We can be honest here: most people love their pool, but few of us love pool maintenance. I liken it to having a great dinner; everybody wants to eat it, but who wants to do the dishes? But here’s the thing: maintaining a sparkling clean pool doesn’t have to be a chore if you pick the right automatic pool cleaner.
So, what is the best pool cleaner? I’d have to reply with a pool tech’s favorite answer: ‘it depends’. That’s because your pool’s shape, size, surface type, plumbing configuration, and budget are important factors in assessing pool vacuums to keep your pool clean.
Without further ado let’s start by reviewing the top picks for best pool vacuum to ease our collective pool maintenance burdens.
Best Above Ground Pool Robotic Cleaner: Dolphin E10 Above Ground Pool Cleaner, 40 Ft Cable, 2 Year Warranty – Model 99996133-USF
Best Budget Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Dolphin E30 Inground Pool Cleaner, 60 Ft Cable, All Pool Surface Types – Model 99996240-XP
Best Heavy Duty Robotic Pool Cleaner: Hayward SharkVAC XL Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner – W3RC9740WCCUB
Best Above Ground Pool Suction-Side Cleaner: Hayward Wanda the Whale Above Ground Suction Pool Cleaner – Model W3900
Best Inground Suction-Side Pool Cleaner: The Pool Cleaner 4 Wheel Suction Cleaner, 40 Ft Hose – Model W3PVS40JST
Best Scrubbing Inground Suction-Side Pool Cleaner: Kreepy Kruiser Inground Pool Cleaner (K60430) – K60400
Best Lgacy Inground Suction=Sid Pool Cleaner: Hayward Navigator Pro Suction Cleaner, Concrete Pools, 40 Foot Hose – W3925ADC
Best Above Ground Pool Pressure-Side Cleaner: Polaris Turbo Turtle Pool Cleaner – 6-130-00T
Best Booster Pump-Assisted Pressure-Side Cleaner: Pentair Legend Pool Cleaner w/o Pump – LL505G
Best Return Line Powered Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner: Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend II Pressure Side Inground Pool Cleaner – Model LX5000G
Dolphin E10 Above Ground Pool Cleaner, 40 Ft Cable, 2 Year Warranty – Model 99996133-USF
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 26′ Long
Pool Type: Above-Ground Pools – Vinyl Liner
Coverage: Pool Floor Only
Power Source: Three-Prong Plug
Why We Picked It: An above ground swimming pool has a smaller selection of robotic pool cleaner options, but it’s a competitive field of contenders. The Dolphin E10 edges out other models from AquaBot and BWT because of its similar design to its inground cousins, the E20 and E30. The E10 uses the same impeller and brushes as the inground models but coupled with a slightly smaller motor to protect your liner.
The Dolphin E10 comes with a convenient carry handle that is not found on most above-ground pool cleaners. Its power supply does as well. The pool robot and power supply’s handles make dropping in and removing the cleaner from the pool water a breeze.
Dolphin E30 Inground Pool Cleaner, 60 Ft Cable, All Pool Surface Types – Model 99996240-XP
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 50′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground – All Surface Types
Coverage: Pool Floor, Pool Walls
Power Source: Three-Prong Plug
Why We Picked It: The E30 is a great value for the budget-conscious pool owner. this model provides all the essentials you need in a robotic pool cleaner, like the extra long power cord with an anti-tangle swivel, fine mesh cartridges, and a 2-year manufacturer warranty. If you’re looking for a lean, mean pool cleaning machine, the E30 is no doubt one of the top robotic pool cleaners on the market.
The E30 robotic pool cleaner uses mesh cartridges instead of the old-style filter bag for catching debris. The cartridges are made of material similar to a pool filter cartridge, allowing it to catch fine dirt and mid-size debris. The E30’s thoroughness is optimally paired with speed, as it can clean your entire pool within a 2-hour cleaning cycle.
Customer Review:
No issues whatsoever… just plug and play
Written by Guest
Easy, effective, affordable cleaner for my 22000 pool. Love it. No complaints whatsoever. Just plug and go.
