6 Best Pool Vacuum Cleaners of 2024, Tested by Experts
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Even if you have your swimming pool cleaned by a professional on a weekly basis, additional scrubbings are needed to keep it in tiptop shape. “Debris gets into a pool seven days a week and it doesn’t take long for rotting leaves to cause unsightly stains,” said Greg Howard, board member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and president and CEO of Carecraft, an association of pool professionals based in Carlsbad, California. Besides keeping your pool looking great, a capable pool cleaner will ensure the filtration system is running smoothly by stirring up the water on a regular basis.
So what’s the best type of cleaner for your pool? To answer that question, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute scoured the marketplace, just as we've done with other pool-related equipment, from pool heaters to patio furniture to above-ground pools. We started by surveying pool professionals for their current category recommendations. We also tested several devices in our Lab, measuring factors like ease-of-assembly and durability. Finally, we sent cleaners into the private swimming pools of consumer testers, who reported on how they performed over several months in real-world conditions.
The following six pool vacuum cleaners earned a spot on our winners list.
Polaris 280 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner
Pros
- Excellent cleaning of all types of debris
- Puts no added strain on filtration system
- Well priced
Cons
- Takes longer to clean than some
When it comes to bang for the buck, pressure-side pool cleaners are still the best option around. “They’re excellent at capturing all kinds of debris and they operate independently of the pool filtration system, so they don’t put extra strain on the equipment,” said industry expert Greg Howard.
The Polaris 360 is a superb pressure-side system at a competitive price. Like all cleaners in this category, it’s installed on the return side of the pool and is powered by the pressure created as water goes back into the pool. A trio of vacuum jets provides excellent cleaning power, and the sweep hose is effective at getting into corners and other tight spots.
It operates somewhat slowly, requiring about three hours for an average-sized pool, according to the company. But it’s very thorough, thanks in part to the 2.25-inch inlet that’s larger than much of the competition, making the Polaris a great pick if your pool is surrounded by shade trees with large leaves, like maple or sycamore.
Dimensions: 23" x 20" x 10" | Weight: 6.2 lbs | Type: Pressure-side | Pool type: In-ground | Hose length: 31 ft
Kokido XTROVAC 910 Pool Vacuum
Pros
- Excellent price
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Capable cleaning
Cons
- Not ideal for in-ground pools with a deep end
Most of the best bargains in pool cleaners are in the manual equipment category. Unlike automated cleaners, which are powered by electricity or battery, manual cleaners are guided around the pool by you. We evaluated the Kokido in an in-ground swimming pool of one of our consumer testers and were impressed by the overall performance of the device, which consists of a rechargeable vacuum on the end of a 7.5-foot pole.
“Lightweight design and very easy to put together and take apart after each use,” our tester noted. The battery charged in 30 minutes and provided ample run time to clean the entire pool. “The vacuum provided plenty of suction power and was very good at spot cleaning tough stains,” she added.
One important caveat: Reaching the pool’s 9-foot deep end was a stretch, so while the Kokido is ideal for most above-ground pools, you might need to invest in an automatic pool cleaner if you have an in-ground swimming pool with a serious deep end.
Dimensions: 16.73" x 6.69" x 12.6" | Weight: 6.7 lbs | Type: Manual | Pool type: Above-ground | Pole length: 7.5 ft
Dolphin Nautilus CC Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Dolphin Nautilus CC Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Cordless design
- Simple to operate
- Captures large and small debris
Cons
- Somewhat limited cleaning range
You’re probably familiar with robotic vacuums. Robotic pool cleaners take the same concept underwater. The beauty of these automated cleaners is that they eliminate any hoses or cords, which is especially nice if small kids are using the pool and you’re worried about them getting tangled up.
Made by Maytronics, one of the best names in pool cleaners, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus leverages the latest robotics technology to deliver superb performance, including built-in sensors that help it avoid obstacles as it navigates the pool. In our tests, the robotic cleaner picked up large and small debris and did an excellent job on the floor and walls alike, though it doesn’t clean above the waterline.
Its 33-foot range is also on the smaller side (if you spend more on the Dolphin Nautilus CC Pro, you'll get you 50 feet of range, plus Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor cleaning remotely). “It picks up everything in under two hours,” our tester reported, adding that the Dolphin has allowed him to reduce the number of professional cleanings from once a week to once a month.
