Suction pool cleaners are arguably the most popular type of pool cleaner available due to their quiet operation, affordability, and performance. We’ve seen what Zodiac and Hayward have to offer, and this time around, we’re focusing specifically on Pentair’s fine line of Kreepy Kraulies. Check out our picks of the 7 best Pentair suction pool cleaners that you can get your hands on today.
Our Recommended Pentair Suction Pool Cleaners in 2023
7) Pentair 360040
The 360040 suction pool cleaner absolutely does the job with very minimal effort on the user’s part. It’s not only easy to install, but the 360040 is relentless at picking up debris of nearly all sizes.
This device is only as reliable as your pool’s pump, so the greater the waterflow, the greater this Kreepy Krauly’s performance.
Unlike more complicated pool cleaners on the market, this Kreepy Krauly only has one moving part, thereby reducing maintenance issues throughout its multi-year lifespan. A flexible flapper surrounds the inlet to draw in more debris as it glides seamlessly across your pool’s floors.
- Type: Drop down
- Dive float directional system helps guide cleaner throughout entire pool from the water...
6) Pentair K60430 Kruiser
An upgraded version of the Kruiser Cleaner, it comes with more durable bumpers along the edges of the to keep it from getting stuck in edges, corners, and steps/ladders.
When the Kruiser inevitable gets clogged up by dead leaves and other large pieces of debris, the main body can detach from the throat to make unclogging a lot more manageable.
The pins surrounding the disc are made to loosen debris from edges and corners, allowing the suction to do its thing. On the disc of the Pentair K60430 Kruiser are several tiny holes that allow tiny quantities of water to pass freely through in order to prevent it from getting sucked into your pool’s main drain.
- This creepy krauly cruiser automatic in ground pool cleaner have many design elements...
- Superior vacuum power and extra-wide mouth capture large and small debris with ease
5) Pentair 360042
In looks, the 360042 and 360040 are nearly identical, although the finned flapper is actually a huge game-changer, performance-wise.
As the tool glides along the surface of your pool, the fins on the flapper adhere the floor in order to create a slight vacuum that boosts suction power and ultimately debris removal.
Installation and maintenance of the 360042 is practically the same as the 360040 so you can expect the same ease of use and near non-existent maintenance issues. Even ridged edges of the flapper lets tiny quantities of water through so it doesn’t get trapped in the main drain.
- Dive float directional system helps guide cleaner throughout entire pool from the water...
- Automatic valve automatically regulates water flow to set the ideal travel speed for more...
4) Pentair GW7900
We’ve spoken quite a bit about the GW7900 in other guides so it only makes sense that it earns a spot on a list of Pentair’s best suction pool cleaners.
It has a 13-square-inch footprint with a sizable inlet to swallow debris both large and small.
The hose connection doesn’t swivel, but it never tangles either since it moves in one direction in a random pattern. The design of the GW9500 allows it touch more surface area per hour of cleaning, but without brushes or pins, it will take multiple sessions to leave your pool’s floor spotless.
- Automatic pool cleaner for inground swimming pool
- Exclusive smarttrac programmed steering system maneuvers around tight corners, ladders and...
3) Pentair GW9500
The GW9500 is arguably slightly more unappealing than the GW7900, but we found it to be the much more effective pool cleaner.
It doesn’t rely purely on suction, but it also comes with stiff bristles that work well at loosening debris from pool flooring.
At 15 inches, it’s also a wider model that requires fewer passes to clean an entire pool while also maneuvering easily, albeit randomly, to clean edges, corners, and sloped walls. The Pentair GW9500 comes fully assembled out of the box. Simply hook it up to your main pool pump and it’s ready to clean.
- Automatic in-ground pool cleaner. SmartTrac Programmed Steering easily navigates around...
- Vacuum port door fitting has a spring-loaded cover for safety
2) Pentair K50600
Many consider the K50600 the easier-to-use version of the Kruisier for its lighter-blue hue and large finned wing.
This device also only has one moving part—the flexible flapper—that creates a slight vacuum when adhered to the surface of pools that leads to better suctioning of debris.
This unit comes with a skimming valve that makes adjusting waterflow to the optimal level a lot simpler on the user. It’s able to scale walls to a limited extent but gets trapped in ladders from time to time. If you have steps instead of a ladder, this is the perfect suction cleaner for you.
- Superior hydraulic design for optimum vacuuming power
- Only one operational moving part (the flapper) for long, dependable service; no wheels or...
1) Pentair 360100 Lil’ Shark
And finally, we have the cute 360100 Lil’ Shark, a cute suction cleaner adorning a smiling shark on its suction unit.
