6 Best Above-Ground Swim Pool Vacuums

Michael Butler
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Choosing the best above ground pool vacuum for your cleaning needs can be overwhelming. There are so many different models on the market but which one is the best?

Finding the best above-ground pool vacuum requires a little homework and some basic understanding of the different types of models.

What depends on your pool size and type of pool?

How many other things do you need to consider?

And most importantly, what should you avoid?

In this article, you'll find the top 6 best above ground pool vacuums on the market in 2019.

NameCategoryProduct
AIPER Automatic Robotic Pool CleanerBest OverallAIPER Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & FountainsBudget PickPOOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & Fountains
Poolvergnuegen PV896584000013 Hayward 896584000-013 The Pool Cleaner Automatic Suction Pool VacuumUpgrade PickPoolvergnuegen PV896584000013 Hayward 896584000-013 The Pool Cleaner Automatic Suction Pool Vacuum

1. AIPER Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner

Our rating: 9 / 10

AIPER Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner

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Pros:

  • Cleans In and Around the pool
  • Made of Heavy Duty Materials
  • It has a long cord

PC6030.

These are great for any pool, either in or on the ground. Its powerful dual working mode allows it to clean the floor and walls efficiently. It comes with a large filter basket which will not get entangled easily in any debris.

This will be a nice addition to any pool and look really cool while doing it. You can only use this one on pools and not spas.

2. POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & Fountains

Our rating: 7 / 10

POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & Fountains

Check Price on Amazon

Pros:

  • Works with any kind of pool
  • Powerful suction
  • Can be used on any style of pool
  • Works with all kinds of pools, including salt water
  • Simple to use and store
  • Suction tube allows you to clean to the floor of your pool

Cons:

  • Needs to be emptied often
  • Does not have a very long hose

Sometimes the biggest problem with cleaning your pool is that you don’t have the right tool to do the job. This is one of the easiest pool vacuums to use. It is very light and can be put together easily.

It is safe to use around all pool surfaces, filters, walls and steps. It uses 120 Cc Proof Bladder that can vacuum 0.27 GPM. The suction tube is 12.8 Inches long and the power cord is 16 feet long. The specific diameter of the vacuum hose is 1.57”.

3. Intex Auto Pool Cleaner

Our rating: 7 / 10

Intex Auto Pool Cleaner

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Pros:

  • Very easy to use
  • Works well and can be accessed for maintenance easily
  • Great basic below-surface cam vacuum for above ground pools

You might have heard of robotic pool cleaners keeping your pool clean, but did you know that this technology is now accessible for above ground swimming pools? Team that with a pump and your pool is practically maintenance free.

When you need to clean the pool, it’s easy to remove the cleaner from the pool with the help of its hand-held cordless remote. You don’t have to stand in the water to watch over the cleaner.

This is one of the leanest cleaners in the market, unlike others that need to store extra parts or lose the clutter around. It is a one-time investment, which makes it one of the best above ground cleaners out there and if you are in search for an easy, clutter free and convenient vacuuming system for your pool then it is the one to go for.

4. Intex Handheld Rechargeable Vacuum

Our rating: 7 / 10

Intex Handheld Rechargeable Vacuum

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Pros:

  • Floats around pool
  • Dual scrub brushes

This above ground vacuum is super simple to use. When you need to clean the bottom of your pool you just take it out into the water along with the hose and attach the nozzle to the hose.

Once you are done using it you can easily take it out of the pool, put it back into the pool deck where you keep it, dry it off and put the nozzle back into the housing, and it is ready for you to use again.

The vacuum is very inexpensive and doesn’t cost that much. It is great for above ground pools as it can fit into any of them or other types of small pools. It can be kept in the pool and it doesn’t have to be taken out with you when you are done cleaning the pool. It has a rechargeable battery.

