The Talosbo Pleco SE expands our test range with a new pool robot from the affordable segment. Among the closest candidates, it is most comparable to the Ultenic Pooleco 10, but is a few euros cheaper. So what does this mean in detail? The Talosbo Pleco SE is advertised on the website with the slogan “Effortless Excellence”. In addition to a battery life of up to 130 minutes and a coverage area of up to 80 m² pools, it also offers an automatic parking function. As is usual for this price segment, the hydrodynamic design of the Pleco SE resembles the shape of a ray, making it more agile under water. Another advantage is that the pool robot does not have a rope, as this tends to get caught in objects such as the pool ladder.
So much for the theoretical part, which looks promising at first glance. The test shows what the Talosbo Pleco SE can actually do.
Technical data
| Type | Pool cleaning robot |
| Model | Pleco SE |
| Color | gray |
| Max. pool size | 80 m² / 9 m long |
| Ideal pool type | Above ground |
| Usable pool types | Pools with flat bottoms |
| Cover area | Floor |
| motor | 1x drive, 1x pump |
| Scrubbing type | Suction and 2 floor brushes |
| Suction power | 1920 GPH |
| Filtration specification | 180 μm fine filter bowl |
| Filter basket | 2,5 L |
| Running time | Up to 130 minutes |
| Battery size | 5,200 mAh |
| Charging time | 2.5 hours |
| Price |
Price not available * |
Scope of delivery
- Delivery in a cardboard box
- The gripping hook is hidden inside the housing
The Talosbo Pleco SE is delivered in an inconspicuous cardboard box. It initially contains some foam filling material to protect the scope of delivery from damage during transportation. After unpacking, the following elements can be found:
In addition to the pool robot itself, the scope of delivery also includes the associated power supply unit and the usual documentation. The latter are a quick start guide, a user manual, a thank you letter and a list of warnings. Well hidden but still easy to find is the floating hook. Inside the Pleco SE.
Appearance & workmanship
- Eye-catching look in gray with turquoise accents
- Lightweight pool robot with profiled wheels
- Handle on the top makes transportation easier
Of course, it cannot be denied that all pool robots in the price range up to 200 euros have almost identical shapes. The Talosbo Pleco SE is no different and therefore also comes in the usual round format. Accordingly, the filter basket is located in the lower half and extends across the entire width of the housing. Four wheels are attached to the underside for movement. One pair of these is profiled, is significantly wider and is driven by the motor. The other two are used for additional gliding and to maintain stability.
In terms of workmanship, the Talosbo Pleco SE is commensurate with the price. Of course, the pool vacuum cleaner is mainly made of plastic, which is common in this price range. As a result, the Pleco SE is comparatively light and therefore easier to transport than some pool robots, which can weigh up to 10 kg. This is made even easier by the handle on the head of the robot. The only point of criticism is the rather mixed degree of resistance, which occasionally leads to creaking. On the other hand, the robust wheels, thanks to which the robot guarantees a secure stand, score points.
Features
- Dual motor system with 32 GPM filter performance
- 5,200 mAh battery offers up to 130 minutes of runtime
- Collecting tray with 2.5 liter volume and 180 µm fine filter bowl
The Talosbo Pleco SE uses a dual motor system. This consists of one for the drive and one for the suction power. Its filter capacity is 1,920 gallons per hour, which corresponds to around 32 gallons per minute. All of the Pleco SE’s control units are located on the top. There is the on/off switch on one side and the power connection behind a rubber cover on the other.
A 5,200 mAh battery inside the robot’s housing ensures a runtime of around 130 minutes. In general, it can be said that the entire technology of the Talosbo Pleco SE is housed in the cylindrical head section. Inside, there is a lot of free space around the outside, which is the 2-liter dirt compartment with removable filter system, so to speak. When the pool robot is turned upside down, the four wheels for movement, including the two water inlets, are exposed. Adjacent to this are the cleaning brushes, whose abrasion loosens any dirt on the floor. After being sucked in, the latter ends up in the 2.5 liter collecting tray with 180 µm fine filter bowl.
Operation
- Switch on by toggling the button on the housing head
- Battery status is visually highlighted by five LEDs
- Power supply connection is covered by a rubber plug
With regard to the controls, as already mentioned, they are all located on the top side. Apart from the on/off switch, the Talosbo Pleco SE also indicates the battery status using five blue LEDs. As a rule, half a battery charge should be enough to clean the pool for about an hour. However, if the Pleco SE does tend to run out of battery in the pool, it automatically parks at the edge of the pool and signals this with a beep. The grab hook included in the scope of delivery can then be used to retrieve it. If you need an extension at this point, it is worth buying a suitable telescopic pole from the relevant portals.
