Features
Talking Luxury Pools With Design Ecology
Chatting with one of the leading luxury pool builders
Today we’re discussing luxury pools with Scott Cummings and Benjamin Lasseter of Design Ecology in Austin, TX. This dynamic duo known throughout the pool industry has produced some incredible jaw dropping backyards over the years. We had the chance to catch up with them and got to talk shop, discussing luxury pools and the business aspect of being an elite design / build firm.
Cummings and Lasseter hit it off right away as it turns out. The partners both met back in 2006. Cummings had just relocated from Memphis and began working in Austin for the same company where Lasseter was a construction supervisor.
After collaborating on some incredibly creative and unique projects, they noticed early on how well they worked together. Lasseter developed a tremendous respect for Cummings’ design abilties. Conversely, Cummings realized that Lasseter was a seasoned and knowledgeable Construction Supervisor capable of executing sophisticated design concepts.
One of the early projects that they worked on together would include a French style estate pool and a modern lap pool hanging over Lake Austin with acryllic walls. In 2008 when the great recession hit, Cummings found himself laid off and back on the market. Lasseter remained with the company a short time before moving on as well. Lasseter would shortly work as a project manager for a landscape firm before eventually moving on to start his own landscape construction company.

Cummings had begun working for a firm that specialized entirely in pools. The firm he was working for had been contracted to build two swimming pools for a luxury hotel being built in downtown Austin. Cummings convinced his boss to bring in Lasseter as a Construction Supervisor on a challenging project for W Austin.
The pools were being built 80 feet above street level and both would be incredibly technically challenging. Cummings knew the enormous workload of successfully completing both and sought out his old friend Lasseter to assist with the two projects.
Cummings convinced his boss that Lasseter had the expertise and project management skills to flawlessly execute both projects. Ultimately, this successful collaboration with Cummings and Lasseter would plant the seeds for starting their own firm together.
A New Company is Born
It was shortly after the W Austin project that Cummings and Lasseter decided to start their own Design / Build firm – Design Ecology / Design Aquatics. The venture between the two business partners officially began in 2011.
Design Ecology functions as the landscaping architecture / master planning division. Design Aquatics is the other half of the company focusing on pool construction and design. Scott Cummings is the designer / landscape architect helping bring the clients vision to life. Ben Lasseter handles the day-to-day business operations and oversees construction.

The creative energy between the two of them has led Design Ecology to become one of the leading outdoor living design and build firms in Austin, TX. When trying to define the seamless and friendly working dynamic between the two, one only has to look at the synergy on the court between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, for comparison. These two manage to consistently wow and amaze both their clientele and the discerning eye of critics in the pool industry.
Designing Luxury Pools & Understanding the Clients Vision
Cummings, a licensed landscape architect oversees all of the design for the firm. We asked him what it is like working on luxury pools and backyards with some of the most affluent homeowners in Austin.
“It’s very easy to walk onto a job site and design something that is going to be great for me and make something that I think is perfect and going to look great.” said Cummings, “The challenge with design, especially with high end clients is they have a specific vision. You have to understand that vision and bring that to life.” continued Cummings.
“I always feel it’s important to get to know them as people and get to know their taste and their family and lifestyle.” said Cummings, who frequently shepherds the firms high end clients throughout the entire design process.
Coming up with the budget for Design Ecology’s multi-million dollar projects, is Ben Lasseter’s domain. He explained how the entire budgeting process on high end luxury builds is vastly different than your typical residential pool build.
Get Used To Throwing Out Large Numbers
“With a lot of clients, their budget is irrational to a normal person. They see something and the average person is like ‘Oh, that’s $100,000 for that statue’… the clients aren’t making buying decisions based off budget, but what they want,” said Lasseter. “they want what they saw in the picture. Obviously budget is still a concern, but they want the design and implementation of what they want executed. You have to get used to throwing out really large numbers.” continued Lasseter.

The average luxury high end build Design Ecology performs for elite homeowners can range into the millions. “We’ve worked on projects where just the tile alone in the pool costs more than a half a million dollars and that doesn’t include the pool structure.” said Lasseter.
Lasseter’s role is no less important as he focuses on budgeting, buildability studies, and the actual construction process of bringing the homeowners vision and the firms designs to life. This ying and yang of one partner focusing on sales and design and the other focusing on the business end and construction works well for the two. Their business dynamic has created the foundation for a long lasting partnership. Lasseter’s ability to implement Cummings’ incredible designs is the perfect compliment to the firms cutting edge modern design capabilities.

