Betta SE vs Chasing Hydro 4 SE
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Betta SE costs $370 and the Chasing Hydro 4 SE costs $449, so the Betta SE is $79 cheaper. The Betta SE has a published review score and ranks #2 in our robotic pool cleaners ranking; the Chasing Hydro 4 SE is not scored yet. Pick the Betta SE for pools with leaves and bugs on the surface. Pick the Chasing Hydro 4 SE for medium pools where a cord is not a problem. They split the points we can measure, 1 each.
Who wins, point by point
They split the points we can measure, 1 each. Built from today's prices, the specs and independent tests for these two robots.
| SE | Hydro 4 SE | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price today | $370 | $449 | SE |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years | Hydro 4 SE |
- You want to spend less (saves $79)
- Best for pools with leaves and bugs on the surface
- You care most about warranty (2 years vs 1 year)
- Best for medium pools where a cord is not a problem
- Cleans
- Water surface only
- Power
- Cordless
- Runtime
- 30+ h on a charge
- Max pool
- Up to 40 x 60 ft
Solar surface skimmer that runs all day with no charging
Full Betta SE 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
| Betta SE | Chasing Hydro 4 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $370 | $449 |
| 3 year cost | $370 | $449 |
| Our score | 9.1/10 | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Pool | #2 | #20 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year (Betta store) | 2 years |
| Pool types | Above-ground and in-ground; Betta says its SCT motors work in saltwater and chlorine pools | 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); does not clean floor or walls | Floor, walls and waterline (Chasing says) |
| Power | Cordless, solar charged built in lithium battery; no plug in charging (Betta) | Corded AC, 150 W peak, 39.4 ft (12 m) cable per the spec table; box contents say 40 ft (Chasing) |
| Runtime | 30+ h on a charge, including cloudy days (Betta); The Pool Nerd ran it daily for weeks with no stops | Auto cycles of 1, 2 or 3 h; wall only 2 h; floor only 2 h; Ultra Clean 3 h (Chasing says) |
| Charge time | 5 to 6 h of direct sunlight (Betta) | None needed, corded |
| Filter | Top load fine mesh basket, 200 micron (Betta) | 180 micron dual zone basket, 4.1 L; optional 50 micron basket (Chasing says) |
| Max pool size | Up to 40 x 60 ft, about 2,400 sq ft (Betta) | Up to 1,614 sq ft (Chasing says) |
| App | No app; wireless remote for mode changes, auto mode only (Betta) | Chasing app with scheduled start; no underwater control (Chasing comparison table); Happy TechFam found Bluetooth drops once submerged |
| Warranty | 1 year, plus 30 day home trial (Betta) | 2 years (Chasing store) |
| Weight | n/a | 14.3 lb, 6.5 kg robot plus 2.9 lb control box (Chasing says) |
| Best for | pools with leaves and bugs on the surface | medium pools where a cord is not a problem |
| Skip if | you want app control or floor cleaning | 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
Betta SE
- Bob Vila (4.6/5): 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. Source
- The Pool Nerd: 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. 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 Betta SE or the Chasing Hydro 4 SE?
The Betta SE has a published review score and ranks #2 in our robotic pool cleaners ranking; the Chasing Hydro 4 SE is not scored yet. Pick the Betta SE for pools with leaves and bugs on the surface. Pick the Chasing Hydro 4 SE for medium pools where a cord is not a problem.
Which is cheaper?
The Betta SE at $370, versus $449 for the Chasing Hydro 4 SE, checked Nov 4, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $370 vs $449.
What is the difference between the SE and the Hydro 4 SE?
Pool types: Above-ground and in-ground; Betta says its SCT motors work in saltwater and chlorine pools on the SE, 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); does not clean floor or walls on the SE, Floor, walls and waterline (Chasing says) on the Hydro 4 SE. Power: Cordless, solar charged built in lithium battery; no plug in charging (Betta) on the SE, 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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