Beatbot iSkim Ultra Review

Hey guys, welcome back to the Pool Nerd. I'm Justin, your resident pool aficionado. And today we’re looking at a thousand dollar pool skimmer that talks to you, dispenses chemicals, and claims to clean your pool like nothing else. But does it actually earn that price tag? Let’s find out.

If you've followed along with my robotic pool cleaner reviews, you'll know I think most Beatbot products, especially their robotic pool cleaners, are overpriced for what they deliver. Their robotic pool cleaners look impressive in marketing videos but consistently underperform compared to proven alternatives like Dolphin.

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Beatbot iSkim Ultra

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So, when I bought the iSkim Ultra, I was curious: would this be different, or just another case of premium pricing for flashy features that don't improve cleaning performance?

The iSkim Ultra is undeniably cool – it talks to you with a built-in speaker, a large filter basket, and a super nice and functional app. But at $999, you're paying a lot of money for a pool skimmer that gets outperformed by devices costing half as much.

First Impressions

Right out of the box, the first thing you notice about the iSkim Ultra is its weight. This thing is heavy – easily the heaviest pool skimmer I've tested. The build quality feels premium, sure, but there's a fine line between "substantial" and "unnecessarily massive."

The design language screams "premium tech product." The deep blue finish looks fantastic, the large solar panel spans almost the entire top surface, and the LED indicators give it a distinctly modern appearance. But here's the thing about pool equipment I’ve learned – looks don't skim leaves.

The setup process is where Beatbot shows off their tech credentials. The pairing process uses different colored lights to indicate various connection states – flashing green means you're ready to rock.

Speaker System

One of the most unique features of the iSkim Ultra is its built-in speaker system. This thing actually talks to you – announcing when it's ready to go, when the battery needs charging, and when it's time to empty the debris basket. I'll admit, the first time my pool skimmer greeted me with "Ready for cleaning!" I was impressed.

But novelty wears off fast. Do I really need my pool equipment to announce its every move? The Betta SE accomplishes the same communication with simple LED indicators, and honestly, that's plenty.

Performance

The Good: Debris Collection That Works

Credit where it’s due—the iSkim Ultra’s filter basket is deeper than other skimmers I’ve tested. It measures about 11.5 inches long by 7.5 wide and 6 inches deep.

Let’s compare that to the depth on the Betta SE which is 4 inches and the Dolphin Skimmi is 3 inches. So yeah, it holds a lot.

But here’s the thing—it’s not massively bigger than the others – and even has less surface area than others I tested.

The Dolphin Skimmi is actually longer, the Betta SE is wider, and both are easier to dump out. Beatbot just went deeper. And sure, that helps with total capacity, but I kinda wish they’d gone with a wider opening instead. That way, it could scoop up more debris in fewer passes—especially along the edges.

So, while the extra depth helps, it’s not a game-changer. And honestly, the design might’ve been better if they’d focused on surface coverage instead of just volume.

But more importantly, the intake system works well. During testing, the iSkim Ultra consistently picked up almost all the debris on the surface in a single pass. Leaves, pollen, bugs – it grabbed them effectively and kept them in the basket.

The app includes an "accelerate mode" that makes the skimmer zoom across the water surface like a remote-controlled boat. It's genuinely fun to watch and can be useful for targeting specific areas in the pool that leaves may tend to collect.

The Bad: Small Propellers, Big Problems

Here's where the iSkim Ultra's value proposition starts to crumble. Despite the $999 price tag, Beatbot equipped this thing with 2.5-inch propellers – the same size you'll find on the $299 Aiper Surfer S2.

For context, the Dolphin Skimmi is around $500 and has 3-inch propellers, while even the budget-friendly Betta SE and SE Plus use 2-inch propellers that are optimized for their lighter weight.

Propeller size actually matters a lot—it’s what drives suction and determines how well the skimmer can pull in leaves and surface debris. So, when you realize this $999 skimmer is using the same propeller setup as a $299 unit, you have to wonder… where’s that extra $700 going?

In my side-by-side tests with the Dolphin Skimmi, the difference was obvious. Both units picked up debris, sure—but the Skimmi’s larger propellers gave it more consistent suction, especially on windy days when debris gets pushed around. It held its pull. The iSkim… not so much.

