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Best Suction Pool Cleaners

Updated April 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin
Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A quality pool cleaner that you can effortlessly set and leave out to treat every inch of your pool.

Pros

Powerful scrubbing. Efficiently cleans bottom, waterline, and walls. Weekly timer. Easy to program. Simple setup. Tangle-free cable. Low power consumption. Remote control. Large leaf bag.

Cons

Instructions could be clearer.

Best Bang for the Buck
Baracuda Zodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner
Zodiac
Zodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner
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All-Around Solid Option
Bottom Line

A versatile cleaner that is suitable for all types of inground pools and is compatible with variable-speed pool pumps.

Pros

The X-Trax tires are designed to keep the unit moving with minimal hang-ups. The cleaner exhibits impressive performance when climbing walls and navigating tight corners. The adjustable intake allows the device to be as effective at picking up small debris as it is when sucking up leaves.

Cons

This unit requires a watchful eye and diligent maintenance in order to keep it running efficiently.

Dolphin Quantum Robotic Inground Pool Cleaner
Dolphin
Quantum Robotic Inground Pool Cleaner
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Innovative Design
Bottom Line

A top-of-the-line model with advanced features that are designed to keep your pool pristine.

Pros

The impressively large top-loading cartridge filter along with the variable micron filtration allows this unit to rid your pool of small debris and algae. The continuous rubber tracks are designed to grip better than wheels and help the device climb walls.

Cons

Care must be taken to untangle the cord after every cleaning as it can knot up on you and cause your cleaner to lose its effectiveness.

XtremepowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum-generic Climb Wall Pool Cleaner
XtremepowerUS
Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum-generic Climb Wall Pool Cleaner
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Energy Saver
Bottom Line

This option connects directly to your existing filtration system, making for an easy automatic cleaning method.

Pros

Suitable for use in pools up to 30 feet in depth. Best for cleaning the bottom and side surfaces. No additional tools or electricity required—this attaches directly to the filtration system, saving time and energy. Cleans approximately 8 to 12 feet per minute.

Cons

It can be hard on your pool filter. Gets stuck in corners or stairs and needs to be manually moved when this happens.

Zodiac G3 Suction-Side Inground Vacuum Pool Cleaner
Zodiac
G3 Suction-Side Inground Vacuum Pool Cleaner
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Users love this choice for its effectiveness and ease of use; it's automatic so you don't have to think twice about your pool staying clean.

Pros

Quiet and powerful suction effortlessly collects debris like small leaves or insects. Cleans the side, bottom, and stair surfaces. Features a FlowKeeper valve that maximizes efficiency for peak performance in suction.

Cons

Gets easily stuck in corners or around stairs. Parts for this cleaner can be expensive.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
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139
Consumers
Consulted
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Researched
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If you want something that cleans your pool continuously, consider a suction pool cleaner. This type of cleaner moves throughout your pool, suctioning debris and algae from its floor and sides. It will have wheels or tracks to help it move along pool surfaces. Before you buy, consider the programmability of any suction pool cleaner you’re considering. Some offer more control over the cleaning cycle than others. Maneuverability is also important for the cleaner to be able to reach all parts of your pool efficiently. These machines should be able to climb the sides of your pool walls as well as roll along the bottom of the pool.