Crystal clear water in your pool requires upkeep, regular maintenance, and thorough cleaning on your part. You can try to do all of this by hand, but it can pull you away from the things you really want to do. A pressure pool cleaner is one of the best options available to help with this chore, and there are dozens of great pressure pool cleaner brands and models on the market.
We’ve picked out six high-quality options on this page. Let’s check them out!
Our Top List
# | Preview | Product | Link |
1 |  | Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 | |
2 |  | Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend | |
3 |  | Hayward TriVac 500 | |
4 |  | Zodiac Polaris Turbo Turtle | |
5 |  | Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport | |
6 |  | XtremepowerUS 75037 Climb Wall Pool Cleaner |
1. Polaris Vac-Sweep 280
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This pressure side pool cleaner from Polaris needs a Polaris booster pump to work. It works well in in-ground pools of all sizes, and you get 31 feet of hose that ensures it can reach far into your pool without leaving any dead spots. The vacuum inlet is over two inches wide, and this will easily collect large, medium, and small debris before funneling them into the bag system to keep them out of your water.
This system is compatible with Polaris 480 and 280 cleaners, and you get a slightly larger debris bag that will take a while to fill. This reduces your overall maintenance of the cleaner. It’s available in four models, and it comes palletized using 16 unit multiples. The larger wheels will help them cleaner go around your pool without bogging down or getting stuck.
Takeaways
- Debris Bag – Yes, slightly larger
- Hose – 31 feet
- Pool Type – All in-ground models
Pros
- Larger collection bag needs fewer emptying times
- Has a larger vacuum inlet
- Comes with a long and durable hose
- Uses larger wheels to maneuver
Cons
- Customer support is difficult to contact
2. Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend
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If you’re after a simplistic pressure side pool cleaner with a longer hose, this one could do the trick. It comes with a 30-foot hose, and it has a very compact design that allows it to work well in in-ground pools. The treaded tires come with a powerful front-wheel drive system that allows the cleaner to cover the entire pool and climb up the walls with ease.
The four wheels on this pressure cleaner give the unit a very stable base to work on that won’t tip or flip over easily. It has a large intake throat equipped that allows it to suck up a lot of debris each time it cleans. The debris goes into a tight cloth storage bag until you’re ready to empty it out and clean it. The sleek gray and white coloring is very nice, and this coloring allows this cleaner to look right at home in several pool styles.
Takeaways
- Debris Bag – Yes, tight cloth
- Hose – 30 feet
- Pool Type – In-ground
Pros
- Has heavy traction on the tires
- Very stable base
- Large intake mouth
Cons
- Suction may not be strong enough for heavy debris
3. Hayward TriVac 500
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You can choose from four styles when you purchase this pressure side pool cleaner from Hayward. It comes with the powerful AquaDrive water-jet propulsion technology that ensures the unit cleans the walls and floor of your pool without scratching the surface. It comes with a unique system that allows it to back up if it runs into obstacles to prevent it from getting stuck or stalled.
The debris bag on this cleaner is very unique. It comes made out of a mesh, but it has an extra-large design that allows it to hold bigger debris or more pieces. There are three high-pressure jets by the vacuum mouth to scoop up big chunks, and the float ensures the debris won’t drag the system down. You’ll get low-friction wheels that move smoothly over your pool’s interior.
Takeaways
- Debris Bag – Yes, wide mesh
- Hose – 30 feet
- Pool Type – All in-ground pools
Pros
- Mesh debris bag is very wide
- Float helps counter the debris bag weight
- Has AquaDrive water-jet propulsion technology
Cons
- Very strict return policy with no warranty
4. Zodiac Polaris Turbo Turtle
The Polaris Sport Robotic Cleaner is designed to provide a thorough cleaning job to your pool. This model utilizes Vortex Vacuum Technology, allowing it to remove up to four times as much debris as other cleaners.
It uses four-wheel drive technology to clean your pool’s floor and walls. It also has a pleated scrubbing brush which lets it clean the tile line of your pools.
This model can be used in pools with lengths of up to 50 feet. When it needs to be cleaned, you can easily access the large filter through the top of the machine.
You can program the Polaris Sport Cleaner to clean your pool on a schedule that works for you. It offers a seven-day programmable cleaning cycle. You can also customize the cleaning cycle you select to ensure your pool is cleaned to meet your standards.
Takeaways
- Debris Bag – Yes, slightly larger
- Hose – 31 feet
- Pool Type – All in-ground models
Pros
- It can clean the floor, walls, and tile line of your pool.
- The filter has a large capacity, so it won’t need to be emptied as frequently.
- You can program the cleaner and customize the cleaning cycle.
Cons
- This model does not have a tangle-free cord.
5. Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport
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If you have an in-ground pool, this pressure side pool cleaner pick up debris and give you clean water. It can hold up to five liters or debris before you have to change it, and the white mesh makes it easy to monitor your levels. This unit comes ready to connect straight to a 1.5-inch dedicated pressure cleaner line, and you’ll get a hose that is 31 feet long that allows the cleaner to reach the far corners of your pool.
