Cleaning a pool can feel like an endless chore, especially if you’re doing it manually with a net or vacuum. As someone who loves technology, I was excited to test out the Polaris Freedom Plus Premium Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, a product designed to make pool maintenance hassle-free, at least from the cleaning perspective. With cutting-edge features like LiFi technology for underwater remote control, app connectivity, and a powerful suction system, this robotic pool cleaner promises to do all the hard work so you can enjoy your pool more and worry less about cleaning it. (*Disclosure below)
In this review, I’ll take you through my experience unboxing, setting up, and using the Polaris Freedom Plus, as well as a breakdown of its key features and technical specifications. Spoiler: if you’re tired of scooping leaves out of your pool, this cleaner might just become your new best friend.
Table of Contents
Watch My Full Video Review of the Polaris Freedom Plus
If you’re like me and love a hands-on look at new tech, I’ve got a full video review of the Polaris Freedom Plus on my YouTube channel that you won’t want to miss. In the video, I unbox, assemble, and test the Freedom Plus in real time, walking you through the setup, features & functionality, and the performance. While the video runs about 20 minutes long, it’s packed with useful insights, a detailed demo, and even an expert interview with someone from Fluidra, the company behind Polaris. So, if you’re more of a visual learner or just want to see this powerful robotic cleaner in action, be sure to give it a watch!
Here’s the link to the video, or feel free to watch it directly below:
If you are curious about some of the other upgrades I’m had done this year on my pool, I have a short overview video that talks about the equipment and upgrades being performed. And I was lucky to have a Fluidra rep here to explain it all!
Unboxing and Setup – Simple and Intuitive
While you can see the unboxing in my video review above, I do have to say that the unboxing experience was refreshingly simple. Inside the box, you get the Polaris Freedom Plus cleaner itself, a charging dock, wheels for the caddy, and even a hook for retrieving the cleaner if it’s out of reach. Assembly took only a few minutes—no tools needed—and the instructions were pretty clear, making the assembly pretty much a “snap” (literally).
The charging dock is great to have. It’s designed to sit conveniently by your pool and even comes with wheels for mobility. One thing I appreciated was how intuitive the charging system was. You simply place the Polaris Freedom Plus onto the dock, and a small mirror on the station allows you to easily check its charging status without bending down. For an outdoor product, this level of design thoughtfulness is a huge plus.
Just a quick reminder – you may want to be sure you keep the caddy and the Freedom Plus out of the sun and in a covered location to help preserve the battery.
Key Features – What Sets the Polaris Freedom Plus Apart?
The Polaris Freedom Plus is loaded with convenient features. Here are the standout capabilities that make this product shine:
- Cordless Operation: The most significant feature of the Polaris Freedom Plus is its cordless design. No more tangling wires or worrying about the cord reaching all pool areas. This simplifies the process and makes the entire operation much safer, especially if you have kids playing near the pool.
- LiFi Technology: One of the coolest tech innovations in the Polaris Freedom Plus is its use of LiFi (Light Fidelity) instead of traditional WiFi for communication underwater. Since WiFi signals can’t penetrate water effectively, the Polaris uses light-based communication for the remote control. You simply dip the remote into the water and can control the cleaner from above—think of it as a high-tech magic wand!
- App Control with iAquaLink: Polaris has integrated the cleaner into the iAquaLink app, which connects all your pool equipment into one user-friendly system. You can start, stop, and monitor the cleaning process from your phone and even get notifications when the job is done. It’s great for keeping an eye on things without being poolside the whole time.
- Smart Scanning Technology: The Polaris Freedom Plus isn’t just mindlessly moving around your pool; it’s smart. The cleaner uses sensors to map out your pool and learn its shape and obstacles, optimizing its cleaning cycles for maximum efficiency over time. Whether it’s navigating tight corners or climbing walls, this robot adapts to your pool’s unique layout.
- Waterline Scrubbing: If you’ve ever tried cleaning the waterline manually, you know it’s tricky. The Polaris Freedom Plus is equipped with special brushes that scrub your pool’s waterline, floor, and walls, ensuring every part is cleaned. These soft brushes don’t scratch surfaces, yet they effectively remove debris.
Putting the Polaris Freedom Plus to the Test
I’ve got a large tree over my pool that loves to dump its leaves in the late summer and fall, particularly when I least want to deal with them. So, I was excited to see how well the Polaris Freedom Plus would handle a real-world scenario. After charging the unit for a few hours, I used the app to set the cleaner into its smart cycle mode. You can also choose to clean just the floor or floor/walls, but I went with the full cycle to see what it could do.
As soon as I submerged it, the cleaner began to map the pool and started its work. I saw it climbing walls and scrubbing the waterline with its soft brushes. The debris basket inside is easy to access and, thankfully, the cover is transparent. This means you can tell when it’s full without having to open it up—another thoughtful design element. By the end of its cycle, it had picked up leaves, dirt, and even some fine sand or grit I didn’t know was there.
The fact that I could control it via the LiFi remote was also a bonus. At one point, I tested the LiFi remote to direct the cleaner to a particularly stubborn spot near the waterline, and it handled it like a pro.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the big questions I had going into this review was about the Polaris Freedom Plus’s battery life. The cleaner boasts a runtime of about 2.5 hours on a full charge, which is enough to tackle most pools in a single cleaning cycle. Charging takes around 6 hours, which might seem long, but considering it’s a cordless device doing heavy-duty work, it’s pretty reasonable.
