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Best Above Ground Pool Robot Cleaners : Review And Buying Guide

Gretchen Rubin
  Apr 24, 2024 5:59 PM

Today, how are you doing? Your search may be for the best above ground pool robot cleaners or for a specific item to purchase. We've done the legwork for you, so you don't have to. Find out about what's happening now in best above ground pool robot cleaners that interests you.

This blog post is for individuals who are wanting to buy an best above ground pool robot cleaners and need help picking which one to get. You can count on me to offer you my honest thoughts on several best above ground pool robot cleaners that have been highly suggested by professionals in the field.

So let’s get started!


Overview

No matter if you have an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool, cleaning it can be a hard job. Robotic pool cleaners are also not just made for in-ground pools, which is good news.

People often find that getting the best above-ground robotic pool cleaner robot for their budget saves them the hours of work it would take to clean their pool by hand. Reliable robotic cleaners can also save you hundreds of dollars a year on maintenance costs.


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Buying Guide

Pool Shape and Size

Before deciding on an above-ground pool vacuum, go outside and measure the pool if you don't already know its size. Make sure the measurements are right by writing down the shape of the pool. Most above-ground pools are either round or oval in shape. Measure the diameter or radius and the height of a round pool. For an oval pool, measure the length, width, and height.

Using a pool vacuum made for a smaller pool may save you money at first, but the vacuum won't be able to keep up with the demand, leaving you with a dirty pool. Also, battery-powered pool vacuums might not be able to clean the whole pool in one go. On the other hand, pool vacuums made for bigger pools aren't needed for smaller pools, and if the vacuum is too heavy, it could even damage the walls.

Skimmer Basket vs. Pump

If you don't want a robotic pool vacuum, you can either use the skimmer basket or the pool pump to power the vacuum. Suction-side pool vacuums connect to the pool skimmer and use the suction power to pull debris into the filtration system. This is a cheap option that could work well for your pool if the skimmer is easy to get to.

 

But if the system already has a strong pump or if you're willing to pay for an extra pump, a pressure-side pool vacuum is a great choice. It collects dirt and debris in a vacuum bag or cartridge, which puts less stress on the filtration system.

Anti-tangle swivel technology 

Most pool robots don't come with batteries that can be charged. Instead, they all have very long power cords that plug into a power source. As these robots drive around the pool and scrub the sides, their cords will twist and turn to keep up with them.

The anti-tangle swivel technology was made to keep these cords from getting tangled up and making it hard for the robots to move. The best robots have this feature, so you don't have to worry about untangling a 50-foot-long cord after each cleaning cycle.

The goal of pool robots is to save time. As smart devices, they should be able to clean the pool quickly and without wasting time or energy. Because of this, some pool robots have smart navigation software built right in. This software scans and maps the pool to find the best way to clean it as quickly as possible. No wandering around aimlessly, no cleaning the same place more than once, and no wasting time.

Power cable length

If you want each cleaning cycle to cover the most area possible, you'll need to find pool vacuum cleaners with long enough hoses. Even though features like steering technology and navigation are important, the device needs to be able to go far enough away from your power source so that you can use these features.

 

If you want to just plug and play your above-ground pool cleaner, make sure it has a long enough cord (preferably with anti-tangle swivel technology).

Smart features

If you want to be able to program or control your robot from anywhere, you should get one with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that connects to an app on your smartphone. Some models also come with a remote control that lets you drive the robot by hand while it cleans. A pool robot with a weekly timer is also great for setting up times to clean the pool every week.

Cleaning time 

It's always best to choose a product with different cleaning modes so you can choose the one that works best for you. A quick clean that takes only one hour for days when you want your pool ready quickly, and a longer clean that takes three hours when you want a thorough and deep clean. Just pick the right cleaning cycle and let the machine do its thing.

Cleaner’s Physical Weight and Weight Distribution

Above-ground automated cleaners can weigh anywhere from 10 to 50 pounds, which can affect how easy they are to move and how stable they are. In the end, you want a strong structure that can handle normal wear and tear, no matter how heavy it is.

Dirt and Debris to be Cleared

What bothers you the most: leaves or small particles (like sand, dust, etc.)? If bigger things from winter and the rest of the season are your main problem, you'll need a powerful and reliable cleaner that can handle heavy use. Robotic cleaners are often chosen for this reason. But systems that use suction are often better at filtering out and cleaning up smaller pieces.

Sturdy build with replaceable parts

When buying one of these machines, it's very important to choose one with a high-quality build and easy-to-find replacement parts. You don't want a bad product that falls apart quickly because that would be a waste of your money. Parts that can be changed, like the brushes, tracks, and filter canisters, should be easy to find and change.

Price

It's the most important thing to think about, but you should think about more than just the base offer. For example, do you need more hoses, a stronger pump, a longer warranty, or other parts and services before you can start?

 

In the end, peace of mind is worth a few bucks, so be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. At the same time, don't get too excited about the newest features, which may not be necessary and may cost a lot.

 

As a general rule, robotic systems will be more expensive, but they are more likely to make maintaining an above-ground pool easy than suction-based cleaners, which often need to be adjusted by hand.

FAQS

What’s the difference between a robotic pool cleaner and a suction cleaner?

The main difference between these two types of pool cleaners is that robotic pool cleaners have their own filter systems built in, while suction side pool cleaners use the filtration system of the pool to clean. Suction cleaners hook up to a pool's skimmer and use the suction line to catch dirt. Pool robots, on the other hand, are underwater machines that clean pools on their own.

Can you use an in-ground pool cleaner in an above ground pool? 

Be careful. Yes for some models you can. A pool robot made for an in-ground pool works just fine to clean an above-ground pool. But it's always best to find a model that's made for the type of pool you want to use it for. There are also hybrid robots that can clean both in-ground and above-ground pools. Sometimes, a cleaner for an in-ground pool will be too strong for an above-ground pool, which could cause damage.

Why is my pool dirty after I’ve vacuumed it? 

If the water is still dirty after vacuuming, the pool filter is probably broken. During vacuuming, the movement of the vacuum can kick up a lot of dust and dirt, but a filtration system that works well should pull these particles out of the water.

How long will my above-ground pool vacuum last? 

Most above-ground pool vacuums last between 3 and 5 years, depending on how often they are used and how well they are cared for.

Conclusion

It's not easy to keep a pool clean all the time, but the best above-ground pool vacuums on the market can do the job in style and with little effort. An automatic pool cleaner is best for people who want to save energy and come home to a clean pool. A battery-powered pool vacuum may be better for people who need a quick way to clean their smaller pool or hot tub when they need to. Choose the best pool vacuum for your above-ground pool, no matter how big or deep it is, to keep the water sparkling clean.


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