Cleaning your pool is a necessary job, but it doesn’t have to be a cumbersome one. Automatic pool cleaners do the work for you, utilizing the pool’s existing pump to remove debris and sediment. When it comes to automatic side pool cleaners, there are two – pressure-side pool cleaners and suction-side pool cleaners.
Our Recommended Side Pool Cleaners in 2023
Flow rate, traction, connections – Each side pool cleaner offers a different combination of features. This means deciding between pressure-side and suction-side is only half the battle. If you don’t know where to begin, start by looking at this year’s top five side pool cleaners.
7) Zodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner
The Baracuda Zodiac MX8 fully navigates pool floors, walls, and waterlines with its high-traction pulley tracks and X-drive technology. It’s also safe to use on fiberglass, concrete, vinyl and tile surfaces.
Small and large debris are no problem for this suction-side cleaner due to cyclonic suction and an adjustable intake. The 3-foot hose maintains suction strength and makes maintenance hassle-free. Plus, the MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner works with variable-speed pumps even at a low flow of 20 gallons per minute.
- Dual Cyclonic Suction: Cleans faster and more aggressively than other pool cleaners with...
- Durable X-Trax: Allows for the MX8 Suction Pool Cleaner to operate with excellent traction...
6) Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly
Maneuverability at its best. The suction-side Kreepy Krauly is equipped with drive-float navigation and roller straps that help it steer clear of ladders. With the inclusion of an automatic regulator valve, the Pentair pool cleaner changes the water flow itself.
To remove as much debris as possible, there are wings to guide particles in the swimming pool’s filtration system. Plus, there is only one part you’ll ever need to replace, making maintenance hassle-free and budget-friendly.
- 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...
5) Zodiac BARACUDA G3 W03000
The Zodiac Baracuda G3 is a great all-around performer. The suction-side pool cleaner boasts a long-lasting diaphragm and anti-scuff hoses. It’s a champ at making turns around tight corners, and the 36-fin disc grips firmly to your swimming pool’s surface.
This pool cleaner regulates the flow of water on its own. With help from the FlowKeeper Valve, the BARACUDA G3 removes fine and mid-size debris even when paired with a low-speed pool pump.
- Quiet, powerful suction cleaner; works with low-speed pumps for maximum efficiency.
- Devours small and medium-sized debris and cleans floor, walls and steps of your entire...
4) Zodiac Polaris Vac-Sweep 360
Nothing stops the Zodiac Polaris Vac-Sweep 360. The suction stays strong from start to finish, and it contains a backup valve that sends the pressure-side cleaner on its way if it gets stuck.
Due to its 31-foot feed hose and 2.25 and three jets, the cleaner can travel throughout any in-ground swimming pool. It comes with a single-chamber filter bag to catch all the large debris drawn in via the 2.25-inch vacuum inlet.
- NO BOOSTER PUMP NEEDED: This advanced pressure-side cleaner is powered by the water...
- FOR IN-GROUND POOLS: Safe for all pool shapes and surfaces including vinyl, fiberglass,...
3) Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport
The Vac-Sweep 3900 is one powerful pressure-side pool cleaner. Featuring three jets and all-wheel drive, it can really move. Its drive chain is made of stainless steel, promising a whopping amount of torque.
With its TailSweep Pro technology, this auto-reverse pool cleaner reduces splashes while maintaining the strong sweeping action. The feed hose stretches to 31 feet, and the zippered bag can hold 5 liters of debris.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is designed to work in all in-ground pools. To be used, though, it requires a Polaris Booster Pump.
Out of all the different Polaris pressure side pool cleaners that are available, this is easily the most powerful. It moves across the floors and walls of your swimming pool quickly, thoroughly removing everything that is in its path.
If you look on the back of this pool cleaner, you’ll notice the TailSweep PRO attachment. By using this attachment, dirt and debris is effortlessly swept out of your pool. That way, it can then be sucked directly into the pool cleaner and disposed of.
- ELITE CLEANING POWER: More powerful than any other pressure cleaner in its class, the 3900...
- FOR IN-GROUND POOLS: Safe for all pool shapes and surfaces including vinyl, fiberglass,...
2) Polaris Vac-Sweep 65
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 is designed for above-ground pools that are no more than five-feet in depth. It moves quickly across the floors and walls of above-ground pools, quickly eliminating the messes that are in its path.
Much of the cleaning power the Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 offers comes from the vacuum system. By using this vacuum system, dirt and debris is quickly vacuumed up and then disposed of.
Through the use of a patented jet sweep system, this pool cleaner blows water against the walls of your pool. By doing this debris is loosened from hard-to-reach spaces. Then, it’s swept into the pool cleaner and removed.
- Suitable for all aboveground pools up to 5-feet deep.
- Installs easily in minutes.
1) Polaris Vac-Sweep 280
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 works in all in-ground pools. But, to use this pool cleaner, you will need to own a Polaris Booster Pump.
As this pool cleaner moves across the floors and walls, dirt and debris is sucked into the pool cleaner. This is accomplished using a very powerful suction system, as well a large debris pathway.
One of the nicest features the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 offers is its debris bag. This debris bag can hold stronger pieces of debris, such as small sticks and pebbles. But, along with that, it’s extremely easy to detach the debris bag, and to then empty it out.
- CLEANS IN 3 HOURS: Powered by a separate Polaris booster pump, dual venturi jets create...
- FOR IN-GROUND POOLS: Safe for all pool shapes and surfaces including vinyl, fiberglass,...
