Recommendations on pool cleaners

[jjherm7]

I'm in the market for a reasonably priced automatic pool cleaner, and was looking for recommendations.

I have a 24' Above Ground Vinyl liner. A couple hundred dollars is probably my price cap. We get a lot of leaves, pine needles, "helicopter" seeds, and duck poop! So it would have to handle those things well.

Looking at the Hayward Aqua Bug or Wanda the Whale? Any reviews on those? Seems a little too inexpensive, so I'm wondering how good it will work. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[sandract]

I have had lots of difficulty with hose based vacuums that I gave up on them and purchased a Doherty Aquabot Jetdrive AG. Unfortunately it died right before the end of season 2. Planning on opening my above ground pool the first week of June and since I wasn’t able to do the best cleaning before closing I am going to need a good vacuum. The replacement motor is half of the initial purchase cost, but it did work well when it was working. The plus with the robot cleaners is that there is less debris in your filter and you won’t need to clean it as often.

 

[JSlabotsky]

Personally I would look for a used robotic cleaner. Suction side cleaners aren't worth the hassle. I'd rather just vacuum it myself. I have a Dolphin S200 and it was the best investment we've made, but it's significantly out of your price range. Works great on debris like leaves and pine needles. Honestly I would save up a couple of seasons and get another one of these before I would mess with a suction powered cleaner again.

 

[colonal35]

The Pentair warrior SL or the Prowler 910 are both for above ground pools. Unfortunately even at Marina Pool and Spa they are $499 but this does include shipping and they do not charge tax for most areas. I would suggest giving them a call and see if they have anything else that they may recommend for your pool. They were the cheapest I could find for my warrior SE.

 

[Davegvg]

This forum will overwhelmingly guide you to a robot.

Ive had great success with suction cleaners and will continue to use them getting great performance, dead simple maintenance, and about 10 years of life with them.

I like the zodiac suction side cleaners

UD

 

[TishTash]

This forum will overwhelmingly guide you to a robot. I’ve had great success with suction cleaners and will continue to use them getting great performance, dead simple maintenance, and about 10 years of life with them.

I always wondered why all the suction / pressure dislike, especially considering the price differential.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

I personally love the Polaris pressure side cleaners. If you're handy, you can get a factory rebuild kit and build your own for half the price of a new one, which is about $400.

 

[dschlic1]

My suction side cleaner works. Its just a big hassle setting it up and taking it down.

 

[TishTash]

My suction side cleaner works. Its just a big hassle setting it up and taking it down.

Is that because the tube sections have to be separated and stored straight (to avoid memory coiling leading to tangles)?

 

[dschlic1]

Its not just putting the hoses in. I also have a leaf canister. After filling the hose with water, then I need to switch valves to apply suction to the cleaner. All told takes about 10 minutes with much leaning over and stooping. Not easy at my age.