The Aiper Scuba SE is one of Aiper’s recent attempts to produce a budget-friendly cordless robotic pool cleaner. While it offers some benefits, like a lightweight design and simple setup, it's also limited in performance, especially for users with larger or debris-prone pools.
As someone who's tested a wide range of robotic pool cleaners, I lean toward corded models like the Dolphin series for their consistent power and reliable performance. The Aiper Scuba SE lacks the suction strength, durability, and runtime to make it a solid competitor in the world of premium pool robots.
Mozilla’s (yes, the company behind the FireFox web browser) FakeSpot, a service that analyzes product reviews for authenticity, gives the Aiper Scuba SE an F grade. According to Fakespot, this is based on the quantity of unreliable or potentially biased reviews, which often inflate ratings.
While some customers appear satisfied, complaints about poor battery life and low suction tend to dominate authentic feedback, which raises the question about the Scuba SE’s overall effectiveness and durability.
Setting up the Aiper Scuba SE is straightforward, as it assembled right out of the box. You just need to charge the battery fully, which takes a long three hours for a 90-minute cleaning cycle. After charging, simply drop the cleaner into the pool and let it run. The setup is user-friendly, which is one of its strong points, although the constant recharging became a hassle quickly.
The Aiper Scuba SE comes with:
1x Aiper Scuba SE: The main unit.
1x Charger: For recharging the battery after each cycle.
1x User Manual: A simple guide to set up and use the cleaner.
1x Retrieval Hook: To pull the robot out without getting wet.
2x Static Brushes: The main cleaning brushes attached to the bottom of the unit.
While the items are essential, the lack of additional parts, like a premium filter or a more advanced cleaning brush, may disappoint users accustomed to higher-end models.
The Aiper Scuba SE is designed for above-ground pools only, with a coverage area that’s somewhat limited by its low suction power and lack of advanced navigation. The cleaner cannot clean the walls or waterline, making it better suited for flat, above-ground pools. In larger swimming pools, it may miss areas or leave debris behind, especially with heavier dirt or leaves. I found it missed a decent amount of debris behind in my larger 40 x 20 rectangle pool.
Aiper claims it has smart navigation – but it didn’t seem so smart. It boucned back and forth off walls, changing direction on each hit. This led to inconsistent pool coverage and several missed areas. Can you expect a ton in a cleaner costing only a couple hundred dollars? Probably not – but it is a place where the Aiper could improve.
One significant downside of the Aiper Scuba SE is its weak flow rate, which affects its ability to pick up debris efficiently. At only 1200 gallons per hour (GPH), it’s significantly weaker than other models.
The suction is underpowered compared to corded models, which have 3-4 times more suction power, so it’s common to find particles like sand or leaves left behind after a cleaning cycle. Corded pool robots, such as the Dolphin Escape, filter over 4000 gallons per hour and are specifically designed for above-ground pools. This limits its practicality, especially in pools with high debris levels or uneven surfaces.
The Scuba SE is cordless, which sounds convenient. But it isn’t. I found myself constantly recharging the Aiper Scuba SE daily. It only runs one 90-minute cycle for 180 minutes of cleaning.
I found myself having to come and pull out the robot in the morning before going to work and plugging it in to charge. From there, it would be ready to go after work. But if you’re counting, that’s two interactions a day to clean for only 90 minutes.
Let me tell you – nothing is more frustrating than charging the Scuba SE. For what limited power it does have, it spends more time charging than actually cleaning. After using a corded cleaner with a weekly timer, that only needs to be cleaned once a week – I would never seriously consider a cordless pool cleaner ever again.
A major frustration with the Aiper Scuba SE is its need for constant recharging. Cordless units tend to lose their charge faster, and with a maximum runtime of 90 minutes, it’s barely enough for most pools already. This frequent recharging becomes an inconvenience, especially compared to the continuous cleaning capability of a corded robot.
Compared to corded models, it just falls short. I love the full automation of corded pool robots, especially those with weekly smart timers that automatically run, cleaning your pool daily – without ever lifting a finger.
