Inground robotic pool cleaner

Best Robotic Inground Pool Cleaners for 2023: Top Picks & Reviews

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


Shopping for a Robotic Pool Cleaner for Your In-Ground Swimming Pool?

You’ve come to the right place.

You can spend your weekends scrubbing and vacuuming the pool or pay money to a pool service company.

Or, you can buy a robotic pool cleaner.

In-ground pools can be a lot of work and money to maintain. A robotic pool cleaner saves you both. It scrubs and vacuums the pool while using way less energy compared to traditional suction and pressure cleaners.


What’s in This Buying Guide?

In this 15-minute buying guide, we review the best robotic pool cleaners for in-ground pools. All our top picks are pool owner-approved with plenty of positive customer reviews.

We also explain why it’s a good idea to buy a robotic pool cleaner and how to choose the right one for your pool.


Inground vs. Above Ground Pool Cleaner

Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover Junior Robotic Above-Ground Pool Cleaner,Color May Vary

When you shop for a robotic pool cleaner for your in-ground pool, make sure it’s designed to clean in-ground pools.

There are significant differences between above-ground and in-ground robotic cleaners.

In-ground cleaners are typically larger, have stronger motors (allowing them to filter more water and move over larger obstacles), and have a longer floating cable to ensure they reach every corner of the pool.

If you use a cleaner designed for a small above-ground pool, it won’t clean your pool well.

Another key difference is that most in-ground robotic pool cleaners are equipped with smart navigation systems that allow them to easily and efficiently navigate all pool sizes and shapes.


The Best Inground Pool Vacuums

  1. Best for Strong Suction: Polaris 9450 Sport Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner
  2. Best Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner With Wireless Remote Control: Dolphin Triton Plus
  3. Best Overall Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Nautilus PLUS
  4. Best for Efficient Cleaning: Dolphin Escape Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner
  5. Best Hayward Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Hayward SharkVAC XL with Caddy
  6. Best Smart Pool Robot: Hayward W3RC9740CUB SharkVac
  7. Best Cordless Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Kenwell Kuppet Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner

Top 7 Robotic Pool Cleaners For Inground Pools: Comparison Table

Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com

CleanerHoseBrushesBasketRemote controlTimerWarrantyWeight
Polaris 9450
best inground pool cleaner
60ft swivel cableTwo scrubbing brushesTop-loading basketNoYes
(weekly)
2 year43.6 pounds
Dolphin Triton Plus
best inground pool cleaner
60ft swivel cableTwo scrubbing brushesTop-loading basketYes
(weekly)
No2 year29.4 pounds
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner with Easy To Clean Large Top Load Filter Cartridges and Tangle-Free Swivel Cord, Ideal for In-Ground Swimming Pools Up To 50 Feet
60ft swivel cableTwo scrubbing brushesTop-loading basketNoYes (weekly)2.5-years19lbs dry weight
Dolphin Escape
inground pool cleaners
30ft swivel cableActive scrubbing brush Top-loading basketNoNo1-years14 lbs
Hayward SharkVAC XL
Hayward SharkVac XL with Caddy
50ft swivel cableTwo scrubbing brushesTop-loading cartridges NoYes (weekly)2-years21lbs dry weight
Hayward W3RC9740CUB
automatic inground pool vacuum
50ft

Two scrubbing brushesTop-loading basketNo
No
1-years44.6 lbs
Kenwell Kuppet
Kenwell Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner - Robotic Pool Cleaner with 7800mAh Rechargeable Battery
Cordless




Four sponge roller brushes
Top-loading dual filter baskets
No
Yes (Cycle)2-years27.2lbs dry weight

 


1. Best for Strong Suction: Polaris 9450 Sport Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner

best inground pool cleaner

The Polaris 9450 is our top pick if you are looking for a powerful vacuum for your pool. With scrubbing brushes and super-strong suction power, this one can handle cleaning jobs most others cannot. 

Its extra-large debris canister and tangle-reducing swivel are also commendable. 