Planning & Preparing for a Custom Luxury Pool
“The modern design appears simple. There’s a bunch of straight and perpendicular lines and it appears simple but it’s actually quite complex.” said Lasseter, “It requires a lot of coordination between contractors and subcontractors.”
Lasseter works closely with builders, engineers and construction crews on all of the firms projects. This is no small task considering the size and scope of projects Design Ecology undertakes. Lasseter explained that during one particular project he was coordinating with the builders and homeowners 4 years prior to an actual pool being built on the site.
The nature of the project required a seamless transition of tile from the interior of the home into the pool area so Lasseter began coordinating with the general contractor years before ever beginning the project. It is this type of high end planning and design work that has helped differentiate Design Ecology from many other local firms in Austin, TX.
The amount of preparation and planning that goes into building the luxury pools Design Ecology is known for is considerable. “We do a lot of work on hill sides and cliff sides. You don’t just go and dig a hole back there. You’re working with soils engineers and structural engineers.” said Lasseter.
“It’s not like your typical pool where you have your excavator come in one day and then your forms and your rebar and your plumbing going in, we may have have six months of structurals going in before we can even get to a water holding vessel.” continued Lasseter. “If you forget one pipe, you can’t just fix it because you’re dangling off the side of a cliff or your access is no longer there because you took the scaffolding down.”

The Demand Has Never Been Higher for Custom Luxury Pools
The enormous complexity and forethought that goes into these projects can take years. The average lead time for luxury pool projects can vary dramatically depending on many factors explained Cummings. “The amount of design time can vary wildly. We’ve had some projects go from design to construction document prep in a matter of days while others can take years to plan.” said Cummings. “Right now demand is so high that we just can’t keep up so our backlog is unfortunately longer than we’d like but there’s worse problems to have than that I suppose.”
Cummings said that the Covid-19 pandemic produced an unexpected surge in demand for high end custom luxury pools.
“Covid has been an interesting phenomenon for us. There was so much uncertainty at the beginning of 2020.” said Cummings, “The city of Austin shut everybody down. They actually tried to shut us down while we were working on a high dollar project in a high end residential home. We gently reminded them that if we left the area an open construction zone for the duration of the shutdown that they’d be liable for any damages.” continued Cummings.
“After that, they insisted we continue with what we were doing. Around the time that had happened, Governor Abbot had come out and declared us to be an essential service, so we were able to continue working through most of the shutdowns.” said Cummings.

The pandemic has seen an increase in demand over the last year and a half. Cummings echoed the sentiments of many other builders when he said “We’ve seen a huge boom in the number of people who are looking to build their own oasis and essentially create a refuge at home.”
We asked if customers have struggled coming to grips with longer than average build times considering that virtually every homeowner in America wants a pool right now. “Yes and no,” said Cummings, “there are definitely people who call in and they just don’t understand. Right now we are sold out into well into the fall but we can have them swimming by 2022. They’re like ‘Well we’re not going to wait, we’re just going to go ahead and go with somebody else’ and that’s fine, they’re not the right client for us and we’re not the right designer / contractor for them.”
Educating Homeowners on the Realities
For the most part however, Cummings said that homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the shortages effecting the pool industry and have been sympathetic and understanding that construction time can be much longer than average. Lasseter explained some of the struggles that Texas pool contractors in particular have faced this year.
“Not only did we have the Covid-19 challenge,” said Lasseter, “we experienced a catastrophic freeze in Texas that set everybody back. It took precedent over new construction. That, combined with the city offices being shut down for two weeks, we really had significant delays.” Lasseter explained that other underlying issues like supply chain delays such as the recent blockage of the Suez canal were contributing to longer than average waiting times.
Part of being an elite builder means being up front and honest with your clients explained Lasseter, “We’re up front with our clients and we don’t keep any secrets. We let them know there are shortages and delays and we’re going to do our best to keep everything running as smoothly as possible.”

