Owning a pool adds a touch of luxury to your home, but it also requires regular upkeep—and the best pool vacuums are the easiest way to get that done. These devices are specifically designed to remove dirt and debris from both the water and surfaces, streamlining the cleaning process and prolonging the life of your personal swimming oasis. In 2024, our top recommendation for most households is the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus for its intelligent navigation and user-friendly design.
Designed to quickly suck up debris, the highly-rated Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is bound to make your ... [+]
If you're new to owning a pool, it's important to understand that having a quality pool vacuum is essential for a satisfying swimming experience. Not only does regularly vacuuming your pool help suck up dirt and debris, it also supports the cleaning work of your pool chemicals, says Randy Huckstadt, a pool and spa expert from JustAnswer.
When it comes to buying a pool vacuum, there are big decisions to make. For starters, do you prefer the convenience of a robot vacuum or the control of a manual option? Additionally, consider the suction power required based on your pool size and debris accumulation. To simplify your search and eliminate the frustration of navigating numerous products, we've curated a list of the best pool vacuums currently on the market.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s editors are experts in tools designed to maintain the exterior and exterior spaces of your home. Our goal is to ensure you have the information you need to make smart purchases around household products. To find the best pool vacuums, we consulted with two home specialists—Randy Huckstadt, a pool and spa expert from JustAnswer and Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi—for details on important features to consider when choosing this gear. Each vacuum was analyzed for factors like suction power, coverage area, ease of use and value. Because customer feedback is essential, we pored over reviews from real owners to see which vacuums made pool ownership easier.
How We Chose The Best Pool Vacuums
To determine the best pool vacuums you can buy right now, we spoke to two pool experts to get their insight on the category and the most important factors to consider while shopping. We then identified the top pool vacuums on the market, analyzing all the models based on type, construction, weight and additional features. Reviews from real pool owners were also factored in to get a better sense of how these vacuums perform in the real world. To ensure we’re up to date on the best pool vacuums available, this story is regularly updated. It was last updated in April 2024.
How To Pick The Right Pool Vacuum For You
Whether it’s your first time buying a pool vacuum or it’s been a minute since you last purchased one, it’s understandable if you’re having a hard time identifying the ideal model for your pool. To help make the process a little easier, consider these key factors while you weigh your options.
Power Source
Unlike their land counterparts, pool vacuums generally don’t need a direct power source to operate, meaning you don’t plug them into an electrical outlet. (Now that would be a health hazard.) Rather, many pool cleaners operate via a hose connection to the pool pump. However, some cleaners like the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus run without without a pump, instead relying on their own built-in filtration system. And then, there are the manual options like the Water Tech Pool Blaster, which run on battery charge and man power. If you opt for one of these cord- and hose-free models, just remember you need to charge it before use.
Manual Vs. Automatic
Pool vacuums can be divided into two main camps: manual and suction. The former, as the name implies, don’t run autonomously; instead, you need to push manual pool vacuums around your walls and floors, ensuring you hit every spot. While these models do require more work on your end, they also tend to be significantly less expensive than robotic pool vacuums. To operate the latter, all you have to do is hook up the vacuum to your pool’s pump or filter, and it does all the work without your guidance. These vacuums are easy to set up (you typically just hook them to a hose and drop them in) but again, they can carry high price tags.
Pressure Vs. Suction
Within the automatic pool vacuum cleaner category, you might see models labeled as “pressure-side” and “suction-side.” In short, the former use suction from your pool’s filtration system to move around the pool, whereas the latter are powered by pressure from your pool’s pump. (Also, pressure-side models store debris in vacuum bags; with suction-side models, the pool’s filter captures the debris.) Which type is right for you? While both types are effective, pressure-side vacuums tend to be more powerful and therefore more effective at capturing large debris like leaves. If you only have small debris in your pool, a more affordable suction-side might be better suited to your needs.
Type Of Debris
If you own a pool, you’re used to dealing with debris on a regular basis, either in the form of grass, leaves, twigs or dead bugs. Pool vacuums typically state what size debris they can handle, with some explicitly noting that they’re designed for small or medium-sized debris. If your pool is situated near trees, make sure your vacuum can handle leaves. And if you’re not particularly concerned about larger items landing in your water, you should be just fine with a vacuum designed for small to medium debris.
What Is the Best Cleaning System For A Pool?
Pools aren’t one size fits all, which makes it difficult to say that one cleaning system is best for every pool. There is also a variety of types of pool cleaners to choose from, including manual, robotic, suction and pressure. “Each has unique advantages and limitations, but they're all effective at getting the job done,” Huckstadt says. Ultimately, he says it’s best to “find one that fits your pool needs and your budget.” For most pool-cleaning needs, however, we reccommend the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. It’s a powerful vacuum that easily climbs walls and has a smart navigation system to ensure it doesn’t miss a spot.
What Is The Difference Between A Pool Cleaner And A Pool Vacuum?
These terms are usually used interchangeably, but there is a difference when you drill down. A pool vacuum is typically a manual device attached to a pole that features a vacuum head and a hose to suck up dust and debris. A pool cleaner—which is a category that may include pool vacuums—can refer to a machine that moves around the pool without your help. These can include robot vacuums, suction-side cleaners and pressure-side cleaners. Some connect to the pool’s plumbing and others operate independently of it. Pool cleaners are typically have more technology and are more expensive than pool vacuums. But pool vacuums can also fall into the category of pool cleaners.
How Can I Choose A Good Pool Vacuum?
It’s important to consider the type and size of your pool when choosing a good pool vacuum, says Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi. "For example, automatic and robotic pool cleaners often require a pool with a circulating filtration pump and are a more popular choice for in-ground pools." Additionally, the size of your pool is a crucial factor to consider. "If you have a smaller pool, you can probably get away with a manual option," adds Micetich. When considering the cost of a pool vacuum, it’s also important to be honest about how much time you have to invest in cleaning your pool. If you’re unable to devote an hour or so to cleaning your pool on a regular basis, an automatic or robotic tool may be a better fit—even if it means paying more upfront.
Are Pool Vacuums Worth It?
A pool vacuum is considered an essential tool in pool maintenance. “The process of vacuuming keeps chemicals working their best,” Huckstadt says. “Vacuuming is necessary to pick up the dirt and debris that has found its way to the pool bottom.” If cost is a concern, know that it’s possible to get a quality pool vacuum for under $100. The Xtremepower Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum is just $82 and, while it involves you pushing the device around, it’s lightweight and easy to operate. Overall, Micetich recommends thinking of a pool vacuum as a vital pool maintenance tool. “Pool vacuums not only keep your pool clean but also help expand the lifetime of your pool,” she says
