The 11 Best Pool Cleaners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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From robotic cleaners to scrub brushes, our favorite pool cleaners will rid your pool of buildup and debris.
Real Simple / Anna Knief
Pool owners know that keeping a pool cared for takes serious work and commitment. No matter how often you use it, it’s imperative that your pool gets cleaned frequently so it can be in the best shape for swimmers. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality pool cleaners you can use to get the job done.
“Automatic pool cleaners are a convenient way to keep your pool clean and ready to use with less fuss and bother,” says Gary Hohne, president and CEO of pool service company Brighton Pools. “Although they won’t completely eliminate manual cleaning and maintenance, automatic cleaners do help reduce the need for brushing, skimming, and vacuuming the pool. If you want your time back, auto cleaners are the way to go!”
To help you in your search for the best pool cleaner, we tested 27 pool cleaners in various locations across the country over the course of several months, evaluating them on design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. Whether your pool is in-ground or above-ground, large or small, we can recommend a pool cleaner for your needs.
Best Overall Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s a fast-acting pool cleaner that can climb in-ground pool walls with ease.
What Could Be Improved
It isn’t WiFi or Bluetooth enabled.
To keep your in-ground pool looking shiny and fresh at all times, consider this robotic cleaner from Dolphin. We found it to be a highly effective cleaner that's much easier to use and faster than the brand’s previous versions, and its pool mapping technology gets better with every turn.
A fairly compact and lightweight cleaner, this device comes with a handle that you can use to take it in and out of the pool as well as a user-friendly instruction manual. It has strong, easy-to-replace filters that can vacuum up tons of leaves and sediment in a two-hour window, and it skillfully climbs pool walls and scans the bottom for debris using its smart navigation system. Just plug it into an outlet and drop it in the water; it’ll do the rest of the job itself.
On the downside, it is a fairly pricey pool cleaner, and it doesn’t come with Bluetooth, so you can’t control it via an app on your phone. Still, it saved us many hours of time spent cleaning the pool, and if you have an in-ground pool, we think you will be happy you spent the money.
Price at time of publish: $899
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 40 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 19 pounds
Best Budget Pool Cleaner: Aiper Seagull SE Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s an affordable cordless option that can clean while you’re in the pool.
What Could Be Improved
It can’t handle walls and isn’t great with large debris.
If you’re looking to keep costs down, make sure to check out this reasonably priced pool cleaner from Aiper. In addition to being affordable, it is cordless, lightweight, and compact, making it easy to handle and store. We were even able to run the cleaner while we were in the pool, since it’s small enough that it doesn't get in the way. Plus, it was so quiet that we almost forgot it was running.
The cleaner features two independent brushes and powerful dual-drive motors that run on a rechargeable battery, which can last up to 90 minutes. And given its small size, we were pleasantly surprised by how much this little vacuum was able to pick up. It isn’t effective on walls and can get caught on bigger debris and piles of leaves, requiring some manual help. Still, setting up this pool cleaner is incredibly simple, thanks to easy instructions and the LED lights that communicate its status. Overall, we think this is a smart option for someone who wants low-lift cleaning at an affordable price and loves the convenience of a cordless model.
Price at time of publish: $300
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: Above and in-ground pools up to 40 feet | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 10.58 pounds
Best In-Ground Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s an effective and easy-to-use cleaner that can be controlled using an app.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not great at climbing stairs.
This powerful, easy-to-use robotic pool cleaner provided us with a thorough clean time and time again. It comes with three scrubbing brushes and two types of filters, as well as a long hose that never got twisted or bent during use. It’s also WiFi-enabled, so you can control the settings and timing via a helpful app. Plus, the setup is super simple: All you need to do is plug it into a power outlet, place it in the pool, choose your cycle, and let it work—freeing up your time to tackle other chores.
The Nautilus CC Supreme is also fairly lightweight relative to other robotic cleaners, with a large handle to help you keep a firm grip on it as you take it in and out of the pool. Additionally, we found the instructions for each cleaning mode to be very easy to understand and use, and the filters are also simple to remove and clean.
Our one complaint is that this cleaner did have a hard time climbing stairs, so you may need to rely on a manual cleaner or brush to tackle them. This is also one of the most expensive pool cleaners on our list, but if you can swing it, we think it’s worth the splurge for its convenience and consistent results.
Price at time of publish: $1,499
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 50 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 24 pounds
Best Above-Ground Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s a top-loading robotic pool cleaner that’s compact and efficient.
What Could Be Improved
It’s fairly expensive and doesn’t fold up when not in use.
This above-ground pool cleaner can collect and hold plenty of debris despite its smaller-than-average size and light weight. It uses robotic scanning to locate dirt, leaves, and sediment, with a roller design that helps it navigate the space of a pool and even straightens out the liner a bit as it circulates throughout the pool area.
