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CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Best Ice Makers
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Ice: The one thing a summer hang can never have enough of. The best countertop ice makers will have a bin full of nugget, bullet or cocktail ice that is never out of reach. A standalone model is particularly valuable if your fridge doesn't have a built-in ice maker or it can't keep up with consumption. There are also specialty ice makers to make the fanciest cubes you'll find outside of a speakeasy. Just a few of the ice makers we tested to find the best in class. David Watsky/CNET To find the best ice makers to keep the party going, I tested 10 machines. The models I evaluated varied widely in price, ice type and size, so there are picks on this list to accommodate specific frozen water requirements. If you're a consummate host of big outdoor bashes -- and where's our invite? -- consider a large-capacity ice maker versus a smaller model with limited output. What's the best ice maker for 2025? After weeks of testing and lots of cold beverages, we found GE Profile's Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with water tank to be the best ice maker overall. The larger machine pumps out mountains (3 pounds to be exact) of chewable nugget ice that's perfect for icy spritzes, chilled lemonade and blends into smoothies with zero resistance. A version of this ice maker has been around for more than a decade -- we tested the first generation model in 2016 and liked it then -- so we have faith it'll stand the test of time, which is key for an appliance type that's not known for longevity. But there are other ice makers made for smaller spaces or specialty cocktails that could be a better fit for your summer soiree. Read on for our picks for the best ice makers for 2025. GE Profile Photo Gallery 1/3 GE Profile Best ice maker overall GE Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker + Water Tank Pros Makes crunchy nugget ice, great for chewing or cocktails The large removable water means you don't have to constantly refill Quiet and easy to use The design is pleasing Cons The most expensive nugget ice maker on our list Larger than most so it might not fit on your kitchen counter Why I liked it: The Opal Nugget 2.0 ice maker had one of the fastest ice outputs of the models we tried. It also has the largest capacity, able to hold three pounds at once and produce more than 35 pounds of ice in a single day. The large .75-gallon side water reservoir on the 2.0 comes in handy when you're hosting and don't want to bother with refilling constantly. The Opal is also relatively quiet and easy to use. Why we chose this model over GE's other Opal ice makers is the removable reservoir that is far more convenient than the built-in water tank found on the brand's other models. Who is it for: If you need large quantities of ice and have the space to house it, the Opal will provide the most ice to keep drinks cold and party guests happy. The Opal has a pleasant design and an easy-access bin with a caddy for the ice scoop on the side so you never lose it. Who should avoid it: If you don't require loads of ice regularly, the Opal may be more ice maker than you need. It's significantly larger than the other ice makers on our list so it may not be the best pick if you plan to keep it in the kitchen. It also costs about $579 so it's not a budget buy. Note: Our pick is for the Opal 2.0. The Opal 2.0 XL is identical except for a slightly larger 1-gallon reservoir but costs $149 more. There is also a line of Opal ice makers with a built-in reservoir, which is less convenient to fill than the removable reservoir. ... Show more Get it now $500 at Amazon $529 at Walmart $600 at Target Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Ice capacity 3 lbs Ice made per day 38 lbs Dimensions 17.5"D x 13.43"W x 16.5"H Colors available Silver, carbon, powder blue, white Cleaning cycle Yes Removeable Water Tank Yes Price $300 Add to compare Frigidaire Photo Gallery 1/2 Frigidaire Best ice maker for most kitchens Frigidaire Pros Made ice faster than any other nugget ice maker we tested Simple to use Classic design with several colors available Good value considering the performance Cons The ice bucket feels a little cheap No holder for the ice scoop Why I like it: This simple nugget ice maker quickly and efficiently turned 2 quarts of water into crunchy ice. It isn't decked out