There are a plethora of different types of vacuums and cleaners you can use for your pool, but how do you know which one is going to be the right kind for you? The largest part of that decision can depend on the kind of pool you have or are interested in purchasing or building, as well as the size of that pool.
There are several options available for pool cleaners including handheld vacuums, suction pool cleaners, pressure pool cleaners, robotic floor cleaners, and in-floor pool cleaners. Each option comes with positive and negative aspects, so it's up to you to decide which kind of pool cleaner will work best for you, given the information you find about them.
The above reasons help to explain why it's so important to do your research before making a purchase. You don't want to end up with a pool cleaner that isn't going to work for you.
In order to help limit that possibility, this article is here to take you through the different types of swimming pool vacuums in order to help you decide which one will meet your needs and the needs of your pool.
In-floor cleaners
In-floor pool cleaners are likely to be the most expensive of this group. That's because if you want to have the benefits that in-floor cleaners can provide, you have to have them installed in a pool during its construction. These generally also work better in below-ground pools.
With these cleaners, you essentially have the jets installed during construction and then you will be able to use these jets to pump water towards the main drain in the floor of the pool. They are a hands-free option in which all you need to do is turn the system on and let it go to work.
This kind of pump is going to be the most convenient in the long run, but it may be more expensive up front depending on the quality of the parts and materials you use.
Robotic pool cleaners
Robotic pool cleaners are all about convenience. Not only do you not have to control them like you would with a handheld pool cleaner, but they also don't use the pool pump as a source of power.
Robotic cleaners are thought to be the most energy efficient and are able to grab even the tiniest particles of debris from the water. These cleaners have their own built-in filter and motor, meaning they won't have an effect on the filter in your pool.
The capability of these cleaners makes them great for pools that don't have a skimmer basket. This is because they do such a great job of cleaning themselves that it's unlikely there will be much debris left that can clog your pipes or filter.
There are many many different models of robotic pool cleaner and you can be sure to find one that is best suited to your particular swimming pool.
For instance, there are above ground robotic pool cleaners for above ground pools and in-ground robotic pool cleaners for in-ground pools. You also want to ensure that the model you select is suitable for the size of your pool.
Pressure pool cleaners
These cleaners use the power provided by the pump to move them along the surface of the pool, making it easier for them to pick up any loose debris. They have wheels that allow them to easily move around and are great for pools that might be placed beneath trees or in other areas where they may pick up larger chunks of debris more frequently.
Another benefit to these cleaners is that if you need them to be a bit more powerful, you can pick up a booster pump to aid them. These filters are great at picking up most bigger debris, meaning the skimmers and filter in your pool will have to do less overall work.
We looked at four popular choices for this type of swimming pool vacuum in our recent Pressure Side Pool Cleaner Reviews.
Suction pool cleaners
Suction pool cleaners work by using the same pump your pool uses for filtration, which means that if you use this kind of cleaner you will want to make sure the pump is running. Essentially, this kind of cleaner suctions up water and debris along the bottom.
It is important to keep in mind that if you use this kind of cleaner, you may have to clean your filters more frequently and make sure they are cleaned out because the suction vacuum will be sending more dirt and debris into them than they would normally pick up on their own.
Because this kind of vacuum does make more use of your pool pump, it may also add to your electric bill so it's important to watch out for any spikes that might be caused by the use of this kind of pool cleaner.
Handheld pool cleaners
Handheld pool cleaners are going to be the least-expensive option available to you because they run solely on the power that you provide. This type of pool vacuum has no mechanical parts, which means you use it by pushing it along the floor of the pool.
The idea is relatively similar to vacuuming the floor in your house, except you won't need to plug it in. The great thing about this vacuum is that it's an inexpensive way to keep your pool clean.
However, it can be time consuming and tiring depending on the size of your pool. While you're shopping for a pool cleaner, make sure to consider how long it might take for you to manually clean your pool using a tool like this. If you feel okay about the amount of time and effort put in, then this is a great option.
Conclusion
There are a wide range of options available to meet your pool cleaning needs. If you're looking for something that will fit into a tight budget, then a handheld pool vacuum is a great option, but if you're looking for the best of the best, then you'll want to take a look into a robotic pool cleaner if your pool is already up, or in-floor cleaners if you're still in the process of planning for an in-ground pool.
This variety exists so that people of all kinds, with all kinds of pool needs, will be able to keep their pool clean and enjoyable for anyone who may want to go for a swim.