Aiper EcoSurfer S2 vs Chasing Hydro 4 SE
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Aiper EcoSurfer S2 costs $360 and the Chasing Hydro 4 SE costs $449, so the Aiper EcoSurfer S2 is $89 cheaper. The Aiper EcoSurfer S2 has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robotic pool cleaners ranking; the Chasing Hydro 4 SE is not scored yet. Pick the Aiper EcoSurfer S2 for owners who want app scheduling. Pick the Chasing Hydro 4 SE for medium pools where a cord is not a problem. The Aiper EcoSurfer S2 wins 2 of 3 points we can measure (1 tied).
Who wins, point by point
The Aiper EcoSurfer S2 wins 2 of 3 points we can measure (1 tied). Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| EcoSurfer S2 | Hydro 4 SE | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $360 | $449 | EcoSurfer S2 |
| Runtime | 35 h | 3 h | EcoSurfer S2 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | Tie |
- You want to spend less (saves $89)
- You care most about runtime (35 h vs 3 h)
- Best for owners who want app scheduling
- Best for medium pools where a cord is not a problem
- Cleans
- Water surface only
- Power
- Cordless
- Runtime
- 35 h on an adapter
Solar and plug in skimmer with app control and 35 h runtime
Full Aiper EcoSurfer S2 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 EcoSurfer S2 | Chasing Hydro 4 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $360 | $449 |
| 3 year cost | $360 | $449 |
| Our score | 9.1/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Pool | #1 | #20 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years (Aiper US store) | 2 years |
| Pool types | Regular, irregular and spa or lounger attached pools (Aiper); size limit not published | In ground and above ground, 1.6 to 9.8 ft deep; salt up to 5,000 ppm (Chasing and RobotShop) |
| Cleans | Water surface only (skimmer), plus a 3 in chlorine tablet holder | Floor, walls and waterline (Chasing says) |
| Power | Cordless, charges by solar panel or DC adapter (Aiper); PCWorld lists a 5,200 mAh battery and 24 W panel | Corded AC, 150 W peak, 39.4 ft (12 m) cable per the spec table; box contents say 40 ft (Chasing) |
| Runtime | 35 h on an adapter charge (Aiper); PCWorld saw 24 h nonstop use only about 25% of the battery | Auto cycles of 1, 2 or 3 h; wall only 2 h; floor only 2 h; Ultra Clean 3 h (Chasing says) |
| Charge time | 4 to 6 h by adapter (Aiper); PCWorld cites about 6 h | None needed, corded |
| Filter | 4 L top load basket with 150 micron filter (Aiper); The Pool Nerd notes the S1 basket was 5 L | 180 micron dual zone basket, 4.1 L; optional 50 micron basket (Chasing says) |
| Max pool size | n/a | Up to 1,614 sq ft (Chasing says) |
| App | Aiper app over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for start, schedules, remote control and history (Aiper, PCWorld); Bob Vila had trouble connecting at first | Chasing app with scheduled start; no underwater control (Chasing comparison table); Happy TechFam found Bluetooth drops once submerged |
| Weight | 13 lb (PCWorld) | 14.3 lb, 6.5 kg robot plus 2.9 lb control box (Chasing says) |
| Warranty | 2 years (Aiper store) | 2 years (Chasing store) |
| Best for | owners who want app scheduling | medium pools where a cord is not a problem |
| Skip if | you get 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 EcoSurfer S2
- PCWorld: Cleared synthetic leaves in about 3.5 h with roughly 80% collected by the robot. 24 h of nonstop running used about 25% of the battery, and it kept a 10 h daily schedule through weeks of overcast weather. Slow, slightly underpowered, and the basket is hard to remove. Source
- Bob Vila (4.5/5): Named Best With App. Picked up leaves and bugs well and was compact, but app pairing was difficult at first and it sometimes got stuck after head on wall hits. Subscores: Ease of Use 4.3/5, Performance 5/5, Value 4/5. 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 EcoSurfer S2 or the Chasing Hydro 4 SE?
The Aiper EcoSurfer S2 has a published review score and ranks #1 in our robotic pool cleaners ranking; the Chasing Hydro 4 SE is not scored yet. Pick the Aiper EcoSurfer S2 for owners who want app scheduling. Pick the Chasing Hydro 4 SE for medium pools where a cord is not a problem.
Which is cheaper?
The Aiper EcoSurfer S2 at $360, versus $449 for the Chasing Hydro 4 SE, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $360 vs $449.
What is the difference between the EcoSurfer S2 and the Hydro 4 SE?
Pool types: Regular, irregular and spa or lounger attached pools (Aiper); size limit not published on the EcoSurfer S2, 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: Water surface only (skimmer), plus a 3 in chlorine tablet holder on the EcoSurfer S2, Floor, walls and waterline (Chasing says) on the Hydro 4 SE. Power: Cordless, charges by solar panel or DC adapter (Aiper); PCWorld lists a 5,200 mAh… on the EcoSurfer S2, 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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