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Robotic Cleaners

Which Type of Robotic Pool Cleaner Do I Need?

Suction, pressure or robotic, corded or cordless: what each type is, what the makers say each is best for, and which specs to check against your own pool.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The "Search Amazon" buttons and the "Worth a look" links on this page are Amazon affiliate links; we show no prices or ratings. Facts recorded Oct 25, 2026 from the official sources linked on each section. Manufacturer pages and rules change, so check the current version and your model's manual.

Difficulty: measuring and reading spec sheets

Safety first: robots, power supplies and batteries

  • GFCI only. Polaris says its robotic cleaners plug into a GFCI outlet, and Maytronics' U.S. Dolphin LIBERTY safety sheet says the power supply must be on a GFCI-protected circuit. If a GFCI trips by itself, both say not to use the product until the problem is corrected.
  • Distance from the water. The Polaris 9350/9450/9550 manual says to keep the control unit at least 5 ft from the pool edge (U.S. National Electrical Code). Maytronics says to place the LIBERTY battery charger at least 10 ft from the pool edge and at least 4 in above the ground. No extension cords (both makers).
  • Nobody swims with the robot in the pool. Both makers say to take the cleaner out before people get in.
  • Don't open power supplies, chargers or batteries. Polaris says never to open the charging station and not to attempt repair of the cleaner, charging station or cord; Maytronics says the LIBERTY battery is non-replaceable and not to open it. Use the maker's support instead.
  • Impeller blades. Maytronics says to use the impeller safety tool and keep fingers away from the impeller and drive belt.

Sources: Polaris pool cleaners; Polaris 9350/9450/9550 owner's manual; Polaris FREEDOM owner's manual; Maytronics LIBERTY safety instructions (USA)

The question

"Corded or cordless? Floor-only or floor, walls and waterline? Which filter for leaves vs. fine dust? Will it fit my pool?" Start with the three kinds of automatic cleaner, because a robot isn't the only option.

Suction, pressure or robotic: how Polaris describes them

From Polaris's pool-cleaners overview page. These are Polaris's own "best for" statements.
Type How it's powered Where debris goes Polaris says best for
Robotic Doesn't connect to your filtration system or pump; plugs into a GFCI outlet Its own onboard filter Fine and medium debris
Pressure-side Attaches to the circulation system; most need a booster pump and work best with a dedicated pressure line Internal debris receptacle, before the filter Large debris (leaves, acorns, pebbles)
Suction-side Powered by your pool's pump Your pool filter Mainly fine or sandy debris

Source: Polaris: Pool Cleaners

Hayward describes it similarly: suction-side cleaners "use the water flow from your pool's filtration system," with debris collecting in the leaf canister, skimmer basket or filter, while robotic cleaners are "plug-and-play."

Source: Hayward: In-Ground & Above-Ground Pool Cleaners

Manufacturer claim Polaris says its robots are more energy efficient than other cleaners, "using only as much power as a single incandescent lightbulb." That's Polaris's claim; we haven't measured it.

Corded vs. cordless robots: how Maytronics frames it

  • Corded: continuous cleaning cycles and a long cable, which Maytronics calls "ideal for larger or extensively used pools."
  • Cordless: no cord to tangle and easier pickup; on selected models, an ECO mode that Maytronics says can clean a pool "for a whole week on a single charge."

Source: Maytronics: Corded or Cordless

Cordless robots have limits the corded ones don't, and the makers state them. Two real U.S. examples:

  • Dolphin LIBERTY 400 (cordless): maximum pool length 33 ft, default cycle 2.5 hours. Maytronics says charging can take up to 6 hours, and to charge only between 43 °F and 95 °F.
  • Polaris FREEDOM (cordless): Polaris says it cleans "in 2.5 hours or less" and recharges in under 5 hours. Its manual lists 2.5 hours in Floor/Wall mode, 1.5 hours Floor only, 45 minutes Waterline, a water temperature range of 55–95 °F, and charging between 40 and 95 °F.

Source: Maytronics: Dolphin LIBERTY 400 (U.S.); Dolphin LIBERTY user instructions; Polaris FREEDOM; Polaris FREEDOM owner's manual

For a side-by-side table of four cordless models, see Cordless robotic pool cleaners compared.

Match the robot to your pool: what to check

  1. Pool length vs. the robot's rating and cable. Makers rate robots by pool length. Examples: Polaris says the 9450 Sport "cleans pools up to 50' in length" with a 60 ft cable, and the 9550 Sport "cleans pools up to 60' in length" with a 70 ft cable; the Dolphin LIBERTY 400's maximum pool length is 33 ft.
  2. In-ground or above-ground. Check the "pool type" line. Polaris lists the 9450, 9550 and FREEDOM as in-ground; Maytronics lists the U.S. LIBERTY 400 for in-ground and above-ground pools. Maytronics' Australian distributor recommends a lightweight floor-only cleaner for above-ground pools and says some above-ground or vinyl pools can only be cleaned by a floor-only cleaner.
  3. Coverage. Floor only, or floor, walls and waterline. The makers list this on each spec sheet.
  4. Debris and filters. The same Dolphin distributor guide suggests an extra-large multi-layer filter basket for leaves and large debris, and fine or ultra-fine filters for dust and fine dirt.
  5. Cable handling (corded). A swivel on the cable is meant to prevent tangling (Dolphin distributor guide); Polaris lists a "tangle-reducing swivel" on the 9450 and 9550.
  6. Water conditions. Maytronics lists water limits for the LIBERTY: chlorine 4 ppm max, pH 7.0–7.8, salt 5,000 ppm max, water 43–95 °F. Check your model's limits if your pool is salt or very warm.

Source: Polaris 9450 Sport; Polaris 9550 Sport; Dolphin LIBERTY 400 (U.S.); Maytronics Australia distributor guide (Australian model names); Dolphin LIBERTY user instructions

What a robot doesn't do

A robot removes debris. It doesn't replace your pump, filter or water chemistry. WYBOT's own FAQ says its robot "is designed for debris cleaning, not water quality management," and should be used together with circulation, filtration and proper chemical treatment.

Source: WYBOT C2 product page FAQ

What we left out on purpose

  • No "best robot" picks, rankings, prices or star ratings.
  • No square-footage or battery-life claims except the ones printed on the maker's own page, linked above.

Should you DIY? / When to call a pro

Fine to DIY: emptying and rinsing filters, checking brushes and tracks for wear, untangling the cable, clearing debris from wheels, and the user-level steps in your manual.

Call the manufacturer or dealer: motor units, power supplies, chargers, batteries, damaged cords and anything else beyond "routine cleaning and maintenance" (Polaris says that work must be done by a qualified professional). Call a licensed electrician: if the outlet isn't GFCI-protected or the GFCI trips by itself.

See our full When to Call a Pro page. Follow your model's manual; this site isn't a substitute for it, and it isn't legal advice.

If your model isn't listed

The numbers on this page come from specific manufacturer documents and models. If your equipment isn't one of them, don't assume the same numbers apply: find the model number on the rating plate, open that model's manual on the manufacturer's site, or contact the manufacturer. You can also email us with the brand and model number.

Facts from the manufacturer (and where else they came from)

Where to look

Robot links are in the “Worth a look” box above. This button covers a small accessory. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Telescopic pool pole: used with the retrieval hooks some robots includeSearch Amazon