What type of pool cleaner do I need for my swimming pool?

Suction Cleaner

Suction cleaners attach with a hose to your skimmer box and work by using the suction from your pump to clean up debris. There are two types of suction cleaners:

1. Inertia driven suction cleaners
   Intertia cleaners clean in random pattern which work incredibly well for pools with curved walls and no sharp corners
2. Geared driven suction cleaners
   Geared cleaners clean in a predetermined pattern and have the ability to fit into tight corners, making them perfect for smaller pools with steps, sharp ledges and sharp corners.

• Benefits: They are cheaper, easy to install and because they are so popular, parts are more accessible and affordable.
• Downfalls: Because they attach to the skimmer box, the box cannot take any debris from the surface of the pool They are also less effective in filtering oils, sunscreen and cosmetics, making a progressively more contaminated pool. Suction cleaners are generally quite noisy, making them unsuitable for night operation.

Pressure Cleaner

Pressure cleaners, also known as pool sweeps, operate from a dedicated return-line and run-on water pressure from the pump. Because they come with an attached compartment for debris, they are perfect for pools in leafy areas with heavy debris. Pressure cleaners like the Polaris 280 have amazing wall-climbing abilities and can climb tiles and fibreglass surfaces.

• Benefits: They are more efficient than suction cleaners, have a good long-term unattended operation and can reach into tight corners and can collect very small pieces of debris.
• Downfalls: They are more expensive than suction cleaners, requiring more maintenance than suction cleaners are they have more components and have smaller leaf capacity than pressure cleaners.

Robotic Cleaner

Robotic cleaners are known to be the most reliable of pool cleaners and therefore the most expensive. Robotic cleaners are driven by an electric motor and powered through a low voltage transformer plugged into an outdoor ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

• Benefits: These cleaners tend to experience less stoppages and blockages and are more energy-efficient, offering savings over time. Robotic cleaners prove to be the most advantageous to larger pools but can still be used in small and medium sized pools.
• Downfalls: They are more expensive upfront and somewhat inconvenient in that you have to place them in the pool for cleaning and remove them once cleaning is complete.