Lasseter said that it’s important to manage expectations with homeowners from the outset. This is true in both luxury high end builds as well as typical residential pool construction. “Even though it may not be our original construction timeline, we try to contain those expectations with the homeowner so that we’re not constantly moving the ball and always giving them another story. We manage expectations from the construction end and everybody seems to be in a really good place.” said Lasseter.
We reminded Lasseter that his story is unique in the respect that many other builders are getting absolutely hammered with negative reviews. Ongoing shortages of equipment, essential materials and skilled labor have contributed to tremendous fallout in the media as homeowners continually complain of pools going unfinished in some cases for many months past their original deadlines. Lasseter sympathized when he said “We would love to be able to hire more people right now but it’s hard finding skilled labor. It’s incredibly busy and it’s a real challenge.”
Doing Great Work Means Hiring The Best
Design Ecology who is a member of Tributary Revelation frequently consults with the best of the best in the industry on their projects. The high end custom nature of their work entails bringing in contractors from other states such as one project with a particularly challenging pool interior. “We brought in Danilo from Art & Mosaics who is a phenomenal Italian Mosaic Artist and he has just done a spectacular job of transforming this pool into an absolute work of art. I’m really excited to show that one off real soon.”

Want to be a Luxury Pool Builder? Education is Key.
Cummings who is a RLA (Registered Landscape Architect) graduate of Mississippi State University’s Landscape Architecture program, got his education in pools working for several firms. Cummings says that he and Lasseters involvement in Tributary Revelation and Watershape University has been particularly stimulating for him in terms of helping him develop his pool accumen. Lasseter who has a BS in Horticulture from Texas A&M, has also completed the Genesis 3 program to become SWD Registered.
Lasseter said that Genesis 3 was instrumental in helping him develop his higher education pursuits. He first became aware of the program when he stumbled on an ad for the program in a trade publication. Upon attending the Genesis School in Scottsdale, AZ Lasseter said that he was exposed to real experts for the first time.
Lasseter credits his interaction with people like Brian Van Bower, Skip Phillips and Dave Penton with cementing the notion that he could have a real future in the pool industry. “That one 3 day class was eye opening to me. There was so much I learned that I didn’t know. I didn’t realize how high the ceiling really was. I thought I was doing real high end work at the time, in reality there were guys there that were just mountains and miles and ahead of me.” said Lasseter.
“It was encouraging, inspirational and enlighting.” explained Lasster, “I spent 3 days with Dave Peterson learning how water moves and I came back with this new enthusiam for pools and water and how it works and what I’m doing wrong and how I could make it better.”

Eventually Lasseter become SWD Registered and is now a faculty member for Genesis teaching classes on how to master plan and how to tie in design & construction. Lasseter also teaches for Watershape University where he offers an Advanced Applied Theory course on Construction Defect Removal and Replacement.
Design Ecology is frequently touted as a favorite among designers and builders, with notable elites of the pool industry citing their work as both inspirational and cutting edge. Cummings whose focus is primarily on landscape design, says that aside from the obvious choices like Paolo Benededtti, Brian Van Bower and Skip Phillips he particularly appreciates the work of Lee Rusell, Kurt Kraisinger, Lawrence Halprin, and E. Fay Jones, among others.
Lasseter who is more focused on the engineering and nuts and bolts of how the pool is built says that Dave Penton has been a tremendous inspiration and mentor to him. “When I look at an equipment room that is located 3 stories below the pool and how all the plumbing is done and how the pipes are labeled and how the space is planned, Dave Penton is at the top of that mountain.” Lasseter said that others like Dave Peterson, Kraisinger, and Brownlee are also some others whose incredibly detailed plans are something he admires a great deal.

Advice for Builders Looking to Get Into Luxury Pools
We asked the partners if they had any advice for aspiring builders looking to delve into the arena of Luxury Pools. “Understand the product you are selling before you sell it. My biggest issue I see with people is that I see dangerous mistakes, code violations. I wish more people would take the time to read the codes and understand the reasons for them.” said Cummings.
“Understand the need for properly sized plumbing,” continued Cummings, “spacial standards, the slopes and breaks of a pool. Lengths and protections for even basic stuff like diving are often misunderstood. If you really want to step into the real high end luxury pools you need to understand what it takes to build them safely.”
The “Business” of Luxury Pools
Cummings also mentioned the need to price things accurately, a fact which Lasseter went into greater detail on when he expressed the importance of focusing on the business side as much as the construction side. He suggested that aspiring luxury pool builders take a lesson from their own companies struggle. Lasseter explained that as more money begins to come in, it’s increasingly important to focus more and more energy managing the business side.
Lasseter expressed the importance of having oversight over financials. “Know your business. We went from watching every check that went through the bank to having millions of dollars moving through our account. We grew so fast, we didn’t know what we were. We couldn’t look at our books and say ‘Oh, we showed a profit last month.’ The forensic accounting that went into getting us on track was… IS… a three year process. Now I can look a report and it’s a click away. It’s not a guess or intuition.”

