Having an outdoor pool is a fantastic addition to the household but the major downside is the need to ensure it stays clean and clear of debris. If you don’t do this, then you will simply have an unhealthy, unusable pool that is draining money.
This is where pool cleaners come in, whether that is the more traditional manual option or automatic pool cleaners that we are touching on in this article. If you want to easily get rid of dirt, algae and debris, then an automatic pool cleaner is the best option for you.
We’ve put together the 10 best automatic pool cleaners on the market right now, which are a mixture of pressure side and suction side systems. For each one, we have looked at the key features and benefits, along with any pros and cons that make them stand out. This is so that you can make an informed decision about which one meets your specific requirements.
1. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
First on our list is this suction side pool cleaner from Dolphin and it really is an incredible system suited for inground swimming pools up to 50 feet.
Installation:
It comes with everything you need to install it and connect it to your pools filtration system. Once up and running, it automatically moves along cleaning debris from the surface of the pool.
Performance:
This cleaner moves around the swimming pool, cleaning approximately 90% of the area, which is at the high end of what these automatic pool cleaners are capable of.
Maintenance::
With easy access to cartridges for replacements and some extra cloth filters included, you will have no problems using this for a long time to come. If there is one main downside, it is that there isn’t a cart or storage unit with wheels, so if you wanted one it would need to be purchased separately.
Pros
Cons
It covers approximately 90% of the area of the pool surface
2. Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
The first pressure side automatic pool cleaner on our list is this system from Polaris, which is connected to the swimming pools circulation pump so that when clean water returns to the pool, its pressure pushes the machine across the surface.
Features:
A reliable, sturdy and effective system, you will be impressed with the cleaning performance of this cleaner. It comes with a 31ft hose, filter bag and instructions on how to install and use it.
Installation:
However, the installation instructions aren’t very easy to understand and you may need additional assistance from their customer service team.
Filtration:
This pool cleaner has a filter bag which captures both large and smaller debris such as leaves and stones, stopping anything getting to the pool’s filtration system.
Pros
Cons
It filters both large and small pieces of debris such as leaves and stones
It effectively cleans the bottom and walls of the pool
All debris is filtered before getting back to the swimming pools filtration system
A well-known and highly regarded manufacturer of pool cleaning products, Hayward has produced a fantastic automatic pool cleaner that is best suited to above-ground swimming pools.
Installation:
It is lightweight and very easy to install, taking approximately 10 minutes to connect it to the pools filtration system.
Performance:
It is a budget-friendly system but this doesn’t take away from the performance, using SmartDrive technology to move around the pool efficiently.
Features:
When you buy this system, you will get a 32ft hose along with it to help with most sizes of the pool but be aware that it isn’t designed to clean the walls or other surfaces in the pool.
Pros
Cons
Quick and easy installation, taking 10 minutes to connect to the pool filtration system
It costs much less than other models on this list
It uses SmartDrive technology to navigate the pool floor
It isn’t designed for cleaning the walls of a swimming pool
The Zodiac Baracuda G3 looks and sounds like a decent automatic pool cleaner, particularly for inground swimming pools and those wanting to get rid of small and medium-size debris.
Performance:
This system is a great choice for those with trees around or nearby their swimming pool, as it will clear bugs, twigs and leaves very effectively.
Maintenance:
It has some helpful technology built-in that helps regulate the water flow and maintain consistent pressure, to allow it to continue cleaning without any issues. They have thought about how to maintain and clean the system, with a quick-release feature for its cassette.
Design:
Where this pool cleaner falls down is that it uses plastic tubing, which performs well but has a weakness where it can get clogged with debris and prevent the unit from moving.
Pros
Cons
This system will clean all surfaces including the top, bottom and sides
It is a long-life system that will be very reliable for years to come
It features a quick-release cassette
It’s pressure propulsion jets can get clogged with debris
5. Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin automatic pool cleaners stand out because they don’t rely on a pool pump or filter to work, meaning that they are on average eight times more efficient than some other leading manufacturers.
Performance:
This system is suitable for swimming pools that are up to 33ft, whether they are above ground pools or inground pools.
