Product Reviews · 5 May 2024

Clean your pool like a PRO | Aiper Scuba S1 Review

The Aiper Scuba S1 is a medium-sized robotic pool cleaner designed to collect sand, leaves and other debris from pool floors and walls. Its caterpillar-style treads help it climb walls, stairs and raised sections, while its lightweight design makes it easier to remove from the water. The review found that it cleaned sand particularly well, although some large leaves could remain floating or in the pool.

In this article

The short version

Key points

Up to 150 minutes of runtime, which the review considers suitable for a pool of about 150 square metres.
Caterpillar treads help the robot climb walls, stairs and raised sections between pool levels.
The cleaner collected sand effectively, along with many leaves and other debris.
Its basket is relatively large for the robot’s size and was reported to be full after cleaning sessions.
A sealed digital button avoids exposed knobs or switches, which may be useful in saltwater pools.

Lightweight design and cleaning hardware

The Aiper Scuba S1 is a medium-sized pool-cleaning robot with a stated runtime of 150 minutes. The review describes this as sufficient for a pool of about 150 square metres. Compared with a larger Aiper model previously reviewed, the Scuba S1 is much lighter and easier to pull out of the pool using the included hook.

The robot has a relatively large debris basket for its size. It was effective at collecting sand, leaves and other material from the pool. The review placed particular importance on sand pickup, because sand entering the pump and filter can be difficult to deal with. Large leaves were also collected, although some remained in the pool or floated on the surface.

Wall and stair climbing

A key feature is the Scuba S1’s caterpillar-style tread system. Rather than relying on four individual wheels, the robot uses a flatter treaded section to maintain contact and grip across different surfaces.

In testing, the treads helped the cleaner climb pool walls, stairs and a raised platform before moving into the deeper section. The review found this particularly useful for pools with multiple steps, where wheeled cleaners may struggle when their plastic body contacts the edge between surfaces. Two counter-rotating rubber cleaning components at the front also helped remove scum from the walls and edges.

Cleaning performance and navigation

The front cleaning components loosen debris from the walls and floor, while the lower vacuum section draws the material into the basket. The review found that the robot performed especially well with sand, as well as with much of the leaf debris around the tested pool.

The Scuba S1 generally begins with the walls, depending on the selected setting, before moving to the floor. On the floor, it appeared to travel in a snake-like pattern, moving from one end towards the other and avoiding sections it had already cleaned. The reviewer noted that the robot often finished near the stairs, although it was not clear whether this was deliberate navigation or simply where it ended up.

Sealed controls and practical use

The Scuba S1 has a single digital button rather than physical knobs or switches. Its battery and controls are sealed, with a rubber cover protecting the rear charging connection before the robot is placed in the water.

The review considered the sealed button useful for saltwater pools. Salt can make exposed knobs and switches harder to operate over time, whereas the Scuba S1 does not have those exposed controls. After cleaning, the basket can be removed and emptied, with care needed around the material on its sides.

Price and limitations

The review places the Aiper Scuba S1’s Australian price at about $800 to $1,000, depending on the sale and retailer. Free delivery was reported to be available from most sellers mentioned in the review. The smaller Scuba S1 has less suction and power than the Pro version, but its lower weight and stair-climbing ability were considered important advantages.

The robot is not perfect with large leaves. Some leaves may remain floating on the surface or be left behind for the pool’s internal filter to handle. Because it is a smaller cleaner, it may also take longer to cover the pool, although its 150-minute runtime allows it to be used at least once or twice a day according to the review.

TechManPat’s conclusion

I can happily recommend the Aiper Scuba S1. Its ability to climb walls and stairs is a major advantage for pools with multiple levels, while its lighter body makes it easier to remove from the water. I found it particularly good at collecting sand and most debris, although large leaves can still be missed.

Source note

This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.