What is the best automatic cleaner for my inground pool?

The reason we recommend pressure side cleaners with booster pumps is that they are not dependent upon your filter system to power them. Automatic cleaners that do not have booster pumps will slow down and even stop as your filter system becomes clogged with dirt and debris. While suction side cleaners (Polaris 340, Kreepy Krauly) can do an excellent job, they can become clogged with debris which slows down or stops their operation. Automatic cleaners with booster pumps will continue to clean, even as your filter system fills with dirt and debris. This is because the booster pump continues to supply a flow of water to the cleaner even if your filter system's flow slows down.

The drawback of automatic cleaners with booster pumps is the installation required. First, you have to install the booster pump at the filter system. This will require tapping into the return for the supply to the booster pump. This is not difficult, just some cutting and glueing of PVC pipe. You will also need to supply electrical power to run the booster pump. This should be done by a licensed electrician.

Next, you will need to run a line to the pool for the supply to the cleaner's head unit. Sometimes there may be a preplumbed line installed by the builder specifically for this. In this case you will just need to connect the discharge of the booster pump to the preplumbed line. If there is no preplumbed line, you have two choices. One is to install an underground line, a rather time consuming and difficult project because it requires putting a fitting through your pool wall. The other is to simply lay a hose on top of the ground to the pool. This should be a good quality garden hose that you can roll up when not in use. Some customers have done a combination of these two options by running a line underground to the edge of the deck, then running a short piece of the hose above ground to the edge of the pool.

Cleaners that do not use a booster pump generally only need to have their hose sections connected together to install. If you do not have a leaf problem, the non-booster pump cleaners can be an excellent option. They will do an excellent job, but you may need to clean your filter system more often depending on how dirty you pool gets. If you have a large leaf problem, you must make sure to clean your skimmers regularly and skim the surface, or leaves can quickly clog your cleaner.