Aiper is the new kid on the block. Among the ranks of Maytronics, Polaris, Aquabot, Hayward, and more, Aiper has taken the robotic pool cleaner industry by storm. An Aiper robot may seem appealing since they are so much cheaper, but before we break down the top Aiper robotic pool cleaners, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

As a robotic pool cleaner specialist, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to pool cleaning technology. Aiper, while offering budget-friendly options, has some quirks you need to be aware of before making a purchase. While the allure of a cordless cleaner is strong, especially when looking at the price tag, there are some critical points that you should consider before diving into the Aiper lineup.

Warranty: Not the Smoothest Process

If you have an Aiper, claiming the warranty can be a pain. Many users report that communicating with Aiper, let alone getting a unit fixed, is a huge struggle. In a world where time is money, waiting on hold or exchanging multiple emails just to get a resolution isn’t exactly ideal. While Aiper offers a standard 1-year warranty, the process of claiming it often leaves much to be desired. Compared to industry giants like Maytronics, where support is often seamless, Aiper's customer service might feel like a frustrating hurdle.

Above Ground Cleaners Only: A Key Limitation

Most of the popular Aiper robots are for above-ground pools only. This is something in-ground pool owners should take note of. These cleaners are primarily designed to stay on the pool floor, and they will not climb the walls or clean the waterline. While this might be acceptable for small, above-ground pools, it’s a significant drawback if you own an in-ground pool. Cleaning just the floor doesn’t cut it if you want that sparkling, pristine pool look. For in-ground pool owners, a more versatile and powerful cleaner is a must.

Battery Life: A Major Shortfall

The average charge time for an Aiper cleaner is nearly 3 hours for just a 1-hour cleaning cycle. This leaves you going back and forth charging your cleaner, as 1 hour is usually not enough for most swimming pools. In a world where convenience is key, this can be quite frustrating. While the appeal of a cordless cleaner is strong, the reality of limited run time often outweighs the benefits. Most swimming pools need a bit more attention than what Aiper’s battery life can offer, leading to incomplete cleaning cycles and the need for frequent recharging.

Now, Let's Break Down the Best Aiper Robotic Pool Cleaners

Despite the limitations, Aiper does offer some noteworthy models that might be a good fit depending on your pool and cleaning needs. Here’s how I would rank the best Aiper robotic pool cleaners, keeping in mind that I generally prefer more robust, corded options from other brands.

Aiper Seagull SE: A Decent Entry-Level Option

The Aiper Seagull SE is a robotic pool cleaner designed to make pool maintenance easier. On the plus side, it has a powerful suction system and low-voltage operation, making it energy efficient. The Seagull SE is particularly appealing for its price point and ease of use, especially for those with smaller, above-ground pools.

However, it also has some drawbacks. The biggest of these is the battery life, which is quite short and only lasts for an hour or two. Additionally, the warranty is only a year long, which is much shorter than other robotic pool cleaners. If you’re looking for something that requires minimal setup and maintenance, this could be a solid choice, but don’t expect it to handle larger pools or heavy debris loads with ease.

Aiper Seagull 600: Best for Small Pools

The Aiper Seagull 600 is another model designed to make cleaning your pool easier and more efficient. It has a powerful suction system and low-voltage operation, making it energy efficient. This model shines in small, above-ground pools where the limited battery life isn’t as much of an issue.

Unfortunately, the battery life on this model is quite short, only lasting for 2 hours at most. Additionally, the warranty is only a year long, which is much shorter than other robotic pool cleaners on the market. If you have a small pool and don’t mind frequent recharging, the Seagull 600 could be a good budget-friendly option.

Aiper Seagull 1000: The Best of the Seagull Lineup

The Aiper Seagull 1000 is a step up from the Seagull 600, offering better suction and a slightly more advanced filtration system. It’s a great robotic pool cleaner that makes cleaning your pool easier and more efficient, especially if you’re dealing with finer debris or want a more thorough clean.

However, it does suffer from some drawbacks, such as its poor battery life, which only lasts for about two hours. Additionally, the warranty on this model is only one year long, which may not be enough for some consumers. Still, if you’re looking for something that balances cost and performance, the Seagull 1000 is a solid choice.

Aiper Orca 800 Mate: Improved Filtration, but Still Lacks in Power

The Aiper Orca 800 Mate robotic pool cleaner offers an improved filtration system over other Aiper robots to help clean pools faster and more efficiently than before. It’s particularly well-suited for pools with fine debris, such as sand or silt, thanks to its enhanced filters.

However, its battery life leaves something to be desired, with it lasting just 2 hours per charge cycle at most. Plus, the warranty on this model is quite short at one year. Overall, this may not be the best choice for those looking for a long-term solution in their pool cleaning needs. The Orca 800 Mate is a decent mid-range option but falls short when compared to more robust models from other brands.

Aiper Elite Pro: The Flagship Model, but Not Without Flaws

The Aiper Elite Pro is the brand’s attempt to compete with higher-end models from more established brands. It offers stronger suction and a slightly better battery life than its predecessors, but it’s still far from perfect.

One of the standout features of the Elite Pro is its dual-motor system, which allows for a more powerful clean. It’s also equipped with larger filters, making it more effective at picking up debris. However, it still lacks the wall-climbing ability and long battery life that other premium cleaners offer. The warranty remains the same, and the customer service issues persist.

While the Elite Pro is a step in the right direction for Aiper, it’s not quite there yet. If you’re committed to the Aiper brand, this is the model to go for, but be prepared for some compromises.

Aiper Seagull Plus: A More Balanced Option

The Aiper Seagull Plus is a newer addition to the Seagull line and tries to address some of the issues seen in earlier models. It offers a slightly better battery life, clocking in at around 2.5 hours, which is still on the low end but an improvement nonetheless.