Maintenance:
It has a very large filter bag that will hold more than some of the more expensive systems which mean you spend less on replacements over the years.
Settings:
You can choose from different cleaning settings including every day and every other day, with it effectively cleaning debris such as algae, bugs and pine tree needles. It really does scrub your swimming pool clean!
Pros
Cons
It will effectively clean your pool surfaces of small and medium-sized debris./li>
It is programmable for daily and weekly cleaning patterns
A more cost-effective solution than many other top brands
You don’t get a manual with it so it can be a little complicated to use at the start
This water distiller from VEVOR is a great little unit that has the capacity to distil up to 6 gallons per day, beating some of the other models by almost double the amount. This is a big win for VEVOR because there is nothing more frustrating than wanting clean, healthy water and it not being ready.
Performance:
It is best suited to inground pools and the small debris often found floating around the swimming pool. This automatic pool cleaner will effectively clean and clear the pool in two to three hours, far quicker than it would take to manually clean to the same level.
Features:
You will get a 40ft hose with this system which is more than many others on our list, making it easier for the unit to navigate around the pool and yet doesn’t suffer from entanglements easily. With its simple design and effective performance, you can’t go wrong with this pool cleaner.
Pros
Cons
It uses SmartDrive technology to effectively move around the pool
It will maintain a consistent performance by controlling the pressure
The 40ft hose supplied is more than most other models
It can occasionally become blocked with small hard objects
The latest Zodiac system that makes it onto our list of the top 10 automatic pool cleaners is this suction side pool cleaner.
Features:
It is a highly energy-efficient cleaner, thanks to its low-flow design and multiple speed options that allow you to choose the right setting.
Cleaning:
Its suction system is capable of cleaning small debris from the floor and walls of inground pools but do be aware that you should clear any larger objects in the pool otherwise they could end up clogging up the turbine blade in the cleaner.
Maintenance:
If you’re looking for an affordable, all-round unit that is reliable then this is certainly a great choice. It has a 1-year manufacturers warranty and requires relatively little maintenance, so should last for a long time.
Pros
Cons
You get everything you need in the box
Easy to install and requires minimal maintenance
Intelligent navigation and effective cleaning of small debris
You should clear large debris before using the pool cleaner
This automatic pool cleaner is a rechargeable cordless cleaner that works well with small and medium debris, in both above ground and inground pools. It is this cordless feature that allows it to be more mobile, cleaning a greater area in a shorter space of time.
Filtration:
It has two suction doors that allow it to remove debris including leaves, sand, dirt and silt that were missed by the pools existing filter and these filters are easily replaced when you need.
Performance:
You will potentially have a clean and tidy pool within an hour, which is incredible when compared to other models.
Power:
Clearly, the fact it uses batteries means that it has some limitations on operating time when compared to other models.
Pros
Cons
It is a cordless, battery-operated unit with greater mobility than wired versions
Its reusable filters are easy to replace and clean
We’ve put this on our list partly because of the positive feedback found on online stores, but also because it is a simple, no-nonsense pool cleaner that does exactly what you need it to do. It is a highly efficient cleaner that requires minimal maintenance.
Features:
Designed for inground swimming pools that are up to 32ft, it will easily clear dirt, leaves, pebbles and bugs, basically everything from small to large debris.
Maintenance:
It doesn’t have any moving parts such as gears or wheels and this means it is highly unlikely to get jammed up.
If you’re looking for a low-cost solution that does a good job, then look no further than this automatic pool cleaner.
Pros
Cons
Simple, effective design with minimal moving parts so it doesn’t get jammed
It has a reusable filter to save on cost and maintenance
The hose can be adjusted to meet the size of the pool
It doesn’t perform well with walls or steep slopes
10. Hayward RC9950GR TigerShark Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
The final automatic pool cleaner on our list is this model from Hayward.
Performance:
It is a compact, sturdy and efficient system that claims to clean 99% of a swimming pool, which is a bold claim but one that it seems to back up with its performance.
