Top-Performing Pool Cleaners We’ve Tested to Date

Top Pick

For maintaining a pristine and sparkling in-ground pool, this robotic cleaner from Dolphin is an excellent choice. Our tests revealed it to be a highly efficient cleaner, offering greater ease of use and speed compared to earlier models from the brand. Additionally, its advanced pool mapping technology improves with each use.

This compact and lightweight cleaner is equipped with a convenient handle for easy transport in and out of the pool, along with a straightforward instruction manual. It features durable, replaceable filters capable of collecting large amounts of leaves and sediment within a two-hour cycle. Its intelligent navigation system allows it to efficiently climb pool walls and scan the floor for debris. What we love most is its independence from an auxiliary motor—simply plug it in, place it in the water, and let it handle the rest.

Even after four months of continuous use, this device continues to meet our expectations. Although the silicone brush, which helps direct debris into the basket, detached over time, reattaching it with glue resolved the issue. On the downside, this cleaner is relatively expensive and lacks Bluetooth connectivity, meaning it cannot be controlled via a smartphone app. Additionally, the cord is prone to tangling, and we wish it included an anti-tangle feature. Despite these drawbacks, it has significantly reduced our pool cleaning time, and we believe it’s a worthwhile investment for in-ground pool owners.

Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 40 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 19 pounds

Top Affordable Choice

For those seeking an affordable option, this robotic pool cleaner from Wybot is an excellent choice. Not only is it cost-effective, but it’s also cordless, lightweight, and compact, making it simple to operate and store. As a robotic cleaner, it takes the effort out of pool maintenance—just place it in the water, and it will handle the cleaning for you.

This pool cleaner boasts a modern, stylish design available in six colors and offers an impressive runtime of approximately 50 minutes. Powered by dual motors, it delivers strong suction despite its small size, effectively picking up debris such as dirt and small pebbles during our tests. After three months of use, we found it to be flawless in performance.

It’s important to note that this cleaner is designed only for pool floors and cannot handle walls or stairs. Additionally, it may not be ideal for pools with large amounts of heavy debris. However, it remains a straightforward, budget-friendly robotic cleaner with useful features like auto-reverse, a convenient handle, and an effortless cleaning process.

Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: All types, up to 500 square feet | Weight: 7.9 pounds

Top Cordless Option

If you’re looking for a hassle-free cordless pool cleaner, the Aiper Scuba S1 is a top recommendation. It boasts an impressive 150-minute runtime and charges swiftly. With four cleaning modes (auto, eco, floor-only, or wall-only), it efficiently navigates your pool using sturdy treads. The large filter basket is easy to clean, setup is straightforward, and its navigation system is exceptional. During testing, it rarely got stuck and consistently returned to its starting point, making it even more user-friendly.

We were particularly impressed by its ability to clean pool walls effectively. Unlike other cleaners that only handle floors, this device effortlessly climbs walls and removes debris. It even cleans the tile area around the pool by exiting the water. After three months of daily use, it remains in excellent condition, showing no signs of wear while maintaining peak performance.

While this cleaner has a sleek design, its weight can be a drawback. Some users may find it challenging to lift out of the pool. Despite this, it remains a highly efficient and powerful cleaner, excelling at cleaning walls and other areas with remarkable ease.

Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: All types, up to 1,600 square feet | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 20 pounds

Top Choice for In-Ground Pools

This robust and user-friendly robotic pool cleaner consistently delivered exceptional cleaning results. It features three scrubbing brushes, two filter types, and a durable hose that remained tangle-free during operation. With Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control settings and schedules through a convenient app. Setup is straightforward: simply plug it in, place it in the pool, select a cycle, and let it handle the rest—giving you more time for other tasks. Its reliability and ease of use remained consistent over three months of testing.

The Nautilus CC Supreme is relatively lightweight compared to other robotic cleaners, and its large handle ensures a secure grip when moving it in and out of the pool. The instructions for each cleaning mode are clear and easy to follow, and the filters are hassle-free to remove and clean.

One drawback is its difficulty in climbing stairs, which may require manual cleaning tools for those areas. While it’s one of the pricier options on our list, its convenience and consistent performance make it a worthwhile investment for those willing to spend more.

Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 50 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 24 pounds

Top Pick for Above-Ground Pools

Despite its compact size and lightweight design, this above-ground pool cleaner effectively collects and holds a significant amount of debris. It employs robotic scanning to detect dirt, leaves, and sediment, and its roller mechanism allows it to navigate the pool while slightly smoothing out the liner as it moves.

The cleaner includes a spacious top-load filter for easy removal and replacement, an active scrubbing brush, and a user-friendly instruction manual with video guides for setup. Its compact design and simple plug-and-play operation make it a convenient choice. We value its ability to clean thoroughly with minimal effort.

Over three months of use, it consistently maintained our pool’s cleanliness, demonstrating long-lasting performance. While it’s on the pricier side and lacks foldability for storage, it remains a practical and efficient solution for keeping above-ground pools spotless with minimal manual intervention.

Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: Above-ground pools up to 30 feet | Cord Length: 40 feet | Weight: 14.2 pounds

Top Smart Choice

Wi-Fi-enabled pool cleaners offer the convenience of remote control via your smartphone, and this Dolphin model is a standout choice. With three cleaning modes (quick, regular, and ultra), water temperature monitoring, and scheduling capabilities through an intuitive app, maintaining your pool becomes effortless.

This robotic cleaner boasts powerful suction, effortlessly handling both large and small debris. Its four-wheel drive ensures smooth movement across the pool floor and excellent traction for scaling walls. It also tackles stairs and benches, which many cleaners struggle with, and its scrubbing brushes leave your waterline spotless.

Setup is straightforward—just plug in the cable, place the cleaner in the pool, press start, and let it work. The app notifies you when the job is done, or you can check the control panel for real-time updates.

During our extended testing, we used this cleaner twice a week to handle all types of debris. It performed flawlessly, regardless of the mess, and quickly became our go-to for efficient and hassle-free pool cleaning. While it’s a significant investment, its performance and ease of use justify the cost for those who can afford it.

Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground and above-ground pools up to 50 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 19.2 pounds

Top Choice for Floors

For those prioritizing pool floor cleanliness, this Pentair model is a strong contender. During testing, its suction hose proved highly effective at clearing small debris and eliminating salt and chlorine stains from pool floors.

However, the setup process is less than ideal. The instructions are not user-friendly, leading to a 45-minute setup time, and positioning it in the pool after connecting it to the water pump can be tricky. Once operational, though, its performance is impressive. The cleaner’s directional system ensures smooth navigation, while its side wings efficiently direct debris into the skimmer basket. Additionally, its valve automatically adjusts water flow for optimal cleaning speed.

If you need a cleaner that handles stairs and walls as effectively as floors, this may not meet your needs. It also struggles with large debris unless you invest in a separate leaf catcher. However, for exceptional floor cleaning, this model remains a top choice.

Type: Automatic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 9.8 pounds

Top Suction Performer

This efficient and dependable suction cleaner utilizes a two-wheel drive system with tire treads for smooth pool navigation. It connects to the pool’s pump via a hose to suction debris and offers three interchangeable flow settings. Its self-adjusting turbine vanes prevent jams while collecting debris, and its pre-programmed steering sequences ensure comprehensive coverage.

While this pool cleaner isn’t the fastest available (requiring patience as it completes its cycle), it excels in thoroughness, effectively cleaning all pool areas and scaling side walls without difficulty. After a month of use, it continues to perform flawlessly. Its setup is straightforward, and the bright white hose makes it easily visible in the water.

In terms of pricing, it’s reasonably priced and offers excellent value for a low-maintenance cleaner. If you don’t mind the extended runtime, this high-quality cleaner is a worthwhile investment.

Type: Suction-side | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 32 feet | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 12 pounds

Top Pressure Performer

For a reliable pressure pool cleaner, this Polaris model is a top recommendation. Powered by a booster pump and equipped with dual jets, it creates a strong vacuum that thoroughly cleans all pool areas and handles debris of any size. Its large filter bag ensures efficient cleaning of both the pool’s surface and floor.

Setup takes only a few minutes, and cleaning typically lasts around three hours, depending on pool size. It excels at cleaning stairs and walls, not just floors, and rarely gets stuck, minimizing the need for manual intervention. The app allows for scheduling and adjusting settings, and the detachable filter bag makes maintenance easy.

Overall, this pool cleaner delivers excellent performance at a reasonable price, and we were highly impressed by its cleaning quality and feature set.

