The Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 is the manufacturer’s first pool robot. Ecovacs has so far been known as a provider of vacuum and mopping robots – with the Ultramarine P1, the company is now venturing into the water. For just under 550 euros, the cordless robot competes against rivals, some of which cost more than three times as much. We put the Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 through its paces to find out whether it is a successful entry into pool cleaning.
Technical data & scope of delivery
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Suction capacity | up to 18,200 l/h |
| Rechargeable battery | 5,200 mAh |
| Running time | up to 3 h (Eco mode) |
| Charging time | up to 4 h |
| Cleaning area | up to 180 m² |
| Filters | Double layer: 180 µm outer mesh + 3 µm inner filter |
| Filter basket | 4 liter capacity |
| Navigation | SmartNavi (IMU sensor) |
| Brushes | 4 independent brush rollers |
| Motors | 2 drive motors + 1 pump motor |
| Obstacles | up to 5.5 cm high |
| Noise level | up to 60 dB |
| Pool surfaces | Concrete, vinyl, fiberglass, tiles |
| Protection class | IP68 |
| weight | approx. 10.5 kg |
| RRP | 549 Euro |
The scope of delivery is surprisingly positive: in addition to the robot and the power supply unit, the package includes a retrieving hook and – not a matter of course in this price range – a set of replacement roller brushes and climbing rings. Anyone who has to buy expensive accessories will appreciate this. A separate pool pole is not included, but any standard landing net pole will fit on the hook.
The filter basket with a capacity of 4 liters is generously sized for most garden pools. During a normal cleaning run, you don’t have to stop to empty it – this keeps the effort to a minimum.
Design & processing
The Ultramarine P1 makes a solid impression as soon as you touch it. The plastic housing is torsion-resistant, the gaps are even and the workmanship is on a par with that of Ecovacs’ robotic vacuum cleaners. For a device that works permanently under water, IP68 certification is mandatory – and the P1 meets this expectation.
The weight of around 10.5 kilograms is double-edged: it is not a problem when inserting it into the pool, but when removing it – especially if there is still water in the device – strength is required. The included return hook cleverly solves the problem, as it allows you to pull the robot in without having to reach over the edge of the pool yourself.
The 4-liter filter basket can be removed from above without having to open the appliance. Simply hold it under the garden hose, insert it and you’re done. The filter materials are durable and can be used for several seasons as long as they are cleaned regularly.
Particularly relevant for many pool owners: according to the manufacturer, the Ultramarine P1 is suitable for saltwater pools. This is not standard for inexpensive pool robots and makes the device significantly more versatile.
Practical test: Cleaning performance in the pool
The core task of a pool robot: keeping the floor clean. The Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 tackles this with a suction power of 18,200 liters per hour and a double-layer filter system. The 180 micron outer net holds back coarse dirt, while the 3 micron inner filter – included in the scope of delivery – also captures finer particles.
Coarse dirt is the strength of the appliance. Leaves, sand, small twigs and insects reliably disappear into the filter basket. After a complete cycle, the difference is clearly visible on a light-colored pool floor – the P1 completes this task without discussion.
With fine dirt it becomes more differentiated. Pollen, very fine sand or dust are partially absorbed, but sometimes remain as a light film. If you operate a pool in a pollen-intensive environment or have a lot of trees nearby, you should expect a second run or have it cleaned more often.
Important to know before you buy: The Ultramarine P1 does not clean stairs – it can climb them, but it cannot clean the step surfaces. It is also not designed for areas with a water depth of less than 50 centimetres. Floor drains with a diameter of more than 5.3 centimeters should be covered so that the robot does not get stuck. The water surface – floating leaves, pollen on the water surface – is not a working area for the P1; you still need the landing net for this.
Navigation: SmartNavi in a practical test
Ecovacs brings its years of experience with IMU-based navigation from the robot vacuum sector to the water. The SmartNavi system works according to a recognizable pattern: On the floor, the P1 moves in S-shaped paths, on the walls and waterline in V-shaped patterns. This results in more systematic coverage than with cheaper pool robots, which simply navigate randomly through the pool.
This works well on straight surfaces and in rectangular pools. In corners, at transitions and in more complex pool geometries, the system shows its limits – here the robot sometimes needs several attempts to cover the area completely. The pool shape can be roughly configured in the app so that the P1 can better adapt its path. This improves the result, but does not completely solve the problem in very irregular pools.
