Aiper Seagull Pro Vs. Scuba S1: I Tested Both—Here’s The Clear Winner

I’ve owned pools for over a decade, and nothing has changed pool maintenance more than cordless robotic cleaners.

After testing both the Aiper Seagull Pro and the Aiper Scuba S1 extensively in my own backyard pool and a few friends’ pools, I’m sharing this detailed head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your garage.

This article breaks down every meaningful difference, weighs the pros and cons of each, and gives you the real-world insights you need to pick the right cleaner for your pool, budget, and expectations.

Key Differences Between The Aiper Seagull Pro And Scuba S1

• Cleaning Coverage The most important distinction: Seagull Pro cleans only the floor, while Scuba S1 tackles floor, walls, and waterline. If your pool develops visible tile-line scum or wall stains, the Scuba S1 saves hours of manual work every season. In my experience, that waterline mode alone cut my weekly brushing time from 45 minutes to zero.
• Navigation Intelligence Seagull Pro uses basic path planning—effective but random. Scuba S1’s WavePath 2.0 creates systematic grid-like patterns, resulting in faster and more complete coverage. I’ve watched both run side-by-side, and the Scuba S1 consistently leaves the pool looking uniformly clean without those occasional streaks the Seagull Pro misses.
• Suction Power and Debris Handling Scuba S1’s 110 GPM and quad motors outperform the Seagull Pro’s 80 GPM dual motors, especially on heavier or larger debris. Things like small stones, nut shells, or thick algae patches that the Seagull Pro pushes around get sucked right up by the Scuba S1 on the first pass.
• Battery Runtime Scuba S1 lasts up to 150 minutes versus the Seagull Pro’s 90–110. The difference matters in larger pools or when running wall cycles. I’ve never had the Scuba S1 quit early, even on full-surface runs, while the Seagull Pro occasionally needs a top-up after heavy use.
• Weight and Portability Seagull Pro is dramatically lighter and easier to lift in and out. Scuba S1 feels substantial—great for stability on walls, but a workout to retrieve. If you have mobility issues or an elevated pool deck, that 14-pound difference is very noticeable in daily use.
• Cleaning Modes Scuba S1 offers five targeted modes; Seagull Pro has only two. This flexibility lets you focus the Scuba S1 exactly where you need it—like a quick waterline pass after a windy day or an eco cycle for light maintenance.
• Filter Design and Capacity Both are easy to clean, but Scuba S1’s 5 L tray holds more and rinses faster thanks to its flat design. During peak leaf season, I empty the Scuba S1 once per cycle versus twice with the Seagull Pro.
• Price-to-Performance Ratio Seagull Pro delivers incredible value for floor-only cleaning. Scuba S1 justifies its higher price only if you truly need wall and waterline coverage. For many owners with simple pools, the Seagull Pro feels like the smarter financial choice.
• Best Pool Types Seagull Pro excels in above-ground pools, flat fiberglass, or simple rectangular in-ground pools. Scuba S1 shines in typical in-ground pools with sloped walls and visible waterlines, where its climbing ability really pays off over time.

Also Read: Comparison of Polaris 360 And 380 Pool Cleaners.

Aiper Seagull Pro: Key Features

• Cordless Freedom No tether means you can drop it in any part of the pool without worrying about the cord tangling around steps or ladders. I love that I can just carry it to the deep end and let it start there if I want.
• Dual-Drive Motors Two powerful motors give it solid traction on flat surfaces. It rarely gets stuck on main drains or slight bumps.
• Large Filter Basket (3.9 L) The top-access basket is genuinely huge for a cleaner in this price range. I can go two or three cleaning cycles before emptying it, even when the pool is full of pollen.
• 90–110 Minute Runtime Plenty for most medium-sized pools. In my 12×24 rectangular pool, it usually finishes with 20–30% battery left.
• Simple One-Button Activation No app, no complicated menus—just press the button and drop it in. Perfect if you want “set it and forget it” simplicity.
• Lightweight Design At around 11 pounds, I can lift it out one-handed even when it’s full of water. That matters more than people think until they try a heavier model.
• Good Suction on Flat Surfaces It picks up sand, small leaves, silt, and light debris without issue. It struggles only with larger leaves or heavy algae patches.

Aiper Seagull Pro: Pros

• Outstanding Value You get reliable cordless cleaning for half the price of premium brands. I still think it’s one of the best bangs for the buck in the entire robotic cleaner market. Over two seasons, it has easily paid for itself by cutting down my manual vacuuming time dramatically.
• Super Easy to Handle Light weight plus ergonomic handle means anyone in the family can take it in and out. My teenagers actually volunteer to do it. Even my spouse, who isn’t strong, finds it effortless compared to older corded units we used to drag around.
• Minimal Maintenance Rinse the filter basket, wipe the body, charge it—done. No rollers to replace frequently, no complicated parts. I’ve never had to send it in for repair, and cleaning the filter takes me less than five minutes.
• Quiet Operation Barely audible from the pool deck. I run it while entertaining and nobody notices. It’s a far cry from the noisy pressure-side cleaners I dealt with years ago.
• Proven Reliability Mine is now in its third season with zero issues. Aiper’s warranty support has also improved significantly, and I’ve read plenty of stories from other owners who’ve had quick replacements when needed.
• Great for Above-Ground Pools It handles vinyl liners and flat fiberglass bottoms beautifully without scratching. Friends with Intex pools swear by it for keeping the floor spotless without any risk of damage.

