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TechHive Editors Choice At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Outstanding cleaning quality Epic battery life Best-in-class remote control Cons Easily gets stuck on steps Both retrieval and cleanup can be tricky Snaking cable makes for less tidy storage and appearance Our Verdict The Fanttik Aero X robotic pool cleaner runs fast and runs long: With six hours of running time and top-notch cleaning power, the device makes short work of underwater debris. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Fanttik Aero X Retailer Price $999.99 View Deal $1,199.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket In a world dominated by bulbous black-and-blue hardware, the Fanttik Aero X pool robot immediately caught my eye. It’s not just that it’s black and yellow, it’s that the industrial design looks more like a lawn mower than any pool robot I’ve tested. It has much smaller front wheels than usual, and an exposed rubber drive belt that connects them to its motor. The forward-center brush cylinder is even reminiscent of the front of a lawn mower. And I suppose it makes sense: A robotic pool cleaner performs about the same function, only underwater. The Fanttik Aero X is a demon on wheels underwater. As a company, Fanttik markets an eclectic collection of electronic tools, including tire inflators, vacuum cleaners, and electric screwdrivers. The Aero X is its only pool robot and the only device it sells that is even remotely connected to swimming pools. Given all that, I didn’t have the highest of hopes that the product would make much of an impact in an increasingly crowded market. The Fanttik Aero X comes with a remote control and a floating antenna that avoids the common problem of water blocking a Wi-Fi connection. Christopher Null/Foundry Well, it goes to show that first impressions aren’t always correct: After a week of testing, the Fanttik Aero X proved itself as one of my favorite pool robots—and one of the most capable models I’ve tested to date. Specifications Weighing 20.7 pounds, the Aero X is reasonably maneuverable, with handles on both the rear and both sides of the device to make it easier to grab when it’s at the waterline. Three cleaning modes cover floor only; floor and waterline; or “all,” which adds walls to the mix. The mode can be selected either via switches on the rear of the robot or via the Fanttik app, which I’ll cover in more detail in a bit. This remote control, complete with joystick, makes it easy to manually drive the Aero X around your pool.Christopher Null/Foundry The Aero X has a very large (6 liters) center-mounted filter basket that can be optionally enhanced with the addition of a mesh bag for collecting extremely fine-grained sand and dirt. It’s powered by a massive 16,000mAh battery, which Fanttik says can provide a whopping six hours of running time. I was sure this was hyperbole, but repeated testing proved that the robot can truly deliver on that claim, as I was regularly able to get a full quarter of a day of cleaning on a single day. Officially, Fanttik specifies a maximum coverage area of a massive 5,382 square feet, or about 40 percent the size of an Olympic swimming pool. The Aero X is equipped with a very large (6 liters) center-mounted filter basket.Christopher Null/Foundry One additional hardware feature of note is a long cord that snakes out the back of the Aero X, with a Styrofoam float connected to the tail end. This cord doesn’t connect to anything else, but it does keep a small electronic element floating at the waterline. Effectively, the cord works as an antenna that allows you to remotely control the robot via Bluetooth, either via the app on your smartphone or with the physical remote control that comes with it. That would be impossible otherwise, because it’s difficult for wireless signals travel through water. Some other remote-controlled robotic pool cleaners I’ve tested use pulsed-light signals for this purpose. Performance The Aero X is a demon on wheels underwater. Drop it into the pool and it tears across the floor like an underwater remote-controlled car, so fast the front end sometimes pops up off the bottom of the pool. Again, I can’t recall seeing another pool robot with this much speed—and that’s normally not a good thing. I’ve found that fast robots frequently miss debris, simply zooming over it and failing to suction it up. If you’re concerned about cleaning your pool of fine grit, you can choose to install this mesh filter bag in its debris basket, but be aware that it can be very difficult to clean throroughly.Christopher Null/Foundry Not so with the Aero X: It’s not only good at collecting debris on the first pass, but its extended run time also means it has plenty of time to go over the pool time and time again; so, anything it missed the first time around eventually gets scooped up. In both organic and synthetic tests, Fanttik’s machine delivered exemplary performances, missing only 2 of the 100 test leaves in my silk leaf test. Like many pool robots, however, the Aero X struggles with steps, and it even got stuck diagonally on the steps at one point, unable to free itself without my help. This might be its only major failing. The Aero X works just fine on its own, but the remote control is something else; it’s hands down the best remote I’ve encountered on a pool robot. Powered by three AA batterie, the remote is fairly simple, with only a power button, a mode button (to switch between auto and manual mode), and a third button for changing the bot’s speed. Steps are the Aero X’s Kryptonite; the robot could not free itself from this predicament.Christopher Null/Foundry The centerpiece is a joystick that gives you full, real-time, responsive control over the robot. Again, the analogy to a remote-controlled car is apt. Driving the Aero X around the pool is fun and nothing like the halting, buggy experience you must suffer through with traditional pool