**Taking care of a pool sounds tough.** But it’s key to nonstop fun. **Scrubbing seems like a chore.** Yet pool vacuum cleaners make it a breeze. They’re clever at cleaning the pool’s floor and walls, lifting dirt, debris, and even algae.
When it comes to pool vacuum cleaners, there are several types to choose from. The most common types are suction-side, pressure-side, and robotic. Suction-side cleaners attach to the suction line of your pool’s filtration system and use the suction to move around the pool and collect debris. Pressure-side cleaners use the pressure from your pool’s return line to move around and collect debris. Robotic cleaners are self-contained units that operate independently of your pool’s filtration system.
When choosing a pool vacuum cleaner, there are a few critical things to consider. The first is the size and shape of your pool. Some cleaners are better suited for smaller or larger pools, while others are designed for specific shapes. The second is the type of debris you need to clean. Some cleaners are better at picking up larger debris like leaves and twigs, while others are better at removing smaller particles like dirt and sand. Finally, you’ll want to consider the cost and maintenance requirements of the cleaner.
We spent hours researching and testing various pool vacuum cleaners to identify the best options for different pool sizes, shapes, and debris types.
Best Pool Vacuum Cleaners
We know how important it is to keep your pool clean and sparkling. That’s why we’ve researched and tested a variety of pool vacuum cleaners to bring you our top picks. Whether you have an above-ground or in-ground pool, these vacuums will help you maintain crystal clear water all season long. Check out our list below for the best pool vacuum cleaners on the market.
Zodiac MX6 Elite Automatic Suction-Side Pool Cleaner Vacuum
If you’re looking for a compact and powerful pool cleaner, the Zodiac MX6 Elite is a great option.
Pros
- The innovative low-flow design makes it ideal for pools with 2-speed or variable speed pumps.
- The cyclonic suction and articulating turbine blade provide powerful vacuuming and aggressive wall-climbing.
- The swiveling hoses are quick-connect style for easy assembly.
Cons
- The cleaner may have trouble with larger leaves and debris.
- It may require some tweaking of the suction and pump settings to get the vacuum moving properly.
- The cleaner doesn’t clean steps, only the floor, walls, and waterline.
We’ve been using the Zodiac MX6 Elite for a few months now and have been impressed with its performance. The compact size makes it easy to maneuver and store, and the low-flow design has helped save energy costs. The cyclonic suction and articulating turbine blade work together to provide powerful vacuuming and wall-climbing capabilities. Assembly was a breeze with the quick-connect style hoses, and the automatic Weir Valve and other included accessories made installation a snap.
One downside we’ve noticed is that the cleaner may struggle with larger leaves and debris. It’s also important to adjust the suction and pump settings properly to avoid any issues with the vacuum moving properly. However, overall we’ve found the Zodiac MX6 Elite to be a reliable and efficient pool cleaner that gets the job done.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re looking for a robotic pool cleaner that is easy to use and provides a thorough cleaning, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus may be the right choice for you.
Pros
- The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has powerful wall climbing capabilities that allow it to scrub the floor and walls of your pool, no matter the shape or surface type.
- The easy-access, top load fine filter basket removes debris from your pool, providing crystal-clear water. Its powerful filtration keeps your pool clean all year long.
- With the Dolphin’s plug-and-play system, cleaning your pool has never been easier. Just plug your robot in, drop it into the pool, and turn on the power supply for a spotless pool in just two hours.
Cons
- The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is relatively expensive compared to other pool cleaners on the market.
- The robot can sometimes get stuck in corners or on steps, requiring manual intervention to get it back on track.
- Some users have reported issues with the power supply, which can occasionally fail and require replacement.
We recently purchased the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and have been impressed with its performance. The robot’s Smart Navigation Technology allows it to strategically clean by scanning your pool to determine the most efficient path, ensuring an ultimate clean no matter your pool shape or surface type.
One of the standout features of this pool cleaner is the easy-access, top load fine filter basket. It’s incredibly simple to remove and clean, making maintenance a breeze. We were also impressed with the Dolphin’s powerful filtration system, which kept our pool clean and clear all season long.
