Best Above Ground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Top 10 with Helpful Guide

Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, cleaning it can often be the same tough chore. And thankfully, robotic pool cleaners are not built for only in-ground pools. 

Often, individuals will find that getting the best above ground robotic pool cleaner robot for their budget will save them the hours of labor required to manually scrub your pool, and not only that, but reliable robotic cleaners can also save you hundreds of dollars from your annual maintenance too. 

Why getting the best above ground pool robotic cleaner is essential

Buying one of these devices to take over for you is a great investment for essentially every swimming pool owner. It’s like a robotic vacuum cleaner for pools, packing all the necessary features to get the job done (from a quality navigation system to filter bags).

In a few minutes, you’ll discover great options for automatically maintaining your above-ground pool, and when you find the right ground pool vacuum for you, you’ll wonder why it took so long to get one in the first place. 

The good news is that this buying guide makes it easy to see what’s on offer, and why some of the best devices on the market are worth buying. Whether you need one of the best above-ground pool cleaners out there or something with a lower price tag, you’re certain to find something that can help to keep your pool clean while also reducing the maintenance cost too.

*The product links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Please see our disclosure page for more information.

You may also like: 

• Metalix Aquabot Elite Pro Review
• Dolphin E10 vs Dolphin Escape
• 15 Best Dolphin Pool Cleaners | Every Budget | Every Pool Type

Top Picks

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10 best robotic pool cleaners for above-ground pools

1. Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner

The Dolphin Escape is our choice as the best above ground pool cleaner. It comes with continuous rubber tracks which ensures a superior grip on the surface and great traction during cleaning, and a high-speed scrubbing brush furiously works to remove hard contaminants.

This particular device not only offers exceptional cleaning efficiency, but also sports an energy-efficient 24-volt DC motor which drives the unit and a 40 ft power cord. The Escape features the infamous CleverClean technology, which is seen in all Dolphin models, for mapping and navigating smartly around the pool.

To trap all dirt particles, an integrated filtration system that comprises an over-sized filter cartridge stores 60% more debris than earlier models so you don’t have to empty them so often. This machine offers efficient cleaning in an above ground pool at an affordable price and it’s also covered by a 1-year warranty.

All of this in a pool robot under $500, makes the Dolphin E10 a great choice.

You may also like to read our Full review of the Dolphin Advantage

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2.  Dolphin E10 Robotic Pool Cleaner

The E10 Dolphin above ground pool cleaner is another one of our favorite Dolphin robots, it’s an easy-to-use drop and go ground pool cleaner that offers excellent value.

It’s compact design and simple operation makes it ideal for a small pool of no more than 20 ft. The unit removes both large visible debris and small debris such as sand, dirt, and is probably the best above ground pool vacuum for algae. 

The active brushing action provides sufficient scrubbing power for dislodging all forms of dirt from pool floors. To capture pool contaminants, this gadget features a large filter cartridge that is easy to access and clean, it only takes minutes to rinse and reload.

The E10 above-ground pool cleaners also sport the CleverClean technology for smart navigation and efficient cleaning, and in just about 1.5 hours your swimming pool will be sparkling and ready for you.

The unit is covered by a 2-year guarantee to help protect your investment. The automatic above ground pool cleaner uses smart navigation to clean both quickly and efficiently. The pressure propels along the bottom of the pool with water returning into the pool pump. The device runs around the pool walls and floors randomly. Weight and Size When choosing a robotic pool cleaner, the weight and size of the robotic pool cleaner is an important considerations.

You may also like to read our Full review of the Dolphin E10

Last update on 2022-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Aquabot AJET122 

The Aquabot AJET122 Pool Rover is an above-ground pool cleaner designed to clean all pool shapes. It’s specially made for above-ground pools up to 50 feet and can clean all parts and corners of pools, including floor, cove, wall intersections with a minimum radius of 6 in.

It sports an improved running tread which provides good traction on all types of pool surfaces.

