Table of Contents
1. Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pool Cleaner
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 is one of the best pressure side pool cleaners for in-ground pools. Designed with lightweight materials, as well as a 3-wheel base, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 can clean the bottom and walls of any size or shape pool. Its dual jets shoot debris of all sizes to its large filter bag. The Polaris 280 can clean any pool surface, irrespective of the material used to make the pool. In regards to efficiency, the Polaris 280 connects with pool’s suction line in a very short time and takes no more than three hours to clean your pool. The Polaris 280 doesn’t come with a rear sweep tail; as a result, it is not ideal for cleaning the corners and tight areas. However, this weakness can be overcome by purchasing rear sweep tail separately and installing it to this cleaner. The Polaris 280 also comes with a 31-foot hose, which is long enough to clean most pools. But if your pool is extra-large, you can buy extra hose length.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 is compatible with a backup valve, so you can purchase it to boost its pressure. If you do so, the vacuum will clean your pool incredibly well using the shortest time possible. Besides cleaning efficiently, this automatic pool cleaner has outstanding durability; therefore it is not a short-term investment. Simply put, the Polaris 280 is a medium-priced pressure side pool cleaner ideal for basic pool cleaning. But in case you need something more powerful and more efficient, we recommend you go for the Polaris 3900.
The Polaris 280 requires a booster pump to operate. Therefore before you begin cleaning, ensure that the available booster pump will be able to run throughout the entire process. Because this is an older design, it lacks some common features that are present in the newer models. For example, some of newer Polaris vacuums come with a 4-wheel design that increases the stability of the vacuum. The Polaris 280 also lacks such features as additional internal turbines and wider intake valves.
Pros
- 31-foot feed hose is long enough to clean most pools
- Compatible with a 1.5-inch pressure cleaner line
- Works in all in-ground pools
- Cleans in less than 3 hours thus saving time.
Cons
- The wheels may scratch up a pool’s liner.
2. Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pool Cleaner
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is an efficient pressure side pool cleaner that takes few hours to remove all dirt from your in-ground swimming pool. Unlike most of the pressure pool cleaners on the market, the Polaris 360 doesn’t require an external booster pump. This automatic pool cleaner can clean any coating including vinyl, concrete and fiberglass. The Polaris 360 pool sweeper also comes with a large leaf bag which enables the cleaner to filter large-size debris without experiencing clogging problems. This feature reduces stress on the pool’s internal filter and save your pump from extra wear and tear, thus increasing its durability.
The Polaris 360 comes with a 31-foot long hose, which is long enough to access and clean all areas of most in-ground pools. If this is not enough, the manufacturer gives you an opportunity to purchase backup hoses. This pool sweeper also comes in black color which makes it the best option for black-bottomed pools.
Note that the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 pressure side pool cleaner is only suitable for in-ground pools. Those with above-ground pools should look for suction side pool cleaners. But the outstanding advantage of the Polaris 360 is that unlike other cleaners, this pool vacuum doesn’t require an external booster pump.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Doesn’t require a booster pump
- Large filter bags enough to clean large-size debris
- Cleans all in-ground pools irrespective of shape/size.
Cons
- Not ideal for cleaning stairs
- Filter bag requires annual replacement.
3. Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport has the most vacuum power of any pressure side pool cleaner. It picks up even the largest debris, while filtering and ciruclating water for a cleaner. This automatic pool cleaner works in all in-ground pools. The cleaner is safe for use on all surfaces and requires a booster pump (sold separately, such as the PB4-60).
The Polaris 3900 Sport features a new all-wheel PosiDrive system with stainless steel drive chain that delivers more torque than any other cleaner in its class. It also features a 2.5 inch vacuum inlet, making it the largest in its category, and is driven by the most powerful 3-jet suction venturi design. This creates an additional 40 gpm of filtration while it captures the largest debris and prevents clogging.
The cleaner features a 5-liter filter bag that is large enough to trap all filtered dirt. The Polaris 3900 Sport also includes the TailSweep PRO, an advanced sweep hose enhancement that blows debris out of corners and hard to reach places.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is not an ideal pool vacuum for cleaning steps of your pool. So if you are planning to get a pool sweeper that will clean the floor, as well as, the steps of your pool, we recommend Poolvergnuegen pool cleaner.
Pros
- Works in all in-ground pools
- Compatible with a 1.5-inch dedicated pressure cleaner line
- Includes 31-feet of feed hose
- Prevents water from spraying outside the pool when cleaning.
Cons
- Doesn’t clean steps well.
4. Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend pressure side pool cleaner is a great choice for those who have an in-ground pool filled with leaves. Its large intake throat and high-capacity bag handle large debris with ease. The Kreepy Krauly Legend features a highly efficient booster pump (sold separately) for optimum power and unimpeded surface skimming.
The Pentair Legend pool cleaner is designed with lightweight materials. Therefore it can easily climb and clean all pool surfaces, including stairs. Four wheel design prevents tipping (common with 3 wheel cleaners) for uninterrupted and unattended performance. Its wheel treads provide decent traction and are gentle enough for any pool surface, including vinyl. The Pentair Legend features a backup valve that fires at a 3-minute interval to ensure that your pool surface is cleaned efficiently. This automatic pool cleaner comes with a long feed hose (31 feet) which is long enough to clean most in-ground pools.
In summary, the Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend is a moderately priced pressure side pool cleaner. It is highly versatile and can clean all in-ground swimming pools irrespective of their sizes and surface types.
