Review: The Best Pressure-Side and Suction-Side Pool Cleaners for a Sparkling Pool

When warm weather arrives, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cleaning your swimming pool. That’s where suction-side and pressure-side pool cleaners come in handy. These devices do the hard work for you, sucking up debris and leaving your pool sparkling clean. We tested the best-selling suction and pressure-side pool cleaners to find the top performers that will make pool maintenance a breeze. Read on to discover our top picks for the best pressure-side and suction-side pool cleaners.

Best Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner

Polaris Vac-Sweep Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner

Our Ratings

Setup: 5/5

Design: 5/5

Ease of Use: 5/5

Effectiveness: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Pros:

• Reliable suction gathered leaves, pine needles, and more debris into a large debris bag and left our pool looking spotless
• Captured both large and small debris and was easy for us to empty out after use

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 is a top performer in the pressure-side pool cleaner category. With strong, reliable suction, this cleaner effortlessly removes debris from your pool, including leaves and pine needles. It features a large debris bag, automatically scheduled cleaning times, and the ability to clean the pool floor, walls, and stairs.

Our 820-square-foot pool was cleared of pine, leaves, and pollen in just three hours with the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280. The dual venturi jets create a powerful suction that leaves your pool looking spotless without any manual effort. The device is easy to connect to a dedicated pressure line and requires a booster pump that is sold separately.

Pool Type: All inground pools | Dimensions: 20 x 23 x 10 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Cleaning Cycle Time: 3 hours | Jet type: double venturi jets | Filter: Bag

Best Suction-Side Pool Cleaner

Zodiac Baracuda G3 Suction Pool Cleaner

Our Ratings

Setup: 2/5

Design: 4/5

Ease of Use: 4/5

Effectiveness: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Pros:

• Effectively scrubs pool floor and walls and removed chemical buildup, minerals, and algae from all surfaces
• Automatically regulates water flow to achieve the ideal suction level

The Zodiac Baracuda G3 is a standout in the suction-side pool cleaner category. With a 36-fin disk that suctions onto pool surfaces, this cleaner effectively scrubs pool walls and stairs, leaving them sparkling clean. While the setup may be a bit challenging, the results are worth it, especially for removing chemical residue from pool surfaces.

Pool Type: All inground pools | Weight: 17.66 pounds | Cleaning Cycle Time: 1.5 hours | Pump type: Compatible with any single, two-speed or variable-speed pumps | Filter: Connects to pool filter

Best for Large Debris

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Pool Cleaner

Our Ratings

Setup: 4.5/5

Design: 4.8/5

Ease of Use: 4.8/5

Effectiveness: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Pros:

• Easily sucks up large debris like leaves, rocks, and bugs and left our pool looking spotless in two hours
• Three powerful venturi jets move this device across pool floor and up walls, with a trailing sweep hose that was able to clean every corner of our pool
• Lightweight device doesn’t require any additional pumps or accessories, it connects right to your existing pool return line

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is a top choice for pools with large debris like leaves and rocks. With three powerful venturi jets and a sweep hose, this cleaner efficiently removes debris from pool floors and walls. It connects easily to your pool’s existing pressure line and requires no additional pumps or accessories.

Pool Type: All inground pools | Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 22.75 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | Cleaning Cycle Time: 3 hours | Jet type: 3 venturi jets | Filter: Single chamber bag

Best for Leaves

Hayward Navigator Pro Suction Pool Cleaner

Our Ratings

Setup: 2/5

Design: 4/5

Ease of Use: 5/5

Effectiveness: 4.8/5

Value: 4/5

Pros:

• Suction vacuum cleaned up a season’s worth of fallen leaves from our test pool in less time than any other device we tested
• Very quick setup; it connects to your existing filtration system and doesn’t require any additional pumps or tools for installation
• Specifically designed for gunite surfaces (a.k.a. it can handle a bumpy pool wall)

The Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Cleaner is an excellent choice for pools with leaves and debris. Designed for gunite surfaces, this cleaner effectively removes debris from pool floors and walls. While it may be heavy to lift, the quick setup and efficient cleaning make it a valuable investment.

Pool Type: Gunite pools | Dimensions: 40.4 x 13.6 x 11.9 inches | Weight: 17.71 pounds | Cleaning Cycle Time: 1.5 hours | Filter: Connects to pool filter

Best for Pollen

Pentair Kreepy Krauly Pool Cleaner

Our Ratings

Setup: 3/5

Design: 4/5

Ease of Use: 4.5/5

Effectiveness: 4.5/5

Value: 5/5

Pros:

• Easily picked up pollen and small debris that was stuck on the bottom, walls, and waterline of our test pool
• Lightest pool cleaner we’ve tested; it’s easy to setup and drop in the pool

The Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly pool cleaner is a great choice for pools with pollen and small debris. This lightweight cleaner effectively removes debris from pool surfaces and is easy to set up and use. While it may require a separate filter attachment for larger debris, it offers excellent value for its performance.

Pool Type: Gunite pools | Dimensions: 42 x 16.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 1 pounds | Cleaning Cycle Time: 2 hours | Filter: Connects to pool filter

Things to Consider Before Buying a Pool Cleaner

Pool Type

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a suction or pressure-side pool cleaner is the type of pool you have. Make sure to select a cleaner that is compatible with your pool’s surface type to avoid damage.

Pool Size

Consider the size of your pool when choosing a pool cleaner. Larger pools may require more powerful cleaners or longer cleaning cycles to ensure thorough cleaning.

Suction Level

Choose a pool cleaner with the appropriate suction level for your pool’s debris. Stronger suction is ideal for larger debris, while lighter suction may be more energy-efficient for smaller particles.

How We Tested

We tested the top suction and pressure-side pool cleaners in our own pools to evaluate their performance. Our testing process involved multiple cleaning cycles and thorough observations to determine the best cleaners for different pool types and sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a suction and pressure pool cleaner?

A suction-side pool cleaner connects to your pool’s filtration system and operates like a vacuum, while a pressure-side cleaner uses pressure to force debris into a filter bag. Each type has its own advantages and considerations based on your pool’s needs.

How much should I spend on a suction or pressure pool cleaner?

Pool cleaners can range from $320 to $600, depending on the brand, features, and performance. Investing in a quality pool cleaner can save you time and effort in maintaining your pool.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Our testing process involves real-world testers and industry experts to provide reliable recommendations for the best products. We conduct thorough research and testing to ensure that our recommendations are trustworthy and valuable for our readers.

What Is People Tested?

The PEOPLE Tested seal of approval signifies that our recommendations are based on rigorous testing and evaluation. We continuously review and update our recommendations to ensure that we provide the best products for our readers.