Your Guide to Choosing an Automatic Pool Cleaner

Cleaning your inground pool is like cleaning the bathroom. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Or does it have to be a person? Not really, with an automatic pool cleaner. Before purchasing an automatic pool cleaner, also known as an automatic pool vacuum, it pays to know a little bit about the types of automatic pool cleaners for inground pools you can choose from.

Types of Automatic Pool Cleaners for Inground Pools

There are 3 main types of inground pool cleaners. Woodfield Outdoors recommends Pentair automatic pool cleaners, because they make some of the best pool equipment in the industry, but there are several other brands selling similar products. The 3 types of inground pool cleaners include:

Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaner

A suction side pool cleaner hooks into your pool’s suction line, usually at the skimmer. They work much like your manual pool vacuum, except this automatic pool vacuum does all the moving around by itself. Progammable cleaning helps the suction side cleaner navigate round obstacles, such as steps.

Older model suction side cleaners clean the pool floor, and cannot climb the pool walls. Newer models like the Pentair Dorado suction side cleaner clean every inch of your pool, walls included. You will need to continually make sure your skimmer is clear of debris.

Suction side cleaners clean most pools in 6 hours.

Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaner

A pressure side pool cleaner uses your pool’s return lines, where the water comes back into the pool after being filtered. These pool cleaners also have their own debris collection bag, like a vacuum cleaner bag, so you don’t have to worry about debris clogging your filter.

Some pressure side pool cleaners utilize a booster pump, which can add to the expense. We like the Pentair Legend II pressure side cleaner, as it has all the power you need without a booster pump.

Pressure side cleaners clean most pools in 1-3 hours.

Robotic Automatic Pool Cleaner

Robotic pool cleaners are self-contained pool vacuums that don’t connect into your pool lines at all. They have their own water pump and motor to keep them moving until every inch of your pool is spotless.

You can program the robotic pool cleaner for everyday use, and weekly deep cleaning. They come with large or fine debris filtration cartridges for your exact needs. We like the Pentair Prowler 920 robotic pool cleaner,

We hope this tells you a little bit about your options when it comes to the best automatic pool cleaner for your needs. If you have questions, contact your local pool contractor or pool supply company for more information.