Save 25% off on Parts and 40% off on Winter Prep Chemical Kits! Dive Into Deals!
A robotic pool vacuum is a self-contained electric robot that scrubs, vacuums, and filters your pool on its own. It cleans the pool independently of your pool pump and piping, so it can also save lots of electricity in reduced pump usage. You press start, and it works its way across the floor, up the walls, along the waterline, and some Dolphins can even clean the steps and sunledge - while trapping debris in a filter you rinse out afterward.
The word vacuum is what most pool owners search for, and it covers several very different tools. A manual vacuum head on a telescopic pole is a pool vacuum. So is a suction-side cleaner that plugs into your plumbing. You will also see the same machine sold as a pool vacuum robot, a robot pool vacuum, or a robotic pool cleaner. All three mean the robotic version, which is the one that does the job while also scrubbing the surfaces, and without requiring your labor or heavy electricity usage by the pump.
A pool vacuum is any device that pulls dirt, sand, leaves, and algae off your pool surfaces and out of the water. There are four kinds, and they work in completely different ways.
The manual pool vacuum is the oldest. A vacuum head attaches to a telescopic pole, a hose connects the head to your skimmer or a dedicated suction port, and you push the head across the pool floor by hand. Vacuuming a standard residential pool this way takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You prime the hose to purge the air, connect it to the suction line, then work in slow overlapping passes so you do not kick up silt. It works, and it costs very little. It also has to be repeated every week, and it does almost nothing for walls or the waterline.
Suction-side and pressure-side cleaners are the older automatic pool vacuum designs. A suction cleaner runs on your pool pump and drags itself around the floor, without scrubbing. A pressure cleaner runs on water returning from the filter, usually with a booster pump, and sweeps larger debris into a bag. Both depend on your pool's circulation system, which means your pump has to run whenever they do.
A robotic swimming pool vacuum runs on its own energy-efficient motor, scrubs the surfaces,and keeps the debris inside itself. Nothing passes into your sand or cartridge filter, and your pump can stay off while your pool gets cleaned. These are the practical differences between a robotic pool vacuum and the other three, and they are the reasons most people shopping for a pool vacuum today end up comparing robots.
A robotic pool vacuum runs on low-voltage electricity, either through a floating cable connected to a splash-proof power supply at the poolside outlet or through a rechargeable battery in the robot itself. Once it is in the water, an internal pump creates suction while a drive system moves the robot across the pool surfaces. Brushes release whatever is stuck to the plaster, vinyl, or tile. The suction pulls it up into a filter basket or cartridge inside the housing.
At the end of the cycle the robot parks itself near the edge so you can reach it. You lift it out, rinse the filter with a hose, and put the robot away. Your pool pump was never involved.
Every decent robotic pool vacuum is built around the same five parts.
The drive motor powers the wheels or tracks. On better models a second motor drives the suction pump separately, so the robot can keep full suction while climbing a wall. Entry-level models often share one motor between both jobs, which is why cheaper units lose power going vertical.
The brushes do the scrubbing. Rotating brushes break algae and biofilm loose from the surface so the suction can capture it. Brush material is matched to the pool finish. Rubber and combination brushes suit concrete and plaster. Softer brushes are better for vinyl and fiberglass.
The filter holds everything the robot picks up. Filter fineness is measured in microns, and it makes a real difference. A 150 to 180 micron net basket catches leaves, insects, and coarse sand. A 70 micron filter catches particles about the width of a human hair. Multi-stage systems catch pollen, silt, and the fine dust that make water look cloudy.
The navigation system decides where the robot goes. Basic units bounce off walls at random. Better ones map the pool with onboard sensors or sonar and cover it methodically.
The power source is either a floating cable with a transformer, or a lithium-ion battery pack. That choice drives most of the other trade-offs, which is covered below
Coverage is what separates a good robotic pool vacuum from a mediocre one, and coverage comes down to navigation. A robot that wanders randomly will often clean 60 percent of your pool because it gets caught in a complex section, and can miss entire areas.
Better robots run one of two patterns. A systematic pattern moves line by line, which suits rectangular pools. A maze pattern works around obstacles and irregular shapes, which suits freeform, kidney, and L-shaped pools. Some models switch between them or let you choose in the app.
A standard cycle runs about 1.5 to 4 hours depending on pool size, the model, and the mode you pick. Shorter targeted modes are useful once you know your pool. A floor-only cycle handles routine midweek debris in an hour or so. Most people prefer complete cycles to keep the floor clear of sediment and biofilm, the walls clear of algae, and the waterline clear of sunscreen and other residue.
The surface coverage on a robotic pool vacuum is what makes it different from a manual or suction vacuum, which mostly work on the floor. Coverage varies by model, so this is the first spec to check before you buy.
