On a hot day, nothing beats a dip in your pool, but maintenance can be a drag. You want the best pool vacuum to make upkeep painless, yet the options are overwhelming.If you need help selecting a pool vacuum that will fit your pool, budget and needs, read on.WHY GET A POOL VACUUM?The answer to, “why get a pool vacuum?” is if you don’t, you’ll soon be swimming in a green, soupy mess instead of enjoying your own personal oasis. Really, pool vacuuming isn’t an optional activity.At the very least, you’ll need some kind of system in place to regularly remove debris and get rid of algae build-up, whether you’re planning on doing it yourself, or you’re using a pool service.Pool vacuums come in different styles, from the 100% human-powered to a robot with more smarts than your laptop, but the idea is the same regardless of the type: using suction and a cleaning head, the vacuum collects debris and puts it somewhere you can get rid of it.If you have no idea what pool vacuuming is or how to do it, check out this helpful how-to video.

If paying a pool service is out, your pool is more than 10,000 gallons or you have limited time to do your own maintenance, then an automatic pool vacuum may be worthwhile investment.Automatic pool vacuums save you from having to hook up and clean the entire surface on your own. Instead, after the vacuum has done its work, you empty out its trap, or clean out your filter and that’s the extent of your involvement.Pool vacuums have gotten really fancy (and some are pretty pricey), so doing some research before you drop a few hundred bucks is smart.Before you get sticker shock, though, remember that even the most expensive cleaners will pay for themselves in a couple years when compared to the cost of hiring a pool service. Pool Vacuum Quality Price Our RatingA+$ Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 A+ $$ Dolphin NautilusA+ $$ Smartpool NC72RCA++ $$$ Aquabot Turbo TA $$$$ When trying to choose the best pool vacuum, consider how dirty your pool gets. Ask yourself some questions :Is it surrounded by lots of trees that shed their leaves into the water?

Does it get a lot of direct sunlight and algae growth?Do you have a lot of stairs that collect gunk?Are you strong enough to lift something in and out of the water?If you answered no to those, then a simpler, less expensive option may be all you need. If you had lots of yeses, then consider which products will be able to handle the mess.There are three kinds of “automatic” pool vacuums: suction-side cleaners, pressure side cleaners, and robot cleaners, each with their pros and cons. The best fit for you depends on your budget and how much cleaning you really need to have done. Suction-Side Vacuums Move around and clean using suction from your pump and filter system.: These are typically the most budget-friendly, can handle large debris like leaves and rocks, don’t have many moving parts so they don’t break easily, can be left in the pool and are fairly easy to install.: Because they depend on your pool’s built-in pump and filtration to get their cleaning done, they may have weak suction and clean poorly.

They also have lots of messy-looking hoses and can slurp air. Pressure-side cleaners Move around and clean using suction from your built-in pump and an additional booster pump.PROCON: Because of their design, you have to install a separate return line to operate them, and they’re not energy efficient because of the extra booster pump. Robotic pool cleaners Have their own motor and pump, and don’t use your pump/filter system.​Lab Puppies For Sale In DcPRO: They do a good job of cleaning large AND small debris, they act as an additional mini water filtration system, are self-contained, very easy to install, can scrub tile walls and stairs, and are energy-efficient.Persian Cats For Sale In FranceCON: They’re the most expensive choice and you can’t leave them in the water all the time, which is a big deal because they can be heavy.Kittens For Sale Northern Mi

Let’s look at some of the best offerings for each of these categories.Zodiac Barracuda G3 This is a suction-side cleaner that works with cement, pebbled, or tiled in-ground pools. The Good:​The Not-So-Good:If you have a raised anti-vortex main drain cover, the Barracuda will often get stuck on it. Most pools are now being required by law to use raised anti-vortex drains because they’re safer for swimmers.Because the hose included comes in multiple sections, even if you install it correctly it could have air leaks that keep the cleaner from working wellPolaris VacSweep 360 This is a pressure-side pool cleaner that works on all types of in-ground pools. The Good:​The Not-So-Good:Although it’s advertised as being able to clean the walls, it has a hard time getting up them. Likewise with stairs or other obstacles.The filter bags need to be replaced at least every year, and they’re not inexpensive. The provided hose can also wear out quickly.Dolphin Nautilus This is a robotic pool vacuum recommended for in-ground pools.

The Good:​The Not-So-Good:When you take it out of the water (which you have to do—can’t leave it in), you must immediately flip it upside down to keep the gunk from spilling out of the filters and getting back in the pool.This robot cleans in a random pattern; sometime it will miss a spot, even if you run it multiple times.Smartpool NC72RC This is a robotic pool cleaner for all types of in-ground pools. The Good:​The Not-So-Good:If you buy this robot online, you’re not eligible for the manufacturer’s 2-year warranty.Because of the thinness of the cord, it becomes predisposed to tangling after several usesAquabot Turbo T This is a robotic pool vacuum that works for in-ground pools of all materials except for tile. The Good:​The Not-So-Good:There are a lot of moving parts, and if something goes wrong, replacing those parts can be very costly.SO WHICH DO I BUY?For overall utility, the Smartpool NC72RC comes out ahead of the others.If you can afford it, a robotic pool vacuum is a real time-saver and the NC72RC has a good balance between price and features.