Robotic pool cleaners went cordless in a big way over the last few years. Today's models climb walls, scrub the waterline and, on premium versions, skim the surface too. Most park themselves at the edge when the battery runs low, so you lift them out with a hook.
The biggest decision is what you need cleaned. Floor-and-wall robots cost far less than models that also skim the surface, and if your pool sits away from trees, you may not need surface cleaning at all.
At a glance
| Model | Cleans | Runtime | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra | Floor, walls, waterline, surface, water clarifying | Up to 8 hours | Cordless | $2,699 |
| Beatbot Sora 70 | Surface, floor, walls, waterline, steps | Up to 7 h surface, 5 h floor | Cordless | $1,429 |
| Aiper Scuba X1 | Floor, walls, waterline | About 3 hours | Cordless | $799.99 sale ($1,399.99 list) |
| Beatbot Sora 30 | Floor, walls, waterline, shallow steps | Up to 5 hours | Cordless | $999 |
| Beatbot Sora 10 | Floor, walls, waterline | Up to 3,229 sq ft per charge | Cordless | $469 |
| Dolphin Premier | Floor, walls, waterline | Unlimited (corded) | Corded | See current price |
Beatbot prices are the maker's listed prices, including current sales; Aiper's is an Amazon sale price. Checked November 3, 2026.
Our picks
1. Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra
$2,699
The AquaSense 2 Ultra covers every surface: floor, walls, waterline and the water's surface, and it clarifies the water as it works. Up to 8 hours of runtime suits large, complex in-ground pools.
- Cleans
- Floor, walls, waterline, surface, water clarifying
- Runtime
- Up to 8 hours
- Power
- Cordless
- Best for
- Large in-ground pools that want one machine for everything
2. Beatbot Sora 70
$1,429
If your pool sits near trees, surface skimming matters. The Sora 70 skims for up to 7 hours and cleans the floor, walls and steps for up to 5, at about half the price of the AquaSense 2 Ultra.
- Cleans
- Surface, floor, walls, waterline, steps
- Runtime
- Up to 7 h surface, 5 h floor
- Power
- Cordless
- Best for
- Pools under trees that collect floating leaves and pollen
3. Aiper Scuba X1
$799.99 sale ($1,399.99 list)
The Aiper Scuba X1 handles floors, walls and the waterline in in-ground pools for around $800 on sale, with Home Assistant integration and a 2-year warranty.
- Cleans
- Floor, walls, waterline
- Runtime
- About 3 hours
- Power
- Cordless
- Best for
- In-ground pools on a mid-range budget
4. Beatbot Sora 30
$999
For pools that mostly collect debris on the bottom, the Sora 30 cleans the floor, walls, waterline and shallow steps for up to 5 hours.
- Cleans
- Floor, walls, waterline, shallow steps
- Runtime
- Up to 5 hours
- Power
- Cordless
- Best for
- Solid floor and wall cleaning without paying for surface skimming
5. Beatbot Sora 10
$469
At $469 on sale, the Sora 10 is an inexpensive way into robotic cleaning, covering up to 3,229 sq ft per charge and shallow areas down to 12 in.
- Cleans
- Floor, walls, waterline
- Runtime
- Up to 3,229 sq ft per charge
- Power
- Cordless
- Best for
- Smaller pools and first-time robot buyers
6. Dolphin Premier
See current price
Corded robots never run out of battery. The Dolphin Premier cleans floors, walls and the waterline of in-ground pools up to 50 ft long, backed by Maytronics' dealer network.
- Cleans
- Floor, walls, waterline
- Runtime
- Unlimited (corded)
- Power
- Corded
- Best for
- Owners who want no battery to wear out and a large dealer network
How to choose
Cordless or corded
Cordless robots are easier to drop in and nothing tangles, but batteries limit runtime and wear out over time. Corded robots run as long as you need and have no battery to replace, but you manage a floating cable.
Floor, walls, waterline, surface
Every model here cleans floors and walls. Waterline scrubbing removes the scum ring at the surface. Surface skimming is worth paying for only if a lot of debris lands on your pool.
Pool type and size
Check that a model supports your pool type (in-ground, above-ground, vinyl, plaster or fiberglass) and size, and look at its runtime against your pool's area.
Retrieval and cleaning
Look for models that park at the waterline when finished, and for large, easy-open filter baskets. You'll empty the filter after most cycles.