Suction Side Cleaners

29 products

Two things pick a suction side cleaner: whether the pool is inground or above ground, and how big it is. Models are matched to a pool length through the hose in the box, so a 32 or 33 ft hose suits pools up to about 16 x 32 ft and a 40 ft hose suits pools up to 20 x 40 ft. A suction cleaner runs off the pool's own pump and filter, with no separate power cord. Hayward, Pentair Kreepy Krauly and Zodiac Baracuda are the main names.

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About Suction Side Cleaners

Most of this shelf is inground cleaners: two wheel and four wheel designs, a diaphragm disc model, and Kreepy Krauly cleaners with a flapper or a bristle drive. Several climb the wall, and the listings say which pool surfaces each one is built for, from vinyl and fiberglass to gunite, tile and pebble.

Above ground and on-ground pools are covered too, with Wanda the Whale, Diver Dave, the Baracuda Ranger and a Kreepy Krauly above ground model. A few loose parts sit here as well, including a sweep hose, a pressure relief valve, a wheel bolt kit and a floating cord. More parts are in pool cleaner parts.

If you would rather have a cleaner that carries its own motor, see robotic pool cleaners, or compare with pressure side cleaners.

Questions about Suction Side Cleaners

What size suction cleaner do I need for my pool?

Go by the pool's length and the hose that comes with the cleaner. Listings here pair a 32 or 33 ft hose with pools up to 16 x 32 ft, and a 40 ft hose with pools up to 20 x 40 ft. One inground model is rated for pools up to 40 ft long. Measure the longest run the cleaner has to reach from the skimmer, then pick a hose that gets there with a little slack.

Do I need a booster pump for a suction pool cleaner?

Not for these. A suction side cleaner runs on the pool's existing filtration system, so the pump you already have does the work and there is no second motor to add. The Kreepy Krauly Kruiser listing says plainly that no booster pump is required. Cleaners that work differently are on the pressure side and robotic shelves.

Will a suction cleaner work in my vinyl or fiberglass pool?

Many will, and each listing names the surfaces it is built for. The Hayward AquaNaut 400 lists concrete, gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, tile and pebble. The Pool Vac XL is built for vinyl lined pools, and the Navigator is listed for fiberglass. Read the surfaces or pool type row on the one you like before ordering, because a model sold for inground concrete may not suit a soft liner.

Can I use a suction side cleaner in an above ground pool?

Yes, with a model made for it. The above ground choices here are Hayward Wanda the Whale, which is also listed for on-ground pools and comes with 32 ft of hose, Diver Dave with hoses included, the Zodiac Baracuda Ranger and an above ground Kreepy Krauly. The inground cleaners are sized and built for inground pools, so keep them to those.

What kind of debris will a suction cleaner pick up?

It depends on the model, and the listings give it. Some are described for small, medium and large leaves and even piles of leaves, others for small leaves, medium leaves, sand and silt. Because the debris goes into your skimmer and filter system, a bigger load means emptying the baskets more often, so match the cleaner to what actually falls in your yard.

How does a suction cleaner connect to the pool?

By hose to the skimmer. The Kreepy Krauly Kruiser connects to the skimmer without tools. Some kits add a Vac-Port door fitting, a regulator valve and a flow gauge, which set how hard the cleaner pulls. Check the included row on the product to see which of those you get.