Type: Pressure | Pool Type and Length: All | Cord Length: 31 feet | Weight: 6.2 pounds

Top Brush Option

For a straightforward yet effective pool cleaning solution, consider this brush from Poolaza. Its durable nylon bristles, ergonomic rubber double grip, and included aluminum pole make it an excellent tool for maintaining a clean pool.

During testing, we were impressed by the brush’s user-friendly design and high-quality bristles, which effectively remove stubborn debris without damaging the pool liner. The curved sides are particularly useful for accessing hard-to-reach corners, and it glides smoothly across all pool surfaces.

The cleaning pole, however, is somewhat lightweight and can be challenging to assemble. Despite this, its adjustable length (ranging from 2.7 to 10.5 feet) is helpful for reaching the deep end of the pool. If you prefer a sturdier pole, you might consider purchasing one separately, but given the product’s affordability, it remains a great value.

Type: Manual brush and pole | Pool Type and Length: All | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: Not listed

Top Vacuum Choice

An excellent vacuum pool cleaner should efficiently remove debris with minimal effort, and this Pool Blaster model exceeds expectations. This cordless, battery-powered device boasts impressive suction, effortlessly collecting leaves and dirt during testing without the usual filter maintenance.

This lightweight cleaner is incredibly easy to use—simply charge it for a few hours and place it in the pool. With the press of a button, it activates and cleans effectively for up to 45 minutes. It includes a 5.5-foot pole, which is somewhat short, but it’s compatible with longer poles if needed.

One drawback is its inability to adjust for different pool sizes, which, combined with the short pole, can make cleaning larger or deeper pools challenging. Additionally, the dust cup is small, requiring frequent emptying for heavy debris. Despite this, its durable build, sizable vacuum head, and overall performance make it a solid choice.

Type: Vacuum | Pool Type and Length: All | Weight: 6 pounds

Top Skimmer Net Choice

For those focused on removing small debris from the pool’s surface, this U.S. Pool Supply skimmer net is an excellent option. During testing, it impressed us with its ability to collect debris from the water’s surface. The net spans approximately 6 feet, and the included aluminum pole extends its reach by another 6 feet, making it highly effective.

The net features tiny holes that prevent debris from slipping through, and the sturdy pole allows for confident collection of leaves, dirt, and more. Setup is incredibly simple, and the adjustable pole length, achieved by detaching and reattaching sections, is a convenient feature. Both the net and pole are durable and well-constructed, and the affordable price enhances its value.

However, due to its design, it’s not ideal for cleaning pool floors or reaching the deep end. For surface-level cleaning, though, this skimmer is an excellent choice.

Type: Skimmer net | Pool Type and Length: All | Weight: 13.1 ounces

Final Verdict

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner stood out as one of the most effective in our tests, with its lightweight design making it easy to handle and store. Its mapping technology also improves over time. For a more affordable option, the Wybot Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner offers lightweight efficiency and comes in six stylish colors.

Our Testing Process

We evaluated over 30 pool cleaners in real-world settings across the country, using them at least once a week for two to four months. Before testing, we documented the setup time and complexity for each cleaner. We also noted pool conditions, such as debris levels and water clarity, before each use.

We adhered to the manufacturer’s instructions for each cleaning session and used a stopwatch to measure the cleaning duration (excluding manual brushes). For Wi-Fi-enabled devices, we tested app features and functionality, and for battery-operated models, we timed the charging process.

During cleaning, we observed which areas the cleaner could access and any areas it missed, as well as the types of debris it collected or left behind. We also assessed its cleaning efficiency, maneuverability, tendency to get stuck, cord tangling, and filter replacement frequency.

For cleaners with additional features or attachments, we tested their effectiveness on pools of various sizes and shapes. We also evaluated each cleaner’s durability and build quality, considering its potential lifespan. After each cleaning, we reviewed the emptying and cleanup process, as well as any required maintenance. Finally, we rated each cleaner based on design, ease of use, performance, and value, determining if its price matched its capabilities.

How to Shop for Pool Cleaners Like a Pro

Type

Pool cleaners are available in various types, including suction, pressure, and robotic cleaners. Automatic suction (or suction-side) cleaners, like the Hayward The PoolCleaner 2-Wheel Suction Cleaner, rely on your pool’s plumbing and filtration system to move the cleaner across the pool’s floor and walls. According to Hohne, these are ideal for pools with light debris. However, they require more frequent filter cleaning, as they push more dirt through the system.

