Best robotic pool cleaners for the waterline

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.

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.

Matches the AquaSense 2 with 4.5/5 from Bob Vila, who found its algae and fine debris pickup excellent, but costs about $100 more. It edges the Sora 70, which scored only slightly higher and costs about $200 more. It does not skim, is rated for pools up to 1,614 sq ft, and Aiper has two prior fire recalls.

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.

Bob Vila rated it 9/10 for cleaning leaves, tile line algae and storm dirt, a test result as strong as the cordless robots above. It ranks fifth because it costs far more, about $1,400 above the Sora 70. It is corded with a weekly timer, has no app, and showed as unavailable on the Maytronics store.

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.

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.

PCWorld's best cordless pick, averaging about 95% coverage over several weeks, with an underwater remote and Easy Lift retrieval. It is in-ground only, has no scheduling and takes up to 5 hours to charge. It is not ranked yet because no published review gave a numeric score.

PCWorld's best corded pick, finding 99% of synthetic leaves and finishing among the fastest robots it tested. It has an app, smart cycle timing and a lift system, but a bulky cord and caddy. It is not ranked yet because that review gave no numeric score, and no brand or Amazon price is confirmed.

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.

The most automated corded Dolphin here, with app control, a weekly timer and the strongest waterline cleaning The Pool Nerd saw from any Dolphin. It is also the most expensive robot on this list and works in in-ground pools only. It is not ranked yet because that review gave no numeric score.