When pool season kicks off, there’s one piece of equipment that turns into the quiet workhorse of summer: the robotic pool cleaner. It’s the thing that shows up, does the dirty work, and doesn’t ask you to babysit it. Floors, walls, waterline, fine dust, leaves, “what even is that?” debris — a good robot handles it while you’re living your life.

And every year, the category gets a little more interesting. In 2026, we’re seeing smarter navigation that’s leaning into vision systems and mapping, more cordless options with better battery management, filtration that’s getting finer (and bigger), and a serious push toward convenience — app controls, scheduling, easier retrieval, and specialty modes for waterlines, corners, steps, and sun ledges.

Below is our breakdown of 10 new and notable robotic pool cleaners to watch in 2026, followed by a feature matrix to help you compare them side-by-side.

New Robotic Pool Cleaners in 2026

Aiper Scuba V3

Aiper keeps swinging for the fences in cordless cleaning, and the Scuba V3 is one of the more feature-forward models in the 2026 mix. The big headline here is Aiper’s navigation stack: the Scuba V3 is built around “VisionPath™,” which combines AI vision and dToF (depth/Time-of-Flight style sensing) to map and plan routes. In normal-people terms, it’s trying to “see” and understand the pool instead of just bouncing around like a Roomba with a chlorine habit.

The Scuba V3 is positioned as a floor, wall, and waterline cleaner, with a specific callout for horizontal waterline work via “JetAssist™.” That matters because waterline cleaning is where a lot of robots talk tough and then leave you with that grimy sunscreen ring anyway.

(2026 New) AIPER Scuba V3 AI Vision Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, 10x Faster Pool Cleaning with AI Patrol, 24/7 Auto Cleaning, Smart Waterline Parking & Multi-Layer Filtration

• 10x Faster Pool Cleaning with AI Patrol System: Single front-facing AI camera detects over 20 debris types and navigates directly to debris. It cleans up to ten times faster than traditional methods for efficient, energy-saving pool floor cleaning.

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Key features include:

• VisionPath™ navigation using AI vision + dToF sensing
• JetAssist™ horizontal waterline cleaning
• Dual brushes with 4,800 GPH suction
• MicroMesh™ multi-layer filtration
• Multiple cleaning modes, including AI-driven route behaviors

Who it’s for:

Homeowners who want a modern cordless cleaner with a stronger emphasis on “smart” routing and better waterline attention than the average set-it-and-pray robot.

Beatbot Sora 70

Beatbot’s Sora 70 comes in with a very clear value proposition: long runtime, big coverage, and a filtration setup that’s spelled out in actual numbers instead of marketing fog. The company positions it as a cordless cleaner built for comprehensive cleaning, but what makes it stand out in a crowded field is the published endurance and capacity.

Beatbot lists up to 5 hours of continuous floor cleaning and up to 7 hours of water-surface cleaning, with coverage claims up to 3,230 square feet. That’s a big deal for larger pools, for households that want fewer “charging breaks,” or for anyone who wants to run longer cycles without wondering if the thing is going to die in the deep end.

Filtration is also clearly specified: a 6-liter, 150-micron filter as standard, with an optional 3-micron filter accessory noted as coming later.

(2026 New) Beatbot Sora 70 Pool Vacuum Robot, 360° Top-to-Bottom Cleaning, Smart Surface Parking, 6L Capacity, 6800GPH Super Power for Above & In-Ground Pools Up to 3,200 sq. ft, Purple-Side Cover

• From water surface to floor, walls to waterline, and shallow areas as low as 8 inches, our pool robot delivers professional-grade cleaning across every inch of your pool. The signature purple side panels mark a machine built for precision.

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Key features include:

• Cordless operation with long runtime claims (up to 5h floor / up to 7h surface)
• Coverage claim up to 3,230 sq ft
• 6L / 150µm filter, with optional 3µm filter accessory (noted as coming later)
• Waterline cleaning behaviors described by the manufacturer
• App-style control and smart convenience features (parking/retrieval concepts are called out)

Who it’s for:

Pool owners who care about runtime and capacity — especially bigger pools — and want a modern robot with clearly stated filtration and coverage targets.

