Even though swimming pools give a lot of fun and entertainment, they need special care and maintenance. Pool owners should clean them by themselves or hire personnel. Even though residential swimming pools are for private use only, the sanitary conditions should be the same as for commercial pools. The cleaning consists not only of cleaning the pool’s walls and floor and collecting debris from the water surface but also the addition of chemicals to keep the pH 7.0-7.6 and kill bacteria and algae. Cleaning the walls, floor, and waterline is a regular process; you should clean them several times per week, no matter how often you are swimming in the pool. That is why automatic pool cleaners are the best helpers in reducing pool owners’ workloads.
Robotic pool cleaners can clean the pool fully automatically without connecting to the pool’s systems; some models can be scheduled for the upcoming week. Polaris is an innovative company that has been producing pool cleaners for about 50 years. Polaris has a variety of cleaners with/without smartphone control and models that can clean waterlines, walls, and floors, giving the perfect pool experience. In this article, we will compare the budget robots – Polaris Neo vs. P70.
1. Polaris Neo vs. P70 – Comparison table
2. Main differences between models
Polaris Neo and P70 are both budget robotic corded cleaners. Even though they have similar truck wheels and filter-canister functionality, they have many other differences:
- Polaris Neo can clean the floor, walls, and waterline, and P70 can handle only the floor and cove.
- The default cleaning cycle of Polaris Neo is 1.5 hours, and you can choose the mode (floor only, or floor/walls/waterline), while the P70 has one cleaning cycle 2 hours long.
- The Polaris Neo is equipped with 2 rubber brushes, while the P70 has only one front brush.
- Polaris Neo is designed for small and medium pools, as it has a 50 ft. cord, while Polaris P70 has a smaller 40 ft. cable and is limited only to small pools.
- The filter canister corresponding to the Neo model is larger (4L) compared to the P70 canister (3L).
These are the main differences between the two models; for more details of the robot’s operation and their differences, please check the following parts of this article.
3. Detailed product review
The next part includes a detailed product review of the two models to understand the differences between them better.
Polaris NEO Robotic Pool Cleaner
Polaris NEO is a corded pool cleaner, one of the best proposals on the market for this price. It can clean the floor and walls, steps and waterline. The Neo is designed for small and middle-sized swimming pools, as it has a 50″ floating cable (not tangle-free). To prevent your cable from tangling, you need to place the robot correctly in the middle for optimal pattering. The cleaner cleans all in-ground surfaces – tiles, pebbles, vinyl, fiberglass, and gunite. The Polaris Neo has cyclonic vacuum technology that provides the cleaner the ability to suck all debris without losing power.
All debris is sucked and collected into a large filter opening on the bottom. The filter is presented with a push-and-go canister. To take out the handle, you need to press the button on the lid, and the filter’s handle will pop up. You do not need to open any lids; just lift the canister with this handle. The filter basket is connected to the top cover with two latches that you need to press to remove all collected debris. The fine filter basket should be cleaned after each cleaning cycle with a garden hose. You can capture almost all debris except sand and algae (if you have a milky water).
The cleaner can stop periodically for 20 seconds for positioning and calibrating. This is a normal operation, and it starts to work after that. The stops are included in the normal cleaning cycle. The capability to clean a waterline depends on the correct settings and the type of pool surface. It cleans the walls in randomized patterns, and it does not achieve the waterline all the time. Before storing the cleaning for winter, you need to clean it with soapy water and dry it (not in direct sunlight). All coils and tangles should be removed from the cable.
- Cleans walls, floor, and steps
- Easy and quick filter canister extract
- Fine filter basket
- Simple control functions
- Two large PVC brushes
- Lightweight
- SGC (surface control system)
- Track wheels
- Not a tangle-free cable
- No ultra-fine filter option
- Only basic cleaning features
- No weekly timer
Polaris P70 Robotic Pool Cleaner
Polaris P70 is also a corded pool cleaner that cleans only small swimming pools. You can use this robot in above-ground and simple in-ground pools; it should not be used for storable pools. You can use it for all pool surfaces, except vinyl surfaces, because of easy rapture. The brush efficiently scrubs the floor and directs the debris into the suction port. Unfortunately, this model cleans only the floor and cove.
It has the same as the Polaris Neo floating cable but is only 30 ft. long without the tangle-free device. The cleaner automatically stops working if it is not submerged in the water. To prevent tangling, you have to place the robot correctly in the opposite corner of the GFCI outlet, while the cord should be submerged in the middle of the pool. These recommendations are the same as for Polaris Neo.
The cleaner is equipped with cyclonic vacuum technology to prevent suction power loss while capturing dirt. All debris is collected in the fine mesh filter canister. This filter securely stores all debris except ultra-fine sand and dust particles. You can quickly check if it is required immediately emptying or not via a transparent lid on top. The filter canister should be cleaned after each use. The canister is extracted with the same mechanism as Polaris Neo – pull up to access the handle and unlatch the filter itself for emptying and spraying with water.
Polaris P70 should be removed after the completion of the cleaning cycle, especially before the addition of chemicals. The cleaner is easy to handle and has a lightweight design; to extract the robot out of the water, you need to grab it using the ergonomic handle. It is forbidden to use a floating cable for such purposes; you can only gently pull it to bring the robot to the wall nearest to you. The package includes the robotic cleaner with the floating cable and control unit base. For winter storage, all coils should be untangled, and the robot should be dried (not in the sun).
