Cheap Pool Robots. Are They Really Reshaping the Australian Market?

Why It Pays to Look Beyond the Price Tag When Choosing a Robotic Pool Cleaner in Australia

You've probably seen them popping up everywhere; cordless robotic pool cleaners for $1,000, $700, or even less. Bunnings. Amazon. Temu. They're sleek. They're modern. They're affordable. And at first glance, they look like a bargain.

But ask repairers of robotic pool cleaners one question …

What's the long-term cost of cheap pool robots?

Recent industry insights from SPLASH! Magazine (Issue 158, February/March 2025) show that while new online, direct-to-consumer (DTC) pool robot brands like Aiper, PoolBot, and Beatbot are shaking up the market, not all that glitters is gold.

 

What's Really Happening in the Pool Robot Market?

As SPLASH! reported, long-standing manufacturers like Maytronics, Fluidra (Astral & Zodiac), and BWT are facing new competition from budget-friendly brands, predominantly from China, selling pool cleaners online via Facebook, Instagram, and retail platforms directly to Aussie pool owners.

But not everyone in the industry is convinced these new entrants are built to last.

"There’s been a reshuffling of the world order," says Clark Rubber CEO Anthony Grice. "Some of the Chinese product has proven to be not as reliable as we would expect it to be, and our customers would expect it to be."

(SPLASH! Magazine, Issue 158, 2025, p. 34)

On the other hand, competition from these new entrants is driving innovation. For example, Beatbot has developed a pool cleaner that docks itself to charge. While early iterations saw high failure rates, the Chinese companies have been quick to make improvements and are catching up.

It’s important to understand: the big players like Maytronics, Fluidra and BWT aren’t going anywhere. They’ve spent decades building robotic pool cleaners designed specifically for Australian pools, not just a one-summer wonder.

The battleground that’s emerging is the cordless pool robot market, with an online retail price point under $1,200 proving attractive to consumers and selling in high volumes. This is also driving a shift among lower-budget customers from suction cleaners and traditional cleaning methods to cheaper robotic options.

However, consumers still want to deal with someone they trust — a real person who can provide after-sales support and perform repairs. That’s something you often won’t get from an online-only retailer.

Maytronics and Fluidra are even responding to the rise of cordless robots by launching their own lower-cost or cordless ranges, but still backed with local service and repair. Maytronics has launched a new brand - NIYA - offering cordless robotic pool cleaners to compete against cheaper online products. Zodiac is set to launch similar products and extend their Freerider range with the FR200, FR500, and FR800, due in Australia next summer (already sold in the US as the Polaris Freedom and Polaris Pixel cordless models). Fluidra has also made a move internationally, acquiring a 27% stake in the Aiper robotic pool cleaner business. BWT is also making moves in this direction.

But not everyone in the industry is convinced these new entrants are built to last.

“Value extends beyond price. It’s about performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and after-sales support.”

— David Dean, Marketing and Customer Experience Manager,
Maytronics Australia
(SPLASH! Magazine, Issue 158, 2025, p. 40)

The Real Cost of Cheap Pool Robots

While the lower upfront price is tempting, many of these robots come with hidden risks:

1. Higher Return Rates

Industry-standard return rates for premium robots are very low single digit percentages. But some budget imports are already reporting higher failure rates.

(SPLASH! Magazine, Issue 158, 2025, p. 37)

2. No Local Repair Service or Warranty

Most online brands have no service centres in Australia. No parts. No repairs. Often the only solution is a refund after weeks of emailing back-and-forth and return shipping. And that means further frustration and no pool cleaner.

 

 

3. Difficulty of Routine Maintenance

Common day-to-day issues of robotic pool cleaners include debris such as gumnuts or palm fronds getting caught in the impeller, wheels or tracks. For many of the cheaper robots, this can be difficult to clear and you need to strip down the entire machine in order to do something which should be simple. With premium brands like BWT, Maytronics and Fluidra, this type of maintenance is easy and accessible for the average pool owner.

4. Small Suction Inlets & Poor Filtration

Australian pools are unique in terms of the type of dust, leaves, gumnuts, sand, fine debris. They tend to have larger leaves and higher leaf loads while robots designed for US or European conditions can struggle here.

For more on this topic, check out: Why Cheap Pool Robots Aren’t Always a Bargain

Why Serviceability Matters More Than Ever

At Pool Robots Australia, we only stock brands and models we know can be serviced locally - with parts on hand - by real technicians, not call centres.

Buying a robot is easy. Finding someone to fix it when it breaks ... that’s where the value is ... dealing with a company with poolside experience.

Need help choosing? Check out our guide: Which Pool Robot Should I Buy?

How To Choose The Right Pool Robot (In 2025)

Our 5-Point Checklist:

 

Need help choosing? Check out our guide:  Which Pool Robot Should I Buy?

 

What This Means For Aussie Pool Owners

Just like the car industry decades ago, new brands will come and go. Some will stick around. Others won’t.

Cheaper online products have created a tension between the appeal of a low upfront price and the long-term considerations of reliability, actual performance, and local support from someone you trust.

Surface skimmers are gaining momentum in the Australian market. Maytronics is likely to bring its Dolphin Skimmi, and Fluidra their solar-powered Skimbot, once these models are proven in the northern hemisphere summer.

As pool robot repairers, our advice is simple:

A robotic pool cleaner is an investment to save you time and money ... not to throw away after only a few seasons.

Our Advice: Cheap vs Smart

There’s nothing wrong with hunting for a deal. But in our experience, buying a robot isn’t just about what it costs today; it’s about how well it’ll clean your pool next summer … and the one after that.

Need honest advice from real pool robot experts? CONTACT US at Pool Robots Australia.

We’re here to help you choose smarter, the best pool cleaner for your pool.

CLICK FOR: SPLASH! Magazine, Issue 158, 2025