Above-ground and Intex pools have different needs than in-ground – lighter robots, simpler setup, no wall-climbing demands. We compared Aiper, Pooloob, iGarden and Bubot to find the right pick for soft-wall and smaller pools in 2026.
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Overview The Aiper Scuba S1 (2026 upgrade) is a cordless robotic cleaner tuned for above-ground and mid-size pools up to roughly 1,600 sq ft. Runtime lands around 150 minutes per charge with a dual-motor floor and waterline mode. App control adds a weekly cleaning schedule and remote start, so the robot drops in on its own routine.
The standout here is the weekly plan paired with WavePath 2.0 navigation – you set a schedule in the app, leave the S1 docked at the wall, and it self-deploys to vacuum the floor and skim the waterline on its own days. For above-ground owners that means less hauling the unit out of the shed mid-summer.
At ~12 lb it is light enough to lift over a soft-wall pool rim without scratching the liner, and the flat bottom does not snag Intex-style seams. Trade-offs – it is not built to climb vertical walls (most above-ground walls are too slick anyway), and the app needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi within range of the pool.
Pros
Weekly auto-cleaning schedule via app – true set-and-forget
~150 min runtime covers most above-ground pools in one pass
Lightweight (~12 lb) and liner-safe for Intex / soft-wall
WavePath 2.0 navigation reduces missed spots vs random-bounce
Self-parks at the wall for easy retrieval
Cons
No wall climbing – fine for above-ground, limiting if you upgrade
App requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi reachable at the pool
Mid-tier price for an above-ground-focused robot
Best for Owners of above-ground or Intex pools who want a scheduled, hands-off weekly clean without the bulk of an in-ground robot.
Overview The Pooloob PF1 is a sub-$150 cordless pool robot built specifically for daily above-ground maintenance. Runtime sits around 90 minutes per charge with a single-layer fine filter for sand, leaves and bug debris. Operation is one-button – drop it in, it runs a random-pattern floor cycle.
The PF1's real value is daily-use cost – at this price you can run it every other day on an Intex or Bestway pool without worrying about wear on a $500 machine. It weighs under 8 lb, so kids or older owners can lift it out one-handed and rinse the filter at the hose bib.
Limits are honest at the budget tier – no app, no scheduling, no smart navigation, and the suction is rated for floors only, not waterline grime. For a 12–18 ft round above-ground pool that gets pollen and grass clippings, it covers the basics; for a 24 ft oval with heavy debris you will want one of the larger picks.
Pros
Sub-$150 price – cheapest true robot in this roundup
Under 8 lb, easy lift-out for soft-wall pools
Simple one-button start – no app or pairing
Fine filter catches sand and small debris
Good fit for daily light maintenance on small Intex pools
Cons
Random-pattern navigation misses spots on larger pools
Floor only – no waterline or wall cleaning
~90 min runtime caps coverage area
Best for Small Intex or soft-wall pool owners who want a cheap, lightweight robot for daily debris pickup without the smart features.
Overview The iGarden 4-in-1 is a cordless robot covering waterline, walls, floor and a powered scrubber brush in a single unit. Runtime is rated up to 3.6 hours, with a dual-filter system for fine and coarse debris. Mode selection is on-unit – no app required.
The four-mode coverage is the differentiator – most above-ground robots in this price band do floor only. The iGarden adds a powered scrubber that bites algae film on the waterline, which matters for above-ground vinyl pools that grow a band of grime at the water level over the summer.
The trade-off for the long 3.6 h runtime is weight – it is heavier than the Aiper or Pooloob, so lifting it over a 52" Intex wall is two-handed. Wall climbing works on smooth above-ground walls but is inconsistent on heavily textured liners, so manage expectations there.
Pros
Four modes – waterline, walls, floor, scrubber – rare at this price
Up to 3.6 h runtime, full coverage on larger above-ground pools
Powered brush handles waterline algae film
Dual filter – fine and coarse debris in one cycle
No app required, modes selected on the unit
Cons
Heavier than other above-ground picks – two-handed lift
Wall climbing inconsistent on heavily textured liners
No scheduling or remote start
Best for Above-ground owners who want waterline scrubbing and wall coverage in one machine without stepping up to an in-ground robot.
Overview The Bubot 300P is a compact cordless pool vacuum sized for pools under 800 sq ft – think 15 ft round Intex, kiddie pools and small above-ground setups. Runtime is roughly 60–80 minutes per charge with a basic floor cleaning cycle and dual-layer filter basket.
The 300P's footprint is the selling point – it is small enough to fit inside a 10 ft Intex without bouncing off the walls every two seconds, which is a real problem with larger robots in tiny pools. At under 7 lb it lifts out with one hand, and the flat profile slides into storage easily for off-season.
It is honestly a single-purpose tool – floor pickup only, no waterline, no app, no scheduling. The shorter runtime is fine for the small pools it targets but will not cover a 24 ft oval. Suction is on the lighter side, so it handles dust and pollen better than heavy leaf debris.
Pros
Compact size suits 10–15 ft Intex and kiddie pools
Under 7 lb – easiest lift-out in this roundup
Simple one-button operation, no setup
Dual-layer filter for fine particles
Affordable enough as a second / spare cleaner
Cons
Suction is light – struggles with heavy leaves
Floor only – no waterline or walls
Short runtime, undersized for pools over ~800 sq ft
Best for Owners of small Intex, kiddie or compact above-ground pools who need a tiny, easy-to-store robot for light daily debris.
