How we research and score robotic pool cleaners

We'd rather tell you exactly how our recommendations are made than imply something they aren't. Here's the process behind every guide, review and calculator on Robot Pool Cleaner Guide.

What we do (and don't do)

Robot Pool Cleaner Guide is a research-based buyer's guide. We don't run a lab or a test pool, and our reviews are not hands-on tests. Instead, for every robot we:

Start from the live listing and manufacturer specs: robot type, runtime, battery, rated coverage, filtration, cleaning surfaces, weight, warranty.
Treat box numbers as ceilings. Runtime is a best-case floor-only figure, and "coverage" is a rated floor area per charge. We say which figure is shown and what it leaves out.
Cross-check with independent reviews from publications that test hands-on, and note where results differ from the claims.
Read owner reports (retailer reviews, forums, support threads) for problems that appear after months of use: batteries, stuck robots, filter clogs, app and support issues.
Flag uncertainty. When a spec is missing or sources disagree we say so, and we leave a field blank rather than guess.

Each robot page lists the sources we relied on.

How the 10-point score works

Every robot gets four sub-scores, each out of 10:

Cleaning (35%): which surfaces it cleans (floor, walls, waterline, surface), suction and filtration, navigation quality and rated reach.
Convenience (25%): retrieval and parking, runtime or charging burden, app and scheduling, weight and handling.
Build & reliability (20%): warranty, owner-review volume and average rating, brand support record, how long the design has been on the market.
Value (20%): what you get for the street price compared with other robots that do the same job.

The overall score is the weighted average, rounded to one decimal. A 9+ is exceptional, 8–9 is a strong buy for the right pool, and under 7.5 means real compromises. Newer models with few owner reviews are scored cautiously on reliability and can move as the record builds.

A higher score doesn't mean it's the right robot for your pool. A flagship that cleans four surfaces is a bad buy for a small above-ground pool. That's why we built the robot matcher.

Prices

Prices are typical US street prices at the time of our last update, shown as ranges and as price tiers ($ to $$$$) because pool robots are discounted often, especially around spring and Prime events. Always check the current price on Amazon.

Affiliate links and independence

Robot Pool Cleaner Guide is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide which products we recommend or how they are ranked. Brands cannot pay for placement, and we don't accept free products in exchange for coverage.

Updates and corrections

We review our main buying guides at least quarterly and whenever a significant model launches. Each page shows its last-updated date. Spot an error? Tell usand we'll fix it.