Best Polaris Pool Cleaner(Robotic, Suction, or Pressure)

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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When looking into pool cleaning options, the biggest question that comes up is whether robots can get the work done. Most experts will mention pool cleaners by Polaris and the different situations you can use them in.

In search of the best Polaris pool cleaner, I tested the efficiency of the pool cleaners using a pool test strip after each cleaning test and the results were magnificent.

There are three types of Polaris robotic pool cleaners.

  1. Pressure-side pool cleaner
  2. Suction pool cleaner
  3. Robotic pool cleaner

Let us discuss which Polaris pool cleaner you need and for what purpose.

1. Pressure Pool Cleaners

Image Source: polarispool.com

I often find dirt and grime in the oddest places in the pool where a normal cleaner would not clean. However, Polaris has pressure-side pool cleaners that will get the job done.

The pressure-side pool cleaners work by passing water through a pressure hose into the debris bag and eventually released back into the pool. The pool cleaner is not static as it has wheels powered to move around the pool to clean the pool floor and sides.

I found a Polaris pressure-side pool cleaner to be very efficient in cleaning the pool.

a) Polaris Vac-Sweep 280

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground Pool...
  • CLEANS IN 3 HOURS: Powered by a separate Polaris booster pump,...
  • FOR IN-GROUND POOLS: Safe for all pool shapes and surfaces...
  • Complete Coverage: The Vac Sweep 280 moves fluidly as it sweeps &...
  • CAPTURES LARGE DEBRIS: The pressure cleaner is equipped with a...
  • WHAT'S INCLUDED: Polaris Vac Sweep 280 Pressure-Side Pool...

Cleaning ground pools in three hours is why I would get the Polaris pool cleaner. The pool cleaner has a powerful vacuum cleaner powered by two Venturi jets, ensuring no odor or dust is left behind.

Image Source: polarispool.com

The swimming pool cleaner can work on different surfaces, including fiberglass, tile, pebble, vinyl, and more.

Polaris pool cleaner works for both above-ground and in-ground pools. The cleaner further picks up on small debris like dust and large debris like leaves.

The hose on the robotic pool cleaner is 31 feet, enough to clean any pool efficiently without any hitches. In addition, unlike other pressure cleaners, the pool cleaner has an auto-backup which keeps the pool cleaner running efficiently.

Pros:

  • 31 ft hose
  • Auto-backup
  • All-purpose debris bag
  • Powerful robotic cleaners
  • In-ground and above-ground pool cleaners
  • Clean in 3 hours or less
  • Scrubs the floor, pool wall, and hidden pool surfaces

Cons:

  • Requires booster pump

2) Polaris Vac-Sweep 360

Sale
Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner,...
  • NO BOOSTER PUMP NEEDED: This advanced pressure-side cleaner is...
  • FOR IN-GROUND POOLS: Safe for all pool shapes and surfaces...
  • Complete Coverage: The Vac Sweep 360 is equipped with 3 venturi...
  • CAPTURES LARGE DEBRIS: Equipped with a filter bag that captures...
  • WHAT'S INCLUDED: Polaris Vac Sweep 360 Pressure-Side Pool...

While the Polaris Vac 280 robot pool cleaners require a booster pump, you can find the Polaris pressure vac sweep 360, which does not require a booster pump.

Image Source: polarispool.com

Besides the independence of a booster pump, the cleaner has a lot of advantages, including a triple jet-powered setup. As a result, the pool cleaner further catches larger debris and works perfectly in-ground pools.

The robotic pool cleaners will leave your pool surface as good as new with no grime or dirt left behind. The Polaris pool vacuum cleaner has a filter bag that traps dirt before it gets to the pump basket.

Pros:

  • No booster pump required
  • Perfect for use in a ground pool
  • Captures large debris
  • Safe for all pool shapes and materials, including tiles, fiberglass, vinyl, and more

Cons:

  • Not ideal for above-ground pools

2. Polaris Suction Pool Cleaners

Image Source: polarispool.com

Suction cleaners are a special breed of cleaners because I have to drop them in the pool and find something else to focus on. The automatic pool cleaners make my work easier and increase my efficiency. If you ask me, the suction side pool cleaners are the best Polaris pool cleaners because there is no extra work of cleaning a debris bag as I can use the one I already own.

