The 14 Best Pool Cleaners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner

5

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner not only dethroned our previous long-standing best overall pick (the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner), it impressed us with its overall easy set-up, low-maintenance design, and impressive cleaning capabilities. While this pressure-side pool cleaner certainly doesn't have all of the features that robotic models have, it efficiently cleans the floor and walls of an in-ground pool within 3 hours. We especially liked the unique TailSweep design, which helps brush debris out of corners and ensured that the cleaner stayed consistent in its cleaning path.

During this round of testing, we were also able to test the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner, which has a third venturi jet and all-wheel belt drive for even faster cleaning. While the Vac-Sweep 360 is a bit bigger and faster than the 280, we found that it was almost too zippy at times, which is why the 280 won our Best Overall title. However, testing both models, which are the same aside from the additional jet on the 360, provided us with even more findings on how to efficiently set them up for thorough cleaning.

Our testing team member had her pool maintenance service install the 280 and noted that it took mere minutes. Our other team member observing the 360 set it up herself and said the process was also easy. The only tricky part was removing the pressure tester to attach the hose to the intake valve. Once the 280 is set up properly, you can expect it to zip around your pool and pick up everything from leaves to pollen. The TailSweep is highly effective at propelling the pool cleaner as well as helping it climb walls and sun benches.

Despite it lacking any true navigational control, this pool cleaner never got stuck during our testing period, meaning you can easily leave it to complete a cycle without watching its every move. The downside is that you won't know exactly when this pool cleaner is done, but it's easy to glance at the pool and see which parts it has cleaned and which it hasn't. You will have to retrieve this cleaner by pulling on the hose, so we recommend being gentle during this process so as to not accidentally disconnect it. However, you could leave this model in your pool 24/7, if you wanted, we just can't speak to the effect that this would have on your pool's pump system or your electric bill. All in all, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 is a great pool cleaner that's more affordable than other options on the market and can handle both large and small debris. And if you want an even faster model for larger pools, the 360 model is also a great option to consider.

Price at time of publish: $599

_{Dimensions: 20 x 23 x 10 inches | Weight: 6.20 pounds | Type: Pressure-side | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls}

Best Brush

Lalapool Professional Pool Brush

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

This Swimming Pool Wall and Tile Brush from LALAPOOL may look like a non-essential pool cleaning tool, but after using it in a pool for several weeks, we think every pool owner should have it on hand. This pool brush is 18 inches wide and has sturdy nylon bristles that help scrape algae and other buildup off the floors, walls, steps, and waterline of in-ground pools. It can also be used to gently remove buildup on the lining of above-ground pools. We appreciate how easy this brush is to use; however, it does not come with an extension pole, so you will have to purchase one if you don't already have one in your pool supply closet.

This brush head clips into any extension pole and is angled at 45 degrees to make it easy to scrape walls and steps. While this brush is very effective at removing excessive buildup on your pool's interior, keep in mind that it is not a vacuum. It will not remove dirt or debris from the water like a pool vacuum. However, we still believe this brush is a great option for pool owners looking for an affordable tool that effectively removes stubborn algae.

How It Performed Long-Term

Just as we suspected, this pool brush is incredibly durable against regular use and exposure to pool chemicals. Nothing on the brush has broken, and we appreciate its everyday functionality.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Dimensions: 5.3 x 18 x 1.7 inches | Weight: 0.65 pounds | Type: Brush | Pool Type: In-ground, above-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls, steps, waterline}

Best Budget

Poolwhale Pool & Spa Vacuum

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  3/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Value
  4/5

If you want to keep things simple, this manual pool cleaner is a budget-friendly option that’s incredibly easy to use. The cleaner comes with a brush head and a mesh debris collection bag, and all you have to do is hook the vacuum up to a garden hose. When you turn on the water, the pressure from the hose creates a suction that pulls leaves and other debris into the bag. You can then use the included aluminum pole to guide the vacuum around the floor of your above-ground pool; however, we will point out that the included pole is pretty short, so we opted to switch to a longer pole we already had.

