By Justin D. • April 18th, 2025
Welcome back to The Pool Nerd! I’m Justin, your resident pool aficionado, and today, we’re diving into the Aiper Scuba S1—a cordless robotic pool cleaner designed for both inground and above-ground pools.
If you’re here, you’re probably wondering whether this cleaner is worth the money.
Spoiler alert: after testing, I was not impressed. On paper, the Aiper Scuba S1 sounds like a great option, but after testing, it turned out to be what I’d call cordless junk.
Aiper seems to have invested more in marketing than in product development, and with so many paid affiliates, I wanted to bring you a real overview of this product—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Safety Concerns with Aiper Cordless Pool Cleaners
Before diving into the specifics, I need to share a critical warning about Aiper’s cordless robotic pool cleaners. Reports online suggest that some Aiper models, specifically the Seagull Pro, have allegedly caused house fires—with multiple different owners sharing videos of fires on social media.
Update: Since posting, the Aiper Seagull Pro has officially been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This is the 2nd recall for Aiper pool cleaners in the past few years.
Although I haven’t noticed similar reports specifically linked to the Scuba S1, Aiper’s past safety-related issues raise significant safety concerns. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall in August 2023 for over 22,000 Aiper Elite Pro units due to fire and burn risks. The risk of lithium-ion battery issues with a cordless robotic pool cleaner is something to consider seriously before making a purchase.
As many of you know, I’m generally a fan of corded models, and this situation adds another reason to go corded. Beyond the obvious safety concerns, corded cleaners consistently outperform cordless robots across the board:
- Automation: Corded cleaners don’t require daily recharging and most come equipped with a weekly timer, providing a fully automated cleaning experience.
- Power: Corded cleaners have larger motors and deliver stronger, more consistent performance.
- Safety: With the fire recalls and reports associated with cordless models, I’m simply not comfortable charging a cordless pool cleaner in my home.
Aiper Scuba S1 Features & Performance
Navigation and Coverage
The Aiper Scuba S1 comes equipped with Aiper’s WavePath Navigation 2.0, which is supposed to offer a more structured cleaning pattern. However, after watching the Scuba S1 in action for several weeks, I didn’t notice anything remarkable about its navigation. It doesn’t navigate as precisely as I thought it would.
The Scuba S1 has four cleaning modes: auto, eco, floor, and wall. I primarily used auto mode, which is intended to clean the walls until the battery drops to 50%, then switch to the floor and self-park at 15%. However, in practice, I noticed that it seems to lose power and performance as it goes, resulting in a less thorough cleaning.
Cleaning Performance
Cleaning performance is the core of any pool cleaner, and unfortunately, the Scuba S1 leaves much to be desired. On flat, open surfaces, it performs decently, providing a light clean on surface debris. However, if you’re hoping for a deep, thorough clean, the Scuba S1 may disappoint.
Its suction power is lacking compared to corded models, and while it captures small to medium debris, finer particles like silt and sand tend to slip through. The standard mesh filter struggles with small particles, unlike Dolphin cleaners equipped with NanoFilters that deliver crystal-clear water after just a few cycles.
User Complaints and Limitations
The Aiper Scuba S1 has a few recurring complaints from users, and after testing it myself, I understand why. Let’s address the most common issues:
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Inconsistent Cleaning Coverage: Despite having WavePath Navigation 2.0, the Scuba S1 often misses spots, especially in pools with more complex shapes.
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Battery Life: While Aiper advertises up to 150 minutes on a single charge, many users report closer to 60–70 minutes in actual use.
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Awkward Retrieval and Charging: Without a handle, lifting the Scuba S1 out of the pool using a hook can be awkward, especially when it’s full of water.
Getting the Aiper out of the pool with a hook can be a pain // The Pool Nerd
Comparing the Scuba S1 to Other Models
The Scuba S1 faces strong competition in its price range, particularly from Dolphin models. For example:
- The Dolphin Escape offers far superior performance with corded power, dual motors, and active brushes for a more effective clean.
- The Dolphin Cayman features NanoFilter-equipped MaxBin, superior automation, and a weekly smart timer.
Final Thoughts
Pool Nerd Disapproved
My final verdict on the Aiper Scuba S1?
It's Pool Nerd Disapproved
After testing the Aiper Scuba S1, I can confidently say it does not live up to expectations. From the limited cleaning performance to the hassle of recharging, the Scuba S1 feels more like a cordless gimmick than a reliable cleaning solution. Combined with the risk of lithium-ion batteries and recalls on other models, I just don’t feel comfortable recommending any of their cordless cleaners.
For a dependable, automatic robotic cleaner, I recommend investing in a corded model like the Dolphin Cayman, which offers superior power, reliable automation, and better cleaning performance. For more, visit ThePoolNerd.com.
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