Wall climbing requires a full charge and the correct mode.
Wall climbing requires a full charge and the correct mode. The X1 Pro and Pro Max support Floor + Wall + Waterline cleaning. The base X1 is floor-only and will not climb walls regardless of mode selected.
X1 Pro & Pro Max Only: Wall Mode Requirements
To clean walls: select Wall+Floor or Auto mode in the app before starting the cycle. Ensure the robot has a full charge — wall climbing uses significantly more power than floor cleaning. In pools deeper than 8 feet, the robot may not reach the full wall height on a single charge. Run a second cycle for deeper pools.
Robot Climbs to Mid-Wall and Stops
Common cause: battery not fully charged, or the pool wall material (pebble aggregate, rough plaster) has high friction reducing grip. Fix: (1) Fully charge before use. (2) Clean the robot’s drive rollers — debris on rollers reduces grip. (3) Try a second wall mode run immediately after a floor mode run. In very deep pools (> 9 ft), partial wall coverage per cycle is normal.
Waterline Cleaning (X1 Pro Max)
Waterline mode is only available on the X1 Pro Max. Activate it in the app via Wall+Waterline or Auto mode. The robot will travel along the waterline perimeter after completing the wall surfaces. Waterline cleaning requires the robot to operate very close to the water surface; ensure pool water level is within normal range (not below the skimmer mouth) for best results.
Pool Surface Compatibility
The X1 Pro / Pro Max works best on smooth plaster, fiberglass, and vinyl surfaces. Pebble Tec and rough aggregate provide less grip. Saltwater pools are compatible. Above-ground pools with sloped walls: the robot may slide rather than climb on walls steeper than 80°. Check the product spec sheet for exact wall angle compatibility.