with special features like others on this list but it has a cleaning cycle that is recommended to run with distilled vinegar every so often to keep scale from building up. I appreciated the removable reservoir, which allows you to keep the machine anywhere in the kitchen. Those with built-in water tanks must either be placed near the sink or you'll have to find a vessel to bring water over to refill. Who should get it: This ice maker is quiet, works well and is a modest size, making it a great pick for most kitchens. It will take up about the same amount of space as a 4-quart air fryer so you'll need to budget some counter space. That said, it's roughly half the size of the GE Profile Opal. Who should avoid it: If your ice needs are particularly great, this mid-sized model may not be able to keep up. Two and a half pounds of ice may sound like a lot, but during a summer party with 10 or more guests, it'll go fast. A full batch of ice takes about an hour, so you can expect to fill it somewhat regularly throughout your event. ... Show more Get it now $300 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Ice capacity 2.5 lbs Ice made per day 44 lbs Dimensions 16.75"D x 11.75"W x 20.25"H Colors available Blue, black, silver, cream Removable water tank Yes Price $300 Add to compare Ecozy Photo Gallery 1/2 Ecozy Best smart ice maker design Ecozy Pros My favorite design of any ice maker we tested Love the top-open door revealing ice bin and water tank Keeps ice super cold after making Cons Smart features seem mostly unnecessary Digital screen is busy Less familiar with the brand, which makes me nervous about longevity Why I like it: This ice maker had my favorite design of all the models tested. The slick top-open door reveals an ice basket and easy-fill removable reservoir. The Ecozy also made its soft nugget ice fast, churning out 2.5 pounds in just more than an hour. It makes slightly less ice per day than the Frigidaire but still enough for the average household not to fall behind. The Ecozy's smart features are fun, but I didn't find myself using them often. The ice maker is Wi-Fi enabled so you can start and stop the cycle remotely if you choose. However, you'll still have to return to manually fill the reservoir so remote control isn't a major boon. This machine sports an LED light to show ice bin fullness without opening it. It also tells you the air and water temperatures but I struggled to see how this would be helpful other than to plan how long the ice would keep from melting. The insulated chamber was useful as this machine kept its ice frozen for several hours after it was made, even when I turned it on. Who should get it: Smart home aficionados will appreciate the Ecozy's extra features, such as app control and temperature readouts. While it doesn't filter water, the machine also reads the water's total dissolved solids, so you can haul in a separate filter system if the quality is poor. Who should avoid it: My biggest concern with this ice maker is my lack of familiarity with the brand. Because it sports all those smart features, there are more elements that could potentially break or glitch over time, although everything ran smoothly in my weeks-long test. ... Show more Get it now $360 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Bin capacity 2.6 lbs Ice per day 40 lbs Dimensions 9.33"D x 14.01"W x 15.51"H Colors available Black Cleaning cycle Yes Removable water tank Yes Price $400 Add to compare Igloo Photo Gallery 1/2 Igloo Best cheap ice maker Igloo Pros A bargain at less than $100 Made bullet ice fast and kept it cold Handle is convenient for bring ice outside or to another room Cons Makes a small amount of ice What I like: The Igloo is about as simple as ice makers get but it made bullet ice fast and kept it frozen. The ice maker is relatively quiet and takes up very little counter space. I loved the handle that lets you easily lug a full batch of ice, which takes about an hour to make, outside or into another room. It also made its first ice cubes faster than any machine, churning out nine cubes in less than 8 minutes. Who is it for: For those who need just a small supplemental supply of ice, the Igloo's $95 machine won't bust your wallet or crowd your counter. It works consistently Who should avoid it: This is a small-capacity ice maker. It holds just 1.25 pounds of ice and makes only 26 pounds total per day so you'll need to run and refill it often to keep up with even modest demand from a group. You