Polaris FREEDOM vs Polaris VRX iQ+
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Oct 26, 2026
As of Oct 26, 2026, the Polaris FREEDOM costs $1,199 and the Polaris VRX iQ+ costs $1,499, so the Polaris FREEDOM is $300 cheaper. Pick the Polaris FREEDOM for in-ground pools up to 50 ft without a cord. Pick the Polaris VRX iQ+ for in-ground pools wanting top cleaning.
- Cleans
- Floor
- Power
- Cordless lithium ion
- Runtime
- Up to 2.5 h
- Max pool
- Up to 50 ft
The base cordless Polaris cleans floor, walls and waterline in about 2.5 hours and parks for retrieval with Tap and Lift. The Pool Nerd ranks it as a saner cordless pick than no name robots, but notes suction fades as the battery drains. It costs a lot for a cordless robot without a remote.
Full Polaris FREEDOM review →- Cleans
- Floor
- Power
- Corded
- Runtime
- 2 h 45 min deep clean
- Max pool
- 60 ft long
One of the best performing corded robots in independent testing, with an app, scheduling and a lift system that brings it to the wall for pickup. PCWorld found it fast and nearly perfect on the floor, but the 70 ft cord and big caddy take effort to manage. Skip it if you have an above-ground pool or want surface skimming.
Full Polaris VRX iQ+ review →Side by side
| Polaris FREEDOM | Polaris VRX iQ+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199 | $1,499 |
| 3 year cost | $1,199 | $1,649 |
| Our score | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Rank in Pool | #12 | #14 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 2 years limited | 2 year limited |
| Pool types | In-ground only | In-ground, up to 60 ft (Leslie's listing) |
| Cleans | Floor, walls and waterline; floor only and waterline only modes | Floor, walls, waterline; no surface skimming |
| Power | Cordless lithium ion | Corded, 70 ft floating cable with swivel; plugs into a GFCI outlet |
| Runtime | Up to 2.5 h | SMART Cycle sets time; PCWorld measured 2 h 45 min deep clean, 1 h 15 min floor only, 45 min waterline only |
| Charge time | 4 h per Leslie's; under 5 h per Polaris | None (corded) |
| Filter | 4 L transparent all purpose filter canister | 5 L illuminated canister with dirty canister indicator; sand and silt canister sold separately |
| Max pool size | Up to 50 ft | In-ground pools up to 60 ft (Leslie's) |
| App | iAquaLink app for modes, charge status and cycle alerts | iAquaLink app with scheduling, remote control, spot cleaning and OTA updates |
| Weight | 20 lb | n/a |
| Warranty | 2 years limited | 2 year limited (Leslie's) |
| Drive | n/a | 4WD with front brushes |
| Best for | in-ground pools up to 50 ft without a cord | in-ground pools wanting top cleaning |
| Skip if | you want corded level suction | you hate managing a cord |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Polaris FREEDOM
- The Pool Nerd: Named it the runner up cordless pick with longer runtime than many cordless units and wall climbing, but said suction and scrubbing fade as the battery drains and it does not match corded Dolphins. Source
Polaris VRX iQ+
- PCWorld: Best corded pick; found 99% of synthetic leaves, missing one on a step, and was one of the fastest robots tested. Managing the power cord took extra effort. Source
Pros and cons
Polaris FREEDOM
Pros
- Cleans floor to waterline
- Big 4 L clear canister
- Backed by a long running pool brand
- iAquaLink app modes and alerts
Cons
- Expensive for cordless
- Suction fades as the battery drains per The Pool Nerd
- Larger pools may need extra cycles
- Leslie's lists it for AccuBlue members only
Polaris VRX iQ+
Pros
- Best performance PCWorld has tested
- Smart cycle adjusts time to your pool
- Lift system for easier retrieval
- App scheduling and remote control
Cons
- Cord and caddy are bulky
- In-ground only
- No surface skimming
- No brand or Amazon price confirmed
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Polaris FREEDOM or the Polaris VRX iQ+?
Pick the Polaris FREEDOM for in-ground pools up to 50 ft without a cord. Pick the Polaris VRX iQ+ for in-ground pools wanting top cleaning.
Which is cheaper?
The Polaris FREEDOM at $1,199, versus $1,499 for the Polaris VRX iQ+, checked Oct 26, 2026. Over 3 years with running costs: $1,199 vs $1,649.
What is the difference between the FREEDOM and the VRX iQ+?
Pool types: In-ground only on the FREEDOM, In-ground, up to 60 ft (Leslie's listing) on the VRX iQ+. Cleans: Floor, walls and waterline; floor only and waterline only modes on the FREEDOM, Floor, walls, waterline; no surface skimming on the VRX iQ+. Power: Cordless lithium ion on the FREEDOM, Corded, 70 ft floating cable with swivel; plugs into a GFCI outlet on the VRX iQ+.
Also consider
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All robotic pool cleaners, ranked
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