It’s summertime, the sun is out, the family is enjoying the pool, and you can’t wait to start skimming it, right? There’s nothing more enjoyable than taking your skimmer and scooping up those nasty wet leaves and sticks. It’s perfectly satisfying.
Okay, so maybe this is true for a select few, but for most of us, skimming is not something we look forward to doing. Even if you have a great pool cleaner, chances are good that you’ll have to skim your pool to remove leaves, twigs, or floating bugs.
You’ll spend even more time performing this task if your pool is close to large trees or you reside in an area with lots of wind. Plus, a lot of pool skimmers which are pump-driven don’t do a thorough job. That means you’re either doing it yourself or paying someone else to do it.
But what if there were a mobile, solar-powered option on the market? A Roomba on the water, so to speak? It would skim your pool whenever you needed it, doesn’t cost you anything after initial purchase, and works around the clock? Plus, it’s powered by the sun!
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Solar Breeze Robotic Pool Skimmer
The Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer is the solution to your problems. This pool skimmer is powered by the sun and roams the high seas of your pool, skimming as it goes. With this device, you can wave good-bye to hair, leaves, bugs, and other debris that likes to float on top of the water in your pool.
This skimmer captures and removes debris before it has a chance to sink to the bottom of your pool, where it’s harder to reach and get rid of. The Solar Breeze offers many features, some of which include a long-lasting battery and a small amount of drag as it moves throughout your pool. As a result, the Solar Breeze pool skimmer will last all day long and into the dark if you need it to.
Features
Here are some of the features you’ll experience when using the Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer:
- No cables required as the robot is 100% solar powered
- Skims the surface of your pool and removes floating debris
- Sanitizes your pool as it skims with an integrated chlorine dispenser
- Only has one button, so it’s easy to operate
- Internal lithium-ion battery charges during the day so the device will work at night
- Poly-carbonate shell is UV resistant so it doesn’t crack or wear down in the sunlight
- Works for both above-ground and in-ground pools
- Includes an onboard navigation computer
Operation Both Day and Night
The Solar Breeze pool skimmer gets its power entirely from the sun, however, it can clean well into the night as well. Throughout the day, the skimmer runs on solar power. When the sun goes down, it switches over to its built-in 5300 mAh lithium-ion battery. It does this automatically, so you don’t have to mess with changing any settings.
If your pool has any areas in the shade, the Solar Breeze will switch over to battery for the time being so it doesn’t get stuck when it loses sunlight. On days where cloud cover persists, the skimmer may revert to sleep-mode. This allows the device to charge up its battery. When it is adequately charged, it will resume its current cleaning cycle. Keep this in mind if you live in an area where clouds are a regular part of the weather.
When it comes to skimming your pool, you want a unit that has a plan, not one that’s going to wander around aimlessly. Fortunately, the Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer includes a built-in smart navigation computer system which means it will clean your pool in an efficient manner.
For example, you might discover that your skimmer spends a lot of time around the edge of your pool. No, this isn’t a faulty device. The truth is that most debris collects naturally toward the walls of the pool. The pool skimmer manufacturer knows this and makes the necessary adjustments.
If the pool skimmer runs into any obstacles or obstructions, it will automatically change direction with its powered bumper wheels. It the unit is unable to make its ways around the barrier, it will simply back up and move away from the obstruction. This helps to ensure that the skimmer continues to do its job with minimal interaction on your part.
Debris Collection and Propulsion
The Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer users a rear paddle wheel to propel itself along as it cleans. A second paddle wheel is situated at the front of the unit, which picks up dirt and debris and deposits it into its mesh filter. It stays there until you pull the filter out and empty it. You can count on your Solar Breeze skimmer to collect debris and contaminants like twigs, leaves, dust, pollen, and bugs.
Filter Tray Maintenance
Emptying out the filter tray on the skimmer is straightforward and simple. The first thing you need to do is turn off the skimmer, which you can do by using the switch located on top of the device. If the skimmer is in the pool, lift it out.