Betta Flex

Let’s get something straight: Betta Flex is not an underwater vacuum robot. It’s a solar-powered, completely cordless surface skimmer — a different job, different lane, and honestly, a smart one.

Surface debris is the stuff that annoys you daily: leaves, bugs, pollen, grass clippings. If it floats long enough, it eventually sinks and becomes a bigger problem. A surface skimmer robot like Betta Flex is basically “preventative cleaning.” It keeps the top of the pool looking sharp and reduces how much junk makes it to the floor.

Betta positions the Flex as solar powered and cordless, with dual cleaning modes (Eco and Normal), and “24/7 continuous cleaning.” It’s also marketed as compatible with infinity pools, above-ground pools, and in-ground pools. For homeowners who hate manual skimming, this thing can quickly become the one robot you notice the most — because you see the results constantly.

Betta Flex Solar-Powered Robotic Pool Skimmer – Cordless with Dual Cleaning Modes, Soft-Touch Pool Protection. Compatible with Infinity Edge, In-Ground & Above-Ground Pools (Blue)

• Automatic Pool Skimming Made Easy – Betta Flex glides across your pool surface day and night, automatically collecting leaves, flower petals, pollen, and other debris—keeping your water crystal clear without lifting a finger.

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Key features include:

• Solar-powered operation and completely cordless
• Continuous surface skimming concept (marketed as 24/7 cleaning)
• Dual cleaning modes (Eco and Normal)
• Compatibility claims: infinity / above-ground / in-ground
• Stated pool size coverage up to 40 ft × 60 ft

Who it’s for:

Anyone who’s tired of skimming, or anyone who wants to pair a surface skimmer robot with a separate underwater cleaner for a one-two punch.

Mova Diver A10

MOVA Diver A10 is the “serious suction, serious waterline” entry in the 2026 lineup. It’s positioned as a cordless, AI-powered robotic pool cleaner designed to balance strong mechanical performance with smarter path planning — and if you’ve ever watched a robot miss the waterline ring or take inefficient zig-zag laps across the floor, you’ll understand why that pitch matters.

According to the published specs, the Diver A10 is built for in-ground and above-ground pools up to approximately 1,900 square feet. It features a 6,000 GPH suction system powered by triple brushless motors, along with EdgePulse™ and PoolNavi™ adaptive navigation designed to improve route efficiency and full-pool coverage. One of its standout differentiators is dual-pass waterline scrubbing, with the ability to reach slightly above the waterline to tackle oils, algae, and residue buildup more aggressively than single-pass systems.

The Diver A10 also includes a 3.5-liter debris basket with ultra-fine filtration, plus an optional 3-micron ultra-fine screen for capturing smaller particulate matter. App-based scheduling allows up to four cleanings per week, and the unit can remain submerged in standby mode and automatically reactivate for scheduled cycles. Runtime is listed at up to 4 hours, with auto-parking and easy-lift retrieval built into the design.

MOVA Diver A10 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, 6,000GPH Suction, 240min Runtime, Wall Climbing & Double-Pass Waterline Scrubbing, AI-Powered Edge Cleaning & Path Planning, Auto Parking, 8 Modes

• Powerful 6,000GPH Suction for Deep Pool Cleaning: Powered by three high-efficiency brushless motors and a dual-track drive system, this robotic pool vacuum cleaner delivers strong, stable suction to pick up debris like sand, hair, leaves, and fine particles from pool floors and walls—ideal for inground pools and everyday pool maintenance.

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Key features include:

• 6,000 GPH suction powered by triple brushless motors
• EdgePulse™ and PoolNavi™ adaptive navigation
• Dual-pass waterline scrubbing reaching slightly above the waterline
• 3.5L debris basket with ultra-fine filtration and optional 3µm screen
• App-based scheduling (up to four cleanings per week)
• Runtime claim up to 4 hours

Who it’s for:

Pool owners who want stronger suction and more deliberate waterline cleaning in a cordless robot — especially in mid-to-large residential pools where performance and scheduling flexibility matter more than novelty features.

