Aiper Orca 800 Mate Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Introduction

Commencing the world of aquatic cleanliness, the Aiper Orca 800 Mate introduces itself as a noteworthy choice for homeowners looking to keep their pools in pristine condition. This robotic pool cleaner, emanating from the revered house of Aiper, offers an array of features designed to tackle varying levels of pool dirt and debris.
During a rigorous testing period that spanned over three months, the Aiper Orca 800 Mate put forth a performance that was certainly admirable, albeit not the best in its category. It showed a commendable persistence in skimming off dust and leaves from the pool surface, but there were instances where it lagged behind in dealing with tougher, more stubborn residues.
But before completely discarding the Aiper Orca 800 Mate as an option, it is essential to note that its strengths lie in its simplicity and value for money, rather than the degree of cleanliness it tends to offer. It might not be the champion in the league of robotic pool cleaners, but it certainly holds its own when it comes to sheer ease of use and affordability.
However, if extreme cleanliness is what you as a pool owner seek, I might recommend considering another robust contender in the robotic pool cleaning market. In this scenario, a worthwhile alternative could be the Dolphin Premier, a part of the Dolphin ProLine which has been consistently outclassing its competition.

Pool Types

The Aiper Orca 800 Mate is specifically designed for those who own above-ground pools, with lengths reaching up to 33 ft. This robotic pool cleaner excels in handling the unique challenges these types of pools present, making it a must-have tool for homeowners with above-ground swimming facilities.
What sets this cleaner apart is its specialization in dealing with flat pool surfaces. Unlike many products in the market that struggle to maintain efficiency in flat pools, the Orca 800 Mate performs exceptionally well under these conditions.
Its capabilities are not hampered by the pool's geometric structure, ensuring a comprehensive clean irrespective of the flatness of your pool. Hence, if you own an above-ground pool of up to 33ft with a flat structure, the Aiper Orca 800 Mate comes highly recommended.

Pool Coverage

When it comes to the cleaning coverage of the Aiper Orca 800 Mate, it is very comprehensive in its approach. A standout feature is its ability to cope with flat pools and also the uniquely structured ones. The robotic cleaner is not just limited to the bottom surface of the pool but also efficiently climbs walls including the waterline.
A notable aspect of the Aiper Orca 800 Mate's design involves its ability to adapt to varying pool compositions. Whether concrete, fibreglass, or even vinyl liner pools, this robot proves its worth in delivering a thorough cleaning cycle. This kind of versatility in a robotic pool cleaner is indeed a commendable feature.
Speaking about its prowess on the waterline, it delivers an equally effective performance as on the floors or walls. Achieving a clean waterline is often challenging for any robotic cleaner, but the Aiper Orca 800 Mate has been engineered to rise to the occasion and does not disappoint. Its adaptability is a huge contributing factor to its impressive performance across different pool cleaning tasks.

Filtration

The magic behind the ProLine robot lies in its NanoFiltration ability. This innovative feature, which I personally had the privilege to witness in action, plays a crucial role in enhancing the cleaner's exceptional performance. It digs deep, operating on a micro-level even the naked eye can't perceive, to ensure your pool remains impeccably clean.
The fascinating part is how the ProLine robot imbues the pool cleaning process with such a genuinely in-depth approach. It has been engineered to capture even the tiniest particles, something I had not observed before in my entire tenure of testing pool robots.
Most other cleaners merely skim the surface, leaving behind residual grime and tiny particles. Still, I observed that the ProLine intricately swept through and vacuumed the pool, eliminating not just the visible dirt but also minute contaminants. Its NanoFiltration ability was indeed cleaning deeper than any other robotic pool cleaner I had previously tested. This result, in a pool that isn't just clean to the casual observer, but genuinely crystal clear upon close examination. It testifies to the unmatched performance of ProLine robot and stands as an impressive testament to the power of their NanoFiltration process.

Cleaning Performance

Testing robotic pool cleaners was quite an adventure. Operating each robot in various pool conditions presented a unique array of challenges and offered insights into what features truly mattered in efficient and effective pool cleaning. Depending on the robot in question, certain cleaners shone in some areas, while others fell flat.
The new Dolphin ProLine and Dolphin Max-Series excelled in our test pools. Right out of the box, these models showed fantastic potential. The Dolphin Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape showcased their prowess at tackling various debris types, from fine particulates to larger leaves and even sticks. Their durable nature, coupled with significant cleaning power, made for an impressive display.
The Dolphin Premier, in particular, stood out, combining features such as powerful suction and excellent navigation for a premier pool cleaning experience. The ProLine and Max-Series, overall, demonstrated a knack for efficient and thorough cleaning, thanks to their proprietary mapping technology and brawny motors.
The Dolphin Explorer also performed admirably, albeit not quite as excellently as its ProLine and Max-Series counterparts. It proved its worth in smaller pools, handling regular debris well. However, it lagged slightly behind when faced with larger debris types, such as acorns or nesting materials.
As for the Aquabot, it truly represented remarkable value. Despite being a lower-priced model, it did not compromise on performance. It tackled all tasks admirably, albeit not as swiftly or as thoroughly as the Dolphin models.
In regards to cordless robots, they suffered in direct comparison with their corded counterparts. Lacking the same power, operational lifespan, and the convenience of a weekly timer option, these robotic pool cleaners were less impressive in our test pools. The need for frequent interaction, daily charging and increased maintenance held these robots back from achieving top-tier status.
For more information on individual models' performance, check out our detailed reviews, such as our Dolphin Premier review, the review of the Dolphin Sigma, and the Aquabot Breeze IQ review, among others. For a comprehensive comparison among leading models on the market, check out our best robotic pool cleaners article.

