Wall and floor cleaner, surface skimmer, or all-in-one?
Most modern robotic pool cleaners clean the pool’s floor, climb walls, and scrub the waterline, where sunscreen and grime tend to collect — they do much more than older pool cleaners, which focused almost exclusively on floors.
Removing floating leaves, bugs, and pollen is a separate task, handled by a dedicated robotic skimmer. These robots, typically cheaper than their floor-scrubbing counterparts, aim to remove floating debris before it has a chance to get the floor and walls dirty. (Surface cleaning is less essential because removing leaves and bugs with a net is simple, and even the best robots struggle to collect debris trapped in corners or above shallow steps.)
For aboveground pools, where the walls and floor are easier to clean manually, a surface skimmer may be the only robot you need. For deeper in-ground pools, however, a surface skimmer will likely need to be paired with a second robot, or can be added to assist an older-style pressure or suction-side cleaner that handles the floor and walls. Some manufacturers sell robot pairs: one that cleans the floor, walls, and waterline, and another dedicated to surface skimming.
