The Beatbot Sora 70 is a cordless pool robot that cleans the floor, walls, waterline and the water surface, and it was selling for $999, down from $1,499, when we checked. It is a good all in one pick if floating leaves bother you, but the AquaSense 2 does the underwater work for less.
What the Beatbot Sora 70 is
The Sora 70 is the top model in Beatbot's Sora line of cordless robot pool cleaners. Beatbot says it cleans the water surface, floor, walls and waterline, plus shallow areas and platforms down to 8 inches deep Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. It is the only Sora model listed with surface and platform cleaning; the cheaper Sora 30 and Sora 10 work underwater only Beatbot Sora series ↗.
It works in above ground and in-ground pools of any shape with concrete, tile, vinyl or fiberglass surfaces, covers up to about 3,229 square feet and works at depths from 0.7 to 11.5 feet Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. It also handles saltwater pools below 5,000 PPM Beatbot Sora 70 ↗.
We have not tested it ourselves. Hands on testing is in progress, and we will update this review with our results.
What it does well
It covers the whole pool. Beatbot lists six modes: water surface, floor, wall, Pro, Standard and Eco Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. Twin jets move it across the surface to catch floating debris, and it can park itself at the surface when done for one touch retrieval Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. Bob Vila tested it for about a month in a Florida in-ground pool and found it climbed walls well, cleaned a shallow sun deck and followed efficient floor paths Bob Vila ↗.
Battery life is long. A 10,000 mAh battery is rated for up to 7 hours on the surface and up to 5 hours on the floor, and it recharges in about 4.5 hours Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. Bob Vila called its battery life excellent Bob Vila ↗.
The basket is big. It holds 6 liters, with a 150 micron filter included and an optional 3 micron ultra fine filter sold separately Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. Bob Vila liked how easy the large basket was to rinse Bob Vila ↗.
Navigation is smarter than a random bumper. It uses 18 sensors, including 2 ultrasonic sensors, for obstacle avoidance and S shaped path planning Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. The app works on Android, iOS and Apple Watch over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Beatbot Sora 70 ↗, and Bob Vila called it intuitive Bob Vila ↗.
Where it falls short
It does not skim all day. Bob Vila noted that skimming mode collects floating debris but does not run continuously like a dedicated solar skimmer Bob Vila ↗.
It is heavy. Beatbot lists it at about 23 pounds Beatbot Sora 70 ↗, which matters when you lift it out of the water full of debris.
Steps are limited. Beatbot says it can handle steps only in water deeper than 0.7 feet and on steps at least 3.3 feet long and wide Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. Small or narrow steps will still need a brush.
Remote control at the surface interrupts a cleaning cycle Beatbot Sora 70 ↗, and Beatbot's own discount figures did not match across pages when we checked Beatbot Sora 70 ↗ Beatbot Sora series ↗. Confirm the final price at checkout.
Finally, it costs more than our main pick. The AquaSense 2 cleans the floor, walls and waterline and was selling for $799 AquaSense 2 ↗ Beatbot store ↗. You pay the extra mainly for surface skimming and platform cleaning.
Pricing and plans
Beatbot lists the Sora 70 at $1,499 and was selling it for $999 as a limited time offer when we checked Beatbot Sora 70 ↗ Beatbot Sora series ↗. Bob Vila cited a price of around $1,500 Bob Vila ↗.
It is sold on Beatbot's own store, and Beatbot offers a 30 day price guarantee against lower prices on its site or its Amazon store Beatbot Sora 70 ↗.
The warranty is 3 years, with repair or a new or refurbished replacement Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. There is a 30 day money back return window, which excludes dealer sales Beatbot Sora 70 ↗.
There is no subscription. Optional extras include a 3 micron ultra fine dual filter basket and a caddy Beatbot Sora 70 ↗ Beatbot store ↗. Beatbot also sells a 3 in 1 clarifier kit for $59.99 Beatbot store ↗, though that is not required for the Sora 70.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: owners with trees nearby who want one robot to skim the surface and clean underwater.
- Good fit: pools with sun shelves or platforms at least 8 inches deep.
- Good fit: buyers who want long runtime without a cord.
- Skip it if: floating debris is rare; the AquaSense 2 covers the floor, walls and waterline for less.
- Skip it if: you need constant surface skimming; a solar skimmer does that better.
- Skip it if: lifting a 23 pound robot is a problem.
Alternatives worth a look
- Beatbot AquaSense 2: our main pick, cordless with floor, wall and waterline cleaning, $799 on sale with a 3 year replacement warranty AquaSense 2 ↗ Beatbot store ↗.
- Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra: our upgrade pick, adds up to 10 hours of surface cleaning and 27 sensors, from $2,299 AquaSense 2 Ultra ↗.
- Beatbot Sora 30: same 6,800 GPH suction family without surface cleaning, at $649 on sale Beatbot Sora series ↗.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus: a proven corded robot with no battery to wear out and a 2.5 year warranty Maytronics ↗.
- Aiper Seagull SE: a floor only budget option for flat pools, last tracked around $150 Smart Home Compared ↗.
Where it appears
ComparedThe Best Robot Pool CleanerWhat’s good
- Covers surface and floor
- Easy basket
- Well reviewed by Bob Vila
What to know
- Pricier than the AquaSense 2
- No continuous skimming
Key features
- Cleans surface, walls and floor
- Large, easy to rinse basket
- Smart parking
- Skimming mode
Questions people ask
How much is the Beatbot Sora 70?
Beatbot lists it at $1,499 and was selling it for $999 when we checked Beatbot Sora 70 ↗.
Does the Beatbot Sora 70 clean the water surface?
Yes. It has a water surface mode rated for up to 7 hours, plus floor, wall and waterline cleaning Beatbot Sora 70 ↗. It does not skim continuously like a solar skimmer Bob Vila ↗.
What is the Sora 70 warranty?
Beatbot gives a 3 year warranty with repair or replacement, and a 30 day money back window on direct purchases Beatbot Sora 70 ↗.
Sora 70 or AquaSense 2?
Pick the Sora 70 if you want surface skimming and platform cleaning. Pick the AquaSense 2 if you mainly need the floor, walls and waterline cleaned; it was $799 Beatbot Sora 70 ↗ AquaSense 2 ↗ Beatbot store ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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