We purchased 21 pool cleaners of all kinds and sent them to volunteer testers, who used them to clean their home pools for several weeks. Our testers made note of these key factors for each pool cleaner: cleaning coverage, ease of use, helpful features, and overall value. Our top pick is the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Vacuum Cleaner because it’s equipped with mapping technology to learn each pool’s layout for an efficient cleaning cycle. It can also be scheduled to automatically clean pools on a specific cadence. Here are the best pool cleaners you can buy. During testing, we found that this pool cleaner was extremely easy to set up, just needing to be turned on and dropped into the pool. The robot scans and maps the entire pool for more efficient cleaning, and its tangle-free swiveling cable ensures it doesn’t get stuck while working its way around. We found that the cleaner picks up an impressive amount of grime and dirt, and our tester loved that you can put the machine on an automatic schedule, saving you the hassle of starting it manually. Our tester also noted that this cleaner easily climbed the walls of their older style pool, which are set at a 90-degree angle and have very little curvature between the floor and sides. They had also previously purchased a used Dolphin M400 model last year, and said the Nautilus was overall easier to use, faster at cleaning, and better at tracking with the floor. Our tester’s only concern with this product was the price point, which they said is justifiably daunting. However, they said if they had known just how effective the cleaner was, they would have splurged on it years ago. Price at time of publish: $899 This cleaner fits any standard garden hose, but we recommend waiting to turn the hose on until after you’ve submerged the vacuum. Otherwise, the vacuum sprays water everywhere. Our tester said the filter bag was more difficult to empty because it had to be hosed down to completely clear all of the debris. Once you’re done cleaning, this vacuum along with the pole disassembles easily, making it compact to store. Despite a few design issues, we still recommend this pool cleaner as an affordable option that’s effective at cleaning both large and small debris. Price at time of publish: $17 Our tester said they enjoyed using this robot’s corresponding app to keep up with its cleaning progress and to track its location in their pool. They tried this robot’s pre-programmed standard and enhanced cleaning times and noted that the cleaner was able to get their pool about 95 and 99 percent clean, respectively. For the remaining debris, they enjoyed using the remote steering to direct the robot to the small spots it missed throughout the pool. This pool cleaner is equipped with three powerful scrubbing brushes that provide a deeper clean, and smart navigation software that scans the pool to create an efficient cleaning route. The tangle-free cable prevents the unit from getting stuck, and the unit features an automatic weekly timer and an indicator light that tells you when the filter is full. Although this model is effective at climbing walls and cleaning the waterline, our tester did note that it cannot clean steps, which are too narrow for it. However, it did manage to clean their wider sun ledge. Price at time of publish: $1,500 While our tester said they weren’t initially impressed by this pool cleaner’s design—noting that it was constructed of cheap feeling plastic—they were surprised by its ability to handle both small and large debris. It has a large debris capture chamber that can hold everything from dirt and sand to leaves, twigs, and acorns, but the filter does require some pressurized hosing down to completely clean it out. We recommend purchasing a standard telescoping pool pole because a pole is not included with this vacuum, although it does have a handle for hand-held use. Price at time of publish: $218 This brush head clips into any extension pole and is angled at 45 degrees to make it easy to scrape walls and steps alike. While this brush is very effective at removing excessive buildup on your pool’s interior, keep in mind that it is not a vacuum. It will not remove any dirt or debris from the water, like a pool vacuum will. However, we still believe this brush is a great option for pool owners who are looking for an affordable tool that effectively removes stubborn algae. Price at time of publish: $16 We recognize that this pool cleaner is still more expensive than what some may prefer to pay. However, if you consider the amount of time this cleaner saves you compared to manual models, we think the price tag for this model is justified. It’s suitable to use on gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, pebble, and tile finishes. For best results, connect it at least to a half HP pump. Ridged wheels allow it to navigate over drains and up walls, and adjustable roller skirts help maintain suction on uneven surfaces. Self-adjusting turbine vanes collect large debris without clogging, and it comes with three interchangeable throats that allow you to adjust its suction performance for different debris sizes. Price at time of publish: $449 It’s important to note that our at-home tester was using this cleaner in an above-ground pool, so she could not test its wall, step, or waterline cleaning ability. All in all, though, she was impressed by this cleaner’s capacity, which easily handled her pool’s floor that was covered in algae and leaves. She noted that this cleaner will suggest an auto-run feature for its first cleaning in your pool, which allows it to “learn” your pool’s layout for future optimized cleanings. This model is quite heavy, weighing 21 pounds, but our tester noted that it was still relatively easy to lift out of the pool. Despite its weight, she didn’t think it would be difficult for older users to operate, thanks to the Easy Lift technology, which aids in most of the exertion of lifting from the bottom of the pool. Price at time of publish: $1,600 The hose for this cleaner comes in 10 segments, allowing you to adjust the length to fit your pool, and it navigates around your pool on its own, reducing your workload. The cleaner works well on dirt, algae, and other fine particles, but it’s not meant for large debris such as leaves and sticks. Additionally, it can be somewhat complex to set up, as you may need to adjust the diverter and suction power. But once you get everything on the right settings, you can simply sit back and watch it clean. Price at time of publish: $96 It has a wide 15-inch diameter, with eight high-pressure jets underneath, which aid in cleaning large pools in less time. When hooked to a garden hose, the water pressure pushes leaves into the removable, all-purpose collection bag, which can be emptied into your grass. Our tester