(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
I have a confession to make. I really, really don’t mind skimming my pool. I just like being in it and around it, and will basically make any excuse to spend more time there, even if it’s work.So when I had the opportunity to test out the BeatBot iSkim, I was actually kind of nervous. Why do I need a $499 robot ($369 on sale at Amazon) to do something that takes just 20 to 30 minutes at a clip with a $20 net, especially if I’m not going to be able to pretend I’m “working” on the pool?The BeatBot iSkim promises less emptying and more pool time, as it continuously keeps your pool clean from debris while constantly staying charged via a solar panel. So I wanted to give it a fair shake. And now I don’t want to give it back.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)Super easy setupThe blue robot looks friendly enough. The BeatBot iSkim is on the bulky side at 21.1 x 20.1 x 8.9 inches, but it’s a fairly light 15 pounds. And setting it up couldn’t be easier. I took it out of the box, loaded up the app and was ready to go in a few minutes.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)Out of the box my iSkim had a battery capacity of 58% but the large solar panel on top allows the robot to keep juiced up all the time. I just dropped the iSkim into my pool with two hands and pressed the power button, and then it started moving around picking up blades of grass, leaves and bugs.How well does it clean?One of the best things about the BeatBot iSkim is that it comes with a large 9L basket. That’s enough space for plenty of debris. After 4 days there was still plenty of room but I washed out the basket anyway. And the basket is easy to remove too. You just push down on a latch, and pull out the handle.Image 1 of 2(Image credit: Tom's Guide)My only complaint is that you need to make sure the pool is free of other items for the best results. The BeatBot does have built-in obstacle avoidance, but that didn’t stop it from trying to swallow my floating pool thermometer. The mouth of the robot (aka the inlet) is pretty wide.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