Best Features

1. 4-Wheel Drive

The 4-wheel drive climbing enables this cleaner to navigate any kind of pool floor. It keeps this cleaner running on uneven pool surfaces too. Its solid-blade scrubbing brush helps maintain balance while scouring pool surfaces. 

2. 60 Cable

There is a 60 feet cable that helps the cleaner cover the whole pool without needing any extra cable. The tangle-reducing swivel ensures the cable does not tangle while the cleaner is working. 

3. Vortex Vacuum Technology

Polaris 9450 uses Vortex vacuum technology to ensure a thorough cleaning. It keeps the debris suspended for a long while, ensuring maximum debris suction. The pleated scrubbing brushes rub out dirt and algae too, so this is an incredible inground pool cleaner.

4. Easy Clean Filter Canister

The filter canister in this pool cleaner is noteworthy, as it is big enough to handle debris in messy pools. This canister not only captures debris effectively but is also super-easy to clean. You have to remove and rinse it with water to ready it for your next pool cleaning round. 

5. Easy Lift System

As this pool cleaner has an easy lift system, it makes caring for your pool hassle-free. It has a 7-day programmable timer along with customizable cleaning schedules. 

Specifications

  • 4-wheel drive.
  • Easy lift removal system.
  • 60 feet long cable.
  • Weighs only 43.6 pounds.
  • 70% fewer filter cleanings.
  • 7-day programmable timer.

Customer Feedback

Most customers appreciate the Polaris 9450 for its superior cleaning power and its ability to clean a large pool in under 1.5 hours. 

However, the cables can tangle at times.

Conclusion

All in all, this is one of the most powerful robotic pool cleaners for inground pools. It has a high energy efficiency rating along with a large debris canister. It is also quite reliable when cleaning large pools, as it has a long cable.  Just make sure you watch the cable.

[RETURN TO LIST]


2. Best Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner with Wireless Remote Control: Dolphin Triton Plus

Dolphin Triton PS Plus Automatic Pool Cleaner with Bluetooth and Extra-Large Filter Basket, Ideal for In-ground Swimming Pools up to 50 Feet.

An upgrade to the original Dolphin Triton, Maytronic’s Dolphin Triton PLUS boasts a ton of great features.

In addition to Dolphin’s patented tangle-free cable swivel and IntelliScan navigation, the Triton PLUS includes an extra-large top access filter (with fine and coarse mesh filters), a dual drive motor and split brushes.

You also get true 90-degree turning for tight corners and dramatically enhanced cleaning coverage. The Plus comes with remote control and a rapid-release feature to help you flush filtered water out of the unit for easy lifting onto the included caddy.

Best Features

1. IntelliScan

Intelliscan technology, found in most Dolphin pool cleaners, learns the dimensions and size of your pool, then uses that information to thoroughly clean the walls and floor of the pool in the shortest time possible.

2. Tangle-free swivel

This is another hallmark of Dolphin cleaner. The Triton’s swivel cable doesn’t get tangled as the robotic cleaner moves about.

3. Fine and coarse filters

The Triton Plus is equipped with two different types of filters for coarse and fine debris. The Triton Plus has excellent filtering capabilities. One owner commented that while emptying the collection bag, he would find things he did not even think we’re in the pool.

4. “Full Cartridge” indicator with auto-stop

As the filter collects debris, it deposits it into a collection filter cartridge. When the cartridge fills, the cleaner stops operating, and an indicator light comes on to remind you to clean the filter before proceeding.

5. Two cleaning modes

Got a party in an hour? Choose the quick clean mode to sweep your pool in only one hour. Or, use the full cycle cleaning setting that takes about two and a half hours. In both modes, the Triton Plus climb walls like a champ.

6. Remote control

A smartphone app is included along with the unit. With it, you can manually drive the cleaner around the pool and select your cleaning cycle.

7. Timer for auto cleaning

The Dolphin Triton Plus can be set to auto-clean your pool every 24, 48, or 72 hours with a push of a button. A maximum of three consecutive clean cycles can be scheduled.