robot remotes. Fanttik’s app is simple but effective, providing basic control over the device, including another joystick-like control system, simple logs, and a scheduling system that lets you direct the robot to periodically clean the pool on a weekly basis, if you prefer to leave your robot in the pool instead of drying it out after each run. There’s also a “lift” function in the remote that directs the robot to climb to the waterline and wait for retrieval, but this is one of the few issues I had with the Aero X, as I was never able to get it to successfully dock itself at the edge of the pool unless I controlled it manually with the joystick. Fanttik’s app will keep you informed about the robot’s operational status, provided you’re in Bluetooth range.Christopher Null/Foundry Although Fanttik’s manual says otherwise, I found that by default the Aero X will run until its battery is fully dead, leaving no battery power remaining for directing the robot to manually climb the walls for retrieval. I solved this after a firmware update by dialing down the default running time to five hours, leaving enough juice behind for retrieval. In a pinch, I found I could simply pull it out of the water by grabbing the cable, though my suspicion is that this is not officially sanctioned (although it isn’t prohibited in the manual). No retrieval hook is included in the box. The lengthy cable that snakes out the back of the Fanttik Aero X serves as antenna, allowing for remote control even underwater.Christopher Null/Foundry Clean-up can be time consuming, as that filter basket is enormous and difficult to get fully clean, even with extended time with a hose. The added mesh bag is even tougher to properly clean out, and it’s also worth noting that Fanttik provides no instructions at all about how the mesh bag is supposed to be used. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robotic pool cleaners. I guessed at its placement (directly attached to the suction intake inside the filter basket), but found it difficult to wrangle into place. Fortunately, the basket does such a solid enough job on its own that I expect most users won’t need to use the bag at all. Should you buy the Fanttik Aero X? The only other hiccup I encountered with the Aero X was a stray error message in its app alerting me to a clogged filter and instructing me to immediately retrieve the robot for cleaning. The robot kept running normally despite the error, however; and when I retrieved it, I found that there was no clog. That’s a pretty minor complaint, all things considered. Despite a few operational issues—namely its trouble with steps—the Fanttik Aero X is a uniquely fantastic robot that merits consideration for use in any pool—even larger commercial or public pools. Read...

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The weather is warming up and we’re all dreaming about days lounging by the pool. For some, however, the thought of having to keep cleaning out the pool turns this dream into a nightmare. Enter the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max, a robotic pool cleaner that can take this chore off your hands without even breaking a sweat. The new Scuba X1 Pro Max is the most advanced and user-friendly robotic pool cleaner you can get your hands on, and it will ensure your pool water remains crystal clear throughout the swimming season. What to expect from Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max The Aiper robotic cleaner can navigate your pool on its own, map out the area, and deploy 8,500 GPH suction to ensure everything is clean. When the job is complete, it parks itself at the edge of your pool and patiently waits for you. A special caddy can help you carry the load, which means you won’t need to strain if you need to move it around. Inside the Scuba X1 Pro Max, dozens of sensors and nine motors are responsible for the magic, helping the robot to navigate the pool and clean it to perfection. The super-high suction power is sufficient for capturing bugs, debris, and fallen leaves, while the MicroMesh ultra-fine filter makes sure none of that muck seeps back into the water. What you’ll really love about the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max is its cordless design: it will do a much better job of navigating the pool than those old wired models you might have used in the past. A single charge allows it to clean the surface of the pool for up 12 hours, although your mileage may vary–the runtime drops to 5.5 hours if it has to put more energy into scrubbing the pool floor. It takes about four hours for the robot to recharge, so it can be quickly up and ready for its next bout of cleaning. Aiper It won’t just clean the water surface and floors, but also the waterline and the pool’s walls, ensuring a thorough cleaning job all round. Aiper And unlike other pool-cleaning robots, you can still communicate with the Scuba X1 Pro Max while it’s underwater. Aiper’s solar-powered HydroComm Series is the floating gadget that acts as a bridge between your phone and the robot. When connected, even mid-cleaning job you can use the mobile app to select the cleaning mode, adjust the power output, or specify how many cleaning passes you want it to take. The $499.99 HydroComm Pro is also a handy device for monitoring the water quality and underwater communication. All in, this is a completely wireless solution that will take all the hard work out of pool cleaning and free up hours of your time–it’s time you started associating pool time with leisure and fun times again. Where to buy Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max The Scuba X1 Pro Max is currently available for $2,299.99, which is a massive $300 discount from its full price. The HydroComm Series starts at $399.99. The underwater communication device HydroComm Pure will be available in June, while the caddy is an additional $249. Save $300 on Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max View Deal Read...

