10 Best Suction Pool Cleaners
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If you are looking for a more maintenance free pool then a suction pool cleaner maybe right for you. It is basically a vacuum that uses the pressure from your pool’s intake to suck in water as it moves around the pool to remove dirt and debris. All that is left for you to do is clean the skimmer baskets where the dirt is delivered.
In this article we reviewed the best suction cleaners with their features as well as their pros and cons.
Quick Look at Our Top Picks for the Best Suction Pool Cleaners:
- Best Overall Suction Pool Cleaner – Hayward W3PVS20JST Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
- Best Robotic Suction Pool Cleaner – Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner
- Best Budget Suction Pool Cleaner – Hayward 900 Wanda the Whale Suction Above-Ground Pool Cleaner
- Best In Ground Suction Pool Cleaner – Hayward W32025ADV PoolVac XL Pool Vacuum
- Best Above Ground Suction Pool Cleaner – Hayward RC9740WCCUB SharkVac Robotic Pool Cleaner
How We Researched Best Suction Pool Cleaners
- We spent several days researching the suction pool cleaners
- We considered over 20 suction pool cleaners and fine tuned it down to the 10 reviewed in this article
- We did this by reading hundreds of reviews, watching videos and comparing the features of each
What to Consider When Buying a Suction Pool Cleaners
Type – There are a few options when choosing a suction pool cleaner. Manual are the least expensive but means you will be doing the work yourself. Automatic run off your pool pump system and do a good job of keeping debris out of the pool. Robot are the most expensive and run off their own power source.
Durability – Pool cleaners aren’t cheap, so you want it to last a while. You will want to find one made from high-quality materials that can handle sunshine and water. Also consider the warranty when you buy. A longer warranty means peace of mind.
Efficiency – Pool cleaners have different cleaning cycles and some are longer than others. The quicker the cycle is more efficient as long as it is getting the job done. Some cleaners offer multiple cycles or programmed cycles for different lengths and types of cleaning.
Weight and Size – You don’t want a pool cleaner that weighs a lot because it will need to be removed from the pool when not in use. The same applies to bulky awkward machines. They may be hard to move around the pool or remove.
Climbing Wheels – Look for a pool cleaner that can climb walls. A system with four wheel drive or tires made of rubber will get easily over bumps and won’t have any trouble navigating slippery surfaces along the sides and bottom of your pool.
Cords – Cords can easily get tangled and mean more work so consider a pool cleaner with a swivel cord if you must. A swivel cord can help prevent tangles and give your robotic pool cleaner the freedom to move around your pool and get the job done.
Comparison Chart
| PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|
 1 | Hayward W3PVS20JST Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 2 | Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 3 | Hayward 900 Wanda the Whale Suction Above-Ground Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 4 | Hayward W32025ADV PoolVac XL Pool Vacuum Show more | ||
 5 | Hayward RC9740WCCUB SharkVac Robotic Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 6 | Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 7 | Aquabot Pool Rover Hybrid Robotic Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 8 | Pentair Kreepy Krauly Prowler 820 Robotic Inground Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 9 | Aquabot Junior Robotic Pool Cleaner Show more | ||
 10 | Solar Breeze Automatic Pool Cleaner NX2 Cleaning Robot Show more |
The Best Suction Pool Cleaners Reviewed
- Attaches directly to pool pump
- Enhanced climbing ability & obstacle maneuverability
- Patented adjustable roller skirts
- Hoses get tangled
- Needs a lot of suction to climb
- Attaches directly to pool pump
- Enhanced climbing ability & obstacle maneuverability
- Patented adjustable roller skirts
- Hoses get tangled
- Needs a lot of suction to climb
Hayward’s Poolvergnuegen 2-Wheel Suction Pool Cleaner uses your existing pool pump and filter for power and is designed to plug it into the designated suction port or the skimmer for quick and easy setup. It features patented self-adjusting turbine vanes, tire treads for climbing ability and maneuverability for uneven surfaces and when encountering obstacles. Great for an average-sized pool up to 16’ x 32.