can always batch ice and stick it in the freezer, but that requires planning ahead so consider this machine's output before you decide to buy. ... Show more Get it now $90 at The Home Depot $95 at Wayfair Specs & Configurations Ice type Nugget Bin capacity 1.25 lbs Ice made per day 26 lbs Dimensions 12.2"D x 9.06"W x 12.8"H Colors available Black, light blue Removeable water tank No Cleaning cycle Yes Price $95 Add to compare Klaris Photo Gallery 1/3 Klaris Best ice maker for whiskey drinkers Klaris Craft Ice Maker Pros The 2-inch cubes made by this machine were a thing of beauty Slow melting ice is perfect for cocktails and sipping liquor Small footprint Cons It takes eight hours to make four cubes Expensive at more than $500 Why I liked it: The Klaris specialty ice maker makes perfectly clear 2-inch cubes of ice. While it takes time to make them, the resulting ice is optimal for sipping a fine whiskey or bourbon cocktail. The ice melts considerably slower than other types and thus won't water down your custom cocktail. It's also visually appealing if you plan to show off your cocktails on Instagram. Who is it for: This is undoubtedly a specialty ice maker for fans of premium liquor with some money to spend. The Klaris makes four large crystal-clear ice cubes in each batch but takes about 8 hours to do it. It's easy to operate with just one button. The Klaris is also one of the smaller ice makers so it won't crowd your countertop and can ornament a home bar. Who should avoid it: This isn't a practical ice maker for most people. The Klaris makes perfect cocktail ice but it takes eight hours to create just four cubes. It's also one of the more expensive home ice makers on the market at more than $500. ... Show more Get it now $549 at Amazon Specs & Configurations Ice type Cocktail, cube Bin capacity 4 large cubes Total ice per day 12 large cubes Dimensions 9"D x 9"W x 12"H Colors available Stainless steel Cleaning cycle No Removable water tank No Price $524 Add to compare Others ice makers we tested Frigidaire ball: This $335 model would be a good pick if you want cocktail ice but don't want to splurge on the $500 Klaris. The balls of ice were at times inconsistent or half-made but it was mostly efficient and easy to use. Whynter Nugget Ice Maker: This machine performed well but it was louder than the others. Also, the build is low and wide -- most were taller but narrow -- making it more difficult to squeeze into a crowded kitchen. GoveeLife Smart Ice Maker: This ice maker was the worst of the bunch. The Govee never produced a single cube after several attempts at running a cycle. Gevi V2.0 Nugget Ice Maker: The Gevi performed OK when making ice but it didn't keep that ice frozen in the bin for as long as the others. Cuisinart Compact Bullet Ice Maker: This bullet ice maker got the job done but the control panel was fussy and the price was bloated for a basic ice machine. The Igloo, our budget pick, is a nearly identical machine but costs $100 less. There aren't a ton of ice makers from well-known brands. Kitchen brands don't seem to be clamoring to get into the ice maker space and plenty of brands have skipped out on the category. I asked reps from several of my favorite kitchen brands why but most didn't have an answer. In researching the models we would test, I reached out to some of them. A rep from SharkNinja, a kitchen brand we are consistently impressed with, said, "We aren't in that category at the moment but we're always looking for the next consumer problem to solve … and always follow our deep consumer insights in that process." How we tested ice makers Testing ice makers isn't as straightforward as some of the other products we evaluate at CNET. Most of the ice makers we brought in for testing delivered on the promise to turn tap water into ice. But some made ice faster than others and kept it cool for longer when the machine was turned off. Many of our picks hinged less on hard metrics gleaned from testing and more on how well the ice makers were designed and constructed, how easy they were to use, their features and their noise level. We ran each ice maker more than 10 times to ensure consistency in production and looked for any glitches in the controls. We also looked for leaks or design flaws that might cause a mess to clean up later. For hard metrics, we timed how long it took each ice maker to make it's first cubes. We ran that test twice and averaged the two times. In most machines, it was consistently