The biggest advantage of the suction cleaners is that they take advantage of the pool's filtration box, making them a cheaper option. In addition, the suction pool cleaners use a cyclonic scrubbing method, which leaves the floor cleaner than other pool cleaners can achieve.

Here is a Polaris suction pool cleaner that I enjoy using.

a) Polaris 9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner

Sale
Polaris 9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner, Automatic...
  • AUTO POOL CLEANER: The 9550 Sport 4WD provides best-in-class...
  • IN GROUND: Compatible with in ground swimming pools up to 60 ft.
  • POLARIS: For more than 40 years, Polaris has been known worldwide...
  • PREMIUM CLEANING PERFORMANCE: The 4WD robotic pool cleaner...
  • WHAT'S INCLUDED: Comes equipped with a 70ft cable w/...

A cleaner that can handle a 60ft deep pool is impressive. The Polaris 9550 has a 70ft tall cable and can access great depths. I am never worried about controlling the cleaner as it is remote-controlled. With 5 cleaning modes, the cleaner can do any required work.

Image Source: polarispool.com

Polaris 9550 has capabilities that I find useful, such as the ability to clean between tiles, something even manual pool cleaners can not do. You can clean the entire pool within hours using the robotic cleaner.

The one feature I love most about the pool cleaner is the cleaning cycle. I can set a 7-day cleaning cycle and let the cleaner run independently. The cleaner will clean the pool at my desired intervals, and I do not have to return to it once I have done the settings.

The cleaner has climbing technology for stairs and walls, cleaning every part of the pool.

Pros:

  • Easy clean filter
  • Climbing technology
  • Motion sensing
  • Pleated brush cleaning
  • Automatic pool cleaner
  • High suction power
  • Clean up to 60ft (10 humans tall)

Cons:

  • The cleaner could get damaged if not removed daily.

3. Robotic Pool Cleaner

Image Source: polarispool.com

Robotic pool cleaners are a great leap towards efficiency when cleaning pools. The Polaris pool cleaners are the best options by far and for the following reasons. First, the robotic cleaners require very little power to operate, unlike the suction and pressure cleaners. Furthermore, the cleaners are not powered by the pool's pump but can be connected to a GFCI outlet. This feature sets the cleaner apart from the suction and pressure side pool cleaners.

The robotic pool cleaner can be controlled via an app you can download here. After downloading the app, the robotic cleaner can be controlled via Bluetooth. Cleaning swimming pools have always been challenging.

The robotic cleaner below is one I found very useful.

a) Polaris Neo Robotic Cleaner

Polaris NEO Robotic Pool Cleaner, Automatic Vacuum for...
  • AUTO POOL CLEANER: The Polaris NEO Robotic Cleaner deftly...
  • IN GROUND POOLS: Compatible with in ground swimming pools up to...
  • POLARIS: For more than 40 years, Polaris has been known worldwide...
  • PREMIUM CLEANING PERFORMANCE: Cyclonic Vacuum Technology captures...
  • WHAT'S INCLUDED: Comes equipped with a 50ft cable, and 4L debris...

The Neo robotic pool cleaner can climb walls, clean floors, clean between the lines, and work fully automated. With the capability of cleaning pools up to 40 ft deep, the cleaner has everything it takes to clean almost all types of pools worldwide.

Image Source: polarispool.com

The Polaris Neo pool has a 4-liter debris canister which is large enough to hold all the dirt from the pool.

Pros:

  • Auto-pool cleaner
  • Clean up to 40 ft
  • 4-liter debris canister
  • No suction power during cleaning

Cons:

  • The robotic cleaner might not be suited for above-ground pools.

Robotic Pool Cleaners Buyers Guide

Robotic Pool Cleaners Buyers Guide

poolmagazine.com

1) Manual vs. Automatic Pool Cleaners

Manual pool cleaners are more affordable and take a shorter time to clean the pool. In addition, since the cleaners are supervised, the cleaners use less energy and can have better coverage of the pool wall and floor surface.

The downside of manual pool cleaners is the need for supervision, making it time-consuming, especially when working on a large pool.

Manual vs. Automatic Pool Cleaners

Image Source: cleancurrents.com

Automatic pool cleaners are programmable, making them preferable to anyone who is busy and will not have time to clean the pool. In addition, an automatic pool cleaner is better for a large pool that might take longer to clean.

