As warm temps arise and we’re opening our above-ground pools or in-ground pools (or, if you’re working with a smaller space, picking up an inflatable pool), it’s a good idea to look into buying a quality pool vacuum to maintain your makeshift backyard oasis.
While we all wish we could have a pool cleaner like a five-star all-inclusive resort, we have to pick up the rein as a pool owner. Regularly maintaining your pool — along with ensuring you buy a pool cover once the season ends — is a best practice to preserve the longevity of your favorite place to be in the summer.
RELATED: The 17 best pool floats to use in summer 2024
“A pool vacuum is a great way to help keep your pool water balanced, prevent or remove algae and keep the pool generally looking great,” Brian Shaunfield, store manager of Charlotte area Lowe’s, told the New York Post. “As you open your pool at the start of the season, pool vacuums are also handy for quickly pulling up anything that settled to the bottom during the off-season. And throughout the summer months, they make regular maintenance of your pool simple.”
- Best Overall: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Cordless: AIPER Scuba S1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner
- Best Budget: Aqua EZ 5″ Underwater Handheld Pool Vacuum
- Best In-ground: Dolphin Explorer E20 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Above-Ground: Dolphin E10 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
We also spoke with Michael J. Zuchelli, vice president of Elite Amenity Management, who regularly cares for pools. He provided valuable product picks for both residential and commercial use. Between Shaunfield and Zuchelli, we have expert recommendations with detailed care tips in our in-depth FAQ section.
While you’re shopping, check out our expert-backed guide to the best places to buy outdoor patio furniture, along with our roundups to the best pool chaise lounge chairs and best pool floats.
Best Overall: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Pros:
- Works well for commercial and residential applications
- Wifi and smartphone-powered technology
Cons:
- None we can list
Meet the latest Dolphin Nautilus, complete with smartphone technology that allows you to clean your pool from anywhere, or as Zuchelli put it, “in your sleep.”
It takes two hours to clean with a plug-and-play setup. “We love this vacuum for commercial clients who want the technology of a robotic cleaner but won’t break the bank,” Zuchelli said. Plus, it climbs walls extremely well with intense scrubbing power. All in all, you get the most bang for your buck here.
Best In-ground: Dolphin Explorer E20 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Pros:
- Designed for in-ground pools
- Long cord length
- Great suction power
Cons:
- None we can list
“Ideal for in-ground swimming pools up to 33 feet, this compact cleaner will have your pool ready for use in just two hours,” Shaunfield explained. “The Explorer E20 scrubs your pool floor and walls with ease and filters out unwanted debris for a clean shine.”
Its plug-and-play operation makes pool cleaning easy and reduces wear and tear on your pool pump and filter as well. Plus, its quick water release makes it easy to remove the Explorer E20 from the pool.
Best Cordless: AIPER Scuba S1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner
Pros:
- Lasts up to 150 minutes
- Cleans corners really well
Cons:
- None we can find
Frustrated with ugly pool cords? Not anymore. “This sleek pool cleaner is cordless, which means no more tangled cords or issues with connectivity to the control base station,” said Zuchelli, adding that Aiper “could be the innovation we’ve all been waiting for.”
This cordless cleaner charges in three hours and provides over two hours of cleaning time. It can automatically operate for up to a week without a single charge. Now that’s noteworthy.
Best Budget: Aqua EZ 5″ Underwater Handheld Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not great for large pools
“The Aqua handheld pool vacuum is an underwater vacuum cleaner with an aluminum pole handle and is great for cleaning small pools, large fountains, and ponds,” Shaunfield said. It efficiently vacuums debris into a fine mesh bag, and — even better — no filter system is required; the vacuum uses water pressure from garden hoses.
Best Splurge: The VacDaddy FAST & POWERFUL Handheld Portable Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Easy to use handheld
- Battery-free, so it can clean large areas
Cons:
- Price may be a barrier to entry
“This hand-held pool cleaner is your modern-day in-pool Dirt Devil on steroids,” said Zuchelli. “Its innovative engineering provides unmatched suction.” Setup time is just under one minute and works for both small and large pools, capturing unwanted debris in a snap.
