Best Above Ground Pool Cleaners and Robotic Vacuums Reviews

If you own an above ground swimming pool then you know that cleaning that pool can be a time consuming task. To reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning the pool you will want to find the best above ground pool cleaner to do the work for you.

The following pool cleaners are all excellent choices for use in above ground swimming pools. Each of these pool vacuums will do the work you need but they have different features that make them a better choice according to the size pool you have and what you want your vacuum to do for you.

Best Above Ground Pool Cleaners 2021 Reviews

01. Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover Junior Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner

This pool cleaner system will clean round pools, oval shaped pools and rectangular above ground pools in an hour or less without the need for any attached hoses. It comes with a forty foot floating cable and a reusable filter bag that is easy to remove, clean the debris out of and replace on the pool cleaner.

With the touch of one button the single pump motor goes into action and provides a powerful vacuum with a jet-drive propulsion.

Check More Photos & Price at: Amazon.com

It goes to work and cleans your pool quickly and it has a two hour automatic shut off so you can put this powerful pool vacuum to work and then go about your business without worrying about turning off the pool vacuum.

If your pool is really dirty you can select a three hour cleaning option that will allow the little vacuum to have a longer amount of time to remove any unwanted water contaminants.

This vacuum can filter 70 gallons of water per minute and is propelled using the force of the water so there is not a drive motor and the vacuum has less movable parts that can break or become problematic.

A cleaner pool requires fewer chemicals so your family will be exposed to fewer chemicals and you will save money.

02. Hayward 500 Aquabug Suction Above Ground Pool Cleaner

The Aquabug has a unique turbine gearing system that creates a constant water flow through the device. This perfectly balanced water flow allows the Aquabug to glide smoothly over the bottom of your pool with a minimal amount of noise. It is quiet while in operation so you can easily sit close to the pool and enjoy a conversation without being annoyed by the distracting noise of a pool cleaner.

You can clean pools that have vinyl liners, pools made of concrete, pools made of fiberglass and even pools that have tile surfaces using the Aquabug. It has a deluxe bumper that minimizes the friction that occurs when the Aquabug bumps into the sides of the pool so it easily moves away from the sides and causes no damages.

Check More Photos & Price at: Amazon.com

You can use one of the adorable Aquabugs in either an above ground or an in-ground pool system. These little pool cleaning creatures operate off of the existing filtration system and can be assembled and ready to use in about ten minutes.

These brightly colored pool cleaners are designed for use in pools that are installed as permanent structures that have filters and pumps installed in them. You will love their bright colors and attractive designs, and you will love your clean pool even more.

03. Intex Auto Pool Cleaner

To use the Intex auto pool cleaner you need to have a filter pump on your pool that has a flow rate of 1,600 to 3,500 gph. It attaches to the inlet connector in the pool and has a 24’7” hose so it can cover the entire pool bottom with ease.

The Intex auto pool cleaner is designed for use in any Intex pool that has 1-1/2” hose fittings. It is not for use in in-ground pool systems.

Check More Photos & Price at: Amazon.com

It is 13.4 X 12.2 X 23.4 inches and it only weighs 15 pounds. It is capable of removing the dirt and particles that are commonly found in above ground pool waters. You want to make certain that the connector hose is free of air bubbles so that you get maximum performance while the cleaner is being used.

This device is quick and efficient and will save you many hours of work as well as save you money on pool chemicals. Using fewer chemicals will not only save you money it will prolong the life expectancy of your pool because the pool chemicals can be harsh on the materials the pools are crafted out of. With more time and money on your hands you can play more and worry less.

04. POOL ROVER S2 40, US, JET, 115VAC/48VDC

The Pool Rover is an excellent robotic pool cleaner that is capable of cleaning any above ground pool that is 40 feet or less. It is designed to clean the floor, cove and partial wall of your pool. It can even be used on smaller in-ground pools.

It has a 40’ kink free hose with an EZ swivel cable so you will spend a lot less time going out and unkinking the hose so the cleaner can go back to work.

Check More Photos & Price at: Amazon.com

If you have ever had a cleaner without a kink free hose then you know how often the hose binds up so the cleaner stops functioning. The Pool Rover does not present that problem.

It is capable of filtering 80 to 85 gallons of water per minute so it is very quick at cleaning your pool. The Pool Rover allows you to choose whether you want it to run for a quick cleaning in a one hour period or if you want it to do a deep cleaning in a two hour period.

It is driven by the force of the water running through it so there are fewer parts on the Pool Rover that can become broken. It can be used on pools with vinyl liners and it reduces the amount of chemicals you have to put in your water because it is so effective at filtering our debris and waste particles found in the water and on the surfaces of the pool.

05. Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner

The Dolphin Escape Robotic Above Ground Pool Cleaner does not run on wheels across the bottom of your pool. It runs on a track system so it has better traction and it always goes where you need it to go.

The powerful 24 volt DC motor powers the Hyper brush active scrubbing brush that scrubs away any dirt and grime that clings to the sides or bottom of your above ground pool.

Check More Photos & Price at: Amazon.com

it also powers the powerful vacuum action that catches those particles of dirt and grime and collects it for removal from your pool.

You do not have to worry about changing messy and costly debris catching bags when you use the Dolphin Escape. It has a very large cartridge that is designed to hold the debris that is collected. When the cartridge is full you simply empty it into a waste basket and place it back on the Dolphin Escape.