Pros
- Tail hose scrubber sweeps the pool surfaces thoroughly
- Wider coverage due to the availability of the four-wheel drive system
- Has a large intake throat enough to filter huge debris.
Cons
- It moves in circles which reduces its ability to access and clean all parts of the pool.
5. Hayward TVP500C TriVac 500 Pressure Side Pool cleaner
The Hayward TVP500C TriVac 500 pressure side pool cleaner comes with a unique AquaDrive technology. The patented technology has got water jets, which generate pressure that facilitates the movement of this cleaner in your pool. As a result, the Hayward TriVac 500 can easily maneuver across your pool, pulling out all available dirt. The cleaner provides complete coverage of the pool interior while minimizing the impact on its finish.
Besides that, the Hayward TriVac500 pool vacuum is designed with venture jet system which is combined with an extra-wide vacuum inlet. So during the cleaning process, the venturi jets pulls out the dirt from the pool, then the vacuum inlet sucks it up. This system is highly advanced that it barely leaves any debris in your pool.
With its extra-large 6-quart debris bag, the TriVac 500 can work for longer without being emptied. And when it does come time to clean out the bag, simply remove the unique float at the top and rinse through the opening with a garden hose.
The Hayward TriVac 500 is recommended for in-ground pools up to 20 x 40 feet. This pressure side pool cleaner covers a 9-inch wide path whenever it moves up and down. Therefore, with this coverage capacity, you will only need a few hours to make your pool clean. Specifically designed to safely clean vinly lined pools, the TriVac 500 is also rigorous enough to clean gunite, fiberglass and concrete pool surfaces.
Note that the Hayward TriVac500 requires a 0.75 HP booster pump to operate. Booster pump sold separately (Hayward booster pump 6060).
Pros
- Sold at affordable prices
- Does not clog
- A gently and noise-free machine
- Easy and quick to assemble.
Cons
- May get stuck in the tighter areas of the pool
- Its self-backing function is not powerful enough.
6. Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 pressure side cleaner works in all in-ground pools, and requires a booster pump (sold separately). Employing a three-wheel design, the Polaris 380 provides greater vacuum power and faster cleaning.
Powered by triple jets, the Polaris 380 sweeps, scrubs, and vacuums the bottom, walls, and steps of any size or shape pool, and it holds debris in its filter bag. The filter bag collects and deposits debris before it reaches the pump basket or filter. This reduces the chances of clogging/destroying the filter, thus prolonging the life of the filtration system and reducing maintenance time. Additionally, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 comes with an automatic backup valve that increases its maneuverability thus preventing it from stucking in the corners.
Just like the Polaris 280, the Polaris 380 is highly efficient and reliable pressure side pool cleaner. So you can count on either of them. However, the duo differ in two ways: one, the Polaris 380 has three jets, whereas, the Polaris 280 has two jets. As a result, the former cleans your pool comparatively better than the latter. Two, the Polaris 380 is typically priced about 100 dollars higher than the Polaris 280. So depending on your pool’s size, you can buy either of them.
Coming with an extra-large vacuum throat, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 can pick up large debris such as leaves, acorns and pebbles without clogging. Its large filter bag picks a lot of debris before it gets filled up, thus making this machine ideal for large pools. However, the Polaris 380 doesn’t clean the pool steps efficiently.
Pros
- Its large filter bag is easy to disconnect
- Designed with large throat which prevents clogging problem.
Cons
- Inefficient cleaner for pool’s steps.
Why You Should Buy a Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
Just as its name suggests, pressure side pool cleaners depend on water pressure as well as pressure from booster pump to move across the pool. The pressure is also used to collect and pull out the dirt from your pool to the filter bags. So in case your pressure pool cleaner has a large filter bag and is connected to a powerful booster pump, the machine will efficiently filter leaves and other large size debris without clogging.
Besides that, pressure side pool cleaners come along with wheels which enhances their maneuverability across the pool. As a result, they have a wider coverage that enables them to collect any dirt present in your pool within a reasonably short time.
Another thing that increases efficiency in pressure side pool cleaners has to do with its cleaning system. Designed with three chambers, the system ensures that no visible dirt escapes back to the pool. The first one gets to the floor of your pool and scrubs the dirt from the surface for easier collection. The second one pushes water into the jet thrusters which intern propels the machine across the pool. Finally, the third chamber is responsible for pulling out dirt from the pool to the filter bag of the machine.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
Pool Compatibility
For those with above-ground pools, please go for suction pool cleaners, because pressure side pool cleaners won’t work out for you.
Also, note that most cleaners were meant to clean pools with an 8-foot depth and 10 by 10-foot surface area. But in case your pool is bigger than this size, you can increase the coverage of the machine by buying an extra hose.
Ensure that the machine you buy won’t damage the surfaces of your pool. This is because some cleaners may damage pools whose floors are made of tile or vinyl.
Suction Power
Pressure side pool cleaners are highly powerful enough to pull out large-size debris from your pool. Therefore, if your pool has accumulated a lot of large size debris, we recommend that you choose pressure cleaner over suction cleaner. This is because suction pool cleaners lack sufficient pressure to filter large debris.
Booster Pump
While some pool cleaners can operate efficiently using the internal booster pump, a majority of them will require an external one. The good part is that the information about this specification is always indicated on the model so you can’t make an uninformed choice. In case you choose the one requiring an external booster, you will have to buy the booster pump separately, and also hire an expert to install it in your pool.