Aiper EcoSurfer S2 Review: Quiet, Durable, and Still Effective on Surfaces

If the Surfer S1 had been presented to us as Aiper’s best-seller in 2024, we understand why the engineers were motivated to push it further. Here we are two years later with a V2, now named EcoSurfer S2. We’ll see whether the word Eco makes all the difference!

At a moment when all-in-one pool robots are competing on performance for ever-lower prices, spending almost €400 may seem excessive. Yet surface-cleaning robots generally outperform the surface mode of dedicated pool cleaners, especially since their solar panels enable them to work far, far longer.

Unpacking the Aiper EcoSurfer S2

We first discovered the skimmer robot from Aiper with the Surfer S1; the EcoSurfer S2 borrows its stealth-catamaran layout cloaked under a massive solar panel.

You’ll find the large front handle to grab it without effort, this time highlighted in blue for even better visibility, and on the interface side, Aiper has once again simplified its skimmer: a single button to turn the robot on or off (long press), and to start or stop cleaning (short press). To choose between continuous cleaning and Eco cleaning, you’ll need to go through the app, but it’s very simple and clear.

Access to the filter is via pulling it from the front of the robot, like a drawer. Not too much risk of making a mess because this filter has a lid closed by a large latch. There is also a small flap, which, though it can hinder jet cleaning a little, is there to prevent debris from spilling out of the machine.

Test Aiper EcoSurfer S2: endless cleaning and little maintenance

The first thing you notice when you start the EcoSurfer S2 is that it is considerably quieter than its predecessor: you can barely hear it operate; the little “tac tac” of the paddle wheel is gone, and you’d have to be within two meters to hear anything.

Another major change: this robot has received an upgrade to its thrusters. It can now move quite rapidly, whereas its predecessor remained very calm. It occasionally steps on the gas to avoid an obstacle or to change direction. Enough to never be stuck again on the pool’s skimmer? Not completely; it can still get stuck at times (you’ll get a notification to keep you informed), but it often manages to free itself.

This is where one of the included accessories becomes useful: a small 60 cm foam noodle provided to block the robot’s access to the skimmer. If you manage to wedge it into the skimmer above the water level, everything is fine, but if it blocks debris, it’s a pity to deprive the pool’s skimmer filtration to let the skimmer robot do the cleaning. A half-good idea, in short.

If we were delighted by the near-infinite autonomy of Surfer S1, the EcoSurfer S2 is almost on par: in sunny conditions you can let it work continuously without the battery draining. Just remember to switch it off at night. But if you want to be sure you never have to recharge, it now includes an Eco mode that simply cleans the pool in cycles of 3 hours on and 3 hours off. In everyday use, if your pool isn’t enormous, this is enough to deliver a decent job. No miracle if you’re surrounded by trees and there’s strong wind—the EcoSurfer won’t collect everything—but in more normal conditions it does the job.

Recall that floating loungers used to be a hassle with the previous Aiper skimmer generation, and that is now history: if an object blocks the EcoSurfer S2, the robot will notice and change direction. However, detection of small objects remains absent, so it’s best to clear toys, balls, and other trinkets from the pool if you don’t want to reduce its effectiveness. The protruding edge of our test pool is no longer an issue either. It’s clear that the sensors have been improved; the robot no longer collides, and it avoids objects far better. Finally, the two small telescopic rods on the front of the floats are still there, if you want to prevent the EcoSurfer S2 from getting stuck in shallow areas, such as the last step of a staircase.

The large filtration basket lets the robot operate for a week between cleanings, unless you have many nearby trees or a storm has dumped a lot of debris into your pool.

If you’re opting for a surface-cleaning robot, you might wish Aiper had added a thermometer to tell you the water temperature, or even a way to communicate with a cleaner. We still enjoy the handheld control via the app, which isn’t strictly necessary but is handy from time to time and remains enjoyable.

Aiper EcoSurfer S2: Clubic’s view