CNX-Li 52 iQ
Limited evidenceRead the findings →The cordless version of Zodiac's CNX, with an app and a tap-to-surface trick for lifting it out. It suits small to medium in-ground pools. Some batches are in a battery recall, so check the serial number.
See the alternatives below, or switch market.
Where it sits in Zodiac’s range
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What we know
The most important thing we know is a safety notice. Zodiac lists the CNX-Li 52 iQ among cordless robots with battery blocks that can let water in and overheat, and offers a free battery replacement for affected units. Beyond that, the Zodiac product page and Zodiac describe a two-hour battery, a tap-to-surface lift-out and app alerts. Shop listings and write-ups only repeat the spec sheet.
Check the serial number first
Per Zodiac, some battery blocks on this model can let water in, which along with other factors can make the electronics overheat. Not every unit is affected. The serial number, 18 characters starting ALCA, is on the box, under the robot and inside by the filter, and Zodiac's page will check it for you. If yours is affected, Zodiac collects the robot, fits a new battery block free and sends it back. Until then, disconnect it if it shows an alert or error light.
Two hours, then five to charge
The battery runs one full two-hour cycle, per Zodiac, and recharges in about five hours on its storage base. You choose floor only or floor, walls and waterline, per the Zodiac. A screen on the robot shows the charge and starts a cycle, and the iAquaLink app shows the battery level, sends an end-of-cycle alert and installs updates.
Tap to bring it up
To get it out, you tap the lid with the hook on a pool pole and the robot climbs to the waterline, per the Zodiac. It weighs 9kg. The canister lifts out from the top and holds 4 litres, but the standard filter is a single 100-micron one, and the finer 150/60-micron two-stage filter costs extra. Zodiac adds a year of warranty if you pair it with the app.
Still to be checked
Our search found retailer pages and French affiliate sites that rate it on its spec sheet, but nobody who tested it in a pool. So it's still open how evenly it covers the floor, how reliably it reaches the waterline, and whether the two-hour battery is enough for a 10 x 5 metre pool. The Zodiac page describes the design.
Our take
Should you buy the CNX-Li 52 iQ?
Best for: Pools whose owners want a cordless cleaner they can call to the edge. Skip it if: You cannot confirm that the unit is outside the recalled batches.
It could suit a small to medium in-ground pool if you want a cordless Zodiac with an app, but nobody has tested it and some batches were recalled. For a larger pool, the Zodiac Freedom+ Control has a bigger battery and a remote. If you want a cordless robot with test results behind it, testers found the Dolphin Liberty 600 cleans floors thoroughly and filters well.
The CNX-Li 52 iQ is the battery version of Zodiac's CNX robot, part of its Freedom range of cordless cleaners. It has the same tracked body and cyclonic suction as the corded CNX 30 iQ, and cleans the floor, walls and waterline. A charge lasts a two-hour cycle and takes about five hours on its storage base. To get it out, you tap its lid with the pool-pole hook and it climbs to the waterline. The iAquaLink app shows the battery level and tells you when a cycle ends.
The trade-offs are size and the recall. It's rated for smaller pools than the corded CNX 30 iQ, and it comes with a single 100-micron filter; the finer two-stage filter is an extra. Zodiac has also recalled some units because water can get into the battery block and make it overheat, so if you buy one, check its serial number on Zodiac's recall page.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Is it affected by the battery recall?
Possibly. Zodiac names the CNX-Li 52 iQ, but only certain batches. Enter the serial number, which starts ALCA, on Zodiac's recall page. Affected robots get a free battery block, with collection and return included.
Is it cordless, and how long does a charge last?
Yes. Zodiac says the lithium-ion battery runs one full two-hour cycle and takes about five hours to recharge on its base, per the specifications. We couldn't find a test of whether that covers a 10 x 5 metre pool.
How do I get it out of the water?
Tap the lid with the hook on a pool pole and the robot rises to the waterline by itself, per the specifications. A universal hook comes in the box.
Will it work in an above-ground pool?
Only one with rigid walls. Zodiac lists it for in-ground pools and rigid above-ground pools of any shape, up to 10 x 5 metres, per the specifications.
How do I clean the filter?
Lift the 4-litre canister out through the top and rinse it, per the specifications. It comes with a single 100-micron filter, so if fine dirt is your problem, Zodiac sells a two-stage 150/60-micron filter separately.
Alternatives
Other robotic pool cleaners to compare.
LIBERTY 600
Why consider it: A cordless robot that testers found cleans floors thoroughly and filters well, and it comes to the surface when you shake a clicker in the water.
The compromise: It wanders at random rather than following a plan, and doesn't skim.
AquaSense 2
Why consider it: A cordless robot that testers liked on floors and walls, and it floats to the edge when it's done.
The compromise: It doesn't skim, and steps and fine silt were hit and miss in testing.
C2
Why consider it: A cordless robot for the floor, walls and waterline that two testers found simple and effective on everyday debris.
The compromise: A third tester found its suction weak.
Specs
Full specifications
Each specification names its source. Manufacturer claims are not independent test results; unconfirmed figures are labelled.
Owner reviews
Do you own the CNX-Li 52 iQ?
Tell people how it’s held up: cleaning, maintenance, faults and support. Owner accounts are shown separately from independent reviews.
Sources
Where this page’s findings come from
Sources
Videos
- Augusta Pool GmbH: ZODIAC kabelloser Roboterpoolreiniger Freedom CNX Li 52 iQ ↗
- Piscine Center: Robot piscine sans fil CNX-Li 52 iQ By Zodiac ↗
- Search YouTube for Zodiac CNX-Li 52 iQ ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.