- Compact and lightweight model
- Transparent filter lid
- Cyclonic vacuum technology
- One pleated brush in front
- Easily removable filter
- Truck wheels
- Powerful suction
- Easy maintenance
- Control only with one button
- Not recommended for vinyl pools
- Not tangle-free cord
- No smartphone control app
- No waterline and wall cleaning
- Only one filter mesh size
4. Buyer’s guide
Before you make your final decision about which cleaner, Polaris Neo vs. P70, is better for you, we recommend checking our comparison of automatic pool cleaners. This will help you avoid some of the pool owner’s popular mistakes. There are three types of automatic pool cleaners: robotic pool cleaners, pressure pool cleaners, and suction pool cleaners. We will provide a small description of these types for you to understand what is better for you.
Pressure side cleaners have to be connected to the dedicated pressure line of your pool pump, to the booster pump, or the return line. They collect better medium and large debris into filter bags. They also specialize in the different types of pool surfaces of above-ground and in-ground pools. These automatic cleaners are easy to control and maintain.
They can clean the floor, walls, and waterline (depending on the model); for scrubbing, they use brushes (one or several). This type reduces the load from the filter pump but increases the pool pump. Pressure side cleaners are medium-priced. Also, they require an additional control box. Also, they have another downside, such as a long hose that can tangle.
There is no best type of cleaner; all cleaners, as you see, have pros and cons. We can suggest you rely on your budget, type of debris, and desired time to spend on cleaning. So, if you still, after this small comparison of pool cleaner types, decide to purchase a robotic pool cleaner from this review, then the further detailed face-to-face comparison of differences of Polaris Neo vs. P70 should be interesting for you.
Design and cleaning abilities
The Polaris Neo has a square grey body; on the top, there is a handlebar. The handlebar is used to stabilize the robot during wall cleaning (built-in weighted floats) and to put the robot in/out. It moves using four wheels – two in front and two on the back.
Each two wheels are connected with tracks to stick to all pool surfaces. Between the two wheels, there are two blue rubber brushes with large bristles. The filter canister that has a to-access has a 4 L capacity. It is powered by a 50 ft. floating cable. This model is lightweight – 20 lbs.
The Polaris P70 is a compact cleaner with a white body and black track wheels. Each of the truck wheels is based on two wheels for better sticking to the pool surface. It has one rubber-pleated dark blue brush in front.
The top of the white body is transparent so that you can see the content of the filter canister. The capacity of the fine filter canister is 3 L. On the back of the robot, there is a small handle to take the robot in/out. This model has a 40 ft. floating cable. The robot weighs 15.4 lbs.
verdictThe Polaris Neo has a better design in terms of the ability to climb the walls and a more convenient handle for taking out the robot. Moreover, it has two brushes for scrubbing and a larger filter than the Polaris P70. Such a robot design allows it to clean the floors, walls, and waterlines, while the P70 can clean only the floor and cove. The advantage of the Polaris P70 is only the transparent lid that allows you to check it during cleaning. In this part of the comparison of Polaris Neo vs. P70, the Polaris Neo is the winner.
Control functions
The cleaner goes with a control unit base with a power cord. The control unit allows you to choose the cleaning mode (floor only or floor and walls), select your pool surface type (pebble, concrete, vinyl, or tile), and start and stop the cleaning cycle.
The LED indicators show the chosen parameters. If you set the parameters correctly, the cleaner can clean a waterline. You can also choose mode 1 (pebble) for all surfaces, as it is the most powerful one.
For control, you have only one start/stop cleaning on the top lid with an LED information indicator.
There are no other options for how you can adjust this robot to your pool characteristics and reduce or prolong the cleaning cycle.
verdictNeither model has premium features such as smartphone control or a weekly timer. But the Polaris Neo allows you to choose between two modes and can be adjusted to the specific type of pool you have. The Polaris Neo again is the winner.
Cleaning time
The full run cycle of the Polaris Neo is 1.5 hours long, but you can prolong the cleaning for another 1.5 hours without taking the robot out of the water.
For small pools, the P70 can clean energy-efficiently in less than 2 hours. But you can start the next cycle if the canister is not full immediately after the first one.
verdictConsidering the fact that the Polaris P70 cleans only the floor of small pools, its 2-hour cleaning cycle is too long. For 1.5 hours, the Polaris Neo can clean walls, floors, and waterlines. We can call Polaris Neo the winner in this round as well.
5. How to choose the best robotic pool cleaner?
From our comparison of Polaris Neo vs. P70, it can be seen that inside one brand, there could be differences in the functionality of robotic pool cleaners. It is always a question of how to choose the best model, which parameters should be prioritized and considered, and which can be skipped. Please go through our recommendation for this matter; the list is provided from the most essential parameters:
Most robotic pool cleaners do not require significant installation and maintenance, and these processes are similar for all brands. You need to clean a filter after each cycle and take care of the robot’s body from time to time. All damaged parts should be replaced immediately after you notice them. So, these parameters normally do not impact the choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the caddy go with a Polaris Neo or P70 in the package?
No. Both models are sold without a caddy, but you can purchase it additionally.Can I swim in the pool while the robot cleans it?
My electric socket is far away from the pool. Can I use the extension cord?
My Polaris P70 has a flashing LED signal every second; what does this mean?
How to drain the Polaris Neo?
Conclusion
Our detailed comparison of Polaris Neo vs. P70 shows a leader – Polaris Neo. This model can clean walls/ floor/waterline, has a large filter, and has the possibility to adjust the parameters based on your surface type. It also has a choice of modes and cleans the middle and small pools with 1.5 hours of a standard cleaning cycle. Normally, the price of the Polaris Neo is higher than the P70, but you can get a 40% discount and purchase it even cheaper than the P70 model. The Polaris P70 has the advantage of simple control in one button only, and it cleans the floor efficiently but for 2 hours. Its transparent lid allows you to control the basket during the whole cleaning cycle, which is essential if you have a lot of large debris. We can recommend both models, but Polaris Neo is a more functional model. Unfortunately, both models are basic models without smart features such as smartphone app control or weekly timer.
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.
