The 8 Best Pressure Side Pool Cleaners Review: Advanced Swimming Pool Cleaners

The Polaris is an improved version of their 280 models. It means you get all the good features of the previous model with some great additions! 

The key selling point of Polaris Vac-Sweep is how it requires no booster pump at all. Every time you use this side pool cleaner, the pool will be squeaky clean. 

The way it does it without a booster pump is by using three jet nozzles! Keeping in mind how expensive booster pumps can be, this is an excellent deal for anyone. 

As the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 pressure-side pool cleaner has an all-wheel drive, it can easily scrub, sweep and vacuum even on the trickiest surfaces of your pool. It has triple jet power that makes this cleaner very energy efficient too. 

The triple jet makes cleaning faster and more powerful too. It is excellent for removing tough dirt and debris that don’t want to be removed! It has a more comprehensive cleaning performance as well as the capability to climb walls and even steps! 

This pressure cleaner comes with a single chamber filter bag that can also catch large debris and heavy pebbles. The waste is removed before it even reaches the filter. It not only saves a lot of time but also prolongs the life of the filtration system. So your filter does not wear off constantly. 

The Polaris 360 has a belt drive mechanism. For comparison, other side pool cleaners usually have a shaft-driven mechanism. It means it has fewer parts, so it lasts longer. 

When it is damaged somehow, you will require less time and money to repair and maintain it. We need to think about these things as pool cleaners are a long time investment. 

This all-in-one pressure pool cleaner comes with 31 feet of feed hose, which helps you thoroughly clean any area you want. The inline backup valve is excellent if you’re going to clean your pool without any interruptions. 

This pool cleaner needs no additional booster pump to run. Polaris 360 connects to your existing pool circulation system. It means not only do you save money by not buying extra equipment, but the electricity bill also goes down. It’s excellent for energy efficiency!

Specifications:

• Product Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 22.75 inches
• Item Weight: 14 pounds
• Manufacturer: Zodiac
• Venturi Jets: 3 Jets
• Vacuum Inlet: 2 ¼ inches
• Drive Mechanism: All-Wheel Belt Drive
• Tires: Classic
• Requires Booster Pump: No
• Auto Backup: Yes
• Debris Bag: Single Chamber
• Pool Type / Surface: Inground / All
• TailSweep PRO® Compatibility: Yes

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is another advanced and updated version of a previous Zodiac model called 280. So if you liked the older model, this one comes with some pretty significant additions! 

The older model was known for its fast and thorough cleaning abilities. This one is the same as it can clean the floor of your pool and even the walls. 

The older 280 models used to leave some debris behind, but this one doesn’t. That’s due to its three nozzles feature instead of two. So it can go deep into corners and steps better. 

If you are looking for a pressure-side pool cleaner that can clean your pool’s bottom and sidewalls, Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 is the best choice.  Another advantage of this pool cleaner is that it can fit into any shape of in-ground pools.

As it has a ziplock-style bag system, maintenance is super easy. The bag captures all the debris and prevents anything from leaking into the main chamber of the gadget. 

So it gets a much longer life than older models. The belted drive mechanism of this cleaner also helps with easy and cheaper repair and maintenance. 

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 pool cleaner has a belt-drive mechanism that makes cleaning very efficient. The wheels can rotate easily and clean from all sides. The belt is readily replaceable too.

 This pool cleaner has a larger filter bag capacity than standard pool cleaners. It means you can catch big debris without having to empty the filter bag constantly. It saves a lot of time and energy. 

Polaroid Vac-Sweep 380 cleaner comes with a 31-foot hose kit that allows you to clean the pool from corner to corner. Its inline backup valve is excellent at maintaining the cleaning flow and causing no interruptions. 

Polaris 380 pool cleaner uses a triple jet suction venturi design, one of the strongest in the market. Due to this, its suction power is excellent for thorough cleaning.

If your vacuum gets stuck in the corner of the pool, what do you do? Nothing! Because this one comes with an Inline backup valve that automatically makes it back up every three minutes. So this feature prevents the Polaris 380 from bumping into anything! How convenient!

