The 9 Best Pool Cleaners of 2022

Best Overall : Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner

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The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is our top choice for cleaning your in-ground pool. Water pressure coming from the pool's return line powers this pressure-side pool cleaner, which you can use on all in-ground pool shapes and surfaces, including vinyl, pebble, tile, and more. Three jets furnish superior vacuuming power, and its large 2.25-inch inlet helps capture large and small debris. An included sweep hose helps it get into tight corners and steps. If desired, you can upgrade it to the brand’s TailSweep PRO for more thorough cleaning. 

You can adjust the 31-foot hose to fit the size of your pool, and the all-purpose debris bag captures detritus such as leaves and pebbles, keeping them out of your pool's filtration system. Unlike other Vac-Sweep models, the 360 requires no additional booster pump, and it cleans your entire pool in three hours or less, so you get back into the water sooner! The all-wheel belt drive scrubs and vacuums the walls and floor of your pool, and its in-line backup valve frees the unit if it gets stuck. 

There are a few small downsides worth noting. First, the filter bag is fairly small, so you may need to empty it frequently if your pool has a lot of large debris. Additionally, the hose opening's mesh screen needs regular wiping down; otherwise, the vacuum’s pressure suffers.

Best Robotic: DOLPHIN Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner

4.7

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The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is another popular robotic model that’s slightly more affordable. You can use it for in-ground pools up to 50 feet long (though some people say it works well in above-ground pools, as well), and cleans 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 our tester loved that you can put the machine on an automatic schedule, saving you the hassle of starting it manually. 

The only real downsides of this robot vacuum cleaner are that it tends to get stuck on stairs, and the manufacturer's customer service isn’t the best.

Best Budget: POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Cleaner

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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 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. 

This cleaner fits any standard garden hose, but as you may have guessed, the hose isn’t included. Be sure the vacuum is completely submerged before you turn on the hose—otherwise, it sprays water everywhere. Once you’re done cleaning, this vacuum along with the pole disassembles easily, making it compact to store. 

Best Splurge: Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner

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Cleaning your pool is totally hands-off when you have the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner, a pricey robotic model, equipped with a variety of high-tech features. It’s intended to be used in in-ground pools up to 50 feet, and the plug-and-play design makes it easy to set up and start using. Not only does it clean the floor and walls of vinyl, fiberglass, and gunite pools but it also scrubs down the waterline to ensure every inch of your pool is sparkling clean. 

Power comes from two motors and dual scrubbing brushes, yet the manufacturer claims it uses 90 percent less energy than suction and pressure cleaners. Its three types of filter—micro-cartridges, standard cartridges, and an oversized leaf/debris bag—more efficiently capture debris of all sizes, and you can purchase disposable debris bags for effortless maintenance. An anti-tangle cable ensures it doesn’t hang up while cleaning, and its smart navigation software helps cover every square inch of your pool. Plus, the weekly scheduler automatically starts cleaning at the desired date and time.

Best for In-Ground Pools: Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000 Advanced Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaner

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You can keep your in-ground pool clean as a whistle with the Zodiac G3 Automatic Pool Cleaner. This suction-side cleaner has a large 36-fin disc that helps it stick to pool floor and walls, avoiding getting stuck on lights, drain covers, and fittings. The cleaner is compatible with any single-, two-, or variable-speed pump, and it automatically regulates water flow, allowing it to work well with low-speed pumps. 

This pool cleaner features just one moving component, reducing the likelihood of breaking, and makes for easy maintenance. It hooks up to your skimmer or suction line without any special tools, and it comes with scuff-resistant hoses that don't mar the pool walls. However, remember that this cleaner is best for small- and medium-size debris, and it clogging is likely if it encounters too many leaves or sticks. 

Best Above-Ground: XtremepowerUS Automatic Suction Vacuum Pool Cleaner

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This affordable automatic pool cleaner from XtremepowerUS is a top choice for above-around pools, as it comes with enough hose to clean up to 30 feet. The suction-side cleaner cleans the walls and floor, and it works on all types of pool material, including concrete and vinyl. The gadget hooks up to your existing filtration system, and it requires at least a 1HP pool pump to function properly. 

The hose for this cleaner comes in 10 segments, allowing you to adjust the length to fit your pool, and it navigates around your pool on its own, reducing your workload. The cleaner works well on dirt, algae, and other fine particles, but it’s not meant for large debris such as leaves and sticks. Additionally, it can be somewhat complex to set up, as you may need to adjust the diverter and suction power. But once you get everything on the right settings, you can simply sit back and watch it clean.

Best for Leaves: Poolmaster 28300 Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum

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As you may have noticed, many pool cleaners don’t perform well on large debris. If your pool neighbors a tree, you may want to invest the Poolmaster Big Sucker Leaf Vacuum. This inexpensive gadget is designed especially for leaves and other large debris, and it’s a great option to use in addition to a regular pool cleaner. The Big Sucker has a wide 15-inch diameter, with eight high-pressure jets underneath. That makes it easy to clean large pools in less time, When hooked to a garden hose, the water pressure pushes leaves into the removable, all-purpose collection bag, which is a breeze to empty. 

This unit mounts on four multi-directional wheels, making it easy to push around the bottom of your pool. But it doesn’t come with a handle—you need to purchase that—or a garden hose. Just make sure to turn the hose off before removing this vacuum from your pool; water sprays out if the unit isn't submerged. 

Best Suction: Hayward W3PVS20JST Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner

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Suction-side pool cleaners, like the Hayward Poolvergnuegen, rely on the pool’s pump to suction up debris via a hose that connects to the skimmer. This popular model is designed to be used on in-ground pools up to 16 x 32 feet, and it’s suitable for gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, pebble, and tile finishes. For best results, connect it at least to a half HP pump.

The Poolvergnuegen automatically navigates around the floor and walls for a more thorough clean. Ridged wheels allow it to navigate over drains and up walls, and adjustable roller skirts help maintain suction on uneven surfaces. Self-adjusting turbine vanes collect large debris without clogging.

The cleaner even comes with three interchangeable throats that allow you to adjust its suction power.