The Best Pool Cleaners We’ve Ever Tested
Pool owners know maintenance takes serious work and commitment. No matter how often you use it, your pool must get cleaned frequently so it can be in the best shape for swimmers. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality pool cleaners to get the job done.
To help you in your search for the best pool cleaner, we tested 43 models in various locations across the country over several months, evaluating them on design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. For additional insight, we consulted three experts: Gary Hohne, president and CEO of pool service company Brighton Pools; York Guo, CMO of Beatbot; and Brad Zimmerman, general manager of All Seasons Pools and Spas. Whether your pool is in ground or above ground, large or small, we can recommend a pool cleaner for your needs.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon
$1,499
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It’s a fast-acting pool cleaner that can climb in-ground pool walls with ease.
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It isn’t Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled.
To keep your in-ground pool looking shiny and fresh at all times, consider this robotic cleaner from Dolphin. We found it to be a highly effective cleaner that's much easier to use and faster than the brand’s previous versions, and its pool mapping technology gets better with every turn.
A fairly compact and lightweight cleaner, this device comes with a handle that you can use to take it in and out of the pool as well as a user-friendly instruction manual. It has strong, easy-to-replace filters that can vacuum tons of leaves and sediment in a two-hour window, and it skillfully climbs pool walls and scans the bottom for debris using its smart navigation system. Our favorite thing about this device is that it doesn't require the use of an auxiliary motor—just plug it into an outlet and drop it in the water; it’ll do the rest of the job itself.
After four months of use, the device is still performing up to our standards. The silicone brush that we used to funnel debris into the basket did fall off over time, but once we glued it back on, we were all set. On the downside, it is a fairly pricey pool cleaner, and it doesn’t come with Bluetooth, so you can’t control it via an app on your phone. We also wish it came with an anti-tangle cable, as the cord tends to get twisted with use. Still, it saved us many hours spent cleaning the pool, and if you have an in-ground pool, we think you will be happy you spent the money.
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 40 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 19 pounds
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Wade Review / Matt Strelecki
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It comes in six colors and is lightweight.
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It can only clean floors, not walls or stairs.