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Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure Side Pool Cleaner Review

Polaris comes through for in-ground pool owners in a big way with its Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner. The Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is powerful enough to pick up large, heavy debris. It features a smartly designed hose tail that keeps the water off the ground and in the pool where it belongs. Thanks to its venturi jets and in-line valve, the pool cleaner moves with strong force.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900

31-Foot Feed Hose

With the Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport, Polaris includes a black feed hose that fits a 1.5-inch connection. It comes ready to attach to the in-ground pool’s return line, and doing so is fast and easy. Since the heavy-duty hose measures 31 feet, you get plenty of slack to trim it to size.

The TailSweep Pro

Polaris designed the sweep hose to blast off stuck-on debris from the pool’s surfaces, particularly in tight corners. The snap-on TailSweep Pro scrubber manages to accomplish this task without spraying water onto the walkway around the pool or the siding of your house. In turn, the chance of dangerous slip and falls near the pool are minimized.

Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Review


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Venturi-Style Jets

To get the maximum benefit from the 3900 Sport, you must use it with one of Polaris’ booster pumps. The booster pump’s ups the water pressure, allowing the Vac-Sweep Pool Cleaner to move efficiently.

Although a booster pump and one jet alone are enough to drive the pool cleaner, Polaris added three propulsion jets to the 3900 Sport. Since their venturi design means the jets are concave in the center, they further increase the push of the water flow.

Automatic Thrusting Backup Valve

Sometimes even a well-designed pressure-side pool cleaner finds itself stuck. Therefore, Polaris integrated a backup valve into the Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport.

This in-line valve engages automatically to route the water flow through it instead of the pool cleaner, which gives the pool cleaner enough momentum to back up and change course.

Wide Trax Wheels

Polaris’ Wide Trax wheels are smooth, which means they’re unlikely to leave rubber marks on the pool’s surface, and they won’t rip your liner. However, they are still strong enough to give the 3900 Sport the traction and stability it needs to climb.

A PosiDrive all-wheel system increases the pool cleaner’s torque, and the stainless-steel guard prevents the chain from slipping.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure Side Pool Cleaner Review

Five-Liter Filter Bag

With a capacity of 5 liters, the dual-chamber filter SuperBag reduces the number of times you need to empty it. However, its zipper and twist-release connection make clean-outs a breeze.

While the bag adds 40 gallons per minute of supplemental filtration as it collects large debris, the swimming pool’s filter must only contend with fine sediment, unburdening its filtration system in the process.

Safe and Efficient

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is safe for all surfaces, and it works great in chlorine and saltwater systems.

The pressure-side cleaner removes heavy debris like they’re featherlight, all without getting stuck. Its wheels won’t damage or mark the liner; the sweep hose’s scrubber keeps water inside the pool, and the filter bag has a mega-size capacity. How does it measure up to other pressure-side cleaners? Check out these four comparisons.

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Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Polaris Vac-Sweep 280

Polaris’ Vac-Sweep 3900 and Vac-Sweep 280 operate off the power of a separate booster pump, and they’re both safe to use in any in-ground swimming pool, saltwater or chlorine.

Their smooth wheels are guaranteed not to mark or tear the pool’s liner, and their in-line valve ensures both pressure-side swimming pool cleaners can get unstuck quickly.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Polaris Vac-Sweep 280

Each pool cleaner comes with 31 feet’ worth of feed hose, which you can easily cut to size to meet the specific needs of your swimming pool. You’ll find it only takes a minute or two to attach the cleaners to the pool’s return thanks to the 3900 and 280’s 1.5-inch ready-to-connect pressure line.

With the Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport, the TailSweep Pro scrubber that washes away debris comes standard. Although the same scrubber is compatible with the Vac-Sweep 280, you must purchase it separately. The 280 model can clean your swimming pool in about 3 hours, which is fast. However, the 3900’s additional venturi jet makes it a slightly quicker cleaner.

The 3900’s tires are wider than the 280’s, and they’re controlled by an all-wheel-drive, stainless-steel-chain system instead of a belt-driven shaft like the wheels on the 280. This means the 3900 Sport provides more torque for climbing.

Additionally, the 3900 has an extra-large filter bag that beats the capacity of the 280’s single-chamber bag, and its inlet is 0.25 inches wider to allow for bigger debris collection.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280

Despite the many upgrades on the 3900 Sport, the Vac-Sweep 280 is 4 pounds lighter, making it nimbler on the floor. The inclusion of a small fourth wheel lends the 280 more stability. Since all the wheels are white, the off-chance of a visible black mark being left is reduced to zero.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly

When connected to an external booster pump, these two pressure-side pool cleaners can rid any swimming pool surface of debris. All parts (except the booster pump) are included, including floats for the feed hose and a tail hose scrubber.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly

The filter screen-equipped in-line valve for the Polaris 3900 Sport and the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend runs automatically, with the Kreepy Krauly’s valve operating at 3.5-minute intervals.

Their thrust jets are adjustable, and they both have a pressure-relief valve that provides steady speed by regulating the flow of water.

Due to its all-wheel drive, the Vac-Sweep 3900 has better traction than the Kreepy Krauly’s front-wheel drive system. Since the wheels are smooth instead of textured, the chance of leaving marks behind is minimal. Additionally, the 3900’s feed hose is longer by 1 foot, and the cleaner weighs half as much.

