Pool skimming robot: how robot skimmers work

What a robot skimmer does

A pool skimming robot works the pool surface. That's a different job from the robots that drive along the floor. If you want that kind, start with our overview of robotic pool cleaners.

WYBOT puts it this way: the WYBOT F1 "sweeps across your pool surface to capture every leaf, bug, and piece of debris." ¹

We haven't used any skimmer ourselves, and we don't pick winners. Below you'll find what two makers say on their own pages.

How solar models keep running

WYBOT lists "33W Solar Power" for the F1. ¹

Its page describes two modes. "Smart mode: Operates for 24 hours with a 10-minute work and 10-minute rest cycle." ¹ And "Standard mode: Runs continuously for 8 hours." ¹

Aiper lists "24/7 Solar-Powered Operation" for its EcoSurfer S2. ² The page adds that when the battery runs low, the EcoSurfer S2 "automatically moves to sunlight." ² So that claim depends on the unit reaching sunlight. The page doesn't say how it copes at night or in shade, so check the manual. Its spec table also shows "Charging Times 4-6 Hours." ² The table doesn't say what that figure assumes, so check the manual before you plan around it.

Aiper's spec table lists "Battery Life(Adapter Charging)" as 35 hours. ² That's an adapter-charging figure, not a solar one.

Baskets and filters

A skimmer holds what it collects in a basket. A bigger basket means fewer trips to empty it. Aiper also gives a filter figure, in microns, and WYBOT's line mentions a fine filter.

WYBOT lists a "7L Large-Capacity Basket with Fine Filter" for the F1. ¹ Aiper lists a "4L Enclosed Pull-Out Debris Basket" and a "150μm Fine Filter." ²

Those are two makers' own words for two different models. The numbers aren't a like-for-like contest. Check the same lines on any model you're considering, and ask yourself how much debris falls into your pool in a week. A pool under a big tree fills a basket faster than one in an open yard.

Skimmer, floor robot, and your manual

A skimmer and a floor robot do different jobs. Our page on cordless robotic pool vacuums covers run times for the floor kind.

If your pool sits above the ground, read what to check on an above-ground pool robot. Maytronics sells floor robots too, and the Dolphin range from Maytronics shows how one maker lists them.

To see how floor robots work, click here to read our robotic pool cleaner guide.

Robots run in and near water. How to charge one, where to put it and whether anyone can swim while it works are questions for your model's manual. Follow it exactly.

This page doesn't quote a skimmer manual, so it gives no electrical or swimming instructions. Look up the manual for your exact model before you buy and before you first use it.

If the manual and this page ever disagree, the manual wins.