WYBOT S2 Solar Vision

WYBOT’s S2 Solar Vision is one of the more interesting “hybrid power + smart behavior” releases for 2026. The big hook is in the name: solar-assisted charging paired with a vision-based mode. WYBOT positions it as an underwater solar-powered robotic pool cleaner with dual charging methods (Solar and DC).

The key nuance here — and it matters — is that WYBOT’s “AI Vision Mode” is described as floor-only. That means if you’re buying it specifically because you think the camera/vision system is going to hunt debris on walls and waterlines, you’ll want to understand that limitation. Still, as a cordless robot with solar assist and app scheduling, it’s trying to reduce the “charge anxiety” that comes with battery units.

WYBOT lists a runtime of 2.5 hours+ and coverage up to 3,229 square feet. The filtration system is described as a 180-micron filter box plus an ultra-fine sponge layer.

WYBOT S2 Solar Vision Robotic Pool Cleaner, AI Vision Algorithm, Auto Return Charging, Dual Charging, Scheduled Cleaning, 3D Adsorption for In-Ground Pools(Grey & Green)

• Dual Charging & Auto Dock Recharge: When battery drops below 20%, it auto returns to dock for self-charging (no manua al work). Underwater solar powers daily use; fast DC backup works on low-sun days.

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Key features include:

• Dual charging: Solar & DC
• “AI Vision Mode” noted as floor-only
• 2.5h+ runtime claim
• Coverage claim up to 3,229 sq ft
• Filtration: 180µm filter box + ultra-fine sponge
• App control and scheduling functions

Who it’s for:

Sunny-climate pool owners who like the idea of solar assist, want cordless convenience, and want a clearer expectation around where vision mode applies.

Dolphin Nautilus EON 120D

The Dolphin Nautilus EON 120D is the flagship cordless cleaner from Maytronics’ new EON series, built to deliver extended performance and true total pool coverage. Positioned above its EON 100 sibling, the 120D adds professional-level features for debris handling and runtime — and if you’ve ever watched a conventional robot struggle on sun ledges, steps, or waterline buildup, you’ll appreciate what this machine brings to the table.

According to the product details, the EON 120D is engineered to handle floors, walls, waterlines, corners, steps, and ultra-shallow ledges with a combination of SmartMap navigation and JetIQ design that helps it adapt to pool geometry and clean efficiently end-to-end. Its patented DebrisLock closed filtration technology not only traps ultra-fine particles, it also auto-backwashes to reduce how often you have to interrupt cycles for filter cleaning — a significant convenience for busy pool owners.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the EON 120D is its UltraRun scheduling concept, which Maytronics positions as capable of keeping the entire pool clean for up to 2.5 weeks on a single battery charge when used with lighter scheduled cycles. App control via the Maytronics One app brings scheduling, remote monitoring, and troubleshooting to your phone, reducing the time you spend managing maintenance.

Dolphin Nautilus EON 120D Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner Ideal for Pools up to 50 FT – Wi-Fi Connected, Waterline & Sun Ledge Cleaning, Smart Navigation

• CORDLESS POWER WITH APP CONTROL: Enjoy the hassle-free Nautilus EON 120d cordless pool cleaning with powerful suction and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Use the MaytronicsOne app to start, stop, schedule, and customize cleaning modes when your EON is out of the water.

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Key features highlighted include:

• Cordless freedom with no cable to manage
• UltraRun cleaning scheduler, capable of long-interval coverage
• SmartMap navigation that learns pool shape and obstacles
• DebrisLock closed filtration with auto backwash
• App-based scheduling, monitoring, and alerts
• Total pool coverage including floors, walls, waterline, steps, sun ledges, and corners

Who it’s for:

Pool owners who want a premium cordless robotic cleaner with next-level filtration and scheduling, minimal maintenance interruptions, and the ability to cover every inch of the pool — even areas many robots can’t consistently reach.

