Can a $1,500 Pool Robot Really Replace You?

A $1,500 cordless robotic pool cleaner that promises to scrub the waterline, climb walls, clean the floor, and even skim the surface sounds like the future of pool ownership—but does it actually deliver? In this episode, I take a closer look at what “fully automated” pool cleaning really means in the real world, especially when you’re dealing with leaves, pollen, and weekend debris. Using the Beatbot Sora 70 as a case study, I break down what this new wave of home automation replaces—and what it doesn’t. From performance expectations to practical trade-offs, this is a reality check on convenience, cost, and control. The bigger question: do you trust a robot to handle your pool, or are manual cleaning and traditional services still the smarter play?