Best Pool Vacuum For Dirt of 2024: Top 8 Picks

It’d be better to clean your pool once a week to avoid dirt and debris accumulating into a large heap, which is not easy to clean.

Here are the best pool vacuums for dirt you can buy in 2024:

• Best For Infinity Edge Pools (Robotic Pool Cleaners): Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
• Energy-Efficient (Robotic Pool Cleaners): Dolphin Triton PS Robotic Pool Cleaner
• Best For 2-Speed Pump Pools (Suction Pool Cleaners): Zodiac MX6 Suction Side Pool Cleaner
• Quiet (Suction Pool Cleaners): Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Vacuum
• Best For Kiddie Pools (Handheld Pool Vacuums): Aura 6250 Paradise Power Spa Vacuum
• Best For Above Ground Pools (Handheld Pool Vacuums): Water Tech Pool Blaster Pool Cleaner
• Best For Consistent Performance (Pressure Side Pool Cleaners): Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
• Best For In-Ground Pools (Pressure Side Pool Cleaners): Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Side Pool Cleaner

Robotic Pool Cleaners

Robotic Pool Cleaners are the most expensive among the four types of pool vacuums. In return, you’ll have a pretty easy-to-install and easy-to-use pool cleaner. Robotic pool cleaners have their own filter system so you don’t have to attach them to the pool’s pump or water circulation system like other cleaners. Just plug in, set the program, put the cleaner in the pool and it’ll do everything else for you.

Best For Infinity Edge Pools (Robotic Pool Cleaners): Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner

Check Price →

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is ideal for pools up to 50 feet. The standard cleaning time is just 2 hours. It features a powerful suction motor and anti-tangle cable for an uninterrupted working process. Moreover, the dual scrubbing brushes scrubs away even the most stubborn algae and bacteria, while the twin cartridge filter collects all the dirt, leaves, and debris, keeping your swimming pool crystal clean.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has a precise navigation system and scanning software that will cover every inch of your pool. It has no problem with climbing on walls; however, it does not deal well with stairs as it may flip over.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is well designed to be easy to install, easy to use, and easy to clean/replace removable cartridges. Besides, this cleaner also works well for infinity edge pools as it does not cover waterline.

Energy-Efficient (Robotic Pool Cleaners): Dolphin Triton PS Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Triton PS Robotic Pool Cleaner

Check Price →

Another great pool cleaner from Dolphin - Dolphin Triton PS. This model is a bit lighter than the Nautilus CC Plus. Both models use the same navigation system and scanning software that will cover every inch of your pool. However, this Triton PS is much better at scrubbing vertical surfaces like walls and waterline. Dolphin Triton PS also has an advantage of high energy efficiency.

Moreover, Dolphin Triton PS features a single click basket for you to clean the filter system more easily. The basket is extra large so you can preset weekly schedule and just leave it there to finish the job. However, Dolphin Triton PS is less powerful than the Nautilus CC Plus model. Also, as this Triton PS clean the waterline, so it won’t be suitable for infinity edge pools like the Nautilus CC Plus model.

Suction Pool Cleaners

When it comes to suction pool cleaners, you just need to install it once and leave it there. Suction pool cleaners are even more effortless than robotic cleaners as you don’t have to take the cleaner out of the water to clean the filter. However, the installation is quite complicated, and the clean rely entirely on your pool’s pump or filter to get the job done.

Best For 2-Speed Pump Pools (Suction Pool Cleaners): Zodiac MX6 Suction Side Pool Cleaner

Zodiac MX6 Suction Side Pool Cleaner

Check Price →

More and more pools feature dual-speed or variable-speed pumps. When running on low-speed, these pumps meet the day-to-day needs of circulation and chlorination, while saving a lot of energy. However, some suction pool cleaners cannot run on low-speed mode. Zodiac MX6 is specially designed to run on this low-power mode with its low-flow design. Moreover, the cyclonic suction is designed for powerful vacuuming even in low-speed mode.

Zodiac MX6 features an articulating turbine blade to scrub walls and waterline effectively. Overall, Zodiac MX6 is pretty easy to assemble and install with a super long hose. However, the cleaner sometimes gets stuck in corners or some things get stuck in the blade.

Quiet (Suction Pool Cleaners): Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Vacuum

Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Vacuum

Check Price →

Hayward Navigator Pro with the patented SmartDrive technology ensures that it covers all the pool’s floor, corners, walls, and waterline. You’ll impressive that the cleaner operates pretty smoothly and silently. Its wings and skirt are enhanced for better debris pickup and constant suction power.

Overall, Hayward Navigator Pro is a very powerful suction pool cleaner. Besides, it won’t take you more than 10 minutes to assemble and install the cleaner. However, compared with Zodiac MX6, Hayward Navigator Pro has a hose that is much shorter. With the hose, the cleaner is not able to clean pools more than 40ft long.

Handheld Pool Vacuums

Handheld pool vacuums are not used to clean a whole large pool. They are ideal for spas or mini pools. When it comes to a large pool, you can use a handheld vacuum as a quick debris-pickup tool in addition to a Robotic/Suction/Pressure side pool cleaner.

Best For Kiddie Pools (Handheld Pool Vacuums): Aura 6250 Paradise Power Spa Vacuum

Aura 6250 Paradise Power Spa Vacuum

Check Price →

Aura Paradise Power is a self-contained vacuum. It features a tube to suck water and debris in - just push it down against the floor and drag it around. When you pull the vacuum up, water will leak and the debris is trapped inside. The vacuum picks up from beach sand to pennies and rocks. No electric part, so there is no need for maintenance.

