Smart Pool & Spa Brands
Dolphin, Hayward, Pentair, Aiper, and Polaris compared. Robotic cleaners, automation controllers, and chemical monitors for pools and spas.
Aiper
Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaners
Cordless robotic pool cleaners with app control. The Seagull series (SE, Pro, Plus) are battery-powered and connect via the Aiper app over WiFi. No hoses or booster pumps required.
Beatbot
Premium Cordless Pool Cleaners
High-end cordless robotic pool cleaners. The AquaSense Pro cleans floors, walls, and the waterline with dual-drive navigation. Uses the Beatbot app for scheduling, zone cleaning, and real-time status. Features built-in water chemistry sensing.
Dolphin by Maytronics
Robotic Pool Cleaners
WiFi-connected robotic pool cleaners with app scheduling, remote control, and cleaning cycle management. Models include the Nautilus CC Plus, Proteus DX5i, S400, and the flagship M700. Uses the MyDolphin Plus app.
Hayward
Smart Pool Equipment
Pool automation through the OmniLogic and OmniHub systems. Controls pumps, heaters, salt chlorinators, lights, and water features. The OmniLogic touchscreen and OmniHub WiFi module connect to the Hayward OmniLogic app.
Jandy
Pool & Spa Automation by Fluidra
Pool and spa automation through the iAquaLink system. The AquaLink RS and iAquaLink app control pumps, heaters, chlorinators, lights, valves, and water features. Part of the Fluidra/Zodiac family.
Polaris
Pool Cleaners & Automation
Pressure-side, suction-side, and robotic pool cleaners. The P965iQ and VRX iQ are WiFi-enabled robotic models controlled through the iAquaLink app. Classic models like the Polaris 380 and 280 are pressure-side cleaners powered by a booster pump.
Sutro
Smart Pool Water Monitor
Floating smart pool water monitor that continuously tests pH, free chlorine, and alkalinity. Sends readings to the Sutro app every hour and recommends exact chemical doses. Uses replaceable reagent cartridges (about 90 days per cartridge).
WaterGuru
Skimmer-Based Pool Monitor
Smart pool monitor that installs in the skimmer basket. The WaterGuru SENSE tests free chlorine and pH using replaceable test cassettes, measures water temperature, and monitors pump run time. Connects via WiFi and sends alerts through the WaterGuru app.
Pentair
Smart Pool & Water Solutions
Pool and spa automation systems including the IntelliCenter, ScreenLogic, and IntelliFlo variable speed pumps. Controls pool pumps, heaters, lights, chlorinators, and water features from a single app.
pHin
Smart Water Care by Hayward
Floating smart water monitor for pools and hot tubs. Continuously monitors temperature, pH, ORP (sanitizer level), and total dissolved solids. Part of the Hayward ecosystem. Uses the pHin app to recommend chemical adjustments.
About Smart Pool & Spa Brands
Dolphin (Maytronics) makes the most popular robotic pool cleaners for a reason — the M400 and M600 models navigate any pool shape, scrub walls and waterline, and run on their own low-voltage power supply (your pool pump stays off). Aiper undercuts Dolphin at $300–$500 with cordless battery-powered cleaners that work well in small-to-medium pools but lack wall climbing on cheaper models. Hayward OmniLogic and Pentair IntelliConnect handle full pool automation — pumps, heaters, lights, chemical dosing — from a single app. Polaris still makes strong pressure-side cleaners for large debris but their robotic lineup lags behind Dolphin. For water chemistry, Sutro monitors pH, chlorine, and alkalinity every hour and tells you exactly what to add; pHin does the same for hot tubs specifically.
Buying Tips
- Robotic cleaners (Dolphin, Aiper) run independently of your pump — they save energy and filter finer particles
- Hayward and Pentair automation controllers cost $1,500–$3,000 but pay back through pump schedule optimization
- Cordless pool cleaners (Aiper Seagull) are easy to use but battery life limits them to 90–120 minutes per charge
- Smart chemical monitors (Sutro) cost $300 + $15/month but prevent the $200+ cost of fixing a green pool