While the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a bit pricier than some other pool cleaners on the market, we believe that the quality and performance make it well worth the investment. The only minor issue we encountered was the occasional need to manually adjust the robot when it got stuck in corners or on steps.
Overall, we highly recommend the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus for anyone in the market for a reliable and efficient pool cleaner.
Hayward PoolVac XL Suction Pool Cleaner
We highly recommend the Hayward PoolVac XL Suction Pool Cleaner for those who want an efficient and easy-to-use pool vacuum cleaner.
Pros
- The unique wing design and wide vacuum inlet make this cleaner more efficient on cleaning dirt and debris.
- The exclusive AquaPilot preprogrammed steering pattern offers intelligent, complete pool coverage, covering pool floor, walls, and coves while eliminating hose tangles.
- Its advanced suction design cleans efficiently and quietly, leaving you with a more peaceful pool environment.
Cons
- The hose can get tangled if not properly managed.
- The cleaner may get stuck on certain obstacles in the pool.
- It requires a powerful pump to work effectively.
This pool cleaner is a great investment for those who want a hassle-free pool cleaning experience. The AquaPilot technology ensures that every inch of your pool is covered, while the wide vacuum inlet and wing design make cleaning more efficient. The silent operation is also a plus, making it less disruptive to your pool time.
However, the hose can get tangled if not properly managed, and the cleaner may get stuck on certain obstacles in the pool. It also requires a powerful pump to work effectively. Overall, we believe that the Hayward PoolVac XL Suction Pool Cleaner is a great choice for those who want a reliable and efficient pool cleaner.
VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner Automatic Sweeper Swimming Pool Creepy Crawler Vacuum
If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use pool vacuum cleaner, the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner is a great option.
Pros
- This pool vacuum cleaner is easy to set up and use, and it cleans your pool efficiently and quietly.
- The VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner has great suction power and can clean the walls of your in-ground pool.
- It saves you time by cleaning your pool quickly and effectively.
Cons
- The VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner requires at least a 3/4hp swimming pool pump or 1600ghp to function properly.
- While the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner is designed to move around tight corners, it may get stuck in certain areas of your pool.
- The hoses that come with the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner may not be long enough to cover the entire surface of larger pools.
We recently tried out the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner and were impressed by how easy it was to set up and use. The instructions were clear and straightforward, and we were able to get the vacuum up and running in no time.
Once the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner was in the pool, we were pleased to find that it operated quietly and efficiently. It was able to thoroughly clean the walls of our in-ground pool, and we appreciated that it didn’t make an annoying hammer noise like some other automatic pool cleaners we’ve tried in the past.
One thing to keep in mind is that the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner requires a certain amount of power to function properly. Make sure your pool pump meets the minimum requirements before purchasing this product.
Overall, we would recommend the VINGLI Pool Vacuum Cleaner to anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use pool vacuum cleaner. It saves you time and effort, and it does a great job of keeping your pool clean. Plus, with the worry-free guarantee and one-year warranty, you can feel confident in your purchase.
POOL BLASTER Max Cordless Pool Vacuum
If you’re looking for a powerful and cordless pool vacuum cleaner, then the POOL BLASTER Max Cordless Pool Vacuum is a good choice.
Pros
- The Max offers increased vacuum suction with the Water Tech P30 Motor design that quickly and efficiently picks up debris.
- The Max is designed to clean your entire pool or spot-clean in seconds, making it ideal for in-ground pools and above-ground pools like Intex.
- The Max features a large debris capture chamber and strong suction, making it suitable for cleaning acorns, twigs, leaves, dirt, and sand.
Cons
- The Max is cordless, which means that it relies on a lithium-ion battery. While the battery is designed to run for up to an hour, it may not be enough to clean larger pools.
- The Max does not come with a telescopic pool pole, which means that you’ll need to purchase one separately.
- The Max may struggle with larger debris, such as leaves, and may require multiple passes to pick up all the debris.
We’ve been using the POOL BLASTER Max Cordless Pool Vacuum for a few weeks now, and we’re generally pleased with its performance. The vacuum is powerful, and it picks up debris quickly and efficiently. We’ve used it to clean our entire pool, and it did an excellent job of picking up acorns, twigs, and leaves.
