Best Above Ground Pool Vacuums

Owning one’s own swimming pool is an amazing privilege that can bring a lot of benefits.

A private pool allows you to host your own pool parties, swim a few laps as part of your early morning workout, play around with the kids when the summer sun starts to shine, and dip your toes beneath the surface while sipping your favorite drink and watching the sun go down.

Pools bring a lot of advantages with them, but they also bring their own fair share of responsibilities, and any experienced pool owner will know that pool maintenance can involve quite a lot of hard work.

From maintaining the correct chlorine levels and pH balance to install alarms, covers, and more, there’s a lot to take into account when it comes to looking after your pool.

Another big area of pool maintenance is cleaning. Debris, leaves, bugs, and other little items can gather on the surface of the water, as well as falling down around the sides and floor of your pool too.

They need to be cleaned out in order to prevent the water from getting dirty, and this is where an above ground pool vacuum can prove to be so useful.

Some pool owners simply call in the professionals to clean their pools on a regular basis, but this can add up to big annual costs, in addition to all the other pool maintenance expenses you need to worry about. Instead, it often makes more economic sense to simply buy your own above ground pool vacuum and use it 

But how to find the best above ground pool vacuum? There are a lot of different models out there, from simple manual vacuums to advanced, high-end, robotic models that can take care of the cleaning autonomously, with minimal user interaction required.

Prices, features, and cleaning power can vary wildly from model to model, but this guide will introduce you to some of the best pool vacuums on the market.

How We Started

When it comes to buying above ground pool vacuums and looking for the best possible pool vacuum you can find, there are a lot of factors to take into account.

For starters, there are three main types of pool vacuum: manual, automatic, and robotic. Then, not only do you need to decide which type is right for you, but you also have to take a range of additional factors like price and power into account.

In order to provide a comprehensive and useful guide to the best above ground pool vacuums, we had to consider a wide range of models and a wide demographic of shoppers too. We understand that different pool owners will have different priorities; some will want to find the best value vacuum, while others will want to find one that is the easiest or most convenient to use.

In an attempt to help every shopper, we looked at the best models in different price ranges and categories. Below, you’ll find mini reviews and recommendations for some of the best pool vacuums in the manual, automatic, and robotic categories, complete with highlights, pros and cons, key features, and more.

This guide contains detailed overviews of some of the best above ground pool vacuums you can find.

Whether you’re looking for a simple, affordable, manual model or something at the other end of the spectrum with state of the art robotic technology, you’ll be able to get an unbiased recommendation of the best product for you.

How To Find The Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum

Before getting into the best above-ground pool vacuum cleaners, let’s take a look at what you should actually be looking at and keeping in mind when trying to find the right model to meet your needs. This small buying guide will look at a few of the most important factors to think about.

Firstly, as stated earlier on, there are three main categories to choose from, so the first thing to do may be to decide which type of cleaner you’d like to buy.

Manual cleaners have the advantage of being cheaper and simpler, while robotic cleaners are more expensive but really convenient. Automatic cleaners, meanwhile, offer a nice compromise between the two.

Next, you need to think about the shape and size of your pool. Smaller pools are naturally much simpler and quicker to clean. They can be easily taken care of with an automatic model, saving you a lot of time and effort.

A larger pool with lots of nooks and crannies might need the manual treatment to avoid missing any spots, while basic-shaped pools of various sizes can be easily cleaned with robots.

You also have to consider the power and potency of each cleaner. Suction levels can vary massively from one model to the next. Some offer huge suction power, able to suck up all kinds of dirt and debris without any issues, while others can be weaker and may need more effort to provide a thorough clean of your pool.

You’ll also want to think about factors like price and warranty too. Above ground pool cleaners can be purchased at a wide range of different prices. Some come with minimal warranties, while other manufacturers offer lifelong coverage, and the right option for you will depend on your own budget and preferences.

Best Manual Above Ground Pool Vacuum

Let’s begin looking at the best above ground vacuum cleaners with a focus on manual models to start off. Manual vacuums, as stated earlier, tend to be the most affordable, but they also require the most physical effort on the part of the user. Unlike automatic or robotic models, you can’t simply set these vacuums up and let the technology do the work. 

Instead, you need to actually use the vacuum like you would a manual vacuum cleaner in your own home, pushing it around and moving the tubes and hoses into different positions. This means that you’ll need to dedicate more of your own time to cleaning the pool, but if you only have a small pool, or have one with lots of twists, turns, and crannies were dirt can accumulate, manual models aren’t a bad choice. 

Pool Blaster Vacuum

Arguably the best manual pool vacuum cleaner on the market, the POOL BLASTER Water Tech Catfish Rechargeable is a joy to use every single time. It’s a little more expensive than the other manual models mentioned below, but it more than justifies its price tag with its superior suction power and high-grade technology.