Navigation And Sensors

The iSkim Ultra's navigation system deserves more credit than I initially gave it. This thing is packed with what Beatbot calls ultrasonic sensors – both overwater and underwater arrays that are supposed to create a comprehensive obstacle detection and mapping system. Unlike simpler skimmers that just bump and redirect, the Beatbot attempts to map your pool and create efficient cleaning patterns.

In practice, this sensor array works better than expected. The robot seems to know where it's going, avoiding randomly bumping into the pool walls.

Anti-Stranding System

One feature that Beatbot really leans into is what they call the Anti-Stranding System. Sounds high-tech, right? In reality, it’s basically just a pair of adjustable bumpers underneath the skimmer—something we’ve seen on cheaper models like the Betta SE and others.

To their credit, the iSkim Ultra’s version is a bit more refined. The bars adjust and respond to shallow water, which does help it avoid getting stuck on steps or sun shelves. And yeah, during testing it did manage to avoid a few spots that normally trap other skimmers.

But let’s be honest—this isn’t groundbreaking innovation. It’s a common feature with a fancier name. Most decent skimmers have some version of this – in fact, if you haven’t seen my video on the Best Robotic Skimmers of the year – check it out. I cover all the top skimmers and every skimmer on the list includes this feature. And every other cleaner on the list is half the price of the iSkim or less, so make sure to check it out. So while it’s nice that it works as advertised, I wouldn’t call it a reason to justify the $999 price tag.

Weight And Handling

One of the biggest issues with the iSkim Ultra is the weight. This thing is heavy when it’s waterlogged. And to empty the debris tray, you have to lift the whole robot out of the pool and access the filter from the side.

Now compare that to the Betta SE, which has a top-loading basket you can access without ever removing the cleaner from the water. Just pop the lid, grab the tray, dump it, and drop it back in. It’s super easy.

With the iSkim Ultra, not only is it heavier, but the side-loading design means you can’t access the filter while it's still floating—you’ve got to pull the whole soaked unit up onto the deck every time. That adds up fast, especially if your pool sees a lot of leaves.

And this isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety too. And when you’re paying this much money for a skimmer, it needs to be next to perfect. I think Beatbot dropped the ball here in their design.

App And Features

The Beatbot app is… fine. It looks good—clean layout, lots of data, and everything works the way it should. You can track cleaning paths, battery usage, adjust speed, and even monitor debris collection stats in real time, if that’s your thing.

But let’s be honest—most of this is fluff. Does your pool skimmer really need an app? After the first day of playing around with it, I used maybe 10% of what’s in the app. The basics—start cleaning, check the battery, maybe get a reminder to empty the basket—those could’ve been handled just as easily with a couple of LED lights like other cleaners do.

So yeah, the app is polished, and if you like dashboards and charts, you’ll enjoy it—for a bit. But in terms of real-world usefulness? It’s more of a novelty than a necessity.

Remote Control Mode

The iSkim Ultra offers full manual control through the app. You can drive this thing around your pool like a remote-controlled boat, steering it to specific areas or guiding it back to the pool edge for retrieval. This is actually more sophisticated than most competitors – the Betta SE uses a simple RF remote with basic directional controls.

I'll admit, the remote control functionality is useful for pool maintenance scenarios where you have debris stuck in a corner – but in reality, I never really used it. When leaves cluster in a corner or you want to bring the skimmer to you for emptying, being able to drive it precisely where you want saves time and effort.

Clarifier Kit

One thing that makes the iSkim Ultra stand out—at least on paper—is its built-in clarifier dispenser. It’s basically a chemical dosing kit built right into the skimmer, controlled through the app. The idea is that while it’s picking up leaves, it can also drop in clarifying agents to help keep your pool water looking clean.

And sure, that sounds innovative. Cleaning and dosing in one pass? Pretty clever in theory. But here’s the reality: mixing electronics with chemicals is just asking for problems.

Plus, let’s be real—you can buy a bottle of clarifier for like 15 bucks at your local pool store, and it’ll last you months. This kit uses single-use capsules that cost way more and do way less. It’s just not cost-effective.

But the bigger issue? Pool chemistry is not one-size-fits-all. It depends on your pool size, your current chemical levels, the weather, and a dozen other variables this robot just isn’t smart enough to understand. I don’t want my skimmer guessing how much chemical to drop in based on some schedule I set in an app weeks ago.

