As a household of 5 that lives within the pool all summer season, preserving the water crystal clear is absolutely necessary to us. From internet hosting pool events to only hanging out on a lazy Sunday, the aim is at all times to maintain the pool swim-ready straight by way of Labor Day.
That is why I needed to check out the Bublue BuHybrid L6 pool cleansing robotic as summer season began to ebb away. It is supposedly the “world’s first hybrid wire and cordless robotic pool cleaner,” which is one other approach of claiming you may plug it in or run off the inner battery.
More often than not, we saved it wi-fi and obtained two hours of unrestricted battery-powered runtime. It was nice for every day repairs. After we needed extra, we plugged it into its beneficiant 49-foot tether for limitless deep-cleaning and enhanced settings like Eco, Efficiency and Nook Increase.
The BuHybrid L6 delivered spectacular protection, scrubbing flooring, waterlines, and sure — even climbs pool partitions. For the ultimate check, I put it to work throughout pool closing, a chore I normally dread as a lot as saying goodbye to summer season. This time, although, the method felt simpler, and I’m assured our pool shall be glowing and able to go when subsequent season rolls round.
However whereas the BuHybrid L6 impressed us with its hybrid design and light-weight construct, it isn’t good. Right here’s what stood out, and what left us wanting extra.
What I favored
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Hybrid cleansing modes
One of many BuHybrid L6’s greatest promoting factors is its flexibility. The corded and cordless modes imply you’re not locked into one setting or setup. For instance, after we needed steady energy for full pool deep cleans, the corded choice allow us to have the flexibility to deep clear for hours with out worrying about battery life.
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Though we used the cordless mode more often than not, having the choice was good. The hybrid design made it versatile sufficient to match our cleansing schedule. On Sundays, I recurrently did a scrub whereas tethered however throughout the week, I dropped the vacuum in, cord-free.
Light-weight and straightforward to make use of
The load of this cleaner was an enormous promoting level for me. I’ve examined different pool vacuums that had been so heavy I couldn’t transfer them with out the assistance of my husband. However this one is pretty gentle, and one of many best pool cleaners to maneuver round, so setting it up earlier than a swim or packing it away for the season is a one-person job.
Strong cleansing efficiency (when tethered)
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
When plugged in, the BuHybrid L6 did an incredible job clearing particles from the pool ground, partitions and waterline. It comes with a number of cleansing modes, together with a full pool cycle and a focused eco mode.
The L6 comes with 4 built-in cleansing choices that cowl all of the fundamentals:
- Flooring: Focuses solely on the pool backside, nice for every day particles.
- Wall: Climbs and scrubs vertical surfaces.
- Waterline: Targets that cussed ring across the fringe of the pool.
- Full Pool (Auto): An entire cycle that tackles the ground, partitions, and waterline in a single go.
The AI-based navigation coupled with the unit’s ultrasonic sensors meant that the cleaner strikes precisely throughout slopes, steps and round drains. And due to the machine’s gentle dimension, it appeared to maneuver with better ease across the pool than different fashions I’ve examined.
Superior modes (corded solely)
Plugging within the L6 unlocks additional options by way of the companion app. These gave us extra management for deeper cleans:
- Eco: An influence-saving mode that retains issues tidy between greater periods.
- Efficiency (Energy): Cranks up suction for a extra aggressive scrub.
- Nook Increase: Makes a number of passes to focus on tough edges and corners.
You can too customise run instances (2, 3, or 4 hours) and even alter the “path width” for extra tightly spaced sweeps.
Good worth for cash
The L6 connects to the companion smartphone app through Wi-Fi, which unlocks extra customizations than you’d sometimes discover on a cleaner at this worth. Its sonar-guided navigation additionally helps it cowl floor methodically.
It’s not as expensive as high-end fashions, however nonetheless delivers a robust function set for households who need a dependable pool companion with out overspending.
What I did not like
Not every part went swimmingly (!) with the BuHybrid L6. None of those downsides are a deal-breaker, but it surely’s value preserving these components in thoughts earlier than you make a selection on whether or not to speculate on this robotic pool cleaner.
Cordless mode underwhelms
When the battery life on the cordless mode tops out round two hours, switching to cordless mode is a should if the pool nonetheless wants cleansing. With out the wire, cleansing efficiency drops significantly. In different phrases, don’t anticipate a spotless pool except the vacuum is plugged in.
I discovered the hose to be clunky. Having used plenty of pool vacuums that do the job with out an attachment, the hose might be actually annoying. It could actually drag, tangle or tug excess of anticipated and I used to be at all times going out to the pool to assist clean it out. With three younger youngsters, the very last thing I would like on my agenda is to maintain monitor of a pool hose.
Navigation and filter hiccups
The cleaner struggled with navigation at instances, typically getting caught on the steps and ladder, and unable to deal with any sort of awkward angle. Whereas the app is nice, the occasional glitch or lag, appeared to be the norm.
The filter basket is superior; its giant dimension holds numerous particles, however the lid doesn’t at all times fully safe itself. Just a few time the lid even popped off, mid-cycle.
Is the BuHybrid L6 value it?
The BuHybrid L6 is a stable, mid-price pool vacuum that strikes a robust stability between comfort, efficiency and worth. For households like ours who virtually dwell within the pool all summer season, its light-weight construct and cordless function made upkeep far much less of a chore.
I recurrently leaned on the cordless mode for fast touch-ups; the tethered choice, although awkward, handles the heavy lifting with spectacular consistency. Sure, the hose might be irritating, and the navigation isn’t good, however for the worth vary, the L6 delivers the place it counts.
If you would like a dependable robotic cleaner that adapts to your schedule and not using a hefty price ticket, this hybrid vacuum is effectively value it. I additionally not too long ago examined the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Extremely, which I used to be fairly taken with. It is costlier, however was additionally a incredible choice for hassle-free pool upkeep.
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