The pole is made of aluminum, which is pretty sturdy and durable. It can be extended up to 7 feet, so you can stand on edge of the pool to pick up some debris on the pool’s floor. Aura Paradise Power is pretty easy to use. However, it requires a lot of effort to clean up a large pool with this vacuum. So, I recommend using this vacuum just as an additional tool for quick dirt pickups.

Best For Above Ground Pools (Handheld Pool Vacuums): Water Tech Pool Blaster Pool Cleaner

Water Tech Pool Blaster Pool Cleaner

Check Price →

Water Tech Pool Blaster is a battery-powered handheld vacuum with good suction power. You’ll have a lightweight debris pickup tool that does not require much effort. The vacuum is pretty easy to use and easy to clean. Its runtime is also good, up to 60 minutes.

Water Tech Pool Blaster features a multilayer filter system that can pick up large and fine debris. However, it does not work with algae or leaves.

Pressure Side Pool Cleaners

There are several differences between a pressure side cleaner and a suction cleaner.

A suction cleaner uses the pool’s pump to suck small debris into the pool’s filter system. The debris is collected in the pool’s filter.

A pressure side cleaner requires a booster pump (some models do not). The suction power is massive, enough for large clumps of leaves, acorns, twigs, and pebbles. These pieces of debris are collected into a bag attached on top of the cleaner to avoid clogging. So pressure side cleaners are more suitable for heavy-duty tasks.

Best For Consistent Performance (Pressure Side Pool Cleaners): Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner

Check Price →

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is my first recommendation. It works without a separate booster pump - Just need to connect the cleaner to the pool circulation pump. It uses the clean water returning to the pool, compressing it into triple jets to drive its four wheels. The advanced cleaning technology guides the cleaner to vacuum, sweep, and scrub the pool’s floor and walls effectively.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 features a single chamber filter bag to capture large debris. These pieces of debris won’t be stuck in your pump basket or filter, prolonging the life of your filtration system. Moreover, it features an in-line back-up valve to get itself out of corners if being stuck, ensuring an uninterrupted cleaning process.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 has some drawbacks, such as the hose is not so long - only 31 feet; or the collection bag’s connection is not so secure. If the bag is so loose, you can use tap to fix it in the place.

Best For In-Ground Pools (Pressure Side Pool Cleaners): Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Side Pool Cleaner

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Side Pool Cleaner

Check Price →

Polaris 280 and 360 have the same basic design. Other features are pretty the same. Both have a large-capacity filter bag, jet-driven mechanism, and an in-line back-up valve for uninterrupted cleaning. However, the Polaris 280 features a dual-venturi jet and requires a separate booster pump to work.

The booster pump makes the Polaris 280 more powerful to intake large debris like leaves, acorns, and pebbles. It vacuums, sweeps and scrubs the pool’s bottom and walls while circulating clean, warm water throughout all areas of the pool, ensuring no cold spot. This Polaris 280 is suitable for larger pools with larger debris.

How To Choose The Best Pool Vacuum For Dirt?

First, you need to choose the cleaner type. There are four common types: robotic pool cleaners, suction pool cleaners, handheld pool vacuums, and pressure side pool cleaners. For convenient and effortless cleaning, a robotic cleaner is a choice. For continuous cleaning, a suction pool cleaner is a good choice. A pressure-side pool cleaner is ideal for a large pool with large debris and leaves. And a handheld vacuum is for spa, small pool, or for quick debris pickups.

Besides, here are some things you should pay attention to when choosing a pool vacuum: The hose length, The suction power, The average time to clean a pool, The ability to climb walls, How good the navigating system is, How it gets out of corners, and How clean the pool after cleaning. You should consult the reviews carefully before purchasing the cleaner as this is not a small spend.

Which Brands Make The Best Pool Vacuum For Dirt?

Dolphin

Dolphin is a brand that belongs to Maytronics - a pioneer in pool cleaning technology founded in 1983. Dolphin is the most well-known line of robotic pool cleaners thanks to its smart navigation technology and other smart features. This is the to-go brand when you are looking for a robotic pool cleaner. Besides, Maytronics has a global distribution network with great customer services. With nearly 40 years of experience, this is a brand you can trust.

Zodiac

Zodiac MX6, Polaris Vac-Sweep 280, and Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 all belong to one manufacturer - Zodiac. These are all leading models in the pool cleaning industry. Besides those three models, Zodiac produces multi types of pool cleaners, including robotic cleaners, suction cleaners, and pressure cleaners. For the highest-quality pool vacuums, Zodiac is a brand worth considering.

Water Tech Corp

Water Tech is a pretty young American company. It was founded in 2001 and has become a big brand in the Pool & Spa industry in no time. They produce cleaners of all types, from robotic cleaners, battery vacuums, cleaners for residential and commercial purposes. Water Tech's cleaners are preferred due to their high quality yet affordability. For a handheld spa vacuum, you should have a look at Water Tech's models.

FAQs

Conclusion

Above is my top pick for the best robotic pool cleaners, suction pool cleaners, handheld pool vacuums, and pressure side pool cleaners. I hope this article can help you chose a suitable vacuum for your pool.