This above-ground pool cleaner comes equipped with an adjustable axle pin to help maximize coverage and prevent its long power cable from tangling. This device uses two active scrubbing brushes to loosen dirt and debris, and it’s ultra fine filter basket is able to capture debris as small as 2 microns.

It is fitted with pumps giving it a filtering capacity of 80+ gallons per minute, coupled with a fine filtration system it traps both large and fine debris like leaves and algae and overall is a fantastic product. 

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. PAXCESS Automatic Pool Cleaner

The Paxcess automatic pool cleaner is an efficient underwater cleaning machine designed to tackle pool cleaning for an in-ground or above-ground pool of up to 50 ft.

The product is controlled by the advanced intelligent computer program which enables you to set it and just let it go. It’s designed to provide deep cleaning and uses 4pcs PVA sponge roller brushes to quickly clean and vacuum debris from the floor and walls of pools.

You can choose between 3 cleaning modes; 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours for an extended clean. The filtration system consists of an extra-large top access filter basket which traps leaves, dirt and fine debris while also cleaning and circulating the water, leaving your pool sparkling clean.

This is a truly smart gadget and it needs no babysitting or supervision while it works. 

You may also like to read our Full review of the Paxcess Pool Cleaner

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. AIPER SMART Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner

The AIPER SMART Cordless Pool Cleaner is specifically designed for smaller, above-ground pools as an easy and lightweight pool cleaning solution.

As given away by the title, this is a cordless robotic pool cleaner, so there is no faffing around with cables, just let it charge and drop it in.

The battery is 2600mAh, good enough to complete the 50-minute cleaning cycle with a charging time from empty to full of around 3 – 4 hours.

The large filter allows the pool cleaner to suck up fine dust particles and rough debris into the filter tray while improving water circulation. Once complete, the filter tray is convenient to reach and clean before returning the AIPER to its base for a charge.

As I’m talking about removing it from the water, I should probably mention is one of the lightest models on the market and you can easily remove it from the pool.

While the quality of the clean is good, just bear in mind this is at the lower end of power (and budget) so while you will notice the difference, the results may not be as impressive as some of the more powerful pool robots.

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Paxcess Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner

Automatic pool cleaners usually come with a long power cord which has to be connected to a power source while the robot is working. But if you’d like a pool cleaning machine without all the hassles that come with a long power cable, this cordless pool cleaning machine may just be what you need.

The Paxcess cordless automatic pool cleaner comes with an integrated 5000Ah lithium battery which delivers rapid and quick pool cleaning, and in about 50 minutes your pool will be ready. It takes between 3-4 hours to completely charge this battery and enjoy a cordless and efficient pool cleaning.

Its wheels can easily travel around your pool, while the auto pool cleaner attacks and traps all kinds of debris including leaves, buds, tough dirt, debris, and it also cleans out hard-to-reach areas. This robotic cleaner is specially designed for above-ground pools of up to 50 ft and water depth of 6.56 ft. 

You may also like to read our Full review of the Paxcess cordless pool cleaner

Last update on 2022-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Nu Cobalt NC 5201 Pool Robot 

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover Junior

Aquabot’s Pool Rover Jr. is a fully automatic robotic pool cleaner that comes ready to clean pools of any shape. It’s a hybrid robot that can handle both above-ground and in-ground pools up to 40 feet within just an hour.

This robot is powered by one pump motor that provides both the jet-drive propulsion and vacuum suction which is operated by pressing one button.

The aquabot pool rover has an integrated pump that is able to circulate about 70 gallons of pool water per minute while every pool rubbish is trapped in a reusable filter bag, which filters down to  2-microns.

The little pool cleaner packs a powerful suction performance and comes with a floating, 40-foot cable and an adjustable axle pin to maximize coverage and minimize any risk of tangling.

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Obviously this post is about robotic pool cleaners, but the next two products aren’t technically robots, but still do a great job at automated pool cleaning.

