More Time Swimming Less Time Cleaning Your Pool

Spend More Time Swimming and Less Time Cleaning Your Pool

Whenever you see pools in magazines, they always have crystal clear water.Reality, however, is another case.Wind blows leaves and debris into your pool, bathers leave things behind - including gravel, dirt, sand, and bugs or rodents may fall in your water.Obviously, no one wants to swim in a dirty pool.So here are some tips for finding the right pool cleaner for your needs.

There are several types of pool cleaners on the market.Some brands are quite similar, but will offer different features or price points.So let's look at the three different types of automatic pool cleaners on the market:

1) Robotic Pool Cleaners.

Robotic pool cleaners are intended for use with in-ground pools, are easy to install, energy efficient and work great.These automatic cleaners vacuum pool floors and walls and are generally recommended for residential pools up 40- 50 feet long made of gunite, vinyl or fiberglass. 

Most of these robotic pool cleaners will shut off after the cleaning period - usually around 2-3 hours. They will have a screen or chamber to catch debris.The beauty is they will clean your pool by vacuuming and filtering as they automatically drive around the bottom of your pool.The only downfall to the robotic models is they don't always respond well to larger debris or obstacles - like rocks - that may be on the bottom of the pool

Two robotic pool cleaners are made by Hayward, which is one of the most recognized pool equipment manufacturers. One is the Tiger Shark, which cleans pools up to 20'x40', has an energy efficient 24 volt motor and an on-board pump that provides the power for the vacuum.

The other is the Shark Vac, which cleans most pools in 90 minutes or less and is the easiest automatic pool cleaner to operate. 

There are also other popular automatic pool cleaner manufacturers and models - a few are the Dolphin Supreme M3 and M4, Kreepy Krauly, Polaris or the Baracuda pool cleaners.

For flat bottom above-ground pools, there are also robotic cleaners available, like the Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover. This unit offers powerful suction, has a 24 volt pump motor and comes with an internal pump, filtration system and reusable filter bag.

2) Pressure Pool Cleaners

Pressure pool cleaners are another way to go and there are many makes on the market, like GOBY, Polaris and Aquabot.

Polaris makes the Vac-Sweep 280 automatic pool cleaner for in-ground pools.This unit generally has a cleaning cycle of 3 hours or less for the typical residential pool.It is powered by double jets and is ready to connect to a dedicated pressure line.It comes with a filter bag and 31 foot hose kit, and it vacuums, sweeps, scrubs and can catch large debris in its single chamber filter.

3)Suction Pool Cleaners

Many manufacturers also make suction pool cleaners for in-ground pools that provide maneuverability and climbing to capture debris.Barracuda makes the Zodiac model and Hayward makes the Poolvergnuegen pool cleaning suction model.

It comes in a 2 wheel version for residential pools up to 16' x 32' or the 4 wheel one for larger pools up to 20' x 40'. The tires have special threads that allow this pool cleaner to climb walls and go over obstacles. It has great suction even on uneven surfaces and enhanced climbing ability. Large dirt and debris can easily be trapped in its adjustable skirt .The suction models work well with solar, 2 speed or variable speed pumps.

Of course, the best pool cleaner may not be the same for everyone.Your choice will depend on the size of your pool, whether it is in-ground or above ground, and your budget.

See our highly rated automatic pool cleaners and robots.