recommends using a garden hose to fully clear out the debris bag. This unit mounts on four multi-directional wheels, making it easy to push around the bottom of your pool. However, it doesn’t come with a pole, so we recommend finding a pole appropriate for your pool’s depth. Similar to our best manual pick, this vacuum must be fully submerged before you turn on the hose. Although our tester was slightly disappointed that this vacuum couldn’t handle larger leaves, it still performed well at picking up medium-sized debris that a robot vacuum or standard suction-side vacuum may struggle to pick up. Price at time of publish: $31 When the AIPER robot is done cleaning or running low on battery, it self-parks near a pool wall, allowing you to pull it out using the included hook. Our tester said some debris did fall out of this pool cleaner’s filter while she removed it. She also said that it struggled to navigate the deep end of their pool and seemed to get stuck down there, which meant it didn’t always clean their entire pool. However, she noted that it likely would perform better in a pool with a shallower deep end, as the product is designed to climb inclines up to 15 degrees. During the 90-minute runtime, she emptied the cleaner’s filter about three times because the instructions did not offer a specific cadence for how often it should be emptied. The unit recharges in just four to six hours, and it can clean an in-ground pool up to 17 x 50 feet on a single charge. It might not do as thorough a job as some more expensive models, but it’s a great budget-friendly model for light everyday pool maintenance. Price at time of publish: $390 If a robotic cleaner had smart features, we also asked testers to note the ease of pairing the cleaner to their Wi-Fi, the user experience of the app, and the remote capabilities of the cleaner. As testers placed the cleaner into the pool, we asked them to start a stopwatch and track how long the cleaner took to clean their entire pool. Testers also made note of how easily the robotic cleaners navigated walls, waterlines, steps, ladders, and sun shelves, if applicable. They also noted whether the cleaner had a methodical movement, especially if it was equipped with pool mapping technology. After completing at least two separate cleanings, about a week or so apart, we asked our testers to rate the cleaners on their design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. We also asked them to consider whether they would recommend the cleaner to a friend or family member, and whether they’d consider purchasing the cleaner themselves.
What to Look for in a Pool Cleaner
Type
You’ll encounter three main styles of pool cleaners: suction, pressure, and robotic. Each has its own benefits, and you need to decide which is best for you. “Suction cleaners are the most affordable option because they rely on your pool’s pump to suction up debris with a long hose that connects to the skimmer,” says Stewart Vernon, COO and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company. “Therefore, you’ll need to spend more time cleaning out your filter system and skimmer. This type of cleaner uses a random pattern to continuously clean the pool ground and wall sides. Although cheaper initially, suction cleaners may add to your electric bill with each use by using your pump system.” “Pressure cleaners are moderately priced and also rely on your pool’s pump and filter, which can also increase your electric bill,” he says. “Unlike the suction cleaner, pressure cleaners use a booster pump to increase pressure. As the water is pressurized, it powers the wheels to create a suction that cleans the pool ground and walls. These cleaners commonly have their own bags, which is a plus for your pool’s filter." “Robotic cleaners are the priciest, yet the easiest pool cleaners to use and can prolong the life of your pool’s filter,” Vernon explains. “They use software to determine how to clean your pool and do not need to be attached to a pump or circulation system."
Automatic vs. Manual
Pool cleaners come in automatic and manual models. The former clean your pool on their own, automatically navigating around the floor and walls. While pressure and suction pool cleaners can be automatic, robotic cleaners typically are best at ensuring complete coverage, as their electronic components map out your pool and clean it methodically. The downsides of automatic pool cleaners are they typically take a long time, and can become stuck if not supervised. Our tester noted that our best smart pick, the Aiper Seagull 1000 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, one of the most affordable robotic pool cleaner models on the market, did struggle a bit to navigate the deep end of a pool. However, it was still highly effective at removing silt, dirt, and other debris from the pool floor. Manual pool cleaners require you to guide them around the pool. Generally, these models are much more affordable, but you have to do the work.
Cleaning Coverage
Pool cleaners are designed to be used on different surfaces. Most clean the floor and walls, though some are designed only for floor use. But you may need to look for a specialty model if you want it to clean stairs, covers, and/or the waterline. Additionally, if your pool has tight corners or curved edges, look for a cleaner that can handle those areas. Our best splurge pick, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Operated Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, has three automatic cleaning cycles that our tester loved. This model also specializes in cleaning pool waterlines and sun ledges.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was updated by Emma Phelps, an Updates Writer for The Spruce, who has several years of experience writing about topics such as home maintenance, home organization, and home design. For this roundup, Emma reviewed the testing results with editors to select the models that performed best in each category. Emma not only reviewed each pool cleaner model’s online listing but also carefully considered the positive and negative feedback of testers who used the cleaners in their home pools. As a teen, Emma was a lifeguard for 5 summers at her neighborhood pool and has experience cleaning with both a pool brush and suction-side vacuum. This article was originally written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While researching the different types of pool cleaners, she spoke with Stewart Vernon, COO and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company for insights on how to select the best option for your pool. As she evaluated different products, she considered factors such as their setup, ease of use, versatility, and overall cost, aiming to select top-rated products at a wide range of price points to cater to different shoppers.