Every robotic pool vacuum cleans the floor. That includes the deep end, the corners, and where the floor meets the wall, which is where sand and silt collect.
Wall climbing is not universal. It requires enough traction and enough suction to hold the robot vertically against the surface while the brushes keep working. Models with dual motors handle it well. Single-motor models sometimes climb but lose suction on the way up, which means they are traveling on the wall rather than cleaning it.
Walls matter more than most owners expect. Algae takes hold on vertical surfaces first, and scrubbing a wall by hand with a brush on a pole is slow work.
The waterline is the ring of oil, sunscreen residue, and mineral scale that forms at the surface. It is the most visible part of the pool and the hardest part to keep clean by hand, because the film re-forms within days.
A robotic pool vacuum with waterline capability holds itself at the surface and scrubs horizontally along the tile line. Some models include a dedicated waterline-only mode for that reason.
Steps, benches, and tanning ledges are the last frontier. Plenty of robots drive over a step. Far fewer actually clean it, because it takes both a navigation system that recognizes the geometry and a method of scrubbing and vaccuming this complex shape. If your pool has built-in steps or a sun shelf, check that the model lists step and ledge coverage explicitly. The Dolphin Nautilus EON 120d covers steps, corners, safety ledges, and sun ledges as shallow as eight inches.
The right robotic pool vacuum depends on your pool type, its size, and how much you care about having a cable in the water.
A corded robotic pool vacuum connects to a power supply on the pool deck through a floating low-voltage cable. Because power is unlimited, the robot can run as long as the cycle needs and vacuum until the filter reaches its capacity. You can also set week-long or two-week schedules of full cleaning cycles without being limited by battery strength.For pools over 30 feet, pools that collect heavy leaf loads, or owners who want to press one button and stop thinking about it, corded is still the more reliable choice. The trade-off is the cable, which you have to manage and occasionally untangle.
A cordless robotic pool vacuum runs on a lithium-ion battery. There is no cable in the water and nothing to plug in at the pool. Setup is charging it, pressing start and dropping it in.
Battery runtime is the main limitation. Budget cordless models offer 1.5 to 2.5 hours on a charge, which is enough for a small or mid-size pool. The Dolphin Liberty 600 runs up to 4.5 hours with a three hour default cycle, and its Eco Mode Scheduler spreads that charge so a pool can stay clean for one to two weeks between charges. Most cordless robots clean the floor-only on the weekly schedule mode. The Dolphin Nautilus EON 120d takes a different approach, running 1.5, 2, or 2.5 hour full pool cycles and using UltraRun scheduling to cover about two weeks on a single charge.
The other thing to check on a cordless model is whether suction holds steady as the battery drains. Some cheaper units clean noticeably worse in the last third of the cycle.
Neither type is better in the abstract. Corded is the choice for maximum runtime and consistent power. Cordless is the choice for convenience and for pools where a cable would snag on a corner, a ladder, or a raised spa wall.
An automatic pool vacuum for inground pools has to handle more depth, more surface area, and more complicated shapes than an above ground unit. Freeform, kidney, Roman-end, and L-shaped pools all require navigation that can adapt rather than follow a fixed path.
Inground models usually cover pools from 30 to 60 feet in length, climb walls, clean the waterline, and offer multiple cleaning modes. Premium units add app control, dual drive motors, and finer filtration for algae and silt. Depth ratings matter too. Check that the model is rated for your deep end, especially if you are over eight feet.
Surface type is worth confirming as well. Plaster, pebble, tile, vinyl, and fiberglass all behave differently under a brush, and the wrong brush compound either scrubs poorly or wears the finish. Most manufacturers list compatible surfaces on the spec sheet, and Maytronics offers surface-specific brush options through parts and accessories.
Browse the full Dolphin residential lineup to compare coverage ratings by model.
An above ground pool vacuum is built for a flat floor, a soft or steel wall, and a simple rectangular or circular shape. These units are lighter than inground models, easier to lift over the pool wall, and priced well below them.
Most above ground robotic pool vacuums clean the floor only. That is usually the right call, because above ground walls are shorter and easier to reach with a hand brush, and wall climbing on a vinyl liner can be hard on the surface. Some mid-range models do add wall and waterline coverage.
Two things to check before buying for an above ground pool. First, confirm the model is rated for soft-sided and liner pools if you have an Intex-style setup, since not all are. Second, check the weight, because you will be lifting it in and out over the pool wall each time.
The Niya series is Maytronics' above ground focused line, with cordless operation. On the Dolphin side, the Dolphin Nautilus AG is built specifically for above ground pools.
Robotic pool vacuums cost more upfront than a manual vacuum head or a suction cleaner. Here is what you get for it.
