Robotic Pool Skimmer vs Robotic Pool Cleaner: Why You Need Both

Keeping your pool clean isn’t about finding one pool cleaning device that does everything - it’s about using the right tools for the right job. While robotic pool cleaners (often called pool vacuums) handle debris on the floor and walls, a robotic pool skimmer focuses on what floats on the surface and prevents it sinking to the bottom of the pool floor. Together, they deliver a smarter, more efficient cleaning system that keeps your pool crystal clear with less effort.

What Does a Robotic Pool Skimmer Do?

A robot pool skimmer removes leaves, insects, pollen, sunscreen residue, and other debris from the water’s surface before it sinks to the pool floor. This not only improves water clarity but also reduces strain on your filtration system.

Traditional skimmers are built into pool walls, but modern robotic pool skimmers actively move across the surface, collecting debris more efficiently and reaching corners and areas fixed skimmers can’t.

What Does a Robotic Pool Cleaner (Pool Vacuum) Do?

A robotic pool cleaner, often referred to as a pool vacuum, is designed to clean the pool floor, walls, and waterline. It scrubs surfaces, captures fine debris, and helps prevent algae buildup - keeping your pool hygienic and swim-ready.

However, robotic pool cleaners work below the surface, meaning floating debris must sink before being collected - which can cloud water and increase maintenance.

Robotic Pool Skimmer vs Robotic Pool Cleaner: Key Differences

Rather than choosing one robot over the other having two robots delivers complete coverage from top to bottom.

Robotic Pool Skimmer

A pool skimmer (or swimming pool skimmer) is designed to continuously remove floating debris before it sinks.

Robot Pool Skimmers:

• Clean the pool water surface

• Collect leaves, bugs, pollen

• Works best on floating debris

• Prevents debris build up

Robotic Pool Cleaner / Pool Vacuum:

A robotic pool cleaner is engineered for deep, underwater cleaning using active brushing, powerful suction and intelligent navigation.

Robotic Pool Cleaners:

• Clean the pool floor, walls and waterline

• Collect dirt, sand, leaves, debris

• Uses active scrubbing brushes

• Works best for debris that has sunk

• Deep cleans and scrubs pool surfaces

By using both together, you avoid compromise — and get better results.

Continuous Surface Cleaning with Dolphin Skimmi™

Surface debris doesn’t stop falling into your pool once a cleaning cycle ends - especially outdoor pools.

That’s where Dolphin Skimmi™ stands out:

• Smart solar recharging seeks out sunny spots to recharge

• Optional external charger

• Advanced Eco mode for conserving energy during the night

• Continuously skims across the pool surface collecting any floating debris

By removing debris early, this swimming pool skimmer significantly reduces the amount of dirt that sinks to the bottom, lightening the workload for your robotic pool cleaner.

Faster, More Efficient Pool Cleaning

When each cleaner has a dedicated task, your pool gets clean faster.

• Dolphin Skimmi™ focuses on the water surface

• Your robotic pool vacuum cleaner focuses on the pool surfaces

There’s no overlap, no wasted effort - just efficient, targeted cleaning that keeps your pool looking better, sooner.

Better Daily Cleaning Results

Floating debris that isn’t removed quickly will eventually sink, creating more work for your pool cleaner. A Dolphin Skimmi™ pool skimmer prevents this by removing debris early, leading to:

• Cleaner water every day

• Less debris buildup on the floor

• Improved overall pool appearance

The result is a pool that stays cleaner between robotic cleaning cycles.

Improved Water Quality and Reduced Maintenance

Floating organic surface debris doesn’t just look untidy - it affects water quality.

By removing leaves, insects and oils before they break down, a dedicated pool skimmer helps to:

• Reduce strain on the pool filtration system

• Improve water clarity

• Support more balanced pool chemistry

Combined with a robotic pool cleaner, this creates a cleaner, healthier pool with less manual maintenance.

Extends the Life of Your Robotic Pool Cleaner

Collecting surface debris early prevents your pool vacuum from overworking and reduces unnecessary movement and strain on its battery and motors. Over time, this helps:

• Extend battery lifespan

• Reduce wear and tear

• Maintain strong cleaning performance

It’s a smarter way to protect your investment.

A Flexible, Future-Proof Pool Cleaning System

Every pool is different - from leafy backyards to high-use family pools.

Using a separate robotic pool skimmer and robotic pool vacuum allows you to:

• Choose the best robotic pool cleaner for your pool size and shape

• Have continuous surface cleaning

• Upgrade or replace either robot independently

It’s a flexible, future-proof approach to pool care.

Dolphin Skimmi™ + Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner = Better Together

Using Dolphin Skimmi™ alongside a robotic pool cleaner creates a complete pool cleaning system:

• The swimming pool skimmer handles surface debris

• The robotic pool cleaner scrubs floors, walls, waterlines, some models even scrub pool ledges and steps

• Your pool stays cleaner with less effort

Two separate pool cleaners are better than one. Rather than relying on one pool cleaner to do everything, splitting the workload delivers better performance and efficiency.

The Bottom Line

A cleaner pool doesn’t come from one device trying to do it all. It comes from using the right robot pool skimmer and the right robotic pool cleaner, each designed for its specific role.

With Dolphin Skimmi™ and a Dolphin robotic pool cleaner, you get:

• Continuous surface Skimming

• Faster, more effective robotic cleaning

• Better battery performance

• Improved water quality

• Smarter, more efficient pool care

Because sometimes, the best solution isn’t all-in-one - it’s designed to work together.