Specifications:

• Brand name: Polaris
• Model: 380
• Type: Pressure side
• Pool type: Inground
• Dimensions: 75 x 20 x 22.5 inches
• Weight: 3 lbs.
• Venturi Jets: 3 Jets
• Vacuum Inlet: 2 ¼ inches
• Drive Mechanism: All-Wheel Belt Drive
• Tires: Classic
• Requires Booster Pump: Yes
• Auto Backup: Yes
• Debris Bag: Single Chamber
• Pool Type / Surface: Inground / All
• TailSweep PRO® Compatibility: Yes

I know this is supposed to be all about side pool cleaners, but I couldn’t help but add a booster pump to the list. And why not? Most side pool cleaners require a booster pump. And there isn’t any other option that’s better than Pentair LA01N! 

Pentair LA01N is a unique single-speed booster pump that is excellent for pressure-side pool cleaners. This booster pump can be called a universal model. That’s because you can use it with a lot of different pool cleaners. 

It is compatible with the Legend Platinum, Legend Platinum Truck Series, and Legend automatic pool cleaner. It comes with all the right fittings and styles to fit with those pressure-cleaners perfectly. If you use any other model, all you have to do is purchase the right side sifting, and that’s it! 

If it’s not apparent yet, I like this booster pump. And the reason is, it’s a power-pressure one, which is better at removing tough debris. 

The ¾ HP motor is very convenient as it can deliver 50 PSI and 12 GPM. Even though LA01N is not a heavy-duty option, it has enough force to clean your standard pools in no time. 

Durability is a crucial factor while purchasing a booster pump. You don’t want your booster pump to die before the pool cleaner. The pump should outlive the pressure-side cleaner. 

This one does that as it’s made of complete anti-corrosion material. So you can keep this for years without any weather damage. 

The LA01N has been made to be used for a consistent period. So it does not overheat as easily as other booster pumps do. You can run your pool cleaner every single day for hours without any issue. 

Talking of running it for hours, electricity cost is no joke. This one’s made to be very energy-efficient as it runs on 115V/230V. 

This booster pump only draws 13/6//5 amps on full load. So you won’t get a heart attack by seeing your electricity bill!

Don’t worry; LA01N is not hard to install either. You only need a screwdriver and a wrench to set it in place properly. Plus, the motor is very well-made, so it will probably last you for years to come.

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Pentair
• Product Type: Booster Pump
• Rating Type: Full-Rated
• Installation Type: Residential
• Horsepower: 3/4 HP
• Union Connection: 3/4 x 3/4 inches
• Amp Draw: 13.0/6.5
• Pool Type: In-Ground
• Pump Speed: Single
• Voltage: 115V / 230V
• Energy Efficient: Yes
• Warranty: 1-year

If you want to upgrade from your basic pool cleaner to something a little more advanced, Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure is a great option. It is an automatic pool cleaner that can be a game-changer if you use it right. 

Don’t be fooled by the criticism online. For some reason, this cleaner gets many shades even though most issues people face are user errors and the machine’s fault. I am here to dispel some rumors and misunderstandings!

It is a simple robot cleanse that does the job for you. You can maybe compare it to the Dolphin series by Maytronics, but its features are unique. 

Performance-wise, you can trust this side pool cleaner to maintain a consistent result with little to no disruptions. And it’s not a surprise as this is essentially a simple robot designed to do a repetitive task without missing a beat. 

It works by using random navigation and tree Venturi-style jets to remove all sizes of debris from your pool. These jets are so powerful that they can filter 40 gallons of water per minute. 

You do need a booster pump to use this pool cleaner. If you don’t have one, then you won’t be able to operate it. It is unfortunate as you will have to spend a few extra hundred bucks on it. But it’s so worth it!

The awkward shape of this cleaner is something everybody notices before anything else! Yes, the body is quite hard to store or fit in corners. But this shape helps to clean the corners of your pool very thoroughly. Most cleaners miss that area. 

It’s honestly such an intelligent design, and I wonder why other brands don’t do this often. They call it the TailSweep PRO technology. 

The Snap-on feature is a scrubber/hose combo that provides high pressure that can reach any spot. The wheels on this pool cleaner are covered in Widetrax tires which provide superior traction. So it can quickly scale ramps and walls. 

