By Justin D. • September 19th, 2025
Cordless pool cleaners sound like the future — drop it in, no cord, no fuss. That's the dream the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro tries to sell. But before you hit "buy now" on this thirteen-hundred-dollar robot, there are things you should know.
Hey guys, welcome back to the Pool Nerd. I'm Justin, your resident pool aficionado. Today, I'm diving into the new Aiper Scuba X1 Pro.
One thing I should note before diving further in is that Aiper has issued two product recalls through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the past two years, affecting a combined total of more than 50,000 units across different models.
And while I didn't encounter any safety problems with the Scuba X1 Pro during my testing, that history is worth noting for anyone considering a cordless Aiper pool cleaner. The recalls involved potential burn and fire hazards, according to the CPSC.
While the Scuba X1 Pro is not part of those recalls, it's something to be aware of as you weigh your options. So today, I'll walk you through what it was like to own and use the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro and some other alternatives I'd recommend instead.
My hands-on testing showed other trade-offs: weak suction and more day-to-day involvement than I'd expect from a robot at this price point.
First Impressions — Sleek on the Surface
Unboxing the Scuba X1 Pro, it made a strong first impression.
The matte black shell with subtle blue accents looks modern and polished. It feels sturdy, not cheap. And the spec sheet is impressive:
- Dual motors, each rated at 6,500 GPH
- 30 onboard sensors for navigation
- Up to 180 minutes of runtime in Eco mode
- App connectivity
If you just judged it by design and specs, you'd think Aiper had built a cordless powerhouse.
But as with most cordless cleaners, the reality doesn't live up to the promise. That "up to 180 minutes" only applies in Eco mode. Switch to wall-cleaning or waterline mode, and runtime drops. Max mode — the setting you actually want for heavy debris — uses the battery even quicker.
That's the story of the X1 Pro in a nutshell: it looks great on paper, but the day-to-day experience tells a different story.
Battery Life — Convenience or Chore?
The biggest trade-off with cordless robots is the constant recharging, and the X1 Pro is no exception.
Here's what pool ownership with the X1 Pro looks like:
- Pull 26 pounds of wet robot out of the pool
- Lug it to the charger
- Wait 3–4 hours for a full recharge
- Toss it back in for the next cycle
If you want a consistently clean pool, you're repeating this every single day during pool season. That's 14 separate interactions per week.
By contrast, the Dolphin Premier runs on corded power for three full hours every cycle every single day. Without you having to go outside to charge it once. No downtime, no babysitting, no wondering if it will finish. I set the weekly timer once, and the robot handles itself every single day. All you have to do is rinse the filter. That's what convenience looks like.
With the X1 Pro, cordless "convenience" comes with the daily chore of recharging. Which isn't very convenient.
Suction Power — A Big Disappointment
Suction is the single most important feature of any pool robot. If it can't actually pull debris in, it doesn't matter how smart the navigation looks or how polished the app feels.
Aiper advertises the Scuba X1 Pro at 6,600 gallons per hour, but that number is misleading. GPH measures how much water the pump can move, not how much force it actually has at the intake. And when we put it in the pool, it quickly became obvious that the raw suction just wasn't there.
Watching the X1 Pro at work felt a bit like watching a little electric go-kart try to keep up with a Lamborghini on a racetrack. It moves, it runs, it looks sleek — but it never delivers that same punch. Leaves would swirl around the intake instead of disappearing. Larger debris often sat untouched. Fine dirt and silt needed multiple cycles to even make a dent.
By comparison, corded models like the Dolphin Premier clear the same spots in a single pass. That's the real gap between cordless and corded right now: commercial-grade, consistent power versus something that looks good but too often underdelivers.
Filtration — Just Okay
Aiper markets the X1 Pro's filter as "Ultra-Fine," but in practice, it's a sleeve over a standard basket. It handles large debris fine, but anything small — like pollen, silt, fine dust — it wasn't as good as other cleaners at picking up.
Cleaning the filter is also tedious. Debris gets trapped in the folds, and rinsing it out takes longer than it should.
Compare that to the Premier's Multi-Media system, which lets you swap between NanoFilters, fine cartridges, and even an oversized leaf bag depending on the season. Or the Quantum's XXL MaxBin, which holds nearly double the debris of the X1 Pro and empties in seconds.
The X1 Pro's filter works, but at this price point, "just okay" isn't enough.
Intake Width — Small Mouth, More Passes
One detail that doesn't get talked about enough is intake width — basically, how wide the "mouth" of the robot is when it's vacuuming debris. The Scuba X1 Pro has a 7.75-inch intake, and in practice, that feels cramped.
A narrower intake means the robot has to make more passes over the same area to pick everything up. I noticed this when watching it: it would clean a strip, but small bits of debris would be left right at the edges of its path. Over the course of a cycle, those missed spots add up.
For comparison, the Dolphin Premier has a 9.5-inch intake, while the Dolphin Sigma goes even wider at 10 inches. That extra couple of inches doesn't sound like much on paper, but in real-world use it's the difference between finishing the job in a single pass versus needing multiple attempts.
It's the same idea as mowing a lawn with a narrow push mower versus a wide-deck one. Both can get the job done, but one takes more time, more energy, and more overlap. With a premium cleaner in this price range, I expect efficiency — and the X1 Pro's narrower intake holds it back.
Weight and Handling — A Workout Every Time
The X1 Pro weighs 26.4 pounds dry. And that is without water. That's a serious lift every time you pull it out of the pool.
Aiper includes a plastic hook that attaches to a pool pole, but it feels flimsy under the weight. More than once, I thought the pole would snap as I pulled the robot up. And even when you get it to the surface, hauling it onto the deck while water gushes out is awkward and messy.