Dreame Z1 Pro

Dreame enters the pool-cleaning world with a cordless product that reads like it came from a robotics company first and a pool company second — which can be a good thing when software and mapping are improving faster than traditional categories.

The Dreame Z1 Pro is a floor/wall/waterline cleaner with strong published flow numbers. The company lists suction performance up to 8,000 GPH, runtime stated as over 180 minutes (depending on the version/config shown), and charging time listed in the 4–6 hour range. Coverage is listed up to 2,160 square feet.

Those are the kinds of specs shoppers can actually compare — and it puts Z1 Pro in a pretty competitive part of the cordless market where buyers want performance without paying “flagship tax.”

DREAME Z1 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, LiFi & APP Control, 8000 GPH Suction, Wall & Waterline Cleaning, UP to 180+ min, Auto-Retrieval, Automatic Pool Vacuum for Above & In-Ground Pools

• This device currently supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, or dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz).

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Key features include:

• Cordless cleaning for floor, walls, and waterline
• Suction claim up to 8,000 GPH
• Runtime listed as 180+ minutes
• Charging time listed as 4–6 hours
• Coverage claim up to 2,160 ft²

Who it’s for:

Homeowners who want a serious cordless cleaner with published suction and runtime specs they can weigh against other 2026 releases.

iGarden K Pro Pool Cleaner

The iGarden K Pro is the outlier in this lineup — in a good way — because the runtime and coverage claims are wildly beyond what most people expect from cordless robots.

iGarden markets the K Pro with a stated 10 hours of runtime and up to 15,500 square feet of coverage (noted on a floor-cleaning basis). If those numbers translate into real-world consistency, this is the kind of unit that shifts how people think about battery robots. Instead of “run a cycle, recharge, run again,” the concept becomes “this thing can live in the pool and just keep going.”

The K Pro positioning leans hard into app control and smart route optimization, paired with high-capacity operation that’s clearly aimed at large residential pools, high-use pools, and owners who want fewer interruptions.

(2026 Upgrade) iGarden Pool Cleaner K Pro, 10H Runtime, Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum for Inground Pools, 200% Turbo Suction, Smart Navigation, Touchscreen & APP, 4L Large Basket, Auto-Parking

• 1. Up to 15-Day Cleaning Cycle: Powered by upgraded battery technology, the cordless pool robot delivers 10H runtime (floor-only) or 6H (full pool: floor, walls, waterline). Capable of handling pools up to 6357 ft³ / 47,551 gallons, with smart sensing that adapts cleaning for maximum efficiency. Just two short cleanings per week keep your pool crystal clear, ensuring up to 15 days of effortless maintenance.

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Key features include:

• Runtime claim up to 10 hours
• Coverage claim up to 15,500 ft² (floor cleaning basis)
• App-enabled control and route optimization positioning
• High-end endurance positioning relative to typical cordless robots

Who it’s for:

Big pools, high debris environments, and pool owners who want maximum runtime without constantly managing charging cycles.

Seauto SAT40

Seauto’s SAT40 is a cordless cleaner that spells out its cleaning modes clearly — and that’s important, because for many pool owners the real value isn’t “can it clean?” It’s “can I tell it exactly what to clean today?”

The SAT40 is described with four modes: Auto, Waterline, Floor-only, and Wall-only. It also calls out horizontal waterline cleaning via “WaveLine Technology,” plus a dual filtration setup that includes a 250-micron filter basket and an ultra-fine 2-micron filter. Basket capacity is listed at 5 liters with top-load access. Pool coverage is listed up to 2,150 square feet.

(2026 New) 240-Min Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, Wall-Climbing, 2 Brushes&Motors, Enhanced Waterline Care, Smart Wavepath Navigation, Pool Robot for Inground Pools up to 3,230 Sq.ft

• 🐳 【4 in 1 Smart Cleaning Modes】Zyerch Pool Cleaner can switch between floor, wall, waterline, or all-cover modes to customize cleaning solutions for your pool needs. Change cleaning modes via the machine’s buttons or the app, with the sequence: All Cover-Wall-Floor-Waterline.The Enhanced Waterline Care feature provides superior cleaning for the waterline.

