List of Top Rated Automatic Above Ground Pool Vacuum from thousands of customer reviews & feedback.
Updated On Sep 2025
2,380 Reviews Studied
What else can be more frustrating than getting excited about a swim, and you turn down to see a dense layer of debris in your pool since you're almost ready to get in. However, you always find hope at the end of the tunnel. A solution to eliminate the sediment layer and other debris easily in the water, with minimum effort and cost. A Pool Vacuum.
But then comes another problem. Out of so many options available in the market, which one suits your requirements. The best thing to do now is to read our guide on 'How to choose an Automatic Above Ground Vacuum. The guide will help you to filter out the alternatives and choose the top-rated automatic pool vacuum.
Types of Automatic Above Ground Pool Vacuums
When it falls to selecting an automatic pool cleaner for your swimming pool above ground, there are several types. Each provides its own particular features like some come with a hose, and some are a hoseless automatic pool vacuum.
The robotic pool vacuums stand at the luxury side of the chart. These machines are equipped to maneuver and function underwater in your swimming pool. Usually driven by a connection to a low-voltage power origin, and small motors are used inside the device to clean your tiles and absorb any dirt found. Such pool vacuums are an extremely productive choice because of their programming abilities, ensuring that no section of your swimming pool is left uncleaned. The robotic vacuum can also be effectively used as an automatic pool vacuum for vinyl pools.
Suction pool vacuums are another option for pool owners and are popular in many pools above ground. When there is a discussion about a pool cleaner or "creepy-crawly" occurs, this is the product to which people point out specifically.
Here you have both manual and automatic suction vacuum alternatives, but both types are configured to connect directly to the existing pump you have in your pool. It is easy to install and generally takes only a few minutes to complete. Based on the specific model, the configuration of a suction pool vacuum varies greatly. Some opt for versatility via convenience and have only one moving component, whereas others are fitted with brush, wheels, and several alternatives to vacuum your pool better.
Pressure pool vacuums provide a unique way to keep your pool clean, floating halfway in the water. These machines operate by producing a pressure-induced suction effect, allowing the water to move continuously through the cleaner and catch any pollutants along the way. Many pressure pool vacuums may require a booster pump to raise the water pressure to provide optimal cleanliness, varying on the specific model. The secondary pump will enable the cleaner to move and extract all the particles, particularly in larger pools.
Due to the water flow involved (and probably the secondary pump), pressure pool cleaners have a higher operating cost than robotic and suction vacuums. If you select a version that requires a booster pump, it is advised that you get a professional for installation.
Consider the following important point and read the automatic pool vacuum cleaners reviews before making a buying decision.
Pool Size
Many consumers went wrong with a pool vacuum by selecting a system that does not suit the specific size of their pool. Manual swimming pool vacuums may be appropriate for a small swimming pool. However, our advice is to consider an automated suction or robotic alternative so that the vacuum can execute a program and clean each inch if you have a big swimming pool.
The cord size also serves a part because pool vacuums need to attach to either your pump or a power source to operate. Before you invest, make sure it can reach all regions of your pool. For cleaning large commercial pools, commercial automatic pool vacuums are the best fit solution.
Features
It's a universal truth that having more advanced features will cost more than standard but are designed to get the job done with ease. For a large size pool or regular cleaning, the model with extra features is the call. Whereas for basic requirements, the models with standard features will be the best choice. Features offered by Polaris automatic pool vacuums are considered to be the most advanced in the market.
Additional parts can also be a factor to consider in buying. Automatic pool vacuum parts can be cost-saving if it comes with the machine. If not, then you will need to think about whether you really need them or not.
Performance
It would be useless to have a pool vacuum unless it won't do an excellent job of cleaning up your pool, and there are two significant aspects to watch out.
First, understand that not all the cleaners can clean it on the walls of your pool above ground. If this is a significant concern, you may need to consider looking for models that deliver this when doing your research in advance. The second is how well the vacuum gets back on track once it comes up against an issue. The very last thing you want to see is a vacuum that stops every time you encounter a problem in your pool, and you'll have to restart it. For reference, the Intex automatic pool vacuum provides a hassle-free and excellent performance.
Installation
Pool vacuums aren't all that hard to install; you need to unbox, attach, and drop your new piece of pool machinery in the water. Generally, the robotic pool vacuums would need a power source. Thus they are indeed a plug-and-play alternative, whereas the suction designs that connect to your pump are not much more challenging. Connecting the hoses to your pump involves less than ten minutes. For having a suction pool vacuum running, you just need to switch it on, and it will start suctioning the particles out.
Pressure pool vacuums connect in either of two ways. Low-pressure versions would use only the return line. Conversely, most models need a separate cleaner line and the introduction of a secondary booster pump, for which we suggest you call a professional.
Price
Before buying an automatic above ground vacuum, make an estimated budget depending on your requirement and how much your pocket can handle. For a good quality pool vacuum, the price range is about £300 to £1000. It can go further up to £2000 for an advanced robotic vacuum. If your pool size is small, then a cheap automatic pool vacuum will do. There's no need to explode your pocket without having a strict requirement.
Warranty
It's always better to know when it comes to getting a warranty that you have a reasonable time. In particular, with the automatic pool vacuums, you have quite a few electronic components. And as you understand, parts can break, or things can be faulty on the programming side. You should ensure you have a brand with a decent warranty that should perform well for the coming years. Some brands such as Hayward automatic pool vacuums last longer for like eight years.
Final Words
A pool vacuum is not something that you buy often. You must ensure that the one you pick will last longer. Follow the guide and choose a pool vacuum, so you find something that ideally fits your budget and needs. Also, check our list of top 10 automatic above ground pool vacuums to get an ideal model for you.