“A quarter of our time now goes on working on the business, not for the business. Constantly improving out systems.” said Lasseter. “It’s easy to get sidetracked by projects and ‘let the business run itself’ but it’s not really running itself.” Scott Cummings said that in addition, pool companies should move away from doing free designs for companies.
Say No To Free Design
There has been a ground swell in the pool industry to do away with doing free design comps as part of selling a pool. A practice that Cummings and Lasseter are definitely not fans of. “Great clients do value good design and they’re going to be willing to compensate you for that service that you’re providing. Absolutely ‘SAY NO’ to free design. That’s just devaluing yourself and the industry.”
Lasseter explained that there are recurring costs associated with running the softwares necessary to render out 3D designs and plans for homeowners. “You’re giving your time away for free and the cost for operating those software. No matter how much you make on the back end of the pool, it’s a losing proposition that drags the industry down.”
Listen to the entire interview with Scott Cummings & Benjamin Lasseter on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
Featured Photo Credit: Jimi Smith Photography
Equipment Supplies
Under The Hood: A Close Look at Aiper Scuba V3, The World’s #1 Pool Cleaner
Thinking about the Aiper Scuba V3? Get full specs, features, pros & cons, and see how it compares to top robotic pool cleaners.
If you’ve been digging around for Scuba V3, Scuba V3 reviews, or trying to make sense of the Aiper Scuba V3 specs and features, you’re not alone. This thing has quickly become one of the most talked-about robotic pool cleaners in the game—and not just because of marketing hype.
The Scuba V3 is part of a new wave of cleaners that are trying to move beyond random navigation and brute-force cleaning. This one’s built around AI vision, adaptive routing, and cordless operation, putting it firmly in the premium cordless category.
Let’s break it down properly—what it does, how it performs, and how it stacks up against other cleaners in its class.

What Is the Scuba V3?
The Scuba V3 by Aiper is a cordless robotic pool cleaner designed for in-ground pools, capable of cleaning the floor, walls, and waterline while using onboard AI to improve efficiency.
Aiper calls it the “World’s No. 1” smart robotic pool cleaner, a claim tied to global sales volume—but what makes the Scuba V3 relevant isn’t just how many units they’ve moved. It’s that the product actually delivers in the areas that matter.
Instead of blindly covering the pool, it uses an AI camera-based system to detect debris and adjust its cleaning path in real time, actively routing toward problem areas rather than relying on random movement. In other words, it makes smarter decisions about how to best clean your swimming pool as it runs.
Scuba V3 Specs & Features That Matter
This is where the V3 separates itself from most of the competition.

Cognitive AI Navigation (Navium™ + VisionPath™)
At the core of the Scuba V3 is its AI-driven navigation system.
• Detects debris in real time
• Avoids obstacles and adjusts routes dynamically
• Reduces overlap and missed areas
It’s not just mapping—it’s reacting mid-clean.

AI Patrol Cleaning & Smart Optimization
The system continuously adapts to pool conditions.
• Learns pool layout over time
• Adjusts to debris levels
• Optimizes cleaning patterns
It’s not fully autonomous yet—but it’s clearly heading that direction.

Dual LED Vision System
A subtle but important upgrade.
• Improves visibility for onboard AI
• Enables better low-light performance
• Supports nighttime cleaning cycles
Most cleaners in this class don’t offer this.

JetAssist™ Waterline Cleaning
Waterline cleaning is where a lot of robots fall apart. This one holds its position.
• Maintains consistent contact at the tile line
• Reduces slipping during scrubbing
• Improves perimeter cleaning

Dual Brushes + High Suction Power
This is where performance comes together.
• Dual active brushes loosen debris
• Strong suction pulls it in
• Handles both large debris and fine particles

MicroMesh™ Multi-Layer Filtration
Built to capture everything from leaves to silt.
• Outer basket handles larger debris
• Inner mesh captures fine particles
• Delivers excellent water clarity
Trade-off: takes a little more effort to clean.

Featherlight Design & Easy Retrieval
• Around 18 lbs
• Easier to lift than most competitors
• Waterline parking simplifies removal

Wireless Charging Dock
• No cables to manage
• Clean, simple charging setup
• Faster turnaround between cycles
Scuba V3 Specs
• Runtime: Up to 180 minutes
• Charging Time: ~4–5 hours
• Coverage: Up to ~1,600 sq ft
• Weight: ~18 lbs
• Cleaning: Floor, walls, waterline
• Suction: ~4800 GPH
• Filtration: Dual-layer MicroMesh™
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
Within the sub-$1,000 cordless cleaner category, that runtime is one of its stronger advantages—especially for a unit handling full pool coverage.

