Pool robot buying guide: no more tedious cleaning!
In spring you want to get ready for the season again.
You get your garden ready for spring and look forward to a cozy get-together with family and friends.
This also includes maintaining and cleaning your pool so that you and your family and friends can relax and swim a few laps.
To make the pool party a success, you need a sizable pool.
This remains hygienic and looks well-maintained if you clean it regularly with an electric pool robot .
The matching models are available here at Poolstark.de .
At a glance:
Pool robot versus pool vacuum: which is which?
What is an electric pool robot?
Operating principle of electric pool robots
Brand diversity: How do the models differ?
Battery pool robot: wireless freedom
Pool robot from Maytronics ("Dolphin")
Pool robot versus pool vacuum: which is which?
A pool vacuum cleaner is connected to the pool filter system. The pool vacuum cleaner is moved by the suction power of the filter system. This means that it does not require an external power connection or its own filter system.
He randomly moves through the pool and cleans it.
The two advantages are that the costs for such a hydraulic pool vacuum are low and that hydraulic pool vacuums do not require any additional electricity.
The situation is different with electric pool robots.
An electric pool robot is an independent device with its own power connection and filter system. This means it moves completely independently through the pool.
Thanks to the innovative technology based on integrated microprocessor technology and control logic, it is possible for an electric pool robot to follow a specially designed cleaning route for the pool and then clean it. As soon as the work is done, the robot switches off automatically.
Until now, pool robots were usually connected to a power source with a power cable (see, for example, the Voyager from Zodiac pool robots). Zodiac pool robots now also offer a battery-powered pool robot with the Freerider (see RF 5400 iQ).
What is an electric pool robot?
An electric pool robot is a working device for cleaning the swimming pool. In order to work, it is not connected to the garden hose or pump as a hydraulic device, such as pool robots.
Rather, it gets its energy from electricity.
It is not the water pressure like with a hydraulic pool vacuum that loosens the dirt (see also pool vacuum test ). Rather, with an electric pool robot, an electric motor ensures cleanliness. The loosened dirt ends up in a net.
Pool robot care
The pool robot works best when it is cleaned regularly.
To do this, it is usually sufficient to spray the pool robot with clean water after use. The filter should also be cleaned regularly.
To be on the safe side, you can remove the filter bag and keep it dry to avoid rotting due to too much moisture.
If the pool robot is constantly exposed to wind and weather, the weather can attack the material. Therefore, it is better to store it in a protected, dry environment, for example in the pool technology house.
To protect the electronics of the pool robot, a protective cover is recommended.
Covered with the protective cover in a dry room, the pool robot also survives the winter well. Otherwise, you do not have to specifically winterize the pool robot .
In general, if the pool robot has not been used for a long time, it is recommended to first remove any coarse contamination from the pool and the pool water (e.g. with a landing net). Then the filter of the pool robot doesn't get clogged straight away.
Operating principle of electric pool robots
Electric pool robots can work autonomously as robots.
They run along the bottom of your pool and suck up any accumulated dirt.
Other electric models are similar to a handheld vacuum cleaner. You can operate this model independently and have the advantage of being able to clean precisely where it is required. You can also use these devices to vacuum dirt from the surface of the water.
Brand diversity: How do the models differ?
The strength of the electric motor determines the suction power of the electric pool robot . The more circulation the electric motor creates, the more efficient the cleaning of your pool.
The cable length of the electric pool robot is also important. The cable length defines the limits of your freedom of movement in the pool.
The surface of the floor and walls in the pool also plays a fundamental role. A solid brick pool with tiles, a liner pool or the frequently used polyester pools have different grip properties.
Therefore, there are models with tires, four-wheel drive and tracked drive.
We would like to introduce you to some of the variety of models available.
Think about your needs and what demands you place on the device.
How big is your pool and what is it like?
It is worth comparing the design of pool vacuums and pool robots and their respective performance in more detail.
So you can find the pool cleaner in our range that suits your needs.
Pool vacuum from Intex
Small above-ground pools or in-ground pools can be easily cleaned with an Intex pool vacuum.