The Dolphin Escape has a one and one half hour cleaning cycle that it performs to maintain a clean pool for your use. You can set the Dolphin Escape to clean while you are preparing for a swim, or to clean after everyone gets out of the pool for the day.

06. Pentair 360100 Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark Above Ground Pool Cleaner

This is a great pool cleaner that only has one moving part so it is less likely to break. You want tools that are built to be sturdy and to last for long periods of time, and this cleaner is designed to do just that.

It comes to you preassembled so you do not have to put it together before you get to use it. You simply hook the KreepyKrauly Lil Shark up to the hose and let it start working its cleaning magic for you.

Check More Photos & Price at: Amazon.com

It is designed with a band of dual bristles. That double row of bristles scrubs the bottom and sides of your pool and causes any dirt, debris, or particles that are clinging to those surfaces to be loosened up so the powerful suction of the Lil Shark can pick them up and remove them from your water. Because of those extra bristles the Lil Shark removes more dirt and debris than many of the other popular pool cleaning devices.

The Lil Shark design is cute and adds a whimsical touch to a tough and dirty job. It is 43.5 X 6.2 X 12 inches and weighs only 13 pounds. It does all of the work so you get more time to enjoy the pool.

Buying Guide: Best Above Ground Pool Vacuums

There are basically three types of pool cleaners that you can buy to keep your above ground pools clean. And these are not like your hot tub vacuums at all. Here are the considerations:

Suction Pool Cleaners

They use a suction they create so they can eliminate debris from the walls and floor of your pool. They attach to your filtration system with a hose and then move around your pool to sweep away the dirt and debris.

These devices come in handheld and automatic versions. The handheld devices are powered by powerful rechargeable batteries. They are the perfect choice if you have a small to medium size above ground pool. They generally have telescoping poles that allow you to stand in one position and be able to reach the majority of the pool surface that needs to be cleansed.

The automatic variety are more powerful than the handheld devices. They are generally attached to a skimmer and they can be used in small, medium and larger pools. They easily tackle obstacles as they clean so they keep stairs, steps, corners and walls as clean as they keep the floor of the pool.

The Pressure Pool Cleaners

These cleaners use pressure created by your pool to allow them to clean away the debris from your pool walls and floor. These devices put less stress on the filtration system of your pool because they use their own waste bag and they have their own filters.

These pool cleaners require a pressure side port on your pool to operate. If you do not have a pressure side port they can be connected to the main circulation pump of the pool.

They use a separate filter bag that you can clean and reuse and they are great for removing larger debris pieces like leaf matter.

The Robotic Cleaning System

These devices are powered by electricity and operate without the pressure from your pool and without being connected to the filtration system of your pool. They either have wheels that allow them to crawl over the surface area of your pool or they move across a track system.

These systems have built in microprocessors that allow them to determine the size of the pool they are in. They are powerful and they do excellent work on pools that have either large or small debris particles.

They do the cleaning without you having to be right with them so they take more of the work load off of you. They can be used in pools with a wide variety of surface materials and they often have automatic shut off features so you can turn them on and then leave knowing that after a set amount of time they will turn themselves off.

How to use these vacuums

All of the pool cleaners describe above are easy to install and use. The pressure cleaners are the most difficult to install if you do not have a pressure port on the side of the pool to connect the device to. Please don’t forget to remove any types of pool toys and your kid’s floats from your pool before the cleaning.

Installing and using suction cleaners

Most suction cleaners do not need a lot of attachments or accessories to work so they are very easy to install and put to work. They will come with a hose that you will attach to the skimmer or fitting lines of your pool where the water is filtered.

Once connected so that the water moves through the device they move around the bottom of the pool sucking up any debris they encounter.

Installing and Using Pressure Cleaners

You first make sure that you have a pressure line that you can rely on to supply constant pressure. You then adjust the hose to the device so that it can go into the deepest portion of the pool. If the hose is too long you can simply cut it and adjust it to the proper length for your applications. You then adjust the floats and assemble the cleaning unit.

To do this you will remove the nut from the hose and attach it to the feed pipe. Then you pull the attached bag out and securely tighten the hose and bag in place.

Installing and Using Robotic Cleaners

Robotic pool cleaners are the easiest to use. These devices generally come preassembled and take just a few minutes to install in your pool. The manufacturer’s instructions will walk you through the necessary steps to do. Most of these devices take about ten minutes to put them together after you remove them from the box they come in.

You plug these devices up and usually push one button and they begin to go to work cleaning your pool. These devices usually have cartridges or bags where they capture the debris they encounter. Once your pool is clean you will want to empty these cartridges and bags and rinse them thoroughly prior to putting them back on the cleaner. The debris and fine particles are easier to wash away while they are still damp so do not let the debris dry inside the cartridge or bag.

Some of these devices can be set to run for different lengths of time depending on how dirty your pool is. The majority of them have automatic shut off timers, and they are usually very effective at cleaning the pool. You do need to read the carton and determine which vacuum is designed to clean a pool the size of the one you have as these robotic systems come in different sizes and strengths.

Final Note!

The best automatic pool cleaner is the one that is designed to work in a pool that is the size of the pool you have and made of the materials that your pool is made of.

All automatic pool cleaners save you time and money, and the biggest consideration you have is how you want the device to operate, through suction, through pressure, or as an independent robotic system. Each of these pool cleaners is powered by a different source so consider the power source when you are choosing a vacuum.

Your pool will be cleaner when you use an automatic cleaning system, and you will have more time to enjoy swimming and lunging by the pool.