The Best Suction Pool Cleaners, Vetted
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A good suction pool cleaner will reduce the amount of regular manual cleaning you need to perform on your pool.
Although it is possible to use a brush and manual vacuum to clean your pool, it’s not a task many pool owners have the time or desire to complete, especially given that a pool should be cleaned at least twice a week during the in season.
A good suction pool cleaner makes pool maintenance easier by automating the cleaning process. This type of pool cleaner attaches to the pool skimmer via a 30- to 40-foot hose. It automatically moves around the pool bottom and walls, removing sediment, small leaves, and other debris, which is then sent to the pool filter and pump skimmer basket.
Read on to learn what features to consider in this type of pool cleaner, and find out why the models below are some of the best suction pool cleaners on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Zodiac G3 Suction Pool Cleaner
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: XtremePowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Pool Cleaner
- UPGRADE PICK: Zodiac MX8 Suction Pool Cleaning Robot
- BEST FOR WALL CLIMBING: Hayward ThePoolCleaner 4-Wheel Suction Pool Cleaner
- BEST FOR ABOVE-GROUND: Zodiac Ranger Suction Side Above-Ground Pool Cleaner
- BEST FOR INGROUND: Pentair Kreepy Krauly Suction-Side Pool Cleaner
- BEST BRUSH: Poolmaster Air Relief Vinyl Liner Vacuum
- BEST CORDLESS: Pool Blaster Max Li Cordless Pool & Spa Vacuum
- BEST ROBOT: Zodiac MX6 Advanced Suction Mechanical Pool Cleaner
- ALSO CONSIDER: Hayward AquaNaut 400 Automatic Suction Pool Cleaner
How We Chose the Best Suction Pool Cleaner
We used several criteria to narrow the field from the more than 20 suction pool cleaners we researched. A good suction pool cleaner makes pool maintenance easier by automating it to some degree. With that in mind, we chose models with proven designs that prevent them from flipping over or becoming hung up on obstacles such as ladders, corners, and steps.
Since pool walls make up a significant part of pool cleaning, we stuck with suction pool cleaners that are capable of cleaning the walls as well as the pool bottom. Understanding that budget is always a concern, we included a mix of affordable suction pool cleaners as well as high-end models for those willing to pay for better performance. Finally, our list includes pool cleaners for both inground and above-ground pools.
Our Top Picks
The list below includes pool cleaners designed to suit a variety of pool types, including above-ground and small inground pools as well as large pools.
Best Overall
Zodiac G3 Suction Pool Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
For its simple and effective maintenance-free design, the Zodiac G3 is one of the best suction side pool cleaner options on the market. It uses a simple control valve that regulates water flow to maintain enough suction power for climbing walls, even when paired with less powerful pumps. A large 36-finned disk provides excellent suction to the pool walls and floor, allowing it to remove a large amount of debris with each pass, although it can struggle with larger debris.
Raised deflectors around the outside of the wheel facilitate vacuuming in tight crevices and corners. The Zodiac G3 has ample range for larger pools with its ten 39-inch sections of high-quality hose.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Inground
- Hose: 39 feet of ten 39-inch sections
- Weight: 21 pounds
Pros
- Maintains excellent suction even when attached to a low-speed pump
- Pump hose sections are easy to customize to the size of the pool
- Disk shape allows the pool cleaner to fit into tight corners
Cons
- Some customers report the cleaner struggles to suck up larger debris
Get the Zodiac G3 suction pool cleaner at Amazon, In The Swim, or Leslie’s.
Best Bang For the Buck
XtremePowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Pool Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
At a cost that’s less than half the price of other suction pool cleaners, this model from XtremePowerUS is a great option for those on a budget. It features a simple design that makes it easy to use while requiring just 1,600 gallons per hour (GPH) to move around the pool and scale walls.
The cleaner’s ten 3-foot hoses give it enough range to serve small- to medium-size pools up to 544 square feet. Its small size makes it suitable for both inground and above-ground pools. Although it’s a great budget option, it isn’t ideal for removing larger debris, which can clog the cleaner.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Inground, above-ground
- Hose: 30 feet of ten 3-foot sections
- Weight: 10 pounds
Pros
- Ten 3-foot hose sections make it easy to customize to various pool sizes
- Works with a flow rate of just 1,600 GPH
- Navigates around the pool floor and walls on its own
- Seal clips for hose connections are included with kit
Cons
- Some customers report that it struggles to suck up larger debris
Get the XtremePowerUS suction pool cleaner atAmazon, The Home Depot, Target, or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
Zodiac MX8 Suction Pool Cleaning Robot
Photo: amazon.com
For those willing to pay for it, the Zodiac MX8 is an ideal choice for maintaining a larger pool. The Zodiac MX8’s cyclonic vacuum technology has as much suction power as other suction cleaners while requiring a flow rate of just 1,200 GPH. Its track-style wheels give it the capability to navigate sharp angles and odd nooks and crannies around the pool surface as well as vertical walls, minimizing the need to follow behind the cleaner with a pool brush.