You stop vacuuming. Manual vacuuming runs 30 to 45 minutes a week through the season. With a robot, your involvement is about three minutes, spent lifting it out and rinsing the filter.
Your pump stays off. Suction and pressure cleaners need the pool pump running the whole time they work, and those pump hours show up on the electric bill. A robotic pool vacuum has its own low-voltage supply, so you can run it silently without touching your circulation schedule.
Debris never reaches your filter. Everything the robot picks up stays inside the robot, which means your sand or cartridge filter handles less load and lasts longer. Fewer backwashes on a sand filter also adds up to real water savings across a season.
Walls and the waterline get cleaned. Suction and pressure cleaners are floor tools. A robotic swimming pool vacuum with wall and waterline coverage reaches the surfaces where algae takes hold first.
Chemical use drops. Organic debris eats chlorine as it decomposes, so pulling leaves and pollen out early means your sanitizer works on bacteria instead of on dead plant matter. Fewer chloramines is the side benefit, and chloramines are what makes a pool smell like a pool.
You can schedule it. Connected models let you set a weekly schedule from your phone, pick a mode, and check cycle status without going outside.
All four are sold as pool vacuums. They are not close to equivalent in what they clean, what they cost to run, or how much of your time they take.
Robotic pool vacuum
Manual pool vacuum
Suction-side cleaner
Pressure-side cleaner
How it is powered
Its own motor, via low-voltage cable or battery
You, pushing a pole
Pool pump suction
Pressurized return water, often with a booster pump
What it cleans
Floor, walls, waterline, steps on capable models
Floor, and walls if you scrub them yourself
Mostly floor, some walls
Floor, large debris
Needs the pool pump running
No
Yes
Yes
Yes, plus a booster pump on most systems
Setup each time
Drop it in, press start
Assemble pole, hose, and head, then prime the hose
Connected, but needs valve adjustment
Connected, needs booster pump on
Your time per clean
About 3 minutes
30 to 45 minutes
Minimal, but pump hours add up
Minimal
Where debris ends up
Inside the robot
Your pool filter
Your pool filter
Attached collection bag
Best for
Anyone who wants the job done without doing it
Spot cleaning a very small pool and tight budgets
Simple flat-bottom pools
Pools under heavy leaf load
Robotic is the one category that works independently of your plumbing. It is also the one that keeps debris out of your filter completely, since everything collected stays in the robot until you rinse it. For a deeper breakdown of the automatic categories, see what is a robotic pool cleaner.
The best pool vacuum for your situation depends on your pool, not on a spec sheet ranking. The best robotic pool vacuum is the one whose coverage, filtration, and size rating match what you actually have, and those specs vary widely across the category.
Pool size rating. Every model lists a maximum pool length. Match it to your actual pool, for best results. A robot rated for 33 feet in a 45 foot pool will leave sections uncleaned every cycle.
Surface coverage. Confirm whether the model does floor only, floor and walls, or floor, walls, and waterline. Then check steps separately, because step coverage is rarer than the marketing usually suggests.
Filtration fineness. Coarse baskets around 150 to 180 microns handle leaves and sand and are easy to rinse. Fine cartridges around 70 microns catch the particles that make water look cloudy, but can get clogged if there is too much debris. Multi-stage systems handle both, and self-cleaning designs like DebrisLock cut down how often you rinse, which is important for two-week cleaning schedules.
Corded or cordless. Corded gives you unlimited runtime and steady power. Cordless gives you no cable and faster setup. Decide based on your pool size and how much the cable would actually bother you.
Motor count. Separate drive and suction motors mean the robot keeps full suction while climbing. It is one of the more reliable predictors of real-world cleaning quality and it is usually listed on the spec sheet.
App and scheduling. Connectivity is worth paying for if you actually want to schedule cycles and activate the robot remotely. It is not worth paying for if you are going to press the button on the unit anyway.
Warranty and parts. Look at the warranty length and at what it excludes. Brushes, tracks, and filters are the parts that wear, and some warranties leave them out. Check that replacements are easy to buy before you commit.
Not sure where to start? The Maytronics robot selector narrows the lineup by pool size, surface, and features in a couple of minutes.
A robotic pool vacuum needs very little upkeep, but the little it needs matters for how long it lasts.
Rinse the filter before debris dries on. Pull the basket or cartridge, hose it out until the water runs clear, and let it dry before reinstalling. A loaded filter chokes suction, and reduced suction is the most common reason owners think their robot has stopped working well.
Rinse the robot itself. Chlorinated water dries on the housing and leaves residue on seals and gaskets. The plastic and rubber get worn more quickly when exposed to chlorine and sunshine. A quick freshwater rinse after each cycle prevents that.
