We buy the gear we review, run it in backyard pools, and score the parts that matter after the box is open: coverage, filtration, features, and day-to-day use.
Newly published tests, with scores and the tradeoffs we found in the pool
The Aiper Scuba SE handled flat-floor debris, but its 1,200 GPH flow, mesh filter, 90-minute cycles,...
The Aiper Scuba S1 covered the floor through the waterline and used a top-load basket, but suction...
Two months with the Sutro monitor covered pH, free chlorine, alkalinity, and app alerts; the $500...
The Pentair Kreepy Krawly Platinum picked up large debris and climbed walls, but its random path...
The Pentair Kreepy Krawly Racer moved quickly and used built-in brushes, but its random path missed...
A month of Pentair Kreepy Krawly Legend testing found large-debris pickup, but random coverage...
Three weeks of Polaris Turbo Turtle testing found basic surface skimming and simple setup, but no...
The Polaris P39 delivered strong open-floor suction and a large debris bag, but its random path...
In an above-ground vinyl pool, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 handled light debris but missed fine...
A month of Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport testing found strong large-debris pickup and a roomy...
The Polaris Quattro P40 scrubbed from floor to waterline and held large debris, but it missed spots,...
Four weeks of Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 testing found solid large-debris pickup without a booster pump,...
The Zodiac MX6 vacuumed floors and walls in a random path, but had no active brush, onboard filter,...
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 picked up large debris in testing, but its random coverage, coarse...
The Polaris PB4-60 powered a Vac-Sweep 280 through quick-connect fittings with steady pressure and...
We installed SpectraLight UV to assess inline treatment, chlorine odor, and chemical use; the system...
Leaf Pump testing covers 250 to 3,450 RPM control, 24/7 circulation, noise, and claimed energy...
The Aquabot Elite Pro covered the floor through the waterline with gyroscope navigation, app...
The Aquabot X4 covered the floor and walls with four-wheel drive, dual fine baskets, and weekly...
The Dolphin Triton PS covered the floor through the waterline and scheduled weekly cycles, but...
After weeks of testing, the Dolphin Sigma covered floors, walls, and waterline with dual filters and...
After a month of testing, the Dolphin Quantum covered the waterline and trapped fine debris with its...
Months of testing showed that the Dolphin Premier covered the waterline and handled leaves with...
The Dolphin Proteus DX3 covered floors and walls and offered a weekly timer, but lacked waterline...
The Dolphin Nautilus CC covered floors and walls in pools up to 33 feet, but lacked waterline...
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus covered floors and walls with dual brushes and weekly scheduling, but...
The Dolphin Escape's HyperBrush, 4,000 GPH flow, and MaxBin handled pool-floor debris, but the robot...
The Dolphin Explorer E30 covered the floor through the waterline with Wi-Fi scheduling and a...
The Dolphin E10 handled pool-floor debris with an active brush and top-load basket, but lacked wall...
The Dolphin Cayman's HyperBrush, MaxBin, and weekly timer supported mapped floor and wall cleaning,...
The Aquabot REVA covered the floor, walls, and waterline with gyroscope navigation, app scheduling,...
The Aiper Seagull SE followed a random flat-floor path with static brushes and a flat mesh filter,...
The Aiper Seagull 600 followed a random floor-only path with weak debris pickup, a flat mesh filter,...
The Aiper Seagull 1000 followed a random floor-only path with no active brush, a flat mesh filter,...
Cleaners face debris, walls, waterlines, and filtration checks instead of a spec-sheet recap.
We buy the products we review. Brands cannot pay for placement or a higher score.
Each review explains the performance scores, useful features, drawbacks, and the pool or owner the product suits.
We keep products in rotation for weeks or months to catch day-to-day annoyances and durability problems.
