5 best above-ground pool vacuum: reviews and complete buying guide
Summer is just around the corner, and the excitement of swimming gets doubled if you own a swimming pool. Many people don’t buy above ground swimming pools because they think it’s tough to clean and maintain them.
But don’t worry, we have compiled the best above ground pool vacuum reviews that will help you to clean your swimming pool this summer.
If you’ve recently been searching for the best pool vacuum cleaners, but finding it difficult to pick the best one, then these are the best choices for you.
We have also collected some useful information for you. So read on to find everything you need to know about this helpful appliance. And keep your pool clean for the rest of the summer without a problem.
What is the Best above-ground pool vacuum?
The 5 best above-ground pool vacuum you can buy in 2020
1. Pentair K50600
If you are looking for an above ground pool cleaner with easy settings, Pentair should be your choice. You’ll find user-friendly controls in this gizmo. Pretty much anybody can use it before diving.
For providing you with an optimal level of vacuuming power, this cleaner features a hydraulic design of the highest quality. It can quickly skim through the water in your pool and get rid of any debris or bugs in it.
Moreover, it has a single operational part, that is, its flapper. This cleaner will provide you with a long term dependable service. You don’t have to deal with any gears or wheels for replacements or service.
It also comes with a skimming valve that can move freely. The free movement will automatically regulate the flow of water for assuring proper cleaning speed and the simultaneous skimming of debris during the vacuum operation.
The vacuum operates in a random pattern. Now you can easily cover all those tight corners inside your pool and get the job done effortlessly. Every inch of the floor will be clean to perfection.
Features:
- High-quality hydraulic construction
- No repair or maintenance required
- Free-skim valve
- Easy to use controls
- Coverage in a random pattern
reasons to buy:
- Easy to use
- Single operational moving part
- Adequate cleaning speed
- Easy to store
reasons to avoid:
- Suction power deteriorates with time
2. Dolphin Escape
This above ground pool cleaner has a modern design, and it looks pretty modern. The fully automated cleaner can navigate itself inside the poll and get rid of all the debris in no time.
It has a lightweight construction and is pretty sleek for above ground pools. There are no messy bags that you have to deal with when you are cleaning the cleaner.
There are large-sized debris-cartridges present inside the cleaner. These cartridges make sure that everything inside your pool gets cleaned in one go and no time. These cartridges can hold 60% more pool debris inside them as compared to any other pool vacuum.
Furthermore, it comes with HyperGrip tracks for continuous operation. With these tracks, the machine can move easily across the pool. There are no wheels so that traction will remain at its very best.
That’s not it! This cleaner also features SmartNav 2.0, a highly advanced navigation system that allows the cleaner to build its way inside your pool. With this technology, your cleaner will be able to cover all corners of your pool, and it doesn’t follow any single pattern.
Features:
- 1-year warranty
- Lightweight construction
- Powerful 24V DC motor
- Smart navigation with SmartNav 2.0
- Scrubbing brush included
reasons to buy:
- Premium quality construction
- Contemporary design
- No messy cleaning bags
- Fully automated
- Hassle-free operation
reasons to avoid:
- Not that great in tight corners
3. Dolphin E10
Dolphin cleaner does have a pretty heavyweight, yet the company managed to compact it in a sleek design. However, this is something you can ignore if you consider the power-packed performance of this cleaner.
It features high-quality scrubbing flappers that can hold the better of any kind of debris inside your pool. The cleaner also has a powerful filtration system that can clean your entire pool in no time. You can get your other chores done meanwhile and come back to dive.
The cleaner also features superior traction tracks. It means that the cleaner can maintain its grip while moving under the water. It merely improves its cleaning capabilities as the suction system remains close to the ground in a consistent manner.
With CleverClean technology, this cleaner can guide its way through your pool and focus on the areas that require cleaning. With a random pattern, the cleaner continues its operation. It ensures that no corners of your pool remain with any debris or insects.
It has a basket right on top of it, so cleaning your house is not a hassle at all. Just access and open the basket from the top and get in back on its way if you need more cleaning with it.
Features:
- 2-year warranty
- High-quality filtering
- Superior floor scrubbing
- No additional pumps needed
reasons to buy:
- Easy to clean
- Good for up to 30-foot pools
- Full automatic operation
- Excellent customer service
- Gets your pool done in 1.5 hours
reasons to avoid:
- Slightly heavy
- Filters need to be bought separately
4. Aquabot PoolRover
The Aquabot cleaner is truly one of a kind because it has high cleaning power. It comes with mighty suction power that can get the cleaning job done no matter how tough it is.
It is incredibly efficient against any type of particles, no matter how small they are. Apart from that, this cleaner can reach all those hard-to-reach areas and leave nothing behind.
The best feature of this cleaner is that you not only can use it in your above ground pools but also in your in-ground pools with ease. It can filter 5000 gallons of water per hour.
The cleaner also comes with three different filter bags, so cleaning capacity is unquestionable. With the high-powered 110V power supply, it does its job very effectively.
Another thing about this cleaner is that its cord is covered with thermoplastic rubber with Kevlar coating to prevent any chances of electrocuting.
Features:
- Fully adjustable ports for suction
- Automatically navigates
- 1-hour cleaning time
- Can filter up to 5000 gallons per hour
- Three filter bags
- Kevlar coated cord
reasons to buy:
- Cleaning the smallest of particles
- Extremely versatile
- Doesn’t take much time to clean
- No assembly required
- Simple to operate
reasons to avoid:
- Not very durable
5. F2C Pool Cleaner
F2C cleaner is slightly different from the rest on our list because you can directly connect it with your pool pump.
