Pool Vacuum Versus Automatic Pool Cleaner


A manual pool vacuum consists of a vacuum head attached to a telepole with a hose that connects to the special fitting in the skimmer box. A manual vacuum cleaner means you do the work moving the vacuum around the pool area much like vacuuming a floor rug.

An automated pool cleaner is a vacuum cleaner intended to collect debris and sediment from swimming pools with minimal human intervention doing much of the work on its own by an automatic drive mechanism and power source to move itself around the pool area to pick up the dirt.

Best Pool Vacuum Features


The Hayward Power-Vac and Super-Vac family of vacuum cleaning heads are molded of tough, durable thermoplastic and are engineered to handle all inground and aboveground swimming pool sizes. The best pool vacuums for your pool should contain these top 5 features:

Pool Vacuum Head Size: The wider the vacuum head size, the wider area it will clean, which will increase the efficiency of your pool cleaning routine.

Compatibility: Will this pool vacuum head fit your vacuum hose? Size your hose before you go.

Extra Features: The best pool vacuum heads will have a weighted head, side brushes and locking clips.

Design: See-through pool vacuum head and triangular shape. A benefit to having a see-through pool vacuum head design is that you can see wheather or not you're getting any suction power. This design lets you easily monitor your cleaning.

Long Lasting Brush: Your pool vacuum head will keep your pool clean daily. So, you want a vacuum head that will be long lasting.

Pool Vacuum Versus Automatic Pool Cleaner

A manual pool vacuum consists of a vacuum head attached to a telepole with a hose that connects to the special fitting in the skimmer box. A manual vacuum cleaner means you do the work moving the vacuum around the pool area much like vacuuming a floor rug.

An automated pool cleaner is a vacuum cleaner intended to collect debris and sediment from swimming pools with minimal human intervention doing much of the work on its own by an automatic drive mechanism and power source to move itself around the pool area to pick up the dirt.

Best Pool Vacuum Features

The Hayward Power-Vac and Super-Vac family of vacuum cleaning heads are molded of tough, durable thermoplastic and are engineered to handle all inground and aboveground swimming pool sizes. The best pool vacuums for your pool should contain these top 5 features

Pool Vacuum Head Size: The wider the vacuum head size, the wider area it will clean, which will increase the efficiency of your pool cleaning routine.

Compatibility: Will this pool vacuum head fit your vacuum hose? Size your hose before you go.

Extra Features: The best pool vacuum heads will have a weighted head, side brushes and locking clips.

Design: See-through pool vacuum head and triangular shape. A benefit to having a see-through pool vacuum head design is that you can see wheather or not you're getting any suction power. This design lets you easily monitor your cleaning.

Long Lasting Brush: Your pool vacuum head will keep your pool clean daily. So, you want a vacuum head that will be long lasting.

  • Pool Vacuum Versus
    Automatic Pool Cleaner
  • Best Pool
    Vacuum Features

Power-Vac
Pool Vacuum

Power-Vac Pool Vacuum

Super-Vac
Pool Vacuum

Super-Vac Pool Vacuum

There are three types of automatic pool vacuums: robotic, pressure, and suction.


Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Robotic pool cleaners are the ultimate plug and play cleaning solution for most pool shapes, sizes and finishes. They are energy-efficient and work separate from your existing pool’s filtration system. This is a sophisticated technology that usually requires a larger upfront investment.



Top 5 Advantages of Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaners:


  1. Uses up to 94% less energy than most pressure cleaners
  2. Uses approximately the same amount of energy as a standard light bulb
  3. Simple installation without the use of tools
  4. Stand-alone system operated separate from filtration system
  5. 5 Handles virtually all types of small and large debris

Pressure Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Pressure Pool Vacuum Cleaners utilize a pressure line from the filtration system to propel the cleaner around your pool. It sucks up debris, pushing it into the cleaner's self-contained debris bag. This powerful cleaner requires a pool pump to run and usually an extra booster pump resulting in additional installation and operation costs.