Scuba V3 Reviews: Our Analysis
Cleaning Power
• Handles leaves, dirt, and fine debris effectively
• Strong suction paired with smart routing
• Delivers consistent results in a single cycle
Navigation & Coverage
• Targets debris zones
• Revisits missed areas
• Reduces unnecessary movement
It cleans with intent, not randomness.
Battery Life
At around 170–190 minutes per cycle, the Scuba V3 delivers strong runtime for a full-coverage cordless cleaner.
Compared to other units in the sub-$1,000 range, that’s a meaningful advantage—especially when factoring in wall and waterline cleaning.
Ease of Use
• Lightweight
• Cordless
• Simple drop-in operation
One of the easiest cleaners to use day-to-day.
Maintenance
• Excellent filtration performance
• Fine mesh requires a bit more effort to rinse out

How the Scuba V3 Stacks Up Against the Competition
Here’s how it compares against similar cordless cleaners.
| Model | Navigation | Runtime | Cleaning Coverage | Filtration | Weight | Smart Features | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiper Scuba V3 | AI Vision + Adaptive Routing | ~180 min | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Dual-layer fine + coarse | ~18 lbs | App control | AI-powered debris detection |
| WYBOT C2 | Smart Path (Gyro-based) | ~150–180 min | Floor, Walls | Dual-layer | ~20+ lbs | App control | Strong wall climbing |
| Beatbot Sora 70 | AI Path Planning + Smart Sensors | ~150–180 min | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Large-capacity multi-stage | ~20 lbs | App + automation | High debris capacity + strong all-surface cleaning |
| iGarden K Pro | Smart Navigation | ~120–150 min | Floor, Walls | Standard filtration | ~20+ lbs | Touch/app features | Budget-friendly smart cleaner |
Where the Scuba V3 Wins
• Advanced AI-driven navigation
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Strong all-around cleaning performance
• One of the better runtime profiles in its class
• True cordless convenience
Where the Scuba V3 Falls Short
There’s a lot to appreciate about this cleaner, though if we were to identify a few areas for improvement, the following stand out:
• No surface skimming — floating debris like pollen, leaves, and bugs still need to be handled separately or by a different product
• Debris basket release button on the nose can be triggered on hard impacts with walls or corners
• Larger or complex pools may require multiple cleaning cycles
• Navigation can struggle around benches, tanning ledges, and irregular pool shapes
• Price sits at the higher end of the category, which raises expectations for some buyers
Who the Scuba V3 Is Really For
Best fit for:
• Medium-sized in-ground pools
• Buyers who want cordless simplicity
• Users who value smarter navigation
• Service pros looking for a lighter, more efficient unit
Not ideal for:
• Very large or highly complex pools
• Buyers focused strictly on budget
• Anyone expecting surface cleaning
Final Verdict: Is the Aiper Scuba V3 Worth It?
The Scuba V3 is one of the most forward-thinking robotic pool cleaners available today.
It’s not perfect—but it’s pushing the category forward in a meaningful way.
You’re getting:
• Smarter navigation
• Strong cleaning performance
• A runtime profile that holds up well against similarly priced cordless competitors
Plain and simple—it’s one of the most complete cordless cleaners you can buy right now.
- 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.
- 7 Days of Truly Carefree: Cognitive AI Navium Mode creates autonomous weekly cleaning plans by analyzing pool size, weather, and cleaning history. Once activated, it runs without user intervention, keeping your pool maintained and swim-ready.
- Retrieve without Effort: After cleaning, the robot automatically returns to the pool’s waterline and remains there for 10 minutes, then sends real-time notifications via the app. This means no need to enter the pool or use tools for retrieval.
- No Installation Wireless Charging Dock: Wirelessly charges Scuba V3 with no setup required. Simply place it on the dock to start safe, plug-free charging—no drying or exposed connectors. The dock also keeps the robot stored neatly when not in use.
- No Dust Left Behind: The double filtration system combines a 180 micron debris filter with an ultra fine 3 micron layer that traps sand and invisible contaminants. It keeps your pool water clearer and healthier every time.
Photo Credits: Aiper
Pool News
The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry: Short Film Holds Up a Mirror
The film that asks the question… is family togetherness worth the price of summer’s most expensive luxury?
At first glance, The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry sounds less like a short film and more like something you’d see on the agenda at an industry summit. It reads like a white paper. A market report. An economic forecast delivered in a ballroom with bad coffee and PowerPoint slides.
That’s intentional.
Because the film isn’t just about a backyard pool. It’s about everything surrounding it right now — inflation, supply chain issues, pricing anxiety, dwindling usage, and the uneasy dance between homeowners and contractors trying to justify what something costs these days.
Film Title Anything But a Misnomer
The short film from Derek Frey, David Amadio, Gil Damon, and Steve Kuzmick opens in territory that ought to immediately feel familiar to anyone working in the pool industry: a dated backyard pool. The liner is aging. The water looks neglected. The chemistry is questionable. And the homeowner is staring at a renovation estimate he isn’t sure he can justify — financially or emotionally.
From that setup, the film does something clever. It takes the headlines we’ve been writing about here at Pool Magazine — rising costs, logistical breakdowns, economic pressures — and drops them into an everyday backyard conversation. Then it asks a harder question:
When the cost of maintaining the pool goes up… what happens to the meaning of it?