about 10 minutes before the first cubes or nuggets dropped into the bin. Next, we tested how long it took each ice maker to fill its bin. This isn't an apples-to-apples comparison because the machines all have different capacities but we wanted to see if the ice makers delivered on the promises made in marketing lingo. What to consider: Ice maker buying advice A removable reservoir A removable reservoir makes refilling easier, especially if the machine is far from the sink. David Watsky/CNET The most convenient feature of all the ice makers I tested was a removable reservoir. Some of the budget models had built-in water tanks, which meant you had to either keep the machine near the sink or bring water in a separate vessel to fill it. The Whynter ice maker has a built-in water tank, which I found trickier to fill. David Watsky/CNET The removable reservoirs proved uniquely handy for refilling, especially for the midsized machines that required more refills to keep up with demand. Ice type Most home ice makers make either nugget or bullet ice. David Watsky/CNET Most at-home ice makers make one of two types of ice: bullet or nugget. Nugget ice can be made quickly and is great for chewing on but it melts fast in drinks. Bullet ice seems to be the go-to ice type for budget-friendly ice makers. It's more similar in structure to ice you would find in an in-fridge ice maker. Then there are the specialty ice makers, largely designed for cocktail making. Frigidaire has a $300 ball ice maker, while Klaris' $524 ice maker makes perfect, air-pocket-free blocks for sipping your favorite brown liquor or mixed drink. Size and production volume Midsized ice makers like the Frigidaire and Ecozy hold enough ice for about 7 drinks. David Watsky/CNET The smallest ice makers are good for crowded kitchens but the production is limited so it might not be worth even the meager space they take up. The Cuisinart and Igloo, for instance, hold just 2 pounds of ice, enough for roughly 7 drinks. Most ice makers hold about 2 liters, which equals roughly 2.5 pounds of ice, good for about 9 drinks. The bigger ice makers, including our top pick the GE Profile Opal Nugget ice maker, hold 3 pounds at once, enough for 12 drinks, but the footprint on your counter is significantly bigger. You'd be wise to consider the space where you plan to put your ice maker before you purchase. Many homes may require the extra ice only in the summer so if you can budget the space for three or four months only, you can spring for a larger model that produces more. If it's going in the basement or garage to replenish ice as needed or to be pulled out for special occasions, size may not be a concern. Cost and value The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is our top pick but it's also one of the more expensive options. GE The most affordable ice makers we tested were less than $100. All of these models were small in stature and made bullet ice -- similar to ice from a fridge ice maker. Ice makers that produce nugget ice, which is easy to chew and looks nice in cocktails, typically start at about $300. Premium ice makers, such as the Opal 2.0 and Klaris specialty ice maker, cost about $500 to $700. Cleaning mode Most of the ice makers we tested have a cleaning function that sends water mixed with a food-safe cleaning product or a vinegar solution through the channels to descale. We recommend buying an ice maker that has this feature to prevent tainted ice down the line. Ice maker FAQs Will an ice maker work outside in the heat? In my experience, ice makers function far less efficiently in the heat. If you have a portable ice maker, it's best to operate it inside where it's cooler during warm weather. How do you clean an ice maker? To clean an ice maker unplug the machine and empty the ice bin and water reservoir. Next, wipe down interior and exterior surfaces with a mild cleaning solution. For a deeper clean, run the machine's cleaning cycle once or twice to rid the lines of buildup. The run another cleaning cycle with only water to flush it out. How long does an an ice maker take to make ice? Most automatic ice makers we tested start making ice in about 12 minutes but take a full hour or longer to make a full batch. The larger models took longer to fill the bucket with ice. How much ice do ice makers make? Most of the ice makers we tested hold between 2.5 and 3 pounds of ice, enough for 8 to 12 drinks. The smaller, more budget-friendly machines hold closer to 1 pound.