Automatic cleaners have different cleaning modes that a manual cleaner might not have. In addition, the cleaning modes are suited for different situations, making the cleaners more versatile.

Some drawbacks of automatic pool cleaners include more time taken to clean the pool, and a more costly If left unsupervised, the automatic pool cleaners might stall or get stuck. In addition, automatic cleaners are costlier than their manual counterparts.

2) Pool Size

Pool Size

Image Source: goodhousekeeping.com

The pool size can be measured in depth or pool surface area. An automatic cleaner will be ideal for pools as deep as 60 ft. On the other hand, pool cleaners will only do well in a shallow pool.

An automatic pool cleaner is better to use in a large pool than a manual cleaner which is exhausting to use over a large area.

3) Cleaning Surface

Some cleaners can clean the pool walls, and others can not. Most pools have tight corners or curves that not all cleaners can manage. Some cleaners can wipe clean the spaces between the tiles, while others can not. Automatic cleaners can switch between functions, making them more capable of cleaning different surfaces than manual cleaners.

A lot of new technology is emerging in manual and automatic cleaners that will see fine particles and dust cleaned off the pool surface.

4) Type of Cleaner

While there are two clear types of cleaners, there are more divisions between manual and automatic cleaners.

Type of Cleaner

Image Source: kogan.com

For instance, automatic cleaners have suction, robotic, and pressure-side pool cleaners. We discussed the types earlier in the article.

These types of cleaners will make a huge difference in terms of capabilities and the money you will spend on buying the cleaners.

5) Type of Debris

If you are dealing with a lot of leaves in the pool, you can not buy a cleaner similar to one that eliminates fine particles. However, some cleaners can clean both large and tiny debris. A pressure pool cleaner like the one discussed above is versatile enough to clean large and small debris. Combining robotic cleaners and efficient pool skimmers might give you the best outcome.

6) Power Source

Some pool cleaners use DFCI power, while others use a normal power source. This is an important consideration to avoid having the cleaner sit around.

The type of power source will indicate how powerful the cleaner is.

7) Programmable Cleaners

Programmable Cleaners

Image Source: pentair.com

Some cleaners can be programmed to clean the pool at a given interval. These cleaners are efficient and have the best outcome compared to other cleaners because of the increased cleaning frequency. In addition, programmable cleaners do not need supervision most of the time and can be freeing when you have other things to do.

8) Cord Type

I suggest you use a swivel cord, especially when purchasing an automatic pool cleaner. As the cleaner moves on the pool floor by itself, it might tangle if the cord is not a swivel cord. Also, a normal cord makes the robotic cleaner less effective when cleaning the pool.

9) Wheels

Since the robot is driven underwater, it needs to have a good grip on its wheels. For this reason, it is better to pick a robot with large wheels that will offer a good grip when underwater. In addition, the tires should be made of rubber for maximum grip.

Apart from the wheel size, I would go for a four-wheel drive robot as it would perform better underwater than a single-drive robot.

10) Climbing Feature

The sides of the pool get just as dirty as the floor. Getting a pool cleaner that can not climb the sides of the stairs and do the cleaning is as good as not getting a cleaner after all.

Climbing Feature

Image Source: southernpoolscapes.com

Since the pool is graded from a shallow to a deep end, a pool cleaner must navigate the stairs efficiently without getting stuck.

11) Weight

You will need to get the cleaner in and out of the pool every time you clean. If the pool cleaner is too heavy, you will have difficulty navigating it and moving it around.

Weight is never a big deal in most cases, but it is something to consider when buying a robotic pool cleaner.

12) Brushes

It is good to know the brushes you are getting, as there are different brushes. For example, there are brushes made of rubber or bristles. The brush motion matters, too, when the pool needs to have the spaces between the tiles cleaned.

13) Power Consumption

The more kilowatt per hour a cleaner uses, the more power it consumes. Watch out for this when making a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Cleaners

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Cleaners

Image Source: poolrobotics.com.au

a) Do I Need a Robotic Pool Cleaner?

Yes.

If you are going to manually fish for debris every other time, you might be fighting a losing fight because it is inefficient, time-consuming, energy-consuming, and unproductive. Robotic cleaners can take about three hours to clean the whole pool, which would tire a human being.

Final Thoughts

An ever-clean pool is satisfying both to be inside and to look at. The best way to achieve maximum cleanliness is to get one of the Polaris pool cleaners I have highlighted above.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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