Hayward SharkVAC XL Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner – W3RC9740WCCUB
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 40′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground – All Surface Types
Coverage: Pool Floor, Pools Walls, Up to Waterline
Power Source: Three-Prong Plug
Why We Picked It: If you are the pool party house in the neighborhood or your swimming pool is a magnet for leaves, grass clippings, and other pesky debris, then the SharkVac XL robotic pool cleaner deserves your attention. Sporting a squattier frame than traditionally styled Hayward TigerShark or Maytronics cleaners, the SharkVac XL’s stoutness disguises its sheer suction power and debris capacity. Even with SharkVac XL’s extra capacity, it’ll be easily climbing walls and scouring your floor.
The XL is ideal for pool owners looking to avoid mid-cycle emptying of their robotic pool cleaner during heavy cleaning occasions like pool openings or closings. The XL’s 3-hour pool cleaning cycle makes quick work for pools up to 20’x40’, which is made possible by its 60’ power cord. Not only can the SharkVac XL hold more dirt, but it also carries a longer warranty than most of its competitors with its 3-year warranty.
The Pool Cleaner 4 Wheel Suction Cleaner, 40 Ft Hose – Model W3PVS40JST
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 40′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground – All Surface Types
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Suction – Skimmer or Dedicated Vacuum Line
Why We Picked It: Just as the name suggests, The Pool Cleaner made by Hayward is simplicity personified (or cleaner-fied.) Pool owners and pool techs everywhere adore the 4-wheel and its 2-wheeled cousin for its simple installation, operation, and maintenance. The Pool Cleaner is made up of essentially 3 components: the main body frame, the internal gearbox/turbine, and its wheel. Anything you may need to repair or replace is, at most, a couple of screws away.
The Pool Cleaners focus on streamlined design with ease of maintenance in mind, which is highlighted by its tires. All four tires can be replaced in one to two minutes. Anyone who has had to replace the feet and pods on a Hayward Navigator in one to two minutes wouldn’t have even gotten all the screws of the case.
Customer Review:
BEST POOL CLEANER89
Reviewed By: Inyo Customer (1/23/2024)
We love this pool cleaner. It does a fantastic job and has needed very little maintenance. So much better than the Polaris it replaced. I highly recommend this unit!
Hayward Wanda the Whale Above Ground Suction Pool Cleaner – Model W3900
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 32′ Long
Pool Type: Above-Ground Pools – Vinyl Liner
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Suction – Skimmer or Dedicated Vacuum Line
Why We Picked It: There are many people who like it, but this one is my choice. Hayward’s above-ground pool suction cleaner comes in a few different styles: Diver Dave, The Bug, and Wanda the Whale. All three cleaners have the same basic chassis and functionality, the only difference between them being the shell design. So, the one you choose usually comes down to aesthetics.
But why did we choose Wanda as our favorite? It’s the price. For some reason, poor Wanda is a bit cheaper than her fraternal triplet sisters. So, do Wanda and your wallet a favor; pick her if you’re looking for an above-ground pool suction cleaner at a lower price.
Customer Review:
WORKS GREAT
Reviewed By: Terry from Alberta, Canada
This is sooo much better than manual vacuuming. Can’t even compare. We just have a 16′ round above ground Intex pool, so we were concerned that maybe the pool filter would not be sufficient to operate the pool cleaner. Fortunately, our concerns we unfounded. It is just as described. Plug and play. Also, it only took about a week to get here (Alberta) using standard shipping. We are very pleased with our purchase and our experience with INYO Pools.
Hayward Navigator Pro Suction Cleaner, Concrete Pools, 40-Foot Hose – W3925ADC
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 40′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground, Concrete Model – W3925ADC, Vinyl Model – W3925ADV
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Suction – Skimmer or Dedicated Vacuum Line
Why We Picked It: No list of the top automatic pool cleaners is complete without the mention of a Hayward Navigator. A pool industry darling, the Navigator pool cleaner has been shuffling around America’s pool floors for decades; it waddles into pockets of dirt just like it waddled into our hearts.
There is a ‘but’ when it comes to the Navigator: its intricate construction. The cleaner’s pods, flaps, and feet design are quirky and effective, but they can be tedious to maintain over the cleaner’s lifetime. If you are weighing suction pool cleaner competitors, keep this in mind.
