The Polaris 9650iQ Sport is a corded robot pool cleaner for in-ground pools that climbs walls, scrubs the waterline and handles stairs and bench seats, with Wi-Fi app and Alexa control. Bob Vila named it best inground pick, but at around $1,399 with a 2 year warranty and mixed reports on navigation and app reliability, it is a premium choice mainly for pools with steps.
What the Polaris 9650iQ Sport is
The 9650iQ Sport is a corded robotic pool cleaner from Polaris, a Fluidra brand. It plugs into a power supply by the pool through a 70 foot swivel cable, so there is no battery to charge or wear out Bob Vila guide ↗ ShopSavvy prices ↗. It is designed for in-ground pools up to 60 feet long and works on concrete, plaster, gunite, tile, vinyl liner, fiberglass and pebble surfaces ShopSavvy prices ↗.
It cleans the pool floor, climbs the walls and scrubs the waterline, and Bob Vila found it also handles stairs and bench seats Bob Vila guide ↗ The Pool Nerd review ↗. The Pool Nerd describes it as an upgrade to the older Polaris 9550 Sport, mainly adding a new power supply and app control The Pool Nerd review ↗.
Bob Vila gave it its Best Inground award Bob Vila guide ↗. Hands on testing is in progress on our side, and we will update this review with our results.
What it does well
Steps and benches are its strength. Many pool robots clean the floor and walls but skip stairs. Bob Vila found the 9650iQ Sport handles walls, stairs and bench seats, and scored it 5 out of 5 for both performance and ease of use Bob Vila guide ↗.
Four wheel drive helps it stay stable and climb over things like toys on the pool floor Bob Vila guide ↗. The Pool Nerd also credits its split brush with better maneuverability and solid scrubbing The Pool Nerd review ↗.
Smart controls are well covered. It connects over Wi-Fi to Polaris's iAquaLink app, works with Amazon Alexa, and lets you choose the run time and cleaning mode, including a deep clean mode that Bob Vila found useful after storms Bob Vila guide ↗ ShopSavvy prices ↗. Bob Vila suggests using Alexa rather than your phone when swimmers are around, so the phone does not overheat or get wet Bob Vila guide ↗. The Pool Nerd notes the app lets you schedule, steer the robot and pick cleaning types The Pool Nerd review ↗.
Daily handling is easy. A caddy comes in the box to move the robot and manage the cable, and a dirty canister indicator tells you when to empty it Bob Vila guide ↗. Owners summarized by ShopSavvy praise its strong suction and easy to empty debris basket ShopSavvy prices ↗.
Where it falls short
Navigation is a weak point in one expert's view. The Pool Nerd says it misses some areas and repeats others, the same problem as the older 9550 The Pool Nerd review ↗.
The app depends on Wi-Fi at the pool. The Pool Nerd warns the app connection may be unreliable if your Wi-Fi is weak outdoors, and some owners report connection problems too ShopSavvy prices ↗ The Pool Nerd review ↗.
The cable is a hassle. As a corded robot, it needs the caddy to manage the cable, and owners say the cord tangles easily Bob Vila guide ↗ ShopSavvy prices ↗. The caddy cover costs extra Bob Vila guide ↗.
Filtration options are limited. It has a single fine filter type, with no finer filter option and no leaf bag The Pool Nerd review ↗. Pools under trees that shed small leaves will need frequent canister emptying Bob Vila guide ↗.
Value is the other concern. Bob Vila scored it 4.3 out of 5 for value and called it premium priced Bob Vila guide ↗. The Pool Nerd says its 2 year warranty is shorter than similarly priced Dolphin models that offer 3 years The Pool Nerd review ↗.
Pricing and plans
Polaris does not show a price on the pages we could open. ShopSavvy recorded $1,399 at Target, Walmart and VMInnovations and $1,488.64 at Bed Bath and Beyond as of October 8, 2026 ShopSavvy prices ↗. It is also sold on Amazon Bob Vila guide ↗ ShopSavvy prices ↗.
The Pool Nerd lists a standard 2 year warranty The Pool Nerd review ↗.
There is no subscription. Ongoing costs are wear parts: owners note brushes and drive belts may need replacing every year or two ShopSavvy prices ↗. Replacement parts, such as a Wi-Fi control box, are sold through pool retailers Leslie's parts ↗. Budget for a caddy cover if you want one, since it is sold separately Bob Vila guide ↗.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: in-ground pools with stairs and bench seats that other robots skip.
- Good fit: owners who prefer a cord to a battery and want Alexa voice control.
- Skip it if: your Wi-Fi does not reach the pool well, since the app is its main upgrade The Pool Nerd review ↗.
- Skip it if: you want a cordless robot; the Beatbot AquaSense 2 costs less and has no cable Beatbot AquaSense 2 ↗ Beatbot store ↗.
- Skip it if: you have an above ground pool.
Alternatives worth a look
- Beatbot AquaSense 2: our pick for most pools, cordless with waterline scrubbing, $799 on sale with a 3 year replacement warranty Beatbot AquaSense 2 ↗ Beatbot store ↗.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus: a corded robot for floors and walls with a 2.5 year warranty, named best overall by Bob Vila Bob Vila guide ↗ Maytronics CC Plus ↗.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme: a step up in Dolphin's corded line with app control, $1,449 Maytronics store ↗.
- MOVA Rover X10: Bob Vila's upgrade pick, cordless with surface skimming and underwater app control Bob Vila guide ↗.
Where it appears
ComparedThe Best Robot Pool CleanerWhat’s good
- Handles stairs
- Caddy included
- Smart home support
What to know
- Premium price
- Corded
Key features
- Cleans walls, stairs and bench seats
- Wi-Fi and Alexa compatible
- 70 ft cable with caddy
- Four wheel drive
- Dirty canister indicator
Questions people ask
How much does the Polaris 9650iQ Sport cost?
Polaris does not list a price on its site. ShopSavvy recorded $1,399 at Target, Walmart and VMInnovations in October 2026 ShopSavvy prices ↗.
Does the Polaris 9650iQ Sport clean stairs?
Yes. Bob Vila found it handles walls, stairs and bench seats Bob Vila guide ↗.
What is the warranty on the Polaris 9650iQ Sport?
The Pool Nerd lists a standard 2 year warranty The Pool Nerd review ↗.
Does the Polaris 9650iQ Sport work with Alexa?
Yes. It is Wi-Fi enabled, controlled through the iAquaLink app, and works with Amazon Alexa Bob Vila guide ↗ ShopSavvy prices ↗.
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.
01