Beatbot iSkim Review

About the Beatbot iSkim Robotic Pool Skimmer

• Price: $339 (regularly $499)
• XL Basket: 9L filter basket with a wide 29 x 270mm inlet
• Solar Powered: 24W solar panel + 10,000mAh battery for up to 28 hours of runtime
• App control: Connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to monitor, schedule, and control cleaning
• Smart Obstacle Avoidance: Sensors detect obstacles in real time
• Two cleaning modes
• Scheduled cleaning
• Size: About 21.1 x 20.1 x 8.9 inches
• Weight: 15 pounds
• Warranty: Three-year warranty

The Beatbot iSkim takes one of the most repetitive pool chores off your hands by continuously skimming leaves, bugs, pollen, and other floating debris from the surface. Its extra-large 9L filter basket and wide intake handle everything from fine particles to large leaves, so you spend less time emptying debris and more time enjoying a clean pool. Powered by a 24W solar panel and a 10,000mAh battery, the iSkim delivers up to 28 hours of runtime, even when sunlight isn't at its brightest.

Beatbot also designed the iSkim with convenience and durability in mind. Dual guided wheels help it clean along walls and into corners, while ultrasonic sensors help steer it around bigger obstacles. The companion app lets you monitor, schedule, and recall the skimmer over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and smart surface parking makes retrieval quick at the end of a cleaning cycle.

How we tested

I have an above-ground pool with trees surrounding it on two sides. I also live in a windy area, so there's usually a decent amount of surface-level debris.

I tested the Beatbot iSkim in the water for five days. First, I set up the Beatbot app. It took me a few minutes to navigate at first, but overall setup was simple, since it had a QR code right on the robot for me to scan.

Even though the machine is on the bigger side, it's lightweight and has a handle that makes it easier to move around.

Once I had the iSkim in the water, I tested some of the app's controls. There's an automatic setting that lets you set it and forget it, while the object avoidance system keeps it moving along. But you can also pull up manual controls to move the Beatbot iSkim forward, backward, left, or right—just like a remote control. These controls take a minute to get used to, but it's a convenient (and kind of fun) capability.

At the end of each day, I checked the filter to see how packed it was, and I was always surprised at how much space remained.

What we like

Performance is near excellent

The robot did a great job of cleaning up all the assorted debris in the water. I expected a fair amount of leaves, seed pods, and bugs to deal with since my pool is so close to trees and endures a lot of wind—but the iSkim handled it without issue. Over five days of testing, it worked its way methodically across the surface, and I never once had to grab the manual skimmer to catch something it missed. Even on days when the wind kicked up and blew in more debris than usual, the iSkim kept pace, and the 9L basket never came close to overflowing between checks.

The solar-powered battery

The Beatbot iSkim's built-in solar panel isn't just a nice feature—it noticeably cuts down on how often you have to think about charging the robot. It uses SolarTrack technology to optimize the available sunlight. During testing, it stayed well charged throughout.

The app was particularly useful

The companion app ended up being more useful than expected. It lets you check the skimmer's status, start or schedule cleanings, and even call it back to the pool's edge when you're ready to take it out. Instead of hunting around the pool, you can retrieve it with just a tap. That might seem like a small convenience, but it makes the iSkim feel like a thoughtfully designed smart pool device.

What we don't like

It doesn't come with a plug-in charger

The iSkim is designed to rely primarily on solar charging, which works well for day-to-day use. That said, we would have liked the option to plug it in for a quick recharge. It's not a dealbreaker, but having a backup charging method would add flexibility. The charger is sold separately on the site.

Warranty

The Beatbot iSkim Robotic Skimmer comes with a three-year warranty. According to a customer service specialist, the three-year warranty covers the whole machine. Beatbot's policy is a "full replacement" warranty—if something goes wrong due to a manufacturing defect, the company replaces the entire unit rather than repairing it.

Should you buy the Beatbot iSkim?

Yes, especially if you have a larger pool and/or physical limitations

Anyone with a medium-sized or large pool who wants to save time on pool care and maximize swim or hang time could really enjoy having the Beatbot iSkim (available at Walmart for $499.00) do the heavy lifting. It's also an ideal choice for someone who has a hard time with the physical act of using a manual skimmer.