# How to store a robotic pool cleaner for winter, brand by brand

Here is how to store robotic pool cleaner for winter using what Maytronics (Dolphin), Beatbot, Aiper, Polaris and WYBOT actually publish. It takes under an hour: rinse, drain, dry, set the battery charge, and store it indoors above freezing.

Updated Oct 15, 2026. HTML version: https://robotsforthat.com/guides/pool-robot-winter-storage/

## Short answer

Rinse the robot and filter with fresh water, drain and air dry it in the shade, then store it indoors, upright, out of sun and frost. Maytronics and Beatbot both give 41 to 113°F as the storage range. Cordless robots should not be stored full or empty: Beatbot says 50 to 80%, Aiper says 40 to 60% with a top up every 2 months, and WYBOT says charge at least every 3 months. Corded robots need the cable coiled loosely without kinks and the power supply brought inside.

| Brand | Storage charge (cordless) | Top up during storage | Storage temperature | Other maker steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maytronics Dolphin | About 50% (2 green bars) in the Liberty 400 guide | Not published; robot may sleep after 21 days, reconnect charger to wake | 41 to 113°F (blog); 14 to 104°F battery range in Liberty 400 guide | Clean filter basket, drain per manual, coil cable without kinks, store upright in a caddy |
| Beatbot | 50 to 80%, not full or empty | No fixed interval; short charge wakes it from sleep | 41 to 113°F, never freezing | Tilt to drain, rinse, dry in shade, wipe charge port, breathable cover, do not leave on charger all winter |
| Aiper | 40 to 60% | Every 2 months | Cool, well ventilated (no number given) | Power off, unplug charger, clean shell, wheels, brushes and charge port, dry, box it |
| Polaris | Not published on its storage page | Not published | Indoors, somewhat temperature regulated (no number given) | Keep away from freezing temperatures, snow and ice; use a robotic cleaner cover |
| WYBOT | Not published | At least every 3 months (A1 quick start guide) | Not published | Store in a ventilated place out of direct sun and bad weather |

## Step 1: Take it out and drain it

Lift the robot out by its handle or cable, never by yanking the floating cord on a corded model. Beatbot tells owners to tilt the unit so the water inside drains out. Maytronics says to check your manual for the right way to drain your specific model, since the drain path differs by design.

Switch the robot off. Aiper says to power it off and disconnect it from the charger before storage, and Maytronics says the cleaner should be off and disconnected before it goes away.

## Step 2: Clean the body, brushes and filter

Rinse the outside with fresh water. Aiper lists the top and bottom shell, wheels, roller brushes and charging port as the parts to clean. Beatbot says to remove the filter basket, cartridge or bag and wash it with fresh water while it is still wet, since dried debris is harder to remove.

Maytronics puts the filter first: give the basket a full cleaning to get rid of debris before storage, because clean filters keep the cleaner running well and help it last longer.

If fine silt or algae has packed into a basket, Beatbot's support article on stuck robots suggests soaking it for 30 minutes in water and white vinegar and then brushing it.

## Step 3: Dry it completely

Beatbot says to set the robot and its detachable parts on a towel in a shaded, ventilated spot and let them air dry. Aiper says to wipe the robot dry with a paper towel or soft cloth. Wipe the charging port or contacts dry on cordless models before storage, which Beatbot calls out by name.

Do not dry it in direct sun. Maytronics and Beatbot both say to keep the cleaner shielded from direct sunlight, and Aiper says never to charge it in direct sunlight.

## Step 4: Set the battery charge on cordless robots

This is where brands differ most. None of them say to store a cordless robot fully charged or fully empty.

Beatbot says to store the battery generally between 50 and 80 percent and to avoid leaving the robot plugged into continuous power all winter. Aiper says to charge it to 40 to 60 percent and to charge it again every two months. The Dolphin Liberty 400 user guide says to charge to about 50 percent, shown as 2 green bars, and gives a battery storage range of 14 to 104°F. WYBOT's A1 quick start guide says to charge the device at least every 3 months during the off season to maintain battery performance.

Polaris's storage page does not give a charge level. For the Freedom Plus, Polaris calls its battery maintenance free and gives no lifespan, so follow the owner's manual for your unit.

Several brands warn that a cordless robot can go to sleep after a long rest. Maytronics says a robot unused for 21 days or more may enter sleep mode, and reconnecting the charger wakes it. Beatbot says a short charge wakes it. Every brand that covers this says to charge fully before the first spring run.

