Betta SE Plus vs Beatbot iSkim: Robot Pool Skimmers
Updated · Price Drop Radar
Bottom line
Both are solar-powered skimmers that clean only the water surface, so neither replaces a robot that cleans the pool floor. Bob Vila tested seven skimmers and named the Betta SE Plus best overall and the Beatbot iSkim the best premium option. The Betta is simpler, with a remote and no app, and it includes an AC adapter for cloudy stretches. The iSkim adds an app with scheduling and recall, a 9 L basket and a 3-year warranty, in a bigger and heavier body. Pick the Betta for simple and lower cost. Pick the iSkim for a medium to large pool, heavy debris or app control.
Betta SE Plus
Beatbot iSkim
Side by side
| Spec | Betta SE Plus | Beatbot iSkim |
|---|---|---|
| Power [1][2][3][5][6] | Solar panel plus AC adapter (USB-C backup, per The Pool Nerd) | 24W solar panel plus 10,000 mAh battery; AC adapter sold separately |
| Runtime on a full charge [3][4][6] | 30+ hours, per Betta | Up to 28 hours, per Beatbot |
| Charge time [3][6] | 5 to 6 hours in direct sun; 3.5 hours on the adapter | About 5 hours on the adapter |
| Debris basket [3][6] | 200 micron mesh, top handle; capacity not listed | 9 L, filtration up to 550 microns |
| Controls [1][3][6] | Auto mode and a wireless remote; no app | App over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: schedule, remote steering, park and recall |
| Sensors [3][6] | Ultrasonic radar | Dual ultrasonic plus a motion sensor |
| Size and weight [3][4] | Not listed by Betta | 21.1 x 20.1 x 8.9 in, 15 lb |
| Pool coverage [3][4] | Up to 40 x 60 ft, per Betta | Cleaned a pool surface in under an hour; up to 2 hours on larger pools |
| Warranty [1][3][5][6] | 1 year on Betta's page; Leslie's listing says 2 years | 3 years, full replacement |
| Price [3][6] | $389.90 sale, $499.90 regular on Betta's site | $429 sale, $499 regular on Beatbot's site |
Betta SE Plus
- Ranked best overall by Bob Vila, which tested seven skimmers
- Solar plus an included AC adapter
- Simple to run; The Pool Nerd says the remote is rarely needed
- No app, schedule or recall
- Bob Vila's original Betta SE lost its rear propellers after about 12 months
- Betta doesn't list the basket size or weight
Beatbot iSkim
- Ranked best premium option by Bob Vila
- 9 L basket: Reviewed never saw it near overflowing over 5 days in a windy, tree-lined pool
- App schedules cleanings and recalls it with one tap
- Large and heavy, and Reviewed says it may be overkill for a small pool
- The charger is sold separately, so there is no plug-in backup in the box
- Tom's Guide saw it try to swallow a floating thermometer
Which one is right for you
| If you are | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want the simplest option | Betta SE Plus | Auto mode, a remote and no app |
| Lots of leaves from nearby trees | Beatbot iSkim | 9 L basket |
| Want to schedule or recall it from your phone | Beatbot iSkim | The Betta has no app |
| Shaded pool or cloudy climate | Betta SE Plus | AC adapter included |
| Want the longest warranty | Beatbot iSkim | 3 years, full replacement |
What to look for
How much sun the pool gets
Why it matters: Both rely on solar charging, so shade and cloudy weeks decide how often you recharge.
How to check: Note how many hours of direct sun the pool gets in your worst month.
Watch out: Betta includes an AC adapter, and The Pool Nerd recommends it for cloudy or shaded pools. Beatbot's charger is sold separately.
How much debris your pool gets
Why it matters: A bigger basket means fewer trips to empty it.
How to check: Count how often you skim by hand now and how many leaves land on windy days.
Watch out: Reviewed tested the iSkim for 5 days next to trees in wind and its 9 L basket never came close to overflowing. Betta doesn't list its basket volume.
App or remote
Why it matters: An app adds scheduling and recall. A remote just steers.
How to check: Decide if you want to schedule runs or just drop it in and let it go.
Watch out: Bob Vila says robot skimmers don't need much app support and liked the Betta's simple approach.
Pool size
Why it matters: Skimming time grows with the water surface.
How to check: Measure the surface in feet.
Watch out: Tom's Guide says the iSkim cleaned its pool in under an hour and can take up to 2 hours on larger pools. Reviewed calls it overkill for smaller pools.
Floating items in the pool
Why it matters: Wide intakes pull in more than leaves.
How to check: Take out thermometers, toys and chlorine floaters before it runs.
Watch out: Tom's Guide says its iSkim tried to swallow a floating pool thermometer.
Traps and timing
- Skimmers clean only the surface. Neither one scrubs the floor or walls. Tom's Guide says a skimmer means the floor robot has to come out less often, not never.
- Beatbot also sells the iSkim Ultra, a different and more expensive model. Several reviews, including The Pool Nerd's, cover the Ultra, so check which one a review is about.
- Betta sells the SE, the SE Plus and the Flex. The Pool Nerd compares them at roughly $370, $400 and $520, and says the base SE is enough for most people.
- Betta's page lists a 1-year warranty, while Leslie's Pool Supplies lists the SE Plus with a 2-year warranty. Confirm the term with the seller you buy from.
- Runtime figures are from the makers. Beatbot says its 28 hours was lab-tested. Neither is an independent measurement.
- Prices change often, and the sale prices here come from each maker's own site. Check the live Amazon price.
Before you check out
- Measure the pool's surface and the sun it gets.
- Decide between a remote and an app.
- Check whether you need a plug-in charger, and whether it is in the box.
- Confirm the exact model: SE Plus, not SE or Flex; iSkim, not iSkim Ultra.
- Remove floating items before the first run.
- Check the live Amazon price.
How we put this together
We don't test robot pool skimmers in a lab. We compared the makers' published specs, the Amazon listings and independent reviews, all listed under Sources, and where they disagree we say so. Prices come from Amazon and are refreshed by our system throughout the day.
Price Drop Radar earns a commission on qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. That never decides which product we recommend.
Quick answers
Do robot pool skimmers clean the pool floor?
No. Both clean only the water surface. A skimmer reduces how much debris sinks, but a pool with a floor robot still needs the floor cleaned.
Which skimmer has an app?
The Beatbot iSkim, over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Betta SE Plus has a wireless remote and no app.
Which one has the bigger basket?
The iSkim, at 9 L. Betta doesn't list the SE Plus basket's volume.
Can I charge them without sun?
The Betta SE Plus includes an AC adapter. The iSkim's adapter is sold separately.
Which is the better buy?
Bob Vila ranked the Betta SE Plus best overall and the iSkim the best premium option. Choose by how much debris you get and whether you want an app.
Sources
- The Best Robotic Pool Skimmers of 2026, Tested by Pool Owners, Bob Vila
- Betta SE Plus review, The Pool Nerd
- Betta SE Plus product page, Betta
- I tested the Beatbot iSkim solar-powered robot, Tom's Guide
- Beatbot iSkim Review: App-controlled robot pool skimmer, Reviewed
- Beatbot iSkim product page, Beatbot