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If you have a pool, you need a pool cleaner to keep it clean and free of waste with Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaners. “When looking for a pool vacuum, pool owners should first think about the area around their pool. Stewart Vernon, COO and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company, suggests asking, “What is the pool’s layout?” “Next, think about how much time you want to spend cleaning your pool or vacuum.” If a tree doesn’t shade your pool, you might not need a vacuum that can pick up leaves and twigs. However, if you have a very big pool, a robot vacuum can save you time and work.
We bought 21 different kinds of pool cleaners and used them to clean our pools at our own homes across the country for several weeks. During this time, we kept track of how well each pool cleaner cleaned, how easy it was to use, what features it had that were helpful, and how much it cost all together. After our first round of testing, we kept an eye on 6 of theBest Pressure Side Pool Cleaners to see how well they held up over time. Whether you want a simple pool brush or a top-of-the-line robotic pool cleaner, we’ve put together a list of the best options to make pool care easier.
Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaners Comparison Table
Product Name | Type | Features | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|
Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 | Pressure-side | Cleans walls and floors, 31 ft hose, easy to install | $500-$600 |
Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport | Pressure-side | Cleans walls and floors, 31 ft hose, all-wheel PosiDrive system, easy to install, 5-liter capacity | $700-$800 |
Polaris P40 | Pressure-side | Cleans walls and floors, 30 ft hose, all-wheel PosiDrive system, four-wheel belt drive, large debris bag | $1,000-$1,200 |
Polaris P39 | Pressure-side | Cleans walls and floors, 30 ft hose, three-wheel belt drive, large debris bag | $800-$900 |
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus | Robotic | Cleans walls and floors, tangle-free cord, self-programmed, multiple filter options | $700-$800 |
Lalapool Professional Pool Brush | Manual | Cleans walls and floors, heavy-duty aluminum handle, stainless steel bristles | $20-$30 |
Polaris Vac-Sweep 360

Specification | Value |
---|---|
Pool Type | In-ground |
Cleaning Cycle | 3 hours |
Hose Length | 31 feet |
Debris Capacity | Single chamber filter bag |
Navigation | Random |
Booster Pump Required | Yes |
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is a strong and effective unit Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaners that works in all inground pools and doesn’t need a backup pump like most other pressure-side pool cleaners. This cleaner has a backup valve that helps the product get out of a tight spot, and it can clean the floor and walls of a pool in 3 hours. This product doesn’t work very well on stairs, which is a shame. The Vac-Sweep 360 works with all surfaces of inground pools and is easy to set up.
On the other hand, a few testers have said that this unit needs a lot of care. The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is a great pressure-side pool cleaner that can clean the walls and floors of inground pools. It has a backup valve that frees the unit immediately if it gets stuck in a corner, making it easier to move.
The Good
- Cleans well on all surfaces, including floors and walls.
- Simple to set up and use.
- Doesn’t need electricity to work.
The Bad
- Needs a separate booster pump, which can add to the cost of energy.
- Some places may be missed by the random pattern.
Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport

Specification | Value |
---|---|
Pool Type | In-ground |
Cleaning Cycle | 1-3 hours |
Hose Length | 31 feet |
Debris Capacity | Dual chamber filter bag |
Navigation | Advanced |
Booster Pump Required | Yes |
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is aBest Pressure Side Pool Cleaners that is very strong and will make your pool look clean and shiny. This pressure cleaner has a big opening, so it can pick up things like acorns, leaves, and pebbles that most pool cleaners can’t. This unit really can’t be beat when it comes to how well it cleans. Also, even though it’s big and powerful, it’s easy to set up and install.
But there are a few bad things about the Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport that need to be said. First of all, the trash bag is pretty fragile, so you might need to buy another one, which isn’t cheap. Second, compared to other pressure-side pool cleaners, this one is pretty pricey. Most people don’t need to spend the money on a high-performance unit like this one, but for those who do, this is a great choice.
The Good
- Advanced navigation technology for cleaning that works well.
- The two chambers in the filter bag catch both small and big pieces of dirt.
- Large wheels and a solid build make it easy to move around.
The Bad
- Compared to other pool cleaners, it’s pricey.
- Needs a separate booster pump, which can add to the cost of energy.
Polaris P40

