Aiper Scuba S1 Pro Review

Hey there, I’m Justin, your resident pool aficionado. And today, we are diving into Aiper’s most expensive and top-of-the-line Aiper Scuba S1 cordless pool cleaner.

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro tries to win over pool owners with its cordless design, sleek look, and sweet marketing. But I’ve tested enough pool cleaners to know that looks can be deceiving—especially when it comes to cordless models. And while it looks great on paper, the subpar performance and constant recharging make this one of the most disappointing robots I’ve ever tested.

There are a lot of things about the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro that may seem great if you’ve never owned a corded model. After years of testing, I’ve found that corded cleaners outperform their cordless counterparts in almost every way, especially for those who need consistent cleaning and long-term durability. While I thought this cordless model might be able to change my perspective—especially since it has a thousand-dollar price tag—it was a huge disappointment in my testing.

Read more about corded vs cordless pool robots →

In this review, we’re going to break down the shortcomings of the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro based on our experience with this robot, what you need to know, and some alternatives I’ve tested that are a way better bang for your buck.

Aiper Pool Cleaner Fires: A Serious Concern

Before I dive in, there is one highly concerning topic I want to share with you: Aiper Fire Risks.

Recent incidents involving another Aiper model, the Aiper Seagull Pro, have sent shockwaves through the pool owners community. While the investigation is ongoing and no legal conclusions have been drawn yet, I did want to share the details with my viewers to inform them.

One report claimed the device allegedly caught fire while charging, resulting in a devastating house fire. Videos and photos of the aftermath flooded social media, showing the destruction of their house caused by the fire. Thankfully, the family escaped unharmed, but their cat needed CPR after being rescued by firefighters—a sobering reminder of the risks these cordless pool cleaners can pose.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Aiper has been accused of selling units with dangerous batteries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently recalled 22,000 units of Aiper’s Elite Pro model due to overheating and short-circuiting risks. These incidents underline a critical flaw in some lithium-ion batteries, particularly in devices like robotic pool cleaners where larger batteries are required. When mishandled or manufactured poorly, these batteries can overheat, catch fire, or even explode.

Given these alarming reports—including a recall and an alleged house fire—it’s hard to recommend any cordless pool cleaner at this time. Safety aside, corded models simply do the job better. They have far stronger suction, better filtration, and they’re always ready to go. No constant recharging, no worrying about overheating—just reliable, hassle-free cleaning.

Until battery technology improves and manufacturers address these risks, cordless cleaners like the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro are just not worth it. Corded models are the better choice for anyone who values performance, safety, and peace of mind.

F Fakespot Rating

You may be asking yourself why so many other people love this robot online. After testing it, I was wondering the same thing. Well, after a deep dive into it, we found on Mozilla’s Fakespot—a company that analyzes reviews via an algorithm—Fakespot’s AI-powered platform gave the Aiper Seagull Pro an F-grade.

Fakespot alleges that a lot of the Aiper reviews are unreliable. Add in a bunch of paid ads and paid reviews by influencers, and it’s easy to fall into the trap they set—that this robot is a solid, reliable cleaner. But in my testing, I found it to be anything but that.

Navigation Issues

The navigation system on the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro is a serious letdown. During our testing on an 8x20 pool, the robot moved in seemingly random patterns, with no discernible cleaning logic.

Large portions of the pool were left untouched, particularly the waterline and shallow areas, which required us to manually reposition the cleaner multiple times. For a device marketed as "smart," its lack of systematic cleaning made it feel anything but. The Scuba S1 Pro’s movements make it seem more like a toy than a serious cleaning tool.

Constant Recharging and Supervision

The frustration with the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro doesn’t stop at its performance—it’s compounded by the constant need for recharging. It felt like we were babysitting the robot more than letting it clean automatically. Hauling it out of the pool isn’t an easy task either. At over 25lbs dry, according to Aiper’s website, this thing is a pain to get out of the pool, especially when it is filled with water.

Even more concerning is the charging process. With the ongoing fire risks tied to Aiper’s lithium-ion batteries, I sure couldn’t leave it charging unattended. This added layer of daily recharging completely ruins the convenience a robotic cleaner is supposed to offer.

Corded cleaners, on the other hand, avoid these problems entirely. They deliver consistent, uninterrupted performance without the need for constant monitoring or mid-cycle interventions.

With a Weekly Smart Timer, you can automatically set your robotic pool cleaner to run daily. This means you only have to go outside and clean the filter once a week—compared to hauling the Aiper in and out of the pool daily to recharge. It’s a vastly different experience after owning both, and I personally would never make the switch to a cordless model.

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro, however, turns what should be a hands-off experience into a tedious, all-day project.

Handling and Weight

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro’s design is anything but user-friendly. At 25 pounds, pulling this hefty cleaner out of the pool felt like an upper-body workout. To make matters worse, the device lacks ergonomic handles, making it awkward to lift. The included retrieval hook, meant to make the process easier, ended up being more of a nuisance than a help—it often slipped, adding even more frustration.

Once you get it hooked, the hook can barely get it out of the water—I heard the plastic on the hook cracking as I lifted it out of the water.

Lighter corded models we’ve tested are significantly easier to handle. With features like well-placed handles and lighter builds, they simplify the process of removal and maintenance. It’s much easier to gently tug the cord, bring the robot to the surface, and lift by the handle.

