Aiper Scuba S1 vs Chasing Hydro 4 SE
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Aiper Scuba S1 costs $498 and the Chasing Hydro 4 SE costs $449, so the Chasing Hydro 4 SE is $49 cheaper. Pick the Aiper Scuba S1 for cordless cleaning on a tight budget. Pick the Chasing Hydro 4 SE for medium pools where a cord is not a problem. The Chasing Hydro 4 SE wins 3 of 4 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Chasing Hydro 4 SE wins 3 of 4 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| Scuba S1 | Hydro 4 SE | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $498 | $449 | Hydro 4 SE |
| Runtime | 150 min | 3 h | Hydro 4 SE |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | Tie |
| Release year | 2024 | 2025 | Hydro 4 SE |
- Best for cordless cleaning on a tight budget
- You want to spend less (saves $49)
- You care most about runtime (3 h vs 150 min)
- You want the newer model (2025 vs 2024)
- Best for medium pools where a cord is not a problem
- Cleans
- Floor
- Runtime
- Up to 150 min
- Max pool
- Up to 1,600 sq ft
Budget cordless cleaner for floors, walls and waterline
Full Aiper Scuba S1 review, pros and cons →- Cleans
- Floor
- Power
- Corded AC
- Runtime
- Auto cycles of 1
- Max pool
- Up to 1,614 sq ft
Corded pool robot with a 40 ft cable and 3 hour auto cycles
Full Chasing Hydro 4 SE review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Aiper Scuba S1 | Chasing Hydro 4 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 | $449 |
| 3 year cost | $498 | $449 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Pool | #21 | #20 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Pool types | In-ground | In ground and above ground, 1.6 to 9.8 ft deep; salt up to 5,000 ppm (Chasing and RobotShop) |
| Cleans | Floor, walls and waterline; no surface skimming | Floor, walls and waterline (Chasing says) |
| Power | Cordless (battery capacity not published) | Corded AC, 150 W peak, 39.4 ft (12 m) cable per the spec table; box contents say 40 ft (Chasing) |
| Runtime | Up to 150 min | Auto cycles of 1, 2 or 3 h; wall only 2 h; floor only 2 h; Ultra Clean 3 h (Chasing says) |
| Charge time | 3 to 4 h per Reviewed | None needed, corded |
| Filter | 3.5 L filter basket per Reviewed | 180 micron dual zone basket, 4.1 L; optional 50 micron basket (Chasing says) |
| Max pool size | Up to 1,600 sq ft per Reviewed | Up to 1,614 sq ft (Chasing says) |
| App | None; button selects floor, wall, auto and eco modes | Chasing app with scheduled start; no underwater control (Chasing comparison table); Happy TechFam found Bluetooth drops once submerged |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years (Chasing store) |
| Weight | n/a | 14.3 lb, 6.5 kg robot plus 2.9 lb control box (Chasing says) |
| Best for | cordless cleaning on a tight budget | medium pools where a cord is not a problem |
| Skip if | your pool gets heavy leaf fall | you want app control while it is underwater |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Aiper Scuba S1
- Reviewed: In a roughly 1,200 sq ft pool it climbed walls well and covered most of the pool, but left leaves behind and needed four cycles for a spotless pool; drying the charging port was a chore. Source
- The Smart Home Hookup: Ran 3 h 56 min against 150 min listed with about 95% wall and floor coverage, the best in the group, but its rear suction stirred up leaves. Source
Chasing Hydro 4 SE
- Happy TechFam (blog): Hands on long term use. Picked up large leaves, twigs, sand and silt, and walls and waterline looked clean. Path did not always follow the S pattern, some areas got covered twice, auto docking was not always reliable, and corners and steps needed occasional brushing. Bluetooth dropped underwater. Site earns Amazon affiliate fees. Source
- Greattips3s (blog): Claims two weeks of daily use in an 18 by 36 ft gunite pool with about 1 h 45 min cycles and under 3 kWh total power use. No byline, several unsourced and conflicting figures, and affiliate links, so treat it as weak evidence. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Aiper Scuba S1 or the Chasing Hydro 4 SE?
Pick the Aiper Scuba S1 for cordless cleaning on a tight budget. Pick the Chasing Hydro 4 SE for medium pools where a cord is not a problem.
Which is cheaper?
The Chasing Hydro 4 SE at $449, versus $498 for the Aiper Scuba S1, checked Nov 4, 2026.
What is the difference between the Scuba S1 and the Hydro 4 SE?
Pool types: In-ground on the Scuba S1, In ground and above ground, 1.6 to 9.8 ft deep; salt up to 5,000 ppm (Chasing and… on the Hydro 4 SE. Cleans: Floor, walls and waterline; no surface skimming on the Scuba S1, Floor, walls and waterline (Chasing says) on the Hydro 4 SE. Power: Cordless (battery capacity not published) on the Scuba S1, Corded AC, 150 W peak, 39.4 ft (12 m) cable per the spec table; box contents say 40 ft… on the Hydro 4 SE.
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