Best Pool Skimmers

I dumped hundreds of leaves – over and over - in my pool to find out which robotic pool skimmer is best. From filter basket to propeller size and even motor strength, I measured it all. After testing and reviewing each model, I built a no non-sense tier list that lets you know which is best for you and your pool. From best value, best splurge, and best overall – I'll show you what each did well, what I didn’t like, and which one’s worth your money.

Hey there and welcome back to the Pool Nerd. I'm Justin, your resident pool aficionado. After dozens of hours of research and real-world use, I’ve ranked the top skimmers on performance, usability, and value. This review is completely unsponsored—just my unbiased take to help you buy the best cleaner.

I wasn’t going to crown a “best” skimmer without proof. So, I set up the same mess for every robot—buckets of leaves, identical setups, timed cleanups. And as always, if you need any help deciding which is right for you, drop a comment below and I’ll help you find one that is right for you!

What to Look For

If you’re shopping for a robotic pool skimmer, there are a handful of features that actually make a difference that you'll need:

Solar Powered

You don’t want to have to ever charge your cleaner. If you’ve watched my reviews on corded vs cordless robotic pool cleaners, you’ll know cordless robotic pool cleaners are inferior. But since skimmers are on the surface of the water and don’t need a lot of power, they can constantly recharge themselves between or even during cleaners. Once your skimmer hits the water, if you choose the ones of my list, you’ll likely never need to take it out of the pool. It’s a true hands-off solution besides cleaning out the filter.

Look for a Skimmer that Picks up debris like a champ

Look for a skimmer with a wide opening and a good propeller setup. That way it can scoop up big leaves floating on the surface and even those little bits of debris you’d normally miss.

Handles wind and currents without drifting all over

Some units wander off course the moment there’s a breeze. The good ones keep moving in the right direction, even when the water’s choppy or if your pump is circulating water in the pool, so they don’t waste time just spinning around.

Easy to empty without getting your hands dirty

A simple basket or tray you can pull out, dump, and pop it back in is a game changer. No one wants to fish out soggy leaves by hand. It should be as easy as flipping up a lid, lifting a basket, and dumping it out.

Cleans with purpose, not just random wandering

The aimless back-and-forth might look cute, but it wastes time. Smarter skimmers follow a pattern, so they cover the whole surface faster and more efficiently. The skimmers on my list all have sensors that help guide them around your pool, so they’re not just randomly bumping into your pool wall.

What to Avoid

Some features sound great in marketing but don’t really deliver I noticed. Here are some of the most overrated features I don’t think you need:

• Tiny “wave-maker” props that don’t do much – Some brands love to talk about their “improved propulsion,” but the truth is, plenty still get shoved around by the slightest breeze. It’s not really an upgrade if the thing can’t hold its course.
• Flashy designs that don’t add value – A sleek, futuristic look might be fun to show off, but it won’t pick up a single leaf. When it comes to pool skimmers, performance should always come before style.
• Apps you’ll forget about after the first week – App control sounds impressive on the box, but most people stop using it once the novelty wears off. Don’t pay extra for features you won’t touch after a week.
• Short battery life disguised by fast charging – A quick recharge is nice, but if you have to plug it in every day, it’s still a hassle. A longer run time beats a fast charger any day.
• “Anti-stranding” add-ons that aren’t high-tech at all – A lot of so-called navigation upgrades are really just bits of plastic meant to keep the unit from getting stuck. They help a little, but they’re no substitute for real obstacle avoidance.

Best Pool Skimmers

After months of testing, here are my top picks for the best pool skimmers.

Best Value: The Betta SE Solar Pool Skimmer

For around $370, the Betta SE is hands down the best bang for your buck in the solar skimmer game. I'll be honest—I didn't expect much from a $370 skimmer when I first tossed it in the pool. But this little guy completely blew my expectations out of the water and earned its spot as my top value pick.

What makes it so great? First off, it's dead simple. No apps, no startup sequences, no babysitting required, and most importantly – no charging ever. You literally take it out of the box, peel off some protective stickers, and throw it in the pool. That's it. The remote pairs instantly, and it starts cruising like it's been waiting all winter for this exact moment.

The magic here is in the design philosophy—they kept it simple and nailed the essentials. The 2-inch propellers might sound small compared to some competitors, but they're perfectly optimized for the SE's lightweight construction. This isn't about raw power; it's about efficiency and reliability. And let me tell you, it works.

But here's where the SE really shines: that top-loading basket design. When it's time to empty debris, you just pop the lid up, grab the basket, dump it, and slap it back in. No screws, no weird twisting mechanisms, no water gushing all over your deck. You pop the tab anf lift the basket – it's that easy.

It's easier than cleaning a skimmer net. Compare that to other skimmers where you're kneeling on the deck, lifting heavy robots out of the pool, and wrestling with side-loading designs—the SE just makes sense.