Take it out before you shock the pool. High chlorine concentrations quickly degrade plastics, rubber seals, and brush compounds. Run the robot first so it strips the biofilm, remove it, then shock. Wait until chlorine levels come back down before the robot goes back in. If you need to shock, check the pH because chlorine is far less effective when pH is above 7.4.
Check brushes and tracks every few weeks. Worn brushes stop scrubbing and start sliding. Worn tracks lose grip on walls. Both are inexpensive to replace and both are easy to ignore until cleaning quality drops.
Store it in the shade. UV exposure is hard on the housing, the cable, and the gaskets. Keep the robot on its caddy with the Caddy Cover, or somewhere cool and out of direct sun between cycles. Leaving it in the pool full time exposes it to sun and chemicals continuously, shortening its life.
Winterize it properly. Clean and dry the filter, drain any water trapped inside, and store it above freezing. If the model is cordless, charge the battery to a little over half before storage rather than leaving it flat or full, and check the storage temperature range in the manual.
Maytronics built the first robotic pool cleaner in 1983. Four decades later, Dolphin is the reference point most people compare other robots against, and the lineup has grown to cover a much wider range of pools than it did at the start.
On the corded side, models like the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi and the Dolphin Nautilus Titan run as long as a cycle needs with full suction the whole way, and can handle floors, walls, and waterline in a single pass.
On the cordless side, the EON and Liberty ranges solve different problems. The Nautilus EON 120d is the coverage specialist, reaching steps, corners, safety ledges, and sun ledges as shallow as eight inches, with DebrisLock backwash filtration that unclogs itself between cycles so suction holds steady. The Liberty 600 is the endurance model, running up to 4.5 hours with multi-layer filtration. Both have Click-Up retrieval that brings the robot to the waterline when you want it out, and Homing, which allows you to select the wall where you want the robot to finish and wait for you.
For above ground and simple inground pools, the Niya lineup brings sonar navigation and replaceable batteries at a lower price point. And for pools where surface debris is the real problem, the Dolphin Skimmi skims leaves and pollen off the water before they sink, which makes any vacuum's job easier.
Connected Dolphin models pair with the Maytronics One app for scheduling, mode selection, and cycle status from your phone.
Explore the full Dolphin residential robot lineup
Find the right Dolphin model for your pool with the Maytronics robot selector
A robotic pool vacuum is a self-contained electric robot that vacuums, scrubs, and filters to clean a pool without connecting to the pool's pump or plumbing. It runs on low-voltage power from either a floating cable or an internal battery, navigates the pool on its own, and collects debris in a filter inside the unit. You rinse the filter after each cycle and store the robot out of the water.
For regular cleaning, yes. A manual pool vacuum takes 30 to 45 minutes of your time per session, cleans the floor only, and sends everything it picks up into your pool filter. A robotic pool vacuum handles the floor, walls, and waterline on its own, prevents frequent backwashing of your pool filter, and runs without your pump. A manual vacuum is still useful for spot cleaning or small pools/jacuzzis.
A standard cycle runs about 1.5 to 4 hours depending on pool size, the model, and the mode. Full cycles that include wall and waterline passes take longer than floor-only modes. Many owners run the robot overnight on a schedule and simply lift it out in the morning.
For anyone who uses their pool regularly, the math works out. A robotic pool vacuum saves 30 to 45 minutes of manual vacuuming a week, reduces chlorine consumption by pulling organic debris out before it decomposes, extends the life of your pool filter, and lets your pump run less. Most owners find the time and chemical savings cover the price difference within one to two seasons.
Yes, as long as the model is rated for above ground use. An above ground pool vacuum is lighter, designed for flat floors, and usually cleans the floor only. Check that the model is compatible with soft-sided or liner pools if you have an Intex-style setup, and check the weight, since you will lift it over the pool wall every time.
A corded model draws unlimited power through a floating cable, so it can run long cycles at full suction without a battery limit. A cordless model runs on a rechargeable battery with no cable in the water, which makes setup faster and avoids snagging. Cordless runtime typically ranges from 1.5 hours on budget units to 4.5 hours on premium ones.
That depends on filter fineness, which is measured in microns. A 150 to 180 micron basket catches leaves, insects, and coarse sand. A 70 micron cartridge catches particles about the width of a human hair. Multi-stage filtration systems capture fine silt, pollen, and dust that coarser filters pass straight through. If your pool gets a lot of fine debris, filtration should be the spec you shop on.
It depends on your pool size, surface type, and whether you want corded or cordless. The specs that matter most are pool size rating, surface coverage, filter fineness, and motor count. Dolphin by Maytronics is the original manufacturer of the robotic pool cleaner with more than 40 years of engineering behind the lineup. The Maytronics robot selector matches models to your specific pool.