Below are some of the pressure-side automatic pool cleaners, also referred to as automatic pool sweeps, that I like. Yes, they are in my order of preference. I have experience with each of these, both in sales and in service. I left off robotic and suction cleaners, I’ll post those elsewhere.
Click on the links to go to a third party site if you’d like to purchase them.
In the world of pressure-side cleaners, there are various options for in-ground pools, but two manufacturers float to the top…not literally, because you don’t want your pool cleaner to float people. Pentair or Polaris really are the top choices when it comes to pressure-side cleaners. They have been around pretty much since the beginning and continue to produce high-quality sweeps. With any of the following, you truly can’t go wrong if you are using the right application.
1. Pentair Legend
This is my favorite option due to the moderate cost of entry and high quality of manufacture. The Legend is easy to service when needed and the initial setup is simple. It seems like there is a good 2 to 3 years stretch after the initial install that you simply don’t even think about this cleaner. Well, except for the fact that it cleans so well you will have to clean out the over-sized bag a lot.
2. Polaris 3900 Sport
The Polaris 3900 Sport is an excellent pool sweep. You might even say it doesn’t belong in this same class. Truly the only reason I don’t list it as no.1 in this group is due to it’s higher cost of entry. Retailing for just short of $1000 can be cost prohibitive for many pool owners. For those willing to swallow that pill though, I say it’s worth it and a great machine at that. The bag never slips off, the wheel hubs are tight and secure, and this little guy will scale the highest of pool walls. And let’s be honest, it’s a pretty cool looking cleaner as well!
3. Pentair Platinum
Pentair’s Platinum is the bigger brother wingman of the Legend. The platinum has a little bigger wheelbase with a little higher clearance. This a better option for pools with a lot of landscaping. The 4-wheel design wins out over its 3-wheel competitors for stability. A really cool option for both the Legend and the Platinum is that you can get the gray version. An awesome option if you have a dark-colored pool. The sweep is completely gray as well as all the feed hoses and wall fittings.
4. Polaris 380
The Polaris 380 is another high quality piece of machinery. The 3-wheel build is a drawback if I am being honest. The single side-wheel on all of the Polaris models tends to get stuck on steps and railings. As far as cleaners go, the 380 is a win in the industry though. I think we see more of these than any other sweep. The manufacturer put a lot of marketing dollars and dealer incentives to get these cleaners into a lot of pools. That said, you can’t go wrong here. There are shortcomings, but the 380 is solid and the internal build has improved substantially over the years. Not to mention, the price point is fairly moderate which makes this an attractive purchase for any pool owner.
5. Polaris 280
The Polaris 280 is the baby of the bunch. Its compact size makes it a great choice for smaller pools with smaller debris. Especially if you have an extra curvy kidney pool, this cleaner will have no problems navigating the terrain. The 280 is a very economical choice with a low cost of entry. Keep in mind that with its smaller and lighter stature floating is an issue when any air gets introduced to the system and traction is also a problem. Don’t get this cleaner if you have vinyl or fiberglass as you will see it getting stuck a lot.
Hopefully this list is helpful to those in the market for new pressure-side pool cleaners. Keep in mind that all of the cleaners require a booster pump to be on a dedicated pressure line. These are what I refer to as high-pressure pressure-side cleaners. Just confirm you have a booster pump and you are in business.