Film Shows The Realities of Rising Costs
In the opening scene, a homeowner, Henry (played by Gil Damon), asks his pool guy, Rick (played by Steve Kuzmick), why his pool liner replacement now carries a five-figure price tag.
The character Rick cites inflation. Supply chain instability. A late winter freeze in Texas. Petrochemical plant shutdowns. Limited liner availability.
If you’ve read Pool Magazine over the past few years, you’d already know that at least a few of those stories have already been validated in print. They’re real. They happened. They created issues that affected contractors nationwide.
That’s what makes the scene land.
Because Rick isn’t inventing stories. He’s pulling from real-life industry issues. But the way he delivers his points — confidently, rapidly, with the cadence of someone who has well rehearsed his rebuttal — creates more than a sliver of doubt.
Is he educating the homeowner? Or is he stacking headlines into a persuasive narrative that smacks with the slick gold chain energy of a used car salesman?
“The whole Texas freeze thing came from research,” David Amadio explains. “We were trying to connect the plight of this one contractor to a larger industry issue. The audience doesn’t know if it’s real. They don’t know if it’s legit. It could just be a ruse.”
That ambiguity is the point. The film doesn’t accuse the industry of exaggeration. It simply shows how real economic forces can easily blur into sales language.
The inflation and Texas freeze references aren’t throwaway lines. They were well researched.
Art Sometimes Imitates Life
“When you first reached out to us for an interview, I went on the Pool Magazine website, and one of the top headlines was about another Texas freeze,” director Derek Frey says. “I was like, wow. I don’t know if that’s art imitating life or not, but that was particularly intentional in our crafting of this story.”

That realness doesn’t just live in the headlines, pool guy Rick cites — it lives in how he carries himself.
Kuzmick’s performance isn’t built only on what he says but on the physicality of how he delivers his lines. After making his case for why Henry’s liner replacement will be more expensive, he wraps the conversation with a firm slap on his customer’s back and a casual, “Talk it over with the family and let me know.”
Then he walks.
He doesn’t linger, and he sure doesn’t soften the number. The message is subtle but unmistakable: I’ve got other jobs. I’m busy, and you need me more than I need you.
A View From The Other Side of the Mirror
Henry, the homeowner, is just as recognizable as Rick — only from the other side of the estimate.
He’s the Everyman. The middle-aged dad staring at a liner replacement bill that costs far more than he expected and wondering how he’s going to explain it at the dinner table. There’s a touch of Clark Griswold in him — earnest, well-intentioned, slightly overwhelmed. You get the sense that if something can go wrong with his pool, it probably will. When his skimmer pole snaps in half on the first attempt to clean, it’s funny — but it’s also revealing. This is a man losing control of something he once felt confident about.
The real pressure, though, is about the conversation waiting for him inside the house.
Henry knows the liner replacement isn’t just a repair. It’s a negotiation. One where he has to justify the expense to his wife — and he already senses she won’t be on board. In today’s economy, a five-figure liner replacement isn’t a casual conversation. It’s sure to be a debate and a potential source of tension.
That’s where the film pivots from industry commentary to something more personal, and a conversation happening in many homes across the nation.

