- Cleans
- Water surface only
- Power
- Cordless
- Runtime
- 30+ h on a charge
- Max pool
- Up to 40 x 60 ft
Two quick taps and get the right robot for them, with today's price.
Betta SE
Solar surface skimmer that runs all day with no charging
Researched by Riley Hart · updated Oct 30, 2026
Is the Betta SE worth it? A simple, low cost way to keep leaves and bugs off the surface before they sink. It costs $370 as of Nov 4, 2026, and Bob Vila scored it 4.6/5.
A simple, low cost way to keep leaves and bugs off the surface before they sink. Two independent testers rated it a top pick, praising its speed, easy basket and true set and forget solar charging. It only skims the surface, has no app, and one tester's propellers failed after about a year.
Best for: pools with leaves and bugs on the surface. Skip if: you want app control or floor cleaning.
Specs
- Pool types
- Above-ground and in-ground; Betta says its SCT motors work in saltwater and chlorine pools
- Cleans
- Water surface only (skimmer); does not clean floor or walls
- Power
- Cordless, solar charged built in lithium battery; no plug in charging (Betta)
- Runtime
- 30+ h on a charge, including cloudy days (Betta); The Pool Nerd ran it daily for weeks with no stops
- Charge time
- 5 to 6 h of direct sunlight (Betta)
- Filter
- Top load fine mesh basket, 200 micron (Betta)
- Max pool size
- Up to 40 x 60 ft, about 2,400 sq ft (Betta)
- App
- No app; wireless remote for mode changes, auto mode only (Betta)
3 year cost of ownership
- Robot
- $370
- Total
- $370
Solar charging means no power cost. Betta lists no replacement part intervals on the SE page, so no running costs are included.
Status and safety
- US availability
- ● On sale
- Recalls
- ● No Betta robot recall in the CPSC database as of Nov 4, 2026. Checked daily.
- FCC authorized
- Not checked
- Company
- ● Active
- Warranty
- ● 1 year (Betta store)
Price history
Tracked dailyWhere to buy
- Amazon
- See price →
- Betta store
- $370 →
Affiliate links. We may earn a commission. It never changes our score. Disclosure
Pros
- Solar only, never needs a plug
- Big, easy to empty top load basket
- Fast and rarely gets stuck in testing
- Salt and chlorine tolerant motors
Cons
- Skims the surface only
- No app, remote only
- Bob Vila's unit lost rear propellers after about 12 months
- Can miss tight corners
What independent reviewers found
- Named Best Basic. Called it the fastest skimmer tested, with solar charging that kept it running and ultrasonic navigation that rarely left it stuck. It occasionally missed tight corners, and the test unit's rear propellers stopped working after about 12 months (covered by warranty). Subscores: Ease of Use 5/5, Performance 5/5, Value 5/5.
- Bob Vila · 4.6/5
- Pool Nerd Approved and named Best Overall Pool Skimmer. Cleared the surface within a few hours, ran daily for several weeks with no jams, and the basket needed emptying every few days. The site earns affiliate commissions.
- The Pool Nerd
- Best Overall in its April 2026 skimmer roundup at about $370; estimated it delivers about 80 to 90% of the cleaning of skimmers costing twice as much.
- The Pool Nerd
Spec history
Checked dailyNo spec changes since we started tracking on Nov 2, 2026.
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Questions buyers ask
Does it need to be plugged in?
No. The SE charges from its built in solar panel only. Betta says 5 to 6 hours of sun gives 30+ hours of running. The SE Plus adds plug in charging.
Does it clean the pool floor?
No. It is a surface skimmer. You still need a floor cleaner for dirt that sinks.
Does it work in a saltwater pool?
Betta says its salt and chlorine tolerant motors work in saltwater and chlorine pools.
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