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With the joys of owning a swimming pool comes the responsibility of keeping it clean. Thanks to automatic pool vacuums, pool cleaning doesn’t have to be exhausting and time consuming or expensive. The best suction pool cleaner makes maintaining a sparkling clean pool easy and effortless.
An automatic suction pool cleaner is one of the best pool accessories you can spend money on. It moves along the bottom, cleans the waterline and scales walls sucking up all dirt, sand, bugs and other debris. And it works by itself without requiring supervision (watching it in action is fun too!).
To help you choose a unit that will work best for your pool, we have reviewed the top ten products on the market and compiled a buying guide on what to pay attention to when making a choice. Wondering how these types of cleaners work? Our FAQ section has the answers. Let’s get started with the best suction side pool cleaners.
OUR TOP PICK
Zodiac Baracuda G3 Advanced Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Versatile - cleans all pool surfaces, floors, and walls
- Very effective on small and medium-sized debris
- Easy maintenance and user serviceable
- Very popular and highly rated and reviewed
- Efficient cleaner compatible with low-speed pumps
- Only one moving part and silent in operation
- Quick and easy installation
EDITORS CHOICE
Poolvergnuegen 4-Wheel In Ground Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ideal for all pool surfaces, shapes, and parts
- Excellent, efficient and silent large pool cleaner
- Excellent wall climbing and maneuverability
- Able to suck in larger debris such as leaves
- Efficient and works with low-power pumps
BEST VALUE
Zodiac Baracuda MX6 Inground Swimming Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Powerful, energy efficient and silent
- Works with 2-speed or variable speed pumps
- Great coverage and an aggressive wall climber
- Very easy to set up
Intex Handheld Rechargeable Vacuum Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- An above ground rechargeable suction cleaner
- Very easy to use and no cables or hoses
- Comes with two interchangeable brush heads
- Powerful suction and an efficient cleaner
Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly Inground Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- An established reputation
- Redesigned to improve movement, coverage, and performance
- Rugged, durable, and low-maintenance
Hayward 900 Wanda the Whale Above-Ground Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Bumper ring for navigation from walls
- Programmed steering pattern
- Quiet operation
- Set up is quick and easy
Zodiac MX8 Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Programmed steering and 360° directionality
- Excellent maneuverability and climbing ability
- Dual suction and a wider cleaning path
- Adjustable to pick small, medium and large debris
- Efficient and runs at low power - as little as 20 GPM of flow
- Compatible with variable speed and low flow pumps
Hayward Pool Vac XL Vacuum Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Very easy to install and operate
- Programmed steering mechanism
- Enhanced vacuum wings and skirt
- Silent in its operation
Zodiac Ranger Automatic Above-Ground Suction
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Great pool coverage
- Picks all kinds of debris
- Deflector wheel for maneuverability
- Quick and easy installation
How To Choose A Suction Pool Cleaner – Buying Guide
When choosing a top rated suction side pool cleaner, there are some important factors to consider so you can get the most reliable and effective model. The following aspects are important to keep in mind when assessing the features and specs of the best automatic suction pool cleaners.
Pool Size and Surface
As you shop for a suction cleaner, you need to think about the pool size and its surface material. If you have a small pool, a compact cleaner is an optimal choice. If you have a long and deep pool, you need a model with more suction power, designed for heavy-duty cleaning, has wider and deeper coverage, and comes with a longer hose.
In ground suction pool cleaners should also indicate what type of swimming pool surfaces they are designed for. Some vacuums work well on all kinds of surfaces, while others are made for a specific surface.
For example, vinyl models designed for vinyl and fiberglass-lined pools have non-abrasive feet. Gunite models are designed for gunite/concrete pool surfaces. If you have an above-ground pool, there are smaller suction vacuums designed for permanently installed above-ground pools and there are pool cleaners for soft-sided pools too.
Type of Debris
Sucking up small and medium-sized debris such as dirt, sand, pollen, and bugs is where side pool cleaners excel. However, when it comes to larger debris (leaves, flowers, and twigs), some vacuums can pick these as well, while others get clogged.
Check what kind of debris a unit is able to clean by reading its description and going through its user reviews. If you want your suction cleaner to be able to remove even stubborn algae and tough stains, get one with a scrubber.
