automatic pool vacuums are one of the new and practical developments that make pool maintenance easier for pool owners. If you don’t want to buy an expensive pool robot, you are well served with an inexpensive automatic pool cleaner.
The difference between the two pool cleaners is mainly in the drive mode. Whereas pool robots require a battery or power supply, the automatic or. Hydraulic pool cleaners powered solely by water pressure resp. Suction driven by the filter pump.
Two different types of automatic pool vacuums are on the market. The functionality and price of both are similar. The pressure side pool vacuums, as the name suggests, are connected to the pressure side of the pool pump. The suction side pool cleaners must be attached to the suction side of the pool pump.
Because of the popularity of automatic pool cleaners, there are now so many manufacturers offering their models on the market.
a pool vacuum cleaner test for the automatic devices helps to make the right decision when choosing your own vacuum cleaner. In order to present you with only the best automatic pool vacuum cleaners, we have extensively examined the available products and weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of each against each other.
Our article consists of a best list and a subsequent guidebook. you can get comprehensive information about the individual models and get a first impression of the selection in the best list.
In the guide section, you can learn more about pool vacuums in general and whether you should choose a suction- or pressure-side automatic pool vacuum cleaner.
The best automatic pool vacuums
Intex automatic pool cleaner
The automatic pool cleaner intex auto clean is a model of vacuum cleaner suitable for saltwater. To clean the pool water optimally, the filter pump should be able to handle at least 5700 liters per hour. The filter pump can be easily connected to the automatic pool cleaner, thanks to the 7.5 meter long hose. The hose only needs to be attached to the inlet nozzle of the pool.
On amazon, customers are very fond of the intex automatic pool vacuum cleaner. According to the reviews, its strengths include ease of use and strong suction power.
Many of the buyers praise the very good price-performance ratio of the automatic intex pool vacuum cleaner. The good price/performance ratio is based on the one hand on the stable construction and on the other hand on the large range of accessories for the vacuum cleaner.
The delivery includes not only the 7.5 meter hose, but also several spare brushes, which are very useful during prolonged use of the pool vacuum cleaner.
The intex auto clean is ideal for those who want optimal performance at a low price.
Some criticism was for the connection of the hose, which was not completely tight for some customers. However, the contact with the seller went very well for it. Another small disadvantage is that the intex automatic pool cleaner is not always available.
- Easy and quick installation.
- Hose is easy to attach.
- Good suction performance.
- Very low price.
- Extensive scope of delivery.
- Robust construction.
- Not always available.
- Hoses partially leaking.
Berlan BAPR100
The BAPR100 is a suction side automatic pool vacuum cleaner from berlan. To use this product, simply connect it to the skimmer. Among its features, the working surface of approx. 45 cm and the low weight of 6.6 kilograms.
The beran pool vacuum cleaner not only has a satisfactory working surface, it is also very light and therefore very pleasant to use. The 10 meter long hose, which can be divided into ten parts of the same length, is a special feature of the device. The hose can be adjusted in size and thus to the pool by this feature.
amazon customers are happy with the berlan suction side automatic pool vacuum cleaner. In the reviews you can read how easy the assembly is and how happy the buyers are about the low price. Furthermore, customers testify to the good quality of the materials used in the BAPR100.
Some customers criticize the noise level of the automatic pool vacuum cleaner. It is not very loud, but there is a clattering noise that occurs at short intervals.
- Good value.
- Uncomplicated assembly.
- Good cleaning result.
- Good material quality.
Zodiac hydraulic pool cleaner kontiki 2
The kontiki 2 is a hydraulic pool cleaner made by zodiac. The model is designed for pools of 8 meters x 4 meters and is suitable for rectangular and oval swimming pools. Its performance allows it to move at a speed of approx. Moving six meters per minute. According to the manufacturer, optimal cleaning is achieved with a pump that can deliver a minimum capacity of 6 m³ per hour.
The kontiki2 also has an internal strainer basket that catches large particles of dirt and sand, thus reducing the load on the filter system. Another advantage is the included detachable hose, which has a total length of 8 meters.
The zodiac kontiki 2 hydraulic pool vacuum cleaner is particularly easy to use and quick to assemble. The customers are also convinced by the warranty, which is guaranteed for a period of two years.
Furthermore, many buyers praise the very good workmanship of the kontiki 2. In the reviews it is also reported that the filter system is protected by the pre-filter in the pool vacuum cleaner.
The many positive features make the zodiac kontiki 2 a bit more expensive than its competitors. For large pools it is particularly suitable, as well as the two versions zodiac T2 and zodiac T5 duo for this purpose. We find a higher price justified.
- 2 years warranty.
- With prefilter.
- Easy assembly.
- Excellent workmanship.
- Quickly ready for use.
- Also suitable for larger pools.
Well2wellness hydraulic pool cleaner
Well2wellness is launching this product, a hydraulic pool vacuum specifically designed for small pools. Small pools with a maximum diameter of 4.5 meters usually have a weak pool pump that does not provide much power. For pools of this type, this model is very suitable.
