Bishopkevinfarrell.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Best Small Inground Robotic Pool Cleaners : Review And Buying Guide

Brandon Forder
  Mar 29, 2024 1:25 PM

Technological advancements in recent years, such as robotic pool cleaners, have made pool maintenance simpler than ever before. These robots, despite their varied sizes and construction materials, have transformed a previously laborious task into one that can be accomplished with relative ease and speed. This article serves as a shopping guide, highlighting some of the best robotic pool cleaners currently available. To learn everything we know, keep reading! We did a lot of digging to find the top robotic pool cleaners on the market today. Every pool cleaner on this list was evaluated by our team, and we shared our findings about what sets them apart. We put a number of different cleaners through their paces before settling on the top picks for small inground robotic pool cleaning. Keep reading to find out what sets them apart from the rest.


Compare Products

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Types

Robotic Pool Cleaners

When it comes to cleaning pools thoroughly, robotic cleaners are unmatched in efficiency. They are perfect for people who find the cleaning process to be strenuous and exhausting. Low-maintenance chips and motors make it easy for such cleaners to move around the floor without getting stuck. To begin the cleaning process, the motor draws water into a filter bag, while also propelling the cleaner forward and activating brushes to loosen dirt from the pool's surface. Unfortunately, the high quality of these cleaners comes at a high price.

Suction-Side Pool Cleaners

Due to its low price, a suction side pool cleaner has won out as the industry standard. As their name implies, these cleaners primarily function by sucking up dirt and dust. Through the use of a hose, water is sucked into the pool's filtration system, where debris and other particles are removed. After that, it's dumped back into the pool. Despite being inexpensive and having a straightforward layout, it is not a good fit for larger pools.

Pressure-side Pool Cleaners

Pressure-side cleaners are self-propelled devices with a simple design, just like automatic suction side cleaners. Pressure cleaners are distinct because they do not rely on suction to remove dirt and debris, but rather on the water's pressure and turbulence. Though these machines are random in their movements and have a user-friendly layout, they are not suited to pools of a modest size.

Solar-powered Pool Cleaners

These pool cleaners are cutting-edge and effective. They are solar-powered and use lithium-ion batteries for energy storage. The purpose of these pool cleaners is to remove grime, oil, and other contaminants from the pool floor. However, they do not sink to the pool's floor or sides. As a result, they can't be used to clean the pool's bottom or the deep end.

Pool Size and Surface

Consider the dimensions and material of your pool when making your final decision on a robotic pool cleaner. Although most robotic cleaners are versatile enough to be used on a variety of surfaces, tiled pools will benefit most from a device with stronger suction power. Most automated vacuum cleaners ought to work fine with vinyl liners. There will be an extendable cable of a standard length included with each vacuum. Because of this, you should think about how big your pool is in comparison to the length of the cable in your robotic cleaner. For added flexibility, some models can operate in pools of any size without the need for a cable.

Cleaning Power

There is a wide selection of robotic cleaners available. There are those whose sole function is to scrub the pool floor. The pool's walls, water line, and even its cover can be cleaned by someone else while you relax. This is a question that can only be answered by the individual who will be using the robot to clean.

Filter Size

The filter is a crucial component of the automated pool cleaner, as it removes unwanted materials like dust, debris, leaves, and insects from the water. When the filter is larger, the pool can be cleaned by the robot for longer before it needs to be serviced. A larger filter is recommended for those who like to set the vacuum and forget about it. A further factor is the filter's pore size. If the pores in the robot's filter are small enough, it will be able to remove minute particles of dirt and grime from your pool.

Programming & Scheduling

Even though their technological prowess falls short, all robotic pool cleaners allow you to initiate the cleaning process manually. You can schedule the cleaning cycle of some models to run once per day or once per week. However, leaving the cleaner in the pool is not a good idea, so it's best to take it out and put it somewhere safe until it's time to clean the pool again.

Weight

Considering the weight of the unit is important before making a purchase, as lifting will be required when installing and removing the cleaner from the pool. Keep in mind that the weight of the unit will increase as it collects debris and water. Caddies on wheels are the best option because they eliminate the need to carry the cleaner and allow for easy transport to and from the cleaning area.

Water Evacuation Features

It can be difficult to retrieve an item from the pool that has been submerged. Because of this, a pool cleaner that can quickly empty its waste is highly desirable. In order to make robotic pool cleaners lighter and easier to lift, some models employ jets to quickly expel any water contained within.

Algae Removal and Water Polishing

Almost all automated pool cleaners are effective at removing debris like dirt, algae, and leaves. However, not every water purifier is created equal. The water in your pool will sparkle like new after using a high-end model to clean it.

Smart Scanning Systems

Pool robots typically waste time and energy when confronted with pools of varying shapes and sizes because they have to repeatedly traverse the same ground. To remedy this, robotic pool cleaners employ sophisticated scanning systems that efficiently plot a cleaning path via the use of cutting-edge algorithms and mapping technology.

Easy to Clean Debris Canisters

For optimal cleaning results, a robot's filtration system is indispensable. Pick one that has a filtering cloth bag or a basket with a fine mesh screen. Keep in mind that filter bags are more work to clean and dry than you might think. The filter baskets or cartridges, on the other hand, just need to be rinsed.

 

Some robots are multi-media capable, providing a variety of filters for removing various junk. Some designs feature a bag for leaves and acorns, while others have a basket for collecting smaller debris. Cartridges for fine and ultra-fine dust are available for some models.

 

Filters will be available at the very base of the range for the models with dated technology. To operate one of these models, a bag or cartridge is required.

Warranty

Considering that most pool robots have some sort of motor, suction pump, cable, or container in them, the length of the warranty is often a deciding factor. For how long the unit will last, take comfort in the warranty. Warranty terms on most models range from one to three years.

It's important to remember that there are some models that don't come with any kind of warranty at all, so make sure you know that ahead of time. When deciding on a model, it's a good idea to consider both its price and how well it's supported by customer services before making a final purchase.


FAQS

Why buy a robotic pool cleaner?

Cleaning a pool by hand can be exhausting, and if you suffer from chronic back pain, you may find that using a robotic pool cleaner is the best option. In order to keep your pool clean, safe, and free of algae, it will filter the water and remove any dirt, debris, or algae that may have made its way in.

How to use robotic pool cleaners?

Cleaning robots for swimming pools can be plugged into an electrical socket or run on rechargeable batteries. It will not begin cleaning until it is placed on the ground or inside the pool and the "on" button is pressed. After being placed on the pool's stairway, some models can find their way inside without any assistance.

Do automatic pool cleaners suck up a lot of energy?

These pool cleaners have this hidden advantage. Extremely little power is required to maintain them (and correspondingly, cost little to run).

Costing only a few cents to a dollar per day to operate (variables include the local cost of electricity, of course), robotic cleaners reduce the workload on your pool's filter and pump, saving you money and resources over time. The size of one's swimming pool has a direct bearing on this benefit-cost ratio.

How much do automatic pool cleaners cost?

Prices for robotic pool vacuums can be rather high, ranging from $600 to $2,000 or more.

Despite the higher initial cost, automatic pool cleaners significantly extend the life of your pool's filter and pump. The amount of time you'll save utilizing a pool vacuum is difficult to estimate, but it will add up quickly.

Most makers of pool cleaners include a guarantee of two to three years on the machine, giving buyers the confidence to part with their hard-earned cash.


Conclusion

One of the best innovations is the robotic pool cleaner because it saves people time, energy, and effort. You don't need to get wet scrubbing the pool's walls and floor when you have a powerful alternative that does a better job. And in the meantime, you can hang out over there.


5
2 ratings