I use an ICO Pool Water monitor system, which I have also reviewed on my channel, and I didn’t feel the need to ever add any clarifier before the Beatbot and don’t feel the need to add any after. Just by keeping track of my ORP and pH, I’ve kept my pool crystal clear without any clarifier.

So while this feature looks fancy in the marketing video, it’s just another thing that can break. Personally, I’d rather keep chemical treatment and cleaning separate. Let the skimmer handle the debris—and leave chemistry to the systems that are actually built for it.

Solar Performance

The large solar panel does its job, though it's not significantly better than competitors. Under full sun, the iSkim Ultra maintains charge throughout the day and can run extended cleaning cycles. I didn't notice it ever really stopping, as it continuously ran in my pool without ever needing to be recharged.

However, the solar efficiency doesn't feel dramatically better than the simpler systems in the Betta SE or Dolphin Skimmi.

Comparing to the Competition

Here are some of my other picks that outshine the Beatbot iSkim Ultra in value. With skimmer at a third or half the price, there are some other good choices you can look at. I've reviewed all the best robotic pool skimmers, so I'd consider myself an expert by now. Here are my thoughts on the iSkim compared to some of the other top pool skimmers:

Dolphin Skimmi: The Smart Choice at $499

At half the price of the iSkim Ultra, the Dolphin Skimmi offers superior propeller size (3 inches vs 2.5 inches), better build quality from a proven pool equipment manufacturer, and cleaning performance that matches or exceeds the Beatbot. The app is simpler but covers all essential functions without the bloat.

It seems the Skimmi reflects the same thoughts I had when testing both brand’s robotic pool cleaners: Dolphin has a better performance for a lower cost.

The Skimmi's paddle wheel design and larger propellers provide more consistent debris collection.

Betta SE: The Value

For roughly one-third the price of the iSkim Ultra, the Betta SE delivers 90% of the cleaning performance with proven reliability and dead-simple operation. No apps and no speaker – just consistent solar-powered skimming that works day after day.

The Betta SE's top-loading basket design makes emptying debris a one-handed operation, and its lightweight construction means you're not wrestling with heavy equipment every few days. It’s not quite as powerful, but it gets the job done.

Innovation Problem

What frustrates me most about the iSkim Ultra is how much genuine innovation gets wasted on solving the wrong problems. The speaker system, clarifying agent, and complex app represent impressive engineering, but none of these features help it clean up more leaves.

Meanwhile, Beatbot stuck with undersized propellers that limit cleaning effectiveness – the one area where innovation actually matters for a pool skimmer. It's like buying a sports car with racing stripes and premium audio but keeping the economy engine.

Final Verdict

What’s my final verdict?

It’s Pool Nerd Disapproved.

The iSkim Ultra is a beautiful skimmer with the wrong priorities. It talks, it blinks, it even drops chemicals—but it doesn’t clean much better than models that cost half as much. For $999, I don’t want a showpiece. I want a workhorse. And this isn’t it.

Who Might Want It

If you're the kind of pool owner who loves gadgets, doesn’t mind overpaying for bells and whistles, and just wants something futuristic to impress the neighbors? The iSkim Ultra will turn heads. But if performance matters more than flashy features that don't really add to the performance? There are better options—at better prices.

If the iSkim Ultra was half the price, I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. But it’s not.

It's not a bad pool skimmer – it cleaned leaves like a pro, the build quality is solid, and the feature set is undeniably impressive. But at $999, it’s just not worth it when excellent alternatives cost half as much.

The iSkim Ultra feels like a tech demo that somehow made it to market at full retail price. Yes, it's cool. Yes, the app is beautiful. Yes, talking pool equipment has a certain sci-fi appeal. But when you're spending $999 on pool maintenance equipment, you deserve dramatically better performance, not just flashier features.

Here's what I'd buy instead:

For most pool owners, the Dolphin Skimmi at around $500 provides better cleaning performance with superior propellers, proven reliability, and a sensible feature set. You'll save $500 and will never look back.

For budget-conscious buyers, the Betta SE at around $400 delivers 90% of the cleaning performance for less than 40% of the price.

The pool skimmer category doesn't need $999 flagship devices with speaker systems and clarifying agents. It needs reliable, effective debris collection at reasonable prices.

Would I buy it again? Not at current pricing. The performance simply doesn't justify the premium, and better alternatives exist at half the cost. Sometimes in pool equipment, as in life, the flashiest option isn't the smartest choice.

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 pool skimmers and other top pool equipment.

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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.