Can a Robotic Pool Cleaner Outshine Human Effort? Testing the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra

Owning a pool is a luxury that comes with a catch: maintenance. For many, the endless cycle of skimming, scrubbing, and vacuuming transforms a backyard oasis into a labor-intensive chore. Enter the robotic pool cleaner—a promise of automation to reclaim your time and sanity. But can a machine truly clean your pool better than you can with a trusty net and elbow grease? To find out, we put the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra, touted as the world’s first AI-powered 5-in-1 pool cleaner, through its paces in a real-world test. Here’s what we discovered.

Unveiled at CES 2025, the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra represents the cutting edge of pool-cleaning technology. Priced at $3,450, it’s not a casual purchase—it’s an investment aimed at pool owners who want a hands-off solution. Beatbot claims this robot can handle everything: floors, walls, waterlines, surface debris, and even water clarification, all powered by artificial intelligence. With 11 motors, 27 sensors, and a hybrid AI mapping system that combines cameras, infrared, and ultrasonic tech, it’s designed to navigate and clean with precision. Add a hefty 13400mAh battery promising up to 10 hours of surface cleaning or 4 hours on floors and walls, and it sounds like a dream come true. But does it deliver?

For this test, we used an in-ground, 20x40-foot pool—about 800 square feet—with a tiled finish, built in the early 1980s and last refinished around 2000. It’s a typical residential setup with a deep end, shallow steps, and a history of battling leaves, dirt, and the occasional algae bloom, especially after spring storms. Before unleashing the Beatbot, we let the pool sit for a week post-storm, accumulating a mix of floating leaves, sunken sand, and a faint green tint from early algae. This wasn’t a pristine pool—it was a challenge.

Traditionally, cleaning this pool would involve a multi-step process: skimming the surface with a net (15-20 minutes), brushing the walls and steps (20-30 minutes), and running a manual pool vacuum attached to the filtration system (another 30-45 minutes). Total time? About an hour to an hour and a half, plus the effort of balancing chemicals. Could the Beatbot do it faster, better, or both?

The AquaSense 2 Ultra arrives in a sleek package, complete with the robot, a cordless charging dock, and a complimentary clarifying agent made from recycled crab shells—a nice eco-friendly touch. At 24 pounds, it’s hefty but manageable, with a modern black-and-gray design that looks more like a sci-fi prop than a pool tool. Setup is straightforward: charge it (about 4-5 hours from empty), download the Beatbot app, connect via Wi-Fi, and select a cleaning mode. No cords, no hoses—just drop it in and let it go. Compared to wrestling with a tangled vacuum hose, this felt like a win already.

We started with the “Full Pool” mode, which promises to tackle floors, walls, waterlines, and surface debris in one go. Dropping the robot into the deep end, it hummed to life, floating briefly as it scanned the pool before sinking to begin its mission. The app displayed a progress indicator, though real-time control is limited once it’s submerged due to Wi-Fi disconnecting underwater—a known limitation of cordless designs.

For the next 3 hours, we watched (and sometimes didn’t—because that’s the point, right?) as the Beatbot navigated the pool. It followed an S-shaped pattern on the floor, climbed walls with surprising grip, and skimmed the surface for leaves. Occasionally, it paused to adjust its path, presumably thanks to its AI debris detection. When finished, it floated to the edge with its “Smart Surface Parking” feature, expelling water to lighten the load for retrieval. Lifting it out was a breeze compared to dragging a waterlogged manual vacuum.

Let’s break it down by task: 
Surface Cleaning 
The Beatbot excelled here. Its dual-propeller system sucked up leaves, twigs, and even tiny insects with ease. A manual skim would’ve taken 15 minutes and missed spots; the robot cleared it all in one pass, leaving the surface spotless. 
Floors 
The floor was a mixed bag. Large debris like sand and pebbles was gone, and the dual brushes left no visible dirt. However, in tight corners near the steps, some fine silt remained—nothing major, but noticeable up close. A manual vacuum might’ve gotten it with targeted effort, though it’d take longer. 
Walls and Waterline 
Wall climbing was impressive. The robot’s treads gripped the tiles, scrubbing algae and grime off the waterline. It didn’t miss spots like a human might from fatigue, but it struggled slightly on the curved step edges, leaving faint traces of green. Still, it outperformed a rushed manual brush job. 
Water Clarity 
The ClearWater system dispensed chitosan (the crab-shell clarifier), binding fine particles for filtration. After a day, the water looked noticeably clearer—no cloudiness, no scum. Testing with a basic pool kit showed balanced pH and reduced particulate, though chlorine still needed manual adjustment. This was a step beyond what skimming and vacuuming alone achieved. 
Time and Effort 
Here’s the clincher. The Beatbot took 3 hours to complete the cycle, but my active involvement was under 10 minutes: dropping it in, retrieving it, and rinsing the filter. Manual cleaning would’ve been 90 minutes of constant work. If time is your metric, the robot wins hands-down.

Could I clean better than the Beatbot? In some ways, yes. With a pole and vacuum, I could focus on those stubborn corners and steps, adjusting pressure and angle as needed. I’d also spot-check water chemistry on the fly, tweaking as I go. But “better” assumes precision and patience—qualities that wane after an hour in the sun. The Beatbot doesn’t tire, doesn’t skip sections because it’s bored, and doesn’t spill sweat into the pool. Its consistency is its strength.

Where I’d outshine it is adaptability. If a storm dumped a pile of leaves mid-clean, I’d grab a net and intervene. The Beatbot plows through its programmed path, no detours allowed. And for pools with odd shapes or obstacles (say, a built-in bench), a human can maneuver tools with finesse the robot might lack.

At $3,450, the AquaSense 2 Ultra isn’t cheap. Traditional cleaners—manual vacuums ($30-$100) or even corded robots ($500-$1,000)—are far more affordable. You’re paying for automation, AI, and the 5-in-1 promise. For small pools or occasional use, it’s overkill. For large, heavily used pools in debris-prone areas, it starts to make sense.

Caveats? The app’s lack of underwater control is a bummer—you’re locked into the mode you pick until it’s done. Battery life, while stellar, means bigger pools might need multiple cycles (it resurfaces at 15% charge for recharging). And while it handles most debris, tiny particles in tricky spots might still need a manual touch-up.

So, can the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra clean your pool better than you? It depends on “better.” If you mean thoroughness across all surfaces with zero effort, yes—it’s a game-changer. It tackles tasks simultaneously (skimming while scrubbing) that humans do sequentially, and its water clarification adds a layer of care most skip. For consistency and time savings, it’s unmatched.

But if “better” means absolute perfection—every corner pristine, every oddity addressed—it falls short of a meticulous human with unlimited time. Realistically, though, few of us are that meticulous. The Beatbot doesn’t just clean well; it frees you from the chore entirely. After testing, I’d argue it’s not about out-cleaning you—it’s about out-conveniencing you.

The Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra isn’t for everyone. If you’re budget-conscious or enjoy the Zen of pool maintenance, stick to your pole and net. But if you’d rather swim than scrub, and your pool sees heavy use, this robot delivers. Our test pool emerged cleaner, clearer, and ready for a dip with less fuss than ever. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn close—and for many, that’s more than enough.

As spring 2025 rolls in (we tested this in mid-March), the AquaSense 2 Ultra stands as a bold step into smarter pool care. Available since February 10, 2025, it’s a premium tool for a premium problem. Can it clean better than you? Maybe not in every detail—but it sure makes you wonder why you’d bother trying.

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