This cleaner features a large top-load filter (for easy removal and exchange) and an active scrubbing brush, along with an instruction manual that comes complete with videos to help with set-up. Size-wise, the cleaner is relatively compact and just needs to be plugged into an outlet to work. The price tag is a little high, and it doesn’t fold up, so it’s a bit tricky to store when not in use. Yet all in all, this is a practical and efficient cleaner that saves time and cleans above-ground pools thoroughly.
Price at time of publish: $999
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: Above-ground pools up to 30 feet | Cord Length: 40 feet | Weight: 14.2 pounds
Best Cordless Pool Cleaner: Aiper Seagull Pro Robotic Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s quite compact and very easy to operate and store.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn’t come with an app or remote control.
For a great cordless robotic pool cleaner that requires minimal effort to use, we recommend the Aiper Seagull Pro. Because of its small size and lack of a cord, it’s extremely easy to store and takes up barely any space compared to many other pool cleaners we tested.
Additionally, this cleaner uses its navigational technology to get a strong sense of your pool’s area and make sure it’s covering every section equally, from the walls to the waterline. In our testing, we found it to be extremely easy to operate, thanks in part to the single dial that controls all three cleaning modes. We also appreciate that the device has four-wheel drive to help it navigate the pool smoothly.
We do wish that this pool cleaner came with an app or a remote control, which would’ve made it even simpler to change settings or come with the ability to schedule cleanings. It’s not particularly strong at navigating stairs and benches, but it does work quite well in both the shallow and deep ends of the pool. It also has a long battery life (up to 180 minutes), which is far longer than many other similar models.
Price at time of publish: $899
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground and above-ground pools up to 3,200 square feet | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 14.2 pounds
Best Smart Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Explorer E50 Robotic Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s a powerful pool cleaner that can be controlled using an app.
What Could Be Improved
It’s pretty heavy and expensive compared to other pool cleaners on our list.
WiFi-enabled pool cleaners can be helpful because they allow you to control them from the convenience of your phone, and we love this option from Dolphin. You can choose from three different cleaning modes (quick, regular, and ultra), check the water temperature, and schedule cleaning cycles using the accompanying user-friendly app, which makes the cleaning process truly a breeze.
This robotic cleaner has strong suction power that can easily pick up large and small debris in your pool. It runs on four-wheel drive so it moves very easily on the bottom of the pool and has a great grip for climbing pool walls. It can handle stairs and benches, too (unlike many other pool cleaners), and its scrubbers will leave your waterline looking pristine.
Other than the setup, it requires little effort to get going—all you need to do is plug in the cable, put the cleaner in the pool, press start, and let it run. The app lets you know when the job is complete, but you can also check the control panel for updates. This cleaner is admittedly a big investment, but its ease of use and effectiveness make it worthwhile if you can swing the cost.
Price at time of publish: $1,600
Type: Robotic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground and above-ground pools up to 50 feet | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 19.2 pounds
Real Simple / Henry Yung
Best Pool Cleaner for Spot Cleaning: Poolwhale Pool & Spa Vacuum
What Stands Out
It’s a lightweight cleaner ideal for collecting debris.
What Could Be Improved
The included pole is a bit short.
If you need an inexpensive pool cleaner for occasional spot cleaning, look no further than this pick from Poolwhale. It’s an ultra-compact, pressure-powered vacuum cleaner that uses suction and pressure from a standard garden hose to collect debris into a mesh filter bag. You can connect the three-bristle vacuum head either to the included six-section pole or attach it to one of your own if you want a longer reach (we did find the included pole to be a bit short).
One of the biggest perks of this low-priced cleaner is that it’s very small and lightweight, taking up minimal space for storage and making it easy for anyone to use. Because of its tiny size, it does take some time to vacuum up a whole pool, so it’s best used by people with small pools and pools without filters (like Jacuzzis or inflatable models). Still, its suction works surprisingly well and picked up plenty of debris in our testing. And because it needs to be attached to a hose, it can conveniently double as a filter when water levels are low.
Price at time of publish: $27
Type: Pressure vacuum | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 25 feet; above-ground pools (up to 4 feet deep) | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 1.3 pounds
Best Pool Cleaner for Floors: Pentair 360042 Kreepy Krauly Pleated Seal Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s excellent at cleaning small debris and stains off pool floors.
What Could Be Improved
It’s hard to set up and maneuver into the pool.
If cleaning your pool floors is your main focus, consider this strong option from Pentair. In our testing, we found that this automatic pool cleaner’s suction hose cleans up smaller debris extremely well, and it’s especially good at getting rid of salt/chlorine stains on pool floors.
