10 Solar-Powered Pool Cleaners From Amazon That Do The Dirty Work Right

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Whether you're trying to avoid bugs while you swim or the water is starting to turn a strange green color, those are just some of the icky things that can happen if you don't clean your pool. Unfortunately, cleaning and maintenance are part of the deal of pool ownership. But doesn't mean you have to spend your weekends scrubbing the walls and skimming the surface for insects. Instead, to handle the daily grind, you could always invest in a pool cleaning robot. Better still, you could buy one that's designed to harness the sun's power, which eliminates the need to hardwire your device, bring it indoors everyday for recharging, or manage a long power cable during cleaning.

In the guide below, we've picked out 10 highly-rated solar-powered pool cleaners that are currently available on Amazon. Some come as sets with robotic pool vacuums and surface skimmers, helping to handle the lion's share of the cleaning and freeing you to relax by your opalescent oasis. Others are purely designed to skim the surface, thus reducing your need to pull out the pole and net. As we'll explain in more detail at the end, all have been tried and tested by at least six real buyers, and all are rated at least 4.1 stars overall. In other words, if you've spotted the signs that your pool needs cleaning, you're sure to find a device below that can help you do it.

The best way to vacuum your pool (and how often) depends, to an extent, on your pool, its size, and its surroundings. Generally speaking, though, you will need to vacuum it with some regularity to prevent build-ups of debris and knock-on issues like algal growth. The Aiper Experts Duo: Cordless Pool Cleaner Robot & Solar Pool Skimmer helps to keep your pool clean from top to bottom, thus preventing debris from gathering at the bottom and feeding an algae problem. It costs $1,499.98, which is pricey. However, per the name, you actually get two robots for that cost. It comes with the Scuba V3 — a robot vacuum that captures fine debris to keep the bottom of the pool clean. It also includes the solar-powered EcoSurfer S2, which skims the surface of your pool 24/7 to keep it clear of floating debris. Together, the two units offer up to seven days of hands-free use, and then you would need to charge the Scuba while allowing the skimmer to soak up some sunshine.

As for reviews, it currently scores 4.2 stars overall, with 69% of more than 140 users awarding it 5 stars. It's described by one buyer as "The BEST Pool Cleaner Combo!" They added that it does an excellent job cleaning the entire pool, that its auto-park feature makes retrieval easy, and that "Together, these two cleaners make an impressive team." It is worth mentioning that a minority of buyers have faced durability issues, with some saying the cleaners stopped working after a few months. That said, the set comes with a reassuring two-year warranty, to ensure reliable performance and long-term durability.

If you're already equipped with a pool vacuum but need something to alleviate the strain on your arms from constantly skimming your pool, the previous set may seem like an unnecessary expense. If so, there are lots of standalone solar-powered pool skimmers available on Amazon. One is Betta's SE Solar Powered Pool Skimmer Robot, which, like the skimmer in the previous set, offers 24/7 cleaning. It works to remove things like leaves, dust, pollen, and dead insects, and on a full charge, offers up to 30 hours' runtime. It's also equipped with a large fine-mesh basket with a top handle. This has the capacity to hold plenty of debris, thus reducing the amount you have to empty it. The handle, meanwhile, means you can lift the basket clear without needing to haul the entire cleaner from the pool.

Diving into the reviews, it currently scores 4.4 stars overall. It's been rated by more than 80 users to-date, and of those, 74% saw fit to thank Betta with 5 stars. Buyers praised the value of the skimmer's $399.90 price tag, including one who said, "This is one of the BEST purchases I've made for my above ground pool!" They added that it runs at night, keeps their pool clean, and stops them needing to reach for the skimming net. Again, negative feedback is in the minority, but some buyers have cited issues with battery life and durability, including some whose units failed after the manufacturer's 1-year warranty.

Priced slightly higher than the model from Betta, Beatbot's iSkim 24/7 Solar Pool Skimmer brings a little extra to the pool party to make cleaning easier. It has an extra-wide 10.6-inch intake, for example, which helps improve pick-up rates on each pass. It has six guided wheels to help clean close to your pool's walls, along with an extra-large 9-liter basket that's handy for large pools. It also features retractable legs, to prevent it from becoming stranded on shallow steps, and can be controlled via an app, including scheduling and callback to poolside.