CNET
4 days ago
- General
- CNET
Air Fryers Are the Best Warm Weather Kitchen Appliance, and I Have Data to Prove It
No disrespect to the grill but I've got a new favorite summer cooking routine and it doesn't require standing over hot flames in triple-digit heat. It's that little countertop overachiever: the air fryer. It not only cooks fast and handles burgers. hot dogs and chicken like a pro but it won't require you to be outside in the heat and it doesn't cause the kitchen to spike in temperature like cooking on the stovetop or in the oven will. Don't get me wrong -- I love grilling. There's something primal and satisfying about cooking over open flames with a cold drink in hand. But when it's 90 degrees or more and the sun roasting, I start rethinking things. The numbers don't lie To prove why the air fryer belongs in the summer hall of fame, I ran tests to see how much the oven heats up the kitchen versus an air fryer. Spoiler alert: The air fryer trounced the oven, barely raising the temperature in my home at all. Air fryers also cook quickly and need almost no preheat time so you'll keep from turning that all-important space into a hot box. A heat wave requires creative thinking to keep the home cool and an air fryer is my ticket to getting through those sweltering summer spells without starving. The best part? A quality air fryer can be had for as little as $50. Since air fryers use less energy than an oven or grill, they'll save you money on your monthly energy costs. Trendy air fryers are all they're cracked up to be, especially when it's hot out. David Watsky/CNET I ran tests to see how much hotter an oven would make the kitchen The air fryer turns out juicy chicken thighs in under 20 minutes. David Watsky/CNET To find real-world differences, I roasted chicken thighs in my KitchenAid wall oven (less than 10 years old) and a 4-quart Dreo air fryer, according to two popular recipes from a well-known cooking site. I tested the temperature before, during and after to see how much of a difference each machine makes. My Brooklyn apartment kitchen is on the small side, but it's not enclosed and opens up to the rest of the apartment. I kept the windows closed for the test, although it's worth noting that recent studies show cooking with natural gas in an enclosed kitchen can be a health risk. I'm finding fewer and fewer reasons to turn on the big oven these days. David Watsky/CNET The standard oven recipe called for the chicken to be roasted at 375 degrees for 30 minutes in the oven. Because of its smaller chamber, the air fryer recipe only required 20 minutes of cooking at the same temperature. The air fryer requires only about a minute to come to temperature, while the oven takes more than five. An ambient thermometer is all I needed to test how much hotter a gas oven can make the kitchen. David Watsky/CNET I placed a standard ambient thermometer in the middle of the kitchen -- about 5 feet from the stove -- at counter height. I took a reading before the oven or air fryer was turned on. I took another reading halfway through the cooking time and the last one at the end of the cooking time. Between the two sessions, I waited for the kitchen to return to a resting temperature before starting the next one. Ovens may have more capacity but they warm the kitchen far more than an air fryer. Getty The oven made my kitchen 10 degrees hotter than the air fryer Midway through the recipes (15 minutes), the oven raised the temperature of my kitchen by 15 degrees from 71 F to too-hot 88 F. After 10 minutes of cooking with the air fryer on 375 F, the temperature in my kitchen had gone up only 5 degrees F, from 72 F to a pleasant 77 F. You can feel heat emanating from the air fryer if you stand close enough, but it's not enough to significantly change the temperature of the kitchen. Read more: Here's How to Keep Your Kitchen Cool (and Lower Your Energy Bill) During a Heat Wave Not only did the air fryer cause less of a temperature spike, but I only needed to have it running for roughly 20 minutes with one minute of preheat time. The oven took 30 minutes to cook the chicken and 6 minutes to preheat. Using the air fryer will cut down on energy bills Even modern ovens use significantly more energy than an air fryer. Mary King/CNET During a heat wave, your air conditioner is already working hard. Heating the kitchen up with your oven will only require them to work harder, using more energy to bring the room back down to your desired temperature. For the AC to make up the difference for one 20- or 30-minute cooking session with an oven, it may not be a total budget-buster. Spread that out over time or for longer cooking sessions and using the oven during hot months can have real fiscal ramifications. For more on this, read my breakdown of exactly how much more an oven costs to run than an air fryer. What can you make in an air fryer? Roasted chicken in the air fryer is dynamite and takes less time than in the large oven. David Watsky/CNET An air fryer can do almost any cooking job that an oven can, although air fryers are typically smaller than wall ovens so you can't cook as much in one go. I've been tinkering with the air fryer a lot this year. I discovered the joy of cooking whole chickens in the air fryer, filets of salmon and even bacon cheeseburgers. The air fryer goes well beyond its reputation for cooking crispy wings and french fries. You can make dinner party-level recipes in the air fryer without breaking a sweat, literally. Here are seven foods that I only make in the air fryer now not just because they keep my kitchen cooler but because the results are as good or better than other methods. Here's our complete guide to air fryers, everyone's favorite new kitchen appliance. FAQs How much energy does an air fryer save when compared to a wall oven? An air fryer uses 50% less total energy than a wall oven does, according to calculations performed by CNET's resident kitchen home tech expert, David Watsky.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