At 12 pounds it’s not overly heavy, but it can be difficult to remove it from the pool. Once you have it out of the pool, remove the filter tray and dump it into the trash. Insert it back into the skimmer, place it in the pool, and turn it back on so it can get back to work.
If you want to clean it out, remove the tray, wash it out with soap and water, then lay it in the sun to dry out. Now you can be sure that you’ve completely removed any debris or dirt that may have collected in the filter. When it’s dry, just pop it back in and turn the skimmer on.
Sanitizer
The Solar Breeze robotic pool cleaner has a built-in dispenser that distributes chlorine throughout your pool as it cleans. One advantage of this feature is that it will be chlorinating your pool all day long, which means you don’t have to worry about running your pool pump as much as you usually would.
To get started with the sanitizing feature of the Solar Breeze, put two chlorine tablets into its dispenser tray. That’s it. Now just use the device as you normally would.
Easy to Use
Even if you have a hard time with technology, the Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer is simple and easy to use. All you need to do to get started is find the switch on top of the unit. Turn it on, place it in your pool, and let it go to work. That’s it. There are no complicated instructions or programming requirements. You don’t have to mess with any timers or apps. It’s really that simple.
Warranty
Unfortunately, the Solar-Breeze only offers a 1-year warranty. Most robotic pool skimmers offer a 2 or 3-year warranty, so it’s disappointing that this device doesn’t offer the same, especially considering how much it costs.
Pros and Cons
While the Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer is a great device that will keep the surface of your pool clean, it does have a few drawbacks as well. Here’s our rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of this pool skimmer.
Pros
- Does an excellent job of cleaning the surface of the pool
- Environmentally friendly
- Safe and easy to use
- Comes with built-in chlorine dispenser
- Built-in lithium-ion battery allows the skimmer to work at night
- No cables or cords needed
Cons
- Doesn’t work as well on days that are cloudy or when cleaning areas covered in shade
- Only offers a 1-year limited warranty
Is the Solar Breeze Skimmer Right For You?
This is the perfect device for you if you discover that you’re spending more time skimming the surface of your pool than you are actually enjoying it. The Solar Breeze pool skimmer will save you a lot of time and effort. You can turn it on, drop it in, and let it do its job. While it will cost you more than a traditional pool skimmer, it will be worth it to have the extra time with your family and friends while enjoying your pool.
Specifications
Weight |
12 pounds |
Dimensions |
22” x 20” x 7.5” |
Battery |
1 waterproof 5300mAH lithium-ion battery included |
Lights |
Low-current LED |
Filter |
High-strength polyester mesh |
Propulsion |
Polycarbonate paddle wheels |
Power |
Two 6-Watt solar panels |
Wrapping Up
Is the Solar Breeze robotic pool skimmer worth the investment? Remember that this device only cleans the surface of the water and not your entire pool. If you need something that is going to do more, you might be better off purchasing a robotic pool cleaner.
However, if you live in a place with plenty of plants, trees, pollen, and bugs, or if you’re just tired of cleaning out your pool on a regular basis, then the Solar Breeze is a great investment. The initial cost might seem high, but you’ll realize that it’s worth it when you no longer have to hop out of the pool every fifteen minutes to clean it.
Once you buy this pool skimmer, the hard work is done. Since it’s solar powered, it costs you nothing to operate and the time you used to spend cleaning you can spend with your family and friends instead.
Would like to purchase a Solar Breeze Skimmer. Amazon has as sold-out & not sure if its coming back.
Please advise
Hi Randy!
Amazon doesn’t have the skimmer in stock because Solar Breeze is launching a new product so they don’t produce the old skimmer anymore. However, you can pre-order Ariel (the new product) through their website – https://solar-breeze.com/?fbclid=IwAR3s1FIG6LHq-WMvFATgHC2lpH5dPWstIOc4ozcpraAi2hXr_6vVGDURFmg
Hope that helped!