Once the Talosbo Pleco SE has arrived in the water and sunk to the bottom, the robot starts cleaning after a short waiting time. However, its mode of operation differs from that of more expensive pool robots. In our circular pool test, the Talosbo Pleco SE does not work in structured, linear paths, but rather moves randomly in changing directions. In practice, however, this should make no difference, provided the pool is clean at the end of the day.
Practical test
- Test scenario: Round pool with 460 cm diameter
- Effective cleaning, although some dirt is stirred up first
- Good battery life
Test environment
For our test, we used a round pool with a steel wall. The pool has a capacity of approx. 19,000 liters, a height of 120 cm and a diameter of 460 cm. In the practical test, we want to check whether the Talosbo Pleco SE is able to completely remove all particles from the bottom or whether isolated residues remain.
Commissioning
The Talosbo Pleco SE arrived with a battery level of 60 %, which means that three out of five LEDs were lit when it was unpacked. After a safety charge of 1.5 hours, we put the pool robot into operation in our test environment. First, we placed the on/off switch on the opposite side, using the I and O markings for orientation. As usual, it should be noted that the plug for the power supply connection must be pushed in firmly after the charging process.
Cleaning the base
So much for the introduction and my impressions of the pool robot so far. In a nutshell, this type of product is all about cleaning and the end result: a clean pool. The cleaning process of the Talosbo Pleco SE starts at the bottom of the pool, which is admittedly also somewhat concept-free. This is quite common in this price range, as the necessary AI and sensors are missing. Specifically, the small pool vacuum cleaner turns in different directions, hits the edge of the pool, pauses briefly and then moves to another corner.
In terms of cleanliness, the Talosbo Pleco SE is generally convincing. Pool cleaning is completed in around 45 minutes and the dirt reliably ends up in the vacuum cleaner’s filter basket. The only point of criticism: As with the Ultenic Pooleco 10, its own speed has a slightly negative effect. While it is moving a little faster, dirt particles on the sides are whirled up at first. After subsequently sinking to the ground, the Pleco SE is able to absorb them on the next attempt. However, we did not notice any problems with the minimal sand gradient at the ends of the pool. When bumping against one side, the pool robot only takes a little time to think before changing direction.
One clear advantage of this agile vehicle is that it is not supplied with a floating line. On the one hand, this makes the subsequent retrieval process more difficult, but at the same time it avoids getting caught on obstacles such as the pool ladder. As far as the latter is concerned, we did not experience any problems either. The Talosbo Pleco SE has not gotten stuck in any of the cleaning runs to date. The autonomous cleaning stop at the edge of the pool also works reliably after the job is done or when the battery is low.
Cleaning
- Simple cleaning process thanks to side clips for opening the pool robot
- Rinsing with a garden hose is sufficient against coarse dirt
Once we have cleaned the pool, we need to rinse the Talosbo Pleco SE thoroughly. This can be done using the two gray clips on the front and back. Release them from the latch and pull the head section of the housing off the body. This reveals the filter cover, the size of which extends over the entire base. This can also be easily removed and set aside.
At this point, the accumulated dirt in the collecting tray becomes clear. Ideally, you should first rinse the pool robot with the garden hose and then remove stubborn particles with a cloth. Finally, replace the filter cover and lock the opposite side using the clips on the side.
The process is similar to that of the Ultenic Pooleco 10, which means that the work involved is moderate, simple and can be completed quickly. Even if it is tempting to skip this step after cleaning the pool, it is better not to give in to this temptation. After all, deposited, dry dirt will sooner or later lead to musty odors.
Talosbo Pleco SE test: Conclusion
Our conclusion on the Talosbo Pleco SE is positive: It offers reasonable performance for its entry-level price. The pool robot is therefore an inexpensive solution for cleaning the floor of your own pool. The only thing to bear in mind is that the Talosbo Pleco SE cannot be used in pools with steep slopes or steps and does not have a wall climbing function.
On the other hand, it is considerably lighter in weight than other models, which makes it easier to transport and simplifies the cleaning process. The suction power is adequate and the pool robot can also cope with larger dirt particles. Due to its comparatively high speed, the dust stirred up in the immediate vicinity is only vacuumed up when it comes into contact with the floor again.
In this respect, the test result is almost identical to the Ultenic Pooleco 10, as the Talosbo Pleco SE has a number of similarities. The Pleco SE is particularly attractive for small budgets, not least because it is currently priced below the comparative model. In terms of workmanship, the Talosbo Pleco SE is ahead anyway thanks to its more robust wheels.
VORTEILE
- Effective floor cleaning
- Profiled wheels for more stability
- Powerful battery for long runtime
NACHTEILE
- Cleaning without pattern
- No app support
- No wall cleaning
Fazit
The Talosbo Pleco SE is an affordable robotic vacuum cleaner that is suitable for cleaning simple pools. It concentrates on the essentials: proper floor cleaning. However, this model does not have any other convenient functions such as wall cleaning or app support.
