Best Automatic Pool Vacuum – Pool maintenance takes time that we would all rather save for something more rewarding. If you want to spend less time cleaning your pool and more time swimming in it, an automatic pool cleaner can be a perfect option for you.
When it comes to choosing which automatic pool cleaner is best, it can get quite overwhelming. There are hundreds of models, different pool pump requirements, and conflicting reviews. We put together our list of ten potential automatic pool cleaners. We tried to pick an option that will work for every budget; luckily, not all automatic pool cleaners are incredibly expensive. Take a look at these options, and if you have questions about the right model for you, we included a buyer’s guide for some direction.
ROUND UP
1.Dolphin Nautilus
Features
- Hello, free time! Let the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robotic vacuum cleaner take over your pool cleaning duties for good. Easy to use and ideal for in-ground swimming pools up to 50 feet, this cleaner will leave your pool sparkling clean in just 2 hours. Spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning.
- The clean you need without the hassle. The Nautilus CC Plus was designed to clean your pool, effortlessly. With dual scrubbing brushes and superior filtering capabilities, you can relax knowing your pool’s floor and walls are left exceptionally clean.
- Ditch the pumps and hose. Unlike the energy hogs that are pressure and suction cleaners, Dolphins are independent cleaning machines and do not rely on any additional equipment to get the job done. Save energy with every pool cleaning.
- Clean your pool with the touch of a button. Schedule the Nautilus CC Plus to clean your swimming pool each week using 3 settings- every day, every other day, or every 3rd day. Pool cleaning has never been easier!
- With more than 35 years of cleaning the world’s residential swimming pools, Dolphins provide pool owners with a hassle-free cleaning solution of unmatched performance and longevity. Get back to what really matters; spending time with family and friends.
Our overall favorite automatic pool cleaner comes from the highly reputable Dolphin in the form of the Nautilus Plus.
This model is more keenly priced than the Premier while still offering capable cleaning performance, even with larger in-ground swimming pools up to 50 feet long. Let this machine buff up the floors, walls, and waterline of your pool so you don’t need to.
You’ll be good to go with this pump right out the box. There’s no need to concern yourself with pre-installation, and you won’t have to connect this to your pool system either. Just slip it in the pool and let the robot do the work.
2.Zodiac G3
Features
- Quiet, powerful suction cleaner; works with low-speed pumps for maximum efficiency.
- Devours small and medium-sized debris and cleans floor, walls and steps of your entire pool.
- FlowKeeper Valve automatically regulates water flow to maintain peak cleaning performance even with lower horsepower pumps.
- Wheel Deflector for movement around tight corners.
- Scuff-resistant Long-Life Hoses eliminate scuffs on all pool surfaces.
- 36-Fin Disc increases adhesion to pool surface and avoids getting hung-up on lights, drains covers, fittings and other pool features.
- Durable Long-Life Diaphragm with reliable, one-moving-part-technology
- Patented Quick-Release Cassette provides simplified routine maintenance.
- Easy installation
- Pool Type: In-Ground
A suction-side pool cleaner makes a much more affordable option than a robot cleaner without stiffing you when it comes to cleaning power. If you’re uncertain of how these types of cleaners differ, scroll down to our buying guide below where we highlight this.
The G3 would make a perfect fit for anyone with a low-speed pool pump and a pool that accumulates small and medium-sized pieces of debris.
The wheel deflector on this pool cleaner is a neat touch, allowing the G3 to glide with ease even around tighter corners. Maneuverability is one of the key selling points here.
3.Polaris Genuine
Features
- COMPATIBILITY: Engineered specifically to fit Polaris 3900 Sport & P39 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner, Polaris 280, 280 Tank Trax, 280 Black Max, TR28P, 480 PRO Pressure-Side Pool Cleaners
- PREMIUM PERFORMANCE: Up to 5 liters of double chamber debris capacity. The Polaris proprietary zipper enclosure is designed to securely keep debris in the bag during cleaning and makes opening and emptying the bag simple. The Superbag easily connects to the cleaner head and can be detached when removing debris.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: The Superbag comes equipped with a Polaris proprietary zipper enclosure, double bag functionality, easy connect, easy disconnect for debris removal.
- WARRANTY: Using only Polaris genuine parts helps maintain the Polaris cleaner’s manufacturer limited warranty. Purchased Polaris genuine parts come with a 90-day limited manufacturer warranty from date of retail purchase.
- POLARIS GENUINE PARTS: Made with high-quality materials and built to exact engineering specifications to ensure a long life with exceptional performance. For over 40 years Polaris has led the pool industry in quality pressure-side cleaner manufacturing.
Next up in our quest for the best automatic pool cleaners comes one of the impressive Polaris stable. How does the Vac-Sweep 280 shape up, then?
With this iteration of the Polaris, you get a powerful and efficient pool cleaner. This is a pressure-side model. If you’re unclear on what that entails, scroll down to our buying guide below. Essentially, it simply means that you can easily hook this thing up to a dedicated pressure line.
This cleaner features the classic 3-wheel design giving it a great deal of agility. It’s designed to work in all in-ground pools of all shapes and sizes.