This vacuum has a PostiTrain 3WD Movement System. This calendar can get around on three wheels driven by the water pressure created by the booster pump. 

The whole wheel system is made using stainless steel so it can withstand both corrosion and chain linking. It’s very durable and sturdy. 

The 31 feet hose and its 5-liter double-chamber bag are excellent for all sizes of dirt and debris. You can remove anything from algae to pebbles with Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 pool cleaner.

Specifications:

• Product Dimensions: 24 x 11 x 24 inches
• Item Weight: 10.1 pounds
• Manufacturer: Zodiac
• Venturi Jets: 3 Jets
• Vacuum Inlet: 2 ½ inches
• Drive Mechanism: All-Wheel PosiDrive with Stainless Steel Chain
• Tires: Wide Trax®
• Requires Booster Pump: Yes
• Auto Backup: Yes
• Debris Bag: Dual Chamber SuperBag
• Debris Bag Capacity: 5 liter
• Pool Type / Surface: Inground / All
• TailSweep PRO® Compatibility: Included

It is such a classic and favorite pool cleaner by popular votes on the internet! That’s probably due to the simple design and promise it gives. 

Pentair Kreepy Krauly Racer is an iconic pool cleaner that can scoop up an astonishing amount of debris in one go. It has an extra-wide intake throat which helps to collect even the biggest pebbles and rock. That’s it! It does precisely that with zero inconsistency. 

Most average pool cleaners come with two to three jets. Pentair Kreepy Krauly has four venturi jets that collect dirt inside the intake bag.  It can clean up to 30% faster than any other pressure-side cleaners. So you can assume how efficient it is due to the jet system. 

If your pool is surrounded by trees or landscape, this is what you should be getting. Made specifically for pools surrounded by vegetation, this pool cleaner is very powerful. 

The front brush can scrub and scour until you get a deep and detailed clean surface. So if your pool gets fungi a lot, this one will remove them all!

It does not collect the finest dirt particles from the water. It is a downside, but this product focuses more on larger debris that clogs other pool cleaners. 

Kreepy Krauly Racer comes with front, rotating brushes that scrub your pool surface very carefully. It can also spin in a reverse mood which enhances the cleaning process. 

If you have an average-size pool, this is a perfect option. It can clean your pool in less than two hours. It has ⅓ times more cleaning power for maximum debris removal. You can capture any size of debris, including even the larger ones!  

Kreepy Krauly Racer has superior traction than most cleaners due to its extra-wide tires. Overall, you won’t be disappointed with this. 

The night LED lights are a perfect touch that creates ambiance if you’re cleaning your pool at night. The ultra-bright LED lights let you know precisely where it is in the pool. Overall, it’s a nice touch for nighttime pool activities.

Specifications:

• Pool Type: In-Ground
• Pool Surface: All Types
• Cleaning Cycle: 3 hours
• Debris Bag: Single Chamber
• Navigation: Water Pressure
• Drive Mechanism: 4-Wheel Drive
• Feed Hose Size: 31 feet
• DIY Installation: Yes
• Weight: 22.2 pounds
• Warranty: 2 years

If you love to use your pool with family and kids, Polaris Turbo Turtle pool cleaner is an enjoyable way to take care of your pool. 

With its fun turtle design and bright green color, it looks like a tory in the pool. So if you are cleaning the pool while swimming, it does not feel distracting or annoying, which most cleaners feel like. 

Don’t be confused by its fun look, as this Pressure-side pool cleaner is comprehensive at what it does. It will clean your entire pool within 2-3 hours. Not a single dirt gets left behind. 

The Turbo Turtle guarantees to keep your pool garbage-free. It can reach all the tricky areas and target places. Whether your pool gets filled with pebbles, stones, leaves, or dirt, this one will remove them all. 

The filter pack is an excellent feature of this Turbo Turtle cleaner as it requires minimal maintenance. It removes debris and junk from the pool and moves warm water all over the pool. It ensures that no mold or algae growth. 

Overall, this is an effortless and low-maintenance way to add a cleaning system to your pool.

