Zodiac CX Robotic Pool Cleaner Series
Verified277 reviews
- Small
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- Average
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- Large
Very short life - twice needing motor replacement in only 3 years – Bought in 2018. In less than one year, the motor needed replacing which luckily was covered under warranty. In the first year we also had issues with the wheel tracks constantly falling off so the company we bought from gave us replacements for free. Now a couple years after, the motor has gone again, not covered under warranty this time. This cleaner cost us $940 and is now useless. A new motor is $450.
Purchased in at Best Pool Supplies for $940.
- Pool Size: Large
I rang Zodiac Manufacturers and was told there is nothing they can do. Just a loss I have to accept as it is out of warranty.
Died after two years – This robot pool cleaner was good whilst it lasted, but 2 months after the warranty ran out, it stopped working. For a device that cost $1300 when new, this is woeful. Not recommended due to bad build quality. My experience with Pool and Spa Warehouse trying to get them to care was similarly sad. Pool and Spa Warehouse where the unit was purchased, refused to provide any help. I went to the manufacturer - Fluidra they were also unhelpful and didn't answer emails for two weeks. I have now bought another robot from a different brand and a different shop.
Purchased in at Pool and Spa Warehouse Online store for $1,311.
- Pool Size: Average
Hi Alex, We would like to apologise for your negative experience and learn more about your situation and see if we can provide you with a better solution.
Please reach out to us via LIVE CHAT and one of our Customer Care team members will be able to assist you. We can be reached at the live chat located on this page during 9am-5pm Mon to Fri: external link
Regards, Zodiac & Astral Pool/Fluidra Support
I reached out and was not assisted via both the chat system and email. They just say that the warranty period is over and they can't (won't) do squat. I recently read that the EU is starting to require companies to provide 10year warranties on consumer electronics... Bring it on.
My beloved next door neighbours planted bamboo along our adjoining fence. My pool was always getting leaves in it as well as seeds from palm trees. Three things sold me on the cx50 model, the two filters, the trolley for storage, and the ease of removing it from the pool by simply pressing a button to make it come to the surface. It’s very easy to… Read more
operate. Lower it into the pool by the handle, (otherwise it can take a couple of minutes to sink), and press the “play” button. There is a choice of modes, one does the floor only, the other, walls and floor. It makes no noise whatsoever when running. When you want to get it from the pool, press the “lift” button and hold it down. The robot will turn on its axis. When it points to your favourite wall, let your finger off and it will drive up the wall. Then grab the handle and pull it out. The filters are easy to remove, just open the cover, lift them out and hose them. Then place it back on the trolley. I’m very happy with my purchase.
Zodiac CX50 corded pool cleaner. Our final conclusion is that this cleaner is not fit for purpose. While it picks up the dust and small particles OK, it struggled to pick up a single leaf across the pool. We don't get a lot of leaves and there were only about a dozen in the pool, but this cleaner consistently pushes the leaf to the side and the… Read more
leaf runs down the side of the machine as it moves forward leaving the leaf in the pool. After multiple cycles (3 on one day) the leaves remained. In fact, I never saw a leaf in the basket when cleaning. Contacted Zodiac who required a technician to attend. He did a technical test and with no issue, although he changed the motor anyway. He watched as the cleaner continued to push leave past it with none being picked up. However, that did not seem to go into his report. As such Zodiac said that there are no faults and so refused to make a refund. Customer services was difficult to say the least. Also of note is that it travels very randomly around the pool, the product description suggested it had a smart sensor, but this was denied by the technician. I recommend that you do not buy this product.