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Key features include:

• Cordless operation
• Four cleaning modes: Auto, Waterline, Floor-only, Wall-only
• Horizontal waterline cleaning claim (WaveLine Technology)
• Dual filtration: 250µm basket + 2µm ultra-fine filter
• 5L top-load debris basket
• Coverage claim up to 2,150 sq ft (in-ground)

Who it’s for:

Pool owners who want targeted modes (especially waterline), plus a filtration setup that’s designed to catch both big debris and fine particulate.

Talosbo Pleco Pro

Talosbo’s Pleco Pro comes in as a cordless, in-ground focused robot built to cover the full “floor/walls/waterline” workload with published suction numbers and a straightforward spec sheet.

The Pleco Pro lists suction power at 4,000 GPH and positions itself for pools up to about 2,153 square feet (200㎡). It also calls out brushless motors — both for the drive system and pump motor — which is generally a good sign for efficiency and long-term durability.

Key features include:

• Cordless cleaning for floor, walls, and waterline
• Suction claim: 4,000 GPH
• Pool size claim: 2,153 sq ft / 200㎡
• Brushless drive motors and brushless pump motor (as listed)

Who it’s for:

Buyers who want a cordless, all-surfaces robot with clear suction and pool-size targets, without getting lost in gimmicks.

2026 Robotic Pool Cleaner Comparison Matrix

Why Investing in a Robotic Pool Cleaner Still Makes Sense

Here’s the truth: the best robotic pool cleaner doesn’t just save time — it changes how your pool feels day-to-day. Cleaner water, less debris cycling through the system, fewer “I’ll do it tomorrow” moments, and a pool that looks maintained even when life gets busy.

Robots also help reduce the burden on your main circulation system because they’re capturing debris in their own filters and scrubbing surfaces directly. That can mean less manual brushing, fewer leaf piles sitting on the floor, and less grime building up at the waterline.

If you’re shopping for a new robotic pool cleaner in 2026, you’ve got more legitimate options than ever: long-runtime cordless models, solar-assisted units, specialized surface skimmers, and “smarter” navigation systems that are actually being marketed with real specs you can compare. Hopefully this roundup makes the buying decision a little easier — and gets you one step closer to a summer where the robot does the work and you just enjoy the pool.

As spring approaches and the pool season begins to ramp up, automation quickly rises to the top of the list of topics pool professionals discuss with homeowners. Customers want pools that are easier to manage, more efficient to operate, and capable of maintaining consistent performance without constant attention.

For builders and service companies, automation offers a different kind of value. Connected systems can provide better visibility into equipment performance, reduce troubleshooting time, and help identify issues before they turn into costly service calls.

It’s no surprise that the topic continues to dominate conversations heading into every pool season.

Over the past few years, one of the pool automation platforms gaining attention among pool professionals is The Attendant, a connected automation and monitoring system developed by Poolside Tech. The platform combines equipment automation with system monitoring and data visibility, creating a tool designed to help both homeowners and service professionals better understand how their pools are operating.

While many automation systems are designed around specific equipment ecosystems, Attendant was built to integrate with a wide range of pool equipment, giving builders and service companies flexibility when designing or upgrading equipment pads.

But compatibility is only part of the story.

The larger goal behind the platform is to expand the role automation plays in how pools are monitored and maintained.

“Automation used to basically turn things on and off,” explained Ben Forrest of Poolside Tech. “Now we’re talking about systems that think, adapt, and prevent problems before they happen.”

Building an Intelligent Pool System

Traditional automation systems have historically focused on equipment control. Pumps can be scheduled to run at certain times, heaters can be turned on remotely, and lighting systems can be coordinated through a mobile app.

The Attendant builds on that concept by introducing a deeper layer of monitoring and diagnostics.

Through connected sensors and equipment integration, the system collects operational data from the equipment pad and makes that information accessible through a cloud-connected interface. Homeowners and service professionals can observe how pumps, heaters, and other components are operating in real time, providing insight that goes far beyond simple scheduling.