This Robot Does My Least Favorite Outdoor Chore Without Having to be Asked
CNET's key takeaways It's $799 at Amazon Best Buy Maytronics It has excellent suction power and remote scheduling at a reasonable price. Requires almost no effort or attention during the week. It lacks a dedicated waterline function but cleans walls and floors completely in 2 hours. The reason you have a pool is to enjoy it. Sure, care and maintenance are part of the package but they don't have to be a big part of it. Last summer -- my first summer as a pool and homeowner -- I vacuumed manually. It would take roughly an hour twice a week for the five months I keep it open. That's a grand sum of 60 hours for the season spent setting up to vacuum and vacuuming. This year, I'm saddled with an incredible automatic machine that cleans my entire pool for me. I tested 12 robot pool vacuums and landed on the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi. It hits all the marks for cleaning, scheduling via app, low maintenance, and it doesn't cost an outrageous sum. Pool cleaning is now something I barely think about. When the warm weather hits, I can count on sparkling water and a clean pool floor. My experience with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi The Dolphin deftly cleans the pool floor and sides in about 2 hours. David Watsky/CNET Out of the box, the robot requires no setup other than plugging into a power source and connecting to Wi-Fi, a process that took me less than 5 minutes. Once it's connected, dropped in the pool, and a cleaning schedule is set, there's not much else to do. The CC Nautilus Plus Wi-Fi cleaned my pool in around 2 hours, picking up soggy leaves, dead bugs, gravel, and sand. It used its fierce scrubbing brushes and a suction rate of 4,500 gallons per hour to clean the floor and walls of my kidney bean-shaped pool. The cord occasionally hooked my skimmer bot, but it didn't cause any serious complications. David Watsky/CNET The only function it doesn't have is a dedicated waterline setting, but I've found most waterline cleaning features to be just OK. Plus, it's easy enough to brush the waterline manually every few weeks if you notice buildup. For me, spending several hundred dollars more for a model with waterline cleaning just isn't worth it. Being able to set a cleaning schedule from my device tipped this robot cleaner over the edge for me. David Watsky/CNET The Wi-Fi and app connectivity are what tipped this model over the top. Through the app, you can control the robot's cleaning schedules, and I found it had far fewer disconnections and glitches than other connected robot pool cleaners I tested. At 35 pounds, the robot is easy enough to pull out of the pool when it needs to be emptied and rinsed, roughly once a month. Its cord allows you to haul it in without a struggle. Speaking of the cord, the anti-tangle device with attached buoys kept it from looping around itself, although sometimes it gets caught up in my solar robot skimmer. A pool robot that filters water means far less stress on your expensive built-in equipment. David Watsky/CNET Pool filters are not cheap and can be difficult to clean, depending on the type. Having a robot cleaner that works daily will save your filter lots of work and prevent you from having to replace it as often. It'll also take some stress off your built-in pool pump and filtration system, sending less debris through the pipes to be filtered out. You can bypass the app and use the control box to start and stop the robot. David Watsky/CNET Cleaner water also means you'll spend less on chemicals due to a reduction in algae growth and better water chemistry balance. For a full breakdown, see my list of the best robot pool cleaners for 2025, tested for every type of pool. The specs Type : Corded : Corded Suction power : 4,500 gallons per hour : 4,500 gallons per hour Cleans : Floor, walls : Floor, walls Weight : 34.6 pounds : 34.6 pounds Cost : $799 : $799 Automatic daily cleaning : Yes : Yes App control: Yes CNET's buying advice I've tested dozens of pool robots and learned a few things along the way. David Watsky/CNET I have tested more than 12 pool-cleaning robots, and the Dolphin is my top recommendation. It does everything you need it to, including deep cleaning of the walls and floor on a schedule of your choosing. It's easy to use and maintain, and costs half the price of competitors. If you factor in how much time a robot pool cleaner saves or what you'd have to pay for professional vacuuming, this is as close to a no-brainer as purchases get for pool owners.
