How to choose a robotic pool cleaner

Match the robot to the pool, not the brand

A robotic pool cleaner is a set of published limits: the pool types it is sold for, the length or area it is rated to cover, the surfaces its brushes are named for, whether it scrubs the floor only or also the walls and waterline, how fine its filter is, how far its cable or battery reaches, and how long the Australian warranty runs. This guide walks through those fields using Australian manufacturer and retailer pages fetched on 20 September 2026. Every number is tied to a source. Nothing here is a first-hand trial. The site owner has no pool. See how we review.

If you have not yet decided between a robot, a suction cleaner and a pressure cleaner, start with robotic versus suction versus pressure. This page assumes you want a robot and need to read the specification sheet. The robot finder applies the same questions — pool type, length, surface, main debris, power-point access and budget — to this site's dataset and shows why each model matched. Research picks grouped by use case sit on the robotic pool cleaner hub. Cordless robots are compared separately at cordless robotic pool cleaners.

Maytronics lists four buying checks: pool surface and brush type, pool size and cable length, cleaning coverage (floor, walls, waterline), and filter size, with the rule that a smaller micron rating traps smaller debris. MyDolphin adds pool type, shape, debris, and extras such as a swivel cable, a caddy and app control. Zodiac walks the same path for its FreeRider range: footprint first, then coverage, modes, filtration, app, runtime and weight. Those are manufacturer checklists. This site does not pick a winner from them. It records the sourced figures so you can match a model to the pool you actually have.

Pool type and surface

MyDolphin treats above-ground and in-ground as different jobs. For an above-ground pool it recommends a lightweight floor-only cleaner such as the Dolphin S50. That page lists A$1,049, cleaning coverage floor only, ideal pool size up to 8 m including above-ground pools, robot weight 6.3 kg, cable 12 m, and warranty 2 years (limited). For an in-ground pool it says most Dolphin robots would be suitable. The same guide says only a lightweight, floor-only cleaner such as the S50 may be suitable for vinyl pools. That is Maytronics' published limit, not a measurement by this site.

Brush type follows the finish. Maytronics names Wonder Brush for smooth surfaces such as tiles, fibreglass and smooth glass beads; Combined Brush (PVC plus Wonder rings) for rough pebbles and quartz-rendered pools; and All-terrain Brush for any pool surface. The E10 lists all-terrain PVC with active scrubbing. The S50 lists an all-terrain brush. The S400 and M700 list all-terrain PVC. The FR2000 iQ lists concrete, pebblecrete, quartzon, fibreglass, vinyl and tiles. The Scuba S1 specification table lists ideal pool type in-ground and applicable materials concrete, fibreglass, vinyl and tiles. The Wybot C2 page lists tiles, concrete, vinyl and fiberglass, and both above-ground and in-ground. Beatbot AquaSense Pro lists concrete, vinyl, fiberglass and ceramic tiles, and both above-ground and in-ground.

When an Australian page publishes pool area in square metres and no length in metres, this site leaves maximum pool length unverified. Area is not converted into length. The C2 comparison table lists up to 200 m². AquaSense Pro lists a recommended pool size of 360 square metres. The Scuba S1 table lists both 1600 sq. ft (150 m²) and 50 ft (15 m) in length, so the length figure can be cited from that page. Beatbot's FAQ also states a depth range of 1.6 ft to 9.8 ft and a salt limit of 5000 ppm; those figures stay in the units the page printed.

Size, cable length and battery

Corded robots are limited by the floating cable. Maytronics says every cleaner has a fixed cable length, the power supply needs to sit a certain distance from the pool edge, and a cable that is too short will not reach the far corners. The E10 lists a 12 m cable with no swivel, for pools up to 8 m. The S400 lists a 17 m swivel cable for pools up to 15 m. The EX6050 iQ lists pools up to 15 m × 7 m with a 21 m cable and an automatic swivel. MyDolphin says a swivel cable is meant to stop the lead tangling. The M700 page lists a swivel cable as yes but does not publish a length in metres in the fetched specification list, so cable length for that model stays unpublished here.

Cordless robots are limited by one charge. Zodiac says to start with the pool footprint so the unit can finish in one cycle: FR200 up to 8 × 4 m, FR500 iQ and FR800 iQ up to 10 × 5 m, FR1000 iQ and FR2000 iQ up to 12 × 6 m. The FR200 page lists one full cycle of 2 hours and a charge under 4 hours. The FR2000 iQ page lists one full cycle of 2 hours 30 minutes and a charge under 5 hours. The Liberty 600 lists pools up to 15 m, a 3 hour cleaning cycle, run time up to 4.5 hours, and a 4.5 hour charge. The Scuba S1 table lists battery life up to 180 minutes, Floor Mode 150 minutes of operation, and charging time 3–4 hours. Enhanced Eco Mode is labelled 270 minutes on that page; that is a labelled eco figure, not the floor-mode runtime.