If your pool has any sloped walls, it can easily climb them on its own, and you won’t have to do much to make way for it. With the 31.5-foot hose, cleaning on its own becomes much easier for the cleaner.
Another excellent feature that it has is its quiet operation. This cleaner won’t make noise and will continue to do its job without much fuzz silently.
It will take some time to complete the job, but meanwhile, you can complete your other chores and come back to see your entire pool nicely done.
Also, it has a decent suction power and can take care of debris as well as bugs. Its powerful suction can even suck up twigs and sand.
The pleated seal of this cleaner is nice and soft, and it can easily do the cleaning in those tight corners as well. It will need a 0.5HP pump to run and function properly, and the water pump power needs to be at least 375W.
Features:
- Soft base plate
- 31.5 feet long hose
- Links with a 0.5HP pool pump
- Climb non-rectangular walls
reasons to buy:
- User-friendly
- Maintains good cleaning
- Links with your current filtration system
- Thoroughly cleans
reasons to avoid:
- Takes a long time to complete a job
Buying Guide
For the best bang of your buck, you need to put your needs and demands right in front of you and then start looking for an above ground pool cleaner.
Here are some key points to consider before buying the best above ground pool cleaner.
Cleaner type
Not all designs work in the same way because they are not made equal. Here are the primary categories of above ground pool cleaners.
Robotics-based Type
It has microprocessor-controlled and software-based motors in them.
Suction-based Type
It has hoses and works with your pool’s filtration system.
Turbulence-based Type
It operates with pressure for dislodging debris and dirt and then filters them out.
Shape and size of your swimming pool
The size of your swimming pool and its shape will tell you how much time a machine will take to clean it.
It will also tell you about what level of energy consumption and power is necessary. Apart from that, you will have to decide the length of the cord accordingly. Pump strength is also mandatory to complete the job entirely and effectively.
Smaller size pools are more natural to maintain because they provide you with flexibility in your selection. You can always trust a robotic cleaner to do the job efficiently here. Suction-based cleaners are better suited for large-sized pools.
If there are too many obstacles in your pool, then a robotic system will be less effective. You need to go for suction-based cleaners because they only have one moving part in them.
Filtration rate
It is a critical metric to consider because it will tell you what will be the water quality once the cleaning is over. A good benchmark here for you to consider is 70 -75 gallons/min.
This filtration rate is suitable for most pools, and you need to make your choice based on this metric. There are cleaners available on the market that can filter far more than this number. But they are better suited for large pools.
Energy consumption
Swimming pool maintenance costs need to be low, mainly if you use them frequently, which is the case during the summers. Therefore, you must strike a perfect balance between operation time and energy consumption.
For instance, robotic cleaners that are rated at 180W are pretty good in energy conservation because they have advanced software and electronics running.
On the other hand, suction-based cleaners are low in power ratings, but they will provide you with more cleaning time, and some of them even come with a robust pumping system.
Physical weight
The automatic above ground pool cleaners can range in physical weight from 10 to 50 pounds. It can hugely impact their maneuverability as well as stability.
You will need a solid design that can withstand wear in the long run, no matter what the weight is. So weight distribution in the construction of a cleaner becomes very important.
The type of debris
One type of cleaner doesn’t work for all debris types. You need to determine what is more troubling for you: fine particles or leaves.
If those larger objects from the cold weather are your concern, then you will need a cleaner that is powerful enough to take care of such large objects. Therefore, you need to go for robotic cleaners. Suctions based types will work better when handling smaller objects.
User-friendliness
It is a no brainer because you will feel a lot more comfortable with your cleaner if it doesn’t involve any rocket science. You will require it only a few times a year, so you don’t need your owner’s manual each time you want to clean the pool before jumping in.
Therefore, before you finalize your decision, make sure to go through the settings and controls of a unit. If there are too many complications involved, then you need to pass the cleaner and look for an easy to use cleaner.
Here’s a video link that will explain to you how an automatic swimming pool cleaner works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often do I need to vacuum my above ground pool?
Even though cleaning your pool is good, you don’t need to overdo it. Even cleaning your pool every week is a bit too frequent, and it will exhaust some pool cleaners. Based on how regularly you use your pool, cleaning it once a month is good enough.
Q. Is a robotic cleaner a better choice than a vacuum cleaner?
Every pool has its own needs. One type of a robotic pool cleaner should work for a small pool while another manual cleaner might work for a large pool.
It all depends upon what is the shape and size of your pool, how frequently you use it, and what are its cleaning needs. Too many leaves around, too much sand or dirt in the area!
Q. How frequently do you need to change the filter of my cleaner?
You need this as soon as your cleaner has done the cleaning job for you. Leaving the debris inside the filter of your cleaner will corrode the filter and its surface. It can also impact the suction power of your cleaner. Also, make sure to replace your filters in a timely fashion.
Wrap up
The winner of this best above ground pool vacuum roundup goes to the Pentair K50600. This cleaner checked all the boxes and exceeded all our expectations. It has good suction power and comes with a high filtration rate.
It can take care of any type of debris and can make its way inside your pool with ease. The cleaner is very easy to use, and you don’t have to go through the instruction each time you think about cleaning your pool.
How have you been cleaning your above ground pool? Which one of these cleaners do you like, or do you have your favorite that is not listed here? Let us know by leaving your comments below!