Best Automatic Pool Cleaner Reviews 2021

Sometimes the sun comes out to play, and it shines too brightly. At times like those, nothing feels better than a dip in the pool. When you’re aching to cool off, the last thing you want is to go out and find the pool is in a horrid state. Luckily, this upset can be avoided by using an automatic pool cleaner. Not only does it make your work easier, it lowers your cleaning costs. We have compiled a list of five of the best automatic pool cleaner brands that leave your pool sparkling clean.

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Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Cleaner type

Pool type

Hose length

Cleaning time

Weight

Our Top Choice

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pool Cleaner

Polaris is no stranger to high-end pool cleaning solutions. Their Vac-Sweep 280 features superb three-way cleaning, so you are assured a cleaner pool, faster.

Powerful dual jets. Cleans any in-ground pool. A different model for dark-floor pools. Connects to pressure line.

Requires separate booster pump to work.

Pressure/Side

In ground

31ft hose

3 hours max

12lbs

Best Value

Hayward Aqua Bug Pool Cleaner

Hayward has built a reputation for engineering pool technology that works. Their Hayward Aquabug 500 is an easy-to-handle lightweight machine that guarantees easy cleaning.

SmartDrive technology. Easy installation. No replacement of debris bags.

Only for permanent, above-ground swimming pools.

Suction

Above ground

32ft hose

3 hours

21lbs

Pentair Kreepy Krauly® Legend® Pool Cleaner

Pentair Aquatic Systems is a market leader in using water systems to benefit their customers worldwide. Their Legend pool cleaner is sleek and gives you maximum coverage.

Stable wheel design. High capacity of debris handling. Treaded tires.

The long hose is prone to tangling, but also makes it easier for the machine to do its job well in the deep end.

Pressure/Side

In ground

40ft hose

1-3 hours

22.7lbs

Zodiac G3 Side Pool Cleaner

Zodiac is known for low-cost and energy-efficient pool cleaning technology. The Zodiac G3 is a sleek pool cleaner that makes sure you don’t miss a spot.

Low-maintenance. Quiet operation. Works on all pool surfaces.

Isolated complaints of diaphragm coming loose, but usually due to rigorous, prolonged use.

Suction/Side

In ground

39ft hose

3 hours max

19.7lbs

XtremepowerUS Auto Pool Cleaner

XtremepowerUS is an American-born business that manufactures items for everyday use around the home. Its vacuum pool cleaner is a handy machine that won't miss an inch.

Electricity-free usage. Works with any pool design.

¾hp Pump power limitation. Depth limitation.

Suction/Vacuum

In ground

33ft Hose

3 Hours max

12lbs

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What is the Best Automatic Pool Cleaner?

The size and design of your pool are just some of the factors that could influence what the best pool cleaner is. This review offers a detailed look at the pros and cons of five of the best brands of pool cleaners out there. Take a look, and bear in mind the cleaning time, hose length, power, type and maximum pool size to ensure you get the features that best suit you!

Our Top Choice

The Polaris 280 is an impressive pool cleaner that combines power, design and efficiency to deliver that squeaky-clean finish to your swimming pool. It’s a favorite among plenty of in-ground pool owners, although it requires a separate booster pump. We recommend the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Black Max Pressure Side Pool Cleaner for the for dark-bottom pools. You can connect it to a 1.5-inch dedicated pressure cleaner line.

Polaris Vac-Sweep Pressure Side Pool Cleaner with Dual Venturi Jets and Tailsweep Pro – Available in 3 Models

Features

Polaris has been in the pool industry for 40 years. In that time, they have made huge strides in diversifying all their pool cleaning products and associated accessories. Based on customer reviews, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pool Cleaner is a great return on reliability and efficiency.

Take a look at the features that are putting the 280 at the top of customer lists:

Single-chamber filter bag with debris removal
Double jets. Get more cleaning power and use less time with these powerful dual jets.
TailSweep Pro technology. Reduce the mess on areas around your pool with this built-in feature.
Compatible with all surfaces. No pool surface is out of bounds with the Polaris 280.
Auto backup

Polaris offers a great range of pressure pool cleaners fit for every pocket. You are sure to find one that suits your needs.

Maximize your cleaning power with any of the high-powered, innovative automatic pool cleaners by Polaris.

Best Value

The Aquabug 500 is an engineering marvel for above-ground pools, designed to give you an all-around clean with minimal effort. It performs exceptionally for deep cleaning, but if you own an in-ground or soft-sided pool, you ought to go for the Hayward Poolvergnuegen 4-Wheel Suction Pool Cleaner that is able to clean pools with deep ends of up to 20’ x 40’.

Hayward Aqua Critter Above Ground Automatic Pool Cleaner

Features

Hayward has been in the business of making pool parts, accessories and easy-to-use pool cleaners for over eight decades. The Aquabug is a dependable cleaner for all on or above-ground pools and can be used by nearly anyone (after all, it is automatic! What could go wrong?).

