Current official documentation plus credible independent hands-on or long-term testing that addresses real cleaning behavior.
Editorial standard
How we review pool robots
The standard is simple: every recommendation must be useful without the affiliate link. Evidence strength is visible, specifications are source-linked, and safety can overrule commercial potential.
01 — Non-negotiable
Publication gates
A model is not published as a buyable recommendation unless its official product page is current, its core specifications can be verified, unresolved specification conflicts are labeled, no applicable safety notice is open, and the direct manufacturer destination works.
✓Current productExact model and region confirmed.
✓EvidenceAt least one credible independent source for strong or good labels.
✓SafetyCPSC and manufacturer notices checked.
✓CommercialManufacturer programme and product eligibility verified before tracked links go live.
02 — Transparency
What the evidence labels mean
Useful independent testing exists, but may be older, limited to one pool or leave some model-year questions.
Official specifications are verified, but independent durability or long-term testing remains thin. These models never outrank stronger evidence by default.
03 — Fit before features
Decision framework
We do not publish a single universal score. A robot is evaluated against the job: pool size and geometry, surface compatibility, debris type, cleaning zones, filtration, realistic runtime, retrieval, maintenance, warranty and software reliability.
Manufacturer ratings are never presented as our rating. We do not copy customer reviews, invent test results or imply first-hand use where none occurred.
04 — Commercial firewall
Affiliate separation
Commission does not buy a rank, badge or positive verdict. Every commercial link must go to the exact manufacturer product page, use a sponsored relationship label and follow a disclosure shown before the first link.
The site currently uses direct manufacturer destinations. Affiliate tracking should only be activated after programme acceptance, product eligibility confirmation and a successful attribution test. Read the full disclosure.
05 — Deliberate exclusions
Excluded and watchlist products
The Aiper Elite Pro GS100 and Seagull Pro ZT6001 are excluded because of CPSC recalls. Mammotion SPINO E1, Fanttik Aero X and Talosbo products remain off the primary shortlist because evidence or affiliate terms do not yet clear the same bar as the launch set.
CHASING Hydro 4 remains conditional because independent long-term evidence is limited and its official page conflicts on navigation. iGarden M1-AI 90 is also conditional until exact-model long-term evidence and its launch-copy inconsistencies improve. We will move products up, down or out when stronger evidence arrives.