This pool cleaner can be used in above ground, in ground, and inflatable pools, as well as spas and hot tubs too, clearing away dirt, sand, silt, leaves, and more. 

The POOL BLASTER is fully rechargeable, coming with its own lithium ion battery, so you don’t need to worry about cords and cables getting in the way while you move it around. It’s ideal for speedy, convenient cleaning, and you don’t need to worry about connecting it to a garden hose either.

It comes with a removable 7.5″ vacuum head and nose cone too for getting into those hard-to-reach areas, and when fully charged, it can run for up to 45 minutes before needing to be plugged back in.

Pool Blaster Features

• 45 minute run time
• Fully rechargeable battery
• Wireless convenience
• Comes with two disposable filter bags, charger, and soft bristle brush
• Can attach to any telescopic pool pole

Pool Supply Town Vacuum

Anyone looking for a simple, affordable, manual, handheld vacuum cleaner for their above ground or inflatable pool will find a lot to like about the Pool Supply Town Vacuum Cleaner.

Coming from a trusted brand, this cleaner doesn’t actually require any electric power or filter system to function. It can simply be set up and manually moved around the pool to clean away dirt and debris. 

Each Pool Supply Town Vacuum Cleaner kit comes with a 4′ long pole, as well as a vacuum handle for easy control. It connects easily to a garden hose, making use of the hose pressure to suck up debris, and is highly portable, lightweight, and simple to use.

It’s a good choice for smaller pools and doesn’t require too much effort to utilize. It can also be used on spas, waterfalls, ponds, and fountains too.

Pool Supply Town Vacuum Features

• 4′ pole included
• No electricity or filter required
• Easy connection with garden hose
• Highly affordable

POOLWHALE Vacuum

Another excellent option for those in need of a manual above ground pool vacuum, this cheap and simple kit from Poolwhale includes a brush, bag, and four sections of pole totaling 48″ in length.

The nylon mesh net works well to catch dirt and debris from the bottom of your pool, while the smart bristle brush head works well to wipe away dirt and stains, leaving your pool looking spotless. 

This manual pool cleaner is really easy to assemble and so simple to use as well. You don’t need any experience, technical know-how, or special equipment to get it up and running, and it can work equally well on a range of water features around the yard like spas, ponds, fountains, and inflatable pools too.

POOLWHALE Vacuum Features

• Simple to assemble in a matter of minutes 
• Can connect to a standard garden hose 
• Highly affordable 
• Comes with a bag and four sections of pole 
• Uses suction to draw up leaves, debris, and dirt from around the pool

Best Automatic Above Ground Pool Vacuum

Next, let’s take a closer look at some of the best automatic above ground pool vacuums. But first, an introduction: unlike manual vacuum cleaners, automatic vacuums don’t require you to actually move them around yourself, walking around the edge of the pool and pushing the tube or hose over the floors and walls.

Instead, all you need to do with an automatic model is hook them up to your pool’s existing filtration system and then simply turn them on. 

From there, the automatic vacuum will use its own power to move around the walls and floor of the pool, sucking up dirt and debris while you get on with other chores or simply relax.

These kinds of vacuums can therefore appeal to those who don’t want to put in all the physical effort associated with manual models, as well as people with busy schedules.

Hayward W900 Wanda the Whale

Highly affordable and very efficient too, Wanda the Whale can become your new best friend for quick and easy pool cleaning. This automatic pool vacuum stands out from the crowd with its distinctive, whale-face design.

It’s cute and cheerful, sure to please the kids, and it’s very effective too. Once set up and switched on, this pool cleaner is designed to automatically move around and clean the bottom and walls of pools of different sizes and shapes. 

It works great in above ground pools and is compatible with in ground pools too, so you can lend it out to friends, family, and other pool owners if you like.

Wanda the Whale also comes fitted with SmartDrive technology that lets it quickly and smartly move around. All you need to do is hook it up to the skimmer and let it do the hard work for you.

Hayward W900 Wanda the Whale Features

• Cute whale design
• 10 minute set-up 
• SmartDrive navigation system 
• Works in pools of all shapes and sizes 
• 32′ of hose included

Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000 Pool Cleaner

If you want power, performance, and reliability in your automatic pool cleaner, look no further. The Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000 is one of the very best models money can buy.

It’s one of the most expensive entries in the automatic cleaner category too, but it’s worth every penny, offering incredible suction power and a strong yet quiet system that gets the job done. 

The 36-Fin disc of this automatic pool cleaner allows it to adhere nicely to the pool surface, reducing the risk of it getting caught or hung-up on drains, lights, and pool accessories. It’s durable, well-made, cuff-resistant, and perfect for handling small and mid-sized debris all over your pool.

