We're live at CES 2026, and one of the best smart home drops is for pool owners.
Robot pool cleaners are the embodiment of modern convenience for pool owners like me and a true game-changer for keeping them clean without hours of labor each week. But even these handy helpers aren't perfect.
The biggest drawback of using robot pool cleaners is the need to empty the debris tank and clean the filter. The task can be annoying at best and downright gross at worst, as the contents of the debris chamber often include a mixture of soggy leaves, dirt, slime and bugs.
Beatbot's latest launch, unveiled today at CES 2026, the Beatbot AquaSense X ecosystem, comprised of the Beatbot AquaSense X AI Robotic Pool Cleaner and the Beatbot AstroRinse Cleaning Station, takes care of the last nagging chore for pool robot operation.
I got a sneak peek at Beatbot's new self-emptying robot pool cleaner at CES 2026. David Watsky/CNET
After each pool cleaning cycle, users simply drop the robot onto the freestanding station, where it self-empties and rinses the inner chamber and filter, preparing it for the next use with no manual scooping required.
As a pool owner, not thrilled by the idea of scooping mounds of soggy goop every few days, consider me excited.
So how exactly does it work?
Once docked, the station activates a high-pressure rotating backflush that clears the filter and directs debris straight into a sealed waste bin. In just three minutes, the filter is cleaned and ready for the next run, requiring no human maintenance.
Beatbot's new pool robot ecosystem does all the gross, basket-emptying for you. David Watsky/CNET
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