The vacuum pool cleaner is equipped with a 5.8-meter hose that can be disassembled into eight pieces. The hose is designed for filter systems with a circulation capacity of 4 m³ to 9 m³ per hour, or. From 4.000 liters per hour suitable.
amazon customers are enthusiastic about the good suction performance of the hydraulic pool vacuum cleaner. The well2wellness vacuum cleaner works even with weak pumps, which have a low power output. Other advantages of the pool cleaner are the low price and how quickly the vacuum cleaner is ready for use.
Some criticism was made of the suction head, which gets stuck quickly and that the vacuum cleaner runs some stretches twice to ensure optimal cleaning.
- Good suction performance.
- Also suitable for weaker pumps.
- Good value.
- Easy assembly.
Vidaxl automatic vacuum pool cleaner
The vidaxl hydraulic pool cleaner is driven by the filtration system, which allows the vacuum cleaner to run independently. The pool bottom can be cleaned without supervision due to this circumstance.
For optimal cleaning, a pool pump of at least 0.5 to 1.5 horsepower should be selected, according to the manufacturer. The start-up of the vacuum cleaner is very easy, thanks to the many adapters included in the scope of delivery. The adapters are simply connected to the filter system.
Furthermore, an 8-meter hose is included in the scope of delivery, which can be disassembled into ten parts of equal length. The hose can be adjusted to the size of the pool.
In the reviews on amazon you can read about the good quality of workmanship of the automatic vidaxl pool vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, the buyers are convinced of the robust construction and the fair price.
Some customers find the speed of the pool vacuum not high enough. Another customer felt the assembly was not intuitive, so he had to resort to the instructions. He also noted that the noise pollution during operation disturbs him.
- Inexpensive.
- Good suction power.
- Robust construction.
- A little slow.
- Assembly not so easy.
- Noise pollution during operation.
Guide: buying the right suction or pressure side automatic pool vacuum cleaner
Pool cleaners come in three different types: pool robots, manual pool vacuums and automatic pool vacuums. Pool robots are expensive, but deliver excellent results. Manual pool vacuums work fine, but require effort and time. a middle ground is represented by the inexpensive automatic pool vacuums, which require neither effort nor time and only a small investment.
Automatic pool vacuums work as soon as they are connected to the pool pump and then move by the water pressure. The pool cleaners move randomly across the pool floor and suck in any dirt or other small foreign objects.
The random principle can be a little more time consuming, but usually this method works very well. The automatic pool vacuum cleaners, however, only need to be connected to the filtration system in order to do their job. It doesn’t matter if it’s pressure side or suction side pool vacuums, each variation is equally well suited for pool cleaning.
The different types of pool vacuums
To give you a more detailed overview of pool vacuums, we will introduce you to the different types of pool vacuums. Manual, battery and automatic pool vacuums are available. An extra category are the pool robots. Each pool vacuum cleaner has its own strengths and weaknesses, which we will explain below.
- Manual pool vacuums: manual pool vacuums do not require a power supply. These cleaners are simply connected to the filtration system. They work similarly to the automatic suction pool cleaners.
-> view the best manual pool cleaners
- Battery pool vacuum cleaner: battery pool cleaners are also operated without power supply. To use these models, you simply charge the battery and connect them to the filtration system. The battery pool vacuum cleaners can also be compared to the household battery vacuum cleaners.
-> view the best battery pool vacuums
- Suction side automatic pool vacuum cleanersThe suction side automatic pool vacuums are connected to the suction side (the inlet) of the pool pump. The constant suction of the pump provides the movement of the hydraulic pool vacuum cleaner. The random principle decides where the device moves to. Each dirty spot is cleaned by directing the foreign bodies into the pool filter.
- Pressure side automatic pool vacuums: pressure side automatic pool cleaners are connected to the pressure side of the pool pump. The suction head is pushed across the bottom of the pool by the water pressure. The venturi principle ensures optimal cleaning of the pool. The pressure side automatic pool vacuum cleaners do not require a power supply. Only the pool pump needs to be powered during the cleaning process. The dirt in the pool is collected by the vacuum cleaner in a plastic container, which must be emptied regularly.
- Pool robots: robotic pool cleaners are the only cleaners that must have a constant power supply. These devices can be easily adjusted and move independently around the pool until it is completely cleaned in the shortest possible time. Due to the great advantages of the pool robot, these devices are also correspondingly expensive to purchase.
-> see the best pool robots
Advantages and disadvantages of automated pool vacuum cleaners
Automatic pool cleaners are a great compromise between the manual models and the pool robots. But what are their advantages and disadvantages?? In the following we have listed the most important aspects.
- Easy cleaning
- Comparatively inexpensive to purchase
- Practical for smaller swimming pools
- Good suction power
- Uncomplicated installation
- Pool pump must be running for operation
- Works randomly
Manual pool vacuum cleaners vs. Automatic pool vacuum cleaners
One question many pool owners ask is whether they should use manual or automatic pool vacuums. Due to the many variants (manual, automatic, battery-powered, pool robot) and the many manufacturers, each with a wide range of products, the choice is not easy.
