Cleaning your pool can be a huge project, but suction pool cleaners can help make it much easier and less time-consuming. They’re an excellent option if you have a small or medium pool that gets moderately dirty. These cleaners are among the easiest to operate, and they run quietly.
We’ve selected the six best suction cleaners available. Let’s check them out!
Our Top Suction Pool Cleaners List
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1. Hayward Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
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This cleaner comes with two large wheels on the side that help to guide it over your pool’s surface. It has self-adjusting turbine valves installed that power this cleaner, and the larger flow allows for bigger debris to pass through and get pulled out of your pool. It works well for average-sized pools up to 16 feet by 32 feet to keep it moderately clean.
The tires come embedded with a thick tread that helps the cleaner easily climb the pool walls and move along the floor without falling or getting stuck. There are pre-programmed internal steering sequences in this pool cleaner that help to ensure it covers your entire pool bottom and walls when you have it on. The roller skirts work to create a seal that improves your cleaner’s suction power.
Takeaways
- Drive Speeds – Multiple pre-programmed ones
- Hose – 33 feet
- Pool Size – 16 by 32 feet
Pros
- Comes with three interchangeable throats
- Thick tread on the tires
- Self-adjusting turbines
- Turns every 8 to 10 feet
Cons
- Wheels can sometimes stick
2. Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000 Advanced
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This is a powerful but quiet suction cleaner that attaches straight to your pool’s pump system. It works best with low-speed pumps, and and it’ll easily clean up small or medium debris from your pool’s walls and floor. This cleaner comes equipped with the FlowKeeper Valve to ensure it gets a constant level of suction to pick up the debris, and this valve will automatically regulate the water flow through the cleaner.
The wheel deflector allows this cleaner to move around tight spaces and corners without missing spots or getting stuck. The hose is very durable, and it comes with a coating that makes it resistant to scuffs and breakage. The finned disc has 36 fins that maximize the suction power while ensuring it doesn’t get hung up. It comes with one moving part technology, which helps ensure that it lasts season after season.
Takeaways
- Drive Speeds – One
- Hose – 40 feet
- Size – Small to medium pools
Pros
- 26 fins adhere to the floor
- Wheel helps it move around obstacles
- Hose is very durable and resists breakage
Cons
- Needs a lot of power to move around
3. Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly Suction
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This cleaner comes with a dive float directional system that helps to effortlessly guide it around your pool when you run it. The automatic valve will control the water flow to keep the cleaner running at optimal speeds throughout your pool. There is a roller strap that helps to maneuver this device around drains, stairs, or anything else that could stop it from finishing cleaning.
There is a cleaner wing on the bottom of this pool suction cleaner that will help to funnel any dirt and debris into the hose and keep them out of your pool water. The one moving part doesn’t have any gears, and this ensures that you can use this device year after year without worrying about it breaking or failing. It will clean from the waterline down to the floor of your pool.
Takeaways
- Drive Speeds – Several with automatic adjustments
- Hose – 48 feet
- Size – Small, medium, or large pools
Pros
- Fins funnel the dirt into the hose
- Has a dive float directional system
- Cleans a broad range of pools
Cons
- Doesn’t work well on sharp inclines
4. Zodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner
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You’ll get cyclonic vacuum technology when you use this device to clean your pool. It has a 1.5-inch vacuum line that will connect directly to your pool’s skimmer to filter as much debris as possible out. The X-drive technology gives you dual navigational control to help ensure that it hits every area of your pool to keep it clean. It cleans walls, floors, and the waterline of any size pool.
The track on the tires gives this device excellent climbing power with high maneuverability that allows it to clean in corners without getting stuck. It operates on a low-flow system that won’t tax your pump, and you can use this pool cleaner on pumps with variable speed settings. It works well on all in-ground pools, and you can use it with concrete, fiberglass, vinyl, or tile siding.
Takeaways
- Drive Speeds – Variable
- Hose – 39 feet
- Size – All in-ground pools
Pros
- Connects to solar, two-speed, or variable speed pumps
- Funnels debris right into the skimmer
- Track on the wheels helps it climb steep walls
Cons
- Motors can wear out quickly with extended use
5. Hayward W32025ADC PoolVac XL
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This suction pool cleaners comes equipped with AquaPilot technology that allows it to systematically cover every area of the pool when it cleans without leaving dead spots. The winged design gives it excellent coverage capabilities, and it has a wide vacuum inlet that picks up debris of any size without clogging. You can connect it to your pool’s suction port or skimmer and let it run for hours at a time.