Corded robots weigh less, drain faster, and can be pulled out by the cord. With the X1 Pro, every cleaning cycle ends with a mini workout.
Smart Features — Hidden Behind a Paywall
The app is another area where the X1 Pro looks good at first but stumbles in practice.
The interface is sleek. You can check battery levels, switch modes, and get status updates. But once the robot goes underwater, the Wi-Fi connection drops completely. No steering. No mid-cycle changes. No live monitoring.
That means your app is useless as soon as the Aiper hits the water.
Aiper's solution is the HydroComm Pro module, which allows underwater communication and water quality monitoring. It sounds cool — until you realize it costs an extra three to four hundred dollars at the time of writing this. I have a review on it coming up as well, so make sure to subscribe for that as well!
That brings your total around seventeen to eighteen hundred dollars at the time of writing this.
Meanwhile, the Dolphin Sigma includes full app connectivity out of the box. You can steer it underwater, schedule cleanings remotely, and even download firmware updates. No add-ons required.
The X1 Pro's app feels more like a demo version — useful on the surface, useless underwater.
Safety Concerns — Why Consumers Should Know
I need to circle back to safety, because it's important.
I didn't experience overheating or charging issues with my X1 Pro. But Aiper's recall history speaks for itself:
- 2023: 22,000 Elite Pro robots recalled for overheating and burn hazards
- 2025: 35,000 Seagull Pro robots recalled after 19 reports of melting, smoking, or catching fire while charging
That's two major recalls in two years, both related to lithium-ion batteries.
To be clear: I'm not saying the X1 Pro will have the same issue. But if you're considering a cordless robot, you should be aware of the pattern.
Value — Why It's Hard to Recommend
At $1,299, the Scuba X1 Pro gives you:
- A sleek design
- Cordless convenience (with daily recharging)
- Decent but underwhelming suction
- A basic filter system
- Smart features hidden behind a $500 paywall
It's fine if cordless convenience is your absolute top priority. But in terms of value? It's hard to recommend.
For the same price or less, corded robots like the Premier, Sigma, and Quantum deliver:
- Stronger suction
- Larger and more advanced filters like NanoFilters
- Built-in app features
- True set-and-forget automation with weekly timers
That's a lot more bang for your buck.
Better Alternatives
If you're serious about getting the best robotic pool cleaner, skip the hype and go with one of these three. They're the gold standard right now, and after testing dozens of models, I can confidently say they outperform the Scuba X1 Pro — and pretty much everything else.
Dolphin Premier – The #1 robotic pool cleaner
The Dolphin Premier is hands down the best robotic pool cleaner you can buy today. No other model I've tested balances power and reliability like the Dolphin Premier. Its dual commercial-grade motors are built to last season after season, delivering suction that doesn't fade with time. That kind of durability is rare in this category, and it's why so many pool owners stick with the Premier for years.
What seals the deal is the Multi-Media filtration system. You get four filter options — oversized leaf bag, standard cartridges, NanoFilters, and even disposable filters — so you can match the setup to your pool's conditions at any time of year. Fall cleanup, spring pollen, or everyday dirt, the Premier handles it all. And with the Weekly Timer, it's a true "set it and forget it" robot. No babysitting. No daily chores. Just a cleaner that quietly does its job better than anything else out there. If you want the best, this is it.
Dolphin Sigma – The best high-tech cleaner
The Sigma is the perfect choice if you want cutting-edge technology without giving up power. With its triple commercial-grade motors, the Sigma has incredible suction that rivals the Premier, and the workload is spread across three motors for long-term durability. It even includes NanoFilters that help the Sigma pull out small microscopic gunk and debris that pass through standard mesh filters.
But where the Sigma really pulls ahead is navigation and smart features. Its built-in gyroscope gives it pinpoint accuracy in the pool, covering every inch with precision instead of bouncing around randomly. And the MyDolphin Plus app is the real deal — unlike Aiper's paywalled app which you need to buy the HydroComm Pro for it to work underwater, this one actually works underwater – without any add ons. You can start and stop cycles, schedule cleanings, steer the robot directly, or even use Siri voice commands. It's one of the most advanced, user-friendly pool cleaners on the market. If you want power and smart tech, Sigma is the one to go with.
Dolphin Quantum – The best value
The Quantum is the definition of getting the most for your money. Its massive XXL MaxBin filter basket holds nearly twice as much debris as most competitors, so you don't have to stop and empty it constantly. And it comes standard with NanoFilters, which filter your water like a pro. The difference is visible — pools cleaned by the Quantum look clearer and crisper than with other mid-range robots.
Pair that with strong suction power and a weekly timer, and you've got a robot that delivers premium-level results at a friendlier price point. If the Premier is the best overall and the Sigma is the best high-tech cleaner, then the Quantum is the clear best value.
Final Verdict
What's my final verdict on the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro?
It's Pool Nerd Disapproved.
I gave the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro a fair shot. I tested every mode, ran it in my pool for days, and lived with the daily charging routine. And while it looks great and can handle basic cleaning, it falls short where it matters most: suction, filtration, runtime, and ease of use.
Add in the $500 add-on for full smart features, and you're spending nearly $1,800 on a robot that still lags corded competitors.
If cordless convenience is the one thing you value above all else — and you're willing to live with the trade-offs — the X1 Pro will clean your pool. But you'll work harder for it than you should.
For most pool owners, corded models like the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, or Quantum are simply smarter buys. They're stronger, more reliable, easier to live with, and deliver better long-term value.
Cordless pool cleaning may be the future. But the Scuba X1 Pro proves we're not there yet.
As always, if you wanna keep nerding out over your pool, head on over to my deals page at ThePoolNerd.com/deals where I post the best deals on robotic pool cleaners and other top pool equipment.
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