Which Pool Cleaner Works Best? Suction, Pressure, or Robotic?

Nobody wants to spend their day chasing leaves with a vacuum. The right cleaner can take that work off your plate if you choose the one that actually fits the job. Suction, pressure, and robotic models all do things differently. What works best depends on your pool, the debris it collects, and how hands-on you want to be.
 

Suction-Side Pool Cleaners: Easy and Budget Friendly

Suction cleaners hook into your pool's skimmer or dedicated suction line. They move around using the suction from your filtration system, sucking up dirt as they go.

Pros:

🔹Easy to set up
🔹Doesn't cost much
🔹Uses the existing system; no extra power source

Cons:

🔹Adds wear to your pool's filter and pump
🔹Struggles with bigger debris like leaves or twigs
🔹Cleaning power depends on how strong your pool's pump is

Best For: Smaller pools with light dirt or sand. Not a great option if you're dealing with heavy debris or tons of leaves.
 

Pressure-Side Pool Cleaners: Stronger, But a Bit More to Manage

Pressure cleaners use water returning to the pool (sometimes from a booster pump) to drive them. Instead of pulling debris through your pool's filter, they collect it in a built-in bag.

Pros:

🔹Handles larger debris better
🔹Doesn't clog or stress your filtration system
🔹Can run independently without tying up the skimmer

Cons:

🔹Often needs a booster pump (and the cost that comes with it)
🔹More parts mean more potential maintenance
🔹Not as great for fine dirt or algae

Best For: Medium to large pools, especially if they sit near trees or get a lot of wind-blown debris.
 

Robotic Pool Cleaners: Smart, Fast, and Independent

Robotic cleaners run on electricity, plug directly into a wall outlet, and have their own filter. Some models even map the pool for more efficient cleaning.

Pros:

🔹Doesn't touch your pool's pump or filter
🔹Cleans walls, floors, and waterline
🔹Some offer programmable schedules and remote control
🔹Picks up everything from fine dust to acorns

Cons:

🔹Higher upfront cost
🔹Needs to be pulled out after each use
🔹May not last as long in commercial or heavy-use settings

Best For: Any pool that needs a deep clean without extra work. Especially good for clients who want a "set it and forget it" solution.
 

So Which to Choose?

If your client wants the most affordable setup and only deals with sand or dirt, suction might do the trick. If they're fighting leaves, bugs, or acorns, pressure-side is a safer bet. But if they want hands-off cleaning with smart tech and better performance, robotic wins every time.

Still unsure? Bring it up at the next site visit, or talk to your local Heritage branch. We've seen it all... messy yards, weird-shaped pools, and everything in between. We'll help you figure out what works without wasting time or money.