So here’s the thing about the Aiper Surfer S2 robotic pool skimmer - it looks pretty slick with that gold trim, and after weeks of testing, the cleaning performance actually backs up those good looks. But after testing all of the top pool skimmers, diving deep into each, is the Aiper Surfer S2 the best one for your pool?
The S2 delivers where it matters most - keeping your pool surface clean. But there are some head-scratching design decisions and a few concerning reliability patterns from Aiper that keep it from being the obvious choice in this price range.
Hey guys, I’m Ryan with ActuallyUsed. And I was skeptical about these robotic skimmers at first. I mean, why spend hundreds when a $20 net does the job? But after testing several models, a solar powered pool skimmer is a must-have for any pool owner.
The Good News: It Actually Cleans
Let’s start with what the S2 does right - cleaning. The filter captures stuff you didn’t know was floating around. Maple helicopters, small leaves, pet hair - it picks up most debris reliably.
The edge-cleaning capability actually works too. It extends its pattern to grab debris stuck at the waterline, getting about 85-90% of edge debris compared to random-pattern skimmers. The three brushless motors provide solid suction power, and the DebrisGuard anti-leak design keeps collected debris contained.
But here’s where things get weird.
Design Decisions That Make No Sense
Aiper made some puzzling choices. They made the S2 bigger and bulkier than the sleek S1, but somehow shrunk the filter basket from 5 liters to 4 liters. That’s a 20% capacity reduction for a larger device. They shrunk the opening from 9” to 8” too. You would think this would have been the first generation and the S1 been the 2nd generation with some of Aiper’s design choices.
The S2 is also noticeably slow compared to other robotic skimmers when it is cleaning. What should take 2-3 hours stretches to 4-5 hours for the same area. It gets the job done, but you’ll be watching it crawl around your pool like it’s stuck in molasses. Other cleaners look as they are running laps over the Aiper Surfer S2.
The Chlorine Dispenser
Here’s where Aiper completely lost the plot. The built-in chlorine dispenser is kind of stupid in my opinion - you’re mixing an electronic device with corrosive chemicals. Looking at the manual, chlorine tablets dissolve directly into the filter system, meaning chlorinated water flows through the cleaner constantly.
It just doesn’t make sense. I don’t want my skimmer around corrosive chemicals that can wear away the nice plastic shell.
Want to add chlorine? I’d use a proper dispenser designed for chemicals, not your expensive electronics.
What the Manual Reveals (That Marketing Doesn’t)
Digging into the user manual reveals some inconvenient truths:
Pool Compatibility: Explicitly “not recommended for glass or infinity pools.” That’s buried in fine print. Compared to some other cleaners, like the Dolphin Skimmi, they can handle infinity pools.
The “24/7” Cleaning: When battery gets low, the device operates “intermittently” and may shut down completely, waiting for sunlight to return. Not exactly the always-on experience I was expecting.
Navigation: Smart Features, Dumb Execution
The SolarSeeker technology genuinely works - it finds sunny spots for charging. The dual optical sensors handle obstacle avoidance reasonably well. But the overall navigation has some genuinely problematic behaviors.
When large debris lands on top (leaves, twigs), the S2 gets confused and starts cycling forward-reverse-forward-reverse instead of continuing its cleaning pattern.
The device also develops favorites - repeatedly cleaning the same spots while ignoring debris in other areas.
The Anti-Stranding Bar Reality
The manual devotes quite a bit of attention to what it calls “adjustable anti-stranding bars.” But let’s be real—this isn’t some advanced navigation system. It’s just a plastic flap that drops down to help the robot bump over obstacles instead of getting stuck. You manually tweak it until it sort of works. It’s less about smart avoidance and more about brute-force trial and error.
The Smartphone App
The Aiper app surprised me with its functionality. Setup is straightforward - you can connect via Bluetooth or scan a QR code on the device. Once paired, you get more control than I expected.
Remote Control Mode lets you manually pilot the S2 around the pool, which is useful for targeted cleaning or getting it back to the edge when needed. The controls are responsive and intuitive.
Real-time monitoring shows battery levels, cleaning status, and even sends clogging alerts when the filter needs attention. You can track cleaning patterns and see which areas have been covered, which helps identify those navigation quirks I mentioned.