5. Poolvergnuegen PV896584000013 Hayward 896584000-013 The Pool Cleaner Automatic Suction Pool Vacuum

Our rating: 6 / 10

Poolvergnuegen PV896584000013 Hayward 896584000-013 The Pool Cleaner Automatic Suction Pool Vacuum

Check Price on Amazon

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Quiet
  • The length of the cord is long enough to run a liner
  • A Customer’s Favorite

Cons:

  • Doesn’t move quickly
  • You need to be careful if you are running the vacuum over the side of the liner
  • Doesn’t pick up dirt very well if the dirt is close to the liner

At a push of a button, the Poolvergnuegen should get most of the dirt from the bottom of the pool. It is quiet, but you have to be careful of how hard you push down on the vacuum because it has the potential to drag the liner. The vacuum has a long cord, so there should be no problem if you have a large pool.

6. PAXCESS Suction Pool Cleaner Pool Vacuum Cleaner

Our rating: 4 / 10

PAXCESS Suction Pool Cleaner Pool Vacuum Cleaner

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Automatically Suck Up Water and Dirt With Swivel Cable.

A powerful vacuum cleaner to remove the waste in your pool. Suction Pool Cleaner is a cleaning robot which can handle both in-ground and above ground swimming pools.

It runs on a long cable – up to 16 feet, reaching even the farthest away part of the swimming pool. It is 100% safe and toxin-free, up to 1/4 inch in size, very efficient in cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best pool vacuum for an above ground pool?

The following Above Ground Pool Vacuum cleaner review recommends our top popular portable vacuum cleaner. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a weight-balanced flail platform that ensures no suction pressure is exerted while in the water.

What is the most durable above ground pool?

Everyone looks for something different when they’re shopping for an above-ground swimming pool. A few considerations that people like to consider when making this big purchase include durability, maintenance costs, safety and aesthetic appeal.

Once you’ve made the plunge and bought an above ground pool, you’re probably going to be keeping it around for quite some time. Especially if you’re lucky enough to find a sturdy, durable model, it could last anywhere from one to ten years.

These pools are easily portable and tend to be a great choice for people who don’t have the time or money to dedicate to a more expensive, in-ground pool.

Can you vacuum an above ground pool?

As with most above ground pool vacuum units, the entire process is very simple with the Hayward SP150 pool cleaner. Included with the device is a separate pool skimmer that you attach to the top of the pool, and the vacuum portion itself connects directly to an exterior hose connection. The SP150 is on average 2 feet in length, which tends to be standard for most above ground pool cleaners.

The unit is very light in weight, weighing in at only 13 pounds. The Hayward SP150 is equipped with an 8-foot hose and wall mountable vacuum head. This allows you to control the unit with ease, and place it in a convenient location, either near the pool or on an outdoor wall.

It is always a good idea to drain and store these units between seasons. The Hayward SP150 is also very easy to drain. The unit has a simple twist and lock cap, allowing you to unplug it and drain it in a timely manner.

What is the best type of filter for an above ground pool?

If you want a pool that you can swim in year-round, an above ground swimming pool is a great option that is fairly inexpensive. A major consideration when buying an above ground pool is the filter. Using a pump, a pool filter collects and removes the debris in the water, keeping the water clean and clear for swimming.

If you want your above ground swimming pool to be clean and clear all year long, make sure you select a pool filter that is highly-effective at removing debris of all different sizes and that is made for above ground swimming pools.

Conclusion

Most above-ground swimming pools have a deep end and a shallow end, and this will determine what kind of vacuum system you need. If you have a deep end you either have to let the water level drop as you clean which is time-consuming and unnecessary or deal with the high upfront cost of installing expensive equipment which is just as annoying.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
AIPER Automatic Robotic Pool CleanerBest OverallAIPER Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner
POOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & FountainsBudget PickPOOLWHALE Portable Pool Vacuum Jet Underwater Cleaner W/Brush,Bag,4 Section Pole of 48"(No Garden Hose Included),for Above Ground Pool,Spas,Ponds & Fountains
Poolvergnuegen PV896584000013 Hayward 896584000-013 The Pool Cleaner Automatic Suction Pool VacuumUpgrade PickPoolvergnuegen PV896584000013 Hayward 896584000-013 The Pool Cleaner Automatic Suction Pool Vacuum