As every summer, we love to enjoy the pool, especially considering the heat waves this year. But, honestly, no one wants to spend their Saturday morning armed with a net. The dream? A robot that works by itself, without tripping over a cable, that valiantly climbs walls and steps, and leaves the water spotless. On paper, this is exactly the promise of the Maytronics Liberty 600. We had the opportunity to test the excellent Dolphin M550 from the manufacturer last year, but it still had a power cable. But we must admit that the time is for cordless robots, and once you’ve tried it, it’s hard to go back to wired. So, Maytronics offers us this year a cordless, autonomous, robust pool robot, claiming to be the champion of aquatic cleaning, while focusing on ease of use and minimal maintenance. But between the promises of brochures and everyday reality, there is sometimes a world apart. So, how does the Dolphin Liberty 600 really perform? I spent several weeks using it in my steel pool from Gré. It’s time to share my thoughts!
Unboxing the Maytronics Liberty 600
Upon receipt, you can already feel that you are dealing with something substantial! First moments, first glances: the Liberty 600 immediately gives off a bit of a “futuristic machine” vibe.
Nothing like some small plastic wired robots that look cheap. Here, the design opts for robustness, a blend of deep black and transparent elements that reveal the internal mechanics, like a discreet allusion to a certain “high watchmaking” of pool cleaning.
The weight (around 12kg when empty) is surprising but reassuring. You can tell this is a well-made product, designed to last under the sun (and resistant to UV rays, as the matte finish emphasizes durability).
The footprint remains reasonable: just under 45cm long, 40cm wide, and 30cm high.
The contents of the box do not overflow with useless accessories. We have a robust power supply that clips onto the side of the robot:
Different filters for ultra-fine filtration:
And the “clicker”: a kind of waterproof remote control to make the robot come to the surface, which is intriguing but already indicates the practicality of the whole.
A trivial yet immensely satisfying detail: no cables to unwind or dry on the terrace, as we had with the previous version. For anyone who has endured the hell of cables tangled in the skimmers, this is a true plus!
Setting Up the Maytronics Liberty 600
Plug the charger into the side of the robot, wait for the LED to indicate that it is fully charged (count between 4 and 6 hours for a complete recharge depending on discharge rate and ambient temperature), then, off to the pool. Simple as pie!
You toss the Maytronics Liberty 600 into the water (not literally, you gently place it to avoid a monumental splash), and the robot starts to work. No external control center or mandatory app needed to start it: the interface is limited to a few physical buttons on the robot that allow you to choose the cleaning mode.
For the more tech-savvy or fans of connected objects, the Maytronics One app still allows you to program and customize cycles.
But, curiously, there’s no pool mapping or visualization of the robot’s path: it navigates quite randomly, whereas some robots now offer real cleaning plans. The advantage is that starting it remains accessible to everyone: no hassle, just select your preferred mode.
Several modes are offered: Standard (floor, walls, waterline, steps), Floor only, Ultra Clean (for pools at the end of the season or after a big party), and Eco to limit battery consumption and keep the water clean between two major cleanings.
A little note about the famous “clicker”… An almost-gadget accessory at first, but which turns out to be essential: you wave it in the water, the robot detects the signal and climbs up the wall by itself, ready to be retrieved. No more wading to grab a slippery handle at the bottom of the pool. It’s a bit like calling Flipper ;-)
User Feedback: A Cleaning Pro, or Almost?
After a good month of use, the verdict is positive: the water is visibly clearer, and the floor has practically no visible dust. The double filtration system (debris basket and fine cartridge, down to 50 microns) does the job, both on cherry leaves and the finest particles.
The cherry on top: access to the filter cartridge is from the top of the robot; you just need to open it, rinse it out, and it’s ready to go again. At this rate, even hair or cuddly toy strings end up in the basket (and I once found a lost Playmobil…).
