Robots are infiltrating our homes; most of them don’t talk, and they are quietly getting on with jobs we don’t want to do. In fact, most who own a robot probably don’t think of themselves owning a robot; rather, they have an appliance that just does a job. One such job is skimming the leaves off the pool surface with a pole and a net. We love our trees, and we love our pools. Is the Aiper Surfer S2 the answer to this harmony?
Table of contents
- Why scoop when you can robot skim?
- Aiper Surfer S2 features
- Specifications and price
- Using the Aiper Surfer S2
- Who is the Aiper Surfer S2 for?
Why scoop when you can robot skim?
When leaves fall off a tree and blow into your pool, they will float on the surface of the water. These leaves will float for a while before becoming waterlogged and sinking to the bottom of the pool. The leaves are joined by bugs and potentially a piece of rubbish.
Removing them traditionally is a manual job using a long pole with a specially shaped net. A floating robot skimmer can now automate this task by navigating around your pool surface and capturing the leaves in a litter bin, with the only manual task remaining being to empty the leaves out of the bin periodically.
Aiper Surfer S2 features
The Aiper Surfer S2 is a solar-powered floating robot skimmer that removes leaves from the surface of your pool.
In the box, you will find the Surfer and a battery charger. The Surfer is designed to run off solar, and a fully charged battery will last for up to 35 hours. If the pool has enough sunlight, you should never have to charge the unit. The Surfer is also clever enough to find the sun to recharge if the battery is running low.
Three power-efficient brushless motors will navigate the skimmer around your pool, no matter the shape. Wheels and adjustable legs help prevent the Surfer from becoming stranded in a shallow section or stuck in a corner. Optical sensors also keep an eye out and, by using the motors, avoid obstacles. They also detect floating objects on the pool surface, such as the owner lying on a Lilo as they relax, not having to do this chore anymore.
The leaf litter is sucked into the front of the unit and trapped by a fine mesh similar to the old method scoop. Once the four-litre basket gets full, you simply remove it and empty the contents. The mesh is fine enough to collect dust and hair, ensuring there is no fine scum on the surface.
Three-inch chlorine tablets can be inserted into the Surfer, allowing an additional maintenance step in the chlorination of your pool.
The unit can run 24/7, but you can also set it to a schedule via the app, which makes more sense. A one-button start/stop also makes it easy to stop the unit if you want a swim or start it if an extra clean is needed. For the show-offs, you can even use the app to manually control the unit like a remote control boat.
Aiper products are built to withstand salt, chlorine and sunshine, which, combined with a two-year warranty, will give you peace of mind.
Aiper Surfer S2 specifications and price
| Obstacle avoidance | Optical Sensors |
| Battery Life | 35 hours |
| Basket capacity | 4 Litres with 150μm Fine Filter Mesh |
| Dimensions | 54 x 41 x 20 cm 5.7kg |
| Price (RRP) | $699 |
| Website | Aiper Australia |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Using the Aiper Surfer S2
I tested this device in my friend Bernard’s pool. To quote his words, this product is a game-changer. Previously, before swimming in the pool, the surface had to be scooped. Now, the pool is ready when you are.
Bernard made the following comments:
“My pool is located in a really great backyard with lots of large deciduous shade trees that provide great shade in summer and let sunlight through in winter. The big downside is the amount of leaf litter, pollen, and bark that continuously falls into the pool.”
“For years, I’ve been scooping this debris off the surface of the pool every time someone wants to go for a swim, or to avoid the buildup that inevitably sinks to the bottom, clogs the suction cleaner, and simply transfers the organic material into my cartridge filter.”
“This, of course, creates another two phases of cleaning the bottom of the pool and the filter.”
“The Surfer S2 has virtually eliminated this problem.”
“The other issue is the buildup of phosphates from all this organic matter. I have spent a fortune on chemicals over the years to remove phosphates that promote algal growth, make the water cloudy, and increase chemical costs due to chlorine loss.”
“The Surfer is fantastic, combined with the robot cleaner. Instead of the suction cleaner, it has virtually eliminated the continuous circulation of phosphate, thereby preventing the formation of organic material in the filtering system.”
“I love the solar-powered element, which means that I haven’t really had to recharge. It’s an amazing time saver.”
“Being able to schedule cleaning when it is most likely to have leaf and other material on the surface, like later in the afternoon when the breeze comes up, is great, and being able to pop on using the app when the wind blows litter from the trees is so convenient.”
“The leaf-catching cassette is the right size, though I imagine it will need emptying more often as I get closer to autumn. At the moment, in summer, it isn’t that frequent and coincides with when we go swimming.”
“The unit is lightweight and really very simple to handle and operate.”
“The app is simple and clear; the battery charge status is reassuring.”
“I haven’t picked up the cleaning net since the Surfer started doing its job. It’s been an amazing time-saver, and when we get in the pool, the surface is crystal clear, with no dust, pollen, leaves, or bark. It makes getting into the pool a pleasure without having to do the work before you enjoy it.”
“Two improvements Aiper should consider are a sensor to detect when the basket is full, which reminds you to do any remaining maintenance, like emptying the basket. Also, most Australian pools have a lip (tile) that slightly protrudes over the water to help keep the water in when you dive in. Even with its side wheels, the Surfer tends to scratch the tile lip. The result is scratches on the Surfer’s plastic body.”
“Although the Sufer has obstacle avoidance, it is probably best to disable the device when the pool is in use, especially with children.”
“If you are considering the robot route for pool maintenance, this robotic skimmer is a great introduction before you commit to a more expensive pool floor/wall cleaner robot.”
Who is the Aiper Surfer S2 for?
If you own a pool, the Aiper Surfer S2 will pay for itself many times over by saving you from one of the biggest chores associated with it. Assuming your pool gets sun, the Surfer is self-powered via solar and only needs the leaf basket emptied.
Watch out for specials on the Aiper website or buy as a robot bundle, and you will have a litter-free pool ready to dive in anytime you want a swim.
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