The broader wheels give this unit a lot of torque that it can use to power over your pool’s floors and climb up the walls without tipping over or getting stuck. You get the TailSweep Pro that gives excellent sweeping action for debris while preventing unnecessary water spray from outside of your pool. The hose comes reinforced to withstand different water conditions and wear and tear without breaking down.
Takeaways
- Debris Bag – Yes, five liter capacity
- Hose – 31 feet
- Pool Type – All in-ground pools
Pros
- Equipped with TailSweep Pro
- Has wider wheels for great traction
- Larger debris bag included
Cons
- Doesn’t work well on steps
6. XtremepowerUS 75037 Climb Wall Pool Cleaner
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The final entry on our list comes from XtremepowerUS. It has 30 feet of hose attached to it, but you can remove it in 10-foot sections if you don’t need it all and are worried about it tangling. It will quickly and effectively clean walls and the floor of your pool, but it can’t clean the stairs. It’s a slightly faster model that can clean up to 12 feet every minute, and this speed makes it a nice choice for slightly larger pools.
When you buy this model, you’ll get a full year warranty for parts replacement if something breaks or wears out. Since this unit attaches to your pool’s current filter system, you won’t need any electricity or other tools to set it up. All you have to do is connect it and let it run. The PDF manual helps you set it up, get it running, and troubleshoot with it.
Takeaways
- Debris Bag – No, attaches to the filter system
- Hose – 30 feet
- Pool Type – All in-ground pools
Pros
- Hose comes apart in segments
- Warranty lasts a year
- Moves rapidly when it cleans
Cons
- Swivel on the top of the unit is flimsy
Verdict & Review
Polaris Vac-Sweep 280
Pros
- Larger collection bag needs fewer emptying times
- Has a larger vacuum inlet
- Comes with a long and durable hose
- Uses larger wheels to maneuver
Cons
- Customer support is difficult to contact
Our pick for the best pressure side pool cleaner is the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 because it comes with a larger debris bag that takes time to fill. We liked that it had a longer hose that allowed it to reach the far corners of the pool without tangling or getting pulled back to leave dead spots.
The large wheels were another nice touch that gave this pressure side pool cleaner a lot of traction to help it climb the walls and move over the pool’s floor without getting stuck. The bigger vacuum inlet was nice to pick up larger debris, and it comes in a few different models.
Buyer’s Guide
Here are the points you should keep in mind when deciding on any kind of pool cleaner, robotic or maybe a suction cleaner. You actually might want to check out other types of cleaners to compare.
Suction Power
Suction power is one of the biggest considerations to watch for when you shop. This will directly dictate how much of your pool’s debris end up in the bag and out of the water. Get a model that has the most powerful suction possible. It should also have a larger vacuum reservoir so big pieces of debris in your pool don’t get stuck and clog it.
Booster Pump
Each of these cleaners will need a booster pump. Some of them come with one built into the device, but others have external pumps that you have to buy separately. Check and see if your pick needs one. You can also get a second one to speed up the cleaning time if you think that it’s too slow.
Pool Type
Do you have an in-ground or above-ground pool? How deep is it? Does is slant and get deeper at one end? Some of these cleaners can only work in above-ground pools while others can work in both. You want to ensure your cleaner is compatible with your pool type. If it’s not, it won’t work well.
Bag Size
Does your cleaner come with a large or small bag to catch the debris in? If it’s smaller, you’ll need to make a point to empty it every few days, so it doesn’t clog the machine. Larger bags are nice because you can go longer between having to clean and maintain them without sacrificing how well your unit works.
Assembly and Installation
If you’re not someone who likes to do projects yourself, you better make sure that the assembly and installation process is quick and easy. Many of these cleaners come ready to go straight out of the box, but others may require you to put them together. Look and see how it connects to your pool’s system. You have to make sure that it’s compatible.
Brand
Always buy from a reputable brand. This usually ensures that they use quality parts in each unit that come built to last. A few brands with great reputations include Polaris, Pentair, Hayward, and Zodiac. They have responsive customer service, build high-quality cleaners, and have lots of positive reviews.
FAQ
What is a pressure side pool cleaner?
If someone talks about a pressure side pool cleaner; they’re referring to a device that attaches directly to the return or pressure side of your pool’s circulation system. You may hear people call them booster pump cleaners. These units get propelled across your pool’s floor and walls by the water that gets pushed or pumped back into the pool. They have a small hydraulic plant inside, and it picks up debris as it goes along the pool’s interior.
How do you use a pressure side pool cleaner?
Once you purchase this type of cleaner, you’ll attach it directly to your pool’s return system using a hose. These hoses are usually around 30 feet or longer. The water pressure from your circulation system will push this cleaner along the pool. As it moves, it’ll suck up loose debris and funnel it into a storage bag. You have to periodically empty this bag so it can keep cleaning. Some models can go up walls and stairs, and some models only work well on the pool’s floor.