Specification | Value |
---|---|
Pool Type | In-ground |
Cleaning Cycle | 1.5-2.5 hours |
Hose Length | 40 feet |
Debris Capacity | Single chamber filter bag |
Navigation | Advanced |
Booster Pump Required | No |
The Polaris P40 is the successor to the Polaris Quattro Sport as the company’s flagship cleaner, and it represents the first significant revision to the Polaris Pressure Side Cleaner in more than four decades. However, over the course of its production, Polaris modified the design of the Polaris by switching the drivetrain from a drive shaft to a belt and then to a chain.
The fundamental three-wheel layout, however, remained unchanged. The Polaris P40 represents a significant advance over previous Pressure Side Cleaners.
The Good
- Thanks to advanced navigation technology, the whole pool is covered.
- No booster pump is needed, which saves money on energy.
- Easy to clean and take care of.
The Bad
- May have trouble with bigger pieces.
- Hoses can get tangled up at times.
Polaris P39

Specification | Value |
---|---|
Pool Type | In-ground |
Cleaning Cycle | 1.5-2.5 hours |
Hose Length | 31 feet |
Debris Capacity | Single chamber filter bag |
Navigation | Advanced |
Booster Pump Required | No |
The Polaris P39 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner is Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaners constructed to deliver powerful vacuum performance to your in-ground swimming pool, resulting in a swimming pool that is cleaner and clearer.
The Polaris P39 is the most technologically advanced pressure-side pool cleaner available on the market today. This cleaner was developed specifically for Leslie’s using Polaris’ 40 years of experience as the industry leader in the design of automatic pool cleaners.
The Good
- Thanks to advanced navigation technology, the whole pool is covered.
- No booster pump is needed, which saves money on energy.
- Easy to clean and take care of.
- Its small size makes it perfect for pools with less space.
The Bad
- May have trouble with bigger pieces.
- can get stuck in corners or on steps sometimes.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Cleaner

Specification | Value |
---|---|
Pool Type | In-ground and above-ground |
Cleaning Cycle | 2 hours |
Cord Length | 60 feet |
Debris Capacity | Dual filter cartridges |
Navigation | CleverClean |
Booster Pump Required | No |
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is our best choice overall because it cleans pools up to 50 feet long quickly and is surprisingly easy to put in and take out of the pool. This model was already our best pick for a robot, but after more tests, it stood out even more from the rest. We still felt the same way about its results as we did before: A lasting tool for cleaning that is both strong and good at what it does.
Even though this type is mostly made for pools that are dug into the ground, some users say it works well in above-ground pools as well. We were thrilled to find out that this model can clean most pools in just two hours. Also, you don’t have to do anything while the robot is working. It cleans the floor and walls on its own. During tests, we found that all you had to do to set up this pool cleaner was turn it on and drop it into the pool.
The Good
- Cleans both above-ground and in-ground pools.
- The two filter cartridges catch both small and large particles.
- The CleverClean navigation system makes sure that the whole pool is covered.
- No booster pump is needed, which saves money on energy.
The Bad
- Compared to other pool cleaners, it’s pricey.
- May have trouble with very big pieces of trash.
Lalapool Professional Pool Brush

Specification | Value |
---|---|
Material | Stainless steel |
Brush Width | 18 inches |
Bristle Type | Nylon |
Handle | Aluminum alloy |
After using the LALAPOOL Swimming Pool Wall and Tile Brush in a pool for a few weeks, we think every pool owner should have one. This pool brush is 18 inches wide and has strong nylon bristles that help remove algae and other buildup from the floor, walls, steps, and bottom of in-ground pools. It can also be used to gently clean the walls of above-ground pools that have built up gunk.
We like how easy it is to use this brush, but it doesn’t come with an extension pole, so if you don’t already have one in your pool supply closet, you’ll have to buy one. This brush head can be attached to any extension pole, and its 45-degree angle makes it easy to clean walls and steps. Even though this brush is very good at getting rid of buildup on the inside of your pool, remember that it is not a cleaner.
The Good
- Stainless steel construction ensures durability.
- A wide brush head can cover a lot of ground.
- Nylon bristles are easy on the surface of the pool.
- The handle is made of aluminum alloy and is light and easy to move.
The Bad
- Needs manual work and time to be used well.
- It might not work as well as a robot or automatic cleaner.
FAQs
A: A pressure-side pool cleaner is a type of automatic pool cleaner that moves around the pool and picks up trash by using the water pressure from your pool’s pump.
A: A pressure-side pool cleaner is hooked up to a pressure line and is powered by the water pressure from your pool pump. The cleaner moves around the pool and picks up dirt and debris with a mix of suction and scrubbing.
A: Pressure-side pool cleaners are good at picking up trash, no matter how big or small it is. They are also easy to use and don’t need much care, which makes them a popular choice for pool users.