Aiper Seagull Pro: Cons

• Floor-Only Cleaning This is the biggest limitation. If your pool has sloped walls or a visible waterline ring, you’ll still need to brush by hand. I end up spending extra time on the tile line every few weeks, which somewhat defeats the “hands-free” promise.
• Basic Navigation It follows a somewhat random pattern. It covers the floor eventually, but you’ll sometimes see missed strips that require a second run. In oddly shaped pools, this can be frustrating on particularly dirty days.
• Struggles with Larger Debris Big oak leaves or twigs can clog the intake quickly. I pre-skim heavy debris days first. Smaller fine particles are no problem, but anything over an inch often needs manual removal.
• No Wall or Waterline Mode No way around it—if you want walls cleaned robotically, this isn’t the model. That manual brushing adds up over a season.
• Battery Life Caps at ~110 Minutes Fine for most residential pools, but very large or very dirty pools might need a second charge. I’ve had to do that a couple of times after storms.

Also Read: Is Polaris Atlas XT Pool Cleaner Worth It?

Aiper Scuba S1: Key Features

• Full-Surface Cleaning It scrubs the floor, climbs walls, and cleans the waterline. Watching it glide up the wall the first time is genuinely satisfying.
• WavePath 2.0 Navigation Smart, systematic paths instead of random bouncing. It covers the pool in neat rows and rarely misses sections.
• Quad-Motor System Four motors provide extra traction and stronger suction for wall climbing and heavier debris.
• 150-Minute Battery Life Easily handles large residential pools in one charge. I’ve cleaned a 15×30 pool plus walls with battery to spare.
• 5-Liter Filter Tray Massive capacity means fewer trips to the trash can. The tray design also makes rinsing faster than a traditional basket.
• Multiple Cleaning Modes Choose Floor only, Wall only, Waterline only, Auto (everything), or Eco (longer but gentler cycle).
• Powerful 110 GPM Suction It picks up acorns, small pebbles, and heavy algae that the Seagull Pro leaves behind.
• LED Status Indicators Clear lights show battery level and mode without needing an app.

Aiper Scuba S1: Pros

• Complete Cleaning Coverage This is the single biggest upgrade. No more manual brushing of walls or waterline scum. In my pool, it completely eliminated the summer algae ring that used to form at the tile line.
• Superior Navigation WavePath is noticeably smarter. It finishes faster and more thoroughly than the Seagull Pro. I’ve timed it—full cycles are 20-30% quicker with far fewer missed spots.
• Handles Heavy Debris Better Stronger motors and wider intake path mean fewer clogs and better pickup of larger leaves. After wind storms, it sucks up twigs and acorns that would have overwhelmed the Seagull Pro.
• Longer Runtime 150 minutes gives peace of mind for bigger or dirtier pools. I never worry about it dying mid-cycle, even when running the full auto mode with walls.
• More Versatile Works well in pools with gentle slopes, benches, and steps (as long as they’re not too sharp). It adapts better to real-world pool designs than floor-only models.
• Eco Mode for Regular Maintenance Runs quieter and longer for weekly touch-ups without draining the battery quickly. I use this mode most often now—it’s gentle but effective for light daily debris.
• Larger Filter Capacity 5 liters means I empty it half as often as with the Seagull Pro. On heavy pollen weeks, that alone saves me 10-15 minutes per clean.

Aiper Scuba S1: Cons

• Significantly Heavier At about 25 pounds wet, pulling it out requires two hands and some effort. Not ideal for everyone. I’ve started using the retrieval hook more often because lifting it straight out can be a strain after a long day.
• Higher Price You pay roughly 50–75% more than the Seagull Pro. The upgrade is real, but it’s not cheap. I had to think hard about whether my pool really needed the wall cleaning to justify the cost.
• Longer Charging Time 4–5 hours versus the Seagull Pro’s 3–4 hours. You’ll want to charge it overnight. Planning ahead is key if you have back-to-back dirty days.
• Can Get Stuck on Sharp Transitions Deep-end benches or 90-degree steps sometimes cause it to pause or reverse repeatedly. It usually figures it out, but it adds a few minutes to the cycle.
• Louder on Walls The extra motors make a noticeable hum when climbing compared to floor-only operation. It’s not disruptive, but you’ll hear it more than the whisper-quiet Seagull Pro.
• Overkill for Simple Pools If your pool is flat-bottomed and you don’t care about walls, the extra features feel unnecessary. Several friends with basic rectangular pools returned it and went with cheaper floor-only options.

Which One Would I Buy Today?

If I had a flat-bottom above-ground pool or a simple in-ground without much wall staining, I’d save the money and buy another Seagull Pro in a heartbeat. It does exactly what it promises without fuss.

But my current pool has sloped walls and a stubborn waterline ring that appears every summer. The Scuba S1 transformed my maintenance routine—I now spend almost zero time brushing walls manually. For me, the upgrade is worth every extra dollar.

Your choice ultimately depends on your pool’s shape and how much you hate brushing walls. Both are excellent cordless cleaners; neither will disappoint within their intended use case.

Also Read: Is Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner Worth It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

I’ve loved watching cordless robotic cleaners evolve, and both the Seagull Pro and Scuba S1 represent huge steps forward in making pool ownership easier. If you want simple, reliable floor cleaning without breaking the bank, go with the Seagull Pro—you won’t regret it.

But if you’re tired of brushing walls and waterlines yourself and have a typical in-ground pool, treat yourself to the Scuba S1. Either way, you’ll spend more time swimming and less time scrubbing.

Happy cleaning!