Best overall: POOL BLASTER Water Tech Catfish Pool CleanerBest inground: Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool CleanerBest cordless: AIPER SMART Cordless Rechargeable Pool CleanerBest robotic: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum CleanerBest manual: Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf VacuumBest budget: POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum
How we chose the best pool vacuums
We love diving into specs to find a selection of great products. We then look at critical reviews, take peer recommendations, and survey user impressions to narrow down the options to the best pool vacuums.
The best pool vacuums: Reviews & Recommendations
Our choices for the best pool vacuums are workhorses that can cannonball debris out of your backyard oasis. Here’s what we found:
Best overall: POOL BLASTER Water Tech Catfish Pool Cleaner
Why it made the cut: This small pool vacuum works with above-ground and inground pools. Specs
Weight: 6 lbs.Item dimensions: 8 x 8 x 18 inchesStyle: Manual pool vacuum
Pros
45-minute battery lifeAffordableRechargeable
Cons
Not for deep in-ground pools
Searching for a pool vacuum that can do it all? This small pool vacuum is the ideal piece of equipment if you’re looking for a no-frills, easy cleaning system. Suck up all debris and then recharge for its next use (the battery is designed to run for up to 45 minutes). This model comes with the vacuum head, wall charger, one all-purpose filter bag, and two disposable micro-filter bags. At less than three pounds, it’s also easily transportable. You won’t get the depth of a deep inground pool vacuum, or the thoroughness, but you will get a simple, affordable cleaner.
Best inground: Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool Cleaner
Why it made the cut: Leaves and debris are no match for this vacuum’s suction, easy maneuverability, and side cleaning capabilities. Specs
Weight: 6.54 poundsItem dimensions: 40.38 x 8.88 x 14.75 inchesStyle: Automatic cleaning robot
Pros
AutomaticCyclonic suctionCan clean floors, walls, and waterline
Cons
Can get stuck if the suction isn’t high enough
This small pool robot has the power of a much bigger vacuum, and will quickly traverse the walls and floor of your pool for a flawless clean. Swiveling hoses make for an easy hook-up and assembly, and “cyclonic” suction gives this Zodiac MX6 some serious chops. It easily maneuvers your pool floor using a grooved track design and it can also be used for above-ground pools. Here are some more above-ground pool vacuums options.
Best cordless: AIPER SMART Cordless Rechargeable Pool Cleaner
Why it made the cut: This lightweight, high-tech pool vacuum does all the work for you. Specs
Weight: 11.5 lbs.Item dimensions: 17.9 x 15.25 x 12.25 inchesStyle: Automatic pool robot
Pros
No hosesLightweightRechargeable
Cons
Doesn’t go up walls very well
This rechargeable pool vacuum is so decked out in high-tech features that it barely requires your help to get the job done. It cleans up to 538 square feet in less than an hour. Powerful motors offer suction while bottom brushes sweep out leaves, dirt, and other debris. It’s programmed to stop near a pool wall when the battery starts to drain, and it’s lightweight enough to easily carry to and from the pool. Plus, it only takes three to four hours to charge up, and it will run for about 50 minutes. Essentially, all you have to do is drop it in the pool, and watch it do all the work.
Best robotic: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Why it made the cut: This automatic pool vacuum has a scheduling timer, meaning it will run automatically when you want it to. Specs
Weight: 19 lbs.Item dimensions: 16 x 10 x 16 inchesStyle: Automatic pool robot
Pros
Scheduling capabilities60-foot cableGreat at cleaning walls
Cons
ExpensiveHeavy
Want the best robotic pool vacuum? The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is what pool cleaning dreams are made of. Essentially independent, you can program this robot to a weekly schedule, and you’re all set. It’s not completely hands-off, though—you still need to take it out of the pool regularly, if not daily, to empty it and clean out the filters. Also, it weighs 19 pounds, which is quite heavy, and has a 60-foot cable, so it’s not cordless.
Best manual: Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum
Why it made the cut: This manual pool vacuum is specifically designed to capture pesky leaves. Specs
Weight: 1.82 lbs.Item dimensions: 15 x 15 x 2.64 inchesStyle: Manual pool robot
Pros
No batteries requiredSmooth maneuverabilityDurable
Cons
Hose and pool pole sold separately
It’s back to basics with the Poolmaster vacuum; simply attach this cleaner to your garden hose, assemble the vacuum, and get to work. It should be able to pick up large debris, but smaller leaves or dirt might get left behind. The plus side? No batteries mean no time limit, and no recharging when you’re done.
Best budget: POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum
Why it made the cut: Inexpensive and easy to assemble, this handheld vacuum is perfect for above-ground pools, spas, ponds, and fountains. Specs
Weight: 1.2 lbs.Item dimensions: 4.72 x 10.43 x 47.24 inchesStyle: Manual
Pros
LightweightPortableEasy to assemble
Cons
Handle feels flimsy
Weighing in at a mere 1.2 pounds, the Poolwhale pool vacuum is probably the most portable vacuum on our list. Because it’s so tiny, it works best with spas and hot tubs, and less well in deep inground pools. It’s easy to assemble, attached to a standard garden hose, and comes with a 6 sections pole of 56.5-inches, making it perfect for collecting stains, leaves, and stones from the bottom of a shallow pool.
Final thoughts on the best pool vacuums
Long, loungy days spent by the pool are arguably the best way to experience summer, and a pool vacuum will only make those days that much more enjoyable. Find the best pool vacuum for you by figuring out your priorities—price, efficiency, or technological innovation—and your pool care will be set for years to come.