The C2 page lists full coverage up to 200 m² in 180 minutes (Eco Mode) and, in its comparison table, running time up to 180 minutes. AquaSense Pro states 5 hours floor cleaning and 9.5 hours surface cleaning on one charge, and says those times are laboratory results that vary with the operating environment. For floor work, the labelled floor figure is the one that belongs in that comparison. Cordless still needs a charger at the paving: the FR2000 iQ puts the charging base on its caddy, AquaSense Pro lists a cordless charging dock, the Scuba S1 table includes a DC charger, and the C2 packing list includes a power adapter.

Floor, walls and waterline

Coverage is a sourced field, not a brand preference. Maytronics says some robots clean only the floor, some clean floors and walls, and some cover floors, walls and waterline, and that more features usually cost more. MyDolphin adds that some above-ground or vinyl pools can only be cleaned by a floor-only unit. Maytronics' features list says the waterline collects oils, sunscreen, pollen and floating debris, and that tiled or concrete pools show that build-up more easily than fibreglass.

Floor-only examples from live Australian pages: the E10 lists cleaning coverage pool floor, cycle 1.5 hours, pools up to 8 m. The S50 lists floor only. Both of those pages still include a CleverClean paragraph that names floors, walls and waterline. Follow the Cleaning Coverage line, not that blurb. Floor and walls but not waterline: the FR200 lists cleaning area floors and walls, and Zodiac's FreeRider guide says it is less ideal if you notice scum at the waterline. Floors, walls and waterline: EX6050 iQ, FR2000 iQ, S400 and M700. The Liberty 600 adds sun ledges and steps, and says it cleans ledges as shallow as 30 cm.

Cleaning modes are a second coverage question. The M700 lists Regular, Floor Only, Fast, UltraClean and Waterline, with labelled cycle lengths of 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 hours. The S400 lists Swift 1 hour, Quick 1.5 hours, Standard 2 hours and Enhanced 2.5 hours. Zodiac's FreeRider guide says FR200 and FR500 iQ have a single mode, FR800 iQ has floor-only or full-surface, and FR1000 iQ / FR2000 iQ add Smart Cycle and waterline-only. The Scuba S1 page names Floor Mode, Wall Mode, Automatic, Periodic/Eco and a weekly schedule. The C2 page names Full, Floor, Wall, Waterline, Turbo and Eco. A floor-only mode on a wall-climbing robot is still a labelled mode, not proof that a floor-only robot will climb.

Debris and filter micron

Maytronics says a smaller micron value traps smaller debris, and that a dual filter cartridge is for pools that collect both large debris and fine dust. MyDolphin maps debris to filter style: leaves and large debris to an extra-large multi-layer basket such as the M700, which that page describes as fine, ultra-fine and a rough filter insert; fine dust and sand to models such as the S400, which lists a multi-layer system with integrated fine and ultra-fine filters. The Maytronics filter guide says a leafy pool may need the filter cleaned after every cycle, and that M600 and M700 can show filter status in the app, with the M700 also listing a five-stage LED filter indicator.

Zodiac publishes micron ratings on the FreeRider and EvoluX pages. The FR200 is a 2 L single 150 μ canister. Zodiac's guide lists FR500 iQ at 100 μ and 3 L, and FR800 iQ / FR1000 iQ / FR2000 iQ as dual 150 μ / 60 μ with 3 L, 4 L and 4 L. The FR2000 iQ product page matches that dual-stage 150 / 60 micron, 4 L figure. The EX6050 iQ lists dual-stage 150 μ / 60 μ, 5 L, and says the 150 μ filter can run alone or with the 60 μ filter, or the unit can run single 60 μ, 100 μ or 200 μ filters. Dual filtration on this site stores the basket micron (150, not the extra 60 μ layer).

Other Australian pages publish a coarse basket plus a finer layer. The Scuba S1 table lists a 180 μm fine filter basket and a 3 μm MicroMesh ultra-fine filter, with a 3.5 L basket. The C2 lists 180 μm plus a 10 μm filter net and 3 L capacity. AquaSense Pro lists a 3.7 L basket and dual filter 150 μm + 250 μm. The E10 page does not publish a micron rating; it lists an easy-clean net canister. A missing micron stays unverified. It is not estimated from a sibling model.

Corded or cordless, and how you lift it out

Maytronics puts corded robots on uninterrupted power, longer cycles and larger pools, and cordless robots on pools that are smaller, oddly shaped, or full of in-pool obstructions, with no trailing cable. It names the M700 as the corded example and the Liberty 600 as the cordless example. MyDolphin says an irregular pool, or a pool with obstacles, may benefit from a cordless unit so the power cord does not snag. Those are manufacturer positions. A corded robot with a sourced cable that covers the pool still has a use when a labelled cycle can run without a recharge.