For service professionals, that level of visibility can change how pools are managed. Instead of discovering issues during routine weekly visits, technicians can receive alerts when equipment begins to behave outside its normal operating range.

A pump drawing unusual power, a heater cycling incorrectly, or changes in water conditions can trigger notifications that allow technicians to respond quickly—often before the homeowner even realizes something is wrong.

For homeowners, the system provides peace of mind that their pool is being monitored continuously rather than only during scheduled service visits.

The Attendant Product Line

Poolside Tech has developed several versions of the Attendant platform designed to support different types of installations.

The Attendant

At the center of the lineup is the flagship Attendant controller. Designed for installations where multiple pieces of equipment must operate together, the system functions as a central hub capable of coordinating pumps, heaters, valves, and sensors while collecting operational data about how the system is performing.

Because the platform is cloud-connected, both homeowners and service professionals can access system data remotely through the Attendant interface. Instead of relying solely on periodic inspections at the equipment pad, users can observe system performance in real time.

The goal is to move automation beyond fixed schedules and toward systems that provide a clearer picture of how equipment is operating throughout the day.

The Attendant Mini & The Attendant Mini + Chemistry

For installations that do not require the full scale of the flagship controller, Poolside Tech offers a compact alternative in the Attendant Mini.

The Attendant Mini delivers many of the same monitoring and automation capabilities in a smaller footprint designed for residential equipment pads. Despite its size, the system still integrates with pumps, heaters, and monitoring devices while providing remote access and system alerts through the Attendant platform.

For pool pros, the Attendant Mini offers an accessible entry point for introducing connected automation to residential customers without requiring the larger automation cabinets typically associated with advanced systems.

The platform expands further with the Attendant Mini + Chemistry configuration.

This version incorporates probe-based sensors that continuously monitor water balance parameters such as pH and sanitizer levels. Instead of relying exclusively on manual testing during service visits, the system provides ongoing readings that allow service professionals to observe trends in water chemistry over time.

“If a builder offered homeowners a system that keeps chlorine and pH perfect no matter how many kids are in the pool,” Forrest said, “almost everyone would say yes—as long as it’s affordable.”

By integrating water monitoring with equipment automation, the Attendant platform aims to help service professionals maintain more consistent water conditions while reducing the guesswork that often accompanies traditional testing routines.

Building Momentum Across the Industry

While the Attendant platform has steadily evolved over the past several years, Poolside Tech has also been working to introduce the technology directly to the professionals who build and service pools every day.

In recent seasons, the company has made a strong presence at industry trade shows, conferences, and educational events, demonstrating the platform to builders, service companies, and distributors across the country.

Those efforts have helped Poolside Tech build a growing network of partnerships across the pool industry, beginning with major manufacturers like Latham and extending to distribution relationships with organizations such as POOLCORP and Heritage Pool Supply.

The company has also developed connections with several prominent industry buying groups, including Carecraft, United Aqua Group (UAG), and Master Pools Guild (MPG). These organizations help introduce new technologies to members who are continually looking for tools that can improve operational efficiency and customer experience.

Pool Pros Embracing Connected Automation

Service companies have also begun exploring how connected monitoring platforms can improve day-to-day operations. Organizations such as Poolwerx are working with Poolside Tech in their efforts to streamline service routes, reduce troubleshooting time, and provide greater visibility into pool performance between service visits.

Companies such as Shasta Pools are also exploring how connected monitoring platforms can support both sides of their operation. As a company that builds pools while also maintaining a large service and repair division, Shasta is working with Poolside Tech to adopt automation and monitoring technology that gives homeowners greater visibility into how their pool systems are performing while helping technicians keep a closer eye on equipment between service visits. For Shasta, integrating connected automation is part of a broader effort to improve the long-term ownership experience as smart home technology continues to expand into the backyard.

A Changing Landscape for Pool Automation

Automation has come a long way from the simple timers that once controlled pumps and heaters.

Today’s connected systems provide real-time insight into equipment performance, allowing homeowners and service professionals to monitor pools more effectively than ever before.

