Aiper
Aiper Scuba S1
$699Cheaper
Released 2024
Best Robot Pool Cleaners · head-to-head
Aiper Scuba S1 vs Polaris VRX iQ+
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Aiper Scuba S1 is cheaper at $699. Every spec and price links to its source.
Polaris
Polaris VRX iQ+
$1649
Released 2022
Which is better: the Aiper Scuba S1 or Polaris VRX iQ+?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Aiper Scuba S1 is the cheaper at $699.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Aiper Scuba S1 | Polaris VRX iQ+ |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699 | $1649 |
| Brand | Aiper | Polaris |
| Released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Drive | cordless_robotic | robotic |
| Cleaning coverage | floor_walls_waterline | floor_walls |
| Navigation | WavePath 2.0 | Sensor Nav System with SMART Cycle adaptive mapping; iAquaLink app |
| Filter type | 180 μm Fine Filter + 3 μm MicroMesh Ultra-fine Filter | 5 L illuminated canister |
| Cycle options | 45 min, 60 min, 90 min; Floor/Wall/Auto/Eco modes | SMART Cycle, Quick Clean, Deep Clean, Waterline Only, Custom |
| Suitable pool size (ft) | up to 1600 sq ft / 50 ft length | up to 60 ft |
| Cordless | Yes | No |
| Release year | 2024 | 2022 |
Sources — Aiper Scuba S1: aiper.com (verified 2026-06-19). Polaris VRX iQ+: polarispool.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the Aiper Scuba S1 and Polaris VRX iQ+?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Drive: Aiper Scuba S1 cordless_robotic vs Polaris VRX iQ+ robotic
- Cleaning coverage: Aiper Scuba S1 floor_walls_waterline vs Polaris VRX iQ+ floor_walls
- Navigation: Aiper Scuba S1 WavePath 2.0 vs Polaris VRX iQ+ Sensor Nav System with SMART Cycle adaptive mapping; iAquaLink app
- Filter type: Aiper Scuba S1 180 μm Fine Filter + 3 μm MicroMesh Ultra-fine Filter vs Polaris VRX iQ+ 5 L illuminated canister
- Cycle options: Aiper Scuba S1 45 min, 60 min, 90 min; Floor/Wall/Auto/Eco modes vs Polaris VRX iQ+ SMART Cycle, Quick Clean, Deep Clean, Waterline Only, Custom
- Suitable pool size (ft): Aiper Scuba S1 up to 1600 sq ft / 50 ft length vs Polaris VRX iQ+ up to 60 ft
- Cordless: Aiper Scuba S1 true vs Polaris VRX iQ+ false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Aiper Scuba S1
No sourced tester review yet.
Polaris VRX iQ+
Only one whitelisted tester, PCWorld/TechHive's Christopher Null, hands-on reviewed this exact model; pool specialists like Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping had no matching test. He calls its cleaning the best of any pool robot he has tried, picking up 99% of debris, but flags a cumbersome cord and a bulky, unsightly caddy. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Best cleaning performance of any pool robot the tester has tried; picked up ~99% of debris on floor, walls and tile; Auto-optimized 'smart cycle' right-sizes run time to the pool; Lift system parks the robot at the tile line for pole-free retrieval.
Flagged: 70-ft power cord and caddy are extra effort to wrangle versus a battery robot; Bulky caddy is an eyesore even when idle on the deck; Does not clean the water surface.