Best Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner in 2023: 5 Top Choices

Best Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner

A clean and clear pool is the dream for most pool owners. But maintaining it and keeping it clean is a lot of work.

It’s advised that you clean your pool at least once a week. But depending on the size and use, you may have to clean it every two to three days. 

While filtration systems do an excellent job of keeping the pool clean, they have some limitations. For example, leaves and twigs often clog the drains and reduce the longevity of the main filtration unit. That’s where pressure-side pool cleaners come in. 

These work alongside the primary filtration system to keep your pool safe and healthy.

If you’re looking to buy a pressure-side pool cleaner, you’ve come to the right place. Here I list the five best pressure-side cleaners from top brands that you can buy in 2023.

Related: Pool Heat Pump vs Gas Heater – A Detailed Comparison 2023

How Does a Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner Work?

Before you buy a pressure-side pool cleaner, it’s better to understand how they work.

Pressure-side pool cleaners attach to the return outlet of the pool, from where the pumps expel water back into the pool after filtration. The return outlet is referred to as the pressure side of the pool instead of the skimmer, which is called the suction side.

These cleaners rely on the pumped water’s force to move underwater. In the process, they collect debris and tiny sediment in a bag and keep the water clean.

Some pressure-side pool cleaners also have filters in the bag to purify the water as they move through.

In pressure-side cleaners, you’ll notice a tail-like structure attached to the rear end of the unit. This structure traverses in a slither-like motion and scrubs the pool surface. Thus, it prevents dust and algae from settling in, which are later picked up by the skimmer.

Here are the five best recommendations for you:

Best Overall: Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure-Side

Best Entry-Level: Eritephma 2160 Pool Pressure Side Sweeper

Best Premium: Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend

Best Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner with Booster Pump: Hayward W3TVP500C TriVac

To be considered: Polaris Vac-Sweep 280

Best overall pressure-side pool cleaner

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure-Side

Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 Pressure Inground Pool Cleaner, Triple Jet Powered with a Single Chamber Debris Bag

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  • Brand – Polaris
  • Size – 20 x 10 x 22.75 ‘
  • Feed hose length – 31 “
  • Booster Pump – Not Required

The Vac-Sweep 360 is one of the market’s most potent and advanced pressure-side pool cleaners. Designed by the renowned brand Polaris, it sweeps, scrubs, and cleans the entire pool without needing a booster pump!

As already mentioned, most pressure-side cleaners require a separate booster pump to operate. But not this tool. It features three venturi jets that propel the cleaner forward. Simply connect to the dedicated pressure line and let the Vac-Sweep work its way through. If the Vac-Sweep gets cornered, the in-line backup valve sets in, thus offering uninterrupted cleaning.

This pressure-side pool cleaner features a single chamber filter Velco bag. Thus, it can easily collect large debris like pebbles and sticks. The feed hose is long enough for most in-ground swimming pools. And it works on all surfaces, whether vinyl, fiberglass, tile, or gunite.

The Vac-Sweep 360 can clean the entire pool in 3 hours or less, depending on the size. It’s a must-buy for anyone looking for the best pressure-side pool cleaner.

Pros

  • No booster pump is required, which increases power efficiency
  • Large debris bag
  • Long 31′ feed hose

Cons

  • It may not work with a low-end main pump

Check the Vac-Sweep 360’s latest prices on Amazon

Best entry-level pressure-side pool cleaner

Eritephma 2160 Pool Pressure Side Sweeper

Eritephma 2160 Pool Pressure Side Sweeper - Professional Solution for Cleaning Your Swimming Pool

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  • Brand – Amptyhub
  • Size – 22.44 x 19.69 x 10.63 ‘
  • Feed hose length – 33 “
  • Booster Pump – Required

2160 is the perfect entry-level pressure-side pool cleaner that’s affordable yet has all the essential features to keep your pool dirt-free.

2160 has a compact, minimalist design. Thus, it can easily maneuver through the pool with the help of a booster pump. The dirtbag, which is of considerable size, collects debris. The 33 feet long hose allows it to cover every corner with ease.

The tail is also a few centimeters longer than average cleaners. Thus, it better scrubs the surface than others. It’s suitable for all in-ground swimming pools, regardless of the surface.

With a plastic body, the unit is exceptionally lightweight. You can drop it in and pull it out of the pool with minimal effort. Moreover, it’s easy to assemble, and you can get started within 20 minutes.

Despite being an entry-level product, it is reliable and guaranteed to last long. Every purchase requires a two-year product warranty and a five-year warranty on frames.

So, all in all, it’s a fantastic product to explore the pressure-side pool cleaning technology.

Pros

  • Easy to install and use
  • Affordable
  • Extra long feed hose

Cons

  • It needs a booster pump to operate

Check the Eritephma 2160’s latest prices on Amazon

Best premium pressure-side pool cleaner

Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend

Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner, Grey Top, White Bottom Cleaner for Lighter Colored Pools

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  • Brand – Pentair
  • Size – 23.5 x 23.5 x 11 ‘
  • Feed hose length – 30 “
  • Booster Pump – Required

While the Pentair LL505G is far from ‘Kreepy,’ it’s a legendary product in the pressure-side pool cleaner space.

The unit filters water at a fantastic rate and gets the job done faster than others. If you’ve got a large commercial pool and are looking for a cleaning assistant, look no further than this cleaner. 