Pump and Filtration System
Pool suction cleaners work with a pool’s pump and filtration system. When choosing a suction swimming pool cleaner, find out the kind of pump it requires and whether your pool’s pump has the flow rate to power it.
Does the cleaner require a lot of flow to work that you will have to acquire a booster pump? If your pool has a single, two-speed, variable-speed, or solar-powered pump, look for an efficient low flow vacuum that moves and can clean the pool effectively even without a booster pump.
Hose Type
Check whether the suction cleaner you’re considering comes with a hose that is long enough to cover your entire pool. Since the hose should be long enough (but not too long), manufacturers provide several sections of hose that pool owners put together to achieve the length they need for their pools. For durability, the hose should be designed to float or be scuff-resistant, in order to withstand constant abrasion against the floor and walls.
Pool Floor And Wall Coverage
All suction cleaners for pools can clean a pool bottom effectively. The best suction side pool cleaners are also able to scale and vacuum walls. The only part of a pool they aren’t able to do a good job on is the stairs. You will have to use a pool brush there.
To get the optimal results from the new cleaner, get one designed to clean the size of your pool. Its steering system should be programmed to ensure it covers every inch of the floor, including corners. Remember to make sure that it’s able to climb walls too.
Budget
Prices for automatic pool vacuums range from $100 to over $500. It is good to set a budget before you start shopping. This way, it will be easier to narrow down to a cleaner with the best quality, features, and performance for the money you have and make a smart purchase.
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Quiet Operation
Finally, a suction pool vacuum should be a powerful and effective cleaner without being annoyingly loud. The fewer the moving parts, the quieter the cleaning operation. A low flow power pump that operates gently is also silent.
We made sure that the top ten automatic suction pool cleaners on this page operate quietly. The only sound they can make is when they climb out of the water and suck air before going back in the pool.
FAQs
Q: What Are The Advantages of A Suction Pool Cleaner?
The biggest advantage is that it’s easy to use - it cleans the pool automatically (unattended), saving you a lot of time and effort. The best pool suction cleaner is a highly efficient device that will easily remove debris of any size from the floor and walls.
Additionally, it works well with any pool pump filtration system, so it doesn’t require extra accessories. It also has few moving parts making it low maintenance.
Q: Why Choose A Suction Pool Cleaner Over Other Pool Cleaners?
A suction pool cleaner is the most effective vacuum for sand, fine dirt and medium-sized debris. Compared to a manual pool vacuum head attached to a pool pole, this pool cleaner cleans your pool without requiring your effort or presence.
Related Post: How To Manually Vacuum Pool
Compared to pressure pool cleaners as well as robotic pool cleaners, a suction pool cleaner has the simplest cleaning operation and is the more economical option. It doesn’t require the purchase of extra accessories and requires less maintenance.
Related Review: Pressure Pool CleanerQ: How Does A Suction Pool Cleaner Work?
A suction pool cleaner attaches to the suction side of a pool. One end of the hose is attached to the cleaner and the other end connected to a pool’s skimmer or a dedicated vacuum port.
With the pump running, suction is created and the cleaner automatically moves around the pool sucking up dirt and debris through the inlet. The debris travels through the hose, past the intake port, and through the pipe to the pool’s filter system.
Q: Why Is My Suction Pool Cleaner Not Moving?
If your cleaner isn’t moving, there’s likely some problem with the hose. Make sure to check if the hose is attached properly to the pool suction. If it is, the problem might be a potential air leak in the hose, usually on the joints where hose sections connect.
Globosurf Overview
If you clean your swimming pool manually or pay a pool guy to do it, a love-hate relationship can develop between you and your pool. An automatic suction pool vacuum will be one of the best things you ever get for your pool. We hope our reviews and buying guide has made identifying the best suction pool vacuum for your pool easy.
Now all you got to do is purchase one and follow the directions to install it correctly, so it works perfectly with minimal maintenance. You will start enjoying your pool more and wonder why you didn’t get an automatic suction cleaner sooner.
More Above Ground Pool Reviews:
- Solar Pool Cleaners
- Dolphin Pool Cleaners
- Pool Vacuum Hoses
- Pool Backwash Hoses
- Polaris Pool Cleaners
- Pool Skimmer Baskets
- Pressure Pool Cleaners
How about you? Which suction side pool cleaner is your personal favorite? Have you used any of the suction vacuums in our list? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comment box below!