Compare Beatbot Robotic Pool Cleaners

After spending the better part of a year testing every Beatbot pool robot I could get my hands on, I figured it was time to share what I've learned. If you've been eyeing these cordless pool robots and wondering if they're worth the splurge, let's dive into my thoughts and why you may want to think twice before buying a Beatbot.

No marketing fluff, just real-world experience from someone who's watched these things clean my pool for hundreds of hours.

I've been testing and reviewing robotic pool cleaners for nearly 5 years now. From Dolphin, Polaris, and more, I've used nearly every brand and model. From corded to cordless, I know a thing or two about these robots and what to look for.

If you've been following me for a while, you may know I heavily prefer corded models, especially those with a Weekly Timer, you don't have to recharge.

When Beatbot hit the market claiming their cordless robots could match or outperform corded pool robots, I was skeptical but intrigued. Could a battery powered pool robot really deliver the same cleaning punch? These were the questions that led me down the rabbit hole of testing every single Beatbot model released to date.

Compare Beatbot Robotic Pool Cleaners

Let's break down each robot and my thoughts.

The Big Question: Corded or Cordless?

Let's cut to the chase: Beatbot's whole selling point is freedom from cords. No cord hanging from your pool deck, but that convenience comes with trade-offs in battery life, performance, weight, and, yeah, your wallet. Are those trade-offs worth it? I don't think so.

But here's the thing nobody really talks about: corded robots have more power. They're reliable workhorses with consistent suction power. Beatbot's cordless technology is still relatively new, and if you've ever owned any cordless device—from vacuums to power tools—you know battery life always sounds better on paper than in practice. The question isn't just "cord or no cord," but "constant power vs constant recharging". Let's dig into what that really means for your pool.

The Beatbot Family: Meet the Robots

Beatbot has launched five models across two generations. They all share some DNA: a basket filter system and cordless charging docks.

First Generation (2023):

• Beatbot AquaSense – The OG that handles floors, walls, and waterline
• Beatbot AquaSense Pro – The fancy first-gen that added surface skimming and a clarifier dispenser

Second Generation (2024/25):

• Beatbot AquaSense 2 – The improved basic model with smarter navigation
• Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro – The beefed-up version with more battery, more motors, and an app
• Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra – The "money's no object" flagship with AI camera mapping

Hands-On Reviews of All The Beatbot Models

Let me dive more in-depth into each of these models, what I loved, and what I didn't.

Beatbot AquaSense

What I loved: Tossing this thing in the pool with zero cable was nice - but once it started to clean, I did miss the corded power. It ran for a decent 2-3 hours, climbed walls like a champ, and the top-loading basket was super easy to clean out. That first day, watching it glide around untethered while I lounged on a float with a cold drink, I felt like I'd stepped into an episode of "The Jetsons."

The wall-climbing ability genuinely impressed me. My pool has some stubborn algae spots near the waterline that my old vacuum struggled with, but the AquaSense attacked them with surprising vigor. And when it was time to empty it, the top-loading dual basket system was thoughtfully designed—no more turning the robot upside down and fighting with stubborn debris.

What drove me nuts: The navigation seemed totally random—like watching a drunk roomba after last call. It would miss entire corners, double-clean others, and occasionally just spin in place like it was having an existential crisis. I'd find spots untouched after a full cleaning cycle, especially in the deep end corners.

And don't get me started on the Battery Life - that was one of the most disappointing things about the Beatbot... Daily Recharging isn't fun. It is just a pain. And after testing all of the best robotic pool cleaners of the year, it just couldn't compete.

After one summer, the brushes looked like they'd been through a war zone. The bristles were splayed and worn, and the roller showed concerning wear patterns. For a $1,300 investment, I expected more durability.

Worth $1,300? Honestly? It was like dating someone really attractive who can't hold a conversation. Fun at first, but the excitement wears off fast. The third time it died before finishing my pool, I was questioning my life choices. When I found myself having to do "touch-up" cleaning after the robot had supposedly finished, I realized I wasn't saving as much time as I'd hoped. For that price point, I expected better reliability and complete coverage.

Beatbot AquaSense Pro

If you thought the next iteration would be better, you'd be wrong. With only a few additions like an optional water clarifier, it isn't great.

What I loved: It has a longer battery, but beyond that, there isn't much improvement over the original Beatbot AquaSense Pro

Wall cleaning was solid — it would climb right up to the waterline and scrub, but nothing too crazy.

What I didn't: Despite the premium price tag, it still got confused and stuck sometimes. The fancy navigation algorithms seemed only marginally better than the base model's drunken wandering. I expected more intelligence for the extra $700.

The skimming function, while novel, missed a lot of the fine stuff like pollen and small debris. It was good for larger leaves but not the replacement for a dedicated skimmer net that I'd hoped for. Those clarifier tablets in the special dispenser barely made a noticeable difference in my 20,000-gallon pool—a marketing gimmick more than a useful feature.

It inherited the same clog-prone basket design from the base model, an oversight that seemed inexcusable at this price point. And wow, was it heavy to lift out when full! At around 20 pounds dry (and significantly more when waterlogged and full of debris), retrieving it wasn't exactly back-friendly. My wife refused to deal with it entirely, claiming it was "like lifting a waterlogged bowling ball."