Suction cleaners have to be hooked up to your pool filter, rather than being an all in one device and they are often a more affordable choice. For that reason, I thought I would include a couple of the best for your consideration, as well as a few bonus products below.

You can read our post about the key differences between suction cleaners vs robotic pool cleaners if you would like some more information on the subject.

9. Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000

The Zodiac Baracuda is an automatic suction pool cleaner, it hooks up to your pool’s filter through an included 36 ft long hose to clean.

These pool cleaners are designed to deliver efficient and thorough cleaning to your pool’s floor, walls, sides, corners, steps, ladder, and the waterline, thanks to a wheel deflector for navigating it around your pool. And coupled with a 36 finned disc, this device will rarely get stuck on pool steps and drain covers. This pool vacuum smoothly moves around the pool sucking up all dirt particles and debris, leaving your pool neat and shiny.

The G3 W03000 works well with variable pumps and it’s also compatible with 2-speed pumps. A FlowKeeper valve automatically regulates water flow to maintain peak cleaning performance even with lower horsepower pumps. This pool cleaner works great for regular pool maintenance, and it’s quick and easy to set up. It can be used for both in-ground and above ground pools. 

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10. Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly Suction-Side Pool Cleaner

Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly is a suction pool cleaner with a  simple design, it features just one moving part  which ensures long-term reliability and dependable performance without costly maintenance or repairs. It uses a drive float directional system to drive through the entire pool from the water line to the pool bottom for great cleaning coverage.

This cleaner comes with a valve which automatically regulates water flow to set it to an ideal speed for thorough cleaning. For uninhibited cleaning, this unit sports a roller strap, with which it uses to navigate around the pool, efficiently moving around steps and ladders while the cleaning wings channel all pool contaminants into the filtration system. 

Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

A few final recommendations

If you were thinking about getting a suction cleaner and wanted a few more recommendations, here are a few bonus choices for recommended ground pool vacuum cleaners:

Water Tech Pool Blaster Max – more details

Intex Auto Pool Cleaner – more details

K50600 Kreepy Krauly E-Z Vac – more details

Quick Guide: What to look for in a robotic pool cleaner for above-ground pools.

There is really no one best robotic above ground pool cleaner for every above-ground pool and choosing the best one for your needs will depend on a number of factors specific to your unique requirements.

When choosing a pool cleaner, the most important factor to consider is your pool size, since all pool vacuums are designed for specified sizes and depths which determines the cord length of the product.

Next is how frequent your swimming pool needs to be cleaned, for this you’ll need a device which has both great design features and excellent built quality. Let’s explore other features that make an outstanding pool cleaner.   

Powerful suction and filtration system

If you live in an area where a variety of pool contaminants find their way into your pool on a daily, then you’ll need a pool robot with powerful suction force and superior filtering capability to suck up and trap every dirt particle in your pool. The best devices are able to capture both large and small debris like leaves, seeds, twigs, small stones, sand, pollen, etc. (and for the most efficient cleaning process for any type of pool, this can often be essential).

Energy-efficient motors

All pool owners know the energy cost that comes with a pool and this is why energy-efficient motors have become an essential feature for in-ground and above-ground pool vacuums. A device with an energy-efficient motor will use up to 83% less energy than traditional pool cleaners (which is considerably less in terms of power consumption).

Powerful scrubbing system 

The ability of a pool robot to scrub off even the toughest of grime and dirt stains off the surfaces of your pool largely depends on the speed and scrubbing power of its active brushes. The number and position of active scrubbers also matter. Automatic pool cleaners usually come with either 1, 2 or 3 scrubbers. Pool cleaners with either 2 or 3 brushes are usually better than those with just a single brush. 

Smart navigation systems

Pool robots are all for efficiency. Smart gadgets, they should be able to efficiently clean the pool without wasting time and energy.

For this reason, some pool robots come with integrated smart navigation software for scanning and mapping the pool before following the best route to clean the pool within the shortest possible time. No aimless wandering, no cleaning a place multiple times and no wasting of time.