Setting up this cleaner isn’t the easiest, though. The instructions aren’t as intuitive as we’d like, so the setup took about 45 minutes, and it’s a bit tricky to bring it into the pool once it’s attached to the water pump. But once you get it going, you’ll be pleased with the quality of its work. The device’s directional system helps smoothly guide it around the pool, and its side wings guide leaves and other debris into the skimmer basket. Plus, the cleaners’ valve automatically adjusts the water flow, so it can work at just the right speed.
If you’re hoping that your pool cleaner will be just as thorough with stairs and walls as it is with floors, then this won’t be the product for you, unfortunately. It also doesn’t work as well on large debris unless you purchase the leaf catcher separately. But for a cleaner that works wonders on pool floors, this is still an excellent choice.
Price at time of publish: $379
Type: Automatic | Pool Type and Length: In-ground | Cord Length: 60 feet | Weight: 9.8 pounds
Best Suction Pool Cleaner: Hayward The PoolCleaner 2-Wheel Suction Cleaner
What Stands Out
It does a very thorough job and is simple to set up.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not particularly fast while cleaning.
This highly effective and reliable suction cleaner uses two-wheel drive and tire treads to get around the pool with ease. It relies on the pool’s pump to suction up debris using the hose connected to the skimmer. You can pick from three interchangeable flow settings and take advantage of the cleaner’s self-adjusting turbine vanes that ensure all debris is collected without jamming up, as well as its pre-programmed steering sequences.
Although this isn’t the fastest pool cleaner on the market (you’ll have to be okay waiting around for it to finish up), it does a thorough job, cleaning all areas of the pool and climbing up the side walls without any issue. It’s also very simple to set up and the bright white hose helps it stand out in the water.
Price-wise, it’s right about average, and worth the cost if you want a cleaner that doesn’t require you to do a lot of work. As long as you’re fine with the longer-than-average run time, you’ll be glad you picked up this top-notch cleaner.
Price at time of publish: $449
Type: Suction-side | Pool Type and Length: In-ground pools up to 32 feet | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 12 pounds
Best Pressure Pool Cleaner: Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner
What Stands Out
It’s great with both small and large debris and works on stairs, walls, and floors.
What Could Be Improved
It takes a fairly long time to clean.
For a high-quality pressure pool cleaner that won’t disappoint you, we recommend this pick from Polaris. It’s powered by a booster pump and uses dual jets to create its powerful vacuum, which will thoroughly tackle all areas of your pool and pick up debris of all sizes. We found that it did a great job cleaning the pool’s surface and floor of debris of all sizes, thanks in part to its large filter bag.
This cleaner takes just a few minutes to set up and about three hours to clean from start to finish, depending on your pool size. It’s good with stairs and walls, not just floors, and it doesn’t get stuck easily, thus eliminating the need for manual help. Plus, you can schedule cleanings and change up the settings via the app, and the device is easy to keep clean due to its detachable bag.
Overall, this is a very solid pool cleaner that comes at a relatively average price, and we were very impressed with the quality of its work and the features it offers.
Price at time of publish: $599
Type: Pressure | Pool Type and Length: All | Cord Length: 31 feet | Weight: 6.2 pounds
Best Brush Pool Cleaner: Lalapool Professional Pool Brush
What Stands Out
It gets algae and chemical buildup off of pool walls and floors.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not heavy-duty enough to remove all grime and debris.
For a simple but efficient way of keeping your pool clean, opt for a brush, such as this one from Lalapool. It’s an 18-inch-wide brush made with tough, flexible bristles that can tackle all areas of a pool, with a wide sweeping zone to cover a lot of territory and curved edges to get into tricky corners. And don’t worry about damaging your pool floors and walls, as the brush is designed to be gentle and avoid scrapes.
We found this durable and sturdy brush to be great for cleaning walls and scrubbing floors. Because it’s not a vacuum, it doesn’t actually remove debris, but it’ll keep your pool clean from algae or chemical buildup like chlorine and sunscreen. There’s no setup required, since it’s just a brush, although you can purchase an extension pole separately if you want to clean certain areas from afar. Even if you have an automatic pool cleaner, we think this is a tool that everyone with a pool could benefit from for quick touch-ups.
Price at time of publish: $21
Type: Manual brush | Pool Type and Length: All | Cord Length: N/A | Weight: 10.4 ounces (without pole)
Final Verdict
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner was among the most effective in our testing, and its lightweight design makes it easy to handle and store. Plus, its mapping technology improves with each use. For a more budget-friendly option, the Aiper Seagull SE Cordless1000 Robotic Pool Cleaner is a cordless and compact robotic pool cleaner that can run for up to 90 minutes when fully charged.