Dimensions: 16.38" x 16.77" x 8.97" | Weight: 14.7 lbs | Type: Robotic | Pool type: In-ground or above-ground | Hose length: N/A
Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly Suction-Side Pool Cleaner
Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly Suction-Side Pool Cleaner
Pros
- Easy installation
- Low-maintenance design
- Brand reliability
Cons
- Struggles with larger debris
Suction-side cleaners piggyback off the swimming pool’s existing filtration system, making them easy to install and cost-effective.
Pentair is a reliable brand in the space, with a track record that spans nearly 60 years, and its Kreepy Krauly line of suction-side cleaners are as synonymous to the category as Kleenex and Q-Tip are to theirs. According to Pentair, some 3 million Kreepy Krauly cleaners have been sold worldwide and the 360042 model has garnered more than 750 five-star ratings on Amazon.
The simple design of the Kreepy Krauly makes for easy installation and minimal maintenance. The absence of a pump or other moving parts means there’s less that can go wrong with the equipment, so it should hold up well over time.
Though the unit boasts decent sucking power, like all suction-side cleaners, it’s most effective on dirt, sand and other granular debris, as opposed to large leaves, mice and other objects that could jam up its relatively narrow connections.
Dimensions: 24" x 16.5" x 7.5" | Weight: 9.8 lbs | Type: Suction-side | Pool type: In-ground | Hose length: 24 ft
Beatbot AquaSense Pro Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Extremely intelligent design
- User-friendly app
- Ample run time
Cons
- Pricey
Our product experts spotted the AquaSense Pro at CES 2024 and were wowed by its advanced technologies, including the use of AI to “learn” a pool’s unique characteristics and conditions, for example, the type of debris that typically ends up in it or special features incorporated into the walls.
“Well designed and solidly built,” said Alec Scherma, test engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute, of this high-end pool cleaner. The app was also easy to set up, thanks to its intuitive interface and the battery reached a full charge in about 3 hours, with a claimed run time of 9.5 hours, according to Beatbot.
Its claimed brush speed (4,000 revolutions per minute) and suction power (5,500 gallons per hours) are on par with other top-performing cleaners. Its smart integrations, meanwhile, are in a league of their own, making the robotic pool vacuum cleaner a good choice for gadget lovers.
Dimensions: 15.7" x 9" x 17.5" | Weight: 20.5 lbs | Type: Robotic | Pool type: In-ground or above-ground | Hose length: N/A
Pros
- Extremely effective cleaning
- Seamless design
- Added benefits of water circulation
Cons
- Expensive professional installation required
If you’re building a new in-ground swimming pool and budget isn’t a concern, an in-ground cleaning system represents the best of the best in pool cleaning. Though the systems can run between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the pool, “people absolutely love them,” said Greg Howard. “There are no hoses or connections, they’re simple to use and there’s little maintenance.”
The Paramount’s PCC2000 Cleaning & Circulation System is an excellent example of the technology. It features an assortment of nozzles that are recessed into the bottom and sides of the pool. Similar to irrigation sprinklers, the nozzles periodically pop up and issue powerful streams of water that kick up any debris and send it to a collection zone, where it's transported to canisters located on the pool deck for easy removal.
According to Paramount, the circulating action of the system not only keeps the water crystal clear, but it also reduces chemical requirements and heating costs, and helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the pool.
Dimensions: N/A | Weight: N/A | Type: In-ground | Pool type: In-ground | Hose length: N/A
How we choose the best pool cleaners
Our experts in the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute test a variety of products aimed at swimming pool owners. For this report, we worked with outside experts from the pool industry to identify the key types of pool cleaners for residential use, as well as the brands and models that are most available to homeowners.
Our evaluation process started with a thorough review of features, specs and user manuals by our engineers who assess factors like power source, filter design, and cleaning range. When possible, we also got hands-on with the cleaners, assessing their performance and ease-of-use in real-world conditions, usually in the personal swimming pools of our consumer testers. We also brought models into our Lab for a “dry” evaluation of things like ease-of-assembly, construction quality, and the battery charge time of cordless electric models.