The USP of this Pentair pressure-side pool cleaner is the four wheels and the front-wheel drive technology. Unlike three-wheel units, the four-wheel design grants more stability to this pressure-side pool cleaner. Hence, there’s less chance of tipping or tilting from its intended path.

This also means leaving it unattended and carrying on with your other tasks. In a way, it’s completely automated.

Complementing the four wheels is the front-wheel drive. Equipped with treaded tires, these offer superior traction when cleaning the pool surface. This feature comes in handy on inclined surfaces — an area where pressure-side pool cleaners lag when compared to robotic cleaners.

The unit also boasts a high-capacity bag. As the cleaner moves forward, it can take in a large amount of water. Thus, it takes less time to complete the task than other cleaners in the same range. The goodly bag also means it can accommodate a large amount of debris. So you don’t have to take it out and empty the content frequently before resuming the cleaning process.

Pros

  • Reliable pool cleaning with front-wheel drive tires
  • Large debris bag
  • Durable

Cons

  • Replacement parts are expensive.

Check the Pentair LL505G’s latest prices on Amazon

Best Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner with Booster Pump

Hayward W3TVP500C TriVac

Hayward W3TVP500C TriVac 500 Pressure Pool Cleaner for In-Ground Pools up to 20 x 40 ft. with 34 ft. Hose (Automatic Pool Vaccum)

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  • Brand – Hayward
  • Size – 22.5 x 19.8 x 15.9 ‘
  • Feed hose length – 34 “
  • Booster Pump – Required

The Hayward TriVac is a pressure-side pool cleaner with a dedicated booster pump. Although the pump is sold separately, it’s compatible with the pool cleaner and is much more efficient than other booster pumps.

The cleaning unit itself is pretty impressive. It has a streamlined design to reduce friction and traverse easily through the water. This not only saves energy but also speeds up the cleaning process.

It uses three high-pressure water jets (the patented AquaDrive jets) to move through the water. Also, the unit has a unique backup sequence that allows it to clean the pool faster.

Unlike a traditional pressure-side pool cleaner, you won’t find a tail sweeper with it. Instead, there’s an extra large debris bag that trails the unit. The suction inlet is twice as large as other units and collects more trash at once.

Also, you’ll find horizontal wheels at the front. These help the unit move sideways along the walls and change directions.

It’s one of the few units with a dedicated booster pump. Although you can purchase the cleaner as a standalone product, getting the booster pump is better. It’ll cost $200 extra. The pump consumes 40% less power than a conventional pump and is exceptionally quiet during operation.

Pros

  • It comes pre-assembled and is easy to use
  • Cleans hard-to-reach places with ease
  • Compatible with all pool surfaces

Cons

  • The tail for scrubbing is absent.

Check the Hayward TriVac’s latest prices on Amazon

To be considered – Polaris Vac-Sweep 280

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side In-ground Pool Cleaner, Double Venturi Jet Powered, 31ft of Hose with an All Purpose Debris Bag

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  • Brand – Polaris
  • Size – 20 x 23 x 10 ‘
  • Feed hose length – 31 “
  • Booster Pump – Required

The Vac-Sweep 280 is similar to the Vac-Sweep 360, except that it requires a booster pump. Just like the Vac-Sweep 360, this Polaris pressure-side pool cleaner can:

  • Reliably clean your swimming pool within 3 hours
  • Scrub the surface and clear dust using the Tail Sweep Pro
  • Capture large debris in the oversized chamber filter bag

But there are some differences as well. While the 360 had three venturi jets, this unit has two. The lack of one jet doesn’t affect the speed, and it functions at more or less the same pace.

There’s a difference in the bags too. The 360 has a single chamber velcro bag, but the 280 has a zipper bag. Again, this doesn’t affect the performance, but it’s something you should know before buying.

The 31-feet long feed hose gives you much flexibility to work with and cover the entire pool. Since it’d require a booster pump, make sure you install one before using this unit.

The Sweep 280 is suitable for all floors, including vinyl and tile. And at 6.2 pounds, it’s one the lightest cleaners, which makes handling easier. All in all, a perfect alternative to the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360.

Pros

  • Faster cleaning and scrubbing
  • Large debris bag to capture all types of junk 
  • Compatible with all surface types

Cons

  • Requires a booster pump to function

Check the Vac-Sweep 280’s latest prices on Amazon

Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner FAQs

1. What is the difference between a suction and pressure side pool cleaner?

The primary difference between a suction side and a pressure side pool cleaner is that pressure side cleaners are independent of the pool’s filtration system. They are separate units that utilize the pool’s pressure side to propel themselves underwater. Suction side cleaners are mounted to the skimmer to collect the debris.

2. What is the best pressure pool cleaner on the market?

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is arguably the best pressure-side pool cleaner on the market. It operates without a separate pressure pump, which increases efficiency. Moreover, it has an oversized bag to collect more debris than conventional cleaners.

3. How do you clean the sides of an inground pool?

You can either manually scrub the side of the inground pool or employ robotic pool cleaners. Robotic cleaners are designed to scrub the pool walls along with the floor. But not all robotic models climb walls. Therefore, you need to buy a robotic cleaner like AIPER Seagull 3000, a cordless wall-climbing pool cleaner.

4. How do you hook up a pressure side pool cleaner?

To hook up a pressure-side pool cleaner, you need to connect the feed hose to the return outlet of the pool. You may have to install the Universal Wall Fitting or UWF first to be able to connect to the outlet.

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