There is a 40-foot hose included in the purchase, and you can install this hose in a matter of minutes right out of the box. You don’t have to empty any debris bags routinely, and this reduces the amount of maintenance you’ll do. The advanced suction power runs very quietly in your pool, which can help reduce any disruptions you have when you’re relaxing.
Takeaways
- Drive Speeds – AquaPilot technology
- Hose – 40 feet
- Size – All pool sizes
Pros
- Installs in under 10 minutes
- Systematically covers every inch of your pool
- Doesn’t put out a lot of noise
Cons
- Too lightweight for pools with jets
6. XtremepowerUS 75037 Climb Wall Pool Cleaner
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You get 10 hose sections when you order this suction pool cleaner that equal out to 30 feet of hose. This setup won’t clean your stairs, but it works very well on the floor and walls of your pool. You’ll need a 3/4 horsepower or 1,600 GHP pump to function correctly. You won’t need any electricity or tools to set up and run this pump. Instead, it connects straight to your existing pump.
This cleaner can move between 8 and 12 feet every minute, and this speed allows it to clean medium or small pools very quickly. There is a year warranty for parts replacement from the date of purchase. The bottom of the cleaner has a wide head that funnels debris in by the hose to suck them into your filtration system.
Takeaways
- Drive Speeds – One
- Hose – 30 feet
- Size – Small or medium pools
Pros
- Moves up to 12 feet per minute
- Has a wider suction head
- No tools required for assembly
Cons
- Doesn’t work well in deeper pools
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 suction pool cleaner is the Hayward Poolvergnuegen because it has self-adjusting turbine valves equipped that help it move along the pool while picking up larger debris. It can keep pools up to 16 by 32 feet clean and move quickly from area to area.
We also liked that this cleaner had thick tread on the tires that boosted the traction. It helped the cleaner climb the walls and move around obstacles without falling over or getting stuck. It has pre-programmed steering sequences that make this a very user-friendly device to use to keep your pool clean.
Buyer’s Guide
There are several important things to keep in mind when you start to shop for your new pool cleaner. It’s good to have a list on-hand because it’s easy to forget key pieces and get a device that doesn’t meet your needs. You might also want to look at pool cleaner robots and perhaps pressure side pool cleaners as alternatives.
Hose Length
The hose length is something a lot of people don’t think about, but it’s an essential piece to your pool cleaner. If the hose isn’t long enough, the cleaner won’t be able to go all over your pool. It could leave areas dirty, and this debris could float all over your pool. Make sure that it comes with a hose long enough to reach the furthest corner of your pool.
Climbing Ability
Some cleaners will climb walls, and some don’t have this ability. Ideally, you’ll want one that can climb walls unless you plan to clean them by hand. The suction power and the type of wheels or tread it has will dictate how well it can climb up to your waterline.
Brand
The brand is important on this device because these cleaners can easily cost several hundred dollars. Hayward, Polaris, Dolphin, Pentair, and XtremepowerUS are all reputable pool cleaner brands you want to check. They’re usually easy to get in touch with if you have questions or concerns. This can give you greater peace of mind when you make your final pick.
Budget
Your budget will come into play when you pick out your cleaner. Ideally, you’ll set a budget before you start to shop because this will let you narrow your choices down straight away. It may be better to pay more upfront for this device then skimp on quality because the more high-end devices usually last much longer and are less prone to problems.
Moving Parts
Generally speaking, pool cleaners that have fewer moving parts have fewer things for you to lose or break. Many of them come with a single moving part. They’re usually easier to set up and take care of too. Double-check and see how many moving parts your potential cleaner has. The fewer it is, the better off you’ll be.
Pump Strength
How powerful is your pool pump? Since these cleaners attach straight to it, they can pull power from it and make it run less smoothly. Also, some cleaners require low-flow pumps, while others need more power. You have to make sure your pump is compatible with your cleaner. If it isn’t, you’ll have to return it and buy something else.
FAQ
How do suction pool cleaners work?
The hose attaches to the pool filter, and it’ll create a suction power when the pump is on. The cleaner will then randomly move around the pool using a water pulse from your pool’s filter system. As it starts moving around your pool, it’ll suck up any debris through the head and into the neck. The debris travels through the hose, continue past the suction port, go through the pipe, and stops in the strainer basket. Smaller debris can pass through and into the filter.
What is the difference between a suction and pressure pool cleaner?
The biggest difference between these two devices is where the debris goes once the cleaner sucks them up. If you buy a pressure cleaner, you’ll notice that it has a bag on top of the cleaner. This is where it funnels the debris. You have to empty the bag periodically. A suction cleaner hooks to your filtration pump and sucks up debris before forcing them into your pump basket where they get trapped.
