Robotic pool cleaners

In-Ground Pool Robots: If It Climbs Walls, Does It Clean the Waterline Too?

Published · By the BotLineup editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

Not necessarily. Wall cleaning and waterline scrubbing are separate features, and spec sheets list them separately. If you want the robot to handle the ring at the water's surface, choose a model whose specs explicitly include waterline cleaning.

"Walls" can mean different things

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus from Maytronics cleans the floor and walls of in-ground pools up to 40 ft, but its spec sheet lists waterline scrubbing as "No." The Polaris 9550 Sport, by contrast, offers three modes (floor only, floor and walls, or waterline only), climbs steps and walls, and scrubs the tile line in pools up to 60 ft long. The Aiper Scuba S1 lists floor, walls, waterline, and shallow areas as its coverage.

Pools with complicated shapes

In-ground pools often have varying depths, curves, steps, and shallow ledges, so length or area alone won't tell you whether a robot will cope. Look at whether it can climb steps, where its brushes sit, and whether it has a swivel to keep the cable from tangling. The 9550 Sport has a 70 ft cable with a tangle-reducing swivel.

Getting it out afterward

In a big pool, pulling the robot up from the deep end is part of every cycle. With a corded model you can use the cable to guide the robot to the edge, then lift it by the handle — manufacturers tell you never to lift the robot by the cable — and Polaris advertises an Easy Lift design on the 9550 Sport. With cordless models, what matters is whether the robot parks at the wall or the surface when it finishes.

Shopping for one? Find a cleaner for your pool →

Sources

  1. maytronics.com/en-us/residential-pools/best-performance-cleaners/dolphin-nautilus-cc-plus-w-wi-fi_99996409-PCI.html
  2. polarispool.com/products/pool-cleaners/robotic-pool-cleaners/9550-sport-p
  3. aiper.com/us/aiper-scuba-s1

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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