Pool vacuums use powerful suction to pick up dirt and other debris that land in the water. Pool maintenance can be daunting, but with the right vacuum, you can keep your pool clean and swimmable with minimal effort.

Explore our top recommendations, comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to common questions below.

Compare Top Pool Vacuums

Top 5 Pool Vacuums

In this review, we compare the following models:

  • Best for Leaf Cleanup: Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum
  • Best Pressure-Side: Polaris In-Ground Pool Cleaner
  • Best Suction-Side: Zodiac G3 Automatic Pool Cleaner
  • Best Handheld: Intex Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum
  • Best Robotic: Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Cleaner

Best For Leaf Cleanup: Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a 15-inch diameter with a wide opening to capture large loads of leaves at one time✔ Designed with a built-in adapter that fits standard garden hoses✔ Sold with a reusable leaf collection bag

Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum

  • $44
          Prices taken at time of publishing.

If your pool seems to be overrun with leaves, this vacuum may be the perfect helper. It uses multidirectional wheels to navigate your pool’s floor and eight water nozzles to collect leaves.

✘ Doesn’t come with a hose or extension pole, both of which are necessary for operation✘ Collection bags may require replacement

What Customers Are Saying

Customers were happy that this pool vacuum was lightweight and easy to use. They also appreciated how much debris it removed. However, some users struggled to control where it went. Others said the bag sometimes fell into the pool once it got full.

Best Pressure-Side: Polaris In-Ground Pool Cleaner

✔ Equipped with three jets for superior power✔ Has a 2.25-inch inlet to capture large pieces of debris✔ Cleans your pool in 3 hours or less

Polaris In-Ground Pool Cleaner 

  • $700

This pressure-side vacuum doesn’t require a booster pump, as it’s powered by the water pressure coming from the pool’s return line. With its long 31-foot hose, it can tackle large in-ground pools and uses a jet stream to draw debris into its chamber.

✘ Prone to imbalance when the collection chamber is full✘ Only suitable for in-ground pools

Many customers found installing this pressure-side pool cleaner to be a breeze. They also said that it picked up large debris. Select customers left negative reviews because it couldn’t collect fine debris.

Best Suction-Side: Zodiac G3 Automatic Pool Cleaner

✔ Comes with a scuff-resistant hose✔ Designed with a 36-fin disc to increase the machine’s surface adhesion✔ Equipped with a wheel deflector that helps with navigating tight corners

Zodiac G3 Automatic Pool Cleaner

  • $324

This pool vacuum works with a pump to remove both small- and medium-sized pieces of debris from your pool’s floor, walls, and steps by connecting to your pool’s infiltration system. It works on nearly any pool material, including concrete, tile, vinyl, and fiberglass.

✘ Works best with a low-speed pump✘ Can’t tackle large pieces of debris

Those who were happy with this suction-side pool cleaner said it assembled quickly, operated easily, and suctioned powerfully. However, some unhappy customers thought that its bulky design made it difficult to maneuver.

Best Handheld: Intex Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum

✔ Includes two interchangeable brush heads✔ Uses an automatic shut-off feature to turn off when it’s not in the water✔ Comes with a USB cable for recharging the included battery

Intex Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum

  • $99

This handheld pool vacuum weighs less than 10 pounds. It uses a rechargeable battery to operate without a power cord and a telescoping shaft to reach above-ground pools that are up to 18 inches in diameter. It can also be purchased with a hand skimmer or A Filter.

✘ Not suitable for above-ground pools that are larger than 18 feet✘ Users must push it along the pool floor manually

Customers said that this vacuum’s lightweight build made it easy to handle. They also indicated that it holds an impressive charge. Some users complained that recharging took a long time and that the unit was ineffective in larger pools.

Best Robotic: Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Cleaner

✔ Installs to your pool’s filtration system in less than 10 minutes✔ Operates while making nearly no noise✔ Available in models that are designed for vinyl and gunite pool surfaces

Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Cleaner

  • $379

This vacuum is powered by your pool’s existing filtration system, taking less than 10 minutes to get connected. It uses programmed steering for intelligent and complete pool coverage. Its winged design also picks up debris while avoiding hose tangles. 

✘ Not meant for pools that are larger than 20 by 40 feet✘ Weighs over 17 pounds

Those who gave this robotic pool vacuum positive reviews said that it was durable and long-lasting. They also praised the programmed steering, which prevents the vacuum from getting stuck. On the other hand, customers didn’t like how difficult it was to clean.

Buyer’s Guide

To purchase the right pool vacuum, you must understand how its features and specifications impact its performance and user experience. Here are three factors to consider as you continue your search.

Vacuum Type

Pool vacuums are either manual or automatic. With a manual pool vacuum, you have to push the vacuum head across the pool’s floor and walls to collect debris. While manual pool vacuums are more affordable than their automatic counterparts, they’re usually less powerful.

Automatic or robotic pool cleaners, meanwhile, are attached to a power supply that propels the machine along the pool’s floor and walls for hassle-free cleaning. Automatic vacuums are usually equipped with adjustable cleaning settings.

Pool Size

Some vacuums aren’t compatible with deep or long pools. For example, one model may work in above-ground pools that are no bigger than 18–20 feet, while another can clean pools up to 50 feet in length.

Hose or Cable Length

Ensure your selected model comes with a hose or cable long enough to reach your pool’s floor. An automatic vacuum comes with its power cord, while a manual one may or may not come with the telescopic pole that’s needed to maneuver it.

How To Keep Your Outdoor Pool Clean

Having an outdoor pool can be a nice treat for you and your family in the warmer months, but make no mistake—it takes a lot of work to maintain. The reality is, ignoring your pool for even a few days can make it unswimmable. However, with your vacuum and a few other simple steps, pool owners can keep their pool water clean.

Cover Your Pool

You can keep your pool uncovered during peak summer when you plan to use it multiple times per week. However, once the temperature drops, winterize your pool to minimize how much work you have to do when the next season rolls around.

Scrub Your Yool

Scrub your pool every day or every other day to help avoid algae buildup along the walls. A vacuum can be a big help with scrubbing, but you may also need to occasionally scrub tough grime manually.

Shock Your Pool

Shocking is when you quickly increase the water’s chlorine level to kill bacteria, algae, and other pathogens. We recommend shocking your pool once a week and after heavy use, such as a child’s birthday party.

Check Your Chemical Levels

Check your pool’s pH level daily to ensure that it’s between 7.2 and 7.6. Also be aware of the cyanuric acid level (between 30 and 50 milligrams per liter) and the calcium hardness level (between 220 and 350 parts per million or lower for pools with vinyl siding). Then adjust your pool’s chemicals accordingly.

Clean your pool filter

Check your pool’s filter routinely to ensure that there isn’t anything clogging it and preventing it from doing its job. Clean the filter once a week and its pipes once a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I run my pool vacuum?

If you use your pool daily, we recommend cleaning it once a day or every other day. If you use your pool infrequently, you can vacuum it once a week. The type of pool you own can also help determine its cleaning cycle.

How do I remove floating debris from my pool’s surface?

You can use a skimmer to remove floating debris. A skimmer is a net with a long pole that allows you to reach the pool’s center while standing on the side.

Should I brush my pool before vacuuming it?

Yes. Brushing your pool’s floor and walls dislodges any stuck-on algae and debris for easy vacuuming.

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