What to consider when shopping for a pool cleaner
The type of pool and the size of your budget are two key factors for determining the pool cleaners that’s best for you. To help narrow the field, consider the following:
✔️ Type: Thanks to a slew of new technologies, the product category has become much more diverse over the last decade. Here are the main types to chose from:
- Suction-side pool cleaners: These cleaners integrate with your pool’s dedicated suction line, or connect to the pool’s skimmer. They use the suction power from the pool pump to vacuum all surfaces of the pool, sending debris to the pool filter, where it must be removed by hand. Suction-side cleaners are relatively inexpensive, but they tend to struggle with leaves and other large debris.
- Pressure-side pool cleaners: These systems operate independently of the pool’s filtration system. Pressurized water propels the cleaner through the pool, where it collects debris and deposits it in a separate filtration bag. These powerful cleaners can handle large and small debris, plus they don’t put any added strain on the filtration system. But they tend to cost more than suction-side cleaners.
- Robotic pool cleaners: Similar to robotic vacuums, these autonomous cleaners run off a low-voltage motor; most have a cord that plugs into a standard GFCI outlet. Debris is collected in an on-board canister that must be emptied periodically. They’re good at capturing all kinds of debris, but they’re pricey and the cord is another tangle hazard. Cordless robotic pool cleaners eliminate the issue, but run time is still on the shorter side with many units.
- Manual pool cleaners: These cleaners typically feature a vacuum that attaches to a long pole (many models will work with the pole of a standard pool skimmer). You do the actual guiding of the cleaner throughout the pool, making them more labor-intensive than automatic cleaners. But they cost the least out of all cleaner types.
- In-ground pool cleaners: At the opposite end of the price spectrum, in-ground pool cleaners are a luxury system that consists of nozzles that pop up from the bottom and sides of the pool, stir up debris and send it to a main collection drain. They’re extremely effective and low-maintenance, but cost a lot and can only be installed when the pool is first being built.
✔️ Manual vs. automatic: If you're on a tight budget, choosing a manual cleaner will get you the lowest price. But you'll need to supply the power, guiding the cleaner throughout your pool, which might take 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the size and complexity of the pool. Automatic pool cleaners, whether plug-in or battery-powered, guide themselves along the floors and walls of the pool, so all you need to do is put them into the water and take them out. But you should expect to spend $500 to $1,000 more on an automatic pool vacuum cleaner.
✔️ Cleaning coverage: The size and configuration of your pool are determining factors here. Some cleaners can only cover a certain size pool, for example, based on the length of the power cord with automatic models or the length of the pole with manual cleaners. Most cleaners work both horizontally and vertically, though some are only for floors and can't climb walls. If your pool has a lot of cutouts and corners, look for a cleaner with a tail scrubber designed to kick up debris in tight spaces.
Do I need a pool vacuum?
It’s definitely worth investing in a pool vacuum cleaner. In fact, pool professionals say it’s an essential piece of maintenance equipment because it keeps the pool looking good and operating smoothly. Plus, our testers all told us that using a pool vacuum cleaner reduced how often they needed to have their pool professionally cleaned.
Given that the average annual cost for professional pool cleaning is between $960 and $1,800, according to the home services marketplace ANGI, a capable pool vacuum cleaner could pay for itself in just a few years.
How long do pool cleaners last?
A high-quality pool cleaner, like those featured in this round-up, could deliver up to 10 years of service. Pressure-side cleaners tend to last the longest, since they're not integrated with the filtration system (hence fewer moving parts). Because cordless robotic cleaners are so new to the market, they haven't stood the test of time, but a good one should last for at least five years.
Proper maintenance is essential to maximizing the lifespan of any pool cleaner. That includes emptying the bag or canister regularly, to prevent things like sand and hair from putting added wear and tear on the motor.
When the cleaner is not in use, avoid storing it in direct sunlight, which can accelerate aging and degradation. And if you winterize your pool, be sure to drain any water from the cleaner so it won't freeze and damage internal parts or connections.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including swimming pool equipment.
Dan DiClerico has covered the home improvement market for more than two decades. He has written dozens of how-to articles on the installation and maintenance of swimming pools, both in-ground and above-ground versions, working closely with professional installers to understand the latest techniques and innovations. DiClerico is a regular at trade shows and industry events, where he keeps up with the latest trends in the marketplace. In his role at the Good Housekeeping Institute, DiClerico oversees all pool equipment testing, working closely with our team of engineers and product experts. He also manages any consumer surveys designed to capture homeowners' experiences with various building products and materials.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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