A nice detail: After the cleaning cycle, the robot automatically parks itself in a predefined position. So you don’t have to guess where it is in the pool – it waits at a known point, which makes removal much more convenient.
The additional wheel helps to overcome obstacles up to 5.5 centimetres high – transitions and small steps in the pool are no problem.
Operation, app & cleaning modes
The initial setup is straightforward. Scan the QR code, connect the app, configure the pool shape and use it – it’s done in under 20 minutes. If you don’t want to use an app, simply start the robot by pressing a button on the device.
There are three cleaning modeson the device: floor only, walls and waterline only, or full mode for both. This is perfectly adequate for everyday use.
There are two practical additional functionsin the app. Eco mode extends the running time at the expense of the suction power – useful if the pool is not very dirty. The weekly timer is the really interesting feature: once set up, the P1 starts automatically on set days. Anyone who wants to maintain the pool permanently without having to think about it every day will appreciate this function.
One technical feature you should know: The Bluetooth connection between the app and the robot only works as long as the P1 is on the water surface. No connection is possible under water – status queries or interventions during operation are not possible. This is common for wireless pool robots in this category, but you should be aware of it.
Two minor points that are missing: There is no battery indicator on the device itself – you have to rely on the app or guess. And a docking station is not included. After the cleaning run, you pull the robot out and connect it to the power supply manually.
Battery & runtime
According to the manufacturer, the 5,200 mAh battery provides up to 3 hours of runtime in eco mode. In practice, this means that the P1 can easily complete a full cleaning cycle with typical garden pools up to around 60 square meters – without a break, without recharging. For larger pools, it is best to plan two charging cycles or use the weekly timer to divide the charge over several days.
The charging time is up to 4 hours. If you connect the robot to the power supply immediately after use, it will be fully charged again the next day. There is no automatic charging process as with vacuum robots with a docking station – this is generally the case with pool robots.
Cordless operation is a real advantage in everyday pool use. No cables getting twisted in the water or tangled up in the pump, no retrieval problems, no restricted freedom of movement for the robot.
Noise level & everyday use
At up to 60 decibels, the Ultramarine P1 is audible during operation – roughly at the level of a normal conversation. Anyone running the robot while friends or family are sitting by the pool will hear it. It’s not annoying, but it’s there. For unattended operation via the weekly timer – early in the morning or in the evening, for example – the level is irrelevant.
Price-performance ratio
With a retail price of 549 euros (RRP, price at the time of testing), the Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 is clearly positioned in the affordable mid-range of the pool robot market. Simple entry-level models start at around 150 euros – but offer neither structured navigation nor reliable wall cleaning. The top-of-the-range models from Maytronics, Beatbot and other manufacturers cost between 800 and over 2,000 euros and offer much more sophisticated navigation, surface cleaning and AI functions.
The P1 strikes a reasonable compromise: it is more than a simple floor vacuum cleaner, but not a fully-fledged professional robot. It is just right for rectangular or oval standard pools up to around 60 square meters. If you have a pool with lots of steps, seating areas, underwater lighting or complex shapes, the P1 will reach its limits and you should plan for a higher budget.
Conclusion
The Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 is a successful entry into a market that is new to the manufacturer. Ecovacs consistently transfers the strengths from the robot vacuum sector – structured navigation, sophisticated app integration, simple operation – to the pool sector. The result is a device that works reliably for the typical garden pool, requires little effort and remains significantly cheaper than most serious competitors.
The weaknesses are clearly identifiable: fine dirt occasionally requires a second pass, navigation needs improvement in corners and with complex pool geometry, and anyone who wants to know what the robot is doing under water will wait in vain. However, these are not knock-out criteria for the target group.
The Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 is one of the best options in this price range for anyone with a simple garden or in-ground pool with a clear geometry and up to around 60 square meters. Weekly timer, saltwater compatibility and the solid scope of delivery complete the package.
PROS
- Comprehensive accessories including replacement brushes and climbing rings
- Large 4-liter filter basket requires no intermediate emptying
- Excellent cleaning of coarse debris, leaves, and sand
- SmartNavi navigation with systematic S- and V-shaped patterns
- Automatic parking function at predefined location
CONS
- Fine debris such as pollen partially remains
- Does not clean stairs, only climbs over them
- Struggles with corners and complex pool geometries
- Not suitable for water depths under 50 centimeters
- Does not clean water surface
Conclusion
The Ecovacs Ultramarine P1 excels at handling coarse debris and offers solid value for money at $549. If you're looking for a straightforward pool cleaner for standard pools, this is a great choice.