Anti-tangle swivel technology 

Most pool robots do not come with rechargeable batteries, they all work with very long power cords connected to a power source. While these robots drive around the pool scrubbing the surfaces, their cords will twist and turn to follow their movements.

To prevent these cords from getting all tangled up and inhibiting the robots’ movement, the anti-tangle swivel technology was invented, and it works beautifully. The best robots come with this feature and save you the stress of having to untangle a 50-ft long cord after every cleaning cycle.  

Pool robots are all for efficiency. As smart gadgets, they should be able to efficiently clean the pool without wasting time and energy. For this reason, some pool robots come with integrated smart navigation software for scanning and mapping the pool before following the best route to clean the pool within the shortest possible time. No aimless wandering, no cleaning a place multiple times, and no wasting of time.

Power cable length

If you want to get the most coverage on each cleaning cycle, you’re going to need to find pool vacuum cleaners that have a long enough reach. While features like steering technology and navigation are both important, the device will need to be able to travel far enough away from your power source to actually use these features.

If you simply want to be able to plug and play, be sure to find above-ground pool cleaners with a long enough cord (preferably with anti-tangle swivel technology).

Smart features

If you want the convenience of being able to program your robot or control it from anywhere, then you should get one with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that connects with a smartphone app for remote control. Some models also come with remote control for manually driving the robot while it cleans. A pool robot with a programmable weekly timer is also great for scheduling weekly pool cleaning times.

Cleaning time 

It’s always best to go for a product that offers different cleaning modes, this is to enable selecting your preferred cleaning mode. A quick clean of 1 hour for days when you want your pool ready in a short time and an extended clean of 3 hours when you want you a thorough and deep cleaning of your pool. Just choose the right cleaning cycle and leave your device to do its job.

Cleaning features 

Pool robots come with different cleaning features. You need a pool robot that will efficiently clean every part and corner of your pool, which is why choosing one with the best cleaning system can often be so crucial to swimming pool owners. Here are what you should look for:

• Waterline scrubbing — pool cleaners with waterline cleaning will scrub the waterline of your pool, this is a convenient feature and it’s most important for in-ground pools. It’s worth noting that most above-ground pools do not have this feature. 
• Wall climbing — the walls will also get dirty with algae and all sorts of gross things, this makes wall climbing in a pool vacuum cleaner essential. An in-ground or above-ground pool vacuum cleaner shouldn’t just scrub the floor, it should scrub walls too. 
• Steps — generally, an in-ground or above-ground pool vacuum cleaner that can clean the steps is always a great choice.

Low maintenance

Most above-ground pool cleaners are low maintenance gadgets, but you do want one with a filter basket that is very easy to remove, clean out, and replace. This is very important. Most will have either filtration baskets or debris bags (if you purchase one with a debris bag, make sure the bags are easy to handle).

Sturdy build with replaceable parts

When buying one of these types of machines, it’s significantly important that you choose a pool vacuum cleaner with great build quality and easy-to-find replacement parts. You don’t want a crappy product that will quickly fall apart because that’s a complete waste of money. Replaceable parts like the brushes, tracks, filter canisters, should be readily available and easy to replace. 

FAQs

Best above ground pool cleaner robots: final thoughts

With the hundreds of pool robots available in the market, choosing the absolute right one for your above-ground pool can be a bit of a challenge. However, once you find the right pool vacuum, all your worries about cleaning and maintenance will be in the past. 

What’s the best above-ground pool vacuum?

Before you make a purchase, weigh your options very carefully and consider even the seemingly insignificant factors. You certainly do not want to need up with a crappy gadget. If you’re unsure of which one to go with, we recommend our favorite pool vacuum cleaner for above-ground pools, the Dolphin Escape. 

In terms of reliability, efficiency, and performance, the Dolphin Escape delivers on all three. Another great option that you can trust to reliably get the job done without any stress on your part is the Paxcess robotic pool cleaner, and thankfully you wouldn’t have to break the bank to get it.