There are four categories for automatic swimming pool cleaners. Suction Side, Pressure Side, Robotic pool cleaners, and Surface Cleaners.
Suction Side Cleaners:
This is the most familiar type of cleaner to most consumers and the most popular type. A suction cleaner works off your pool's existing pump and is attached to the skimmer or a side/ vacuum port in your pool. Depending on the pool and type of debris, this can be the most cost-effective cleaner for you. Most suction-side cleaners retail for $500 or less.
The suction side cleaner is the most popular on my pool route as it is affordable and effective, and there are a lot of different models to choose from. In most cases, I suggest an excellent suction side cleaner since they are also easy to set up and easy to repair when something breaks.
Pressure Side and Return Side Cleaners:
Pressure-side cleaners are highly effective. They have a large debris opening and a large bag on top of the debris. They can clean a large pool in 2- 3 hours or less. The drawbacks are that they need a separate booster pump installed and a dedicated return line. So, Pressure Cleaners are usually installed when the pool is constructed or remodeled.
I have several pressure cleaners on my pool route, and they leave the pools spotless each week. If you are having your pool built or remodeled, consider a Pressure Cleaner.
The Return Side cleaner is an excellent option for a newer pool with 1 1/2" threaded return lines. This cleaner connects to your existing return lines and works like a pressure cleaner, except that no booster pump is needed. I have these on several accounts and love them.
The only major drawback is that since you need to restrict one or more return jets to generate enough pressure, the skimming action of the pool is reduced. It is not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. So, if you have lots of large debris in your pool and think a Pressure Side cleaner would work, try a non-booster pump Return side cleaner as an alternative to remodeling your pool.
ROBOTIC POOL CLEANERS:
My opinion of Robotic Cleaners has changed over the recent years, and now I would suggest them along with Suction Cleaners and Pressure Cleaners. One reason is that robotic cleaners are more reliable, and the manufacturers signify this by offering up to a three-year limited warranty; some offer a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty if purchased from a retail pool store. The overall design of robotic cleaners has improved, so the motors, belts, and drives last longer.
Cord or cable tangling used to be a big issue with robotic cleaners. It is very annoying to have to untangle the cord every hour, and the engineers of these cleaners have heard your cries. Many models come with cord swivels or alternate ways to prevent tangling. Now, with several cordless models, you don't need to worry about a cord!
Robotic Cleaners can generally pick up larger debris than many suction-side cleaners. Their debris chambers are large in capacity, so they are great for pools with a lot of dirt and debris. The Aquabot cleaners featured here filter down to 2 microns.
Another great benefit is that running a robotic cleaner in your pool costs less than $1.00 a day as it converts 120 volts of power down to 12 volts, so they are the most affordable cleaner to operate. Since they also pump anywhere from 60 to 80 gallons of water per minute, you can run your filter less as the robotic cleaner circulates your pool water. For a larger pool, this is a great bonus.
Of course, with any product, there are some drawbacks also. The first one is that robotic cleaners can be heavy to remove from the pool for some people. I like pulling it up, leaning it on the pool coping, and letting it drain before lifting it. The dry weight of the cleaners has also gotten lighter over the years - most now weigh under 20 lbs.
Another drawback is the maintenance of the cleaner. The tracks, brushes, and drive belts are easy to change, but you must send them out to a service center if something goes wrong with the motor and electronics.
With a suction or pressure cleaner, you can usually fix everything yourself.
And last, the lower price point is still high compared to a suction-side cleaner. Although some $400 robotic cleaners are without bells and whistles, a robotic cleaner is still a significant investment.
One distinct advantage is that robotic cleaners are self-contained units. They operate separately from your pool's filtration system. That means your pool filter stays cleaner, and all the dirt and debris is trapped inside the robotic cleaner. Also, if you have old or undersized pool equipment, a robotic cleaner would be a way to keep the pool clean more effectively than a poorly running suction side cleaner.
Solar Surface Cleaners:
This is still an emerging market but one with many great choices. The Betta 2.0 has been proven to be the new leader in this segment, but Aiper has a Surfer S1 cleaner that looks good enough to rival the Betta cleaner. Unfortunately, the original manufacturer in this segment, Solar-Breeze, no longer produces their cleaners, even in the latest form, the Ariel. So you have fewer options, but they are all solid in their respect.
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