Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
These models are easy to use and will keep your pool in good condition all summer.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
However, jumping into a puddle of leaves can quickly spoil that refreshing feeling.
The throw in you choose depends on your specific pool setup, personal preference, and budget.
With so many options it can be difficult to figure out which is best foryour pool size and style.
Credit: Pool Warehouse
To help, we put over 30 options to the test at home for two weeks.
After the initial testing period, we continued to test the pool cleaners for up to six months.
We thought the pool cleaner would benefit from having a longer cord.
The Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner is highly effective, easy to use, and has a user-friendly app.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Overall, our favorite pool cleaner we tested is theDolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner.
We liked that it took us under eight minutes to set up the pool cleaner.
Plus, after six months of usage, we were impressed that this unit stayed in great condition.
The units built-in scrubbers were effective at cleaning along the waterline.
During testing, the biggest drawback we noted was its cord.
To use it you should probably attach your own hose, which means you need water constantly running.
Its also meant to clean larger debris only.
We found it was lightweight and easy to set up and use.
Luckily, its a lightweight option that we found easy to use.
The pool cleaner proved to be easy to use and effective at cleaning our pool.
The pool featured an automatic cover and had ornamental grasses around it.
In terms of setup, all we had to do was attach the hose to the power box.
While cleaning, the unit didnt make any noise.
Without it, we ended up pulling the pool cleaner out before it was done.
Unlike some other units, this model doesnt feature any customization beyond how frequently you want it to run.
Theres only one speed and one intensity regardless of the level of debris in your pool.
Overall, we found this pool cleaner to be effective.
It cleaned the bottom of our pool well but struggled a bit with the corners.
Credit: Amazon
However, we liked that it climbed the walls with its scrubbers and cleaned the water line.
During testing, it continued to clean our pool with ease.
The cleaning cycle is about three hours, which is longer than some other models.
This pool cleaner is effective and powerful and has a long thicker cord that is less likely to get tangled during the cleaning process.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Those with an in-ground pool will appreciate thePolaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner.
We had a professional pool company install this cleaner, and it took them just a few minutes.
We felt the installation was straightforward, however, and it would have been easy to do ourselves.
This pool cleaner is effective and powerful and has a long thicker cord that is less likely to get tangled during the cleaning process.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Each cleaning cycle was efficient, and we felt that it cleaned the pool well each time.
It picked up both pollen and pine straw, so were confident it could handle a variety of debris.
This pool cleaner features a chamber filter bag that fills with debris while it cleans.
This model ended up replacing the other pool cleaner we were using previously.
While testing the Vac-Sweep 360, we felt that it was easy to use and efficient each time.
Setting up the pool cleaner was fairly easy as it came almost fully assembled.
It was also easy to store along withour other pool accessories.
The pool cleaner is 14 pounds, so its fairly lightweight in comparison to other models.
Assembly took longer than expected because the included instructions were vague.
We did separate research to sort out the confusion.
Setting up this pool cleaner took about 45 minutes, which was longer than expected.
The included instructions were a bit vague, so we did our own online research to assemble it.
Once it was together, we were impressed with how well it was able to clean our pool.
We wished the suction had been a bit stronger but were still impressed with how well it cleaned overall.
During testing, we didn’t notice any changes to this model in terms of performance.
However, we still thought it was a great pool cleaner overall.
The pole is not included, so youll have to purchase one separately.
The 18-inch aluminum brush is lightweight and allows you to clean even the smallest areas of your pool.
Unlike other pool cleaners, this option doesnt require any setup.
The brush has rust-resistant paint, so you wont have to worry about staying in good shape over time.
Plus, the nylon bristles are designed to be durable, but they wont scratch up your pool.
However, we felt this wasa tool any pool owner should have.
The cleaning cycle was slow.
Overall, we found that the pool cleaner was easy to set up.
We recommend the pool cleaner overall as its less expensive than other options and doesnt require much work.
Though we loved how well it cleaned our pool, we wish it worked a little quicker.
The instructions werent clear, so youll have to watch a few videos to assemble the unit.
We also appreciated the rollers, which make it easy for the cleaner to navigate the pool.
Plus, the cleaner even straightened out the pools liner a bit in the process, an unexpected benefit.
The instructions werent clear, however, they included suggested videos that made setup easier to manage.
Our pool is located near a tree and often collects leaves and other debris.
We thought this was a practical and efficient pool cleaner and we appreciated how well it cleaned our pool.
We would have preferred a more clear indicator that the cleaning cycle was complete.
If you have an above-ground pool, consider the Polaris 7000 Above Ground Robotic Pool Cleaner.
The unit is compact, lightweight, and simple to assemble.
Plus, its less expensive than other options and will clean the entire pool in about an hour.
Credit: Amazon
The cleaner has a brush on the front that’ll work to scrub grime.
