Best automatic pool cleaner

There's a reason that so many swimming pool maintenance companies exist—it's a messy, challenging, and time-consuming process. Keeping your waters crystal clear on your own might sound daunting. Thankfully, this issue is solved by employing an automatic pool cleaner. The best ones aren't always robotic, either; sometimes simple, hand-operated pool cleaners with suction and hoses will give you an equally good result. Our best overall automatic pool cleaner from XtremepowerUS includes everything you need for fast, easy maintenance. Suction powers this cleaner, and it's a simple solution with great results. Also included below is a solar-powered option, and a few machines capable of running for over an hour as they trawl even the murkiest of waters. Read on, and choose the best option for your pool.

XtremepowerUS designed this cleaner to work on concrete, tile, vinyl, and fiberglass pool linings, making it a well-rounded addition to your pool accouterments. Such versatility is what clinched their humble suction cleaner's spot as best overall. Maintaining the floor and sides of your pool becomes much easier, thanks to the variable water pressure that controls this cleaner's suction power. XtremepowerUS recommends against using it on steps leading into your pool as their sharp angles can cause unnecessary damage to the suction system. It's also worth keeping an eye on the filter—you can avoid unnecessary clogs by regularly clearing out jammed sticks and twigs.

Pools come in all shapes and sizes, so it stands to reason that their cleaners should, too, right? Enter POOL BLASTER's Catfish automatic pool cleaner. It's powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a 45-minute runtime and doesn't require any cords or hoses for operation. Operation is dead simple, push a button, and you're ready to go; feel free to use it by hand for shallow in-ground or soft-sided pools. Of course, you'll want to attach a telescopic pool pole for cleaning deeper pools, and any standard one will do. The oft-forgotten pool stairs will also benefit from the Catfish; its minimum operating depth is 9 inches, making it perfect for tidying grimy steps. Cleanup is a cinch, too, thanks to a removable vacuum head—it'll be easy to muck out the twigs, dirt, leaves, and other detritus left behind. 

You'll benefit most from an extra-secure seal between the cleaning disc and a matching suction diaphragm with a quick release for when it's time to empty the strainer. It even compensates for lower-horsepower pumps by incorporating an automatic regulator valve; this will boost performance overall. Amazingly, even medium debris is no match for Zodiac's pool cleaner; it nimbly tidies every surface and skims around corners thanks to a deflective bumper. The G3's seal's improved strength comes from the fringed edge of the cleaning disc, rimmed in 36 flexible fins. These fins also prevent hang-ups on lights or drain covers as the cleaner trundles along. 

This robotic pool cleaner from PAXCESS scours above-ground, soft-side, and below-ground pools up to 860 square feet in volume with ease. Dead leaves, dirt, sand, and other particulate matter will fall prey to this skimmer's fine filter tray, and its body and components are IPX8 waterproofed for dependable longevity. Adorably, it auto docks at the poolside when its battery is exhausted, letting you know it's time to plug it in for charging. That won't happen too quickly, though, because PAXCESS designed this cleaner with a rechargeable, 5000mAh lithium-ion battery capable of up to 90 minutes of continuous use. Before you charge, don't forget to make sure that the charging port is clean and dry under its protective cap.

Instapark's Betta automatic skimmer is 100-percent solar-powered and can be remote-controlled if you prefer to direct it yourself. Designed with a brushless motor, its drive directly powers the thruster, expanding its lifespan and increasing performance. Also, emptying this cleaner is effortless, thanks to a top-opening debris basket. Unfortunately, while solar-powered appliances are becoming more popular, their cost is frequently a deterrent to broader adoption. That's proven even within this pool cleaner collection—the prices have steadily risen for our picks following our best overall. However, if you're willing to invest and only need to maintain your pool's surface on your own, then the Betta will serve you well for years to come. 

Bottom line

Well, there you have it—a varied group of the best automatic pool cleaners we could find. Suction, skimmer, and crawler styles are all explored above. The foremost of those varieties, the suction wand, won our award for the best overall. XtremepowerUS nails it with their automatic pool vacuum; it's even the most affordable of the bunch. A soft, tactile cleaning disc at its end clings to your hot tub, spa, or pool's walls and floors to remove grit and grimy buildup. It's best suited for fine-particle residues, so don't expect it to power through twigs and thick leaves.

For pool owners needing only a skimmer, robotic ones are the most fuss-free. You can steer them all over the water's surface, and like baleen whales, they filter and capture any debris they come across. The price tag of Instapark's Betta automatic pool skimmer might shock at first glance; I know, I was a bit surprised. But if it's a uni-tasker you need, then this skimmer is what you should invest in. A top-access filter bucket lifts right out for fast emptying, and its IPX8-waterproof body adds additional security to your purchase.

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