The Max is easy to use, and it comes with a removable 10.5” vacuum head that you can use for general cleaning or remove to expose the nose cone head for hard-to-reach areas. We found the vacuum head to be easy to maneuver, and it did an excellent job of cleaning the corners and edges of our pool.
One thing to note is that the Max is cordless, which means that it relies on a lithium-ion battery. While the battery is designed to run for up to an hour, we found that it wasn’t enough to clean our entire pool in one go. We had to recharge the battery halfway through the cleaning process, which was a bit of a hassle.
Overall, we think that the POOL BLASTER Max Cordless Pool Vacuum is a good choice if you’re looking for a powerful and cordless pool vacuum cleaner. It’s easy to use, efficient, and does an excellent job of picking up debris. However, if you have a larger pool, you may need to purchase an additional battery or consider a corded model.
Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a pool vacuum cleaner, there are several factors to consider. We recommend looking at the following features to ensure you choose the best product for your needs:
Type of Pool Vacuum Cleaner
There are three main types of pool vacuum cleaners: suction-side, pressure-side, and robotic. Suction-side cleaners are the most affordable and attach to your pool’s suction port. Pressure-side cleaners require a booster pump and work by using the pool’s return jet to create pressure and move debris. Robotic cleaners are the most expensive but offer the most convenience and efficiency.
Pool Size and Shape
Consider the size and shape of your pool when choosing a vacuum cleaner. A larger pool may require a more powerful cleaner, while a uniquely shaped pool may require a cleaner with specialized features.
Filtration System
The filtration system of a pool vacuum cleaner is crucial in ensuring that debris is effectively removed from your pool. Look for a cleaner with a high-quality filtration system that can handle the size and type of debris in your pool.
Durability and Maintenance
Investing in a durable and low-maintenance pool vacuum cleaner can save you time and money in the long run. Look for a product with a solid warranty and easy-to-replace parts.
Additional Features
Some pool vacuum cleaners come with additional features such as remote control, programmable cleaning schedules, and energy-saving modes. Consider which features are important to you and your pool maintenance routine.
By considering these factors and doing your research, you can choose the best pool vacuum cleaner for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of pool vacuum cleaners are recommended for inground pools?
For inground pools, we recommend using a pressure-side pool vacuum cleaner or a robotic pool cleaner. These types of pool cleaners are designed to effectively clean larger pools and can handle a variety of debris, including leaves, dirt, and algae.
How do consumer reports rate the top pool vacuum cleaners?
Consumer reports typically rate pool vacuum cleaners based on their cleaning performance, ease of use, and durability. Some of the top-rated pool vacuum cleaners include the Polaris 280 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner, the Dolphin Nautilus Robotic Pool Cleaner, and the Hayward TigerShark Robotic Pool Cleaner.
Are robotic pool cleaners more efficient for maintaining clean pools?
Yes, robotic pool cleaners are generally more efficient than other types of pool cleaners. They are designed to clean the entire pool, including the walls and waterline, and can be programmed to run on a regular schedule. Additionally, they are energy-efficient and require less maintenance than other types of pool cleaners.
Should I opt for a cordless or corded pool vacuum?
The choice between a cordless or corded pool vacuum depends on your personal preference and the size of your pool. Cordless pool vacuums are more convenient and easier to maneuver, but they may not have as long of a battery life and may not be as effective for larger pools. Corded pool vacuums, on the other hand, are more powerful and can clean larger pools more efficiently, but they may be more difficult to maneuver.
What is the most effective pool cleaner for tackling heavy debris?
For heavy debris, we recommend using a suction-side pool vacuum cleaner. These pool cleaners are designed to pick up larger debris, such as leaves and twigs, and are typically more affordable than other types of pool cleaners.
What are the advantages of suction pool cleaners over other types?
Suction pool cleaners are generally more affordable and easier to maintain than other types of pool cleaners. They also do not require a booster pump or additional electricity, making them a more energy-efficient option. Additionally, they are designed to pick up a variety of debris, including small particles and larger debris.