This cleaner fits any standard garden hose, but we recommend waiting to turn the hose on until after you've submerged the vacuum. Otherwise, the vacuum sprays water everywhere, which we learned the hard way during testing. The filter bag was more difficult to empty because it had to be hosed down to completely clear all the debris, compared to a basket that can be dumped and shaken clean. Once you’re done cleaning, this vacuum, along with the pole, disassembles easily, making it compact to store. Despite a few design issues, we still recommend this pool cleaner as an affordable option that's effective at cleaning both large and small debris.

How It Performed Long-Term

After using this vacuum for over a month, we came to the conclusion that it was better for spot cleaning rather than cleaning an entire pool. It doesn't quite have the same suction power as a standard pump pool vacuum, and we found the head too small to efficiently navigate a standard family pool. However, we think this model is a great choice if you only need to quickly refresh your pool between uses and don't feel like hooking up a vacuum to your pump system.

Price at time of publish: $25

_{Dimensions: 4.72 x 10.43 x 47.24 inches | Weight: 1.32 pounds | Type: Manual | Pool Type: Above-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors}

Best Splurge

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you want a pool cleaner with all the bells and whistles, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Operated Robotic Pool Cleaner is a worthwhile investment. While this pool cleaner is a robotic option, we think it’s worth splurging on, especially if you have a larger pool with different levels and tight corners. It’s suitable for in-ground pools up to 50 feet long and needs about one-and-a-half to three-and-a-half hours to complete a cleaning cycle, depending on your selection. Unlike less-expensive models, this robot also cleans the pool’s walls and waterline, ensuring every inch is free from dirt and algae. Its two-filter system captures all manner of debris and keeps it out of the water. 

We most enjoyed using this robot’s corresponding app to keep up with its cleaning progress and to track its location in the pool. We tried both of this robot’s cleaning cycles—a pre-programmed standard and enhanced cleaning time—and noted that the cleaner was able to get the pool about 95 and 99 percent clean, respectively. For the remaining debris, we used the remote steering to direct the robot to the small spots it missed throughout the pool. 

This pool cleaner is equipped with three powerful scrubbing brushes that provide a deeper clean and smart navigation software that scans the pool to create an efficient cleaning route. The tangle-free cable prevents the unit from getting stuck, and the unit features an automatic weekly timer and an indicator light that tells you when the filter is full. Although this model is effective at climbing walls and cleaning the waterline, it cannot clean steps, which are too narrow for it. However, it did manage to clean a wider sun ledge.

How It Performed Long-Term

After two months of regular use during the summer, we're still impressed with this robot cleaner's suction power and user-friendly settings. The app is easy to navigate and understand, and we've found this model is completely worth the investment. We have noticed there's a slight delay on the app's manual steering function, so you do have to wait a few seconds for the cleaner to turn or head in the direction that you input on the app.

Price at time of publish: $1,499

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 24 pounds | Type: Robotic | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls, waterline}

Best Robotic

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is our top pick for a robotic pool cleaner because it quickly cleans pools up to 50 feet long, and it’s surprisingly lightweight to place and remove from the pool. This model was previously our Best Overall pick, but after additional testing, we found a more reasonably priced pool cleaner that slightly beat out this robotic model's performance. Our previous sentiments still ring true to this model's performance: A powerful and efficient cleaning tool wrapped up in a durable design. While this model is primarily designed for in-ground pools, some users report it works well in above-ground pools, too. We were thrilled to learn this model can clean most pools in just two hours. Plus, you don’t have to lift a finger during operation—the robot automatically scrubs the floor and walls. 

During testing, we found that this pool cleaner was extremely easy to set up, just needing to be turned on and dropped into the pool. The robot scans and maps the entire pool for more efficient cleaning, and its tangle-free swiveling cable ensures it doesn’t get stuck while working its way around. We found that the cleaner picks up an impressive amount of grime and dirt, and we loved that it can be set to an automatic schedule, preventing the hassle of starting it manually. 

This cleaner easily climbed the walls of an older-style pool, which were set at a 90-degree angle and have very little curvature between the floor and sides. One of our team members had also previously purchased a used Dolphin M400 model last year and said the Nautilus was overall easier to use, faster at cleaning, and better at tracking with the floor. Our only concern with this product was the price point, which is justifiably daunting. However, our team member said if they had known just how effective the cleaner was, they would have splurged on it years ago. 

How It Performed Long-Term

While price should always be a factor, we can assure you that you'll be very pleased with splurging on this robotic pool cleaner, even after months of use. This robot only gets better over time at mapping an efficient cleaning path across our pool floor. We haven't noticed any flaws in its performance and durability, and we're looking forward to pulling it out again for more summer fun.

