The AIPER Scuba S1 is another pool cleaning robot on the market that belongs to the upper mid-range with a price tag of just under 600 euros. It can be used to clean pools up to 149 m² in size with a battery life of up to 150 minutes. In contrast to the AIPER Scuba E1, which moves on four wheels, the S1 uses caterpillar tracks. While the suction power has been improved, the S1 now also lasts 50 minutes longer and has a 45% larger cleaning area.
In today’s test, we will find out how well the AIPER Scuba S1 performs in the test and whether it cleans both floors and walls up to the waterline properly.
Technical data
| Pool type | Pool cleaning robot |
| model | Scuba S1 |
| Color options | Dark gray |
| Ideal pool type | Inground |
| Possible pool shapes | Rectangular, Round, Kidney-shaped, Random |
| Pool size | 149 m² |
| Suitable pool material | Concrete, fiberglass, vinyl, tile |
| Surfaces to be cleaned |
Floor, wall & waterline |
| Motor | 2x drive motor, 1x brushless filter motor |
| Brush type | Suction and 1 active PVC roller |
| Suction power | 265 LPM |
| Filtration specification | 180 μm filter basket |
| Filter basket | 3,5 L |
| Max. Running time | approx. 150 minutes |
| Charging time | approx. 3-4 hours |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 381 x 432 x 203 mm |
| Weight | 7.5 kg |
| Price |
€ 699.99 * |
Scope of delivery
- … limited to the essentials
- Pool robot with power supply and grab hook included
The scope of delivery of the AIPER Scuba S1 is limited to the essentials. This includes the pool cleaning robot itself as well as the matching power supply unit. In addition to the grab hook, which can be attached to a pool pole, the usual paperwork is also included in the accessories.
Appearance & finish
- Flat cleaning robot with roller brushes and carrying handle
- Solid workmanship with user-friendly handling
- Weakness: Power supply unit generates high-frequency noise when charging
Visually, the AIPER Scuba S1 is primarily a flat cleaning robot. Two roller brushes are mounted at the front, while the robot’s charging connection is located at the rear. The sides are each decorated with a caterpillar track with the typical AIPER accents, which end in a turquoise-colored circle at the front. In terms of weight, the AIPER Scuba S1 weighs in at a hefty 7.5 kilograms. This is remedied by the carrying handle of the Scuba S1, which is not routed to the outside as usual, but to the inside of the housing.
We particularly like the large suction opening on the underside. Behind it is a rubber strip that helps to wipe off dirt when cleaning the floor. The type plate of the AIPER Scuba S1 and a water drainage flap are also located above it. However, the latter is concealed behind a large flexible rubber cover.
In terms of workmanship, the AIPER Scuba S1 makes a very good impression. All components are solid and firmly mounted so that there are no cracking noises at this point. The Scuba S1 is also easy to operate and is controlled via a single button on the top of the robot. There is also a bright LED bar underneath, which visually displays the current battery status in three levels. The pool vacuum cleaner also scores further points for its opening and closing mechanism, which is user-friendly thanks to a clip button. However, the power supply unit, which emits high-frequency sounds when charging the Scuba S1, does not even affect the robot itself.
Features
- 265 liters of water per minute filter performance
- Cleans floors and walls up to 90° incline
- Eco mode: Automatic 48-hour cleaning for 45 minutes
Under the hood of the AIPER Scuba S1 is a lot of technology designed to enable efficient pool cleaning. In addition to a 3.5 liter dirt container and a long running time of up to 150 minutes, the pool robot filters a whopping 265 liters of water per minute. Thanks to long side tracks, the Scuba S1 is not only bound to the floor, but can also drive up the pool wall to the waterline. This applies to walls with a slope of up to 15 degrees as well as walls with a full slope of 90 degrees.
The AIPER Scuba S1 is designed for both above-ground and in-ground swimming pools with an area of up to 149 m². Here, the pool robot relies on its brushless drain motor. In addition, the dynamic silicone brush helps to pick up dirt and remove stubborn deposits from the pool floor. For navigation in the pool, the AIPER Scuba S1 uses WavePath™ Navigation 2.0, an exclusive technology from the manufacturer. The robot moves systematically along the floor and along the walls in an N-shape. To achieve this, the Scuba S1 uses acceleration and inertia sensors as well as an innovative algorithm. In contrast, the robot has no app support.
Another interesting feature is the eco mode, in which the pool is automatically cleaned for 45 minutes every 48 hours. In this way, the Scuba S1 keeps the pool continuously free of dirt particles. If you look at the whole thing from a weekly perspective, the pool robot only needs to be plugged in again at the weekend. This can be useful in a rainy week, for example. This means you don’t have to do without cleaning.
