Beatbot Sora 70 Robot Pool Cleaner Review

About the Beatbot Sora 70

• Suction Power: 6,800 gallons per hour
• Debris Capacity: 6 liters
• Runtime: Up to 5 hours (floor cleaning, Eco mode) and up to 7 hours (surface cleaning)
• Pool Size Coverage: Up to 3,230 square feet
• Weight: 22.9 pounds

When you live in Southern California, having a swimming pool is practically a requirement. Temperatures rarely dip below 65 degrees Fahrenheit and often climb into the 95-degree to 100-degree range. While I love having a pool to cool off in, maintaining it is a real PITA. Our pool service recently quit, so we've been handling the weekly upkeep ourselves, and the Sora 70 has been a godsend. It's much more portable than the AquaSense 2 Ultra, thanks to its lighter weight; it charges with a simple power cord, and it effectively vacuums the walls, floor, and surface of our pool, sparing me from paying my kids to do a less-than-satisfactory job with the pool brush.

How we tested

Unsurprisingly, losing our pool service meant our pool wasn't looking its best. It's located beneath a large ficus tree that drops an endless supply of seed pods into the water. Add in a slightly slimy floor and walls (yes, we need to adjust the chemicals), and the Sora 70 had its work cut out. I let the robot loose in our dirty pool several times over the course of a month to see how well it handled the mess.

What we like

It doesn't weigh a ton

One of my biggest complaints about previous pool-cleaning robots is how incredibly heavy they are. Transporting them from our deck, where the outlet is located, to the pool was a chore. Last summer, I threw out my back doing it. The Sora 70 weighs significantly less—22.9 pounds versus roughly 29 pounds—so carrying it to and from the pool is much easier. It's even light enough that my teenager can move it with minimal complaining.

There's no bulky charging station

Call me shallow, but aesthetics matter, and having a bulky gray charging dock permanently sitting on my deck was a real buzzkill. It also wasn't always easy to position the AquaSense correctly so it would actually charge. The Sora 70 uses a simple charging cord that plugs directly into the back of the robot. It takes up little space, is easy to store, and, best of all, charges reliably every time.

It cleans well

The Sora 70 consistently cleaned more effectively than other pool robots I've tested. It thoroughly vacuumed the floor and walls of my pool, and it even cleaned the steps and Baja shelf without any issues. It didn't pick up every single leaf or seed pod, but it made a significant difference in the pool's overall cleanliness.

What we don't like

It can't match up to the cleaning done by a human

Robots may eventually take over the world, but they can't replace humans just yet. The Sora 70 makes cleaning your pool easier, but it's not quite as thorough as a person manually vacuuming the pool and spotting every last piece of debris. During my testing, it never removed every single leaf or seed pod the way a professional would. That said, most people don't have a pool service coming every day. If your pool regularly collects leaves, pollen, or other debris—whether because it's uncovered, located beneath trees, or simply exposed to the elements—the Sora 70 can run daily and help keep your pool consistently clean.

It loses connection under the water

My biggest complaint with every pool-cleaning robot I've tested is that they lose connection to their companion apps once they're underwater. I'd love to monitor the Sora 70 in real time rather than waiting until it resurfaces after a cleaning cycle. There's another drawback: if the battery dies before you retrieve it, the robot settles to the bottom of the pool. Since it no longer has power, you can't recall it through the app, so you'll need to use a pool pole with a hook to fish it out. And because it's full of water, it's noticeably heavier to lift.

Beatbot Sora 70 vs. Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra

The Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra is the brand's flagship model and the premium pick compared to the Sora 70. It has advanced capabilities such as AI navigation, longer battery runtime, greater range, and a water-clarification feature that the Sora lacks—but at more than double the price. Conversely, the Sora 70 covers nearly the same square footage and the same four cleaning zones for just $1,200 to $1,500. It also boasts strong shallow-water/tanning-ledge cleaning and a high flow rate, making it the far better value unless you specifically want the AI smarts, extended battery, or water clarification.

If your pool is under 3,200 square feet and you don't need the AI/clarification extras, we think the Sora 70 gets you most of the way for far less of an investment. Go for the AquaSense 2 Ultra for a large pool where you want the longest runtime and hands-off intelligence.

Warranty

The Beatbot Sora 70 is backed by a three-year limited warranty, which is longer than that of many robotic pool cleaners. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Should you buy the Beatbot Sora 70?

Yes, if your pool is under 3,200 square feet, and you don't need extras like AI and water clarification

The Sora 70 (available at Amazon for $1,149.00) is a great option for anyone who wants to keep their pool clean between professional service visits or for homeowners handling pool maintenance themselves. It's lightweight, easy to charge, and does an excellent job removing leaves, dirt, and other debris while also scrubbing buildup from the pool's walls, floor, steps, and Baja shelf. While it loses connection underwater, this happens across pool robot makes and brands and is therefore not unique to the Sora 70. For what it offers, the Sora 70 is an absolutely excellent value.

If you're unsure this model will work for you or just want to check out the competition, read our guide to the best pool-cleaning robots around.