Cordless vs. Corded Robotic Pool Cleaners
The real tradeoffs: setup convenience versus runtime limits, and which one fits your pool.
This is usually the first fork in the road when picking a robotic pool cleaner, and it shapes almost everything else about how the model behaves.
| Corded | Cordless | |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Continuous, through a floating cable | Rechargeable battery |
| Runtime limit | None — runs as long as the cycle is set for | Typically 90–300 minutes, model-dependent |
| Setup each use | Uncoil and connect the cable | Submerge and go |
| Requires a nearby outlet | Yes, GFCI-protected | No |
| Models in our catalog | 13 | 24 |
Corded models
A corded robot stays connected to a low-voltage power supply through a floating cable for its entire cleaning cycle. That means no battery to charge, no runtime ceiling, and generally more consistent suction power throughout the clean — which is why corded designs dominate the large-pool segment. The tradeoff is the cable itself: it needs a nearby outlet, can tangle in tight or oddly shaped pools, and adds a setup step (uncoiling and connecting it) every time you use the robot. In the US, any outlet near a pool falls under Article 680 of the National Electrical Code, which requires ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection for outlets and equipment near pool water — worth confirming with a licensed electrician if you're installing a new outlet for one of these robots.
Cordless models
A cordless robot runs on a rechargeable battery, so there's nothing to plug in poolside — submerge it and it starts cleaning. That convenience comes with a runtime limit, typically in the 90-to-300-minute range depending on the model and mode, plus a charge time you need to plan around between uses. Our runtime and charging guide goes into how to read those specs.
Which one fits your pool
- Large pool, or you want a single cleaning pass with no runtime math — corded usually wins.
- Small-to-mid pool, or you value quick, cable-free setup — cordless is usually enough.
- No dedicated outlet near the pool — cordless removes that requirement entirely.
Every model in our catalog is tagged corded or cordless on its own page, sourced to the manufacturer. Use the Finder to filter by this and other specs at once, or browse our cordless picks directly.