Your child might enjoy watching this Shark munch up dead leaves. Looks aside, you can expect a reasonable amount of cleaning power from this 10-inch tool.
Its thinner profile also allows it to more quickly, thus removing small and medium-sized debris more efficiently in pools of all shapes. On the bottom of the Pentair 360100 Lil’ Shark, below its “jaw”—are several stiff bristles that gently scrape at the surface of pool linings to loosen debris it randomly happens to come across.
- Dual Band Of Bristles Scrub Debris Loose While Powerful Vacuum Whisks It Away
- Programmed Cleaning Provides More Complete Coverage Without The Missed Spots Other...
Buying Guide: A Look at Pentair Suction Pool Cleaners
Pentair is one of the most popular manufacturers of automatic pool cleaners. Their selection includes all 3 types of pool cleaners—suction, pressure, and robotic—but their line of suction-side pool cleaners is truly unique in many ways.
Why You Should Get a Pentair Suction Pool Cleaner
Firstly, suction pool cleaners in general are the most inexpensive type of automatic cleaner due to their lack of moving parts. They also do not require a booster pump or any other external water circulation component other than the pool pump you undoubtedly already own.
Pentair’s suction pool cleaners are most notable for their reliability, longevity, and ease of use. Although they do have faults in terms of vertical mobility, many of their models are still able to scale walls up to several feet.
Choosing the Right Pentair Suction Pool Cleaner
Travel Distance
One of the first things you’ll need to check when shopping for the right suction pool cleaner is whether the tool can reach all corners or edges of your pool. Pentair also provides additional hose kits (sold separately) if you’d like to extend the reach of your favorite suction pool cleaner.
Types of Pool Debris
As you can see from the models listed above, their inlet throats vary in size between models, so your decision should also be based on what sort of debris your pool is regularly polluted with. Only certain models are good at picking up large debris like leaves and acorns. If you have a giant oak tree hanging over your pool, we’d recommend getting the Pentair GW7900.
Flapper vs. Disc vs. Brush
Pentair suction pool cleaners can be divided into 3 categories based on design: flapper, discs, and brushes. Flappers like the 360040, 360042, and K50600 are great for everyday cleaning of already loosened debris. The disc K60340 works excellently at removing debris from corners and straight edges. Brushes like the GW7900 and GW9500 are arguably the best of the best since their bristles actively scrape debris off of any surface.
Pool Liner Material
The great news about all 7 of these Pentair products is that they work flawlessly in pools made of nearly any material, including fiberglass, vinyl, and pebbles. Concrete, however, can be an issue since its tough texture can wear down a suction pool cleaner’s plastic components (disc, flapper, bristles). If you have a concrete pool, we’d recommend getting a robotic pool cleaner instead.
FAQ
Suction pool cleaners should be run immediately after your pool has been used to prevent dirt and debris from settling on the floors that can make it harder to remove. On average, you should run the pool cleaner for up to 6 hours or until all visible debris has been suctioned away.
Suction pool cleaners rely heavily on the amount of pressure flowing from your pool’s main pump. If it’s not providing enough pressurized water, the suction pool cleaner will either twirl around in circles or remain immobile until you’ve increased the rate of gushing water. The paperwork included with your Pentair suction pool cleaner will tell you everything you need to know about setup.
It really doesn’t matter when you run the suction pool cleaner as long as you do it. The only thing that would make nighttime cleaning a hassle is the lack of built-in LEDs on the suction pool cleaner which can make it difficult to spot piles of dirt, algae, and sunken debris.
The longevity of their products is one of the things that make Pentair so beloved. With proper care, any of the 7 products listed above can last 8 years or more with minimal maintenance issues. Remember: pull the cleaner out of your pool when not in use to prevent people from stepping on or kicking it.
Suction-side pool cleaners are made to last extended periods of time fully submerged, but we wouldn’t recommend leaving it in your pool 24/7. The main issue is the suction hose—if left unattended, kinking or ripping is a possibility if a pool user makes contact with the tool while swimming.
Related Suction Pool Cleaner Articles
Best Suction Side Pool Cleaners
Best Suction Above-Ground Pool Cleaners
Info Articles
How do Suction Pool Cleaners Work?
Pressure vs. Suction vs. Robotic Pool Cleaners
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve provided you with our picks of the 7 best Pentair suction pool cleaners currently available. Our buying guide should provide you with some insight on how to find the most suitable pentair pool cleaner for your backyard pool. As long as you have a strong enough pool pump, you won’t need to worry about pool debris removal any longer!
Our Recommended Suction Pool Cleaners
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Last Update: 2024-04-25 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
