Which Pool Cleaner Is Best for You – Manual, Automatic or Robotic?

There’s more than one way to clean a pool – in fact, there are three major types of pool cleaners that you can use for this task. Any of them will usually get the job done, but that’s not all that matters when deciding between manual, automatic, and robotic cleaners. We’re discussing the pros and cons of each type of cleaner to help each pool owner decide which one is the best one for them.

Manual Pool Cleaners

These pool cleaners are the most basic of the three types listed here. They are often little more than a net attached to a long pole that you can use to sift through your pool’s water and remove debris as you go.

Pros

• These are by far the cheapest pool cleaners you can get, costing just a fraction of what an automatic or robotic cleaner will run you.
• Because you are personally overseeing the cleaning, they work well on small and stubborn contaminants that automatic cleaners might miss – especially slippery algae.

Cons

• While they’re better than nothing, they don’t work very well; you’ll have to be very vigilant and put in a lot of time to keep your pool clean with one of these.
• If your pool is large enough, it might actually be impossible to maintain it properly with a manual cleaner.

Automatic Pool Cleaners

Automatic pool cleaners, also known as suction pool cleaners, offer a slightly less labour-intensive experience. These devices connect to your skimmer and circle the bottom and sides of the pool, sucking up any dust or debris they come across as they do.

Models include the Kreepy Krauly, the Zodiac MX8, and the Hayward Aquabug.

Pros

• These cleaners generally pick up much more dirt than their manual counterparts.
• They do their work on their own, without needing a human operator.

Cons

• They depend on your existing pump and filtration systems; if those systems are not in excellent shape, your cleaner won’t function properly either.
• They are somewhat energy-inefficient compared to newer solutions, which makes them bad for both the planet and your wallet.
• They need to be taken out of the pool when their work is done, detracting from their hands-off appeal.

Robotic Pool Cleaners

Robotic pool cleaners are the premium option among the three types presented here.

These cleaners function similarly to automatic cleaners, but they are independent devices with their own suction and filtration systems. They also do not need a booster pump and run on their own with very little human input.

Models include the Tigershark QC and the Tigershark Robotic Pool Cleaner with Wireless Remote.

Pros

• These cleaners perform extremely well – they are by far the most effective of the three options in typical conditions.
• They use much less energy than automatic cleaners, making them cheaper to operate in the long run and more eco-friendly.
• They require very little work from you.
• They can be left in the pool for long periods of time to act as filtration devices, constantly working to keep the water clean.

Cons

• They cost a lot of money (more than a thousand dollars in many cases!).

The Best One? That’s Up to You

Finding the best type of pool cleaner for you is a matter of sorting out your priorities. Do you value low prices, efficacy, the ability to save time, or some combination of the three? Whatever your answer might be, one of these types of cleaners can deliver what you need. Choose this piece of equipment carefully and you’ll have a much easier time with your pool maintenance chores in the years to come.