The 9 Best Robotic Pool Cleaners of 2025

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus stands out in the "Best Overall" category for its impressive blend of convenience, efficiency, and proven reliability. One of its most appealing features is the universal caddy, which not only makes transporting and storing the cleaner a breeze but also keeps the cable organized and tangle-free, a thoughtful touch for any pool owner who values tidiness and ease of use.

The integration of Wi-Fi connectivity allows for remote scheduling, making it possible to set up cleaning sessions from virtually anywhere. This smart capability aligns perfectly with today’s busy lifestyle, ensuring your pool is always ready for a swim without the need for constant manual intervention.

The robust wall-scrubbing power is another highlight, demonstrating the unit's ability to tackle any pool surface with efficiency. The top-load filter basket adds to the user-friendly experience, allowing for quick and straightforward debris removal. While every product has room for improvement, the Dolphin's legacy of over 40 years speaks volumes about its durability and cost-effectiveness, making it a highly respectable choice for pool enthusiasts.

The Polaris Alpha IQ+ shines in the 'Best Smart Features' category, thanks to an array of impressive technologies designed to streamline pool maintenance. At the forefront is the SMART Cycle Cleaning Mode, a truly innovative addition that cleverly tailors the cleaning process based on your pool’s unique attributes. By calculating the optimal cleaning time, it ensures both effectiveness and efficiency, leaving you more time to enjoy your pool rather than maintaining it.

Also noteworthy is the iAquaLink app, offering full-featured control right from your mobile device. This app allows you to seamlessly schedule cleanings, monitor the temperature, and access a variety of modes. Its Wi-Fi connectivity guarantees that these controls are accessible from virtually anywhere, adding significant convenience to pool ownership.

The Alpha IQ+ also impresses with its Vortex Vacuum technology and 4WD agility, enabling exhaustive cleaning from floor to waterline. Additionally, the illuminated debris canister simplifies maintenance by indicating when emptying is required. While its multiple cleaning modes accommodate personalized cleaning preferences, the overall experience is made delightful by its cutting-edge smart features.

Consider the Beatbot AquaSense Pro a standout contender in the Best AI Navigation category, marked especially by the sophisticated CleverNav technology. With a 4-core CPU and 22 sensors, this pool cleaner efficiently maneuvers around obstacles, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive clean that’s hard to beat. The app-controlled surface navigation allows users to direct the device with pinpoint accuracy right from their smartphones, making it easy to tackle debris without ever getting hands wet—an innovation that brings convenience to a new level.

In addition to its smart navigation capabilities, the AquaSense Pro boasts impressive performance with a long-lasting battery that supports extensive cleaning sessions across entire pool areas, whether it's the floor, walls, waterline, or clarifying the water. While the device already impresses with its advanced navigation and energy efficiency, the smart parking and drainage functionality adds more ease, automatically positioning itself for easy retrieval. While some features may perform at an average level, the combination of AI navigation and thoughtful design securely places the Beatbot AquaSense Pro among the top choices for pool maintenance.

When it comes to budget-friendly pool cleaning options, the AIPER Seagull SE certainly makes waves with its impressive features. One of the standout qualities is its efficient deep cleaning capability. Equipped with strong suction power, it effortlessly captures debris and leaves, making maintenance a breeze and leaving your pool swim-ready.

The integrated water purification system is a fantastic bonus, as it not only cleans but helps maintain a balanced and healthy swimming environment. This thoughtful addition enhances the overall pool experience without any extra effort.

Cordless convenience adds another layer of appeal. The smart self-parking feature means when its battery runs low, the cleaner stops near the pool wall, making retrieval stress-free. Its runtime of up to 90 minutes is ample, covering up to 860 sq. ft. in flat above-ground pools.

While the one-touch operation and lightweight design might seem average, they significantly enhance user experience. Weighing just 7.5 lbs, it's easy to handle and store. All these factors make the AIPER Seagull SE an attractive choice for budget-conscious pool owners seeking reliable performance.

The Beatbot AquaSense 2 excels in the 'Best for Comprehensive Cleaning' category due to its robust performance features and innovative design. Its automatic surface parking and the one-click app retrieval function significantly reduce the hassle of pool maintenance, making it particularly user-friendly. The double-pass scrubbing capability is a standout feature, ensuring a meticulous clean that leaves the waterline gleaming, a critical area often overlooked by other models.

