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FEPIC8520
The EPIC 8520 is the entry point to Polaris's EPIC line: the same cyclonic vacuum, tracks, Double Helix brush and Easy Lift as the bigger EPICs, sized for pools up to 40 feet with a 50-foot cable, a single front brush and simple one-touch controls. Because it runs off a plug-in power supply, there's no battery to charge and no run-time limit beyond the cycle you pick.
Our pairing pick: add a Betta SE Plus solar skimmer
Most of what ends up on your pool floor starts out floating: leaves, pollen, bugs and dust. The Betta SE Plus solar robotic skimmer patrols the surface all day on solar power and catches that debris before it sinks. With the surface handled, the EPIC 8520 has less to pick up, its canister fills more slowly, and you won't need to run it as often. The Betta has no cord, so there's nothing for the EPIC's floating cable to tangle with.
Polaris overview
Corded robots like the EPIC don't have the charging limits of a cordless robot. You can run a cycle, empty the canister and start another right away. A few things still matter:
| Situation | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Normal weekly upkeep | Run a full 2.5-hour cycle as often as your pool needs. The 8520 has no scheduler, so each cycle is started at the control box. Use the 1.5-hour floor-only cycle for quick pickups. |
| Spring opening / pool closed all winter | Net out the big leaves first and get the water clear and above 55°F. A winter's worth of debris fills the 4 L canister quickly, and a full canister cuts suction and climbing. Expect to run several cycles, emptying the canister between each. Because it's corded, you can run them back to back. |
| Fall leaf drop | Use the floor-only cycle and check the canister through the clear lid. Empty it as soon as it looks full. |
| Cable tangles | The 8520's cable doesn't have a swivel, so it can twist over time. Lay the cable out straight from the middle of the pool with no coils, and untangle it every so often. If it does twist, unplug it at the control box and untangle it starting at the robot end. |
| Getting it out | Press Easy Lift on the control box. It drives to a wall, climbs to the waterline and waits so most of the water drains as you lift. Always lift by the handle, never by the cable. |
| Between cycles | Polaris says to take it out of the pool after each cycle rather than leaving it in the water. |
| Where the power supply goes | At least 5 ft from the pool edge, plugged straight into a GFCI outlet (no extension cord). |
| Storage | Untangle and loosely coil the cable, keep everything out of direct sun (an optional caddy makes this easier), and don't let it dry in the sun. Over a Minnesota winter, store the robot, cable and control box indoors where they won't freeze. |
| Mode | Covers | Cycle time | Started from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor, walls and waterline (default) | Entire pool | 2 hr 30 min | Control box |
| Floor only | Pool floor and floor-wall cove | 1 hr 30 min | Control box |
Want app control, scheduling and adjustable cycle times? The EPIC 8642 iQ adds Wi-Fi and the iAquaLink app. For bigger pools, a rear brush, a swivel cable and an included caddy without the app, see the EPIC 8640.
| Feature | EPIC 8520 (this model) | EPIC 8640 | EPIC 8642 iQ | ALPHA iQ | ALPHA iQ+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max pool length | 40 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 60 ft |
| Cleaning modes | Floor/walls/waterline, floor | Floor/walls/waterline, floor | Floor/walls/waterline, floor | SMART, floor | SMART, floor, floor/walls/waterline, waterline only, custom |
| Brushes / drive | Front brush, tracks | Front and rear brushes, tracks | Front and rear brushes, tracks | Front brush, 4WD | Front brush, 4WD |
| Cable | 50 ft, no swivel | 60 ft with swivel | 60 ft with swivel | 60 ft with swivel | 70 ft with swivel |
| Canister | 4 L | 4 L | 4 L | 5 L with full indicator | 5 L, lit, with full indicator |
| App (iAquaLink) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Easy Lift | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Caddy | Not included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
See all our robotic pool cleaners →
| Model number | FEPIC8520 |
| UPC | 052337095716 |
| Pool type | In-ground, all surfaces |
| Pool size | Up to 40 ft long |
| Cleaning modes | Floor/walls/waterline (2.5 hr) or floor only (1.5 hr) |
| Brushes | Front Double Helix brush, dual-traction motor |
| Drive | Continuous track wheels |
| Vacuum | Cyclonic |
| Filter canister | 4 L, top access, clear lid |
| Cable | 50 ft floating cable, no swivel |
| Power supply | 100–125 VAC input, 30 V DC to the cleaner, 150 W max; GFCI outlet required |
| Water temperature | 55°F to 95°F |
| Controls | One-touch control box; no app or scheduling |
| Caddy | Not included (optional accessory) |
| Warranty | 2-year limited |
Do I need to charge it?
No. The EPIC 8520 is corded, so it runs whenever it's plugged in. You can run cycles back to back.
Can it clean my pool right after opening in the spring?
Yes, once the water is clear and above 55°F. Net out the big debris first and plan on emptying the canister between several cycles.
What's the difference between the 8520 and 8640?
The 8640 is rated for pools up to 50 ft and adds a rear brush, a 60 ft cable with a tangle-reducing swivel, and an included caddy. Cleaning modes, cycle times and Easy Lift are the same.
Does it come with a caddy?
No. A caddy is available separately.
Will it work in an above-ground pool?
No. Polaris rates the EPIC series for in-ground pools.
Can I leave it in the pool?
Polaris recommends taking it out after each cycle.
Also searched as: Polaris Epic 8520, Polaris 8520, FEPIC8520, Zodiac/Fluidra robotic pool cleaner, corded robot pool vacuum.
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