Best inground pool vacuum for vinyl liner

Popular Mechanics; Courtesy Milliard

A clean pool is a welcoming pool, but proper upkeep affects more than just your pool’s aesthetic appeal. When you make vacuuming part of your regular pool care routine, you can often prevent problems like odors, liner tears, or even algae blooms. You also may even be able to use fewer chemicals in the water, as vacuuming helps to circulate chlorine and other additives, increasing their efficiency.

However, if you’re trying to clean with an old, ineffective pool vacuum, you might be making more work for yourself. Today’s best pool vacuums are designed to clean quickly and efficiently, sucking up leaves, dirt, and other debris while scrubbing algae off the walls and floor. In addition to a slew of manual pool vacuums, there are also robotic vacuums that cut down on physical work required for pool maintenance. Whichever you choose, one thing’s for certain, though: These vacuums will leave your pool sparkling clean and ready for summer.

The Best Pool Vacuums

• 1

  

  Best Overall

  G3 Automatic Pool Vacuum Zodiac

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• 2

  

  Best Battery-Powered

  Cordless Battery-Powered Pool Vacuum Pool Blaster

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• 3

  

  Best Budget

  Pool and Spa Vacuum Head Milliard

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• 4

  

  Best Automatic

  Automatic Suction Pool Vacuum XtremepowerUS

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• 5

  

  Best Robotic

  Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Dolphin

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What to Consider

The best pool vacuum for your needs will depend on the type of pool and filtration system you have, how much manual labor you can put into maintenance, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Power

Many pool vacuums rely on your pool’s pump and/or filter for suction, but there are certain models that are powered by batteries, or have built-in filter systems that make vacuuming a less cumbersome process, though tend to be a pricier option. Before deciding on a pool vacuum, make sure it works with your setup.

Manual vs. Automatic

If you have a small pool, you might not mind pushing a manual vacuum around a few times a week, but those who want hands-off cleaning might prefer an automatic or robotic vacuum. Just keep in mind that the more moving parts a pool vacuum has, the more maintenance it will need, and the greater the chances of it breaking down.

Pressure vs. Suction

You may also see pool vacuums categorized as “pressure-side” and “suction-side.” Pressure cleaners are designed to be attached to the pressure side of the swimming pool pump, and they typically catch debris in a removable bag that floats above the vacuum. Suction cleaners are connected to your pool’s skimmer or a designated cleaner line, acting more like a vacuum.

Type of Debris

Other important factors to weigh when buying a pool vacuum include the type of debris you’re cleaning, as well as whether you’re able to easily hook it up to your pool’s pump and/or filtration system. Some vacuums perform better with large debris like leaves, while others capture fine particles of dirt.

How We Selected

When choosing pool vacuums for this list, we wanted to provide options that will work well for all types of pools, including in-ground, above-ground, and hot tubs, all made from various materials. Since pool vacuums can range dramatically in price, we selected products at several key price points, including options under $50 and $100 for those who are shopping on a budget. While vetting products we also considered the reputation of the manufacturer, as well as feedback from reviewers. In particular, we aimed to select vacuums that performed well and proved reliable after multiple seasons of use, and have average customer ratings of 4 stars or more.

1

Best Overall

Zodiac

G3 Automatic Pool Vacuum

2

Best Battery-Powered

Pool Blaster

Cordless Battery-Powered Pool Vacuum

3

Best Budget

Milliard

Pool and Spa Vacuum Head

4

Best Automatic

XtremepowerUS

Automatic Suction Pool Vacuum

5

Best Robotic

Dolphin

Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum

6

Best for Water Line

Zodiac

Automatic Suction-Side Pool Vacuum

7

Best Basic

Swimline

HydroTools Pool Vacuum

8

Best for Above-Ground Pools

Baracuda

Zodiac Ranger Pool Cleaner

9

Best for Leaves

Poolmaster

Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum

10

Best for Spas

Aura

Paradise Power Spa Vacuum

Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products.

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