Cleaning the Walls and Steps
I was waiting for the Liberty 600 to excel on the walls, like all pool owners who have experienced the frustrations of a robot that gets stuck at the bottom or refuses to climb the crucial step. Good surprise: the Liberty 600 bravely climbs the walls up to the waterline, cleans the corners, and does not shy away from the steps, especially thanks to its dedicated jet system that dislodges impurities from the crevices. Some deeper steps (32cm of minimum water) suit it perfectly. Whereas a few competitors hesitate, it tackles the task without flinching. However, we regret the absence of proper surface cleaning (it does not float and thus does not collect leaves on the surface).
Navigation and Intelligence
The robot does not take a methodical path: navigation remains random, and sometimes we find it a bit indecisive when it changes direction or backs up for no apparent reason. In the vast majority of cases, it ends up covering the entire pool if it is not too convoluted (ultra-complex shapes or pools with obstacles may confuse it).
No plans in the app, no “GPS tracking”: you have to trust the algorithm. On a standard rectangular or classic bean-shaped pool, the coverage is still satisfactory.
Autonomy and Cycles: (Almost) Total Peace of Mind
With a 9,800mAh battery, the Maytronics Liberty 600 can provide up to 4h30 of cleaning on a single charge. And in practice, this corresponds to the longest cycle available (the Eco mode allows keeping the pool clean for two weeks by triggering regular cycles without recharging). For a family that uses the pool a lot in the summer, this is ultra-comfortable. Be careful: you need to anticipate the recharge, as getting back to 100% takes between 4 to 6 hours. Forgetfulness means returning to manual chores…
The advantage is that no cables are lying around, and you can forget about the robot in the pool to come back and find it clean (convenient during vacations). Over time, there is no notable decrease in performance as long as the outside temperature does not exceed 35°C (to avoid impairing battery life in the long term).
Real-World Use
Where the Maytronics Liberty 600 amazed me is in its ease of use: one quickly forgets the old hassles of cables or chaotic navigation. In a family setting, it becomes (almost) invisible: plug it in the evening after swimming, program the cleaning cycle for the next morning, click the “clicker” for retrieval, clean the basket in less than two minutes, and voilà, the water is ready before the first dives of the morning.
The robot emits only a slight hum underwater; it does not disturb the tranquility of the garden (no issues with naps on the lounger). Even the dog, usually apprehensive in front of motors, remained indifferent.
Maintenance remains ultra-minimal. Every two or three sessions, a quick check is mandatory to ensure that no hair or debris is blocking the propeller (a simple disassembly and everything is back to normal). The materials hold up well under the sun and chlorinated water, with no signs of premature fatigue on the shell after several weeks. To conclude this point, the 3-year warranty is reassuring when investing in such equipment.
Conclusion: Should You Choose the Maytronics Liberty 600 for Your Pool?
We haven’t mentioned the small limitations. First, I would have liked a more advanced app, with mapping, and, why not, real-time cleaning tracking, as is starting to be found with some competitors. The inability to clean the surface and the requirement for recharging (with no “fast charge” available) can frustrate those in a hurry or the absent-minded.
Also note that I would not recommend it for an above-ground pool like mine, for example. The robot does its job very well but is excessively heavy when it needs to be pulled out of the water at 1.3m high. Exiting the water is, however, much easier in an inground pool. In any case, the price is clearly aimed at beautiful inground pools, not above-ground ones, since it costs almost the same… Indeed, priced around €1549 according to distributors, the Maytronics Liberty 600 clearly targets the high end of the market. For those who want the top of cordless, it’s a very serious investment. But considering the time saving, comfort, and perceived reliability, the price remains coherent. Sure, one can opt for wired models or lighter battery ones (with shorter cleaning cycles), but you immediately lose in autonomy, practicality, and effectiveness on walls or steps. In short, we understand why it targets demanding users, owners of pools from 8 to 15m, tired of compromises.
If you are looking to regain the magical feeling of a clean pool, without lifting a finger and without tangled cable headaches, the Maytronics Liberty 600 hits the mark. Efficient and powerful on all fronts, it erases most frustrations known with previous-generation robots. There remains a navigational aspect that could be improved and a hefty price tag; but for those seeking the tranquility of automatic cleaning, it quickly becomes addictive. Trying it is getting a taste for freedom (and crystal-clear water).
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