Important Things You Need To Know About Residential Robotic Pool Cleaners
If your pool is dirty and you don’t have the time to clean it, perhaps you need one of the best residential pool cleaners out there. These high-tech pool cleaning machines can keep the water of your pool crystal clear with practically no help on your part.
When robotic pool cleaners first entered the market, they were not as great as they were today. Early bots were not as smart and they had issues with climbing walls. On top of that, they get the power from the pool’s circulation pump. But that’s not the case today, as long as you pick a high-quality robotic pool cleaner from a reliable brand.
Over the years, the technology of these automatic pool cleaners has evolved massively. They are now designed to take care of your pool without putting any load on your filter system or skimmer. That’s because manufacturers have equipped them with their own filter system and power supply.
These smart gadgets will remove small debris, algae, dirt, and other common contaminants from your pool while you work on your tan. Hence, pool cleaning has never been easier. But with so many brands and models available, how do you know which is the right one for you? Keep on reading to find out.
How A Robotic Pool Cleaner Works
When it comes to pool cleaning, nothing beats a robotic pool cleaner. It is highly effective at eliminating small and large debris. The robot will navigate its way around the pool water sucking up dirt and scrub pool walls, floors, and tile lines.
A pump and electric motor power robot pool vacuum. Once you plug your unit and set it up, simply place it in the pool water and it will start to do its chore. Your cleaner will lift debris from your pool and collect it in its built-in filter container via its pump. That means it will not rely on and strain your filtration system.
Newer models are even equipped with computer chips that enable you to track their activity. Likewise, this feature allows for more efficient cleaning. However, robot pool cleaners are not as cheap as other types of automatic pool cleaners. Still, this little drawback does not compare to the convenience these machines offer, as well as the money and time you’ll save down the road.
Advantages Of Robotic Pool Cleaners
Smart cleaning
One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of robotic pool cleaners is their astounding abilities. These bots will navigate floors, sucking every pollutant that goes their way, as well as climb and scrub pool stairs and walls. Moreover, they come with long power cords that are tangle-proof, enabling them to clean even those hard-to-reach corners and places.
Depending on the pollution level of your pool water, some models can even automatically adjust their cleaning mode to ensure efficiency. So if pool automation is something that interests you, investing in a robotic pool cleaner should be on top of your list.
Energy-efficient
You don’t have to power up the filter and pump system of your pool since a robotic pool cleaner already has these. The majority of these machines only consume about 60 to 70 watts per hour. This means they use less energy than a regular lightbulb. That means you can enjoy a sanitized, sparkly clean pool without skyrocketing monthly bills.
Money-saver
The upfront fee for this automatic pool cleaner can hurt your wallet. Nevertheless, the lifespan of these machines is more than 8 years. So in the long run, you will get your money’s worth.
Water-saver
Saving water means saving money, and investing in a robotic pool cleaner allows both. Every pool out there comes with a filter system that catches and traps floating debris and filth during ordinary operation. All of these get sucked in the tubes of your pool and into the filter where they’ll stay until you perform backwashing. So the less dirty your pool is, the less frequently you should backwash its filter.
Maintains the chemical balance of your pool
Having a clean pool means the chemicals you’ll put in it will be much more effective if the water is clean. The recommended safe chlorine level is around 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million or PPM. But if you have polluted water, your pool will not benefit from the full effects of chlorine. Robotic pool cleaners get rids of debris, filth, and algae. As a result, it can help make chemicals like chlorine achieve their absolute potency.
An eco-friendly option
In comparison to other cleaners, this type of pool cleaner is more helpful to the environment. It will not generate all sorts of pollution, including noise. Likewise, it does not emit harmful elements, such as gas that can leak into your pool water and affect the condition of your pool and jeopardize the health of your family.
User-friendly
Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you will not get intimidated by the smart cleaning equipment since it’s quite easy to operate. You don’t have to go through any complicated installation procedures once you take it out of its box. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions and you’re good to go.
Using it is not challenging as well. You only have to plug your unit into a nearby outlet, place it in the pool water, and it will do all the cleaning for you. Even the interface of these robots is straightforward.
