A Guide To: Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaners

Imagine waking up in the morning to your crystal-clear backyard pool and jumping in without spending hours on maintenance. This dream is now a reality, thanks to the evolution of cordless robotic pool cleaners. With the change from hard labour manual scrubbing to the latest in cordless innovation, pool maintenance has never been so easy and feels like a breeze. In this article, we will explore whether cordless robotic pool cleaners are worthwhile investments and see how they work their magic.

Pool owners used to rely on bulky corded equipment and manual labour to keep their pools clean, which was a cumbersome task. However, the invention of cordless pool cleaners has changed the way pool maintenance is done and brought significant improvements in efficiency by offering a seamless and tangle-free cleaning experience. These cleaners operate without cords and are equipped with powerful batteries that deliver sustained performance, ensuring that your pool remains clean without any hassle.

How Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaners Work and Their Benefits

Cordless robotic pool cleaners are designed to operate autonomously, cleaning your pool’s surfaces without manual intervention. Here’s a closer look at their operational framework:

Power and Efficiency

These cleaners are powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, allowing for cord-free operation. This battery is what sets them apart, providing the energy needed to clean your pool without the need for continuous external power. For example, Zodiac FreeRider™ iQ boasts a high-power lithium-ion battery with a cycle of 2.5 hours and a fast charging time of less than 5 hours, ensuring your pool is cleaned efficiently and ready for use.

Intelligent Navigation and Cleaning

One of the most impressive features of cordless robotic pool cleaners is their intelligent navigation systems. Some of the Zodiac's sophisticated pool cleaners are designed with SMART mode technology, enabling them to interact intelligently with the pool's environment. By detecting the walls, they can calculate the pool's dimensions, adjusting their cleaning time to suit the specific size and shape of each pool. 

Rather than relying on random patterns, these cleaners follow predetermined paths to maximise coverage. They're programmed to execute various systematic cleaning strategies, ensuring every inch of your pool receives attention — from the floor to the waterline. Therefore, it is always good to choose a cordless robotic cleaner that can adapt to the shape and size of your pool.

Dual-Stage Filtration for Superior Cleanliness

Cordless robotic pool cleaners come equipped with a filter basket to collect all the debris during a cleaning cycle. It's wise to choose a cleaner with the appropriate basket size to suit your pool. Another consideration is the filtration level, denoted by Micron or "µ". The lower the number, the finer/smaller particle size the cleaner can pick. For example, the Zodiac Freerider™ features a dual filtration system with a 4L capacity. It comes with a 150µ and 60µ dual filtration system canister basket that is capable of picking up small and large debris. The filter canister needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure that the cordless robotic cleaner performs at an optimal level. Some canisters need to be disassembled for cleaning; in some cleaners, you will need to touch the debris to have it cleaned manually. However, the Zodiac Freerider™ features “white glove” technology, meaning there is no need to touch the debris inside the basket when cleaning it. Just tip the basket over and give it a rinse with a hose, and you are good to go. 

Eco-friendly and Energy Efficient

Not only do these cleaners operate without the need for a power cord, but they are also designed with eco-friendliness in mind. By using rechargeable batteries and efficient motors, they consume less energy than traditional pool cleaning methods. This reduces your carbon footprint and can lead to savings on your energy bills. 

Convenience and Control

The convenience of using a cordless robotic pool cleaner cannot be overstated. After completing a cleaning cycle, some models can automatically climb to the waterline for easy retrieval, making them even more user friendly. Zodiac Freerider™ FR2000 iQ also features a Lifi remote control giving the users the ability to activate “Lift System™” where they can direct the cleaner to climb the wall of their choice at the end of the cleaning cycle.

The Cleaning Features of Zodiac FreeRider™

The Zodiac FreeRider™ robotic cordless pool cleaner offers a seamless blend of efficiency and convenience. Let's have a look at the cleaning features that sets the FreeRider™ apart from the other cleaners.

Optimal Handling and Mobility

The FreeRider™ solved the issue of cable tangling, which is a common issue with traditional robotic cleaners. Its cordless design enables unmatched freedom and agility in pool navigation, providing a hassle-free cleaning experience.

Cyclonic Suction and Vortex Technology

At the core of the FreeRider™'s exceptional cleaning capability is its patented cyclonic suction technology, which creates a powerful vortex within the filter, suspending debris and minimising filter clogging. This continuous suction power ensures efficient debris collection throughout the cleaning cycle.

Intelligent Bypass System

The FreeRider™ has a sophisticated bypass system that adapts to the cleaner's position. On horizontal surfaces, the system ensures normal water flow through the filter canister. When tackling vertical surfaces or the waterline, the bypass opens to maintain suction power even with a full filter canister. This enhances cleaning efficiency and helps easy removal from the pool by ensuring the cleaner is lighter and quicker to drain.

Effortless Removal with Innovative Lift System

To further promote convenience, the FreeRider™ notifies users via the iAquaLink app when the cleaning cycle is complete.* After finishing the cleaning cycle, the cleaner will move to various walls and wait at the waterline for retrieval for 10 minutes after the cycle ends. When lifting the cleaner out of the water, the quick drain feature will activate, which will push water out of the back of the unit. This feature makes the cleaner 15% lighter and 30% quicker to remove from the pool compared to other pool cleaners. 

