Robotic or automatic pool cleaners are all the rage these days, but there are still many situations where a handheld pool vacuum is the best choice. For example, most robotic cleaners can’t handle spas or kiddie pools, and some of them don’t cover every inch of your swimming pool (particularly if it has an irregular shape or unusual custom features). When your pool needs a little extra attention, a handheld vacuum is the perfect tool for the job.
Unfortunately, “perfect” isn’t a word that gets used in conjunction with pool vacuums very often. A lot of pool owners have a love/hate relationship with these unruly appliances. Pool vacuums for inground pools can be fussy and difficult to operate, and the poorer ones do a better job of sucking up battery life than dirt. When you’re taking the time to manually clean your pool, the last thing you want is to have to deal with an uncooperative piece of machinery.
But they’re not all bad. A small number of vacuums receive top marks from the pool owners who use them. Here are our three picks.
1. Pool Blaster Max
Water Tech Pool Blaster Max – more info
2. Pool Buster Max
Pool Buster Max Handheld Pool Cleaner – more info
3. Aqua Broom
Water Tech BROOM Pool Blaster – more info
These three pool vacuums are all made by Water Tech Corp. and rise to the top based on the same basic features:
- Operate independently without the need for cords or hoses
- Strong suction
- Battery powered
- Attach to pool poles for extended reach
- Lightweight
If you’re planning on cleaning a larger pool with one of these handheld vacuums alone, you may be disappointed. Manually vacuuming out a large pool is a tedious job no matter what equipment you use. However, these handheld vacuums are great for smaller pools, or when used to spot clean in conjunction with an automatic pool cleaner.
But are they really worth it? The price of all of these models is affordable, and easily justifiable based on what they can save you in pool cleaning costs. Many pool owners are able to get by without a pool service by purchasing professional pool cleaning equipment like this. Again, a pool vacuum isn’t enough to keep your pool clean on its own, but it’s an important part of the pool maintenance arsenal.
You can find these pool vacuums for inground pools at most swimming pool supply stores. The models above are all available online.