The 5 best suction cleaners to keep your pool pristine this summer

This easy-to-use robot does all the hard work for you, boasting excellent smart features and up to five hours of continuous cleaning.

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PROS

Super strong suction takes care of leaves and other heavy debris on the first pass.
Ultrasonic sensors ensure it cleans shallow areas and platforms.
It parks and drains itself at the pool's edge, so it's a breeze to remove and carry.

CONS

Some users felt it didn't completely eliminate fine sediment.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

Zodiac

MX6 Automatic Suction-Side Pool Cleaner

Best for Small Pools

This pool cleaner is easy to assemble and works well on small backyard pools.

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PROS

This automatic pool cleaner is a top pick for those with smaller pools, either in-ground or above-ground.
You'll find that the suction level is good for cleaning the floor and side of your pool and up to the water line.
The machine's low-flow design means that it uses less energy to run.

CONS

Some customers report issues with the machine stalling and having to be restarted

Dolphin

Nautilus CC Pool Cleaner

Best Cordless Cleaner

This high-end pool vacuum climbs pool walls with ease and delivers deep surface cleaning.

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PROS

Offers more powerful suction than the competition for a deeper clean.
Cleaning cycles take less than two hours.
Cordless design eliminates frustrating tangles and maximizes efficiency.
It automatically stations itself by the pool edge when the battery is low.

CONS

It does not offer waterline cleaning.

BUBLUE

300P Robotic Pool Cleaner

Smart Functionality

This suction pool cleaner has advanced technology that makes it easy to keep your pool in tiptop shape all summer long.

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PROS

This above-ground suction pool cleaner offers coverage of up to 850 square feet.
Bluehole Technology facilitates efficient debris removal, and DirtLock Tech 2.0 prevents leaks.
It features self-parking and offers a battery life that provides up to 90 minutes of continuous cleaning.

CONS

Some customers report that it struggles with heavy leaf loads.

XtremepowerUS

Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum-generic Climb Wall Pool Cleaner

Energy Saver

This option connects directly to your existing filtration system, making for an easy, automatic cleaning method.

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PROS

Suitable for use in pools up to 30 feet in depth.
Best for cleaning the bottom and side surfaces.
No additional tools or electricity required—this attaches directly to the filtration system, saving time and energy.
Cleans approximately 8 to 12 feet per minute.

CONS

It can be hard on your pool filter.
Gets stuck in corners or stairs and needs to be manually moved when this happens.

Zodiac

G3 Suction-Side In-Ground Vacuum Pool Cleaner

Simple Yet Solid

Users love this choice for its effectiveness and ease of use; it's automatic, so you don't have to think twice about your pool staying clean.

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PROS

Quiet and powerful suction effortlessly collects debris like small leaves or insects.
Cleans the side, bottom, and stair surfaces.
Features a FlowKeeper valve that maximizes efficiency for peak performance in suction.

CONS

Gets easily stuck in corners or around stairs.
Parts for this cleaner can be expensive.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews

How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed

November 19, 2021

Models
considered

Hours
researched

Written by Melinda Harris

Updated May 2026

Ready to buy now? Shop the best:

Best of the Best: Beatbot Sora 30 Pool Vacuum
Best Bang for the Buck: Zodiac MX6 Suction-Side In-Ground Pool Cleaner
Best Cordless Cleaner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Smart Functionality: BUBLUE Bubot 300P Robotic Pool Cleaner
Energy Saver: XtremepowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum
Simple Yet Solid: Zodiac G3 Suction-Side Inground Vacuum Pool Cleaner

If you want something that cleans your pool continuously, consider a suction pool cleaner. This type of cleaner moves throughout your pool, suctioning debris and algae from its floor and sides. It will have wheels or tracks to help it move along pool surfaces. Before you buy, consider the programmability of any suction pool cleaner you’re considering. Some offer more control over the cleaning cycle than others. Maneuverability is also important for the cleaner to be able to reach all parts of your pool efficiently. These machines should be able to climb the sides of your pool walls as well as roll along the bottom of the pool.

Best Suction Pool Cleaners

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

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