Platforms like Attendant represent an evolution in how automation is being designed—combining equipment control, monitoring, and operational data into a single connected environment.

As the new pool season approaches and automation once again becomes a central topic of conversation, it’s clear that the technology is continuing to evolve.

That’s why this spring, the goal is no longer just convenience. It’s making pools easier to manage, more efficient to operate, and better understood by the people responsible for keeping them running.

Photo Credits: Poolside Tech, Latham

Riverflow Pumps has been making the rounds this season introducing builders and designers to a concept that expands how water movement can be used in residential pools. We caught up with the company at several big industry events this year, where Riverflow has been spreading the word about BlueOrbit, a system designed to create a gentle circular current that moves throughout the entire pool.

Riverflow is already well known throughout the industry for its powerful propulsion systems used in swim-in-place pools, lazy rivers, and adventure pool environments around the world. With BlueOrbit, the company is applying that same expertise in moving water to a new type of residential experience—one that emphasizes wellness, relaxation, and subtle movement rather than high-powered aquatic training.

To better understand the idea behind BlueOrbit and how it fits into modern pool design, we spoke with Riverflow’s Phil and Denise De Tournillon along with two highly respected designers who have incorporated water movement systems into their projects: Marco Perrella and Brian Van Bower.

Perrella is a veteran builder and designer, while Van Bower is a multi-award-winning builder and one of the co-founders of Genesis, an education platform responsible for training generations of pool builders in advanced design and construction techniques.

Together, they offered insight into how BlueOrbit fits into the growing interest in wellness-driven pool design.

Hydrotherapy Moves to the Center of Pool Design

For many years, hydrotherapy in residential pools was often treated as an add-on—a spa with jets, a bench with therapy ports, or a feature that occupied one small corner of the backyard environment.

That approach is changing.

“There was a time when getting in the water and using the vessel for hydrotherapy was a small part of what people did,” said Brian Van Bower. “Now it’s a big part. People are talking about that upfront.”

Today’s homeowners are increasingly looking at their pools as spaces that support wellness and recovery just as much as recreation. Cold plunges, therapy spas, swim-in-place systems, and resistance training areas are becoming common talking points during the design process.

Van Bower says that shift has also created opportunities for builders.

“We’re all still in business to make a profit,” he said. “If you can add something onto a project that not only makes money but makes the client happier than they would have been otherwise, that’s a win-win.”

With hydrotherapy now becoming part of the initial design conversation rather than an afterthought, systems like BlueOrbit are adding a new dimension to what pools can offer.

Instead of isolating therapy to a spa or a single seating area, the concept introduces movement to the entire body of water.

When asked how many of their projects today incorporate some form of hydrotherapy feature, both Van Bower and Perrella answered without hesitation.

“Almost every single one of them.”

A Builder’s First Encounter With Moving Water

Marco Perrella says he recognized early on that water movement would become an important part of the pools he designs.

His first real experience with the concept came about a decade ago when a client approached him with a very specific request.

“My first experience with moving water in a pool was probably about ten years ago,” Perrella recalled. “A family had a daughter who was training at a junior Olympic level and they asked if there was something we could do so she could train at home.”

That conversation led him to explore Riverflow’s propulsion systems.

“We installed a Riverflow system and saw the joy when their daughter jumped in for the first session,” he said. “That opened up our eyes.”

Perrella says the reaction from the family made it clear that water movement could completely change how people experience their pool.

“We’ve done at least a half dozen pools with these systems and I don’t think they get used as much for swimming laps as they do for the movement of the water.”

In other words, what began as a training tool quickly proved to be something more.

Clients enjoyed the feeling of moving water itself.

From Swim Systems to BlueOrbit

Riverflow’s reputation was built on powerful propulsion systems designed for swim training, aquatic fitness, and large-scale water attractions. Those systems remain widely used in swim-in-place installations, therapy pools, and resort-style lazy rivers.

But as the company worked with builders and homeowners, another observation emerged.