The solar charging is where this thing becomes truly hands-off. I threw mine in the pool and it never left the pool. Not even to clean the filter. No cords, no charging stands, no fishing it out when the battery dies. That big solar panel keeps it cruising from dawn to dusk, and even on overcast days, it just keeps going. After several weeks of use, I haven't touched my pool net once.

Performance-wise, it delivers what I would say is about 80-90% of the cleaning power of units costing twice as much. It's not the most powerful skimmer on the market, but it gets the job done day after day without any drama. The dual sensors and bumpers mean it doesn't just randomly ping-pong around your pool—it navigates around your pool gently turning as it approaches the walls.

The propellers measure at 2.5 inches, which is rather standard. But, the big difference is the lightweight design means it doesn't need as much power to push it through the water.

Who it's perfect for: Budget-conscious pool owners who want reliable, hands-off cleaning without paying top dollar. If you have light to moderate leaf loads and want something that just works without any fuss, the SE is your answer. It's also great for anyone who values simplicity over flashy features—sometimes the best products are the ones that don't try to do too much.

Read my full review on the Betta SE →

Best Splurge: Beatbot iSkim Ultra Solar Pool Skimmer

If you want the most high-tech, feature-packed skimmer money can buy, the Beatbot iSkim Ultra is it. The kicker? It's nearly a thousand dollars. At $999, the iSkim Ultra is definitely a leg up on the rest of the pool skimmers in terms of innovation and tech features. But is it worth 2-3 times the cost of other excellent options? Probably not. But if money's no object and you want the most futuristic pool gadget on the market, this is it.

Let me start with what's most impressive about the Beatbot iSkim Ultra. The build quality feels premium right out of the box—this is easily the heaviest skimmer I've tested, with a deep blue finish that screams "expensive tech product." The large solar panel spans almost the entire top surface, and those LED indicators give it a distinctly modern, sci-fi appearance.

The filter basket is good, but the priorities feel a little off. It’s 7.5" long, 11.5" wide, and 6" deep. On paper that sounds decent, but it’s not a whole lot bigger than the others—and it actually has less surface area than a bunch of skimmers I’ve tested.

For context: Dolphin Skimmi is longer, Betta SE is wider, and both are easier to dump. Beatbot just made theirs deeper. Depth helps with overall capacity, sure, but I really wish they’d opened it up wider instead. A bigger mouth would scoop more in fewer passes—especially along the edges.

Here's why that matters, the opening is what determines how much debris the skimmer can scoop up in each pass. A wider opening means fewer trips back and forth across your pool to collect the same amount of leaves.

Another measurement that matters is the propeller size. The Beatbot iSkim Ultra propellers measure at about 2.5 inches, which is the same size as the Betta SE. Would I say the iSkim outperforms the Betta SE? Yes. But is it worth 2-3 times? Maybe.

But here's where it gets wild—this thing actually talks to you. A built-in speaker system announces when it's ready to clean, when the battery needs attention, when it's time to empty the basket. The first time my pool skimmer greeted me with "Ready for cleaning!" I'll admit I was impressed. It's like having R2-D2 cleaning your pool.

The app is where Beatbot went all out. You can track cleaning paths, monitor battery usage, adjust speeds, and even get real-time stats. There's a full manual control mode where you can drive this thing around your pool like a remote-controlled boat, steering it to specific areas or corners where debris likes to collect. The "accelerate mode" makes it zoom across the water surface, and I'll admit—it's fun to watch.

Then there's the clarifying agent dispenser—basically a built-in chemical dosing system that drops clarifier capsules while it cleans. It sounds innovative on paper, but honestly, it's solving a problem most people don't have. Pool chemistry isn't one-size-fits-all, and I'd rather keep my skimmer focused on debris collection instead of trying to be a water treatment system too.

And if you don’t already have a pool water monitoring system, you should. Make sure to check out my best pool water monitor videos where I test all the top pool water monitors as well.

The navigation system uses what Beatbot calls ultrasonic sensors— Beatbot claims both above and underwater arrays that create comprehensive obstacle detection and mapping. Unlike simpler skimmers that bump and redirect, this one actually seems to know where it's going.

But here's the reality check: Despite all these premium features, it's running 2.5-inch propellers—the exact same size you'll find on $300 skimmers. When you're paying $999 for a skimmer, you expect dramatically better cleaning power, not just flashier features. That's where the value proposition falls apart.

The side-loading filter design is also a major drawback. You have to lift this heavy, waterlogged unit completely out of the pool every time you want to empty debris. Compare that to top-loading designs where you can just pop the lid and grab the basket while it's still floating—it's a step backward in usability.

Who it's perfect for: Tech enthusiasts who love having the latest gadgets and don't mind paying premium prices for cutting-edge features. If you're the type who gets excited about apps, voice announcements, and remote-control capabilities, and budget isn't a concern, the iSkim Ultra will get the job done. Just know you're paying for innovation and wow-factor more than raw cleaning performance.