After 10 minutes, the cleaner will wait patiently on the pool floor, where it can easily be retrieved using the included hook attachment.

*The Wi-Fi connection is lost underwater, so no live update on the cleaner’s behaviour can be transmitted to the app.

Cordless vs Corded Robotic Pool Cleaners

To gain a clearer understanding, it's crucial to compare cordless robotic pool cleaners with their corded counterparts. Although both types provide automated cleaning, there are some key differences.

Mobility and Flexibility

One of the biggest benefits of cordless robotic pool cleaners like the Zodiac FreeRider™ is their superior mobility and flexibility. Freed from the constraints of a power cord, they can easily move around the pool and eliminate the cable tangling issue. Unlike traditional corded robotic pool cleaners, the FreeRider™ operates wirelessly, navigating the pool with freedom and agility.

Power Supply and Energy Use

Corded robotic pool cleaners need a power source, while cordless models like the FreeRider™ rely on advanced rechargeable batteries. This also helps to be a more energy-efficient solution, as cordless cleaners can optimise power consumption and offer potential savings on electricity bills in the long run.

Initial Cost vs. Long-term Savings

Price plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. Generally, cordless robotic pool cleaners carry a higher initial price tag due to their convenience features and advanced technology. However, the long-term savings on energy consumption, coupled with the reduced need for manual intervention, can offset the initial investment. The Zodiac FreeRider™ exemplifies this value proposition by eliminating common pain points associated with corded cleaners, especially cable tangling and restricted movement.

What to Consider While Choosing the Right Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner

Maintaining a clean pool can take a lot of time away from spending with your family, but having a cordless pool cleaner can help make it easier and save you time and money. As the market is saturated with various options, choosing the right one to suit your needs can be hard. We have concluded that there are some essential factors to consider when selecting one.

Type of Pool Surface

Check the pool cleaner you consider compatible with your pool's surface type, whether it's tile, vinyl or fibreglass. This is crucial as compatibility affects the cleaner's efficiency and prevents potential damage to your pool.

Suction Power and Efficient Filtration System

The cleaning ability of a robotic cleaner is directly related to how efficient the suction is and the size of the suction inlet. The bigger the inlet size, the cleaner is able to pick up more and bigger size debris easily. Also, optimised suction efficiency ensures the cleaner does not lose suction capability during the cleaning and the filter does not get clogged. Freerider features patented Vortex suction power where the debris is kept suspended in the filter canister, ensuring the cleaner does not get clogged and lose its suction power. It comes with a 23cm inlet opening. Additionally, a high-quality filtration system is crucial for getting rid of small particles. Zodiac FreeRider™ offers patented cyclonic suction efficiency with an impressive dual-stage filtration system to tackle all levels of dirt, dust and debris to give you crystal-clear pool water.

Advanced Navigation and Cleaning Efficiency

All Zodiac robotic pool cleaners use advanced algorithms or smart technology to navigate and clean the pool for thorough coverage. Selecting a model that suits your pool with smart navigation ensures comprehensive and efficient pool coverage every time.

Smart Features for Enhanced Convenience

Nowadays, a majority of cordless pool cleaners on the market are equipped with remote control capabilities and app connectivity*, offering a seamless user experience from device to pool. The ability to control and monitor your pool cleaner from anywhere at any time adds a layer of convenience to ongoing pool maintenance.

*The Wi-Fi connection is lost while the cleaner is underwater.

Battery Life and Charging Time

As cordless pool cleaners run on battery power, it's important to consider their battery life and charging time. It's best to choose models that strike a balance between providing great cleaning cycles on a single charge and reasonable recharge times so that your pool is always ready whenever you need it. The Zodiac FreeRider™ is a great option as it comes with a large, long-lasting lithium-ion 9.6 aH battery that offers up to 2.5 hours of runtime. Moreover, it can be quickly charged in less than 5 hours, ensuring that your pool is always in top condition. Designed with longevity in mind, the battery compartment is engineered to provide a minimum of 500 charging cycles and up to 1200 hours of usage without significant loss in performance.

Lightweight and Easy to Remove from the Water

When selecting a cordless robotic pool cleaner, it's important to take its weight into consideration. These cleaners can weigh up to 12 kg when dry, so removing them from your pool to clean the filter basket can be a challenge. A lightweight design can help make removal and handling easier, which is particularly important for cordless models as you need to lift them out of the pool for charging. 

Warranty 

Investing in a pool cleaner with a warranty is a testament to the manufacturer's confidence in their products. A two to three-year warranty with customer support ensures that any potential issues with your pool cleaner are addressed, providing peace of mind and saving you money on repairs. To find your nearest Zodiac pool professional, visit our dealer locator.

 Bottom Line

If you're looking for the right cordless pool cleaner, you need to consider several factors before making your purchase. You should evaluate the cleaner's surface compatibility, warranty, and other features to ensure you select a pool cleaner that not only meets your pool maintenance needs but also enhances your pool experience. Speak to our authorised pool dealers to learn more about how Zodiac FreeRider™ Cordless Pool Cleaner can help you save time and money.