Scuba SE
Limited evidenceRead the findings →Aiper's smallest cordless pool robot, made for the floor of flat above-ground pools. It suits a quick tidy between proper cleans. It's very basic, with a weak pump, a small filter and no wall or waterline cleaning.
See the alternatives below, or switch market.
Where it sits in Aiper’s range
Feedback
What we know
The two hands-on accounts we link to are from The Pool Nerd and PoolPad. Both report weak pickup, patchy coverage and awkward filter cleaning. Both sites have links to a dealer for a rival brand, so we show them for context but don't count them as independent reviews. We haven't found an independent, finished test that backs up or contradicts what they found.
The Pool Nerd, hands-on (Tested in an 8 x 20ft vinyl pool; Site linked to a Dolphin dealer) · PoolPad, hands-on, Nov 2024 (Site linked to a Dolphin dealer)
Short runs, long charges
Aiper claims up to 90 minutes per charge and three hours to recharge, per Aiper. The Pool Nerd got only 50 to 60 minutes in its tests, and needed more than three hours to refill the battery. PoolPad ended up recharging daily: lifting the robot out before work, charging it, then running it again in the evening. The Pool Nerd also notes there's no scheduling or timer. If you want a robot you can leave alone for a week, a short-running cordless model like this isn't it.
Random route, missed patches
PoolPad reported missed areas in a 40 × 20ft pool, which is longer than Aiper's stated 30ft limit. The Pool Nerd also reported it getting stuck and missing parts of the floor, this time in an 8 × 20ft pool. The bigger pool was outside the length limit, but the smaller-pool result is still a reason to look hard at coverage before you buy.
Weak suction, basic filter
Aiper rates its flow at 1,200 gallons an hour, per Aiper, and both testers found that shows. PoolPad often found sand or leaves left behind after a run. The Pool Nerd says it struggled with leaves and bugs and left algae and sand that other robots with finer filters picked up. To reach the filter you unclip the body and lift the top off, which PoolPad found annoying, and it describes the bottom brush as a small plug-in part that doesn't spin.
Built for flat floors only
Aiper describes it as a floor-only cleaner for above-ground pools up to about 80m², per Aiper. The Pool Nerd says it's best on flat bottoms and struggles with slopes or textured surfaces, and PoolPad confirms it can't clean walls or the waterline. So if your pool has a sloping deep end, or the dirt builds up on the walls, this robot isn't built for it.
Both reviews come from sites that recommend corded Dolphin robots and earn commission on sales. We haven't found a neutral hands-on test of this exact model.
Our take
Should you buy the Scuba SE?
Best for: Small, flat pools where only the floor needs cleaning. Skip it if: You need it to clean the walls or waterline as well as the floor.
Only consider it for a small, flat above-ground pool where you want the floor tidied between proper cleans, and you're happy to lift it out and recharge it after every short run. If your pool has sloping sides, or you want the walls done too, look at the Aiper Scuba S1 or the Beatbot Sora 10 instead, both of which climb walls.
The Scuba SE is a basic cordless cleaner for flat-bottomed above-ground pools, cleaning the floor rather than the walls. Aiper claims up to 90 minutes of cleaning and roughly three hours to recharge; The Pool Nerd reported 50–60 minutes in its test. Check the pool's length and shape as well as area. The Scuba E1 adds different filtration, while the S1 climbs walls.
You give up nearly everything but the basics: no wall or waterline cleaning, no route planning, a small 2-litre filter tray, and a pump rated at about a third of the E1's flow. It does park near the edge when the battery runs low, which helps. The testing evidence is thin and comes from sites that promote corded robots, so treat it with care.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it climb walls and clean the waterline?
No. It cleans the pool floor only, per the specifications, and PoolPad confirms it can't reach the walls or waterline. If you want those done, you need a wall-climbing model such as Aiper's Scuba S1.
Will it work in an above-ground pool?
That's what it's made for, per the specifications: flat-floored above-ground pools up to about 80m². The Pool Nerd found it struggles with slopes and textured surfaces, so it's best on a smooth, flat liner.
Is it cordless, and how long does a charge last?
Yes. Aiper claims up to 90 minutes, with three hours to recharge, per the specifications. The Pool Nerd got 50 to 60 minutes in its tests, and PoolPad found it needed charging every day.
How do I get it out of the water?
Aiper says it parks near the edge when the battery runs low, per the specifications. A retrieval hook is included for a standard pool pole, but PoolPad found the hook flimsy and not always quick to catch the robot.
How do I clean the filter?
Undo the side clips, lift off the top half and rinse the flat mesh filter and the debris compartment, according to PoolPad, which found the clips annoying. The filter tray holds 2 litres and is rated at 180 microns, per the specifications.
Alternatives
Other robotic pool cleaners to compare.
Scuba S1 2026
Why consider it: It climbs walls too, and PCWorld found it simple to operate, with long running sessions.
The compromise: PCWorld kept finding patches of floor it never visited, and you hook it out after runs.
Sora 10
Why consider it: PCWorld found it light, easy to lift and simple to empty, and it cleans walls and the waterline.
The compromise: Steps were a problem, and it sank again if nobody collected it within a few minutes.
Scuba E1
Why consider it: Also floor-only for flat above-ground pools, with a stronger pump and a much finer second filter listed.
The compromise: There isn't enough owner feedback on this exact model to judge how it performs.
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 Scuba SE?
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
Editorial reviews
- The Pool Nerd: Aiper Scuba SE Review ↗Hands-on · Tested in an 8 x 20ft vinyl pool · Site linked to a Dolphin dealer (not counted towards our two-review minimum)
- PoolPad: Aiper Scuba SE Review ↗Hands-on · Site linked to a Dolphin dealer (not counted towards our two-review minimum)
Sources
- Aiper: Scuba SE product page (UK) ↗Manufacturer
- Aiper: Scuba SE specifications ↗Manufacturer
Videos
- The Pool Nerd: Is the Aiper Scuba SE Worth It? Honest Review & Real-World Test ↗
- Tallfreak's Favorite Finds!: AIPER Scuba SE Cordless Pool Vacuum Review ↗
- Search YouTube for Aiper Scuba SE ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.