The MX8 also works with a variety of pool surfaces, including concrete, tile, vinyl, and fiberglass, and it comes with 39 feet of hose, giving it excellent range.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Inground
- Hose: 39 feet
- Weight: N/A
Pros
- Design makes it capable of navigating tight angles and walls
- Works with a variety of pool surfaces, including vinyl, tile, and fiberglass
- Works with a low pump flow rate of just 1,200 GPH
Cons
- Some customers complain that the MX8 misses spots, requiring follow-up cleaning
Get the Zodiac MX8 suction pool cleaner at Amazon, Leslie’s, or Walmart.
Best For Wall Climbing
Hayward ThePoolCleaner 4-Wheel Suction Pool Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
The Hayward ThePoolCleaner features a set of four wheels that are capable of crawling up the walls of a variety of pool shapes and surfaces, including granite, tile, vinyl, and fiberglass, in pools that are more than 5 feet deep. Thanks to Hayward’s special tire treads, this pool cleaner can grip all of these surfaces, and its hose length is a versatile 48 feet.
This pool cleaner is able to ascend walls, making it an excellent total pool cleaner. It uses self-adjusting turbine vanes that allow it to remove even larger dirt and debris without becoming clogged. With its adjustable roller skirt, the Hayward pool cleaner maintains excellent suction power as it moves across the pool’s various surfaces.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Inground (more than 5 feet deep)
- Hose: 40 feet
- Weight: 19 pounds
Pros
- Compatible with a variety of pool surfaces including granite, tile, and vinyl
- 4-wheel design gives this pool robot excellent pool wall-climbing abilities
- Handles bigger debris such as large leaves and twigs with ease
Cons
- Requires a larger 2,100-GPH pump to function properly
Get the Hayward ThePoolCleaner suction pool cleaner at Amazon, Leslie’s, or Walmart.
Best For Above-Ground
Zodiac Ranger Suction Side Above-Ground Pool Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
The simple design of this above-ground suction pool cleaner from Zodiac makes it nimble enough to clean the smaller confines of most above-ground pools. The key feature of this vacuum is its deflector shield, which prevents it from getting hung up on steps, ladders, and sharp corners that are characteristic of above-ground pools. The disk shape also allows it to navigate the walls as well as the pool bottom.
A self-adjusting valve maintains excellent suction, and since it only has one moving part, there are fewer moving pieces to maintain or replace. The vacuum comes with 32 feet of hose, giving it plenty of length for cleaning even larger above-ground pools.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Above-ground
- Hose: 32 feet
- Weight: 15 pounds
Pros
- Design prevents it from getting stuck on ladders and steps
- Fewer moving parts helps make it more durable than others and easy to maintain
- Disk shape makes it capable of navigating both floors and walls
Cons
- Customers report that cleaner can get clogged by larger debris
Get the Zodiac Ranger suction pool cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best For Inground
Pentair Kreepy Krauly Suction-Side Pool Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com
Pentair’s Kreepy Krauly is one of the oldest suction pool cleaners on the market, with the first version having debuted some 45 years ago. Over the years, Pentair has continued to improve on its technology. Today’s Kreepy Krauly comes equipped with a directional system that ensures it doesn’t miss sections as it moves across the pool bottom and walls and around pool stairs.
A curved roller strap that maneuvers it around ladders and steps prevents it from getting caught up in those obstacles. Wings fixed to the top of the cleaner dish help channel debris into the pool’s filtration system. With 40 feet of hose, it’s suitable even for larger inground pools.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Inground
- Hose: 40 feet
- Weight: 15 pounds
Pros
- Roller straps allow it to work around ladders and stairs
- Long 40-foot hose provides plenty of range for larger pools
- Efficient wing design helps to channel debris into the head
Cons
- Some customers report that it doesn’t hold up as long as other suction pool cleaners
Get the Pentair suction pool cleaner at Amazon, The Pool Supplies Super Store, or Poolzoom.
Best Brush
Poolmaster Air Relief Vinyl Liner Vacuum
Photo: amazon.com
This Poolmaster pool vacuum does double-duty with a head that combines a vacuum with a pool scrubbing brush. This design allows it to remove algae and debris from the pool walls and floor while simultaneously sucking it into the pool filter. There are two air-relief valves that relieve suction pressure between the pool walls, making it safe to use with vinyl pools.
With a pool head that’s about 13 inches wide, the Poolmaster Air Relief can cover a lot of surface area. There’s also a hose attachment that swivels with the hose attached, helping to prevent annoying hose kinks, and a weighted head makes it easier to control. The Poolmaster Air Relief is compatible with both 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch vacuum hoses and standard pool poles, but it does not come with either.
Product Specs
- Pool type: Inground, above-ground
- Hose: Hose not included
- Weight: 5.5 pounds