Price at time of publish: $899

_{Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 16 inches | Weight: 19 pounds | Type: Robotic | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls}

Best Cordless

Aiper Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.8/5
• Ease of Use
  4.8/5
• Effectiveness
  4.3/5
• Value
  5/5

A cordless pool cleaner can be a game-changer for above-ground and in-ground pool owners. We were impressed by the AIPER Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner because it’s not only effective at clearing debris but is also one of the most affordable robotic models we’ve tested at just $300. You only have to clip in the scrubbing brushes during the assembly process, and we recommend charging it completely before running it for the first time. If you don’t charge it, you may find that its performance is lackluster, as we discovered initially. However, after allowing it to charge the full 2.5 hours, we were thrilled to see this pool cleaner make its way across the floor of our 40- x 18-foot testing pool. 

 It only has one cleaning setting, and a full charge gives it about 90 minutes of running time, which was sufficient for fully cleaning our testing pool. We did empty it several times during the cycle because we noticed that it would slow down as the filter filled up. The filter also pops out of the top of this robotic pool cleaner when you release two levers on either side of the unit. While this pool cleaner didn’t leave any major debris behind, it did struggle on piles of debris, so it may not be the most efficient option for cleaning your pool at the very beginning of a season. 

Best of all, this robot self-parks near a wall to make retrieval easier. It comes with a hook that can be secured on a standard pool skimmer pole as well. While it doesn’t have any smart features or multiple cleaning modes, we appreciate the straightforward nature of this pool cleaner and think it’s a great value option for pool owners who don’t want to splurge on a super-advanced robot model. 

Price at time of publish: $300  

_{Dimensions: 17.13 x 13.74 x 7.8 inches | Weight: 7.6 pounds | Type: Robotic | Pool Type: In- and above-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors}

Best Manual

Pool Blaster Max Cordless Rechargeable Pool Cleaner

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Value
  3/5

If you don’t mind pushing around a pool cleaner by hand, the Pool Blaster Max is a cordless, battery-powered option that comes at a reasonable price. This rechargeable pool cleaner requires no hoses or cords, and its battery delivers up to an hour of runtime per charge—enough to clean even the largest pools. It has a 10.5-inch vacuum head for large areas, which also makes it easier to maneuver than traditional wider rolling vacuum heads. It’s also a great option for cleaning pool stairs and other hard-to-reach features thanks to the head's arrow shape. 

To be frank, we weren't initially impressed by this pool cleaner's design— constructed of cheap feeling plastic—however, we were surprised by its ability to handle both small and large debris. It has a large debris capture chamber that can hold everything from dirt and sand to leaves, twigs, and acorns, but the filter does require some pressurized hosing down to completely clean it out. A pole is not included with this vacuum, which is slightly frustrating given its higher price point, although it does have a handle for hand-held use. We recommend purchasing a standard telescoping pool pole if you decide this model is best for you.

How It Performed Long-Term

After several months of regular use, we can attest to this cleaner's consistent cleaning abilities. While it may not be ideal for deep cleaning an entire pool, we've enjoyed using it to quickly touch up our pool between uses. The plastic has surprisingly held up very well, and nothing has broken on the unit. While it may not have smart features or clean independently like some of the robot models in this roundup, we think this pool cleaner is a great cordless option available at a reasonable price.

Price at time of publish: $200

_{Dimensions: 15.5 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Type: Battery-powered | Pool Type: In-ground, above-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, stairs}

Best Smart

Polaris VRX iQ+ Robotic Pool Cleaner

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Value
  3/5

For an all-around smarter pool-cleaning experience, the Polaris VRXIQ+ is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to control it from the iAquaLink app. Using your smartphone, you can start or stop the cleaner, create customized schedules, and even see when the filter needs cleaning. Plus, this high-end robot cleans even the largest in-ground pool, thanks to its 70-foot tangle-reducing cable. The four-wheel drive helps this cleaner clean the walls, floor, waterline, and even steps. Thanks to its rear water-cleaning system, it easily blows debris off stairs and out of tight corners, so the machine can suck it up. Although this model is one of the most expensive in this roundup, we found its accessories and design, including the convenient storage caddy and the patented Easy Lift removal system, which drives the robot up the wall to be easily removed, making it worth the splurge. 