Sometimes the most enjoyable aspect of these installations wasn’t the intense current used for swimming against the flow—it was the gentle movement that occurred when the water circulated around the vessel.

Phil De Tournillon says that realization ultimately led Riverflow to refine the concept into something new.

“We started talking about the idea of creating a softer experience,” he said. “Instead of strong directional flow, what if the water moved in a gentle circular pattern that everyone in the pool could enjoy?”

Over time, that thinking evolved into BlueOrbit, a system designed to create a more subdued current that moves around the pool in a continuous circular pattern.

Rather than producing a powerful stream intended for athletic resistance, the system creates a softer, more relaxing movement that circulates through the water, gently pulling swimmers along and creating a slow whirlpool-like effect throughout the vessel.

It’s a different kind of water experience—one that prioritizes relaxation and sensory enjoyment rather than performance.

Echoes of the Spa Experience

If this idea sounds familiar, it’s because the concept mirrors something pool owners already understand: the appeal of hydrotherapy spas.

For decades, spas represented the pinnacle of hydrotherapy in residential pools. Homeowners invested heavily in jet placement, seating positions, and therapy features designed to deliver targeted muscle relief.

Perrella says the way people talk about those features has changed dramatically.

“Before there wasn’t as much emphasis on the spa and how people were going to use it,” he said. “Now we hear people say they’re going to use it every night.”

That shift reflects a broader awareness of wellness and the role water can play in everyday health.

“People’s minds are more open now,” Perrella added. “We fuel that by explaining the options and showing how we can tailor a pool for their lifestyle and their health.”

Just as spas once represented the cutting edge of hydrotherapy, systems like BlueOrbit may represent the next evolution—bringing the sensation of moving water beyond the spa and into the entire pool.

The Health Benefits of Moving Water

Denise De Tournillon brings a unique perspective to the conversation. In addition to serving as Vice President of Riverflow, she is also a psychotherapist and prescribing nurse practitioner who works extensively in mental health environments.

From her standpoint, the appeal of moving water extends well beyond recreation.

“Water-based exercise has long been recognized as one of the most effective forms of low-impact physical activity,” De Tournillon explained. “The buoyancy of water reduces stress on the joints while still allowing resistance that helps build muscle strength and improve circulation.”

She says the addition of a gentle current can further enhance those benefits by encouraging natural movement within the pool.

“When you introduce a current, people instinctively begin to move with it or against it,” she said. “Walking against the flow, maintaining balance, or adjusting posture as the water moves around you creates small, constant movements that help improve coordination, strengthen stabilizing muscles, and promote joint mobility.”

Phil De Tournillon adds that the experience was designed to feel comfortable and welcoming rather than intense.

“The idea is that everyone in the pool can feel the movement,” he said. “It’s not about overpowering the swimmer. It’s about creating an environment where the water itself becomes part of the experience.”

Beyond the physical advantages, Denise says moving water can also contribute to mental well-being.

“Moving water can have a powerful calming effect,” she said. “The sensory stimulation from the sound and motion of circulating water helps the brain shift out of a heightened state of alertness. It promotes relaxation and often encourages people to stay in the water longer, which ultimately leads to a more restorative experience.”

BlueOrbit: Hydrotherapy Current for the Entire Pool

For builders like Perrella and Van Bower, the growing interest in wellness features signals a broader evolution in how purpose-built pools are being designed.

Homeowners are no longer looking for pools that simply look beautiful from the patio. Increasingly, they want environments that support everyday lifestyle, health, and enjoyment.

If the client is looking for the pleasing sensation of moving water—something that adds energy and life to the pool without overwhelming the experience—BlueOrbit may provide the answer.

By transforming still water into a gently circulating environment, the system introduces a new way to experience the backyard pool. And as therapeutic immersion continues to move from the spa into the larger swimming environment, the current created by BlueOrbit may represent the next big wave in bringing the benefits of hydrotherapy to the entire swimming pool.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Learn more about BlueOrbit. Listen to our entire conversation with Phil and Denise De Tournillon, Brian Van Bower, and Marco Perrella on the Pool Magazine Podcast.