Pool Vacuums & Cleaners

This section covers pool vacuums and cleaners that are not robots: manual vacuum heads and hoses, suction-side and pressure-side cleaners that run off the pool pump, and battery handheld vacuums for spot cleaning. The roundups compare them by pool type, surface, debris, and how they connect to the skimmer or return line, based on manufacturer specifications and published owner feedback, and say who should look elsewhere. Above ground vinyl pools and inground plaster pools often call for different vacuum heads and brushes, so check your pool surface before you buy.

For an overview, start with the best pool vacuums. New to the job? How to vacuum a pool walks through the hose, skimmer, and filter settings step by step.