This suction pool cleaner travels 8 to 10 feet before turning, and turns can range from 90 to 450 degrees. This pool cleaner comes with a one year warranty.
- Large top-load filter cartridge
- Offers suction and scrub brush cleaning
- Only uses 180 watts of voltage
- Only 1 year warranty
- Misses a lot of smaller debris
- High priced
- Large top-load filter cartridge
- Offers suction and scrub brush cleaning
- Only uses 180 watts of voltage
- Only 1 year warranty
- Misses a lot of smaller debris
- High priced
The Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner is made for all pools. It offers an over-sized debris cartridge which holds up to 60% more than others in its category. It moves with the use of tracks instead of wheels for improved traction. This model is considered energy efficient with a 24 Volt DC motor.
It uses SmartNav 2.0 Robotic Scanning to optimize cleaning patterns around your above ground pool. This pool cleaner comes with a one year warranty.
- Quiet operation & gentle movement across pool bottom
- Programmed steering pattern
- Improves water circulation
- Seems to get stuck or confused
- Suction may not be great with some pumps
- Quiet operation & gentle movement across pool bottom
- Programmed steering pattern
- Improves water circulation
- Seems to get stuck or confused
- Suction may not be great with some pumps
Wanda the Whale automatic pool cleaner means you will never empty or replace debris bags. And because it works with your existing filtration system there is no extra energy-consuming booster pump is required. Wanda the Whale improves water circulation by acting as a moving main drain, pulling water from the bottom of your pool as it moves. Your water circulates and your pool stays cleaner which means less chemicals.
It features a deluxe bumper to minimize friction and for easy movement away from walls and resumption of the programmed steering pattern. It comes with a one year warranty.
- Options for different pool types
- Connects to pool skimmer
- No debris bag to empty
- Hose can get in the way
- 1 year warranty
- Jams up easily
- Options for different pool types
- Connects to pool skimmer
- No debris bag to empty
- Hose can get in the way
- 1 year warranty
- Jams up easily
With patented AquaPilot technology, Hayward’s PoolVac XL Suction Cleaner has a wide vacuum inlet and unique wing design. It connects directly to your pool’s skimmer or suction port for complete installation in less than 10 minutes.
This pool cleaner is available for all pool types up to 20 x 40 feet. It comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
- No hose hook-ups
- Uses smart technology to set pattern
- Uses sensors for out of water shut off
- Must be removed and stored after use
- Heavy and large in size
- Only a 1 year warranty
- No hose hook-ups
- Uses smart technology to set pattern
- Uses sensors for out of water shut off
- Must be removed and stored after use
- Heavy and large in size
- Only a 1 year warranty
This pool cleaner uses smart technology and runs separately from the pool’s filtration system reducing the frequency of filter backwash cycles. There are no extra hoses, hookups or pumps required and the top-access cartridge filter allows quick debris removal and easy cleaning.
Out-of-water and beach-entry sensors stop SharkVac XL from running out of the water while cleaning the waterline, protecting the motor and extending cleaner life. It comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Programmable navigation
- Quick connect hoses
- Flow regulator controls
- Only a 1 year warranty
- Slow moving when cleaning
- Too much debris jams wheels
- Programmable navigation
- Quick connect hoses
- Flow regulator controls
- Only a 1 year warranty
- Slow moving when cleaning
- Too much debris jams wheels
The Zodiac MX6 is a compact pool cleaner that features programmable navigation for a no hassle clean pool. It has a low-flow design, and consumes less energy than other cleaners in its class. The swiveling hoses are quick-connect for easy assembly and a flow regulator controls the water flow so there is nothing to adjust at the skimmer.
This pool cleaner can be used on both in ground and above ground pools. It is backed by a 1 year warranty.
