This list is for above-ground pool owners. A robot qualifies if the brand lists above-ground pools as supported. Check the minimum water depth, the robot's weight when you lift it out, and how you will get it over the pool wall, since the robots here weigh from about 15 to 29 lb. How we score.
Low cost cordless robot with AI camera dirt hunting mode
Ranks first because it is the cheapest robot here and EFTM scored it 86%, finding a test dirt pile within 20 minutes. It edges the AquaSense 2 on value, not on test results. The Pool Nerd disapproved of the standard C2, and WYBOT had a 2026 battery recall on older models.
Cordless floor, wall and waterline cleaner at a reduced price
Bob Vila rated it 4.5/5 after three months in a Florida pool, a better test result than the WYBOT above, but it costs about $170 more. It beats the Aiper Scuba V3, which has the same test average, by costing about $100 less. It does not clean stairs and filters only to 150 µm.
Midrange cordless robot with surface mode and shallow ledge cleaning
Techaeris scored it 9.1/10, the best single test score among the cordless robots here, and it adds surface skimming and ledge cleaning. It costs about $200 more than the Aiper, which keeps it fourth but well above the Dolphin Premier, a robot costing more than twice as much. Reviewers found it slow on big pools.
Budget corded floor cleaner for above-ground pools
Budget cordless robot for floor, walls and waterline
A budget cordless Beatbot that cleans the floor, walls and waterline. PCWorld saw it collect over 95% of test debris but miss everything on the steps, and The Smart Home Hookup found its 150 micron basket will not trap fine silt. It is not ranked yet because none of these reviews gave a numeric score.
Value corded Dolphin with weekly timer for small and midsize pools
The cheapest corded Dolphin here, with a weekly timer and a light 14.6 lb body for pools up to 40 ft. Maytronics lists no waterline scrubbing and there is no app. The Pool Nerd rated it best value but gave no numeric score, so it is not ranked yet.
Dolphin's cordless robot with fine backwash filter and ledge cleaning
Dolphin's cordless robot reaches sun ledges as shallow as 8 in, and PCWorld found its DebrisLock filter trapped all types of debris. The same review called emptying the filter a huge pain and saw it miss corners. It is not ranked yet because neither PCWorld nor The Pool Nerd gave a numeric score.
Cordless flagship that cleans floor, walls, waterline and surface
Cleans the floor, walls, waterline and water surface, and Android Authority gave it Editor's Choice for strong pickup. It weighs about 29 lb, and Reviewed saw it miss a shallow tanning ledge. It is not ranked yet because none of its published reviews gave a numeric score.
Low cost cordless robot for in-ground and above-ground pools
Ranked by our score: independent test results plus value for money. Affiliate links never change the order. Prices are checked daily and can change.