See it in Action

Look at how the Triton Plus climbs walls:

Specifications

  • For in-ground pools up to 50 feet long.
  • Top access, easy to clean cartridge.
  • Easy to fix when damaged.
  • Ability to make 90-degree turns.
  • Caddy included for easier transport from the pool to storage.
  • 2-Year Warranty

Customer Feedback

4 and a half stars

The Triton Plus gets high marks for its ability to climb any surface, for its overall cleaning ability and for its useful remote control that allows you to direct its movements.

Cleans my pool very well. Climbs walls, Stairs, able to go right over main drain, does the job very efficiently with minimal spots missed. Self corrects, and does not get stuck often…

On the con side, some people noted that removing the unit from the pool could be easier.

Lifting the cleaner out of the pool requires some effort, since it is full of water and weighs a good bit.

This pool cleaner is a bit heavy; lifting it out of the pool may be tough for some. This is especially true if it completes the cleaning cycle in the deep end.

Conclusion

The Dolphin Triton PLUS is a big step up from its predecessor and most other robotic cleaners. It excels in energy savings and thoroughness of cleaning and comes with a bunch of unique features (and a caddy!) that make it easy to live with.

[RETURN TO LIST]


3. Best Overall Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Nautilus PLUS

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner with Easy To Clean Large Top Load Filter Cartridges and Tangle-Free Swivel Cord, Ideal for In-Ground Swimming Pools Up To 50 Feet

The Dolphin Nautilus CC is an affordable robotic pool cleaner that offers an excellent cleaning performance, which is why we think it is the best choice for most inground pools.

While not the most powerful robotic pool cleaner nor the most technologically advanced, it’s the best inground pool cleaner you’ll get for under $1,000.

Manufactured by market leader Maytronics, the Dolphin Nautilus Plus is easy to use, sophisticated, and extremely efficient robotic pool cleaner.

The Plus has all the great features of its predecessor, the Dolphin Nautilus, plus a few more, including the addition of IntelliScan and an extra-large top access filter and easier do-it-yourself maintenance (at the component level).

Best Features

1. IntelliScan Navigation

Unlike the original Nautilus, the Dolphin Nautilus Plus comes equipped with IntelliScan, Dolphin’s market-leading onboard navigation system that provides a more thorough cleaning in less time than other pool cleaners.

IntelliScan is an intelligent scanning, learning, and navigation system that helps the unit learn your pool’s surfaces and then use that knowledge to cover every square inch of the pool – including walls and other vertical surfaces.

IntelliScan works like the GPS in your car. During learning mode, Intelliscan records your pool’s shape, size, and dimensions and determines the most optimal cleaning path to follow for maximum coverage and the lowest possible energy consumption. The result is a cleaner pool in less time, without excessive energy costs.

Intelliscan works with all sizes of normal and irregular shaped pools.

2. Dual filters

The Dolphin Nautilus Plus uses an onboard dual filter system to sift pool water. All that is needed is to empty the collection bag once it is full.

There are two types of filters available: a mesh screen for filtering large debris and pleated polyester fiber to trap sand, dirt, and grit.

3. Patented Swivel Cables to avoid tangling

When the power cable tangles, it prevents cleaning and can damage a robotic cleaner. To solve this, Dolphin uses a patented cable swivel that stays clear of the unit and eliminates tangles.

See it in Action

Specifications

  • Suitable for in-ground pools up to 50 feet long
  • Special spring clean-up option
  • Takes about 3 hours for a full cleaning
  • Weighs 22 pounds
  • Spare parts are easy to find and affordable. In most cases, you can replace a damaged part without a professional.
  • Has PVC bristle brushes, which are superior for scrubbing hard surfaces such as gunite (shotcrete).

Customer Feedback

4 and a half stars

Many owners give the Nautilus Plus kudos for its simple and reliable operation.

It’s nice to be able to just plug this thing in, drop it in, turn it on, and walk away. It really was that simple out of the box.

On the negative side, some owners complained about the weight.

If there is any downside to this cleaner it would be its weight. It can be quite heavy and awkward to remove from the pool after it’s done cleaning.

In addition to the weight, trapped debris can fall back into the pool as you lift the cleaner out and the water drains. A good suggestion is to flip it over as you pull it out, to prevent debris from flowing back.