While both models boast a large bag intake, the Polaris’ dual-chamber bag holds more debris. The zipper closure and Velcro attachment make the 3900’s bag easier to open and secure than the Kreepy Krauly’s snap-lock setup. As opposed to the Kreepy Krauly’s mesh bag, the 3900 bag’s durability makes the 3900 the better choice for heavy particles.

Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly

The Kreepy Krauly Legend has four textured wheels instead of three smooth ones, giving the Pentair model more protection from tip-overs. The Legend’s white wheels are surface-friendly, and they’re inset to provide more durability. Although its weight is double that of the Vac-Sweep, the Legend can clean a swimming pool in about the same amount of time as the Vac-Sweep (sometimes faster, depending on the pool’s size and shape).

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Zodiac F5B

Great for dark-surface in-ground swimming pools. Each pressure-side pool cleaner comes with a 31-foot feed hose with a 1.5-inch connection that secures to the return line. Smooth wheels on the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 and the Zodiac F5B mean a skid mark-free finish.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Zodiac F5B

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With the use of a booster pump, the 3900 and the F5B boast an average cleaning cycle of 3 hours. Both of their debris bags contain a filtration mechanism that eases the workload of the pool. A tail sweep and floats are included with each model, and a backup valve helps them move in a different direction should they become immobile.

At 10 pounds, the Vac-Sweep 3900 is a lightweight, agile pool cleaner. The inclusion of three venturi jets makes this cleaner less likely to get hung up than the dual-jet Zodiac F5B. Thanks to a stainless-steel guarded PosiDrive chain, the 3900 produces greater torque than the Zodiac with its belt-driven shaft.

The 3900’s dual-chamber bag holds 5 liters of debris, which is much more than the Zodiac’s one-chamber bag. The pressure-side pool cleaner’s tires and vacuum inlet are wider for enhanced wall climbing and debris collection.

Zodiac F5B

On the all-black Zodiac F5B, there are four wheels as opposed to three, which means it is less likely to tip or wobble. Also lending to the cleaner’s excellent balance is its 16-pound weight. While the single-chamber bag isn’t a match for the 3900’s in terms of capacity, its tight weave and filter make it durable enough for fine and coarse debris.

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Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Pentair 360228 Kreepy Krauly

Designed to fit a 1.5-inch return line and run off the juice from a separate booster pump, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 and the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Racer are two powerful, easy-to-prep pressure-side pool cleaners. Each has smooth, wide tires that offer excellent stability, and the reverse valve keeps you from having to come to their rescue.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 vs. Pentair 360228 Kreepy Krauly

Both models come with a large debris bag. Pentair refers to the Racer’s bag as “jumbo;” however, the Polaris bag holds 5 liters’ worth of debris. These bags are equipped with a wide intake that allows acorns and small twigs to make their way into the bag. With the 3900’s twist-release mechanism and the Racer’s push button, you’ll have no trouble removing either one’s bag.

The two chambers in the Vac-Sweep 3900’s bag keeps the bag from sticking together when wet and empty. Weighing 10 pounds, the 3900 is easier to transport than the Racer. The 3900 also has a higher-torque advantage due to its stainless-steel, all-wheel drivetrain, and this model’s feed hose offers 1 foot more of length to work with than the Racer.

When it comes to cycle time, the Pentair Racer can get the job done in 1 to 2 hours as opposed to 3 since it has four venturi jets. The Racer also has an integrated handle, making it easier to pull the 22-pound cleaner from the pool.

Pentair 360228 Kreepy Krauly

A front-located rotating brush rests in between two of the pool cleaner’s four tires, allowing the Racer to lift stubborn gunk. It also has an LED headlight, so you can use the pool cleaner at night.

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Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure...
Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground...
Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 6-130-00 Pressure Side...
Polaris 3900
Polaris 280
Polaris 65
• 50% More Torque
• 31ft of Feed Hose
• Requires Polaris Booster Pump
• 10.1 lbs
• Large Capacity Filter Bag
• 31ft of Feed Hose
• Requires Polaris Booster Pump
• 6.2 lbs
• Suitable for All Above Ground Pools
• 24ft of Float Hose
• Operates with Pump
• 13.94 lbs
The new and improved Polaris 3900 Sport delivers unmatched vacuum power, incomparable convenience, and legendary performance.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 is a powerful pressure-side pool cleaner for all in-ground pools and easily connects to a dedicated pressure line.
The Polaris 65 is our best above ground automatic pool cleaner. It installs in minutes and is suitable for all aboveground pools up to 5-feet deep.
Best of the Best!
Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure...
Polaris 3900
• 50% More Torque
• 31ft of Feed Hose
• Requires Polaris Booster Pump
• 10.1 lbs
The new and improved Polaris 3900 Sport delivers unmatched vacuum power, incomparable convenience, and legendary performance.
Most Popular
Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground...
Polaris 280
• Large Capacity Filter Bag
• 31ft of Feed Hose
• Requires Polaris Booster Pump
• 6.2 lbs
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 is a powerful pressure-side pool cleaner for all in-ground pools and easily connects to a dedicated pressure line.
Also Great
Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 6-130-00 Pressure Side...
Polaris 65
• Suitable for All Above Ground Pools
• 24ft of Float Hose
• Operates with Pump
• 13.94 lbs
The Polaris 65 is our best above ground automatic pool cleaner. It installs in minutes and is suitable for all aboveground pools up to 5-feet deep.


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Last Update: 2024-04-26 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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