Narrowing scope robot cleaners. Need input....

[RoadRunrTX]

I'm now leaning toward getting an electric powered robot cleaner for my 8x15 (5' deep) spa-pool. My goal is to have it clean everything but large debris from floor/walls/waterline tile. Next step is deciding on mfg/model/features.

My overwhelming priority is safety. Really bothers me using a consumer grade electric device in a pool. I'm relying on questionable design safety review and QC of a business that is under enormous pressure to reduce cost. Wish I had the suction lines to allow me to use a suction cleaner.....

Pool contractor and his service guy strongly recommend Dolphin (Maytronics) Looks good to me. Next I need to choose model/features/accessories.

I'm leaning toward the Explorer E20 with caddy. Seems like Dolphin changed up their product mix from 2023-2025. I think the Nautilus CC from prior years is the closest to the new Explorer E20.

The big feature that I won't get with the E20 is wifi. I can't think of what benefit I would get from wifi.....unless the robot cleaner can autonomously disconnect itself from the charger and jump into the pool and go to work on its own (sounds far fetched!). I have a partially in-ground pool (18" perimeter wall above grade), so I don't think that would be any benefit to me.

Will be grateful to hear your feedback!
-Problems I may not see using the E20 or similar device in my application?
-Problems specific to the Explorer E20/Dolphin and/or better product options? Ease of use? Reliability? Cost? Warranty? Spares?
-Really useful features I should consider paying more for? Features of low/no value I can delete and save money?

Thx!!

 

[HermanTX]

If you are concerned about electrical safety then consider a battery operated robot.
There are 2 good companies that have active review threads on the forum. They each have 2 models of robot floor cleaners.
Search for Beatbot and Aiper
Here are 2 to review

Aiper Scuba S1 Review

I’ve been running my S1 for 2 months now. About 5 days a week. I’m impressed with how much it picks up. Last night though, I dropped it in before going to bed and when I came out this morning it was just sitting on the floor in the middle of the pool. They always stop at the edge so you can hook...

www.troublefreepool.com

Beatbot AquaSense Cordless Pool Robot

https://beatbot.com/pages/aquasense-pro

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bob22]

RoadRunnerTx,
I'm a bit confused as well as I need a new one after some 17 year-old Dolphin Diagnostic died (actually, cable has an internal break but parts are too expensive). I've been searching for a few days not and am frustrated.
I did borrow a Nautilus and it did an ok job but I noticed it tended to fall off angled walls in my pool, didn't seem to stick to bottom as well, and it doesn't do the waterline.
I will likely get one with the My Dolphin Plus software for Wifi as it will allow me to steer it to a pile of leaves etc... Sometimes, I just need it to get one or two areas for a spot clean and rather that drag it around by the cable or using my boat hook to set on the spot, the Wifi would be easier.
I'm thinking the Maytronics Explorer E30 with WIFI is the one I'll pick. I'm a bit on the fence about the need for 2 kinds of filters (mine had a bag that did a great job but was a PITA to clean). Otherwise, Maytronics et al make it difficult to cross compare as meaningful information on their website is absent (like, differences in the motors and pumps).
I'd appreciate any insights as well; we are in the same boat it seems.

 

[RoadRunrTX]

RoadRunnerTx,
I'm a bit confused as well as I need a new one after some 17 year-old Dolphin Diagnostic died (actually, cable has an internal break but parts are too expensive). I've been searching for a few days not and am frustrated.
I did borrow a Nautilus and it did an ok job but I noticed it tended to fall off angled walls in my pool, didn't seem to stick to bottom as well, and it doesn't do the waterline.
I will likely get one with the My Dolphin Plus software for Wifi as it will allow me to steer it to a pile of leaves etc... Sometimes, I just need it to get one or two areas for a spot clean and rather that drag it around by the cable or using my boat hook to set on the spot, the Wifi would be easier.
I'm thinking the Maytronics Explorer E30 with WIFI is the one I'll pick. I'm a bit on the fence about the need for 2 kinds of filters (mine had a bag that did a great job but was a PITA to clean). Otherwise, Maytronics et al make it difficult to cross compare as meaningful information on their website is absent (like, differences in the motors and pumps).
I'd appreciate any insights as well; we are in the same boat it seems.

I'm still learning. Taking the time to figure out my use case/true needs. My spa/pool is small (8'x15' x universally 5' deep). I'm beginning to wonder how much cleaning I will actually need. Live in a hot humid climate (Houston, TX), but after the hottest month of the year incl a decent hurricane....the cleaning needs have been minimal.

I've evolved to categorizing my choices as:

1) conventional pool vacuum running off pool suction line. Basically just buy a 25-30' hose + a vacuum plate (~$50) and then I manually vacuum (super simple + cheap; requires weekly chore)

2) pool suction line powered cleaner. Semi-autonomous w/o any software or intelligence. Purely mechanical. Almost as simple, robust and cheap to keep running as the vacuum plate. This should also clean the walls and waterline. Only requires dropping it in the water and retrieving it when done (~$400) for the Zodiac G3 Baracuda, the Zodiac Mx6 or the Hayward Poolverneugen The Pool Cleaner™. All appear to do a great job with cleaning. If anyone has data on an electric pool cleaner performing better on cleaning, would love to see it!

3) Electric powered semi-intelligent pool cleaning robot like the Dolphin Explorer E20 ($600). Because of the mechanical complexity, ever changing technology/software/batteries/parts I look at these devices as consumables that will need to be replaced every 18-36 months (whenever they first break)

My impression is that the suction cleaners clean as well or better (higher hp motors/suction), last at least 5 yrs and can be fixed pretty easily. Primary failure of the suction powered vacs seems to be hoses that develop leaks after exposure to UV sunlight. Assume you can extend this life (ALOT) by only having the hose out on the pool deck for 3-4 hrs/week when its vacuuming rather than 24/7/365 which some seem to do.

Since I've never used either irl. Would be really grateful to anyone who can make the case for an electric cleaner on cost, ease of use, cleaning quality or anything else. Just not really interested in it bc its a "robot". Fully open to ideas that haven't occurred to me.

Please convince me an electric powered pool robot is the right move!

 

[HermanTX]

Suction-side and Pressure-side cleaners have been around a long time. That is why spare parts and repairs are somewhat simple. My Pressure-side cleaner has been working for nearly 15 years. That is sitting every day in the pool and running multiple times a week. More runs in Fall-Winter than in summer. I have replaced parts but all easy to get. There are newer models that try to keep the mechanical cleaners as the most economical over its life span.

Robots with cords have been showing life around 4-8 years - depends if you are living in an area that does not close its pool or in an area where the swim season it only 4 months then pool is closed. They are more difficult to repair, and a new cord can be costly. But they clean well (better than most mechanical cleaners) when functioning.

Robots without cords (battery operated) have only been in high usage in past 2-3 years. The technology is still evolving just like EV's on the road. More competition is driving performance improvement. There are mixed bag of success but it is promising as knowledge is gained. I have transitioned to battery operated to take advantage of the better cleaning performance but without a cord or hose in the water that gets tangled. Life expectancy is hopefully more than 4 years but this is still evolving.

 

[RoadRunrTX]

Thanks. Useful observations!

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks. Useful observations!

I should add that I did not jump from hydraulic-mechanical cleaner to robot with cord cleaner because I perceived it as just exchanging one set of issues for another. The main one being the hose tangles on the former and the cord tangles on the latter. Also, I would need to have a cord across my deck & grass to run the robot. So I waited until there was some advancement in the battery-operated robots. I still have my pressure-side cleaner as a back up if the battery-operated cleaner dies.