Practical test
- Simple operation with just one button
- Useful cleaning modes for different purposes
- Effective for floor cleaning with difficulties when cleaning walls
The test environment
For our test, we used a round pool with a steel wall. The pool has a capacity of approx. 19,000 liters, a height of 120 cm and a diameter of 460 cm. In the practical test, we investigate whether the AIPER Scuba S1 is able to completely remove all particles from the bottom or whether isolated residues remain.
Commissioning
However, we see potential for optimization in the power supply unit supplied, which actually emits high-frequency sounds when charging the pool robot. Although this may no longer be audible at some point due to age, with the hearing of someone under 30 it is definitely perceptible and particularly annoying. You don’t even have to be particularly close to the power supply unit, it’s enough to be in the same room during the charging process.
After the first charging process, which can take up to 4 hours, the charging flap is completely closed again with the rubber cover. To start the Scuba S1, simply press and hold the power button on the side of the head. You can then choose between four modes, each of which lights up around the power button. Here you can switch between automatic mode, floor cleaning, wall cleaning and eco mode.
Now you have to be quick, because the Scuba S1 must be placed in the water within one minute. If this does not happen, the pool robot switches off automatically. Once at the bottom of the pool, the pool robot starts the cleaning process within approx. 10 seconds.
Cleaning the floor
If you look at the floor after a few cleaning passes, the result is extremely pleasing. The AIPER Scuba S1 removes all particles, from small insects to large leaves, in every pass. Even the grains of sand that are occasionally flushed back into the pool by our filter system are easily removed by the Scuba S1. The fine filter system with 180 μm helps here. Navigation is precise through the pool, in which the soil is carefully processed in rows.
The AIPER Scuba S1 leaves no untreated areas in any cleaning mode, so the pool vacuum definitely scores points in this discipline. The cleaning speed is also impressive and all in all, the Scuba S1 cuts an all-round fine figure on the floor.
Cleaning the wall
The test results for wall cleaning are again exciting. While the WYBOT C1 actually performed significantly better here in the test, but ultimately showed potential for optimization when cleaning the floor, it is exactly the opposite with the AIPER Scuba S1. It is of course worth mentioning that the test pool was backfilled with sand at the sides, so there is no full 90° wall. Nevertheless, it can happen that the pool robot has difficulties sucking itself up from the backfilled area at the sides and climbing the wall from there. At this point, the AIPER Scuba S1 turned around and did not approach the spot again.
Presumably the exact angle of approach is decisive here, as this happened occasionally at the transition from the floor to the wall. In this context, it should be noted that the pool robot got stuck on the pool ladder once in seven cleaning cycles during the test. Otherwise, the obstacle detection worked and the robot was able to free itself again in these cases. However, the cleaning performance on the wall itself was extremely good, so that all dirt from the floor to the waterline was thoroughly vacuumed away. Overall, the cleaning of the wall can therefore be described as adequate, provided it is not an exclusive pool shape.
Cleaning
- Low maintenance due to simple process
- Large filter basket for sufficient dirt particles
The cleaning process of the AIPER Scuba S1 is identical to that of other pool robots. To prevent odors from forming and to prevent stubborn dirt particles from settling in the filter basket, it is recommended to rinse the Scuba S1 completely after each pass.
To do this, the lid of the robot must be opened upwards to access the filter basket. The filter basket can be easily pulled out using the turquoise handle. To open the filter basket, the lock must first be removed by pressing the turquoise button.
The strainer can now be completely rinsed once with the garden hose and reinserted in reverse order. As a result, the maintenance effort is kept very low and leaves no room for improvement.
AIPER Scuba S1 test: Conclusion
In the test, the AIPER Scuba S1 proves to be a solid pool cleaning robot with absolute strength in floor cleaning. Wall cleaning, on the other hand, was slightly downgraded, as the test revealed minor difficulties with steep walls. Regardless of this, the AIPER Scuba S1 is characterized by its powerful technology under the hood and at the same time very simple operation. The battery life is also impressive and the eco mode for cleaning, whereby the Scuba S1 automatically cleans the pool every 48 hours, is a big plus.
The enclosed power supply unit, which produces high-frequency sounds when charging, could also be improved. This can be annoying for some people, but can be easily avoided as long as you are not in the same room. Another possible disadvantage, at least in the higher-priced sector, is the lack of remote access, which is only included in the manufacturer’s Pro model.
To summarize, the AIPER Scuba S1 offers a good price-performance ratio combined with a strong cleaning performance in the floor area. However, if you own an unusual pool shape, you may reach your limits when cleaning the walls.
AIPER Scuba S1
Design & processing
Ease of use
Cleaning performance
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
89/100
The AIPER Scuba S1 proves to be a useful pool cleaning robot with strong suction power for the floor area. Depending on the shape of the pool, however, there is room for improvement when cleaning the walls, as it is unable to overcome difficult walls in particular.