Best Above-Ground: Dolphin E10 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Ideal for above-ground pools
Cons:
- None we can find
“The Dolphin E10 is ideal for above-ground swimming pools up to 30 feet and will have the pool clean and ready for splashing fun in just 1.5 hours,” Shaunfield highlighted. “Its plug-and-play operation takes the manual work out of pool cleaning.”
Specifically, this model features a top-load filter basket that provides superior filtering capabilities. Its quick water release makes it easy to remove the E10 from the pool as well, much like the brand’s E20 model.
Best for Handheld: Aqua EZ-11 Rechargeable Suction Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Great value
- Can be used as a hand-held or easily attached to a pole reaching further
Cons:
- Battery life is only up to 30 minutes
“The Aqua EZ is a rechargeable underwater vacuum and is ideal for cleaning up small debris in your pool or spa,” Shaunfield said, recommending the product. “The vacuum can be handheld or connected to any standard pool pole.”
Its rechargeable lithium battery provides constant performance for 30 minutes, saving you less time cleaning and more time splashing. Its quick drain system releases clean water when lifting cleaner out of pool as well.
Best Robotic: Polaris Robotic Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Smartphone capabilities
- Sucks up large debris
- Excellent suction
Cons:
- Price may be a barrier to some
“Complete with WiFi and iAquaLink App control, you can conveniently set up cleaning schedules and control your Polaris pool vacuum anytime, from anywhere with a mobile device,” Shaunfield said. “This pool vacuum features a 4-wheel drive design and is ready to tackle any pool terrain without getting stuck.”
You’ll also appreciate its caddy included for compact storage and easy portability. Its Vortex Vacuum Technology allows the cleaner to pick up larger debris while maintaining maximum suction, too.
Best Value: Intex Robotic Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Good value
- Climbs walls
Cons:
- For the price, none that we can add
“This robotic pool vacuum keeps your above-ground pool’s water crystal clear and un-cloudy,” Shaunfield noted. “Its built-in filter traps dust, dirt, leaves, and more for convenient disposal in the removable half-gallon filter basket.”
This model processes up to 700 gallons per hour, making it ideal for maintaining most pools. It also comes with an internal mesh filter and features a 0.48-gallon basket for quick and easy disposal.
Best Versatile: Kokido Robotic Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Multi-purpose for both in-door and out-door
- Great value
Cons:
- For this price, none we can add
“Designed to use in both in-ground and above-ground pools with flat bottoms, this high-tech pool cleaner delivers quality results on any pool surface,” Shaunfield said. “The cordless design of the Delta 200 also conveniently eliminates the need for electric connection and unsafe cables near the water.”
It’s even backed with an intelligent “stop-and-go” system that automatically enables the cleaner to turn around upon contact with the pool wall. Inside, you’ll find all assembly parts, a charging cord, one standard filter, one basic retrieval kit and instructions to get started right away — all in box.
Best Blaster: Blue Wave Pool Blaster Fusion Handheld Pool Vacuum
Pros:
- Battery lasts up to 45 minutes
- Good value
Cons:
- Must be used manually
“This powerful cleaner uses a rechargeable lithium battery that provides up to 45 minutes of cleaning time,” Shaunfield highlights. “You can easily attach the included four-piece pole for deep-depth cleaning.”
All debris is suctioned into the unit’s reusable, easy-to-clean filter bag to save time and money, too. Its reusable, extra-large filter bag is easy to clean — a feature worth applauding.
Best for Commercial: Dolphin Wave 120 Commercial Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Pros:
- Large bottom-load bag filter is easy to clean
Cons:
- Not designed for residential
“The Dolphin Wave 120 Commercial Robotic Vacuum is the Cadillac of commercial pool vacuums,” said Zuchelli, “Its capabilities for cleaning Olympic-size swimming pools are unmatched.” This is not your average pool cleaner, it is designed for extremely large surfaces and can “turn a storm-ravaged swimming pool into a masterpiece in under four hours.”