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
This Robot Saves Me 60 Hours of Pool Cleaning Per Season, and I Barely Think About It
CNET's key takeaways It's $799 at Amazon Best Buy Maytronics It has excellent suction power and remote scheduling at a reasonable price. Requires almost no effort or attention during the week. It lacks a dedicated waterline function but cleans walls and floors completely in 2 hours. The reason you have a pool is to enjoy it. Sure, care and maintenance are part of the package but they don't have to be a big part of it. Last summer -- my first summer as a pool and homeowner -- I vacuumed manually. It would take roughly an hour twice a week for the five months I keep it open. That's a grand sum of 60 hours for the season spent setting up to vacuum and vacuuming. This year, I'm saddled with an incredible automatic machine that cleans my entire pool for me. I tested 12 robot pool vacuums and landed on the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi. It hits all the marks for cleaning, scheduling via app, low maintenance, and it doesn't cost an outrageous sum. Pool cleaning is now something I barely think about. When the warm weather hits, I can count on sparkling water and a clean pool floor. My experience with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi The Dolphin deftly cleans the pool floor and sides in about 2 hours. David Watsky/CNET Out of the box, the robot requires no setup other than plugging into a power source and connecting to Wi-Fi, a process that took me less than 5 minutes. Once it's connected, dropped in the pool, and a cleaning schedule is set, there's not much else to do. The CC Nautilus Plus Wi-Fi cleaned my pool in around 2 hours, picking up soggy leaves, dead bugs, gravel, and sand. It used its fierce scrubbing brushes and a suction rate of 4,500 gallons per hour to clean the floor and walls of my kidney bean-shaped pool. The cord occasionally hooked my skimmer bot, but it didn't cause any serious complications. David Watsky/CNET The only function it doesn't have is a dedicated waterline setting, but I've found most waterline cleaning features to be just OK. Plus, it's easy enough to brush the waterline manually every few weeks if you notice buildup. For me, spending several hundred dollars more for a model with waterline cleaning just isn't worth it. Being able to set a cleaning schedule from my device tipped this robot cleaner over the edge for me. David Watsky/CNET The Wi-Fi and app connectivity are what tipped this model over the top. Through the app, you can control the robot's cleaning schedules, and I found it had far fewer disconnections and glitches than other connected robot pool cleaners I tested. At 35 pounds, the robot is easy enough to pull out of the pool when it needs to be emptied and rinsed, roughly once a month. Its cord allows you to haul it in without a struggle. Speaking of the cord, the anti-tangle device with attached buoys kept it from looping around itself, although sometimes it gets caught up in my solar robot skimmer. A pool robot that filters water means far less stress on your expensive built-in equipment. David Watsky/CNET Pool filters are not cheap and can be difficult to clean, depending on the type. Having a robot cleaner that works daily will save your filter lots of work and prevent you from having to replace it as often. It'll also take some stress off your built-in pool pump and filtration system, sending less debris through the pipes to be filtered out. You can bypass the app and use the control box to start and stop the robot. David Watsky/CNET Cleaner water also means you'll spend less on chemicals due to a reduction in algae growth and better water chemistry balance. For a full breakdown, see my list of the best robot pool cleaners for 2025, tested for every type of pool. The specs Type : Corded : Corded Suction power : 4,500 gallons per hour : 4,500 gallons per hour Cleans : Floor, walls : Floor, walls Weight : 34.6 pounds : 34.6 pounds Cost : $799 : $799 Automatic daily cleaning : Yes : Yes App control: Yes CNET's buying advice I've tested dozens of pool robots and learned a few things along the way. David Watsky/CNET I have tested more than 12 pool-cleaning robots, and the Dolphin is my top recommendation. It does everything you need it to, including deep cleaning of the walls and floor on a schedule of your choosing. It's easy to use and maintain, and costs half the price of competitors. If you factor in how much time a robot pool cleaner saves or what you'd have to pay for professional vacuuming, this is as close to a no-brainer as purchases get for pool owners.
