During regular usage of the swimming pool, every owner faces the problem of cleaning the pool regularly in the most efficient way. The swimming pool maintenance includes several mandatory steps: cleaning the walls, floor, and other surfaces inside the pool, filtering the water, cleaning the water surface, and monitoring the water chemistry. All these steps should be performed regularly, and for most of them, you can purchase equipment to be performed automatically. Robotic pool cleaners are recommended for cleaning walls, floors, and waterlines (not all models can perform all surfaces). Also, they filter water and collect small particles to reduce the load on a pool filter and pump.
Many companies manufacture robotic pool cleaners – Maytronics (Dolphin), Intex, AIPER, Polaris, WYBOT, Aquatron, and many more. This article focuses on the comparison of two middle-priced cordless robots – Polaris Freedom vs. AIPER. AIPER is a young Chinese company that has been producing pool cleaners for almost ten years, while Polaris has been famous for cleaning devices for 50 years already. So, we will review two hot models from two reliable brands.
Polaris Freedom vs. AIPER – Comparison table
2. Main differences between models
Polaris and AIPER robotic cleaners are cordless robotic cleaners with similar appearance. They both have top-loaded filter baskets to capture all debris. These cleaners can also clean waterlines, walls, and floors. Nevertheless, many differences between these models make these models unique.
- Polaris Freedom has more cleaning modes than AIPER – 4 vs. 3.
- AIPER has a more powerful motor with a 70 W suction rate, while Polaris Freedom has only 58 W.
- Polaris Freedom has double helix brushes for better scrubbing, while AIPER has two standard rubber brushes.
- AIPER has four rubber wheels, while Polaris Freedom is equipped with track wheels. AIPER can climb 30-degree slopes, while Polaris Freedom is not designed for sloped pools.
- Polaris Freedom has a larger battery, which allows this model to have a 2.5-hour cleaning cycle to clean large pools (up to 50 ft.), while AIPER has a smaller battery capacity, which allows it to clean slightly less than 140 minutes.
- The charging process of the two models is different. Polaris Freedom is charged using a charging station with direct contacts, while AIPER is charged from the corded adapter.
For a more detailed comparison of similarities and differences, please read “Detailed product review” and “Buyer’s Guide.”
3. Detailed product review
This part of the article presents a detailed technical description of both models with pros and cons.
Polaris FREEDOM Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner
Polaris Freedom is also a cordless vacuum cleaner to keep your deck and pool clean. It is the only Polaris model that goes without the cord. It has a dark blue body with light blue accents and black track wheels on both sides. On the back of the robot, there are several indicators (battery, Wi-Fi, operating status, cleaning mode) and a mode slider. The operating depth of this model is from 15 inches to 13 ft. The robot is designed for in-ground water pools of all shapes with sizes up to 50 ft. It cleans perfectly the floor, walls, and waterline. The robot is charged via an easy-contact charge station with direct contacts.
The robot is equipped with cyclonic vacuum technology to collect all debris without lasting suction power. The Double Helix brush, which is located in front with rubber fins, directs dirt and debris into the very large suction door. The canister has an extra-large size – 4 L. You do need to clean the basket with a garden hose after each cleaning cycle. You need to periodically wipe the charging station for proper contact of direct contacts.
The smartphone app allows you to check the cleaning cycle countdown. Also, you can receive notifications from the iAquaLink app about all errors during cleaning, and when the cycle is finished, the robot is ready for lifting. The robot can be fully controlled without a smartphone application, but you will not have the push notifications. You can select the cleaning mode there as well. The robot does not start to mode until it senses the water.
If you do not use the cleaner for eight days or more, it goes into sleeping mode with all LEDs off. You need to put the cleaner on the charging base to wake up. The Polaris Freedom should be stored in a closed area without direct sunlight with a temperature not lower than 10 degrees Celsius. The battery should be charged for 80-100% of full capacity. You may leave the cleaner on the charging station or disconnect it.
