Robotic Pool Cleaners
Robotic pool cleaners are self-contained units with their own motors, filtration, and navigation systems. They plug into a standard household outlet, operate independently of the pool's pump and filter, and collect debris in an onboard filter canister rather than routing it through the pool's filtration system. For most Boston residential pools, a robotic cleaner is the preferred choice: it does not add wear to the pool pump, it can be programmed to run on a schedule, and the cleaning performance on both floors and walls is superior to suction and pressure cleaners in most pool configurations.
Modern robotic cleaners use gyroscopic navigation and pattern algorithms to cover the pool floor systematically rather than navigating randomly. Higher-end units include wall and waterline cleaning capability, which is important for pools that accumulate algae growth or calcium deposits along the tile line. Filter canister capacity and ease of cleaning are important selection criteria — a canister that is difficult to empty or clean will be used less frequently, reducing the cleaner's effectiveness.