Reading a pool robot spec sheet

Makers rate their robots for a maximum pool length, a maximum area in square feet, or both. Neither is measured the same way twice, so this site checks each rating against the number that actually limits the robot. For a corded robot that is the cable: usable pool length = cable length − 8 ft, because the cable reaches the deep-end floor before it covers any distance. For a cordless one it is the runtime, at 13 sq ft of floor and wall a minute, on a 2:1 pool with a 5 ft average depth.

corded: pool length ≈ cable − 8 ft
cordless: (L²/2 + 15·L) ÷ 13 = runtime in minutes

32 of the 46 floor robots here publish enough to check. 11 of those claim a pool more than 10 % bigger than the arithmetic covers, and are flagged in red on their pages. Only 3 of the 15 corded robots publish a cable length; the longest is the Polaris VRX iQ+ at 70 ft. The robot whose numbers cover the longest pool is the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra, at about 70 ft. The full working.

The catalog splits 15 corded, 31 cordless and 6 solar robots. A corded robot’s spec sheet gives a default cycle length; a cordless one gives a runtime, and which runtime matters. A floor-only or eco figure is always the longest number a maker can print, because climbing walls works the motors harder. 17 cordless robots here publish a floor-and-wall runtime (median 150 min, longest the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra at 270); 12 publish only a floor or eco figure; 2 publish none.

Battery capacity is quoted in mAh where it is quoted at all, which cannot be compared across brands without the pack voltage — so the catalog prints it but does not rank by it. Surface skimming runtimes are much longer, because floating uses little power: the longest here is the Aiper Surfer S2 at 35 h.

Every floor robot cleans the floor; the differences are above it. 3 floor robots here stay on the floor. 38 list waterline cleaning, which is a different claim from climbing walls — a wall-climber often turns back below the tile. 5 floor robots also skim the water surface, and 6 robots do nothing but skim.

The type on each robot’s card is built from these flags, which is why a robot is only called a waterline robot where its maker says so. Walls and the waterline are different jobs.

The micron figure is the smallest particle the filter is rated to hold back. The catalog records the finest filter in the box — an optional ultra-fine basket sold separately does not count — and bands it: 50 µm or finer catches fine dust and algae (5 robots), 51–149 µm silt and pollen (1), 150–250 µm sand, grit and leaves (16), coarser than that leaves and bugs only (2). 28 robots publish no micron figure at all.

The finest filter here is the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro’s at 3 µm; the median among robots that publish one is 150 µm. Basket size decides how often you empty it — the largest on a floor robot is the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra’s 7.7 L. What each size catches.

Every robot comes out of the pool to be emptied. 24 floor robots here park at the wall or surface on their own, so they are lifted by the handle from the deck; for the rest, the maker lists no self-parking and the robot comes out from wherever its cycle ended. Weight out of the water runs from 10 lb (the NIYA Sonar 20) to 33.1 lb (the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max), median 19.6 lb; 14 floor robots publish no weight.

The chip on each card combines the two: “parks for pickup” when the robot comes to you, “you fish out N lb” when it does not.

Older robots cover a pool by bumping and turning; newer ones hold straight lines with a gyroscope, map walls and obstacles with ultrasonic sensors, or look for debris with a camera. The catalog records the method only where the maker names it — “smart navigation” is not a method — and 4 robots here name a camera. 39 have app control, which matters most for scheduling: a robot that runs itself on a timer gets used.

A maker’s surface list — concrete or gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, tile — says what the brushes and treads were designed for. 27 robots here are rated for above-ground pools. A robot rated only for flat floors or slopes under 15° is built for above-ground pools and will not manage an in-ground deep end. Robots on vinyl liners.

Warranty terms across the catalog: 14 at 1 yr, 23 at 2 yr, 11 at 3 yr; 4 robots publish no term. Terms also differ in what they cover — parts only, parts and labour, or full replacement — which the catalog notes in each robot’s copy where the maker says.

Price divided by warranty years gives a floor on what each covered swim season costs, from $170 (the WYBOT A1) to $1,599 (the Dolphin Nautilus Titan). It is a floor, not a lifespan. What fails first.