Zodiac Baracuda G3 W03000 Pool Cleaner Features

• Quiet operation 
• High suction power 
• 36-fin disc design 
• Scuff-resistant hose 
• FlowKeeper technology works well even on low strength pumps

VIVOHOME Vacuum

Offering strong adhesion, deep cleaning, super silent running, and quick, easy assembly too, this automatic pool cleaner from VIVOHOME covers all the bases and gives you everything you could hope to have in a high quality piece of pool cleaning equipment. 

It’s affordable, economic, and efficient too, with a finned disc that can work well across a range of pool types and surfaces without getting stuck, letting you simply switch it on and walk away, letting the cleaner do its work without the need to keep moving it around or making any adjustments.

VIVOHOME Vacuum Features

• Super silent
• Highly efficient
• Comes with 32.8′ of piping
• 15-minute assembly

Best Robotic Above Ground Pool Vacuum

Finally, we come to the last category of above ground pool vacuums, and also the most technologically impressive. As the name implies, a robotic pool vacuum cleaner functions on robotic technology; it can autonomously clean your pool without you really needing to make any effort whatsoever. All you have to do is switch it on, place it in the pool, and let it go.

From there, the robotic cleaner will roam around the walls and floors of the pool, sucking up dirt and debris, and it doesn’t even need to be hooked up to the filter system as robotic cleaners usually have their own built-in filters.

They can help to extend the life of your pool’s filters and keep it as clean as possible overall, with minimal effort, but they do tend to have quite high price tags.

Dolphin Escape

If you’re looking for the ultimate in robotic pool cleaning technology, Dolphin is one of the best brands you can turn to, and the Dolphin Escape is one of the most impressive models of them all. Ideal for bigger pools or oddly-shaped pools, while equally being at home in smaller and simpler pools too, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus can clean big pools in a matter of hours. 

It’s certainly one of the more expensive items on the list, but you’ll get impeccable performance if you choose this above ground robotic vacuum. It features an oversized debris cartridge that can hold up to 60% more debris than rival models, while still being a compact, lightweight device, weighing in at just 14 lbs.

It also comes with high-grade scrubbing power to deal with stubborn stains and leave your pool looking spotless.

Dolphin Escape Features

• One year warranty 
• Energy-efficient 24V motor 
• Dual scrubbing brushes 
• Large debris cartridge 
• Easy access top-load filter 
• Smart navigation technology

PAXCESS Robotic Pool Cleaner

PAXCESS is another growing, trusted brand in the robotic pool cleaning industry, and the PAXCESS Robotic Pool Cleaner is a brilliant example of what this company has to offer.

Coming complete with a 50′ tangle-free cord, it can handle small, mid, and even larger pools without any issues, designed to offer deep cleaning performance and not leave any marks or dirt behind. 

Users of the PAXCESS get several scheduling settings, choosing from one hour, two hour, and three hour cleans, depending on the situation, and the whole thing is powered by highly intelligent computer technology.

The top access filter basket traps all the leaves, dirt, and other debris, while also cleaning and freshening up your pool water too, and this cleaner can climb walls and roam around without any need for user intervention.

PAXCESS Robotic Pool Cleaner Features

• Three schedule settings Intelligent cleaning technology 
• Floor and wall navigation 
• 50′ swivel cable 
• Two year warranty 
• Perfect for pools up to 50′ in length

OT QOMOTOP Pool Cleaner

Many robotic pool cleaners come with cords and cables that limit how far they can move and what size pool you can use them with. The OT QOMOTOP Robotic Pool Cleaner is different. This is one of the few cordless robotic pool cleaners on the market, ideal for use in both above ground and in ground pools. 

When the battery is charged up to 100%, this robotic cleaner can offer 90 whole minutes of cleaning time, perfect for most pools. It offers a maximum cleaning area of 860 square feet and can plunge to depths of up to 6.6 feet too. 

The OT QOMOTOP Robotic Pool Cleaner has two large suction doors on the base with a powerful scrubbing brush too for thorough, deep cleaning, and the built-in 5,000 mAh battery can charge back up to full power in just 5-8 hours.

It’s compact, lightweight, easy to use, and very well put-together, with intelligent shutdown features and smart technology throughout

OT QOMOTOP Pool Cleaner Features

• Completely wireless cleaner
• 5,000 mAh lithium ion battery
• 90 minutes of run time
• 5-8 hour charge time
• Adjustable angle design for different pool shapes

Our Pick

There are a lot of great above ground pool vacuum cleaners on the market right now in the three main categories.

The right model for you will depend on your own specific needs and situation, and we can’t make a definitive recommendation for every user, as everyone has their own preferences and circumstances.

We can, however, offer our take on the best value cleaner of all.

Our Pick: Zodiac Baracuda G3 Pool Cleaner

Overall, the Zodiac Baracuda gets the nod as the best value option of them all. It offers the power and performance of high-end models with a much cheaper price tag than its robotic counterparts, making it a fine option for the vast majority of pool owners.