The Seagull Plus also has a more advanced navigation system, allowing it to cover your pool more efficiently. However, it still doesn’t climb walls or clean the waterline, making it a better option for above-ground pools. The filtration system is decent, but it struggles with larger debris.

Overall, the Seagull Plus is a more balanced option within the Aiper lineup. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a decent choice if you’re looking for something affordable that gets the job done with minimal fuss.

Aiper Orca 1200 Pro: More Power, But Still Lacks Versatility

The Aiper Orca 1200 Pro is another attempt by Aiper to break into the mid-to-high-end market. It boasts more power than the previous models, with a stronger motor and better suction. The filtration system is also improved, making it more effective at cleaning pools with fine debris.

However, the Orca 1200 Pro still falls short in terms of versatility. It doesn’t climb walls, and the battery life, while improved, is still not on par with competitors. The warranty remains limited, and customer service issues persist.

If you’re looking for an Aiper model that offers more power, the Orca 1200 Pro is worth considering, but be aware of its limitations.

The New Scuba Series: A Deeper Dive into Aiper’s Latest Innovations

Aiper’s Scuba series represents the latest in their lineup, offering new features and improvements over the previous models. Here’s how these newer models stack up.

Aiper Scuba SE: Compact and Efficient

The Aiper Scuba SE is designed for small above-ground pools and is one of the more compact models in the Scuba lineup. It features a more advanced filtration system than the Seagull series, making it better at handling finer debris. The Scuba SE also offers a slightly longer battery life, clocking in at around 1.5 hours, which is still short but manageable for smaller pools.

One of the highlights of the Scuba SE is its improved navigation system, which allows it to cover the pool floor more efficiently. However, like most Aiper models, it lacks wall-climbing capabilities and has a limited battery life. If you’re looking for a compact, budget-friendly option, the Scuba SE is worth considering.

Aiper Scuba E1: Entry-Level Excellence

The Aiper Scuba E1 is positioned as an entry-level model in the Scuba series, offering a balance of affordability and functionality. It features an improved suction system compared to the SE, making it more effective at picking up debris in small to medium-sized above-ground pools. The Scuba E1 has a slightly better battery life, lasting around 2 hours on a full charge. This extended runtime makes it more suitable for pools that require a bit more coverage.

The Scuba E1 also boasts a user-friendly design, with easy setup and operation, making it a great choice for those who are new to robotic pool cleaners. However, similar to the SE, it doesn’t clean walls or the waterline, which can be a drawback for some users. Overall, the Scuba E1 is a solid choice for those looking for a no-frills, efficient pool cleaner that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

Aiper Scuba S1: Stepping Up the Game

The Aiper Scuba S1 takes things up a notch with enhanced features and a more robust build. Designed for both small and medium-sized above-ground pools, the Scuba S1 offers better suction power and an improved filtration system, making it capable of handling a wider variety of debris, including larger leaves and dirt.

One of the standout features of the Scuba S1 is its dual-motor system, which provides more consistent and powerful cleaning. The battery life is also improved, offering up to 2.5 hours of operation, which is a significant upgrade compared to earlier models. The Scuba S1 also has a more advanced navigation system, allowing it to clean the pool more efficiently, reducing missed spots and overlapping coverage.

However, like other Aiper models, it still doesn’t climb walls, which remains a limitation if you’re looking for a comprehensive clean. Despite this, the Scuba S1 represents a good middle-ground option in the Aiper lineup, offering enhanced performance while still being relatively affordable.

Aiper Scuba S1 Pro: The Premium Choice

The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro is the top-of-the-line model in the Scuba series, designed for those who want the best that Aiper has to offer. The S1 Pro features the most powerful suction in the lineup, combined with an advanced filtration system that excels at picking up everything from fine dust to larger debris.

The Scuba S1 Pro also includes a longer-lasting battery, offering up to 3 hours of cleaning time, making it suitable for larger above-ground pools. This model also includes a more sophisticated navigation system, which improves cleaning efficiency and reduces the time needed to cover the entire pool.

While the Scuba S1 Pro still lacks wall-climbing capabilities, its superior cleaning power and extended battery life make it the best choice for those who are looking for a more comprehensive clean within the Aiper range. The S1 Pro also comes with a slightly longer warranty, offering a bit more peace of mind for buyers.

Conclusion: Is Aiper Right for You?

Aiper has certainly made a name for itself in the budget-friendly segment of the robotic pool cleaner market. With models ranging from the basic Seagull SE to the more advanced Scuba S1 Pro, there’s an Aiper cleaner for nearly every above-ground pool owner. However, as a specialist, I must emphasize that while Aiper’s models offer some great features, they come with certain limitations.

If you own an above-ground pool and are looking for an affordable, easy-to-use cleaner that can handle basic cleaning tasks, Aiper’s offerings are worth considering. The Scuba series, in particular, shows promise with its improved features and better battery life compared to the older Seagull models.

That said, Aiper cleaners do have their downsides. The lack of wall-climbing ability and relatively short battery life are significant drawbacks, especially if you own a larger pool or require more thorough cleaning. Additionally, the warranty process and customer service experience can be frustrating, which is something to keep in mind if you prioritize after-sales support.

In conclusion, Aiper is a solid choice for budget-conscious pool owners with smaller above-ground pools. However, if you’re looking for a more robust and versatile cleaner, it might be worth exploring other brands that offer more advanced features and better support. Aiper is a great starting point, but as your pool maintenance needs grow, you may find yourself outgrowing these models and looking for something with a bit more power and capability.