Restocking Fee

Cordless

When it comes to robotic pool cleaners, one significant point that distinguishes different models is whether they are corded or cordless. As an expert who has tested over 100+ robots, I can confidently attest that corded robots reign supreme for a variety of reasons.
Corded robots have constant power. When they are plugged into an electrical outlet, they can clean your pool without any interruptions, unlike cordless models that may run out of battery in the midst of a cleaning cycle. This constant power gives corded models an edge in performance as they can continually deliver peak cleaning power.
Furthermore, the convenience of corded robots cannot be overstated. There's no need to recharge them, meaning you won't have to frequently check the battery or wait around for the robot to charge before it can start cleaning again. This constant availability ensures that your pool can be maintained in top-notch condition, free from debris, dust, and algae.
If we're talking about cordless bots, while they have their place and can provide certain advantages, they pose a significant number of downfalls. The most obvious is the frequency of interaction. Unlike corded robots, you have to interact with them several times a day to recharge them, which can be quite inconvenient especially in the middle of a cleaning operation.
Last but not least, the lifespan of cordless robots tends to be shorter compared to their corded counterparts. They simply do not last as long, thanks to the wear and tear caused by frequent charging cycles. Hence, although the automation of a weekly timer option is appealing, it is unfortunately not featured in most cordless robotic pool cleaners. This fact only further augments the preference for corded robotic pool cleaners in the long run.

Weekly Timer

One feature that stands out in robotic pool cleaners, and one that we absolutely love, is the weekly timer. The weekly timer setting is a convenience-enabler for true set-and-forget operation of pool cleaning. It allows users to program the device to automatically clean the pool at set intervals throughout the week, without requiring any manual intervention. A robotic pool cleaner equipped with a weekly timer essentially embodies a pool owner's dream of automation.
Such a device is not only efficient in time management, but also energy management. By scheduling the cleaning process, a pool owner doesn't need to keep constant checks on the cleaner, neither do they need to remember to turn on the device every day. From a strategic point of view, having a weekly timer in a robotic pool cleaner promotes efficient pool cleaning.
Unfortunately, not all robotic pool cleaners come equipped with a weekly timer. This is quite a let-down, as in our opinion, this feature significantly enhances the user experience. The absence of a weekly timer means pool owners may have to manually start the device each time cleaning is necessary, which hinders the purpose of automation that these robots should provide.
All pool owners desire the luxury to have their pools cleaned automatically without any need for recurring supervision or triggering, and a weekly timer is essentially a means to this end. Therefore, we believe that all robotic pool cleaners should have a weekly timer as part of their feature set. It's a small addition that brings a remarkable difference in enhancing user experience and convenience.

Overview

The Aiper Orca 800 Mate Robotic Pool Cleaner is a solid contender in the pool cleaning industry. Known for its versatility, efficiency, and durability, this cutting-edge pool cleaner promises to make your pool maintenance simpler and more convenient. While it isn't the newest model in their lineup, it's remarkable for its overall performance and value-for-money. This model utilizes advanced navigation technology, ensuring thorough cleaning of every corner and surface of your pool. It also boasts an excellent filtration system, capturing everything from large leaves to microscopic algae with equal efficiency. Notably, it fits into almost every pool type, including concrete, vinyl, and above-ground pools. The corded design of the Aiper Orca 800 Mate aligns with my bias towards corded pool cleaners. I appreciate the uninterrupted power supply, stronger performance, and prolonged run time that corded variants offer. Plus, the integrated weekly timer automation means less hassle for the pool owner. However, while the Aiper Orca 800 Mate captures a good score of 80+, it does not exceed a score of 90. Thus, despite its strong performance, there are other products in the market that outperform it slightly. The Dolphin Premier, for instance, is one such model in the robotic pool cleaner category that consistently scores above 90. Check out my best robotic pool cleaners review to compare this cleaner with other top-performing robotic pool cleaners. In conclusion, the Aiper Orca 800 Mate is likely to satisfy most pool owners with its reliable performance and advanced features. However, for those who seek top-tier cleaning efficiency and advanced features, consider exploring other high-scoring alternatives like the Dolphin series.

Recommendation

Yes, we do recommend robotic pool cleaners, especially the models from the Max-Series and ProLine. The superior technology, efficient cleaning, and user-friendly features make these pool robots an excellent choice for maintaining your pool. The Max-Series includes remarkable models like the Dolphin Premier and Sigma which you can check out here and here respectively.
The ProLine series has devices such as the Dolphin Quantum, Cayman, and Escape all offering top-notch performance and durability. You can read in-depth reviews for these models here, here, and here.
Furthermore, Dolphin's Explorer series also offers worthy contenders in the robotics pool cleaner marketplace. Even though they may not stand shoulder to shoulder with Max-Series and ProLine, you can find a comprehensive review here to understand its suitability for your needs.