These are some of the features that give this lightweight powerhouse its rave reviews:

Turbine cleaners. Let your cleaner loose on your pool and watch the turbine cleaners do the job for you.
SmartDrive technology steering. Maneuver around the entire pool surface and clean every square inch.
No-tool installation. You don’t have to put in hours just trying to assemble it.
The deluxe bumper ring cuts down on friction and maximizes the Aquabug’s programmed locomotion.
Unique gearing system offers seamless movement with balanced water flow.

Although we are loving the fun and quirky design of the Aquabug, he (or she!) may not be for you. Luckily, Hayward also produces this same great auto pool cleaner in Aqua Critter, Diver Dave and Wanda the Whale fun designs. So choose whichever cleaning buddy suits you and sit back while they do all the work!

Quirky animal pool cleaners not for you? Check out the whole range from Hayward; you won’t be disappointed.

The Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend is a super-efficient machine that does an excellent job with its skim power. However, it is a pressure side cleaner, which makes it a little limited. If you are looking for an in-ground pool cleaner instead, then the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Kruiser Automatic Inground Pool Cleaner is an affordable alternative that has an extra-wide mouth to capture both small and large debris.

Pentair Kreepy Krauly® Legend® Pressure-Side In-ground Auto Pool Cleaner

Features

Joining forces for more than a century, Pentair Aquatic Systems have been a champion for the innovation of water systems. The cutting-edge Kreepy Krauly Legend lives up to its name because of its powerful vacuum and efficient usage.

These are the features that make the Legend a standout:

Treaded tires. Never miss a spot with flawless movement on all surfaces of the pool.
Hydrodynamic design. The design makes this machine perfect for water operation.
Debris collection. Large-capacity bag makes it easier and less strenuous to collect and empty debris from the pool.
Tail hose scrubber. For those tough stains, this scrubber gives you that sparkle you are looking for.
Separate booster pump. Max up the power by adding a separate booster pump for better results.
Front wheel drive. The front wheels give the cleaner a boost for those inclined surfaces.

If this pressure side cleaner isn’t for you, check out the wide range of auto pool cleaners Pentair has to offer.

Zodiac is a US-based brand that provides swimming pool solutions and accessories at affordable prices. The Zodiac G3 is the follow-up to the G2, packing better features to clean more efficiently. If you are looking for a different design, you can check out the Zodiac Baracuda Automatic Suction Inground Swimming Pool Cleaner, which comes in a low-flow design that makes it perfect for pools with either 2-speed or irregular speed pumps.

Zodiac G3 Advanced Suction Side Pool Cleaner with Quick Release Cassette and Long-life Hose – Available in 3 Package Types

Features

Zodiac has specialized in cost-friendly pool cleaners for a long time now with a range of different products in each class. The cost-effective principle of Zodiac products continues with the G3 Side Pool Cleaner. This machine is a quiet, low-maintenance example of cutting-edge affordability.

Here are some of the features that make the G3 one of this list’s most versatile picks:

Diaphragm. The Diaphragm is one of the key features that make it a low-maintenance machine.
FlowKeeper valve. Low horsepower pumps will no longer pose a challenge to your cleaning. Balanced and regulated water flow makes the G3 all the more efficient.
Small and medium-sized debris clean up
Wheel Deflector. All those tight spots in your pool need not worry you any more.
36-Fin Disc. Thanks to this feature, your machine won’t get stuck in any areas of your pool.
Quick-release cassette. Access your diaphragm faster during routine maintenance.

The Zodiac G3 can be bought on Amazon with or without the scrub disc, depending on your preference.

Take advantage of Zodiac’s pool cleaning expertise and check out their range today.

The XtremepowerUS Automatic Suction Vacuum Pool Cleaner is a minimalist machine that packs lots of power. With the ability to function without electrical connectivity, you don’t have to limit your cleaning or pool use again. However, for this product to work, you’ll need an XtremepowerUS Submersible Pump.

XtremepowerUS Automatic Vacuum-Generic Kreepy Krauly Climb Wall Pool Cleaner

Features

Xtremepower has tasked themselves with the duty to provide the market with affordable home use products. Clearly the most affordable product on this list, this quiet machine gives your pool a thorough cleaning whenever you want to. From the build to the result, this is one cleaner worth your consideration.

These are some of the features that may convince you:

Quiet. Forget about noise disruption during cleanup.
Power or lack of it will never be a problem, since this cleaner doesn’t use electricity.
Filtration system attachment. This attachment works with almost all pools.

If this particular pool cleaner’s not for you, check out the whole range of quality products XtremepowerUS has to offer.

How Do I Choose the Best Automatic Pool Cleaner?

Time to clean the pool! It looks filthy, full of leaves, dirt and debris, but it’s a sweltering hot day and you really need to cool off with a quick dip. What do you do? You just go ahead and find the fastest and most efficient way to clean the pool and enjoy yourself for the entire afternoon. With the right automatic pool cleaner, all you need to do is grab your favorite pool float and enjoy!