Pressure cleaners function as vacuums, utilizing water pressure from your pool’s plumbing and filtration system to navigate the pool’s floor and walls, according to Hohne. Similar to suction-side cleaners, they include a filter bag to collect debris, reducing strain on your pool’s filter. While effective for large debris like leaves, they don’t clean the pool surface as thoroughly as contact cleaners.

Robotic cleaners, as Hohne explains, gather dirt and debris while scrubbing and cleaning the pool’s walls and surfaces. “Robotic cleaners are typically more expensive but highly effective. They reduce wear on your pool’s filtration system and improve its efficiency. They can also collect larger debris like small branches, twigs, and leaves!” he adds.

In addition to the three main types of pool cleaners, you can use a pool brush (such as the Poolaza Pool Brush and Pole) and a skimming net attached to a telescoping pole for manual cleaning. These tools are ideal for spot cleaning or maintaining above-ground pools and spas.

Pool Type

While many pool cleaners are versatile for various pool sizes and shapes, some are specifically designed for in-ground pools, while others cater to above-ground pools. For Jacuzzis or inflatable pools, choose a compact, less powerful spot cleaner suited for smaller-scale cleaning tasks.

Cleaning Coverage

Most pool cleaners are built to handle pools up to approximately 50 feet in length, which is sufficient for most residential pools. According to Guo, the average U.S. residential pool ranges from 30 to 50 feet. For corded models, the cleaning range depends on the cord length, so ensure you choose one with a long cord if your pool is large.

Cord Length

Many pool cleaners feature long cords that plug into power outlets, allowing them to clean the pool from all angles without manual intervention. These cords typically range from 50 to 70 feet. “In most cases, this is sufficient, as you can place the cleaner in the center of the pool length-wise,” says Zimmerman. Some models are cordless and run on rechargeable batteries, but this limits their runtime.

When choosing the right cord length, consider not only your pool’s size and shape but also other factors. A shorter cord may not cover the entire pool, while a longer one could tangle more easily, warns Guo. Additionally, heavier cords can be cumbersome to handle during setup.

More Pool Cleaners to Consider

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner: This lightweight cleaner impressed us with its gentle cleaning and powerful twin motors, but its high cost and lack of Bluetooth connectivity kept it off our favorites list.

Poolvio Heavy Duty Swimming Pool Leaf Skimmer Net: We appreciated this skimmer’s efficiency, lightweight design, and unique shape, which allows it to collect more debris than similar models. However, its small size makes it difficult to reach deeper areas, and the pole is somewhat unstable.

Poolwhale Pool and Spa Vacuum: This compact, lightweight vacuum is easy to assemble and perfect for quick cleanups. However, it lacks the power of other pool vacuums we’ve tested, making it better suited for spot cleaning.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the benefits of a pool cleaner?

While manual cleaning can maintain your pool’s appearance, an automatic pool cleaner requires less effort, saves time, and delivers a more thorough clean than manual methods. High-quality cleaners can collect debris from hard-to-reach areas, climb walls, and use smart navigation to scan the pool floor for missed debris.

How long do robotic pool cleaners last?

With proper maintenance, a robotic pool cleaner typically lasts four to five years. To extend its lifespan, clean it regularly, inspect for wear, remove it from the pool after use, and wipe it down.

How much should you expect to pay for a pool cleaner?

According to Hohne, pool cleaners generally cost between $600 and $2,000. (The robotic pool cleaners on our list range from about $400 to $1,700.) Higher-priced models often include features like Bluetooth connectivity, four-wheel drive, and longer cords, while budget-friendly options are simpler but still effective. To save money, consider a small vacuum or brush cleaner instead of a robotic model.

Trust Our Expertise

This article was authored by Rachel Simon, a contributor to Mytour, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, and numerous other outlets. It was updated by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Mytour. To compile this list, we tested 27 pool cleaners over several months, assessing them on design, usability, performance, and value. For expert insights, we consulted Gary Hohne, CEO of Brighton Pools, York Guo, CMO of Beatbot, and Brad Zimmerman, General Manager of All Seasons Pools and Spas.