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Computex 2025 is drawing to a close today, putting a period on a fairly sleepy convention—at least, compared to previous years. But while the big hardware announcements may have left PC building enthusiasts craving more, fun components still could be found around the show. Like PC cases. I haven’t been on the show floor, but I’m still pumped for the news that I’ve been devouring while at home. I wasn’t exactly planning a makeover for my rig just yet, but I’m now awfully tempted by what’s coming down the pipeline. Especially by one case in particular.(It’s not the one all my colleagues want.) Interested in all the best hardware out of Computex? Check out our staff’s picks! InWin ChronoMancy InWin IT`S TIME!!!! Presenting #InWin`s newest signature chassis, ChronoMancy! Paying homage to InWin`s 40th Anniversary. The blue top showcases iconic cases while the middle section opens completely with a press of a button or wave a wand! More details to come! #Computex2025 #Computex pic.twitter.com/hSokT2p8kO— InWin (@InWin) May 19, 2025 For its 40th anniversary, InWin pulled out all the stops. At Computex, the company unveiled the ChronoMancy, a jaw-dropping piece of spectacle that stands over 3 feet tall (!). This E-ATX case looks like a bit of wizardry with cyberpunk overtones—transparent blue plastic set against a sleek, dark gray aluminum body. When lit in a full build, the shimmering effect of RGB lighting makes the whole array look like a device meant to bring the dead to life. Personally, I dig how the rounded panels curve around to reveal the components inside, which stack like the spine of a mechanical beast. Also, the fact you can open this chassis with the wave of a wand. (You can also press a button, but that’s way more boring.) Sinking money into this likely super-expensive case seems like a good idea. Right? Right. Hyte X50 Air Hyte Call me a curmudgeon, but it feels like every case is a sharp-edged box these days. Don’t get me wrong—when the O11D first appeared on the scene, its clean lines provided a needed break from “gaming” cases that had aggressive ridges, fins, and slanted front panels. I never wanted the whole industry to lean so hard into that single look, though.  Thankfully, Hyte is swimming upstream with delightfully (and literally) bubbly, colorful cases. Its X50 Air has me seriously considering putting cash down to rehome my current desktop build. I adore red PC cases, and they don’t often appear in the wild. But the X50 also sports pink, lime green, and periwinkle options in addition to standard white and black, too. Heck, as hard as I fell for the red color, even the white case could be fun for a project—maybe a “skittles” build? Use the white as a base for color accents from across the rainbow (custom cables, perhaps). Just peeks of color through the mesh panels could be cute, given the rounded, curved shape of the case edges. (Rather than incongruous on a sharp box.) An X50 variant with a glass panel exists as well, but nah. I love the meshy, huggable vibe of the X50 Air. Not for you? Just think of how you could tempt the kids in your life away from their consoles. SilverStone FLP-02 Willis Lai / Foundry I have to be honest—I love to hate this case. Just as with the neon vomit everyone associates with the 1980s, I also want to leave beige cases firmly in the 1990s. Not my coworkers, though. SilverStone made a beige throwback case as a joke awhile back, and the tech media took off with spreading word of it. And now we’re here with the SilverStone FLP-02. In the year of our lord 2025, did I expect a chassis with 5.25-inch bays, a front panel with grills dead center and along its edges, and even a turbo button? And also a lock? Nope. Are we getting one? Yep. Pretty sure my boss is going to be first in line for this ATX case, which he calls a piece of junk debris memorabilia out of a time machine. But one that is fully modern inside, despite its looks. I will grudgingly admit though—you could definitely use this as a sleeper build. Shove a RTX 5090 in it and never worry about it being stolen. You know, like those fake cans of soup you were supposed to hide your money and spare keys in, as seen in ’90s commercials. Yes, I remember. Phanteks Evolv2 Matrix GearSeekers / Phanteks Who really wants gigantic LCD screens inside their PC? Me, actually, but Phanteks showed off a case at Computex that has me potentially reconsidering. Perhaps I should be aiming for something a little more practical (aka visible)–but no less cool. The Evolv X2 Matrix has a fun extra at the bottom of its chassis—a display that shows text in a pixel font. Text that can scroll, to boot, wrapping from front panel to side without a hitch. The look perfectly blends retro vibes with enough modern style to turn my head. Somehow, seeing the sample temperature bars for your CPU and GPU rendered in blocky lines is just so charming. For a closer look, hit up this video from our friends over at GearSeekers. In Nick’s own words? “Huh, that’s pretty cool, I haven’t really seen that before.” Me either, dude—it’s slick. Even more fun? It apparently comes part of a line of Matrix cases.  Also I realized plenty of room still exists for an AIO with a screen, so I’m now asking my future self: ¿Por qué no los dos? Cooler Master MasterFrame 360 Panoramic OC3D TV / Cooler Master Some people have expert-level cable management skills. (I do not.) But we can still aspire to such lofty heights—particularly when you have a good purchase to motivate you to improve. For me, that challenge buy would be the Cooler Master MasterFrame 360 Panoramic, which wraps glass around three sides of the case for a full view of the build. You can’t hide your frustrated attempts to quit cable management early with this chassis. Softening the harsh demand to git gud are the lovely curves on the front panel of the 360 Panoramic—I find the gentler aesthetic less intimidating. Sure, I don’t do custom water cooling (another solid skill to make the most of this look), but you know what? Do I really need to, when there are AIOs with gigantic screens I could feature inside? You may think seeing one fish tank style case means you’ve seen them all, but not anymore. You’ll understand when you take a closer look at the case, courtesy of OC3D TV. Read...

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