Customer Review:
AWESOME POOL CLEANER
Reviewed By: Cathy D. from las vegas
it works great and the pool looks good faster then the last one we had.service from Inyo pools was good got here fast no problems(…)I recommend this cleaner to everyone it is good…….thanks
Kreepy Kruiser Inground Pool Cleaner (K60430) – K60400
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 40′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground – All Surface Types
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Suction – Skimmer or Dedicated Vacuum Line
Why We Picked It: Distinct in design, The Kreepy Kruiser uses the suck and scoot method of pool cleaning. The Kreepy Krauly pool cleaner series uses an oscillating flexing diaphragm to create its unique pool floor scoot. The disc and diaphragm cleaners provide a pool floor scrubbing effect that you’d find with the wheel or walking cleaners. The Kreepy Kruiser may be ideal if you’re concerned about stubborn dirt or algae stains on your pool basin’s surface.
Customer Review:
KREEPY KRUISER WORKS WELL
Reviewed By: Paul M. from Campbellville, ON
Pros: It doesn’t get stuck.
The Kreepy Kruiser doesn’t look like much when you take it out of the box but it does a very good job of cleaning a pool. My old Barracuda used to get stuck but the Kruiser seems to just keep going. It even vacuums up the vertical walls if you turn up the suction. Its a good cleaner that costs less than most.
Polaris Turbo Turtle Pool Cleaner – 6-130-00T
Maximum Pool Size: N/A
Pool Type: Above-Ground Pools – Vinyl Liner
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Return Line
Why We Picked It: Above-ground pressure side cleaners have come back in vogue in recent years. Their rise in popularity might be owed to their reliance on the return line rather than the skimmer’s suction port. Using the skimmer in this manner is not ideal, as while the pool cleaner is attached, the skimmer is unable to remove floating debris; it’d normally swallow up
Customer Review:
Reviewed By: Loren D. from Kansas
Pros: Works great ALL the time
Cons: Hoses develop splits after a couple of years
The turbo dude does 75 percent of the cleaning required in our pool. Can’t beat that!! “Bert” was purchased when we built our pool 8 years ago. I’d say that is a pretty good investment. We’ve had to change some parts along the way due to wear from the sun and working 24 hrs. a day but overall it has been a pretty good workhorse. I wouldn’t go without one so, we bought “Bert Deuce”!!
Pentair Legend Pool Cleaner w/o Pump – LL505G
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 32′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground – All Surface Types
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Booster Pump – Pentair Booster Pump EC-LA01N
Why We Picked It: A legend in name and reputation, the Letro Legend is a classical-style pressure-side pool cleaner that requires an auxiliary booster pump. Pressure side cleaners use the high-pressure jet from the booster pump creating a powerful venturi effect under the cleaner, which sucks up all manner of debris.
A pressure-side cleaner is ideal for bulkier debris like large leaves or a high volume of debris because its suction hole (aka, its stovepipe) is wider and less likely to clog than a suction cleaner.
Customer Review:
KREEPY CRAWLER DOES THE JOB!
Reviewed By: Gabby from River Ridge, LA
It came fully assembled so that I only had to remove it from the box. It was ready to use and easy to install. The instructions were clear and within a few minutes, Kreepy was working. It does a great job of keeping the pool sparkling clear and clean!
Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend II Pressure Side Inground Pool Cleaner – Model LX5000G
Maximum Pool Size: Up to 30′ Long
Pool Type: In-Ground – All Surface Types
Coverage: Pool Floor
Power Source: Return Line
Why We Picked It: The Kreepy Krauly Legend II is a unique pressure side cleaner because it does not require an auxiliary booster pump to operate. The Legend II instead re-purposes the water flow from your main pool pump as the source for its venturi. An adapter and return jet is installed into a return port; If your pool has several return lines, you’d likely need to close those lines to ensure the automated pool vacuum has the required amount of flow. It’s an extra step to add to your pool cleaning routine but an easy habit to form.
These return jet-style pressure-side cleaners’ power and efficiency outweigh those of the classic booster pump models. Return jet cleaners maintain the same debris-scooping power while increasing electrical efficiency by dropping the booster pump. At the end of the day or cleaning cycle, the leaf bag of either pressure-side style will be full, but the return jet can make sure your wallet is a bit fuller too.
Customer Review:
GOOD POOL CLEANER
Reviewed By: Terry K. from fort worth, texas
only had cleaner a short time, but so far I am very pleased. was fairly easy to install. about 45 minutes. it moves around the pool good and picks up good. it stalls on the stairs but after a short time it will back-up and go on its way.