CX35 was sent for repair 3 times now the latest is it just does not move I also must say pool and spa warehouse very happy to sell the product but could not give two hoots after the sale, 3 times had to purchase boxes to send it to a repairer Fix my dolphin and came back worked for a couple of weeks then stopped again. would not recommend the CX35 at all spend a bit more and get a dolphin Show details
Reviews with attachments
Zodiac CX35Robotic Cleaner – I just made the switch from a Zodiac AX10 to my first robotic cleaner. I cleans really well and picks up fine sand even with the standard basket. Its a bit of a pain to have to drop in and remove the cleaner after use but on the other hand, the pool looks much nicer then having the suction cleaner stay in the pool full time. I am happy with my decision to go robotic Show details · 1
Fabulous cleaning results in comparison to other competitors – It is with pleasure we share this 5 Star rating of our 2nd time purchase of the Zodiac CX35 Robotic Pool Cleaner. We were impressed the first time we purchased your Zodiac product a few years ago, but then tried a different 1 -3 years ago, but it was nowhere as good and this year we decided to once again purchase your product and the difference is remarkable with fabulous results. thankyou for creating such a good product. Show details · 1
Way better then having the old baracuda flaping around in the pool all day – The CX35 has acumeilated more deadbrie in 2 hours of operation then the old Baracuda did. So much more economical !! Show details
Brilliant Pool cleaner – The pool has never looked better and being robotic it has saved me time and energy. Show details
Water in motor – Was happy with cleaner until it suddenly stopped working 2 months after warranty ended. Opened up and found water in motor area and rust on circuit board. Must have been leaking when in warranty but no way of knowing this unfortunately until it stopped. Not worth money to replace the motor. Show details
Latest follow-ups
Terrible Design Zodiac CX-35 Robot Pool Cleaner – Do not buy this product. Poor design with cable connect to robot. Huge number breaking plus leaking in motor casing is common. Circuit board is humisealed which is good but circuit design fails with SCR rating switching on pool motor. Bang another fail. Suggest go wireless. Not worth $1399 avg buy price June 2024 Show details
Follow-up · It's June 2026. How has your experience been since your original review? Never throw an expensive piece of equipment away. Research, plan to repair "a better way" and make it last. So how easy is it to fix leaks? I completely dismantled, both surfaces of the motor assembly sealed chamber, used water proof sealing grease. Evenly reset chamber, it… Read more
Positive reviews
A good machine, would be amazing if the cord was better – I’ve had two of these cx20s now for several years. One I inherited in a not working state and repaired. These things are pretty simple and for the most part work very reliably with even heavy leaf matter in pools. They can pull a couple of kg of leaf matter out and not get clogged or malfunction mechanically. They are better in heavy leaf… Read more · 1
matter pools than zodiac z4 and aipers that I have also owned, and are cheaper so are a good thing overall.
The leaf basket is well designed and picks up fairly fine particles and allows good performance and wall climbing even when completely full of material.
Their Achilles heel is the cable. It fatigues and partially fails after about 18 months of heavy use, or just out of warranty under light use. This can be patched by cutting the cord and shortening it to remove the fatigued section of cable about 3 times before the whole cable needs replacement at $200 or so for the part.
Over longer use you will eventually get partial failures if the motor seals but this is pretty late in the ownership cycle around 5 years. It can be repaired easily enough if mechanically inclined, as long as you do it early you can save the machine before the water gets to the circuit boards.
Find out how Zodiac CX Robotic Pool Cleaner Series compares to other Robotic Pool Cleaners
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Update on the Zodiac CX35 – I know I commented on the fact that the Sample Video showed an almost clean pool to start with, thus making the unit seem "marvellous" in doing it's job. However I have had on numerous occassions over the last two years been subjected to: heavy winds - thusly dirt, leaves and and small debris. The CX35 DOES what it was designed for. A 90 minute sweep has ALWAYS cleared the lot and left the pool virtually spotless. It is worth the money. Show details
A mixed bag, but does work well – Initially, a good cleaner does its job with minimum fuss. But close to the warranty then the controller starts to fail. Mine has died now, on a week where I really needed it to work. - Kudos to the company - they honoured warranty and fixed the unit. It still survives but needed a new motor last year (2023). If I am honest it does work well . . . Show details · 2
Negative reviews
Great cleaner when it works. It stopped going backward or forward, although the propulsion for up/down continues to work. Warranty lasts 2 years - owned for 2.5 yrs. The likely fault is the motor, which costs $700 to replace!!! Someone should take Zodiac to court. They've developed a machine that makes it just past their warranty. I've only… Read more
used the robot 30-40 times. It's always been removed from the pool after use and hosed down. It looks brand new, but the motor has an in-built obsolescence, likely due to a known design issue with waterproofing.
No response from Zodiac speaks volumes. They know what they are selling has design fault issues… Read more
This is my second unit 22-23 months seem to be their lifespan . I will say the service team are excellent ., but considering the cost versus life span they’re expensive Show details
Expensive for a unit that may only just outlive warranty – The CX20 I bought several years ago died, and so I bought a 2nd because it did clean the pool thoroughly. That unit had the floating cable replaced under warranty, but died once again, so I purchased an alternate brand which doesn't clean half as well. After a couple of years in the shed I have dismantled the CX20 to discover corrosion on the… Read more
middle pin at the motor. Will clean it up, and I have ordered a replacement cable. Wish me luck. Be happy if you get more than 2 years use. Became an expert at pulling it apart and reassembling, but eventually sold it for parts. Replacement Dolphin E10 motor died while still in warranty...does anyone sell a pool cleaner that will last more than 3 years?
