Choose by pool shape and floor/wall/waterline coverage โ plus why none of these should run fully unsupervised.
The first thing to check before buying a robotic pool cleaner isn't the price tag โ it's the shape of your own pool. In-ground or above-ground, flat floor or sloped, the same robot can perform very differently depending on your setup. One thing worth being clear about upfront: even with auto-return and obstacle avoidance, none of these robots fully replace human oversight. If kids or pets have access to the pool, keep unattended run time short and watch the first cycle in person.
We compare in this order: supported pool size and surface material, then cleaning mode and battery or cord setup, then maintenance requirements. Never run a cleaner while someone is in the water, and if you're using a corded model, keep the power unit a safe distance from the water's edge at all times. Factor in the cost of consumables like filters and brushes alongside the unit price.