- No hoses to deal with
- Cleans most pools in 1 hour
- 19-Quart capacity micro filter bag
- Only 1 year warranty
- Power cord gets in the way
- Unit gets stuck in corners
- No hoses to deal with
- Cleans most pools in 1 hour
- 19-Quart capacity micro filter bag
- Only 1 year warranty
- Power cord gets in the way
- Unit gets stuck in corners
This customizable, automatic pool vacuum has a jet propelled system to clean the floor and slopes of a 24-foot-diameter pool in less than one hour. That means it is capable of cleaning 5400 square feet per hour. It is able to remove everything from large leaves to algae as small as 2 microns with the easy-to-clean reusable 19-quart micro filter bag.
The Pool Rover has a guidance system that is easy to set and is designed to work in above ground pools. Its extra-wide, non-marring wheels allow it to roll over ripples and printed vinyl pool bottoms.
- Cleans most pools in 2 1/2 hours
- Has an auto-reverse feature
- Includes caddy for easy handling and storage
- 2 year warranty
- Price on the high side
- Small capacity collection reservoir
- Doesn't crawl walls of pool well
- Cleans most pools in 2 1/2 hours
- Has an auto-reverse feature
- Includes caddy for easy handling and storage
- 2 year warranty
- Price on the high side
- Small capacity collection reservoir
- Doesn't crawl walls of pool well
The newly redesigned creepy krauly prowler 820 robotic pool cleaner has an auto-reverse feature to prevent hang-ups on steps for uninterrupted performance. The integrated filter reduces run time of primary filtration, which could mean saving on energy costs, wear and tear. It is able to clean most above ground pools in just two and a half hours. It operates totally independent of a pool circulation system, and provides on-demand cleaning without running pumps.
This system includes a convenient caddy for easy handling and storage and also works on in-ground pools. There is 2 year warranty on this cleaner.
- Customizable cleaning cycles
- Includes a 50 foot cord
- Able to climb pool walls
- Long cleaning cycles
- Cable gets in the way
- Filter bag could hold more
- Customizable cleaning cycles
- Includes a 50 foot cord
- Able to climb pool walls
- Long cleaning cycles
- Cable gets in the way
- Filter bag could hold more
The Aquabot Junior Robotic Pool Cleaner is a self-contained cleaner with an internal pump, drive, and filtration system directed by a microprocessor and patented direction turning flotation device. The rotating scrubbing brushes are able to clean your pool in just 2 hours. The Aquabot Jr. features an auto shut-off, customized cleaning cycle, 50 ft. cord, and all-weather resistant 115v power supply.
This suction pool cleaner works on any pool shape or size up to a 40 feet in length. It comes with a 2 year warranty.
- Powered by the sun
- No cords or hoses
- Removes surface debris
- Only works when sun is shining
- Wheels get jammed
- Only a 1 year warranty
- Powered by the sun
- No cords or hoses
- Removes surface debris
- Only works when sun is shining
- Wheels get jammed
- Only a 1 year warranty
While the Solar Breeze Automatic Pool Cleaner NX2 Cleaning Robot may not be entirely suction based, it removes 90-95% of surface debris while reducing the dust, leaves, pollen and bacteria from your pool. This solar powered robotic pool cleaner uses the free energy of the sun, and can last for several hours after sundown. It has a chemical dispenser tray that accommodates two 3-inch trichlor tablets and the collection area capacity is twice that of your in-wall skimmer basket.
This cleaner works in all pool types and comes with a one year warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a suction pool cleaner?
It's like an underwater vacuum cleaner for your swimming pool. It runs along the bottom of your pool to remove dirt and debris that has settled in the water. Through hoses, a suction pool cleaner deposits all debris into your filter basket.
What are the benefits of a suction pool cleaner?
First of all it will mean cleaning less out of your pool skimmer less often. It also means your filter will take less wear and cleaning time.
How does a suction pool cleaner work?
It is basically a vacuum that uses the pressure from your pool’s intake to suck in water as it moves around the pool to remove dirt and debris. All that is left for you to do is clean the skimmer baskets where the dirt is delivered.