It’s important to note that we were using this cleaner in an above-ground pool, so we could not test its wall, step, or waterline cleaning ability. All in all, though, we were impressed by this cleaner’s capacity, which easily handled the pool’s floor that was covered in algae and leaves. This cleaner will suggest an auto-run feature for its first cleaning in your pool, which allows it to “learn” your pool’s layout for future optimized cleanings. This model is quite heavy, weighing 21 pounds, but it was still relatively easy to lift out of the pool. Despite its weight, we don't think it would be overly difficult for older users to operate, thanks to the Easy Lift technology, which aids in most of the exertion of lifting from the bottom of the pool.

How It Performed Long-Term

We didn't notice any defects while using this robotic pool cleaner in a pool for several months. We really enjoyed the ease of starting the cleaning cycle from the smartphone app, and we also like that the app sent a notification once a cleaning cycle was complete. Although it's expensive, we think this cleaner is a great option for anyone with a larger pool who doesn't have time to spend an entire afternoon manually cleaning.

Price at time of publish: $1,650

_{Dimensions: 12 x 17 x 19 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Type: Robotic | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls, steps, waterline}

Best for Sand

Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000 Advanced Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaner

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Although this pool cleaner didn’t initially impress us when we originally tested it, we decided to re-test it and see if we had a better experience. Initially, we were afraid we wouldn’t be able to use this pool cleaner at all because the setup was so difficult—a roadblock we had experienced originally as well. However, with a bit of persistence and patience, we managed to assemble this cleaner and get it into the pool. The most frustrating part was the lack of a proper instruction manual, which we had to find online. The initial setup did take about an hour and a half but once we got the hang of it throughout our testing period, we were able to hook up this pool cleaner in about 20 minutes. 

Despite a very rocky start with this model, we are thoroughly satisfied with its performance. It excels at picking up gritty debris from water treatments and random dirt that’s always a pain to capture from the bottom of a pool. While it doesn’t have a specific guided path while cleaning, it does manage to find its way to every crevice and corner around a pool. It even climbs the walls! We also love that the 36-fin disc prevents it from getting stuck on lights or filters around a pool. 

If you have a pool at a house near a beach or a lake, this pool cleaner would be a great option for keeping grit off the bottom of your pool. However, you have to be patient with its initial quirks. It’s also recommended that this pool cleaner’s hose remains flat and out of direct sunlight, so our testing team member had to build a rack on their pool fence to hang it up for proper drainage. We also recommend backwashing your pump after a few uses of this pool cleaner to ensure the pump filter has a chance to properly rinse. With all of that said, we still think this pool cleaner is a reasonable purchase for any pool owner who doesn’t encounter large debris as often.  

Price at time of publish: $324

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 17.66 pounds | Type: Suction-side | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floor, sides}

Best for Leaves

Hayward W3925ADC Navigator Pro Suction Pool Cleaner for In-Ground Gunite Pools

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.8/5
• Value
  4/5

If you’re looking for the convenience of a robotic pool cleaner but don’t want to fuss with all of the technology involved, we recommend the Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Cleaner. It not only resembles the same shape as other robotic pool cleaners but it also has a preprogrammed steering pattern for a more efficient cleaning cycle. While we did struggle to initially assemble and attach this pool cleaner to our testing pool’s filter bracket, it was not nearly as difficult as our Best for Sand pick. 

We really put this cleaner through its paces in a pool that was newly opened for the season, so it was full of leaves and other debris. This cleaner made its way around the pool, but we did find that it got caught on several piles of debris during our first testing day. On subsequent days, we did not experience the same issues with this model getting caught, so we suggest possibly skimming your pool to aid this cleaner. This pool cleaner does not require frequent emptying like other similar models that we’ve tested, which is also a major win, so you don’t have to worry about it filling up before the end of a cycle.  