- Quick water evacuation
- Smartphone app for control and status
- Four cleaning modes
- Easy-charge charging station
- Large filter basket
- Water sensors
- Waterline charging
- Do not get stuck in drains
- There are several ways to take the robot out of the water
- The cleaner should be dried before charging
- Only one type of filter mesh
- No weekly timer
AIPER Seagull Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
AIPER has designed Seagull Pro with a 3-hour battery with a quiet motor system of 200 W. It is dark grey with several turquoise accents and golden AIPER letters on the lid. It is equipped with one of the best quad-motor systems – for dual draining and suction. It has the most powerful suction – 130 GPM. All debris is sucked into a suction port 6.1 inches in width and goes to the filter. The robot has a top-loaded filter basket that is easily cleaned with a garden hose. For good maneuverability, it has four rubber wheels that allow it to clean the waterline.
AIPER scrubs the walls and floor with a dual rubber brush. Using intelligent WavePath Navigation, it cleans the bottom of the pool in the “S” pattern and walls and waterline in the “N” Pattern for full coverage. To retrieve the pool cleaner from the water, you may use a retrieval hook or a handle located on the top.
It has three cleaning modes: automatic (floor, walls with waterline), floor only, and walls only. To change the mode, you need to turn the dial clockwise on the top shell. In automatic mode, it first cleans the floor (battery level over 50%), then cleans the walls and waterline (below 50%). It can work up to 140 minutes from one charge and requires 3-4 hours of charging. To monitor the status of your battery in real-time, the control dial has four colors – green (more than 90%), blue (50-89%), yellow (10-49%), and red (less than 9%).
There are some precautions that you should follow while using AIPER pool cleaners. For optimal performance, you should not use the pool cleaner simultaneously with a pool filter. As the motor sealing contains grease, in case of any motor damage, you should stop using the cleaner to prevent water contamination. Also, it is forbidden to place the robot upside down or throw the robot in the water; you need to put it in the swimming pool gently. The manufacturer also does not recommend using it while people are swimming in the pool. All robots are tested (water testing and re-sampling inspection) before delivery.
- High suction power 130 GPM
- Energy efficient
- Can climb sloped pools (up to 30 degrees)
- Do not get stuck on drains (max height 1.2 inches)
- Quick water release
- Two types of filter baskets (180 and 250 µm)
- Three cleaning modes
- Fast charging within 3-4 hours
- Intelligent water paths
- Charging through adapter
- No smartphone control
- No weekly timer
- Additional filter should be purchased separately
- No mode for cleaning waterlines only
4. Buyer’s guide
Robotic pool cleaners every year are in the top sales of automatic pool cleaners. They replace manual and other automatic cleaners (pressure-side and suction-side) more frequently because of their extraordinary advantages.
Before going further with the difference between Polaris Freedom vs. AIPER, we want to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of all robotic pool cleaners compared to other types of cleaners. Even though there are plenty of advantages, there are some disadvantages as well. The full list is the following:
- Expensive models
- Some models are corded, limiting the mobility
- Can’t collect floating debris
- Limited size of filter baskets
- Expensive in repair works
- Some models are heavy for regular lifting
The two models described in this review obtain most of the advantages of robotic cleaners but also have some unique features. The face-to-face comparison of the two models for their differences will be followed.
Cleaning modes
Polaris Freedom has four cleaning cycles: floor only (90 minutes); floor, walls, and waterline (150 minutes); waterline only (45 minutes); and SMART cycle calculating the optimal time for cleaning your pool. You can choose the cleaning mode via the smartphone app or using the slider on the back of the robot. The left time for cleaning is shown in the app as well. There are no LED indicators showing the mode.
AIPER Seagull Pro has three cleaning cycles – auto, walls, and floor only. There is no definition of the cleaning time; in auto mode, the robot can clean for up to 140 minutes. The choice of the modes is performed with a mode selector on the top of the robot that has four positions – turn on and three other modes. LED indicator shows not the progress of the cleaning but the battery status
verdictPolaris Freedom has more cleaning modes; it can also clean the waterline separately. You can also choose the smart mode to optimize the cleaning process. Meanwhile, AIPER has automatic mode settings to save battery. The possibility of seeing the progress of the cleaning makes Polaris Freedom the winner in this comparison.
Control possibilities
AIPER has only one way of control – via a mode dial with four positions that should be turned clockwise. There is no remote control or smartphone. The robot informs the user of a change of mode with a “ding” sound with every change. If you hear an alarm, there is a failure – blockages, electrical or motor. The LED indicator around the dial changes colors to inform about battery status in real time.
verdictThe real leader for controlling possibilities in the comparison of Polaris Freedom vs. AIPER is Polaris Freedom. In addition to the buttons on the robot, you can use the smartphone app.