Retrieval and weight decide whether you can get the unit out. Maytronics' features list says a water-logged cleaner is awkward to lift, and to look for compact units, ergonomic handles, rapid water release, and a caddy. Published robot weights from pages fetched for this guide: FR200 6 kg, S50 6.3 kg, E10 6.5 kg, S400 7.5 kg, C2 comparison table 7.9 kg, FR2000 iQ 9 kg, EX6050 iQ 10 kg, AquaSense Pro 11 kg, Liberty 600 12 kg. The M700 product page does not publish a robot weight in the fetched specification list.

How the unit comes out is also a labelled feature. The FR200 waits near a wall for a manual hook. Zodiac's FreeRider guide gives FR500 iQ and FR800 iQ Tap & Lift and waterline pick-up, and the FR2000 iQ Tap & Lift, waterline return, app-triggered return, remote, or manual retrieval. The EX6050 iQ Lift System page copy says a waterjet as you lift reduces effort by 20%; that is Zodiac's claim. The M700 and S400 list pick-me-up / pick-up mode. The Liberty 600 lists Click-Up, click-to-stop and a Homing wall. App control is optional, not universal: the FR200 lists App Control N/A; FR500 iQ and above, EX6050 iQ, M700, S400, Scuba S1, C2, AquaSense Pro and Liberty 600 all list an app. The Scuba S1 store page FAQ also says the robot is not designed to clean benches and stairs, and is not for infinity pools.

Power draw, listed price and Australian warranty

Published wattage is sparse and model-specific. The genuine E10 / X30 / S50 on/off power supply is labelled 120 W. The M700 / M600 / X6 Wi-Fi power supply is labelled 180 W. The EX6050 iQ lists operating power 30 V DC / 150 W. The FR2000 iQ lists supply voltage 29.4 V and does not publish a wattage in the fetched table, so wattage for that model stays unpublished. Those figures are nameplates, not bills this site has measured.

These amounts are listed prices on the named Australian pages, checked 20 September 2026. They are not a ranking. Retailer tickets can differ from a compare-at or RRP on the same day. Floor-only corded: from A$1,049 at MyDolphin for the S50, from A$1,149 for the E10. Cordless examples: from A$809.10 at Aiper AU for the Scuba S1, with a compare-at of A$999.99 on that page; FR200 A$1,029; C2 A$849.99 with a compare-at of A$1,299.99; AquaSense Pro A$2,499 with a compare-at of A$3,199; Liberty 600 A$3,299; FR2000 iQ A$3,089. Full-coverage corded: EX6050 iQ A$2,889; S400 A$3,399; M700 RRP A$3,999, on sale A$3,699 on that page the same day.

Zodiac's express warranty, effective 15 May 2026, is issued by Fluidra Group Australia Pty Ltd for products bought from authorised dealers. FR200 is listed at 2 years, with 1 year on wearable parts. FR2000 iQ is listed at 3 years, or 1200 motor hours, whichever comes first. EX6050 iQ matches that 3-year / 1200-hour motor term. Claims go through MyFluidra or 1300 763 021. The E10 and S50 pages list 2 years (limited). The S400 and M700 pages list 4 years. The Liberty 600 page lists 3 years. Aiper's Australian warranty table lists Scuba S1, Scuba S1 (2025) and Scuba S1 Pro at 24 months; the Scuba S1 store page also states a 2-year warranty. The C2 and AquaSense Pro pages both state 2 years. Australian Consumer Law still applies alongside those express terms.

How to use those specs

Write down the pool you have: above-ground or in-ground, length in metres if you have it, surface, the debris that actually lands in it, and whether a power point sits by the water. Then read the matching fields on the product page, not the marketing blurb that names walls on a floor-only robot. Use the robot finder to apply those answers to the dataset. Research picks by use case are on the hub. If there is no outlet by the water, read the cordless comparison as well.

Research reviews of robots sold in Australia start at the Dolphin E10, Dolphin S400, Dolphin M700, Aiper Scuba S1, Wybot C2, Beatbot AquaSense Pro and Zodiac FreeRider FR2000 iQ. Those pages are labelled research reviews until a tester report exists. This is a research guide. It does not replace the product page, the warranty document, or the manual for the model in front of you.

Sources

Every URL below was fetched for this guide. Figures are copied from those pages. This is not a first-hand trial.

• Maytronics Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Maytronics Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• Maytronics Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Maytronics Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Zodiac Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Zodiac Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Zodiac Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Zodiac Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Zodiac Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• MyDolphin (checked 2026-09-20)
• Aiper AU store (checked 2026-09-20)
• Aiper Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Aiper Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Wybot Australia (checked 2026-09-20)
• Beatbot Australia (checked 2026-09-20)