Price at time of publish: $379

_{Dimensions: 40.4 x 13.6 x 11.9 inches | Weight: 17.71 pounds | Type: Suction-side | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floor, sides}

Best Suction-Side

Hayward The PoolCleaner 2-Wheel Suction Cleaner

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Value
  4/5

Suction-side pool cleaners, like the Hayward Poolvergnuegen, rely on a pool’s pump to suction up debris via a hose that connects to the skimmer. The Hayward Pool Cleaner impressed us with its quick set-up time and easy operation. On top of not requiring any charging or additional power sources—aside from your pool’s filter— this cleaner also has a self-steering mechanism that turns it every 8 to 10 feet. We do want to point out that this cleaner took about seven hours to completely clean a 20 x 40-foot pool, which is slightly larger than the recommended 16 x 32-foot maximum size. It also struggled to clean corners since its turning radius was limited in those spaces.

We recognize that this pool cleaner is still more expensive than what some may prefer to pay. However, if you consider the amount of time this cleaner saves you compared to manual models, we think the price tag for this model is justified. It’s suitable to use on gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, pebble, and tile finishes. For best results, connect it at least to a half HP pump. Its ridged wheels allow it to navigate over drains and up walls, and the adjustable roller skirts help maintain suction on uneven surfaces. The self-adjusting turbine vanes also collect large debris without clogging, and it comes with three interchangeable throats that allow you to adjust its suction performance for different debris sizes.

How It Performed Long-Term

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.

Price at time of publish: $449

_{Dimensions: 40.4 x 13.6 x 11.9 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Type: Suction-side | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls}

Best for In-Ground Pools

Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner

5

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Declared to be the “Ferrari of pool cleaners” by our testing team member, the Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner did not disappoint during testing. It required no setup other than removing it from the box, and it was easy to pair to the corresponding smartphone app. We tested this cleaner in a 40- x 20-foot gunite in-ground pool and found the power cable to be more than sufficient, even for the 10-foot deep end. However, we do wish this robot pool vacuum came in a cordless version as that would better suit larger in-ground pools. 

This cleaner easily tackled any debris in its path from pollen to leaves. It left nothing behind and we appreciated being able to choose a standard cleaning mode (about 2.5 hours long) and a quick clean (1.5 hours long). The best feature was arguably the cycle complete notifications that were delivered once this pool cleaner finished its session. We could also send the robot a notification to float to the pool surface for seamless retrieval. When it's time to empty the filter basket, a button on the unit pops the top-load basket out of the robot, and it also has a handle. You can easily dump the basket and rinse it off with a hose. 

This robot also has a light that blinks during its cleaning session, so you have a visual indicator that it's running properly. However, we’re big fans of tracking the cycle progress in the app. While we had no negative feedback during testing, we do recognize that this robotic pool cleaner is quite an investment. Given its impressive performance and smart features, we think it's worth the splurge for busy families and homeowners who prefer a hands-off pool-cleaning tool. 

Price at time of publish: $1,599  

_{Dimensions: 21.45 x 17.55 x 11.31 inches | Weight: 29 pounds | Type: Robotic | Pool Type: In-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors, walls, waterline}

Best for Above-Ground

Poolmaster 28300 Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Design
  3/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Value
  4/5

While many pool cleaners don’t perform well on large debris, based on our testing, the Poolmaster Big Sucker Leaf Vacuum easily handles debris from trees like twigs and leaves. Plus, it doesn't require a pre-existing filter system, making it a great choice for above-ground pools. This inexpensive cleaner is designed especially for leaves and other larger debris, and it’s a great option to use as a secondary cleaner. While this vacuum did not perform well at picking up extremely large debris, such as branches, it easily picked up mid-size leaves and twigs in our testing pool.

It has a wide 15-inch diameter, with eight high-pressure jets underneath, which aid in cleaning large pools in less time. When hooked to a garden hose, the water pressure pushes leaves into the removable, all-purpose collection bag, which can be emptied into your grass. We recommend using a garden hose to fully clear out the debris bag. 

This unit mounts on four multi-directional wheels, making it easy to push around the bottom of your pool. However, it doesn’t come with a pole, so we recommend finding a pole appropriate for your pool's depth. Similar to our best manual pick, this vacuum must be fully submerged before you turn on the hose. Although we were slightly disappointed that this vacuum couldn't handle larger debris or small particles, it still performed well at picking up medium-sized debris that a robot vacuum or standard suction-side vacuum may struggle to pick up. 

Price at time of publish: $44

_{Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 2.64 inches | Weight: 1.82 pounds | Type: Manual | Pool Type: In- or above-ground | Cleaning Coverage: Floors}