Besides this change, we appreciated that this was a set and forget gadget that was easy to use.
We also felt the control panel was easy to use.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner features a chamber filter bag that hangs outside of the unit, which fills with debris and is easy to remove and clean as needed.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
It’s expensive and is not ideal for every throw in of pool.
The cleaner features a five-liter filter basket, which is larger than some other options on the market.
We appreciated that the wheeled design can sit upright, making it a space-saving design.
Credit: Amazon
Although it was effective, we felt that it was ideal for larger pools that may require professional cleaning.
We didn’t run into any issues while testing this pool cleaner.
It wont skim the surface of your pool like some other cleaners can.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 missed some fine sand and dirt, but did clean other debris off the bottom.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Pool walls can be difficult to clean, which is why we recommendAipers Scuba S1.
This unit was fully charged within two hours and didnt miss any spots during cleaning.
Overall, this pick was so effective that it collected debris we hadnt even noticed previously.
Its worth noting that this cleaner wont skim the surface of your pool like some other models can.
At 26 pounds, it may be difficult for some people to get it out of water.
Fortunately, it features the ability to return to where it started, making it a little easier.
Its not ideal for cleaning stairs.
If your pool is prone to fine debris, we recommend theFreedom Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner from Polaris.
In our experience, this worked particularly well for cleaning pollen off of the tiles.
We liked that the app made it easy to customize controls.
Plus, it was easy to use as well as remove from the pool after cleanings.
Over the course of two weeks, we tried out their given styles in their pools right at home.
We evaluated each model based on four categories: design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value.
We did not know the prices of each model until the end of the test.
Before using the pool cleaner, we timed ourselves setting the unit up.
Then, over the course of two weeks, we used the cleaner at least once a week.
In terms of design, we evaluated if the pool cleaner was ergonomically designed and comfortable to use.
A pool cleaner received a higher score if it had features like a handle or caddy.
Credit: Amazon
A pool cleaners effectiveness was scored based on how well it removed debris from each our pool.
After evaluating each category, we were given the price of the product we were testing.
The suction moves the cleaner around the pool at random.
The Pentair Kreepy Krauly took a bit to assemble, but once it was together, we were impressed with how well it cleaned our pool.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
They can drive on wheels, bristles, or a rubber disc.
Some pools have dedicated ports for suction-side cleaners, or they can connect to the skimmer.
After testing, thePolaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Inground Pool Cleanerwas our favorite pressure-side cleaner.
Suction-side pool cleaners collect debris in your pool’s skimmer or filter basket.
Pressure-side pool cleaners have their own reusable collection bags.
Most automatic pool cleaners are compatible with all in-ground pool shapes, sizes, and surface materials.
Just be careful if your pool is lined with vinyl.
Thus, its important to choose a cleaner that can handle your pool size.
Check the cleaner specifications to find the maximum recommended pool length," she says.
Regardless of which of the several cleaning modes you choose, the pool cleaner is quiet and effective.
Although the pool cleaner worked well, we felt that the price was a bit too steep.
It didnt clean their pool as well as we would have hoped, leaving debris in the hard-to-reach corners.
Your Questions, Answered
How much can I expect to spend on a pool cleaner?
Pool cleaners are offered at a variety of price points and it varies based on brand and throw in.
A manual option, like theSwimming Pool Wall & Tile Brush, is a less expensive option.
Though it’s effective, it’ll require more manual labor than other options.
If you’re able to invest in a robotic option, we recommend theDolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner.
Though it’s a splurge, we found that it was gentle, effective, and easy to use.
Credit: Amazon
How often will I use a pool cleaner?
However, she notes that there are other maintenance factors to consider beyond just relying on the pool cleaner.
What size pool cleaner do I need?
Credit: Amazon
We suggest looking for an ergonomic design to make transporting it more comfortable.
How should I store a pool cleaner?
Plus, pool cleaner’s cords can also pose a hazard to some swimmers.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
How long do pool cleaners last?
Pool cleaners of any kind last about five to seven years on average, says Thompson.
Who We Are
This article was written byJamie Weissman, an editor for Better Homes & Gardens.
Credit: Amazon
We also referred to insights from testers who used the pool cleaners at home for several weeks.
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
The Dolphin Escape Robotic Pool Cleaner effectively removed debris and leaves with its oversized filter basket during our tests.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Leslie’s
The Polaris 7000 pool cleaner is compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Leslie’s
The Polaris VrXiQ has a large 5-liter filter basket that easily removes leaves and other debris.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The Aiper Scuba S1 can get to harder-to-reach places and climb walls with angles as steep as 105 degrees.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The Freedom Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner is compact for storage when not in use.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
It’s easy to remove the 5-liter basket to dispose of any debris it collects after the cleaning cycle.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
The Aquabot X4 has a long 60-foot cord and can clean both pool floors and walls.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