Scheduling works reliably - you can set cleaning cycles and the S2 will stick to them (assuming adequate solar power). The app also provides performance insights over time, showing how much debris was collected and battery usage patterns.
The interface is clean and doesn’t feel like an afterthought, which is refreshing. You can switch between Auto Mode and manual control seamlessly.
Battery Life
Credit where due - 35+ hours of battery life is impressive. In good sun, this thing can run for weeks without manual charging. The 15-minute solar boost claim is actually conservative.
But “ample sunlight” is subjective. Partly cloudy gets you 20-25 hours, overcast drops to 15-18 hours, and shaded pools need regular DC charging.
Aiper Recalls
While this does not affect the Surfer S2, there is something I want to share to my viewers to make them aware for their safety. Aiper has been the subject of multiple official safety recalls, with concerns centered around fire hazards and product defects affecting tens of thousands of robotic pool cleaners they produced. These recalls, issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), highlight serious issues involving the safety of certain cordless robotic pool cleaners.
In August 2023, the CPSC announced a recall of the Aiper Elite Pro after reports that the battery could overheat and pose a fire or burn hazard—particularly if the charging cable was misaligned or improperly inserted. The recall affected more than 22,000 units sold in the U.S., along with additional units in Canada and Mexico. At least 17 incidents of overheating were reported, including one involving a minor burn injury.
Less than two years later, in March 2025, Aiper faced another major recall—this time involving approximately 32,660 Seagull Pro units sold in the United States. According to the CPSC, the issue stemmed from the high-current power adapter, which could allegedly overheat during charging. Nineteen incidents were reported, five of which included property damage from melting or smoking units. Although no injuries were reported in this case, the potential fire risk led to an immediate stop-use warning and recall notice.
I do want to mention that the Aiper Surfer S2 itself has not been recalled, and there are no safety notices specific to this model.
While it wasn’t related to the Aiper Surfer S2, they both have batteries, so I wanted to share as there isn’t a ton of info online.
Comparing the Aiper Surfer S2
While the Aiper Surfer S2 delivers solid cleaning performance and impressive battery life, its fundamental design flaws and reliability concerns make it hard to recommend over some of the more powerful skimmers.
The S2’s cleaning speed—taking 4-5 hours for what competitors accomplish in 2-3 hours—is a deal-breaker for most pool owners who want efficient maintenance. When you’re paying premium prices for automated pool cleaning, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice half your day waiting for the job to finish.
The Dolphin Skimmi stands out as the superior choice, especially for owners of infinity pools that Aiper explicitly can’t handle. Its navigation system avoids the S2’s quirky behaviors like getting confused by debris or obsessively cleaning the same spots while ignoring others. The Betta SE similarly offers more reliable performance without the backwards engineering decisions that plague the S2, like shrinking the filter capacity despite increasing device size.
Most importantly, both alternatives avoid Aiper’s troubling pattern of safety recalls that have affected over 50,000 units in recent years. While these recalls didn’t directly involve the S2, the quality control issues with fire and burn risk really stuck with me while testing this cleaner.
Would I Buy It Again?
No, I wouldn’t buy the Aiper Surfer S2 or recommend you do either. There are just simply better options out there right now.
The Aiper Surfer S2 represents a frustrating case of a product that gets some things right while not really improving upon the original S1.
I felt that the cleaning performance is solid, the app functionality is impressive, and the solar charging delivers a solid runtime. These positives show that Aiper has the technical capability to build a competitive robotic skimmer.
However, the S2’s critical flaws—slow cleaning speed, questionable design decisions, and the company’s safety track record—outweigh its strengths. Pool maintenance should be convenient and reliable, not a test of patience while you watch your skimmer craw. The unnecessary chlorine dispenser and reduced filter capacity suggest a company more focused on marketing features than practical engineering. Everything here is based on my own hands-on testing and experience, and your experience may be different – but this is how I felt after using it.
For most pool owners, spending a bit more on the Dolphin Skimmi or Betta SE is money well spent for the peace of mind, better cleaning efficiency, and more thoughtful design. The S2 might look appealing with its gold trim and solar technology, but in pool maintenance, consistent performance and reliability trump flashy aesthetics every time. Save yourself the frustration and go with a proven performer instead.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll catch you on the next one!