The Intex pool vacuum cleaners work hydraulically via the water inlet of your pool. The water pressure from the filter pump is enough for the pool vacuum to randomly run over the bottom of your pool like a robot, cleaning it in the process.
Every time it hits a pool wall, the Intex pool vacuum moves backwards at a random angle.
The filter pump in your pool must have a capacity of at least 6056 liters per hour for the pool vacuum to work reliably. The included swimming pool hose allows a range of motion of 6.5 or 7.5 meters, depending on the model.
The pool vacuum cleaners from Intex have a good price-performance ratio.
Pool vacuum cleaner from Steinbach
The Steinbach pool vacuum cleaners are in a higher price range. The offer starts with hydraulic robots that require a minimum filter system output of 6,000 liters per hour and have a 9.6 meter long swimming pool hose.
The high-end model offers fully automatic operation and is able to clean the floors and walls of your pool. The vacuum robot works with 24 V with a pump capacity of 20,000 liters per hour. With its length of 18 meters, the included cable allows for easy cleaning of pools of up to 50 m3.
The device control of the Steinbach pool vacuum cleaner is possible via an app that was developed for iOS and Android.
Battery pool robot: wireless freedom
Cordless pool robots are a relatively new innovation on the market and offer demanding pool owners wireless freedom.
Companies like Zodiac and Dolphin have developed premium models specifically designed for inground pools. At Zodiac it is the Zodiac Freerider RF 5400 iQ and at Dolphin it is the Dolphin Liberty 200, Dolphin Liberty 300 and Dolphin Liberty 400 models.
These battery-powered pool robots use the proven cleaning technology of their wired counterparts and ensure thorough and efficient cleaning of the pool.
A big advantage is that they work without cables, which allows them to easily clean the pool even under a cover. There are no cables lying around that could serve as a tripping hazard. This makes the use of battery-powered pool robots not only convenient, but also safe.
These modern devices allow pool owners to enjoy the benefits of automatic pool cleaning without having to worry about cables or limitations.
Pool robot from Maytronics (“Dolphin”)
As a market leader, Dolphin offers an impressive variety of pool robot models to meet the individual needs and requirements of every pool owner.
No matter whether you have a small above-ground pool or a large in-ground pool, there is a Dolphin pool robot for you. From compact models designed specifically for small pools to powerful robots equipped with advanced technology, Dolphin offers the optimal cleaning solution for every pool.
With innovative features such as an intelligent navigation system, programmable cleaning cycles and efficient filtering, Dolphin pool robots ensure thorough and time-saving pool cleaning.
The Dolphin Liberty 200, 300 and 400 are the battery-powered pool robots from Maytronics that make cleaning your pool easier.
These intelligent robots are able to thoroughly clean the bottom and walls of your pool, giving you one less thing to worry about. The Dolphin Liberty 400 goes one step further and also cleans the waterline of your pool. This is particularly useful as dirt and debris often collect in this area. With the Dolphin Liberty 400 you can ensure that your pool is completely clean and hygienic.
The battery life of these pool robots is impressive and allows you to clean your pool without interruption. The operation is simple and intuitive, so you can start the robot quickly and effortlessly.
With the Dolphin Liberty 200, 300 and 400 you have the opportunity to keep your pool clean and well maintained without having to put in a lot of effort. Enjoy the summer and let the pool robot do the work for you!
Pool robot from Zodiac
Hydraulic pool vacuum cleaner
The manufacturer Zodiac also offers hydraulic pool vacuums and electric pool robots. The hydraulic devices are connected to your pool's filter pump.
A pool cleaner with a membrane drive offers optimal mobility. Its colleague with a caterpillar drive stands for optimal cleaning results.
The models require a minimum filter pump performance of 6,000 or 8,000 liters of water per hour.
Various electric pool robots from Zodiac
The manufacturer Zodiac has several automatic pool robots in its range. They differ greatly in their design and functionality.
With a Zodiac pool robot you can raise the bar for cleaning your pool. Thanks to the cyclone technology, a constant vortex of air is created, which easily absorbs all dirt particles and keeps them moving. This means that the filtering always remains efficient and free of blockages.
