WIRED review: $110 Poolease X1 pool robot collects leaves but fails on silt
The budget device offers a low-cost entry into automated pool maintenance, though testing reveals significant limitations in suction power and navigation.
WIRED has published a review of the Poolease X1, a budget pool cleaning robot priced at approximately $110. The device is positioned as an affordable alternative to high-end robotic cleaners that often cost thousands of dollars. At just nine pounds and roughly the size of a lunch box, the X1 is designed for above-ground and small pools, utilising a simple water jet propulsion system to navigate the pool floor.
The robot’s design, described as Dyson-inspired, lacks spinning brushes or treads. Instead, it relies on water jets to move in a random zigzag path, pulling debris up through the bottom of the unit. This propulsion method strictly limits the device to cleaning the pool floor; it cannot clean walls, steps, or the waterline. The unit also lacks wireless connectivity or mobile app features, reflecting its entry-level price point.
Testing by WIRED revealed that the Poolease X1 collected between 70 and 80 percent of leaves and organic matter on the pool floor. However, the device failed to remove noticeable amounts of dirt or silt, suggesting the suction system is insufficient for finer debris. While the battery life exceeded the specified 90-minute cycle, approaching two hours of operation, the robot’s random path meant that debris collection was largely a race against time rather than a systematic clean.
The review highlights several practical drawbacks, including the robot’s tendency to get stuck on circular floor drains. Although the unit eventually frees itself, it can spend several minutes attempting to do so. The device also requires manual assembly, including the installation of wheels, scrapers, and plastic plates. Cleaning the robot involves snapping open four clips to separate the chassis and spraying it with a hose, with debris often getting stuck in narrow internal crannies.
The charging mechanism consists of two bare metal posts on the bottom of the robot, covered by a loose rubber stopper that is not attached to the unit. WIRED notes that this stopper is difficult to remove and replace and is likely to be lost, though a spare is included. The 1.8 amp charger takes about three hours to top up the 4300mAh battery.
Despite specifications claiming a coverage area of 861 square feet, the review concludes that the Poolease X1 is underpowered for large pools. It is deemed a low-risk investment due to its low price tag, suitable for emergencies or very small tank-style pools, but insufficient for comprehensive cleaning of larger residential pools.