With advances in technology, brands such as INTEX have come up with pool cleaning models that give you a sparkling pool with less effort and in the shortest time possible. Unlike pool filters that simply collect debris and particles that fall into the pool, pool cleaners go the extra step, cleaning even the dirt on the bottom.

Manual pool cleaners can obviously get the job done, but they’ll take up much of your time and effort, and that’s where automatic cleaners come in handy for their ability to operate independently and efficiently. They’re able to reach the deepest parts of the pool and get rid of all dirt. There are three main types of automatic pool cleaners available: suction, pressure and robotic. Knowing how these types compare can help you choose the best one for your pool cleaning needs.

Pressure Cleaner- Uses water pressure from your pump and filter system. Some models need their own additional pumps, referred to as booster pumps.
Robotic Pool Cleaners- This is a special kind of automatic pool cleaner that really does most of the work for you. They use power from a built-in electric motor and pump to collect debris and dirt through a filter bag.
Suction Cleaners- Are the most popular of the three cleaners. Unlike the pressure cleaners, they don’t need booster pumps for them to operate- they use the pool’s filtration system to maneuver on the surface of the pool and walls, vacuuming all dirt.

What type of pool do you have? Your pool can either be in-ground or above-ground, and you need to get the cleaner best suited for your specific pool type. No matter the type of your pool, this guide will help you narrow down your options and decide on the best fit for you.

Price

Owning an automatic pool cleaner means spending anything between $100 and $500. The reason some of these units are highly priced is they have advanced features, usually making them the fastest and most efficient pool cleaners on the market. These features may include built-in monitoring systems, navigational optimization components, self-contained propulsion, 4-wheel tipping control and many more. But do you really have to spend much to get your pool clean?

Well, you can still buy a less expensive model and get the job done; the only problem is you’ll miss out on some amazing features – just don’t go for a cheap automatic pool cleaner that’s not good quality, or you will be wasting time and money.

Features

The different types of automatic pool cleaners are each designed for varying pool sizes, shapes, volumes and materials. Thus, finding the right one for your pool is the solution to restoring that crystal-clear look with minimal effort. Here are some of the important features to look for while you’re shopping for a pool cleaner.

Adjustable. This means your cleaner can maintain suction even on pools that have uneven surfaces. Some come with a deflector which reduces the chances of getting stuck in one place.
Hose Length. Ensure the cleaner’s hose is long enough to reach every corner of your pool.
Intelligent Navigation. Your cleaner should be able to calculate the best pattern to follow for utmost efficiency and faster cleaning.
Timers. A cleaner with a programmable timer allows you to schedule cleaning based on the frequency of pool usage and the season.
Swivel Cords. Buy a unit with a cable swivel to prevent the cable line from getting tangled up while the cleaner is running.
Contact Adhesive Drive. This feature prevents your unit from sliding while climbing on smooth surfaces such as glass or tiles.

Here is a brief overview of the construction and design of these pool cleaners, as well as the performance and how easy it is to use the units, to help you make an informed buying decision.

Construction and Design

For completely automated and efficient pool cleaning, these automatic pool cleaners are made with highly durable material that needs little to no maintenance. Some of the units are designed without gears and wheels, making them less prone to jamming and other mechanical hitches. As such, these are suitable for extended cleaning periods unsupervised.

With a hydrodynamic design, these cleaners are well suited for water operation. They also come in a compact build requiring minimal setup with fewer attachments required in order to operate.

Performance and Ease of Use

A swimming pool is a big investment, and with the right cleaning tools, you can keep it sparkling clean, with minimal effort. Pool owners that use automatic cleaners can confirm how these models clean all the way up to the top and even the walls with ease. Some even come with a diaphragm feature that makes the unit easy to maintain and clean.

These models offer you an easy set-up and cleaning process, allowing you to do other activities while your pool is getting cleaned. Since these cleaners are automatic, they only need to get used to your pool, and the cleaner will do an efficient, comprehensive job getting all the dirt and even large debris out of your pool to perfection.

The main thing is finding the right balance of features and budget. Buying the right pool cleaner will, in the end, prove to be the best option since it will allow you more time to enjoy your pool and handle other tasks instead of cleaning it yourself.

Go back to the start of the reviews

Get the Best Automatic Pool Cleaner of 2021!

The ideal pool cleaner for you will be a blend of factors that have been established in this review. Depending on the size of your pool and how often you clean it, your individual needs will differ from the next person, so we hope you found the best choice for your budget. And the best part is, you never have to manually clean your pool again! Did somebody say pool party?

Our Top Choice

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pool Cleaner

Best Value

Hayward Aqua Bug Pool Cleaner

Pentair Kreepy Krauly® Legend® Pool Cleaner

Zodiac G3 Side Pool Cleaner

XtremepowerUS Auto Pool Cleaner

Go back to the start of the reviews

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