What’s impressive is that when the battery is low, the cleaner will automatically float to the surface or temporarily go to the edge of the pool for easy retrieval. This feature is fantastic because it ensures you’re never stuck fishing it out of the deep end. I found that the retrieval process using the remote or the hook was straightforward, making the entire experience hassle-free.
Just don’t miss that window of opportunity when the Freedom Plus is at the pool edge. If you don’t retrieve it within 10 minutes or so, it will sink back down to the bottom and you will have to use the hook attached to a long pole to retrieve it.
Technical Specifications – The Brains Behind the Brawn
Here’s a quick look at the Polaris Freedom Plus’s key technical specs:
- Cordless Design: Completely untethered for easy maneuvering and improved safety.
- Runtime: 2.5 hours on a full charge – plenty of time to clean most residential pools.
- Charging Time: Approximately 6 hours to full charge, best done overnight or between swims.
- LiFi Technology: Light-based communication for underwater control. Allows you to direct the cleaner via a special remote that works by dipping into the water.
- App Integration: The cleaner connects to the iAquaLink app, which is the same app you can use for all your Polaris, Jandy, and other Fluidra equipment. This integration allows for remote starting, stopping, and monitoring.
- Smart Scanning: Uses internal sensors to map out your pool, optimizing its cleaning path over time.
- Debris Basket: Features a large, transparent basket that is easy to empty and lets you see when it’s full.
- Weight: Approximately 17 pounds, which is manageable for most people when it comes time to remove it from the pool.
- Pool Types: Works with all pool shapes and surfaces, including tile, concrete, and vinyl.
- Brush Type: Soft scrubbing brushes to handle the waterline, floor, and walls without scratching delicate surfaces.
Maintenance and Care
Like any piece of pool equipment, keeping the Polaris Freedom Plus in top shape requires a bit of maintenance but nothing too taxing. After each use, it’s recommended that you rinse the debris basket and brushes to remove any residual dirt. While the unit itself is waterproof, you’ll want to ensure that the charging ports and connection points are dry before placing it on the charging dock.
Polaris also recommends storing the unit indoors or at least in a sheltered area when it’s not in use, which I mentioned earlier. This will prolong the cleaner’s life and prevent unnecessary wear from outdoor elements like sun and rain. Given that it’s a high-tech piece of equipment, this extra care is worth it.
Real-World Use Cases – Perfect for Families and Busy Homeowners
Who is the Polaris Freedom Plus for? If you’re like me and you’ve got a busy schedule, a big yard, and a tree directly above the pool dropping leaves into the pool, this robotic cleaner is perfect. It frees up time that would otherwise be spent wrestling with manual cleaners or long poles with nets. If you’ve got lots of trees around your pool (especially those that love dumping leaves), this cleaner will save you from hours of arm- and back-breaking labor.
For tech lovers, the Polaris Freedom Plus is pretty fun. The ability to know the battery status via app and actually control the cleaner via the LiFi remote, and even “summon” it when the cleaning cycle is over adds a layer of convenience and fun.
Final Thoughts – Is the Polaris Freedom Plus Worth It?
After spending time with the Polaris Freedom Plus Premium Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, I can confidently say it’s a standout product in the pool-cleaning world. Its cordless design, intelligent scanning, and user-friendly features make it an excellent investment for anyone who wants to keep their pool clean without the manual effort.
While the price tag may be higher than more basic models, you’re paying for convenience, smart technology, and peace of mind. Whether you’re a pool owner who loves gadgets or simply someone who’s tired of scooping leaves, the Polaris Freedom Plus is well worth considering.
As of this writing, the Polaris Freedom Plus sells for $1600 on Amazon. Yes, it is not cheap, but it is one of those things that seems to pay for itself over time. Think about the time and energy you would spend doing it manually yourself.
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If you’re ready to spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning it, this cleaner is a fantastic solution. Plus, it looks pretty cool navigating underwater, doing all the hard work while you relax poolside.
Disclosure: I have a material connection because I received a sample of a product for consideration in preparing to review the product and write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item after my review period. All opinions within this article are my own and are typically not subject to editorial review from any 3rd party. Also, some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate” or “advertising” links. These may be automatically created or placed by me manually. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item (sometimes but not necessarily the product or service being reviewed), I will receive a small affiliate or advertising commission. More information can be found on my About page.
HTD says: Stop cleaning your pool by hand! Now you can just press a button, sit back, and let the automated scrubbing and cleaning power of the Polaris Freedom Plus robotic pool cleaner do all the work for you! That’s how it should be done!
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Summary
Stop cleaning your pool by hand! Now you can just press a button, sit back, and let the automated scrubbing and cleaning power of the Polaris Freedom Plus robotic pool cleaner do all the work for you! That’s how it should be done! The assembly is super easy; you literally just have to snap a few things together for the caddy. The cleaner comes pre-assembled (just put the debris basket in, and you are good to go). The pairing is slightly tricky (watch my video for the tip on how to do it), but once it is connected, it’s easy to use. From the connected app, just click the mode you want and start it. Then, drop it in the pool and walk away. Or you can use the LiFi wand and control it manually or via a single button click that way. The only downside is that this robotic cleaner is a bit pricy. But it is packed with tech, so that is why it is more expensive than other pool cleaners out there.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- One-button cleaning
- Low battery process brings the robotic cleaner to the side of the pool
Cons
- Pricy
- WiFi disconnects sometimes even out of the water (normal for it to disconnect in the water)
- Initial setup is a bit tricky