The hesitation isn’t just about money. It’s about relevance.
Fighting a Losing Battle Against Devices & Indifference
Henry tries to make his case by appealing to what the pool used to represent — long summers, family time, shared memories. But when he looks to his kids for reinforcement to help him make the case, he’s met with indifference. Phones in hand, half-hearted answers, distracted nods. The pool that once anchored family life now competes against their screen time.
“It’s like a fantasy of middle-class American fatherhood,” David Amadio says. “All of us are watching our kids grow older by the day. All these pastimes we loved are falling by the wayside. This movie was our attempt to try to hold onto those things for a little bit longer.”
Gil Damon, who plays Henry — and who actually owns the pool used in the movie — brings an authenticity to that quiet frustration.
The Film Introduces a Thought Provoking Question
“Whether the kids swim in it or not, you still have to maintain it,” Damon says. “If you don’t maintain it, something goes terribly wrong. And there’s still something kind of joyous in maintaining it. Even just skimming the leaves. But at some point you’re like, wait, what am I doing all this for?”
That question lingers in the film.
What are we maintaining?
The pool becomes a metaphor for something bigger — for rituals that once felt permanent but now feel optional. For investments that once made obvious sense but now require defense. For a version of family life that doesn’t compete well with Wi-Fi.
Competing Against Technology
“Technology is king,” Amadio says. “There are so many casualties in the culture of technology. The pool’s like a little antidote to that. It’s an analog getaway from the digital maelstrom in which we all live.”
In that context, the liner replacement isn’t just a repair. It’s a referendum. Not just on budget, but on whether the pool still holds meaning inside the household. Henry’s wife finally says she would just as soon as like to fill in the pool and be done with it altogether.
And it’s right when Henry seems ready to give up — when he shuts off the timer and retreats inside — that the film introduces its wild card.
Reigniting That First Spark
Henry awakens to the sound of splashing. The pool lights are on. The water, which hours earlier looked neglected and uninspiring, now appears clean, inviting, almost cinematic. Floating across the surface is a stranger in goggles, a swim cap, and striped bathing suit, casually doing the backstroke.
He introduces himself as Willy Chamieux — played by writer David Amadio — and calmly explains that he is “the manifestation of why pools are cool.”

Henry, understandably alarmed, tells him the pool is in no condition to swim in (even though it’s clearly been transformed) and orders him out, a command which Willy ignores.
Instead, he dives beneath the surface to “inspect” the torn liner Henry was complaining about. When he resurfaces, it’s face down in a dead man’s float. Henry panics and jumps in to save him — only to discover he’s been played.
Getting Memory to Break Down The Barriers
And that’s the turning point. The moment Henry slips into the water, all of the tension drains from him. The defensiveness, the budgeting, the quiet resentment we saw earlier — it all fades. There’s something about being back in his pool — not as a project, not as an expense, but as he always imagined it — that softens him. You can see it on his face. He’s not calculating anymore. He’s remembering.

Willy challenges him to a game. They dive for quarters. They laugh — the kind of unguarded laughter that hasn’t been heard in that backyard in a while.
Soon, the rest of the family drifts outside. They’re tackled into the pool by Willy and quickly fall under the same spell as Henry, experiencing the renovated condition and joy of once more being in their own pool. The tone of the film shifts again. Visually, the sequence leans into classic aquatic spectacle.
“That was the main reference,” Derek Frey says. “Those 1930s films choreographed by Busby Berkeley — Footlight Parade — and Olympic synchronized swimming. We storyboarded the movement based on many of those references.”

The overhead shots evoke old Hollywood water ballets. The pool center stage again once more in the lives of Henry and his family.