What About The Cons?
Aside from being expensive, every model has its own shortcomings. That’s why it’s vital to opt for a high-quality robotic pool cleaner from a dependable company like the Dolphin Sigma by Maytronics® to ensure your bot will last.
Often, the repair costs of these devices can be expensive. Also, they may not be the best option when it comes to removing large sticks, heavy debris, acorns, or leaves. Likewise, they may not perform as great on pools with steep slopes, beach entry, or uneven surfaces.
Furthermore, these automatic pool cleaners are not meant to operate on repeat schedules daily. Nevertheless, you can find high-end robotic pool cleaners that feature a programmable timer, which is quite handy when going on a quick vacation.
How To Choose The Best Robotic Pool Cleaner
Pool surface
The first thing you need to know when shopping for a pool cleaner is the kind of surface you have. Nowadays, most robotic pool cleaners can handle all floor types. But if you have a fiberglass pool or slick tile, opt for a robot with a super grip, soft PVA brush. Meanwhile, a wheeled unit or those with regular rubber PVC brushes is fine for other surfaces.
Cord length
Another important thing to keep in mind is the power cord length since all robotic pool cleaners have a specific cord length. You want a unit with enough power cord capable of reaching the most distant point from your energy supply.
When on the market for a pool cleaner, make sure to factor pool depth along with the fact that your power supply is usually 12 feet from the edge of your pool. In general, it is better for the cable to be extra long than not have enough.
Pool type
Not every robotic pool cleaner is created the same. Pool shapes and sizes vary as well. Additionally, your pool’s stairs, steps, waterline, and the kind of debris collected will all come to play here. Therefore, it is vital to determine the type of pool you have.
For instance, if you have a large swimming pool and you’ll buy a corded robot, it just makes sense to select a pool cleaner with a longer cord. Better yet, opt for a cordless, powerful unit. Choosing a cleaner with a short cable will limit its reach, and you may see yourself shifting the energy supply during cleaning sessions.
Suction power
Make sure to check out the suction power of the model you are eyeing. This is often measured in gallons per minute or GPM. A robotic pool cleaner with a good suction has a GPM above 70. The higher the number, the more powerful the machine is.
Wheels or tracks
Tracks or wheels help the robotic pool cleaner move around your pool. Wheel-driven units come with either a set of two or four wheels attached to them. They are a good choice if you’re after an economical option since the wheeled variant does not depreciate faster. Likewise, it will be able to easily navigate your pool and provide exceptional results.
On the other hand, track-driven cleaners offer stronger traction and grip. Also, this variant tends to be more effective at loosening debris and filth in the pool’s waterlines and walls. Plus, robotic pool cleaners with tracks have rotating scrubbers that allow for more power and deeper cleaning.
Durability
When investing in a smart device, make sure that it is made of high-quality materials and with comprehensive warranty coverage. To see if the unit is worthy of your investment, it is advisable to check out user feedback and reviews. Doing so will enable you to assess common faults or issues and can help you make a sound decision.
Warranty
As mentioned above, warranty coverage is also an essential factor when looking for the best robotic pool cleaner. Make sure that the unit has a warranty of at least one year. The coverage of the warranty will differ from one manufacturer to the next so make sure to contact the company to get more details. Also, you may want to ask them about their extended warranty period.
Should I Buy a Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Without a doubt, robotic pool cleaners are innovative machines that changed the way we clean our pools. They can save you so much physical effort, energy, and time, along with offering a more efficient and hassle-free way of pool maintenance.
To get the best value, make sure to consider the attributes, such as pool size, shape, and so on instead of just the product’s price tag. Focus on what the robot has to offer, what it can do, and the type of cleaning jobs you want. Additionally, you may want to opt for a reputable brand such as Maytronics, Polaris, and Hayward, to name a few to ensure a long-lasting product.
Remember that regardless of the price of your cleaner, if you’re not satisfied with its performance and it’s not built to last, you’re not getting a good value out of your purchase.