Its two-filter system captures all manner of debris and keeps it out of the water. Suction-side cleaners are the least expensive and most widely used pool cleaners. They are powered solely by the main pump of the pool and utilize the pool’s filter system to remove dirt and debris from the water. Suction-side cleaners are best suited for screened-in pools or those with light debris such as sand. Large amounts of debris or larger debris such as leaves and sticks can easily clog the unit or its pump basket. These machines effectively diminish the suction of the main pump – using them will increase the electricity costs and require the main pump and filter system to be serviced more frequently.

pool vacuums typically state what size debris they can handle, with some explicitly noting that they’re designed for small or medium-sized debris. If your pool is situated near trees, make sure your vacuum can handle leaves. And if you’re not particularly concerned about larger items landing in your water, you should be just fine with a vacuum designed for small to medium debris. Whether it’s your first time buying a pool vacuum or it’s been a minute since you last purchased one, it’s understandable if you’re having a hard time identifying the ideal model for you and your pool. To help make the process a little easier, consider these key factors while you weigh your options. Generally, these models are much more affordable, but you have to do the work.

It’s recommended you fully charge the pool cleaner before using it—we originally didn’t and it made a noticeable difference for us between uses. During our first round of testing, we used whatever charge the unit already had and it seemed weak and slow. We fully charged it for the other two uses, however, and found that it picked up a majority of the debris in our pool. “”Robotic cleaners are pricier but are also the easiest pool cleaners to use,”” says Stewart Vernon, COO and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company . We noticed that many customers found installing this pressure-side pool cleaner to be a breeze. However, we did see select customers that left negative reviews because it couldn’t collect fine debris.

We used this cleaner in a pool for several weeks before everything had to be winterized, and we appreciated this cleaner’s simple operation. All you have to do is drop it in the pool, and it will wind its way through the layout until everything has been cleaned. We will point out that the cleaning cycle is long, so it’s best to use this cleaner on an off day when you don’t want to use the pool. “”The answer depends on how often you use your pool, how dirty it gets from the surrounding area, and the model of vacuum that you purchase,”” Vernon says. “” If you use your pool daily or find a lot of debris sweeping into your pool, you can run your cleaner daily.”” Pool cleaners should be handled with care but are perfectly safe to use while swimming.

All we had to do was plug it in and download the pool cleaner’s app, which we found to be very user-friendly. Several factors determine how long a pool vacuum will last, including the quality of the model, how often it’s used, and how well it’s maintained. Removing the cleaner from the pool after each unit and limiting its chlorine exposure can help prolong its shelf life. Ensure your selected model has a hose or cable long enough to reach your pool’s floor. An automatic vacuum comes with its power cord, while a manual one may or may not come with the telescopic pole that’s needed to maneuver it.