Top 3 Brands producing the best suction side pool cleaner
More and more owners of beautiful backyards prefer to install there swimming pools. But unfortunately, it is not all the time having fun; it is also a lot of work. A swimming pool requires everyday cleaning; otherwise, its walls become dirty, on the surface, a lot of debris and algae are floating, and the watercolor from transparent becomes dirty green. That is why the tools for proper maintenance are not rhetorical for the pool owner.
Every swimming pool should have a filtration system with a pump and skimmer; regularly, at least twice per week (depending on the location of your pool), it should be cleaned by a pool cleaner, and at least seasonally, chemicals should be used to kill all organics. The pool maintenance process could be executed in automatic mode: a filtration system with the availability of chemical injection is an automatic system, pool cleaners also could be automatic – suction-side pool cleaners, pressure-side pool cleaners, and robotic pool cleaners.
A suction-side pool cleaner is one of the most affordable automatic models; that is why we will study it more precisely.
What is a suction-side pool cleaner?
A suction-side pool cleaner is an automatic cleaner working the pump from the filtration system. It cannot work autonomously and should always be connected with a hose to a skimmer or directly to the pump suction line. It works around per installed patterns in the pool, scrubs, and collects all dirt and debris to the pump filtration system. Each cleaner has an internal turbine that works from the force of the filtration pump. Some models can climb walls and stairs.
Pros and cons of suction-side pool cleaner
It is not easy to navigate all requirements of choosing the proper cleaner, but the most important ones are the size, the type, the material of the pool, and the available pump in the filtration system. After checking technical parameters, you should consider the following advantages and disadvantages of all suction side cleaners:
Pros
- It is light and easy to install
- It works automatically
- All collected garbage is going to the filtration system that does not require cleaning of filters each time
- Very affordable as the costliest parts are included in the filtration system that you already have
- No separate power connection to the cleaner is required
Cons
- It is attached to the filtration system; while a cleaner is working, the filtration system works worse
- It should be removed from the pool and backwashed after each cleaning
- It is recommended to use back-lock fitting to protect from suction accidents
- For proper maintenance of a suction pool, cleaner pump filter and skimmer baskets should always be clean
- A lot of moving parts require proper maintenance and change from time to tile
- It does not collect small debris
Top 3 Brands producing the best models of suction-side pool cleaners
The choice on the market of side-pool cleaners is wide. The top three brands are Zodiac, Intex, and Hayward. Several trendy models present each brand. Let’s check the most attractive proposals.
Zodiac
Zodiac produces two best-sellers for inground pools: Zodiac MX6 or MX8. The main advantages of both models to all general ones described earlier are the presence of cyclonic brushes for effective cleaning, the ability to climb the walls up to the waterline, can be used for almost all pool types, no extra basked all debris goes to the filtration system, ability to grab small and medium-sized debris. Zodiac MX6 and MX8 work from 2-speed or variable speed pool pumps; MX8 can work even on solar pumps. They automatically adjust the flow for optimal cleaning with a flow regulator valve. MX8 has an advanced maX-Drive navigation system with 360 degrees programmable cleaner patterns. Zodiac offers one year warranty for these cleaners. So, both models are reasonable solutions for concrete, fiberglass, vinyl, and other types of inground pools.
Intex
The most popular Intex suction side pool cleaner – Intex Auto Pool Cleaner- is designed for aboveground pools. 1600-3500 GPH pumps limit this cleaner. This cleaner is favored by its only one hose connection and quickly adjustable plastic brushes with one click. The cleaner hose should be connected to the suction pump outlet. Four rubber wheels execute proper moving of the cleaner around aboveground pools and collection of the garbage; part goes inside the built-in filter, the rest to the filtration system. It is essential from time to time to clean the built-in mesh filter to prevent its clogging and stopping working. The cleaning is easy as other automatic cleaners with a water jet from a garden hose. This cleaner is one of the cheapest on the market.
Hayward
Hayward suction cleaners are presented by a lot of models for inground pools, the most popular are Hayward AquaNaut200 and Hayward Pro Suction. AquaNaut model obtains anti clogging turbine technology and thanks to tires (there are two options on the market with two or four wheels) superior ability to climb the walls. Both models are working from variable-speed drives without necessity for an expensive booster pump. The advanced navigation technology ensures full pool coverage. The Navigator Pro Model is able to collect big leaves that go to the filtration system, without necessity to clean the cleaner’s debris bag. No additional tools are required to start both models working, within ten minutes they are ready to clean a middle-size pool (up to 20 x 40 ft.) without hose tangling.
Conclusion
Suction side pool cleaners are an optimal choice for money and quality for above and inground pools if you already have a good filtration system with a pump and now want to spend a lot of money. These cleaners work automatically; you do not need any more manually scrub the walls for hours. Some can even climb the walls and provide a perfect result. However, as they are entirely dependent on the pool’s filters, they correspondingly should be changed and cleaned more often. Automatic pool cleaners clean every pool for not more than three hours, depending on the pool size. For optimal results, the cleaner should work at least twice per week to ensure any organic formation in the water. With proper care, cleaning, and taking out after each use, change of all moving details on-time automatic suction side pool cleaners will last for years.