To enjoy your robot more, you should store it in a dry and frost-free place. To ensure maximum safety and order, the use of a caddy/stand is particularly recommended. This allows the device to be safe and in good hands even over the winter.
Zodiac devices are suitable for a salt content of up to 0.5%. However, it is important to clean the device thoroughly, both inside and out, after use to ensure the device has the best possible lifespan.
That's why it's worth taking a closer look at the highest price range:
Zodiac CyclonX
The CyclonX model series comes with three versions for pools from 12 x 6 to 10 x 5 meters. Integrated sensors help the vacuum robots to clean effectively on all pool floors. The high suction power is guaranteed by the cyclone vortex technology. You can control some models via the app or simply lift them out of your pool using the lift system.
An electric pool robot with a maximum power of 150 W is a very good solution.
Zodiac vortex
There are four types of pool cleaners available as floor vacuums in the Vortex model series. These electric pool robots are four-wheel drive vacuum robots that overcome obstacles. They adhere perfectly to walls and floors and cope very well with different floor conditions.
The specially developed technology allows for thorough and powerful cleaning of your pool. With this development, Zodiac achieves 30% higher performance than that of comparable pool cleaners: The idea behind the cyclone technology is that dirt particles remain constantly in motion while vacuuming, so that they can be sucked in constantly. This means the filter stays free for longer.
Some models have lift technology: you can easily take the vacuum cleaner out of the pool at the end of its work. The largest possible pool size that the four robots can easily capture is 12 x 6 meters.
When it comes to pool floor cleaning, the models differ in additional functions as well as the possibility of app control.
Zodiac Voyager
The three models of the pool robot Voyager differ from the Vortex in the upstream arrangement of helix rotating brushes.
The Voyager pool robots also have cyclone technology for pool floor cleaning, which makes sucking up dirt particularly effective.
Some models can simply be lifted out of the water and controlled via an app. Integrated sensors in the robot vacuum cleaner ensure intelligent cleaning of your pool regardless of the surfaces.
The filter basket is very easy to reach for cleaning.
Zodiac Alpha iQ
The four pool robots from the Alpha IQ series are intelligent asphalt animals: They not only have cyclone cleaning technology, but also independently adapt their working methods to the local conditions of your pool. The Sensor NavSystem™ technology helps you do this, which continuously detects the bottom of your pool.
All models can be easily lifted out of the pool using the lift system and can be controlled via an app developed for Android and iOS.
The maximum recorded pool size varies depending on the model between 12 x 6, 15 x 7 and 20 x 10 meters.
Zodiac Freerider (battery pool robot)
The Zodiac Freerider FR 5400 iQ is a battery-powered pool robot.
It combines the quality features of Zodiac's other electric pool robots with the freedom of movement of a cordless device.
The Freerider impresses with its strong suction power, thorough cleaning thanks to the double-stage cyclone technology and easy care and maintenance.
It is very suitable for all private pool shapes and surfaces. Of course, the prerequisite is that the water parameters are good and the walls are not slippery.
The Zodiac Freerider is the consistent further development of the two successful models Voyager and alpha.
And therefore absolutely recommended.
Use and care of electric pool robots
An electric Zodiac pool robot works best in a pool temperature between 10 and 35 °C.
To operate the pool robot electrically, run the entire cable straight alongside the pool so that it doesn't get tangled while you work. Only allow the pool robot to work under your supervision. To ensure that the pool robot can work electrically safely, place the control box at least 3.5 m from the edge of the pool.
Automatic pool robots can differ in the type of cleaning: Should they only clean the floor or the floor and walls of your pool?
Good robots for pools are in no way inferior to vacuum robots for apartments. They collect dirt in containers, clean intelligently and are easy to keep clean. Pool vacuums are an efficient time solution for you. Under the supervision of the device, you can relax or do light work in your garden while the vacuum cleaner cleans the pool. Gone are the days of manually cleaning your pool.
Check out our range of pool robots and choose the model that suits your needs!