Conclusion

The Dolphin Nautilus Plus is one of the most intelligent and efficient pool cleaners available. Once it learns your pool, you can drop it in, walk away, and know your pool will be clean in 3 hours.

For the price, the Nautilus Plus robotic pool cleaner is tough to beat. This explains why it’s one of the best-selling robotic pool cleaners for sale today.

[RETURN TO LIST]


4. Best for Efficient Cleaning: Dolphin Escape Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner

inground pool cleaners

Next up on our list is the Dolphin Escape Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner. It has a compact and lightweight frame, which makes it highly portable. This unit stands out for its energy-sipping efficiency.

Best Features

1. Durable Polymer Construction

Dolphin has impressed us with this inground pool cleaner as it has a durable polymer construction. It does not fall apart on coming in contact with the pool walls forcefully. So, you can rely on it to keep serving you for years. 

2. Hypergrip Continuous Tracks

This pool cleaner by Dolphin has continuous rubber tracks. They prevent the cleaner from slipping, which helps cut down energy consumption. This, along with smart navigation, helps keep the cleaner on track. 

3. Dual Scrubbing Brushes

This vacuum cleaner has dual scrubbing brushes that ensure the complete removal of algal growth. These brushes leave the walls and floor of the swimming pool clean and shiny. 

4. Energy-Efficient Operation

Its DC motors consume almost 90% less energy than similar pool cleaners on the market. As it consumes only 180 watts of power, it is impressively more efficient than cleaners that run on 1800 watts. 

5. 1-Year Warranty 

Since it comes with a 12-month warranty, you can rely on the manufacturers for replacements and repairs. This makes the pool cleaner more trustworthy for the customers. 

6. Oversized Debris Cartridge

There is a huge filter cartridge that can accommodate large quantities of debris in one go. It enables the filter to handle large items as well. 

Specifications

  • Reliable polymer construction.
  • Lightweight and portable at 14 pounds.
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty.
  • Consumes only 180 watts of power.
  • 4000 GPH suction rate.
  • For pools sizes of up to 30 ft.

Customer Feedback

People who invested in Dolphin Escape liked it for its unique features. They appreciate the oversized debris cartridge that can store large amounts of debris without overflowing. 

The downside they reported is that it goes into sleep mode after 80 minutes. This makes it hard to rely on the cleaner to clean your pool solely. 

“This is a mighty good pool cleaner that leaves pool surfaces all clean and shiny. It removes fine particles too, so there is nothing to worry about.”

Conclusion

Summing up, this is an excellent inground pool cleaner with its energy-efficient functioning. It does not slip off the walls, so there is no delay in pool cleaning due to slippage. 

[RETURN TO LIST]


5. Best Hayward Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Hayward SharkVAC XL with Caddy

Hayward SharkVac XL with Caddy

Many good things have been said about the thorough cleaning ability of Hayward’s line of robotic pool cleaners.

The SharkVac XL is Hayward’s best mid-range offering, and it’s arguably better at cleaning pools than its more expensive and better-optioned older brother, the Hayward Tigershark QC.

The original Hayward SharkVac was released several years ago, and there are hundreds of reviews online that attest to its reliability and cleaning ability.

Best Features

1. Caddy for easy transportation

The Sharkvac XL is a bit heavy, but the included caddy makes moving it and storing it away really easy. For a lower price, you can get the unit without the caddy.

2. Easy top access filter bag

Whenever the filter bag is full, simply access it from the top and clean it out.

3. Low energy operation

The Hayward SharkVAC XL uses very little energy to clean your pool, comparable to a single incandescent light bulb.

4. Self-programmed for optimized cleaning

The Sharkvac XL can determine the size of your pool and figure out the best way to clean it, all on its own. It plots out the most efficient path to expand the least amount of energy.

Specifications

  • Suitable for pools up to 40 feet in length.
  • Works in any type of in-ground pool, including vinyl-lined.
  • The cleaning cycle takes around 3 hours.