One thing I’ve found with Aiper – is the alleged house fires an Aiper Seagull Pro caused. We wrote an article on the house fire allegedly caused by a cordless Aiper pool cleaner while charging. And let me tell you – it scared me so much that I no longer charge the Scuba SE while I am at work. While I have not found any reports of the Aiper Scuba SE, it is something to keep in mind.
And this isn’t the first time... The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall alert for approximately 22,000 Aiper Elite Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaners due to fire and burn hazards back in August 2023. So, it is safe to say that I’m not too confident in the Aiper brand.
Read more on the alleged fire and view the images and video →
The Aiper Scuba SE includes a basic retrieval hook, which is handy for pulling the unit out of the pool without getting wet. The hook connects to a standard pool pole and allows for easy extraction, especially for above-ground pools. However, the hook is somewhat flimsy, and it doesn’t always catch the robot easily.
When pulling it out of the pool, it isn’t super easy either. It is heavy when filled with water!
The Aiper Scuba SE only includes a basic flat mesh filter, which is less effective than the fine filtration options like NanoFilters found in other pool cleaners. The mesh filter struggles with fine debris, allowing smaller particles to slip through and return to the pool. This limitation makes it better suited for surface cleaning rather than thorough debris removal.
The bottom brush on the Scuba SE is honestly pathetic. I cannot imagine it doing much at all. While I added it, it is just a cheap little brush that plugs in. It doesn’t actively rotate like other scrubbing brushes on most robotic pool cleaners.
I am not too convinced that the Aiper Scuba SE is super high quality. It seems Aiper may have spent more money and time on marketing than actually using the product. It’s plastic body is alright – but the clips to unlock and access the filter are annoying.
To access the filter, you have to disassemble the robot. You unclip the side clips and the top of the body can be removed to access the mesh filter and the bottom part of the body where the debris is stored once it is vacuumed up.
There are two versions of the Aiper Scuba SE, the black and white bodies. Both are exactly the same and it appears to be no difference between the two. I opted for the white one, as this one is a lot different than the rest of their lineup.
The Aiper Scuba SE comes with a 1-year limited warranty, which is standard but doesn’t provide much peace of mind. Aiper’s customer support reputation is mixed, with some users reporting difficulties obtaining replacements or repairs online. Given the battery and performance issues, a longer warranty would have been ideal.
Online feedback for the Aiper Scuba SE is mixed, with many users reporting dissatisfaction with the battery life and suction power. Common complaints include frequent recharging, poor performance with fine debris, and issues with reliability over time. While some users appreciate the cordless convenience, the overall sentiment is that it lacks the durability and power needed for consistent pool cleaning.
No, it’s not. The Aiper Scuba SE is more of a toy than a true robotic pool cleaner. I know, it’s cheap. But it doesn’t mean you should waste your money on it. I would recommend either going with a handheld pool vacuum or true robotic pool cleaner – like the Dolphin Escape.
It may be ok for tiny pools, but it doesn’t provide the deep clean and automation that other robotic pool cleaners can provide.
The Dolphin Escape offers a significant upgrade over the Aiper Scuba SE, especially with its powerful suction and HyperBrush technology. Designed for above-ground pools, the Escape provides continuous operation with no recharging required, thanks to its corded design. Its large debris cartridge and even free NanoFilters ensure it captures both fine and large debris effectively, making it a more reliable option for thorough pool cleaning.
Read my review on the Dolphin Escape
The Dolphin Cayman is a fantastic upgrade if you want the best of the best for an above-ground swimming pool. The Cayman includes a MaxBin, HyperBrush, and most importantly, a Weekly Timer! It also has the free NanoFilters at select retailers. I rated it the top value robotic pool cleaner of the year, and you need to try it for yourself if you own an above-ground swimming pool!
No. With weak suction power, limited battery life, and constant recharging, save up for a corded robotic pool cleaner or buy a handheld pool vacuum for your pool.
