Robotic Pool Cleaner Charging Dock: What to Check

What a charging dock is on a cordless listing

A cordless robotic pool cleaner carries its own battery, so it needs to recharge after a cleaning cycle. The charging dock is the base that the robot sits on while its battery recharges. On a listing, the dock may appear as its own item, as part of a bundle with a caddy, or not at all, and the title may print words such as "charging dock" or "charger included."

The dock is a listing item, not a specification. The bullet list on the listing describes what comes in the box: a dock, a cable, or a caddy with a built-in charger. Some cordless robots charge through a cable that plugs directly into the robot instead of a base. Read the bullets to see which type the model ships with, and compare the same model's two listings when one includes a caddy and the other does not.

Dock types printed on a listing

A contact dock is a flat base with metal contacts that line up with the robot's underside. This type appears on cordless models whose listing says the robot returns to the dock after a cycle; read that claim as the seller's own wording.

A cable charge has no base. A cable plugs into a port on the robot, and the cable runs to a power supply that the user sets out of the water. The listing may call this "charger included" or "power supply included."

A caddy dock combines the charger with a wheeled cart that holds the robot when it is out of the pool. Bundle listings pair the robot with the caddy, and the same model may be listed twice: once with the cart and once without it.

Which dock fits which robot

A charging dock is model-specific. A dock made for one robot is not described as working with another unless the maker states it. When a listing sells a dock beside a robot, it is usually an accessory for that model.

If a listing does not state how the robot charges, that detail is missing. "Not stated by the seller" means the item is absent from the listing. In that case, ask the maker directly which dock or cable the model uses before you buy.

For a cordless model, the battery type affects how the dock charges. See the article on removable versus built-in batteries for what the listing words mean.

Replacement docks and cables come from the maker. The warranty is a document on the maker's page; read it for how the maker words battery and charger coverage. Industry groups such as the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance develop national consensus standards for pool equipment, and the PHTA page explains what those standards cover.

Placing the dock as the manual describes

The maker's manual describes where the dock goes. In general terms, the manual places the dock on a level surface out of the water, near a power outlet, in a spot that stays dry between uses. The manual also describes how to store the dock off season.

Follow the maker's manual for any electrical connection, and ask a licensed electrician about your outlets; the UL Solutions page describes what a safety mark on a power supply means.

Keep the dock and any caddy in a dry place. The article on storing a robotic pool cleaner explains how the manual describes keeping the robot between uses and over the winter.

When the battery reaches the end of its useful life, the EPA recommends taking lithium-ion batteries to a separate collection point rather than putting them in trash or recycling bins; see the EPA page on used lithium-ion batteries for handling steps.

Dock care at the end of the season

At the end of the pool season, the manual describes how to store the dock and the robot. Keep the dock dry and off the ground, and read the article on storing a robotic pool cleaner for what the manual describes.

If the listing also claims wall climbing, the guide to cordless wall climbing robots explains which listings combine a dock with wall-climbing words.

Checklist before you buy a cordless robot

Walk through this list with two or three cordless listings side by side. The guide to cordless robotic pool cleaners compares them on stated details and points to the right tier for a first pool, an above ground pool, or a holiday home.

Run through each point, and when the listing leaves a detail out, write it down and ask the maker before you order.

• Does the title say cordless? That word tells you the robot carries a battery and needs to be carried to a charging spot.
• Does the listing include a dock, a cable, or neither? "Not stated by the seller" means ask the maker.
• Is the battery removable or built-in? See the article on removable versus built-in batteries for what the listing words mean.
• Does the listing say the robot returns to the dock after a cycle? Read that as the seller's claim, not a measure of how a model behaves.
• Where will the robot charge? The manual describes the dock's spot, and a deck without an outlet near the water is a shopping question, not a fault.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Does every cordless robotic pool cleaner come with a charging dock?

No. Some cordless models charge through a cable that plugs into the robot, and some include a dock. Read the listing's bullet list for what is inside the box.

Can you use a charging dock from another model?

Only if the maker states compatibility. A dock is model-specific, so ask the maker before buying a separate dock.

Where should you place the charging dock?

The maker's manual describes placement. In general terms, the dock goes on a level surface out of the water, near a power outlet, in a spot that stays dry.

Can the charging dock stay outside between uses?

The maker's manual describes storage. Keep the dock and any caddy dry between uses, and follow the manual for off season storage.

What does "not stated by the seller" mean on a charging detail?

It means the listing does not print that item or figure. Ask the maker for the missing detail before you buy.