Cleaning:
It is a suction side pool cleaner and is able to clean both the floor and walls easily, removing small and medium debris including dirt and algae. It does have the potential to get clogged up with silt and mud but simple maintenance can resolve this and keep the system working for a long time.
Limitations:
You may find that you need to clear larger debris first for it to perform at its best and will struggle with stairs, but other than that this is a great choice for an automatic pool cleaner.
Pros
Cons
It effectively cleans small and medium debris including dirt and algae
Thank you for reading our article about pool cleaners of 2021 and we hope you have found the best robotic pool cleaner for your individual requirements. We believe these are a fantastic alternative to the time and effort spent manually cleaning a swimming pool. Make sure that you consider the features and suction method of your preferred system, as this will help narrow down your choices.
Why you should buy an automatic pool cleaner
There are some fantastic benefits to buying this type of pool cleaners and we’ve put together some of the main benefits below:
Saving time
The obvious one – you don’t need to manually clean your pool, as you can simply set up pool cleaners and let the pool cleaner work instead of you. You will need to check it’s moving around your pool, the pool pump is connected if required and tidy it away at the end, but other than that you can relax and let it do all the hard work.
Saving effort
You may struggle to clean a pool manually because of health reasons, so it makes perfect sense to choose one of the many robotic pool cleaners on the market right now. Swimming is fantastic for your health but cleaning them can be awful for those with back trouble.
A cleaner pool
Many of the best robotic pool cleaners on our list will not only clean well but filter the water of sediment and harmful contaminants as well. This means you will have a much higher quality of water to swim in and not have to worry about adding in an extra filter or testing the water supply.
Better for the environment If you maintain your pool and keep it clean to a high level, which is best done with one of these automatic cleaners, then you will need to use fewer chemicals. This in turns helps the environment by not having to buy harmful chemicals and uses less energy than some traditional cleaning systems.
Key considerations
There are some key factors to consider when deciding on what automatic pool cleaner to purchase and we’ve listed them below.
Manual Vs Automatic (robotic) pool cleaners
Manual pool cleaners are great options for those with above ground pools or perhaps smaller pools, but they do require significant effort and time to clean a pool effectively.
Automatic pool cleaners are much better for larger outdoor pools as they can very quickly clean debris and filter water. This is done in a quicker time than a manual option and obviously requires less effort.
Suction Method
There are generally two types of suction method that systems will utilise and these are as follows:
Pressure-side which involves being propelled by water pressure, it floats on the water and best suited for large pieces of debris such as leaves and sticks.
Suction-side which involves installation when you wish to use it, working on the floor of the pool and best suited for smaller pieces of debris such as sand and dirt.
Filtration Method
The filtration method is linked to the suction method used. For pressure-side cleaners, because they are robot-like autonomous units, they generally have a bag to collect any debris that then needs to be emptied and replaced.
For suction-side automatic pool cleaners, they are connected to the existing filtration system that is connected to your pool. This makes them cheaper than pressure-side because they don’t need filters or bags replaced.
Pool Size
Another important consideration as this will be a key factor in determining which robotic pool cleaners to go for. There is a degree of flexibility with this, so for example if the cleaner says 40 feet but your pool is actually 50 feet, then it will likely do the job. But it may not be the most efficient or effective at pool maintenance.
You can also add extended hoses to your robotic pool cleaners but be careful as this can make it easier to get tangled up or leaks to occur. Ultimately you just need to measure the size of your pool and compare this to the ranges stated by the manufacturers.
Surface Type and Layout
A swimming pool can be made for many different materials or be a combination of materials, so its important to check that the best pool cleaners work with your pool at home. Furthermore, many pools have steps leading down to the bottom of the pool and some robotic pool cleaners don’t follow steps, so you will want to consider that and how important it is. This may mean going for a higher-priced unit and it simply might not be the best pool cleaner for you.
![Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool [Vacuum] Cleaner - Ideal for In Ground Swimming Pools up to 50 Feet - Powerful Suction to Pick up Small Debris - Easy to Clean Top Load Filter Cartridges](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41blb4yJvtL._SL160_.jpg)
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