The app, while functional, felt half-baked with frequent disconnections and an interface that seemed designed by engineers, not user experience professionals. Updates sometimes broke features that had previously worked fine.

Worth $2,000? That's where I really struggled. It has a buffet of features, but did they add up to $900 more value than the base model? Or $1,000 more than a proven corded Dolphin with years of reliability data behind it? For most people, probably not.

I found myself in the awkward position of defending my purchase to skeptical pool-owning friends. "Yes, it's cordless... Yes, it can skim the surface too... No, I can't really show you the difference the clarifier makes..." It's a cool robot with meaningful improvements over the base model, but the value proposition just isn't there for the average pool owner.

Beatbot AquaSense 2

What changed my mind: The next iteration. Small improvements, but nothing too noteworthy.

Still frustrating: You're still bound by battery limitations and recharge downtime. And that basket size remains unchanged—if you've got oak trees like I do, you'll be emptying it constantly in fall.

The biggest letdown was the basket. Compared to the new XXL MaxBin from Dolphin, it is lame in comparison. It's smaller, only mesh, and just all around disappointing in build quality.

Worth $1,500? No - you should look for a corded alternative. But is it improved over the original Beatbot? Yes.

Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro

What blew me away: This is the first model that I've seen introduce the surface skimming, which is a nice touch. Is it worth it? Probably not. Is it cool? Yes.

Still not perfect: At 24 pounds dry (and heavier wet), retrieving it isn't fun for everyone. The surface mode remains just okay—it'll get leaves but misses pollen. With all those motors comes more maintenance down the road, and at a high price tag, you're in premium territory. The unknown: how much will that massive battery cost to replace in a few years?

Worth $2,500? If you've decided cordless is non-negotiable and you want a robot that does the surface - this is it. But you'll need to deal with constant recharging, which is a pain still.

Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra

What impressed even skeptical me: That on-board camera isn't just marketing—it builds an actual map and intelligently avoids obstacles like drains, toys, and ladders. Those side brushes got into steps and corners better than any robot I've tested. Same huge battery as the 2 Pro, but the app shows you a coverage map so you can see exactly where it's been. The TÜV cybersecurity certification was a nice touch for the privacy-minded.

The reality check: At $3,000+, you could buy a decent hot tub heater. It's the heaviest of the bunch, and let's be honest—that AI mapping is cool but offers minimal practical advantage in a regular rectangular pool. The camera hardware's long-term durability in a chemically-treated, sometimes-heated water environment remains to be seen.

Worth $3,000+? It's a technological showcase, absolutely brilliant to watch in action, but unnecessary for most pools. Buy this if money's no object and you want the pool equivalent of a Tesla Cybertruck. However, at the insane price tag, I'd still recommending purchasing another pool robot.

Why a Corded Pool Robot May Be Better

I've spent thousands testing Beatbots, but I've still got a corded Dolphin as my daily driver. Here's why:

Unlimited cleaning power. My Dolphin Premier or Sigma cleans at full strength for as long as I set the timer—no "battery fade" where suction weakens as charge depletes.

Superior debris handling. The oversized leaf bag in my Premier or the Sigma's NanoFilters handle spring storms without clogging, while Beatbot's fixed baskets fill up fast.

Battle-tested durability. My neighbor's 10-year-old Dolphin still works perfectly; Beatbot has redesigned their robots three times in two years.

No battery worries. No fire-risk recalls to worry about, no $400 battery replacement in year four, no charging schedule to maintain.

Who Should Consider a Beatbot

With all that said, Beatbot does have some upsides, if you can get past the downsides:

Truly cable-free swimming. No tether to untangle, no transformer box to protect from rain, no tripping hazard for the kids.

But is that enough? I don't think so. The constant recharging outweighs any advantage Beatbot may have.

Which Beatbot is Best?

If you are deadset on a Beatbot, the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra is the best Beatbot robotic pool cleaner. That said—and this might surprise you after all this Beatbot talk—about 90% of pool owners who ask for my recommendation end up happier with a corded Dolphin Premier or Sigma. The cord is a minor inconvenience a few times a week; freedom from charging schedules, fire concerns, and mid-cycle stalls is a major stress-reducer.

The Reality of Owning a Robotic Pool Cleaner

Let's talk about what actually living with these robots is like, beyond the specs and marketing. After all, you'll be dealing with your pool robot several times a week for years.

How I Tested

I should probably mention how I tested these robots, since I'm making some pretty definitive claims. Each robot spent at least two weeks in my 8" x 20" vinyl pool with a vinyl liner. The pool has a set of corner steps, and a few quirky corners that have tripped up many a pool cleaner.

For each robot, I documented:

• Battery life: Real-world runtime until the robot either returned to the surface or died trying
• Coverage efficiency: Using a grid system to track which areas were cleaned and how thoroughly
• Debris collection: Testing with standardized amounts of sand, leaves, and fine silt
• Wall climbing ability: Percentage of wall surface area successfully cleaned
• Waterline scrubbing: Before/after photos of the scum line
• App reliability: Connection drops, feature bugs, update issues
• Filter maintenance: Time required to clean filters and frequency needed
• Special features: Testing surface skimming with actual leaves and debris

I also recruited five neighboring pool owners for "blind" evaluations—letting them use each robot without knowing the price points, then gathering their impressions. This helped balance my potentially biased views (we all get attached to expensive purchases, right?).

Your resident pool aficionado.

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