Pool owners who like active pool maintenance opt for manual pool vacuums. These vacuums are attached to a telescopic rod and are moved across the pool floor with muscle power. the filter pump plays a crucial role. This – or more precisely the suction side of the filter pump – must be connected to the pool vacuum cleaner.
The procedure for automated pool vacuums is very similar. You also connect these models to the filter pump – either suction or pressure side depending on the model. The muscle power required is completely eliminated with automatic pool vacuums.
The devices, thanks to suction or pressure, move independently over the bottom of the pool and suck up all the impurities that get in their way. However, the bottom of the pool is not cleaned very quickly because the direction of the suction is random.
In contrast, manual pool cleaners allow you to determine exactly which part of the pool you want to clean. If there is little time for pool maintenance, an automatic pool vacuum cleaner is better than a manual pool vacuum cleaner.
The automatic units cost a little more, but they also take a lot of the strain off the pool owner. While the users of manual pool vacuums still have to deal with pool maintenance after work, the owners of the automatic variant have time to jump into the pool, as the maintenance has already been automatically taken over by the vacuum cleaner on the day.
Unfortunately, automatic pool vacuums cannot clean every little corner of the pool. The technology is simply not developed enough yet. If you still want to keep your pool clean, look for dirty spots in the pool and clean them by hand.
Suction side vs. Pressurized automatic pool vacuum cleaners
Once you have decided on an automatic pool vacuum, there is still the question of whether a suction side or a pressure side automatic pool vacuum is more suitable.
The answer to this question depends mainly on the pool and the existing equipment. Each device has its own specifications, so it is important to look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Pressure side pool vacuum cleaners use the pressure of the filtration system to move the vacuum cleaner through the swimming pool. All impurities, especially dirt and algae, are sucked up in the process.
The contaminants are sucked into a plastic container, which must be emptied regularly. The advantage of this method is that it reduces the load on the pool filter.
Unlike the pressure side vacuums, the suction side vacuums are connected to the suction side of the filtration system. The suction of the pool pump moves the cleaners over the pool bottom and directs impurities into the filtration system. For this reason the filtering system must be cleaned regularly.
For pools with a sand filtration system, the sand filtration system must be rewound. You also have to change the filter sand a little earlier. The pool pump is much more stressed by suction pool vacuums, which leads to higher operating costs.
The price of suction pool cleaners is usually lower than the price of pressure pool cleaners. In addition, the suction side models are not so dependent on the performance of the filter pump. For small pools with weak pumps, suction side pool cleaners are usually the better option.
This is what makes a good automatic pool vacuum cleaner
Before you buy a hydraulic pool vacuum cleaner, you should consider the criteria for buying such a model. In the following, we have compiled an overview of the most important criteria for you.
- Price: the purchase cost of a pool vacuum cleaner is a decisive factor for many pool owners when deciding on a purchase. However, these are still significantly lower for an automatic pool vacuum cleaner than for a pool robot. The best automatic pool vacuum cleaners are usually available for less than 100€. Almost all models on our best list also belong to this category.
- Suction or pressure side: Pool vacuums can be connected either to the suction side or to the pressure side of the filter pump. Which side is the right one will be decided by the corresponding model. A suction side pool vacuum is connected to the suction side, while a pressure side vacuum belongs to the pressure side. Depending on the variant, either suction or pressure is used to move the device around the pool. In the case of a pressure cleaner, the impurities are directed into your plastic tank, while in the case of a suction cleaner, the impurities are directed into the filtration system. The plastic container must be emptied regularly – the filter system must be cleaned regularly. Pressure side pool vacuums require more power from the pool pump, but they also put less strain on the filter system. For small pools with weak pumps, a suction-side pool vacuum is advantageous.
- power: the power determines which contaminants and foreign bodies can be vacuumed up. Small stones or insects, for example, can only be sucked up by pool vacuums with the appropriate power. Performance depends primarily on the pool pump. Many manufacturers have agreed on a power of the pool pump of at least 0.5 hp or. 1000W agreed.
- Bristlesthe bristles loosen and then suck up stubborn debris. Pool vacuums with side bristles are particularly suitable for cleaning even hard-to-reach angles in an optimal way.
- Weight: the weight of an automatic pool vacuum has a direct influence on the cleaning result. Heavy models hold better to the bottom of the pool, resulting in better cleaning. It is not as comfortable to carry as a light vacuum cleaner, but for most pool owners this is not a big deal if they get good pool care in return.
Conclusion
Suction and pressure side automatic pool vacuums are a very good compromise between manual pool vacuums and pool robots. It is true that all types of pool vacuums serve their purpose – cleaning the pool bottom – but the automatic models combine some advantages.
They can be operated without a power supply and still give the owner some time to use for bathing in the pool for example. In addition, the automatic pool vacuum cleaners are a lot cheaper to buy than pool robots. Overall, automatic pool vacuums are a very good option for many pool owners.