AIPER Scuba S1 Cordless – Our Best Cordless In-Depth Review

The AIPER Scuba S1's core appeal is its untethered cleaning capability. It navigates pool floors and walls using Aiper's proprietary **WavePath™ Navigation 2.0 Technology**. This system is designed to guide the cleaner in systematic patterns, aiming for efficient coverage rather than random wandering. For wall cleaning, its **caterpillar treads** give it impressive traction, allowing it to climb and scrub effectively on various pool surfaces, including vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete, reportedly up to a 105° incline. It offers **four cleaning modes**: Automatic Mode for a general clean of floor and walls, Floor Mode to concentrate efforts on the bottom, Wall Mode for dedicated vertical cleaning, and an Eco Mode. Eco Mode is designed for regular maintenance, running for 45 minutes every 48 hours to keep the pool tidy with minimal energy use over a week. The cleaner processes water at a reported rate of 4200 GPH, circulating water as it cleans.

The Scuba S1 utilizes a **180μm fine filter basket with a respectable 3.5-liter capacity**. This system is generally effective for capturing common pool debris such as leaves, larger insects, and small twigs. The top-access design of the filter basket allows for relatively easy emptying and rinsing. However, it's important to note that a 180-micron filter, while good for general use, may not be sufficient for capturing very fine particles like silt, sand, or algae spores. For pools prone to such fine contaminants, additional measures or a cleaner with ultra-fine filtration capabilities might be needed for perfectly polished water.

The defining technology here is its **cordless, battery-powered operation**. The Scuba S1 is equipped with a rechargeable battery system advertised to provide **up to 150 minutes of runtime** on a full charge, which typically takes 3-4 hours. This cordless freedom is a major convenience, eliminating cable management, the risk of tangling, and the need to have a power outlet near the pool. The unit includes a DC wall charger. Its WavePath™ Navigation 2.0 relies on internal sensors (acceleration and inertial sensors) and algorithms to guide its cleaning patterns. While effective for many standard pool shapes, some user feedback suggests that in very complex pool layouts or with certain types of steps, its coverage might not always be perfect, and it lacks the advanced AI or camera-based mapping of more premium models.

The AIPER Scuba S1 is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Being cordless, deployment is as simple as charging it, selecting a mode, and placing it in the pool. Retrieval is aided by an included hook, as the unit itself may not have a prominent handle. Maintenance primarily involves emptying and rinsing the 3.5L filter basket after cleaning cycles. The caterpillar treads are generally robust, but like any moving parts, they should be inspected periodically for wear or embedded debris.