The catch
Polaris ERA 842 Smart
As a corded cleaner, it needs storage space on the deck.
Side by side
Polaris ERA 842 vs 9650iQ: 9650iQ has a longer pool rating plus a waterline-only mode
Quick verdict
For floor-and-wall cleaning inside its 50-foot rating, ERA 842 is the fit. 9650iQ brings a dedicated waterline mode, a larger canister and a 60-foot pool rating.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Rated pool length is 20 percent greater on 9650iQ
Going from 50 to 60 feet raises the limit.
Where this comes from
Subtract 50 from 60 for 10. Dividing 10 by 50 gives 20 percent.
The catch
Polaris 9650iQ Sport
A 70-foot cable still ties it down.
Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Why pick it
- Your required zones are the floor and walls.
- Your pool fits inside the 50-foot rating.
- The catch
- As a corded cleaner, it needs storage space on the deck.
Polaris 9650iQ Sport
- Why pick it
- You require a waterline-only mode.
- A five-liter canister or the longer pool rating appeals to you.
- The catch
- A 70-foot cable still ties it down.
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What this page compares
Polaris ERA 842 and 9650iQ Sport are compared on pool length, cable reach, canister volume and cleaning modes, and extra cable is not counted as extra pool length.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Pool over 50 feet but within a 60-foot rating
The longer pool limit belongs to 9650iQ.
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Caution
- Polaris 9650iQ Sport
- Better fit
A waterline-only mode is wanted
9650iQ shows it.
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Caution
- Polaris 9650iQ Sport
- Better fit
A bigger debris canister is wanted
Five liters fit in the 9650iQ.
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Good
- Polaris 9650iQ Sport
- Better fit
App scheduling and Easy Lift are needed
Those features come with both.
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Good
- Polaris 9650iQ Sport
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Rated pool length is 20 percent greater on 9650iQ
Going from 50 to 60 feet raises the limit.
How we worked this out
Subtract 50 from 60 for 10. Dividing 10 by 50 gives 20 percent.
Canister size goes up 25 percent
Five liters beats four by one liter.
How we worked this out
Subtract 4 from 5 for 1 liter. Dividing 1 by 4 gives 25 percent. How often you empty it depends on how the debris packs.
On both, the cable is ten feet longer than the named pool limit
The route out from the power unit also has to fit within that nominal margin.
How we worked this out
Subtract the 50-foot pool rating from the ERA 60-foot cable and you get 10 feet. The 9650iQ gives the same 10 feet from 70 minus 60. This arithmetic does not approve a specific installation.
Option A
Polaris, FERA842
ERA 842 Smart
This connected ERA model lets you select zones, set schedules and pull it out with Easy Lift.
- Best for
- App scheduling and easier water removal on a 60-foot-cable Polaris setup
Facts we checked
- A 60-foot swivel cable and a four-liter canister are used.
- iAquaLink gives you scheduling and remote cycle control.
- Front-and-rear brushes, Easy Lift, a caddy and a cover come with it.
Option B
Polaris, F9650IQ
9650iQ Sport
This 4WD cleaner for large pools trades the 9550 remote for iAquaLink control and scheduling.
- Best for
- Large in-ground pools with owners who want waterline cleaning and well-established app controls
Facts we checked
- Choose from floor, floor-and-wall, and waterline modes.
- Pools up to 60 feet can be served by the 70-foot cable, and the canister's capacity is five liters.
- iAquaLink scheduling comes with Easy Lift, 4WD and a caddy.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Polaris ERA 842 Smart | Polaris 9650iQ Sport | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool length | Up to 50 feet | Up to 60 feet | 9650iQ pushes the manufacturer pool-length limit further out. |
| Cable | 60 feet | 70 feet | The longer cable still has to cover the deck-side route. |
| Canister | Four liters | Five liters | One extra liter of debris volume fits in the 9650iQ. |
| Modes | Floor or floor and wall | Floor, floor and wall, or waterline only | The dedicated waterline option comes with the 9650iQ. |
| Dirty-canister indicator | No | Yes | An additional maintenance prompt is on the 9650iQ. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Polaris lists floor and floor-plus-wall zones, with no dedicated waterline mode.
With Polaris 9650iQ Sport
- You need storage near the pool for the caddy and the sizable body.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You want a handheld remote rather than an app, on the larger five-liter platform
Neither model fits. A 70-foot cable, a waterline mode and a motion-sensing remote all come together in the 9550 Sport.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick ERA 842 for floor-and-wall cleaning inside its 50-foot rating. Pick 9650iQ for a dedicated waterline mode, a larger canister and a 60-foot pool rating.
If your pool nears 60 feet
Only the 9650iQ carries the relevant published pool-length rating. Do not pick ERA 842 just because its cable is 60 feet long, since cable routing, power-supply position and pool depth all use up reach. Follow the installation guide.
If leaves mean frequent emptying
Nominal volume rises 25 percent with the five-liter canister. That can help with bulky debris, but it does not promise 25 percent fewer trips, since leaves pack differently and filters can load before the container is full. Both still need regular inspection.
When you want a waterline-only pass
A named waterline-only mode comes with the 9650iQ. ERA 842 lists floor and floor-plus-wall modes, so do not treat wall climbing as the same thing. Since both already have app scheduling and Easy Lift, cleaning scope and capacity are the differences that count.
What this page can’t tell you
- The flow, runtime and coverage figures come from the manufacturer and are not matched, independent pool-cleaning tests.
- How well a robot climbs walls, handles steps and cleans the waterline depends on pool geometry and surface conditions. Having an app does not mean you get live underwater radio control.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the robot pool cleaners we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 5 of the 27 models checked meet every need here: “My pool is large or nearly 50 feet”, “Regular scrubbing is needed at the waterline”, “I would like to empty the filter less often”, and “I want an app for controls and status”.
5 models fit, out of 27 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “My pool is large or nearly 50 feet”, “Regular scrubbing is needed at the waterline”, “I would like to empty the filter less often”, and “I want an app for controls and status”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris ERA 842 Smart |
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| Polaris 9650iQ Sport |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Polaris ERA 842 Smart
Your required zones are the floor and walls.
See price & reviews on AmazonPolaris 9650iQ Sport
You require a waterline-only mode.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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