Specifications:

• Cleaning Action: Sweeping
• Cleaning Area: Pool Floor
• Cleaning Cycle: 1 Cycle
• Debris Bag: Single Chamber
• Features: No Additional Features
• Included: No Additional Items 
• Number of Jets: 4
• Pool Cleaner Type: Pressure Side 
• Pool Surface Type: Fiberglass, Vinyl
• Pool Type: Above Ground
• Product Weight (lb.): 5.07
• Returnable: 180-Day
• Warranty: 1-year limited

The Zodiac MX8 is a great pool cleaner when you’re struggling to remove tough dirt and debris. By now, you get that Zodiac knows what they are doing with their pool cleaners. This one is made with dual cyclonic technology that allows it to move faster than any other options on my list. 

The thing is, if you have a larger pool, you need something that can get the job done faster and better. This one has a wider cleaning path than all the other Zodiac models.

It can capture larger debris with its maX-drive technology. It is a very new feature that uses maximum torque and extreme maneuverability. It provides a very aggressive scrubbing, and all the tricky areas become very easy to clean!

It has Flex-Power turbines that provide an ultra-efficient cleaning experience every single time. It has a sealed gearbox to ensure that not a single piece of debris gets out and ruins other parts of the machine. 

One of the things you will notice immediately after installing it is how heavy and sturdy the whole construction is. It feels and looks premium, so you’re guaranteed to have a very durable pool partner!

I like the maX-Drive navigation feature of Zodiac MX8. It can use this advanced dual navigation system that can cover any size or shape of the pool. It has the best pool coverage with no hang-ups!

You only require 20 GPM of flow for this gadget to perform at its best. It makes MX8 the best option for solar pumps or two-speed or variable-speed pumps! 

The MX8 comes with a convertible debris inlet. It’s great for larger debris consumption. So it can tackle anything from fallen leaves to fine sand and even small rocks. 

The 39″ Twist-Lock hose is excellent for reducing vacuum loss, resulting in overuse of fuel/energy. So this makes sure to have an energy-efficient operation on low flow pumps without compromising any power!

This pool cleaner can be used for all types of in-ground pools. You can use it on surfaces like concrete, tile, vinyl, and fiberglass. It’s very aggressive yet delicate on the surface. So you won’t see any scratches at all. Zodiac MX8  has the climbing ability to even clean in the tightest corners and vertical walls. Honestly, it’s an excellent investment for any type of pool.

Specifications:

• Pool Type: In-ground
• Cleaner Type: In-ground suction cleaning robot
• Connection: Skimmer or 1.5-inch vacuum line
• Traction: maX-Drive technology with X-Trax
• Vacuum Line: 1.5 inches
• Hose Type: Advanced twist lock with a long life
• Pool Surfaces: Concrete, tile, vinyl and fiberglass
• Warranty: 1 year

It is a bit different from the other options on the list. It’s not just a pool cleaner, per se, but can be used as one if needed. The best thing is, you can use this power cleaner to clean any outdoor space at your house. 

This portable water cleaner uses the water force to remove any stain, dirt, and debris from surfaces. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold. It uses fresh water from any source. You can even use a bucket. But as we are talking about pools, you have a huge water source to use! 

It also comes with a 2-liter soda bottle that can carry around to clean any place you want. I picked this power cleaner because it’s handheld. So you have a lot more control over what you’re cleaning and how you are cleaning. 

As much as the automatic cleaners are fantastic, having something like this is excellent to clean in a hurry to clean particular parts of your pool that other cleaners can not reach. 

Don’t be fooled by its size. It’s a mighty cleaner. It delivers 320 psi of mean, green cleaning streams while minimizing water usage at only .53 gallons per minute! 

So it’s very efficient too as you don’t need any other fuel but water to operate it. Well, you do need a battery. It uses Worx PowerShare to serve both 20V and 40V tools!

It has multiple spray nozzles that allow you to switch between different levels of the water stream. Each varies in intensity. So you can change based on what surface needs to be cleaned.

Specifications:

• Brand: WORX
• Power Source: Battery Powered
• Color: Black/Orange
• Product Dimensions: 35.43 x 10.43 x 3.39 inches
• Weight: 4 pounds
• Maximum Pressure: 320 pound per square inch
• Hose Length: 20 feet
• Batteries: 1 Lithium-ion battery included