in-ground or above-ground
- pools to 33 ft
- walls
Corded, floor and walls, rated for in-ground or above-ground, about 120 minutes. $500 to $1,000.
- Corded power, no battery to charge or wear out
- Climbs walls with an active scrubber brush
- Top-load filter basket
- Rated for pools up to 33 ft long
- Waterline scrubbing not listed
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
Polaris ERA 820 corded in-ground pool robot
- 150 min runtime
- in-ground
- pools to 50 ft
- walls
Corded, floor and walls, about 150 minutes. $500 to $1,000.
- 60 ft cable with swivel, pools up to 50 ft
- Cleans floor and walls in a 2.5-hour cycle
- 4 L debris canister, caddy and cover included
- Single floor and wall mode, no app or scheduling
- Waterline scrubbing not listed
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
Polaris 9550 Sport 4WD corded in-ground pool robot
- in-ground
- pools to 60 ft
- walls
- waterline
Corded, floor, walls and waterline for long pools. $500 to $1,000.
- Pools up to 60 ft long on a 70 ft swivel cable
- 5 L debris canister and a handheld remote
- Floor, floor and wall, and waterline-only modes
- Corded, the cable has to be managed
- Built for in-ground pools only
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
Check price on AmazonPaid link. We earn a commission at no cost to you.
The bottom line
From published specs and our sizing rules. Not lab tested.
- 1
Above-ground, floor only
BRINBO S2 cordless above-ground pool robot
861 sq ft pool
Check price on AmazonPaid link
- 2
In-ground, walls and waterline
WYBOT C1 cordless in-ground pool robot
1,618 sq ft pool
Check price on AmazonPaid link
- 3
Longest cordless run
Beatbot Sora 10 cordless pool robot with waterline cleaning
3,229 sq ft pool
Check price on AmazonPaid link
Frequently asked questions
Are robotic pool cleaners worth it?
They scrub the floor, and many the walls and waterline, on their own, so you brush and vacuum by hand far less. They also filter debris into their own basket instead of loading your pool filter.
Cordless or corded robotic pool cleaner?
Cordless for convenience and smaller pools. Corded for long pools and unlimited run time, with no battery to wear out.
What size pool robot do I need?
One rated for your pool's area (length x width) or its length, whichever the maker publishes. Our finder checks that for you.
How long does a robotic pool cleaner take to clean a pool?
One cycle in our list runs about 90 to 300 minutes. Cordless robots run until the battery is done, from about 90 minutes on the BRINBO S2 to about 300 minutes on the Beatbot Sora 10. Corded robots run a set cycle, about 90 minutes on the Dolphin Nautilus AG and 150 minutes on the Polaris ERA 820.
Can I leave a robotic pool cleaner in the pool?
Take it out after each cycle. Constant chlorine and sun wear the seals, plastics and cord, and makers generally say to store the robot out of the water and out of direct sun. Always remove it before you shock the pool.
Robotic vs suction vs pressure pool cleaner: what is the difference?
A robot has its own motor and filter, so it runs without your pool pump and does not load the pool filter. A suction cleaner hooks to the skimmer and only moves while the pump runs, and its debris goes to your filter. A pressure cleaner runs off the return line and often needs a separate booster pump.
Do I still need to run my pool pump with a robotic cleaner?
Yes. The pump circulates and filters the water and spreads the chlorine; the robot only scrubs and vacuums surfaces. A robot can shorten how often you clean the pool filter, but it does not replace circulation.
How do I measure a round above-ground pool for a robot?
Use the diameter for both length and width, so a 24 ft round pool counts as 24 x 24 = 576 sq ft. The real surface is pi x 12 x 12, about 452 sq ft, so this leaves a safe margin. A robot rated for 861 sq ft, like the BRINBO S2, covers it.
Do robotic pool cleaners clean steps?
Most do not clean steps and benches reliably, even the ones that climb walls. Plan to brush steps and swim-outs by hand, or check that the maker specifically lists step cleaning.
Why won't my pool robot climb the walls?
The usual causes are a full or clogged filter basket, worn brushes or treads, or a slick of algae on the walls. Clean the filter after every run, check the brushes, and tilt the robot as you lower it in to let trapped air escape. A floor-only model like the BRINBO S2 is not built to climb at all.
12 products are linked on this page. We have not lab-tested these products; picks are based on published specifications and our sizing rules. Amazon prices change, so we show a range and link to the live price. See our disclosure.
Size it for your home
Marcus Reed
Founder and Editor, CrunchYourDollars
Marcus Reed builds the sizing tools on CrunchYourDollars. He is a software engineer with a long-running PC hardware and power supply habit, which is where the watts, watt-hours and surge math on this site comes from. Product specs are pulled from manufacturer data sheets, electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and water chemistry rules from the Water Quality Association. He is not a licensed electrician or plumber: the tools show the math and the matching models so you can make the call, and anything involving your electrical panel should be checked by a licensed pro.
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