Suction Side Cleaners:
This is the most familiar type of cleaner to most consumers and the most popular type. A suction cleaner works off your pool's existing pump and is attached to the skimmer or a side/ vacuum port in your pool. Depending on the pool and type of debris, this can be the most cost-effective cleaner for you. Most suction-side cleaners retail for $500 or less.
The suction side cleaner is the most popular on my pool route as it is affordable and effective, and there are a lot of different models to choose from. In most cases, I suggest an excellent suction side cleaner since they are also easy to set up and easy to repair when something breaks.
Pressure Side and Return Side Cleaners:
Pressure-side cleaners are highly effective. They have a large debris opening and a large bag on top of the debris. They can clean a large pool in 2- 3 hours or less. The drawbacks are that they need a separate booster pump installed and a dedicated return line. So, Pressure Cleaners are usually installed when the pool is constructed or remodeled.
The Return Side cleaner is an excellent option for a newer pool with 1 1/2" threaded return lines. This cleaner connects to your existing return lines and works like a pressure cleaner, except that no booster pump is needed. I have these on several accounts and love them.
The only major drawback is that since you need to restrict one or more return jets to generate enough pressure, the skimming action of the pool is reduced. It is not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. So, if you have lots of large debris in your pool and think a Pressure Side cleaner would work, try a non-booster pump Return side cleaner as an alternative to remodeling your pool.
ROBOTIC POOL CLEANERS:
My opinion of Robotic Cleaners has changed over the recent years, and now I would suggest them along with Suction Cleaners and Pressure Cleaners. One reason is that robotic cleaners are more reliable, and the manufacturers signify this by offering up to a three-year limited warranty; some offer a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty if purchased from a retail pool store. The overall design of robotic cleaners has improved, so the motors, belts, and drives last longer.
Cord or cable tangling used to be a big issue with robotic cleaners. It is very annoying to have to untangle the cord every hour, and the engineers of these cleaners have heard your cries. Many models come with cord swivels or alternate ways to prevent tangling. Now, with several cordless models, you don't need to worry about a cord!
Robotic Cleaners can generally pick up larger debris than many suction-side cleaners. Their debris chambers are large in capacity, so they are great for pools with a lot of dirt and debris. The Aquabot cleaners featured here filter down to 5 microns.
One distinct advantage is that robotic cleaners are self-contained units. They operate separately from your pool's filtration system. That means your pool filter stays cleaner, and all the dirt and debris is trapped inside the robotic cleaner. Also, if you have old or undersized pool equipment, a robotic cleaner would be a way to keep the pool clean more effectively than a poorly running suction side cleaner.
Solar Surface Cleaners
This is still an emerging market but one with many great choices. The Betta 2.0 has been proven to be the new leader in this segment, but Aiper has a Surfer S1 cleaner that looks good enough to rival the Betta cleaner. Unfortunately, the original manufacturer in this segment, Solar-Breeze, no longer produces their cleaners, even in the latest form, the Ariel. So you have fewer options, but they are all solid in their respect.
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