All in, it's priced at $429, and it comes with a 4.4-star rating from more than 330 reviews. 73% of buyers have awarded it 5 stars, including one who said that it's "The Perfect Companion to a Robotic Pool Cleaner — Keeps the Surface Spotless." Another, who said that it's "Maybe my favorite purchase all year," explained that it's effective, holds its charge well, and "absolutely worth the money to not have to constantly skim the surface of my pool every day." Finally, while quality once again raises its head as an issue among a small percentage of buyers, the unit does come with three-year warranty support for long-term durability.

As we've seen, a pool skimmer is a useful tool for getting rid of the bugs invading your pool during summer. BRINBO's SK02 Solar Powered Pool Skimmer is priced about $70 less than the model from Betta at $329.99, yet it has similar app-control and management features to the more expensive model from Beatbot. It charges in full sunlight in approximately five hours, but can also be plugged in should the sun play hard to get. When it's on, it uses smart obstacle avoidance to identify and navigate tricky spots, and it automatically adjusts its route to more effectively cover your pool and ensure optimal debris uptake. It pairs a brushless motor with a fine filtration system to handle those annoying insects, along with leaves, petals, and other floating debris.

Ratings wise, the BRINBO SK02 scores 4.3 stars overall, with 67% of 20 reviews to-date having awarded it full marks. "Awesome pool helper," said one user, who added that it "works hard, never gives me any trouble." Another, who needed something to combat droppings from their neighbor's cottonwood tree, said it's very useful, works well without the need for much human input, and that "for heavy seasonal debris, it has been extremely useful."

As the cheapest solar-powered pool cleaner so far in this guide, the Betta Flex Solar Pool Skimmer will be attractive to buyers on a budget. It may also be more attractive for anyone with an infinity pool. Unlike the Betta SE Solar, which is not suitable for infinity pool edges, the Flex model is. It's 100% solar-powered and cordless, meaning you can just drop it in and let your robot get on with it. It also has two modes (unlike the Betta SE), including an Eco mode for smart, periodic sweeps, plus a Normal mode that runs continuously. A soft-touch case is kind on pool edges, and as for that price, it currently costs $319.

It's also the highest-rated cleaner in the guide so far, enjoying a current overall rating of 4.5 stars. 78% of more than 370 users have awarded it 5 stars, with one who said that it's "Absolutely worth every penny!" They explained that it runs all day on solar power, gobbling up debris before it has a chance to sink, and that it requires virtually no human effort (bar occasionally emptying the basket). To quote another happy shopper, "This machine is awesome!" They explained that it helped save them at least half an hour's cleaning daily, and that, overall, "This thing has been absolutely amazing and I recommend it to anyone who asks."

For those who need to carefully manage their pool maintenance budget, the $219 tag attached to Vidapool's Solar Pool Skimmer Robot is likely to stand out versus the other cleaners featured so far. It has a large 10-liter basket for debris collection and reduced emptying, along with up to 10 hours' runtime on a full charge. That's less than the batteries in several of the others, however, you may be happy making the trade-off for the more affordable price point. Performance wise, the unit can be switched between automatic cleaning and remote-controlled cleaning, enabling more precision when you need it. It can also skim the surface of different-shaped pools.

Now, it's not the highest-rated cleaner in this guide, currently scoring 4.2 stars overall. Still, 57% of users have awarded it 5 stars, with most agreeing that it's a solid, entry-level cleaner, particularly for smaller pools. As one user put it, it cleans well, is highly efficient, and has "completely transformed my pool maintenance routine." As for what holds the product's rating back, it's hard to say with certainty. A minority (17%) of users gave the cleaner less than 4 stars, however, the only actual feedback we found among these was on a lack of quality customer support. This was discovered when a user's robot stopped charging (after 6 months), which is good to know. But without more user feedback to draw from, it's hard to say for sure whether this represents a pattern.

When you're weighing up whether or not robotic pool cleaners are worth the money, one of the best places to look is the individual products' reviews. WAVIO's Solar Powered Pool Skimmer is the joint highest-rated cleaner in this guide. It delivers 24/7 cleaning, with solar charging delivering runtimes of up to 20 hours. You can choose from two cleaning modes (circulation and edge), and when the battery runs low, the unit will self-park, allowing you to grab it easily. It's also fitted with smart obstacle avoidance technology, and comes with a two-year warranty.