Top 6 Advantages of Pressure Pool Vacuum Cleaners:


  1. Collects all debris in self-contained bag
  2. Clog-free operation
  3. Larger debris handling
  4. Picks up a wide variety of debris such as leaves, sticks, acorns, peebles, and more.
  5. Easy handling and clean-up
  6. Scheduled cleaning possible using simple timer with booster pump or pool automation system

Suction Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Suction Pool Vacuum Cleaners use the water flow from your filtration system and attach to either a dedicated suction port or skimmer. As debris are being sucked up, they are collected in the leaf canister, skimmer basket or routed directly to the pool filter. They are reliable, do not require professional installation and are the most affordable pool cleaning option, but keep in mind they require a pool pump to run and increase stress on the pool pump and filter.



Top 4 Advantages of Suction Pool Vacuum Cleaners:


  1. Onboard pre-programmed cleaning pattern to scour entire pool
  2. Handles small to medium sized debris including fine sand and dirt
  3. Uses existing filtration system to operate
  4. Most affordable pool cleaner option
  • Robotic Pool
    Vacuum Cleaners
  • Pressure Pool
    Vacuum Cleaners
  • Suction Pool
    Vacuum Cleaners

There are three types of automatic pool vacuums: robotic, pressure, and suction.


Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Robotic pool cleaners are the ultimate plug and play cleaning solution for most pool shapes, sizes and finishes. They are energy-efficient and work separate from your existing pool’s filtration system. This is a sophisticated technology that usually requires a larger upfront investment.

Top 5 Advantages of Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaners:

  1. Uses up to 94% less energy than most pressure cleaners
  2. Uses approximately the same amount of energy as a standard light bulb
  3. Simple installation without the use of tools
  4. Stand-alone system operated separate from filtration system
  5. Handles virtually all types of small and large debris

Pressure Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Pressure Pool Vacuum Cleaners utilize a pressure line from the filtration system to propel the cleaner around your pool. It sucks up debris, pushing it into the cleaner's self-contained debris bag. This powerful cleaner requires a pool pump to run and usually an extra booster pump resulting in additional installation and operation costs.

Top 6 Advantages of Pressure Pool Vacuum Cleaners:

  1. Collects all debris in self-contained bag
  2. Clog-free operation
  3. Larger debris handling
  4. Picks up a wide variety of debris such as leaves, sticks, acorns, peebles, and more.
  5. Easy handling and clean-up
  6. Scheduled cleaning possible using simple timer with booster pump or pool automation system

Suction Pool Vacuum Cleaners

Suction Pool Vacuum Cleaners use the water flow from your filtration system and attach to either a dedicated suction port or skimmer. As debris are being sucked up, they are collected in the leaf canister, skimmer basket or routed directly to the pool filter. They are reliable, do not require professional installation and are the most affordable pool cleaning option, but keep in mind they require a pool pump to run and increase stress on the pool pump and filter.

Top 4 Advantages of Suction Pool Vacuum Cleaners:

  1. Onboard pre-programmed cleaning pattern to scour entire pool
  2. Handles small to medium sized debris including fine sand and dirt
  3. Uses existing filtration system to operate
  4. Most affordable pool cleaner option
Top Products

Review the following list of pool cleaners and click the links below to learn more.

In-Ground Cleaners



TriVac™ 500 Suction Pool Cleaner

Where high-performance technology meets low-maintenance design.

TriVac™ 500
Suction Pool Cleaner
AquaNaut® 450 Suction Pool Cleaner

The 4-wheel drive cleaner that's designed to do it all.

AquaNaut® 450
Suction Pool Cleaner
AquaVac® 500 Robotic Pool Cleaner

Advanced design enhances performance and energy efficiency.

AquaVac® 500
Robotic Pool Cleaner
Navigator V-Flex Suction Pool Cleaner

Reliable chlorine delivery to pools and spas for nearly two decades.

Navigator V-Flex
Suction Pool Cleaner


Above-Ground Cleaners



Penguin

Equipped with patented SmartDrive® program steering for quick and complete pool coverage with no debris left behind.

Penguin
AquaBug

Performance, price, and proven reliability make these cleaners the clear choice for automatic pool cleaners.

AquaBug

Advantages and Disadvantages between Manual Pool Vacuums & Automatic Pool Vaccums

TYPE
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Manual Pool Vacuum
Cost & Flexibility
Time Investment
Pressure Pool Cleaner
Automation & Easy Clean Up
Requires an Extra Booster Pump
Suction Pool Cleaner
Cost & Automation
Requires a Pool Pump to Run
Robotic Pool Cleaner
Automation & Simple-to-Use
Slightly Higher Cost