Analysis of Willy Chamieux
The character of Willy carries an apparition-like quality throughout that the film never explains outright.
“We don’t know if he’s a water sprite or an actual person,” David Amadio adds playfully. “He kind of straddles the line.”
That ambiguity is deliberate.
Willy clearly isn’t there to fix the pool; the illusion disappears the moment he does. Rick will still need to be called if that dream is ever to become a reality. No, Willy is merely there to remind.
To remind Henry what the pool once felt like, reconnecting the emotion to the investment.
To remind the family of what enjoying the pool together once meant.
There’s something unmistakably Dickensian about the structure. Willy feels like a warm-weather variation of A Christmas Carol — less chains and underdone potato, more chlorine and cannonballs. If Scrooge needed the Ghost of Christmas Past to remember who he once was, Henry needs something similar.
Willy may very well be the Ghost of Summers Past.
The film never spells it out, but the parallels are there, and we pointed some of them out to the filmmakers. The character Henry represents a man on the brink of abandoning something meaningful. A supernatural visitation. A night that changes perspective before it’s too late.
“We hadn’t thought about Dickens specifically,” David Amadio admits, “but it’s definitely there.”
Whether spirit, trickster, or simply shared DNA, Willy’s function is clear: he forces Henry to re-experience joy before he walks away from it.
And then comes the final turn.
Coming Full Circle
Henry wakes the following morning, not on the couch where he had resigned himself to defeat, but in bed — surrounded by his family. The energy is different. The tension is gone. His wife looks at him and gives a quiet, approving nod. No speech is necessary. No debate. They both know what comes next.
His first order of business will be to call Rick and approve the liner replacement.
The film doesn’t frame that moment as one of defeat or capitulation, but one of clarity.
Only then does the final reveal land.
As day breaks, Rick pulls up in a truck and Willy climbs in. They head off toward another address — another backyard, another hesitant homeowner, another family on the fence. The magic wasn’t random but part of the process.
There’s a faint echo here of The Swimmer — one almost immediately draws the comparison of Burt Lancaster moving from pool to pool. Only this time, the journey is one of restoration. Willy isn’t drifting through suburbia trying to outrun a sad reality. He’s moving through it, reminding families what once made their backyards matter. It’s a subtle but meaningful reframing.
Rather than positioning Rick as a manipulator, the filmmakers present something more layered and nuanced. Rick understands that homeowners don’t just need pricing estimates. They need perspective.
“I think they’re ultimately doing good for people,” Derek Frey says. “Rick is pure business. He’s about the sale. Willy is doing it for the reasons he outlined. Everybody kind of comes out a winner.”
Together, they’re not just repairing pools — they’re restoring connection.
And that’s where the film’s theme settles.
The current state of the backyard pool industry isn’t simply about tariffs, inflation, or any of the other litany of issues impacting the industry. It’s about relevance and reminding consumers why they opted to build a pool in the first place.
Screening The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry
For pool professionals, the takeaway isn’t that they need a gimmick.
It’s remembering what it is that they’re really selling.
The film doesn’t pretend that the economics aren’t real. The cost increases are real. The supply chain strain was real. The sticker shock homeowners feel is real. Those conversations happen every day in the backyard.
But so does the other part — the part that’s harder to quantify.
The first cannonball of the season.
The late-night sessions of Marco Polo.
The laughter that carries from backyard to backyard all summer long.
Rick understands the business of that, but Willy understands the magic.
And that’s why the film resonates.
Screening this film could be a useful exercise for pool professionals across the industry — not as satire, not as critique, but as perspective. It invites a simple question: Are we leading with cost, or are we leading with value?
We may not all have a magical spirit like Willy to bring along on every job to convince the customer.
Which means the magic has to come through us. Because if we don’t remind them why it matters, no one else will.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire interview with the filmmakers of The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
Photo Credits: Derek Frey Films
Equipment Supplies
Spring Fling: New Robotic Pool Cleaners Making a Splash in 2026
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.”
- This device currently supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, or dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz).
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.
- 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.
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.
- 🐳 【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.
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
| Model | Cordless | Solar | Coverage | Scheduling | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiper Scuba V3 | Yes | No | Floor / Wall / Waterline | Brand-noted | Up to 150 minutes |
| Beatbot Sora 70 | Yes | No | Surface / Floor / Wall / Waterline | Yes | Up to 5h floor / 7h surface |
| Betta Flex | Yes | Yes | Surface only | Mode selection | Solar continuous concept |
| MOVA Diver A10 | Yes | No | Floor / Wall / Waterline | Yes (App scheduling) | Up to 4h |
| WyBot S2 Solar Vision | Yes | Yes | Floor / Wall / Waterline (AI Vision floor-only) | Yes | 2.5h+ |
| Dolphin Nautilus EON 120D | Yes | No | Floor / Wall / Waterline / Steps / Sun ledge / Corners | Yes (App scheduling) | Up to 2.5-week cleaning concept |
| Dreame Z1 Pro | Yes | No | Floor / Wall / Waterline | Brand-noted | 180+ minutes |
| iGarden K Pro | Yes | No | Floor (primary published basis) | Yes (App scheduling) | Up to 10h |
| Seauto SAT40 | Yes | No | Floor / Wall / Waterline | Mode selection | Not clearly published |
| Talosbo Pleco Pro | Yes | No | Floor / Wall / Waterline | Not specified | Not clearly published |
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.
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