Our Testing Process
We tested 27 different pool cleaners in various locations across the country, using them at least once per week over anywhere from two to four months. Before the first use, we recorded the amount of time it took to set up the pool cleaner from start to finish. Prior to each use, we took note of the pool conditions, including the amount of debris and whether the water was clear or clouded. We followed the manufacturer's instructions for each cleaning, and used a stopwatch to time how long it took for the cleaning to complete (excluding manual brushes). For those cleaners with WiFi compatibility, we explored the app's features and functionality. After each cleaning, we evaluated the emptying and cleanup process of each pool cleaner. We rated each cleaner based on its design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value.
How to Shop for Pool Cleaners Like a Pro
Type
Pool cleaners come in multiple types, including suction, pressure, and robotic cleaners. Automatic suction (aka suction-side) cleaners, such as the Hayward The PoolCleaner 2-Wheel Suction Cleaner, “use suction from your pool’s plumbing and filtration system to move the cleaner around the bottom and walls of your pool” and are best for pools where “debris is light,” explains Gary Hohne, president and CEO of pool service company Brighton Pools. With suction cleaners, you’ll need to be prepared to clean out your filter more frequently, since they cause more dirt to run through the system.
Pressure cleaners, like the Poolwhale Pool Vacuum Cleaner, act as vacuums and “use water pressure from your pool’s plumbing and filtration system to move the cleaner around the bottom and walls of your pool,” says Hohne. They’re similar to suction-side cleaners, but they feature a filter bag to collect debris and take the load off your pool’s filter. While they’re good for collecting large debris, such as leaves, they don’t clean the surface of the pool as thoroughly as contact cleaners.
And then there are robotic cleaners, which “collect dirt and debris as they move along the pool bottom and literally scrub and clean the walls and interior surfaces,” explains Hohne. “Robotic cleaners tend to be more expensive, but are very effective and they reduce wear and tear on your pool filtration system while helping your filter perform more efficiently. They collect larger debris like small branches, twigs, and leaves too!”
In addition to the three main types of pool cleaners above, you can also use a pool brush (such as the Lalapool Professional Pool Brush) and a skimming net attached to a long telescoping pole to manually scrape off stains and algae and remove any floating debris. These are best reserved for spot cleaning or above-ground pools and spas.
Pool Type
While many pool cleaners can work in pools of all different sizes and shapes, some are specifically geared for in-ground pools, while others are designed to work in above-ground pools. If you have a Jacuzzi or inflatable pool in need of cleaning, opt for a spot cleaner that’s especially compact and not as powerful as a device aimed at larger-scale pools.
Cleaning Coverage
Most pool cleaners are designed to cover pools up to about 50 feet in length, which should be more than enough for most people’s homes. Additionally, most pool cleaners effectively cover the floor and walls, and some higher-end models can even tackle stairs and the waterline. The best quality cleaners can even squeeze into tight corners or curved edges.
Cord Length
Many pool cleaners come with long cords that plug into power outlets so that they can clean the pool from all angles without requiring you to manually move them around. These lengths can vary, but are often around 50-70 feet. Some cleaners are cordless, though, and operate via rechargeable batteries (just keep in mind that this means they’ll have a limited runtime).
More Pool Cleaners to Consider
Pool Blaster Max Li Cordless Pool Vacuum: This suction pool cleaner is easy to use and good for quick cleanups, but its plastic construction feels less durable and lower quality than some other models in consideration. It also feels fairly pricey for a vacuum without an included pole.
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner: We liked a lot about this lightweight pool cleaner, including its gentle cleaning approach and powerful twin motors, but its high price tag and lack of a Bluetooth connection kept it from making the favorites list.
Questions You Might Ask
What are the benefits of a pool cleaner?
While it’s absolutely possible to keep your pool looking good with manual cleaning, an automatic pool cleaner can require much less effort, save time, and do a more thorough job than you could’ve done on your own. A high-quality cleaner can collect and store debris from tricky corners of the pool and scale walls, too, and often use a smart navigation system to scan the bottom for anything your eyes may have missed.
How long do robotic pool cleaners last?
With good care, a typical robotic pool cleaner can last at least four or five years. To ensure your pool cleaner’s longevity, make sure you clean it regularly, check for wear and tear, and remove it from the pool and wipe it down after each use.
How much should you expect to pay for a pool cleaner?
According to Hohne, the average pool cleaner can cost anywhere from $600 to $2,000. (The robotic pool cleaners on our list range from about $400 to $1,700.) The more expensive models usually sport helpful features like Bluetooth capability, four-wheel drive, and extra-long cords, while cleaners on the lower end might be more basic yet still get the job done. But to really save on costs, opt for a small vacuum or brush cleaner rather than a robotic one.
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Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, and many other publications. To come up with this list, we tested 27 different pool cleaners over several months and evaluated them based on design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. For expert insight, Rachel spoke to Gary Hohne, president and CEO of pool service company Brighton Pools.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
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