Read my full review on the Beatbot iSkim Ultra →

Best Overall: Dolphin Skimmi

And now, my #1 pick. If you want the best skimmer that balances performance, reliability, and value, it's the Dolphin Skimmi. At around $500, this is THE best one I've used. In all my tests, I was blown away by how many leaves got scooped up, and for the price, you really can't get much better.

Why is it so good? Well, between the app, larger propeller setup, and that big paddle wheel design in front, the Skimmi is just engineered to clean. Those 3-inch propellers are significantly larger than what you'll find on most competitors—including the Beatbot, which uses smaller 2.5-inch props. Propeller size matters a lot because it directly affects suction power and how well the skimmer can pull in debris, especially on windy days when leaves, and even the skimmer, can get pushed around.

The difference is obvious in side-by-side testing. The Skimmi's larger propellers provide more consistent suction and better debris collection, particularly when dealing with larger leaves or when wind is pushing surface debris around. It just powers through conditions that would leave weaker skimmers spinning in place.

That paddle wheel design up front is brilliant—it acts like a conveyor belt, actively scooping leaves and debris into the intake instead of just hoping they'll get sucked in. Combined with the stronger propellers, it creates a one-two punch that consistently picks up almost everything on the surface in a single pass.

The solar panel provides more than enough power to keep the motors running all day. Even on blazing Texas afternoons, the battery gauge hardly dips, and on overcast days, it keeps chugging along. That's crucial because more powerful motors typically mean higher energy demands, but Dolphin nailed the balance here.

Build quality is where Maytronics really shines. This is a company that's been making pool equipment for decades, and it shows in the construction. Everything feels solid and purpose-built, not like a tech startup's first hardware attempt. The 1-year warranty isn't as long as I'd like, but it's backed by a proven brand. I’ve purchased multiple Dolphins before and never had any issues.

The Bluetooth app is there if you want it, and it works well for the basics—directing the skimmer to specific areas, checking battery status, or calling it over to the pool edge for cleaning. But unlike some competitors, the app doesn't try to do too much. It covers the essential functions without bloat, which I appreciate.

Now, it's not perfect. The bottom-loading debris tray is less convenient than top-loading designs. You have to lift the whole unit out of the pool and access the filter from underneath, which means kneeling on the deck and balancing the robot while you grab the tray. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's definitely less elegant than the Betta SE's top-loading system.

The Skimmi also runs a bit louder than some competitors and costs a little bit more than the Betta SE. But these are minor trade-offs for what you get: serious cleaning power, solar powered, a smartphone app, and the reliability that comes with choosing a proven pool equipment manufacturer.

During my testing, I ran the Skimmi alongside a Dolphin Premier robotic pool cleaner for weeks. They worked perfectly in tandem—the Premier handled heavy lifting below while the Skimmi erased every trace of leaves and bugs above. No cable tangles, no interference, just seamless operation.

Who it's perfect for: Pool owners who want maximum cleaning performance without paying flagship prices. If your pool collects serious debris—bugs, grass clippings, acorns, heavy leaf loads—the Skimmi's extra muscle and larger propellers make a real difference. At a little over $500, it hits the sweet spot between the budget-friendly SE and the Beatbot iSkim Ultra.

Final Verdict

So what’s my final verdict?

Pool skimmers are Pool Nerd Approved.

They are a must-have in my opinion for any pool owner. Whether you have an inground or above-ground pool, they simply make pool maintenance easier. And once you combine with a robotic pool cleaner, it's the ultimate package.

Here's the thing most people don't realize until they try one: surface debris is way easier to clean before it sinks. Once leaves hit the bottom, you're looking at vacuuming, brushing, and way more effort. These skimmers grab everything while it's still floating—leaves, bugs, pollen, grass clippings—before it ever becomes a real problem.

The solar charging aspect is what makes these actually practical. I've tested plenty of cordless pool equipment, and they all share the same fatal flaw: constant charging. But surface skimmers don't need much power, so that solar panel keeps them running 24/7. Once you drop one in your pool, you literally forget about it except for emptying the basket every few days.

If you're trying to decide between this and a robotic pool cleaner, get both if you can swing it. They handle completely different jobs—the floor cleaner tackles the heavy lifting below while the skimmer prevents surface mess from ever becoming floor mess. But if budget forces you to pick just one, go with the robotic pool cleaner first. It's easier to scoop surface debris manually than it is to vacuum the entire pool floor. If you don’t have one, make sure to check out my Best Robotic Pool Cleaner of 2025 list. I go over what you need to know, what to avoid, and my top picks out of the dozens of robotic pool cleaners I’ve reviewed.

For most pool owners, the Betta SE is all you need. It covers 90% of what the expensive models do for a fraction of the cost. The Dolphin Skimmi makes sense if you deal with lots of leaves or want that extra cleaning power. The Beatbot iSkim Ultra? It's a solid pick if you want the best of the best, with all the features and are willing to shell out the extra cash.

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.

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.