4.Hayward W3PVS20GST
Features
- EFFORTLESS DEBRIS MANAGEMENT: The patented self-adjusting turbine vanes eliminates clogs and ensures maximum power at virtually any flow. Their ability to move allows easy passage of large debris to ensure full cleaning with peace of mind
- COMPLETE POOL OVERAGE: The PoolCleaner has multiple pre-programmed internal steering sequences, which cause the left wheel to periodically reverse, allowing The PoolCleaner to turn and then move into another direction. This feature ensures full pool coverage and efficient cleaning
- ROBUST TIRE TREADS: The patented tire treads give The PoolCleaner enhanced climbing ability and obstacle maneuverability – especially with main drains. This makes The PoolCleaner ideal for all pool surfaces and shapes
- MAINTAINS CONSTANT SUCTION: Patented adjustable roller skirts allows the cleaner to maintain optimal suction on uneven surfaces and when encountering obstacles
- OPTIMAL SUCTION AT VARIOUS FLOWS: Three easily interchangeable throats improve debris passage and suction performance, making it ideal for use with variable-speed pool pumps
If you have had the best luck with a suction-side pool cleaner, the Hayward AquaNaut 400 is a great choice. This model has some power behind it, and even though it is a suction-sided unit, it is faster than many other automatic pool cleaners on the market.
The Hayward AquaNaut 400 has a roller skirt that helps it maintain suction and stay up on the walls of the pool when needed. One of the most important things about this type of pool cleaner is that the suction power needs to be strong enough to keep the unit climbing. If you lose suction power, then this cleaner will stay on the bottom of the pool and move slowly. Make sure you check to make sure that this model is compatible with your current pool equipment.
5.Polaris 9550
Features
- AUTO POOL CLEANER: The 9550 Sport 4WD provides best-in-class performance and 5 cleaning modes.
- IN GROUND: Compatible with in ground swimming pools up to 60 ft.
- POLARIS: For more than 40 years, Polaris has been known worldwide for its quality and best-in-class automatic pool cleaners.
- PREMIUM CLEANING PERFORMANCE: The 4WD robotic pool cleaner featuring motion-sensing handheld remote, Easy Lift System, dirty canister indicator, and Vortex Vacuum technology for best-in-class cleaning performance.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Comes equipped with a 70ft cable w/ tangle-reducing swivel, an extra-large 5L debris canister, and a handheld remote control. Premium caddy included.
The Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner includes some robotic features that most people will find handy. It has an excellent sensor technology, which allows it to clean your pool evenly, and a seven-day programmable timer with a handheld remote. Its Aqua-Trax tires have a superior grip relative to many of the models on our list.
This Polaris is a solid overall choice that will do well at picking up both dirt and larger objects.
As long as the dirt is on the bottom of the pool, you will be pleased with the Polaris F9550. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a model that will also climb the walls of the pool, the Polaris tends to struggle with that.
6.Pentair K60430
Features
- This creepy krauly cruiser automatic in ground pool cleaner have many design elements shared by the most popular suction-side cleaner in history
- Superior vacuum power and extra-wide mouth capture large and small debris with ease
- Superior seal design includes specially engineered slits and "fingers" to assure the unit
- Built-in bumper assures free movement around steps and ladders for total cleaning coverage and uninterrupted, hands-free operation
- Connects to your skimmer or vacuum line fitting in minutes without tools
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly is an excellent model to consider if you have a darker pool. It’s colored in a way that helps it stand out better in darker pools. This will save you a lot of time since you won’t have to search for your pool cleaner every time you use it. It also features a large intake throat that makes it suitable with larger debris, so it’s a good buy for wooded properties.
One of the positive design features is the four wheels, which leave it better-balanced than most three-wheel designs.
7.XtremepowerUS
Features
- 10 hoses included for up to 30' pool. Ideal for cleaning bottom surface and wall; does not clean stairs
- Require at least a 1 hp swimming pool pump or 1600 GHP to function properly.
- No tools required and no electricity needed; Attaches to your existing filtration system
- Cleaner should be moving about the pool at a rate of 8 to 12 feet per minute. Eco-friendly automatic pool cleaner vacuum designed for high efficiency and low maintenance.
- Automatic operation by self-navigating around the water on set patterns for the top to bottom pool cleaning. Refer to the PDF attached below in Technical Specification for the Manual and Troubleshooting Guide
If you were waiting for the pure budget model, you have found it with the XtremepowerUS 75037 Pool Cleaner Vacuum . The best thing about it is that it comes with effortless assembly and installation. You won’t waste a lot of time getting this machine set up and can have it cleaning your pool fast. This unit is priced so low that you can replace it a few times for the cost of some other models if that is the type of machine you are looking for.
However, this cleaner doesn’t work with large debris at all. If leaves or acorns fall into your pool, they can clog this machine and cause it to stop working. That’s a big problem, as this cleaner already has jamming issues that causes it to malfunction.
WRAP UP
Best Automatic Pool Vacuum – If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your yard, chances are you don’t want to spend your valuable time constantly cleaning it.
To avoid the requirement for a pool cleaning crew, taking the time to find the best automatic pool cleaner will streamline things.
Any new pool owners might feel that a pump, the right chemical balance, and some regular skimming will be enough to see off the accumulating debris. In some cases, it might be. More often, though, you’ll find that flotsam and jetsam crowding your pool.