App Control: A Limited Feature

While the Scuba S1 Pro advertises app connectivity as a selling point, the actual functionality is incredibly limited. The app only works when the cleaner is out of the pool, leaving you with zero control once the device is in the water. Forget about mid-cycle adjustments or monitoring—it’s simply not an option.

By contrast, many corded models include remote control features that let you guide the cleaner or tweak settings while it’s operating. This gap in functionality is just another shortfall I found on the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro.

Filter

Now, one improvement over previous Aiper models I have tested is the filter. It has this basket and ultrafine panel. The water appears to first flow through the panel, then into the basket. However from a design standpoint, this is rather confusing. Comapred to the NanoFilters that power all 4 sides, one would think the water would take the path of least resistance and go around the ultrafine filter.

But the performance of the basket and filter didn't seem to compare to other top brands and models. I am unsure if it was due to the cordless design or the basket itself, but it wasn't better than other top models I have tested in the past.

Would I say it is better than the MaxBin and NanoFilters found on the Dolphin Max-Series? No. But is it an improvement? For sure.

I would have love to see a larger filter basket, as the Quantum's XXL MaxBin is noticeably larger and includes 4 NanoFilter panels, rather than the 1 that the Scuba S1 has.

Debris Leakage: A Frustrating Design Flaw

One of the most aggravating issues with the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro is its poorly designed debris basket. Every time we removed the cleaner from the pool, some debris leaked back into the water. This meant re-cleaning manually or running the cleaner again—neither of which should be necessary with a robotic pool cleaner.

For a robot that costs over a thousand dollars, it’s simply unacceptable. It’s a glaring oversight. If keeping your pool clean feels like a chore even with a robotic cleaner, then what’s the point?

Cleaning Performance: A Major Letdown

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro’s cleaning ability leaves a lot to be desired. During our testing on an 8x20 inground pool, it missed significant portions of the pool, especially in corners and along the waterline. Debris like leaves and twigs remained scattered across the floor even after multiple cleaning cycles. Worse yet, the suction was so weak that it often pushed dirt around instead of collecting it—leaving the pool looking just as dirty as when we started.

When compared to corded cleaners that use commercial power motors at the same price point, it is not a fair fight. The corded models win every time. With better filtration, such as NanoFilters, they clean deeper than the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro did. With constant power, these robots, such as the Dolphin Premier and Sigma, held a consistent output of their motors—while the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro seemed to lose power while it cleaned.

Battery Life and Downtime

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro’s battery life is another glaring disappointment. While it has up to 180 minutes of run time, the Aiper spends more time out of the pool than in it—due to a 4-hour charge time.

This means that if your pool isn’t fully cleaned after the first cycle (and it likely won’t be), you’ll spend the better part of your day waiting to start again.

In contrast, corded cleaners are always ready to go. Plug them in, set them to work, and enjoy the freedom of uninterrupted cleaning. The Scuba S1 Pro, on the other hand, turns pool maintenance into an exhausting, all-day affair.

Comparing the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro perfectly illustrates the pitfalls of cordless pool cleaners: flashy marketing and convenience that come at the expense of performance and real-world use.

It looks sleek and modern, but when put to the test, it fails on basic tasks that corded models breeze through. From weak suction to unreliable navigation, the Scuba S1 Pro fails to meet even the most basic expectations for a pool cleaner—let alone justify its price.

For comparison, the budget-friendly Dolphin Cayman, which includes a weekly smart timer, outperformed the Scuba S1 Pro in every category during our tests—and costs over three hundred dollars less.

And if you’re looking for the gold standard, the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, and Quantum offer unmatched power, navigation, and ease of use. These corded models handle even the toughest pool cleaning jobs with precision and reliability, turning pool maintenance into a hands-free experience. They even include NanoFilters and a Weekly Timer to automate your pool cleaning. So no more daily recharging—just simply set it and forget it.

Final Verdict

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro is the definition of style over substance. While it may attract buyers with its cordless design and modern look, it falls short where it matters most—cleaning performance, reliability, and user convenience. Between its weak suction, poor battery life, and frustrating design flaws, the Scuba S1 Pro created more problems than it solved during our testing.

So what’s my final verdict on the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro?

It’s Pool Nerd Disapproved.

For larger pools or those with heavy debris, the Scuba S1 Pro doesn’t stand a chance. Cordless convenience simply cannot make up for its glaring shortcomings. Corded cleaners like the Dolphin Premier or Sigma deliver superior cleaning power, consistent results, and hassle-free operation, making them a far better investment.

If you value efficiency, reliability, and peace of mind, the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro is not the pool cleaner for you. Its shortcomings—from subpar cleaning performance to safety concerns with its battery—make it a poor choice for pool owners seeking a dependable solution.

Instead, we recommend exploring corded robotic pool cleaners. Models like the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, or the budget-friendly Dolphin Cayman provide superior cleaning power, advanced navigation, and the convenience of consistent, hands-free performance. These cleaners deliver real results without the compromises that come with cordless models. Skip the Scuba S1 Pro and invest in a pool cleaner that truly works.

Your resident pool aficionado.

For over 4+ years, The Pool Nerd has been a leading source in the swimming pool industry. With years of experince owning a swimming pool, our hope here is to guide and help making owning a swimming pool easier.