Best Robotic Pool Cleaners Under $500

A strong-value cordless robot for small-to-mid-size pools whose owners want long runtime and real navigation for about $300. Fine silt needs a robot with a finer filter.

A well-equipped mid-price robot for above-ground or in-ground pools up to about 2,000 sq ft, with mapping and easy waterline parking. Pools with fine silt need a robot with a finer filter.

A tracked, sonar-guided full-pool robot at a low price for mid-size and large pools. Buyers who want scheduling or a clear warranty should look at WYBOT.

WYBOT’s best seller and a solid value for in-ground pools up to about 1,600 sq ft that need walls and waterline cleaned.

A budget wall-climbing robot for small-to-mid-size in-ground pools whose owners don’t need an app. The Scuba S1 adds scheduling and a finer filter for a little more.

A lightweight floor-and-wall robot for small in-ground pools, priced a little above the B1. Buy it only if the Amazon price beats the B1.

A sensible first robot for mid-size pools whose owners want fine filtration and app scheduling for about $500. Ecovacs says it’s for daily upkeep, not heavy-duty cleaning.

A step up from the C1 for larger in-ground pools and finer debris. Expect to recharge between scheduled cleanings.

A light full-pool robot for small, flat in-ground or above-ground pools. Bigger or sloped pools need the C1 or above.

A cheap, light floor cleaner for small flat pools. Skip it if your pool has a sloped deep end or dirty walls.

An older Bestway floor robot for flat above-ground pools. The cheaper G200 does the same job.

An entry-level floor cleaner for small flat pools where price matters most. It won’t touch walls or the waterline.

A basic floor cleaner for small, flat above-ground pools on a tight budget. Anyone with sloped floors or dirty walls needs a wall-climbing robot.

Only for very small flat pools up to 16 ft across. The AquaTronix G200 costs less and covers more than double the area.

A basic floor cleaner for small, flat above-ground pools on a tight budget. Bigger pools, or any with dirty walls, need more robot.

A budget floor-and-wall robot for small pools, if you can live with a bottom-access filter bag.

A basic floor cleaner for above-ground and simple flat-bottom pools.

A low-cost floor cleaner for above-ground pools, with a longer warranty than the Nautilus AG.