1. Measure the pool
Every robot has a maximum pool length it is designed for. Measure your longest straight run and use that number as a hard filter — a robot rated short will never finish the far end.
Robot Pool Cleaner Buying Guide
Six things decide whether a robotic pool cleaner suits your pool — and price is only one of them. This is the same sequence we walk customers through in the workshop.
Robot selector
Find your robot pool cleaner
Five quick questions about your pool and we'll match you to the right Dolphin, Zodiac or Madimack robot — with real Australian pricing and in-house servicing behind it.
Step 1 of 5
What kind of pool is it?
How to choose, step by step
2. Decide floor, walls or waterline
Floor-only robots are cheaper and fine for pools that stay reasonably clean. If you get scum lines or algae at the tile band, you want a model rated for walls and waterline.
3. Cordless or corded
Cordless is easier to handle with nothing to trip over. Corded models generally sustain stronger suction and longer cycles, which matters on bigger pools and heavy leaf loads.
4. Set the budget band
Under $1,000 covers skimmers and entry cleaners; $1,000–$2,000 is mainstream; $2,000–$4,000 buys larger-pool coverage and mapping; above that you are into commercial duty.
5. Check filtration and consumables
Match filter fineness to your debris — fine sand and silt need a finer cartridge than gum leaves. Brushes, filters and tracks are wear parts, so factor them into the running cost.
6. Work out the landed cost
Robots ship as a bulky carton, so freight depends on box size, weight and destination. Run our shipping calculator before you commit to a model.
Full comparison chart — every model side by side
Cordless vs cable, coverage, cycle time, filtration, app control, weight and warranty for all Dolphin, Zodiac and Madimack robots — sorted highest to lowest price.
Go deeper
Detailed guides on the questions we get asked most.
Cordless vs Corded Robotic Pool Cleaners
Cordless robots are easier to drop in and lift out, while corded robots generally hold the edge on suction, wall and waterline work in bigger pools. Here is how to choose.
Read guideChoosing a Robot Pool Cleaner for a Large Pool
On pools past about 10 metres, coverage — not price — is the deciding factor. Cable reach, cycle length, filter volume and navigation logic all matter more than they do on a plunge pool.
Read guideBest Robotic Pool Cleaners Under $2,000
Under $2,000 you can get a genuinely capable robot for a standard backyard pool. The trade-offs are usually cycle options, filter size and how much wall and waterline work the robot does.
Read guideHow Much Does a Robot Pool Cleaner Cost in Australia?
Robotic pool cleaners in Australia run from a few hundred dollars for a surface skimmer to five figures for commercial units. Here are the 2026 bands and the costs people forget.
Read guideBrand guides
Each brand names its ranges differently. These explain what the series and model numbers actually mean.
Maytronics Dolphin Range Explained
Dolphin uses series names rather than a single ladder, which makes the range confusing at first glance. Here is what each series is actually for.
Read guideZodiac Free Rider vs DUO-X
Zodiac's two residential ranges overlap on price but differ in focus. Free Rider is the simpler, tidier option; DUO-X steps up filtration and coverage across the range.
Read guideMadimack GT Freedom Range Explained
Madimack's GT Freedom line is entirely cordless. The number tells you roughly how much pool the robot is built to cover, and GT Freedom Plus is the lighter-duty entry.
Read guide