CNET
7 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Tested More Than a Dozen Robot Pool Cleaners. This Is the One I'm Buying Myself
CNET's key takeaways It's $799 at Amazon Best Buy Maytronics It has excellent suction power and remote scheduling at a reasonable price. It lacks a dedicated waterline function but cleans walls and floors completely in 2 hours. As a new homeowner who loves to host friends and family, having one less thing to worry about before guests show up has made my pool-cleaning robot well worth it. In fact, in my early days of pool ownership, I used a professional cleaning service and ended up spending more in three sessions than the cost of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi. Pool cleaning is now something I barely think about. When the warm weather hits, I can count on sparkling water and a clean pool floor. After testing more than a dozen of the best robot pool vacuums, I settled on the Dolphin model because it hits all the marks for cleaning, scheduling via app, low maintenance, and it doesn't cost an outrageous sum. My experience with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi The Dolphin deftly cleans the pool floor and sides in about 2 hours. David Watsky/CNET Out of the box, the robot requires no setup other than plugging into a power source and connecting to Wi-Fi, a process that took me less than 5 minutes. Once it's connected, dropped in the pool, and a cleaning schedule is set, there's not much else to do. The CC Nautilus Plus Wi-Fi cleaned my pool in around 2 hours, picking up soggy leaves, dead bugs, gravel, and sand. It used its fierce scrubbing brushes and a suction rate of 4,500 gallons per hour to clean the floor and walls of my kidney bean-shaped pool. The cord occasionally hooked my skimmer bot, but it didn't cause any serious complications. David Watsky/CNET The only function it doesn't have is a dedicated waterline setting, but I've found most waterline cleaning features to be just OK. Plus, it's easy enough to brush the waterline manually every few weeks if you notice buildup. For me, spending several hundred dollars more for a model with waterline cleaning just isn't worth it. Being able to set a cleaning schedule from my device tipped this robot cleaner over the edge for me. David Watsky/CNET The Wi-Fi and app connectivity are what tipped this model over the top. Through the app, you can control the robot's cleaning schedules, and I found it had far fewer disconnections and glitches than other connected robot pool cleaners I tested. At 35 pounds, the robot is easy enough to pull out of the pool when it needs to be emptied and rinsed, roughly once a month. Its cord allows you to haul it in without a struggle. Speaking of the cord, the anti-tangle device with attached buoys kept it from looping around itself, although sometimes it gets caught up in my solar robot skimmer. A pool robot that filters water means far less stress on your expensive built-in equipment. David Watsky/CNET Pool filters are not cheap and can be difficult to clean, depending on the type. Having a robot cleaner that works daily will save your filter lots of work and prevent you from having to replace it as often. It'll also take some stress off your built-in pool pump and filtration system, sending less debris through the pipes to be filtered out. You can bypass the app and use the control box to start and stop the robot. David Watsky/CNET Cleaner water also means you'll spend less on chemicals due to a reduction in algae growth and better water chemistry balance. For a full breakdown, see my list of the best robot pool cleaners for 2025, tested for every type of pool. The specs Type : Corded : Corded Suction power : 4,500 gallons per hour : 4,500 gallons per hour Cleans : Floor, walls : Floor, walls Weight : 34.6 pounds : 34.6 pounds Cost : $799 : $799 Automatic daily cleaning : Yes : Yes App control: Yes CNET's buying advice I've tested dozens of pool robots and learned a few things along the way. David Watsky/CNET I have tested more than 12 pool-cleaning robots, and the Dolphin is my top recommendation. It does everything you need it to, including deep cleaning of the walls and floor on a schedule of your choosing. It's easy to use and maintain, and costs half the price of competitors. If you factor in how much time a robot pool cleaner saves or what you'd have to pay for professional vacuuming, this is as close to a no-brainer as purchases get for pool owners.