## Step 5: Coil the cable and bring in the power supply on corded robots

Corded robots like the Dolphin Sigma, Dolphin Premier, Dolphin Cayman and Polaris VRX iQ+ have no battery to manage, but the cable needs care. Maytronics says to roll up the cable without any kinks. Beatbot's general guide suggests loose loops roughly two feet across.

Bring the power supply indoors with the robot. Polaris says the cleaner should not be exposed to the elements or extreme temperatures, and the same logic applies to the supply box that sits at the pool edge.

## Step 6: Pick the right storage spot

Maytronics and Beatbot both say the best storage temperature is 41 to 113°F (5 to 45°C). Beatbot adds that the space should never drop to freezing and names a basement, a heated garage or an interior closet as good spots. It does not recommend an unheated shed. Polaris says to bring the cleaner inside for the cold months and keep it away from freezing temperatures, snow and ice.

Keep it dry. Maytronics says to check the storage area for moisture regularly if you use a shed or outdoor space. Beatbot suggests a breathable cloth or dust cover rather than a sealed bag, and a few large silica gel packs if you store it in a bin. Polaris sells a robotic cleaner cover for long storage.

Store it upright. Maytronics recommends a caddy made for your model to hold it upright and help keep pests out. Beatbot says a caddy, or a couple of bricks, takes weight off the tracks and brushes.

## Step 7: Check on it during winter and before spring

Beatbot says to look at the robot every few weeks for moisture, condensation or pests. Put a reminder in your calendar for the top up charge your brand asks for: every 2 months for Aiper and at least every 3 months for WYBOT.

In spring, charge fully, inspect the brushes and tracks, and run one short cycle while you watch it. If a cordless robot will not wake up, connect it to the charger first, since Maytronics and Beatbot both describe a sleep mode after long storage.

## If you live where pools stay open all year

If your pool does not freeze and you keep running the robot through winter, you do not need to store it. Keep up the routine filter cleaning instead. Our ranking of robotic pool cleaners notes which models are corded with a weekly timer and which need lifting out and charging after each cordless run.

## Questions people ask

### Can I leave my robotic pool cleaner outside in winter?

Not if it will freeze. Polaris says to bring it inside and protect it from freezing temperatures, snow and ice. Maytronics and Beatbot both give 41 to 113°F as the best storage range, and Beatbot does not recommend an unheated shed.

### Should I store a cordless pool robot fully charged?

No. Beatbot says 50 to 80 percent, Aiper says 40 to 60 percent, and the Dolphin Liberty 400 guide says about 50 percent. None of the makers we checked say to store it full or empty.

### How often should I charge a pool robot in storage?

Aiper says every 2 months and WYBOT's A1 guide says at least every 3 months. Beatbot and Maytronics give no fixed interval but say a robot may go to sleep after long storage and a charge wakes it.

### Should I leave the cordless robot on its charger all winter?

Beatbot says no and advises against leaving it on continuous power all winter. Aiper says to disconnect it from the charger before storage.

### Do I need to clean the filter before storing it?

Yes. Maytronics, Beatbot and Aiper all say to clean the robot before storage, and Beatbot says to wash the filter basket, cartridge or bag with fresh water while it is still wet.

## Sources

1. [Maytronics: How should I store my robotic pool cleaner during winter?](https://maytronics.com/en-ca/blog/pool-technology/robotic-pool-cleaner-storage-during-winter.html)
2. [Maytronics Dolphin Liberty 400 user guide (Clark Rubber)](https://www.clarkrubber.com.au/files/files/content/Dolphin%20Liberty%20400%20Product%20User%20Guide%20-%20Clark%20Rubber.pdf)
3. [Beatbot: How to store a robotic pool cleaner for the off season](https://beatbot.com/blogs/pool-care-solutions/store-robotic-pool-cleaner-winter)
4. [Beatbot: Pool robot stuck or not moving](https://eu.beatbot.com/blogs/robotic-pool-cleaner/pool-robot-stuck-not-moving)
5. [Aiper: Cold season care](https://aiper.com/ca/cold-season-care)
6. [Polaris: Storing a Polaris robotic pool cleaner in the winter](https://www.polarispool.com/support/troubleshooting-faqs/troubleshooting/storing-polaris-robotic-pool-cleaner-in-the-winter)
7. [WYBOT A1 quick start guide](https://trevi.com/cdn/shop/files/wybot_A1_Guide.pdf)