10 Best Above Ground Pool Vacuums To Keep Your Pool Sparkling All Summer Long

Buy from Amazon, $649

If you want one of the best above ground pool vacuums for any size pool and you’re willing to pay for a quality product, you can’t do better than the Dolphin Nautilus CC Robotic Pool Vacuum. It cleans your pool in two hours without you doing a thing — just push the button to start it. You can even schedule it to automatically clean your pool every day, every other day, or every third day. No pump needed, no hose, no elbow grease on your part! This robot pool vacuum doesn’t just clean your pool, it scrubs it.

Reviewers rave about this pool vacuum, and many of them love it so much, they’ve given it a name like any other member of the family. “His name is Frank, and he’s a tank,” wrote one buyer. “He made this year’s pool opening a breeze.” This customer did caution that Frank didn’t come with a manual, and the process of cleaning out his filter was “involved. You’ll be touching a lot of what he finds in your pool.” But who cares, when a pool vacuum is this powerful and easy to use?

Buy from Amazon, $169

Who can resist Wanda the Whale? This suction pool cleaner is not only affordable, it’s adorable! Patented SmartDrive technology helps it cover the bottom of your pool quickly and efficiently, with a bumper ring that guides it away from walls, steps, and ladders. The 32-foot hose connects directly to your skimmer and is easy to install, requiring no tools, special equipment, or advanced pool-cleaning skills.

“We LOVE Wanda,” wrote one mom on Amazon who said she is “very happy” and gave a five-star review. “My kids like watching her clean and she makes me happy! I already recommended her to five of my friends with above ground pools!”

Buy from Amazon, $680

If you have the budget, you’ll be glad you invested in the Hayward AquaNaut automatic pool vacuum. Perhaps what’s most impressive about this above ground pool vacuum is its patented V-Flex technology. This allows it to function at peak efficiency, regardless of the conditions. Uneven surfaces and large debris aren’t a problem; unlike some other pool vacuums, the Hayward Aquanaut almost never clogs. Multiple pre-programmed steering sequences ensure that every inch of your pool is covered.

“I have used a number of suction cleaners over 25 years,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “After one month of use, this model is by far the best.” Not every review is positive though — multiple people report this model not working after a season or two, and one buyer wrote, “I think these things are a little pricey for what they are, a bunch of plastic and some tubes.” However, he added, “It does save me time, so it is worth it to me even if I can’t say it was a great value.”

Buy from Amazon, $100

An affordable automatic pool vacuum that offers the control of a manual pool vacuum, the XtremepowerUS certainly gives pricier pool vacuums a run for their money. With over 10 hoses included, this pool vacuum can easily clean pools up to 30 feet. Unlike some of the other best above ground pool vacuums, the Xtremepower US does not have an easily removable filtration system — but that isn’t a problem, because it connects to your already existing filter. It’ll easily pick up algae, pool dirt, and pool dust, but get out your net to catch bigger debris: the Xtremepower US can’t handle branches or leaves.

While some reviewers reported problems with this vacuum clogging, others said you just need to make sure your filter is clean to ensure that it keeps working well. “I almost bought a vacuum twice as expensive than the paltry $90 I paid for this one, which has already paid for itself in time saved, how awesome the pool looks, and lower maintenance elsewhere. I’m glad a review swayed me to give it a shot, because it’s been fantastic,” wrote one happy customer.

Buy from Amazon, $630

Another one by Hayward, the Poolvergnuegen offers the convenience of more expensive automatic commercial vacuums, at a slightly lower price point. It easily cleans pools between 16 and 32 feet, making it perfect for most above ground home pools. The Poolvergnuegen also has great traction, which means it’s able to clean even the roughest pool bottoms.

One Amazon reviewer wrote that this pool vacuum is “absolutely amazing,” adding that “I just got a new pool and it was filthy. This made my pool spotless in under 24 hours.” Needless to say, he highly recommends the Poolvergnuegen.

Buy from Walmart, $150

If you have a soft-sided pool with a low-flow pump, this above ground pool vacuum from Walmart is just what you need. The Bestway Flowclear vacuum’s patented design, featuring an adjustable pressure regulator and a basket that catches debris before it can get caught in your filter, makes it easy to keep your pool water sparkling and clean all season long. Just connect the cleaner’s hose to your filter pump, place in the pool, and let it do its thing. Includes hoses and connectors compatible with most leading pool brands.

“I love that I can set this up walk off and come back at a later time and my pool is clean from leaves and fallen debris from my neighbors trees,” wrote one reviewer. “Setup is easy and it usually only takes me a few minutes to get it up and running.”

Buy from Amazon, $144

Resembling a modern, sleek steam mop, this electric pool vacuum does its job well, consistently, and (most importantly) quickly. With its telescoping long handle, this pool vacuum works perfectly in pools of any size. The removable filter is also a huge plus, as it can considerably cut your cleaning time.

One Amazon reviewer wrote, “I have a 24′ round above-ground pool and needed something to quickly clean up minor debris without much hassle. I saw this and decided to give it a try. When it came in, I almost sent it back without trying it as I thought it was too small. Glad I didn’t … I was impressed with its suction power and I can cover my pool in about 15 minutes with it.”

Buy from Amazon, $115

When it comes to manual pool vacuums, the Pentair R201276 214 Pro Vac is a perennial favorite. It’s designed with several chambers, which spread out the suction so that this vacuum can pick up nearly anything. If you aren’t careful, the Pentair R201276 might suck you up! You can also adjust how quickly this vacuum goes, making it easy to slow down when you have some time, or speed up if you’re in a rush. Planning a last minute pool party? This is perfect for you.

The only potential problem you might run into with the Pentair R201276 is the handle, which is susceptible to rust. Because it isn’t built of stainless steel, long, wet hours can take a toll. Obviously, this can’t be prevented as the machine needs to be in the pool, but you can compensate by ensuring that the vacuum doesn’t spend long hours in the pool, and is dried off after every use.

Buy from Walmart, $97

Do you have an Intex inflatable above ground pool? Then the Intex Handheld Pool Vacuum is a must-have for keeping it clean. A waterproof switch and rechargeable battery make it safe and simple to operate, and there are no cables or hoses to worry about. Just submerge it in the water and let it take care of any debris with its powerful suction. Just note that this handheld model is not meant for larger pools — it works best in pool with an 18-foot or less diameter.

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“We tried other types of vacuums for our pool and found this one to be the best,” wrote a buyer who has three teenagers and a 14-foot pool situated next to a dirt driveway. “Works well. Takes a long time to recharge. Could use a bigger bag and come with charger that connects to wall,” wrote another customer. For less than $100, sounds pretty good!

Buy from Walmart, $31

You don’t have to spend a bundle to get your pool clean, and this Intex above ground pool vacuum kit is proof! It comes with a vacuum, a skimmer, and a telescoping pole that lets you reach the far corners of your pool. Just attach the vacuum to the pole, connect your garden hose, and debris will flow into the attached reusable bag. Then attach the surface skimmer to the pool to collect any other leaves or particles. Voila!

Reviews are mixed on this super-affordable pool cleaning kit from Walmart. While one customer said her husband loves it, others reported that the quality seemed poor and buyer said his broke just after the return window ended. “I was not sure the vacuum would work with a garden hose connection, but it did,” wrote one reviewer. Another reported that, “It does work, but uses a lot of water from your hose.” Perhaps this reviewer summed it up best when he said, “It picked up the debris on the ground of my swimming pool pretty well. If you don’t mind a little labor in moving the Intex vacuum along with your garden hose, then you’ll be good.”