That's all fairly standard when stacked up against the other products in this guide. However, it stands out for two reasons. One is the price, which, at $189.99, is by far the cheapest in the line-up so far. The second is its star rating. It's currently rated 5 stars, the result of 25 user reviews — 100% of which gave the WAVIO top marks. Reasons for this vary, with many praising its efficient, hands-off cleaning and the unit's dual charging ability (solar or mains). As one user explained, "It cleans the surface quite quickly, keeps the water clean, is of very good quality and seems to be quite durable." They added that it saves on manual cleaning, and that overall, "it was a good investment."

Working around the clock to skim your water's surface and make your small pool look like a resort, Supclean's Solar Powered Skimmer Robot is another high-flyer in the reviews. It employs smart obstacle avoidance to ensure uninterrupted cleaning, and can be controlled via an app when necessary. Runtimes peak at around 16 hours, which isn't the longest in this guide. Similarly, its 4.5-liter fine-mesh basket is on the small side versus other competitors in our line-up. This may mean you have to empty it more often, particularly if your pool is surrounded by vegetation that likes to litter your pool. However, it ought to be ample in smaller pools, especially those whose surroundings are clear.

The robot has certainly done well in the reviews so far, earning a current overall rating of 4.8. Just 10 users have reviewed the cleaner to-date, however, out of those, 78% awarded it 5 stars. One user, who admitted that the price is somewhat high, said that it nevertheless works well. They called it "a really convenient option if you are tired of constantly having to manually skim the pool." This sentiment is shared by others, too. "My only major hesitation is the pricing," said one buyer, who nevertheless explained that it's proven very useful. When they posted, the price was at around $500, so it's dropped by around $100 since then. However, as we've seen with the Vidapool and WAVIO models, it is still possible to spend a lot less while securing longer runtimes and larger capacities.

Poolhacker's 24/7 Solar Pool Skimmer Robot sits in something of a "sweet spot" for buyers on a budget. It's not the cheapest cleaner in our line-up, but it's far from the most expensive. What sets it apart is its runtime. According to the spec, a full charge can yield up to 72 hours of operation — without any additional sunlight. And while it's solar-powered, you can also plug it in, making it more convenient to charge when it's cloudy. It has a mid-size 5.2-liter basket, and uses a funnel-style inlet to better direct debris into the bin. It also employs an extended front scoop, which reaches deeper into the water to catch debris that's already started to sink. Add to all of this a set of anti-stranding legs to prevent it from foundering on your steps, and there's a lot to like in the Poolhacker's spec sheet.

The same goes for the ratings, where, out of more than 50 reviews, 97% have awarded the cleaner full marks. It's rated 5 stars overall, with one user having said that it "Works flawlessly ... When you look at the competition, other premium models on the market can easily cost hundreds of dollars more." Importantly, the model also earns points for being both efficient and easy to use. As another buyer explained, "After charging, I set the unit in the pool to do its thing. It ran all night and my pool surface was immaculate in the morning."

It's hard to overstate the importance of cleaning your pool with a vacuum. If you don't, organic debris can accumulate, break down, and create the ideal conditions for algae. Of course, you don't need to buy a solar-powered cleaning robot to do this for you. But you can, especially if you require a more time-efficient way to keep your pool clean. WYBOT's S2 Solar Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum is unlike the other surface skimmers featured up to this point. Instead, it's designed to go deep and vacuum the bottom of your pool. It's charged by a solar panel dock, which fits to the side of your pool. It auto-docks itself when the batteries begin to run low, meaning there's very little you need to do to keep it going. It has seven cleaning modes, which, with a high-efficiency brushless motor, help to keep your floors, walls, and waterlines nice and clean.

The main drawback is the price. At $1,399.99, it's more than you'd probably spend on a manually-operated pool vacuum. However, it does come with a respectable 4.1-star rating, with 56% of six user reviews having given it top marks. "Very impressed!" said one user. "Very easy to install, set up and start using. Once it calibrated itself to its parking spot it docks perfectly every time! I love it!" Just be sure to read the unit's placement requirements before you buy. A flat, sun-soaked, obstacle-free edge is required for the docking station. Without it, you may experience similar issues to some buyers who've struggled with docking and charging.

In order to help you find quality solar-powered pool cleaners on Amazon, we selected products based on two important criteria. Firstly, we focused our search on products rated 4 stars and above. Secondly, to help inform your purchase decision, we searched for products with reviews from at least six real buyers. Feedback from these reviews was included in the final article, including any drawbacks or negative patterns that we uncovered during our search.