Moreover, the intelligent path optimization, with its adaptable S-path for floors and N-path for walls, ensures thorough coverage, adapting seamlessly to various pool shapes and materials. With a substantial battery life of up to 4 hours, it handles large areas with ease, while the sleek charging dock simplifies the process, reducing clutter and risk.

Despite its impressive features, standard components like the basic filter basket could be seen as adequate but not extraordinary. Nonetheless, the AquaSense 2's combination of innovative technology and convenience truly sets it apart in achieving comprehensive pool cleaning.

The WYBOT C1 stands out in the versatile cleaning category with its impressive 4-in-1 functionality, which adeptly maneuvers through floors, walls, stairs, and even waterlines. This pool cleaner is a powerhouse, thanks to its triple motors that enhance its climbing capabilities, allowing it to tackle challenging 45-degree slopes and navigate tricky obstacles like drains. The upgraded water pump motor ensures powerful suction, doubling the efficiency of debris removal, which is perfect for lifting leaves, sand, and pesky algae.

Its intelligent navigation system enhances cleaning precision by mapping the pool's terrain and offering flexible control via an app, allowing customization or activation of auto-smart mode for worry-free operation. The convenience extends to its maintenance, thanks to a large, top-load filter basket that simplifies cleaning with a no-tool-necessary design. While its average runtime of 120-150 minutes may be comparable to peers, the quick 3-hour recharge and extensive 24-month warranty with lifetime support add to the overall reliability and user peace of mind.

If you're on the hunt for a pool cleaner that excels in active scrubbing, the Dolphin Nautilus CC might just be your perfect match. This robot pool cleaner really flexes its muscles when it comes to climbing walls, delivering deep cleaning on any pool surface. The active scrubbing brush takes the hassle out of pool maintenance, lifting stubborn debris and leaving your pool immaculate, all while being gentle on surfaces.

The convenience doesn’t stop there. The Dolphin Nautilus CC features an easy-to-use top-load filter basket, making debris removal a cinch. Say goodbye to complicated maintenance routines and hello to consistently clear water. Plus, the plug-and-play efficiency gets your pool sparkling clean within just two hours, making it ideal for busy pool owners.

While it doesn’t clean the waterline, this model shines in areas where it matters most. With a legacy of over 40 years, Dolphin ensures you're getting a trustworthy and reliable companion for pool cleaning.

The Dolphin Proteus DX4 shines in the 'Best for Wall Climbing' category, primarily due to its impressive wall-scrubbing capabilities. Its unique design enables it to navigate and clean various pool surfaces with ease, ensuring that every inch of your pool receives the attention it deserves. This robotic cleaner’s active scrubbing brush is a game changer, reducing manual labor by thoroughly removing stubborn debris and dirt while being gentle enough not to damage delicate finishes.

One of the standout features is the user-friendly top-load filter basket. Maintaining a pristine pool becomes a breeze as it allows for straightforward removal of debris, keeping your water crystal clear. The simplicity of its plug-and-play system deserves a nod too. Just a quick setup and you can sit back while the Proteus DX4 transforms your pool to a state of impeccable cleanliness within two hours.

While all these features make it a strong contender, what truly solidifies the DX4's reputation is its adherence to the longstanding Dolphin legacy, characterized by reliable performance and durability over decades. This makes it a cost-effective solution for effortless pool maintenance.

When it comes to solar-powered pool cleaners, the Betta SE truly shines with its impressive features and efficiency. Its commitment to operating solely on solar power ensures an eco-friendly approach to keeping your pool pristine. The advanced Aqua Dynamics design is a feature that stands out, offering continuous cleaning for over 30 hours on just one charge, even under less sunny skies, demonstrating its resilience in various weather conditions.

The quick recharge time of 5-6 hours under direct sunlight is a bonus, ensuring minimal disruption to its cleaning schedule. The patented twin SCT motors not only provide reliable and energy-efficient cleaning but also make the Betta SE versatile for both freshwater and saltwater pools. Additionally, the large fine-mesh debris basket makes maintenance a breeze, as it can be emptied without removing the device from the water.

Despite these positives, it does require a minimum water depth and is unsuitable for infinity pools. However, features like UV-resistant materials and ultrasonic radar obstacle detection round off what is a robust and reliable device, making it a favorite in its category.