Betta SE Plus Review

You ever walk out to your pool and see the surface is littered with leaves, bugs floating belly-up, maybe some random fluff from who knows where. So you do the usual routine—grab the net, make a few swipes, and try to grab all of the leaves out of the pool. And the worst part? Half the junk is still floating around like you did nothing.

Welcome back to the Pool Nerd. I’m Justin, your resident pool aficionado. And today, I’m reviewing the Betta SE PLUS Solar Pool Skimmer – the middle of the pack from Betta. With a built in charger, not much is changed over the Betta SE – but is it still worth it? And how is the performance?

If your pool doesn’t get consistent sunlight—whether it’s because of trees, frequent overcast weather, or just the way your backyard is positioned — the SE Plus is a smart upgrade. It gives you plug-in charging via USB-C, so you’re not relying on solar alone.

A buddy of mine swore by solar skimmers, so naturally, I had to try it myself. I didn’t expect much. I mean, it’s a pool skimmer, not a spaceship. But after a few hours in the pool, I don’t think I’d go back to not using one.

Honestly, if you already use a robotic pool cleaner to handle the floor, this is the perfect companion. And if you don't have one already, make sure to check out the best robotic pool cleaners of 2025

That robot takes care of what’s sunk. This one takes care of what’s floating. And together, they keep your pool crystal-clear without you lifting a finger. I would definitely recommend purchasing a robotic pool cleaner first – but this would be the next thing I bought if I was a new pool owner.

Why Betta SE Plus

Betta’s got three models out right now:

• Betta SE: Solar-powered, no-frills, reliable. Around $370.
• Betta SE Plus: A slight upgrade that gives you a backup charging option. Roughly $400.
• Betta Flex: The fanciest one, comes in at about $520.

I’ve used all three. For most people? The SE does the job. It’s simple, efficient, and totally solar-powered. But if you want that little bit of insurance—say, you live in a place that’s cloudy half the time—the SE Plus gives you a plug-in charging option. That’s the main upgrade, but it's a game-changer if sunlight’s hit or miss.

SE Plus Features

Here’s what the SE Plus adds over the base model:

• Dual Charging Options: It runs on solar, but also has a USB-C port so you can plug it in on cloudy days.
• Faster Recharge: That direct charging option means you’re not relying on the sun to catch up after a few gloomy days.
• Consistent Performance: Even when the solar panel can’t keep up, you can top it off and keep it running 24/7.
• Same Great Hardware: Twin motors, strong suction, smart obstacle detection—same as the SE.

If you’re in Texas like me? You’ll probably never use the charger. But it’s nice knowing it’s there.

Setup

Out of the box, it’s ready. You peel off the stickers, press the button, and drop it in. It starts cruising like it’s got a pool to prove itself in. No syncing. No apps. No instructions you’ll pretend to read. You don’t even need the remote unless you want to manually steer it, which I hardly ever do.

One tip? Let it charge in the sun for a bit before using it first. I gave mine a solid 3-4 hour sunbake and it hasn’t stopped running since.

Performance

This isn’t one of those gimmicky gadgets. It moves with purpose. It tracks debris and cuts across the water, scooping up everything in its path. It even slows down and pivots when it gets near walls, which makes it feel way more “robot” and less “toy.”

In a few hours, my pool was super clean. No leaves, no bugs, no floating trash. Just clean water and that satisfying little hum of it doing its thing.

Filter Basket

When it’s time to empty the basket, it’s dead simple. Flip open the hatch, pull it out, dump the leaves, and pop it back in. That’s it. I don’t even check it daily—only if it’s been especially windy or after a storm. It holds a decent amount before you need to mess with it.

I’ve used other skimmers like the Aiper Surfer S2 and Dolphin Skimmi, which load from the bottom. But the Betta SE loads from the top. It’s super easy and I prefer it.

Solar Charging

Here’s where the Betta line shines—literally. It stays in the pool 24/7 and charges itself. No docks. No cords. No “Oops, forgot to charge it last night.” It’s always working.

And with the SE Plus? You get the USB-C option as a backup. Not needed for me, but could be worth it if you live somewhere like Seattle or Vancouver that doesn’t get as much sun.

Navigation

It’s got dual sensors that help it avoid walls without banging into them like a Roomba on roller skates. It slows down near edges, shifts direction, and just kind of figures it out. You can tell someone thought through the way this thing moves.

Build & Design

Sturdy plastic build, recessed solar panel so it doesn’t get scratched, and it still looks new after weeks in the pool. No sun fade, no cracking. It comes in blue or white, depending on your pool vibe.

Is it flashy? No. But it’s solid. And sometimes, solid is all you need.

Compare Models

The Flex adds soft bumpers and shallow water protection—great if you have tanning ledges or very shallow areas. And it even adds multiple cleaning modes. But otherwise, it’s the same core bot. The SE Plus is the sweet spot: just enough upgrade without the Flex price tag. I’d recommend the SE or SE Plus over the Flex – just based on the price tag to performance alone.

Final Verdict

So what’s my Final Verdict on the Betta SE Plus?

It's Pool Nerd Approved If you’re tired of leaves and bugs on the surface of your pool, this thing solves the problem. I barely touch my net anymore. And I’m not exaggerating – there were weeks without manually skimming a single leaf after dropping this in the pool.

It’s efficient, quiet, and low-maintenance. The SE Plus in particular is ideal if you want a “set it and forget it” solution with a little extra peace of mind from the USB charger.

Skip the overpriced overkill skimmers. Go for something that just works.

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 automatic 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.