The large bottom-load bag filter is easy to clean and picks up small and large debris. “There are few robotic cleaners that can compare to this classic,” remarked Zuchelli.
An FAQ on Pool Vacuums
Ahead, Shaunfield answered common questions surrounding pool vacuums so you can best understand how to use one before you shop.
The different types of pool vacuums on the market, explained by an expert
Shaunfield lists the various pool vacuum models on the market — including what to know about each one:
- Handheld Pool Vacuum: These are the most affordable and will get the job done well, especially if you’re spot-cleaning a specific area of the pool. They do require effort on the part of the owner, so just make sure you’re up to the task.
- Wand Pool Vacuums: These are perfect for removing dirt, leaves, sand and other small bits of debris. They come in handy when you want small jobs done quickly. They’re also lightweight, hose-free and easy to maneuver.
- Robotic Pool Vacuum: These will do the work for you when time is of the essence or you’re unwilling or unable to manually vacuum the pool. They automatically clean the pool floor, walls and steps while filtering the water as it moves.
“Before you purchase a vacuum, make sure you know the type and depth of the pool it will be cleaning,” he added. “Once you determine that, you can choose between handheld, wand, suction and robotic pool vacuums, among other models.”
More, depending on their function and type, the vacuums can be corded or cordless, as well as manual or automatic.
What to look for in a quality pool vacuum, according to an expert
Of course, the best pool vacuum for you depends on the type of pool you have and how much time you want to invest in maintenance. Your budget also is a key factor.
“For example, handheld pool vacuums are a bit more affordable and are good for spot-cleaning a specific area of the pool,” Shaunfield said. “Robotic vacuums, while a bit pricier, are fast, efficient and plug-and-play out of the box, making setup and use a breeze.”
How often should I clean my pool?
During peak season, you should clean your pool about once a week. “You should also plan to clean your pool after large parties where many people are using it, as well as after storms,” he added.
A manual pool vacuum is adequate for most above-ground pools, but there are automatic pool cleaners available that will work as well. The same applies to in-ground pools.
Your step-by-step guide on how to properly vacuum a pool, per an expert
Shaunfield highlights exactly how you should vacuum your pool to yield the best results:
- First, you should skim the water with a pool skimmer to remove leaves and other debris floating on top of the water. Using a pool brush, brush the walls, floor and steps of the pool to dislodge algae and stuck-on debris.
- Next, if you’re using a robotic vacuum, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set it up and let it run. It’s easy to use and will do the cleaning for you automatically. When the job is done, simply remove the vacuum from the pool, remove and empty the basket, and then hose down the vacuum and baskets.
- To vacuum the pool using a handheld pool vacuum with a telescoping pole, first make sure the filter is running. You should then place the vacuum head and pole with one end of the hose attached into the pool to fill with water. Next, hold the open end of the hose over one of the return jets to fill it with water and blow out all the air in the hose. When bubbles stop coming out of the vacuum head, have someone turn off the filter, keeping the end of the hose underwater.
- Insert an adapter into the skimmer intake, then hook the hose up to the adapter. Always turn off the pump when changing the filter settings.
- Whichever surface you’re vacuuming — the floor, walls or steps — make sure the vacuum stays in contact with the surface and that you’re slowly guiding the vacuum along the pool surfaces. Pay special attention to the areas that get little circulation as they’re prime areas for algae growth. When you’re finished, turn the filter off, disconnect the hose and turn the system back to ‘filter.’
“Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model of pool vacuum, but for many vacuums, simply remove the vacuum from the pool, remove and empty the basket or bag and then hose down the vacuum and baskets,” Shaunfield noted.
To extend the life of a robotic pool cleaner, remove it from the pool after each use, rinse off well and store in a cool, dry place, too.
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