Filtration
Polaris Freedom filter basket has non-removable fine meshes from all sides. The robot has a transparent lid on the top for constant checking of the filter basket for the presence of large debris.
AIPER has a filtration basket with 180 µm meshes on five sides. You can purchase separately 250 µm meshes depending on your average debris size. The tab of the basket and meshes are removable.
verdictThe filtration system of both robots is based on powerful suction and capturing all small and large particles in the filter basket. Both baskets have top access for easy cleaning from each cycle. But in the AIPER, the filter meshes are cartridges that can be removed and changed to the required mesh size. So, in this part, the AIPER is the winner.
Battery and charging
AIPER has a 9000 mAh battery that lasts for 140 minutes of cleaning. The charging time is 3-4 hours. For charging, you need to use only certified AIPER adapters that should be plugged into a power strip. The cleaner should be turned off, and the charging port should be dry before you start the charging process. It is recommended to put the cleaner in a cool place while it is charging. To start charging, you need to remove the silicone plug and put it back before cleaning. By the color of the LED on the dial, you can check the current battery status.
verdictBoth charging systems have their own benefits. AIPER has a fast charging mechanism, while Polaris Freedom system does not require any cords. You can always check the battery status on both cleaners, so there is no winner in this round.
Retrieval Methods
At the end of each cleaning cycle, for 10 minutes, the Polaris robot comes to the waterline and waits to be taken out from the water. Another way to take out the cleaner is to use the removal hook (the pool is not included) from the package to take out the cleaner. The cleaner is very light; you can grab it near the waterline using the handle only. If you need to remove the cleaner from the water urgently, in the smartphone application, you need to choose the special command.
After finishing the cleaning cycle or when the battery is less than 9%, the robot should be taken out from the pool. For this purpose, you need to use the retrieval hook from the package with a spring plate for quick water drainage. The cleaner does not have a function to wait at the waterline, so you need to use an extension pole to reach the robot from the nearest wall, where it is automatically parked waiting.
verdictThe Polaris has more retrieval methods than the AIPER cleaner. But the AIPER has quick water release. Still, Polaris Freedom is the winner in this round.
5. How to choose the best robotic pool cleaner?
Robotic pool cleaners are expensive home appliances. Homeowners do not buy them every year, so it is essential to choose the proper model to clean your swimming pool efficiently. We recommend to choose the cleaner based on the following criteria:
We hope that our comparison of AIPER and Polaris Freedom helped to answer these questions, and you may choose between these models.
6. Frequently Asked Questions?
1. What is the cleaning time in the Smart mode of Polaris Freedom robot?
The smart cycle runtime is optimized and calculated during the first run based on your swimming pool. You can always recalculate the cycle from the app. 2. How many statuses of LED indicators does the Polaris battery have?
3. Does AIPER Seagull Pro have a weekly timer?
4. Where is AIPER Seagull Pro cleaner produced?
7. Conclusion
Even though Polaris Freedom has won in most of our face-to-face comparison rounds of Polaris Freedom vs. AIPER, we can admit that AIPER is more powerful and cordless. AIPER has some advantages, such as fast adapter charging, a one-click start process, intelligent navigation, and the possibility to change the filter basket. Polaris Freedom, meanwhile, wins in such features as retrieval method choice, number of cleaning modes, battery capacity, direct charging, and smartphone control. Surprisingly, AIPER costs twice as much as Polaris Freedom, but the main functionality (the ability to clean walls, waterlines, and floors) is the same. So, if you do not need a remote control and can charge with a cord, we recommend AIPER. Polaris Freedom is a more flexible model and can be scheduled, which also makes it the right choice for every pool owner.
Hi! I’m Markus Robertson, and water is my passion.
Five years ago, I graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles and was going to become a professional marine biologist. However, my fate had other plans for me, and due to family problems, I had to find a more stable and well-paid job. I had only one wish for my job to be connected with water.
During this period of my life, I worked as a sales manager at Olympic Pool & Spa Supplies. The job helped me learn everything about swimming pools and related pool equipment, as well as how to choose the best option and what to pay attention to.