Recent reviews
Zodiac CX20 is easy to use and cleans very efficiently – Simple to use, very effective, works exactly as described. Cleans the swim-out but doesn't get the steps because it is too large to sit on the steps. The creepy crawly never did the steps either, so nothing different here. Now the pool skimmer actually skims whereas I left the creepy crawly in the pool previously and skimming was terrible. So,… Read more
yes, a change to the cleaning process for the better, pool has never looked cleaner, even when thrown in once a week. Filter basket is easy to clean and picks up quite fine sand, dirt and does really well with leaves (I don't have the fine filter - that's what the pool filter is for!). I always remove the CX20 after it does its clean - usually takes an hour for a 5x5m pool for the runaround then just 5 mins to rinse, clean and store back in filter box. Now we don't have hoses or anything else to content with in the pool - much more fun.
Terrible!! Broke down 5 times in 2 and 1/2 years – These things are really good when they are actually functional. The problem is that they will only work for 6-8 month then they will break down and need repair. In the 2 and a half years I have owned mine I had to sent it in for warranty claim 4 times (always removed from pool after use) !!! I requested to have new unit sent to me after third… Read more
repair but Zodiac refused to send me a replacement unit. My robot is now out of warranty and has broken down for the 5th time!!!! I may be looking into taking further action against Zodiac! Please if you are reading this review purchase a diffrent brand these are just not reliable.
Excellent – Only used this the once but very impressed, cleaned the whole pool 12M x 3M up the walls all in 1.5 hours, lots quicker than my last more expensive one. Easy to clean after it has done its job. Highly recommend this product Show reply
Known fault with control panel – Had this machine 12 months and control panel stopped working , under warranty control panel was replaced now just under 12 months from replacement control panel went again , zodiac have arranged for new control panel , hopefully this one lasts as machine is a good solid machine. Show details
Hi J I, It's great to hear that the cleaner is doing a… Read more
Find out how Zodiac CX Robotic Pool Cleaner Series compares to other Robotic Pool Cleaners
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Exhaust Valve Fix – If you find your CX35 is not cleaning the best it could be the exhaust valves need replacing. They are easy to check. Pull the filter out and see if they are starting to break up. I’ve attached a couple of photos to show the fix. Just need to remove four screws from the bottom and pullout the panel. Replace valves then reinstall with a Phillips head screwdriver. Show details
A fantastic pool cleaner – A fantastic pool cleaner. The CX20 does the job perfectly. It picks everything up from large leaves down to fine grit. Our pool has never looked better. The CX20 is easy to use,easy to clean & has a large waste basket. I would definitely recommend this pool cleaner. Show details
Didn't last long electronics packed it in – Worked well while it was working had to purchase another filter to pick up fine dirt. 3 years and it packed it in. Looks like electronic. Called manufacture not very helpful. Show details
It's been great . The pool has never looked better. UPDATE Over 2 years on and going strong – Easy to assemble and use . The pool has never looked better . Much better than creepy crawler . And can now run the pool filter less because it is now more efficient. Show details
Fantastic machine no worries at all – This machine straight out of box into the pool went all through the pool effortlessly cleaned walls floor top of pool as well it is far superior than previous cleaner very happy so far Show details
Got Robert the Robot to work easily & efficiently – Have replaced our previous robot with this Zodiac & love this one so much more! The large single catching basket for debris especially. We have a large redgum tree near the pool so leaves & bark on windy days are a constant menace. However, with this Zodiac CX20 our needs are fully met. Thank you Pool & Spa Warehouse for the excellent service & assistance. Show details
Lasted 4 years – Died after 4 years, needs new motor box but these are expensive so not worth fixing. Vacuumed well but didn't clean whole pool in one session. (missed sections) Show details
Initially great – Our zodiac is now 6 yrs old. However being pool owners for over 30 yrs we have had many pool cleaners. When we bought our Zodiak CX 20 it was expensive in comparison to some, but we were well pleased with its performance. Our pool is covered and gets little use so the main debris is the few leaves that sneak under the edges of the cover and sand… Read more
blown in by our easterleas. Last year it required repair. Taking into account the costs for a new one we paid out the $800 to replace motor block and both tracks and cleaning rollers. This season put into pool and stops after 5 mins or so. Advised it is probably the controll unit, which will be around $400 . In hindsight we probably should have replaced said same cleaner last time. We worked out the approx use this cleaner has had over 6 years I am not sure it has been value for money. I will probably look at other cleaners to compare before buying another Zodiac.
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Hi Amy, We would like to apologise for your negative experience and we'd like to learn more about your situation and see if we can provide you with a better solution. Could you send your details (Phone number, email and address) via private message? Thank you
Regards, Zodiac & Astral Pool/Fluidra Support