Buying Guide
To get the performance your swimming pool demands, you must take into account all of the side pool cleaner’s features. From the size of the debris, it picks up to the type of pump it works with, here’s what you need to know.
Debris Pickup
Some pool cleaners are geared toward large-debris removal while some are more efficient at fine-debris collection. The general rule is that pressure-side pool cleaners are great at picking up big particles and vice versa for suction-side cleaners. However, that’s not always the case, so pay attention to the cleaner’s inlet width.
Pool Surface
Scratches and rips can ruin a pool’s surface. The side pool cleaner you choose should be rated safe for the surface of your pool. Usually, manufacturers list the surfaces with which their pool cleaners are compatible.
Maneuverability
The last problem you want with a pool cleaner is constantly having to rescue it from a ladder or a drain. Take a look at the wheels or tracks on the cleaner – They should be durable and equipped with tread or gripping fins. Also important are the number of jets, the drive system and the inclusion of an automatic regulator.
The Hose
No matter the type of side pool cleaner you choose, it will come with a hose. The hose’s length and width will vary from one cleaner to the next, but it should be durable, meaning not easy to crush.
You also want one with a tight connection in order to keep the flow of water moving without impediment. Some pool cleaners come with a hose that has a quick-to-undo connection, which makes maintenance and winterizing much easier.
Pool Pump
Be sure to select a pool cleaner that’s compatible with the speed and horsepower of your filter pump. Pay careful attention to whether the pump can work efficiently with a low flow of water. Remember, you’ll also need a booster pump if you go with a suction-side pool cleaner.
Related Pressure Pool Cleaners Articles
Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaners
Info Articles
How do Pressure Pool Cleaners Work?
Pressure vs. Suction vs. Robotic Pool Cleaners
FAQs
What Is a Pressure-Side Cleaner?
In part, pressure-side cleaners consist of a return-jet hose and a sweeper hose. While many pressure-side cleaners have a bag to collect debris, some models do not have one, using the swimming pool’s filtration system to gather debris.
A pressure-side cleaner attaches to the pool’s return jet, taking advantage of the pressure created by the pump to scoot around the pool. The movement of the water also helps the cleaner lift and draw in debris. Since pressure-side cleaners require a strong force of water to operate, most need the help of a booster pump, which supplements the main pump’s water pressure.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Pressure-Side Cleaner?
Obviously, cleaning the pool for you is one benefit to using a pressure-side, or a suction-side, cleaner. However, a pressure-side cleaner offers the additional benefit of lengthening the lifespan of a swimming pool’s filter pump by relieving it from singularly doing all the work.
Even though pressure-side cleaners collect fine and large debris, they are particularly well-adept at removing sizable particles like leaves and insects due to the wide path they offer for filtration. This means big particles are less likely to clog a pressure-side pool cleaner. If your swimming pool is set up close to trees, you’ll benefit greatly from a pressure-side cleaner.
How Do I Maintain a Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner?
Pressure-side pool cleaners may keep your swimming pool debris-free. However, they aren’t self-cleaning appliances. To get the most years of use from your pressure-side cleaner, make maintenance a priority.
There really isn’t much to maintain one of these pool cleaners. Check the sweep hose inlet regularly for packed debris and clear them out. Also, use a water hose to rinse off the sweep hose and the filter bag after you empty it. Leaves won’t cling to the bag if you let it dry before you remove them. To reduce downtime, buy a second bag, so you can alternate between bags during pool maintenance sessions.
What Is a Suction-Side Pool Cleaner?
A suction-side pool cleaner connects to the skimmer or suction line of your pool’s filtration pump. Performing similar to a vacuum, the pool cleaner suctions debris where it winds up in the pool’s filtration system. Once filtered out of the swimming pool, the debris stays in the skimmer basket.
The suction power of the incoming water allows the cleaner to roll along the floor of the pool; some models even climb the pool’s walls. Depending on the specific suction-side cleaner, there are discs instead of wheels to help it maintain traction.
What Are the Benefits of a Suction-Side Cleaner?
Like the pressure-side pool cleaner, the main benefit of owning a suction-side cleaner is to lessen the load of cleaning a swimming pool. Another benefit of a suction-side pool cleaner is that it doesn’t contain many moving parts. This means suction-side cleaners aren’t as prone to mechanical breakdowns.
Suction-side pool cleaners truly shine when it comes to fine debris. These cleaners do not come with a basket. Therefore, all the debris, large and small, run through the filter pump.
If your pool is surrounded by dirt and sand that often gets tracked into the water, you’ll appreciate the cleaner’s fine debris-removing prowess.
How Do I Maintain a Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner?
Since the number of mechanical components is few, maintaining a pressure-side pool cleaner is easy to work. Above all else, frequently look at the wheels and brushes for stuck debris, taking out any particles you find. On occasion, you may need to also remove large debris like leaves from the inlet of the suction-side cleaner.
How Do I Winterize My Pool Cleaner?
Whether you use a pressure-side or a suction-side pool cleaner, you’ll need to disassemble the cleaner’s connectors and hoses, allowing the water to drain. If you have a pressure-side cleaner, make sure to clean out the filter bag.
After all the parts dry, you can put them and the cleaner away for the winter. To prevent hose damage, don’t wind or curl the hoses to save storage space.
Our Recommended Pressure Side Pool Cleaners
If you have any questions or comments, please add them below in the comment section. Similarly, please let us know if you spot any mistakes or omissions. Thanks!
Last Update: 2023-12-07 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