Customer Feedback

4 stars

Many owners rave about the SharkVac’s ability to pick up fine debris and the speed at which it cleans a pool.

This thing is a beast. It picks up everything.

But many also complain about cord tangling.

I do wish the cord was a bit longer and that it didn’t get rung around itself.

The SharkVac XL sometimes finds it difficult to climb walls all the way and to climb pool steps.

Finally, don’t leave the unit on during a rainstorm. Even though this is a pool cleaner, some owners have complained of damage caused by rain.

Conclusion

If you want one of the best-cleaning, most proven robotic pool cleaners on the market, this is one to buy.

The SharkVac’s ability to pick up all types of debris, from very fine sandy grit to oak leaves and small twigs, is unmatched. In a single 2-3 hour cleaning cycle, it will eliminate between 95% and 99% of all debris.


6. Best Smart Pool Robot: Hayward W3RC9740CUB SharkVac

automatic inground pool vacuum

The Hayward SharkVac (for inground pools) is a highly intelligent pool robot – its smart sensors and advanced navigation system ensure the cleaner cleans your pool completely in 2 hours flat. 

Best Features

1. Removable Top-Access Filter

Since the Hayward W3RC9740CUB SharkVac comes with a removable top-access filter, it is easy to clean. The debris filter has 2 fine porosity filter elements that trap tiny particles. You have to rinse these elements to clean the filters. 

2. Smart Sensors

The out-of-water sensors prevent damage to the motor if the cleaner runs out of water. It also has beach-entry sensors that reverse the cleaner’s direction to keep it inside the pool. 

3. Intelligent Navigation

The Hayward SharkVac robotic pool cleaner uses smart steering technology to navigate through the pool. It completes the pool cleaning round in under 2 hours.

4. Ease of Operation

Since there are no hoses or hook-ups, the SharkVac is pretty simple to operate. There are no additional pumps either, so you do not have to worry about operating complex equipment. 

5. Scrubbing Brushes

It also has powerful scrubbing brushes that scour the pool’s surface. They help remove algae and accumulated dirt, leaving the pool surface pristine. 

Specifications

  • Smart steering technology.
  • 2 fine porosity filter elements.
  • Less than 2 hours of cleaning time.
  • Smart sensors to keep it in water.
  • The top-access filter is removable.

Customer Feedback

The Hayward W3RC9740CUB SharkVac is one of the highest-rated robot cleaners on Amazon. 

Its 2 fine porosity elements make cleaning the filter easier. It cleans the pools within 2 hours, so it is pretty reliable. 

Most verified customers do find this older/upgraded model a bit heavy and oversized, making it less convenient to use. There are some issues with climbing high walls too. 

“This amazing pool cleaner is worth the money. Its smart steering technology helps in cleaning the pool automatically, which takes away my worries.” 

Conclusion

We recommend the Hayward W3RC9740CUB SharkVac due to its intelligent use of time – it cleans most inground pools very quickly.


7. Best Cordless Inground Robotic Pool Cleaner: Kenwell Kuppet Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner

best robotic inground pool cleaner

Cordless robotic pool cleaners are just starting to appear in the market. The best one so far is the Kenwell cordless automatic cleaner.

It comes with a large 7800mAh battery that’s good for up to 120 minutes of cleaning.

Best Features

1. Cordless with 120 Minute Cleaning Time

The biggest advantage of a cordless robotic pool cleaner is that you don’t need to worry about proximity to a power outlet. There’s also no cord that can get tangled while the cleaner moves about in the pool.

On the downside, it can only clean for as long as the battery allows. Luckily, the Kuppet cordless cleaner comes with a large 7800mAh battery that provides up to 2 hours of cleaning time, the same as corded cleaners.

The battery housing has the highest IPX8 water protection, so it’s completely safe.

2. Four Roller Brushes and Two Filter Baskets

The Kuppet cordless pool cleaner doesn’t just vacuum your pool; it also scrubs the bottom and walls to get algae and gunk stuck there.

Four roller brushes do the scrubbing, while the suction picks up the loose debris.

The debris is deposited in two filter baskets that capture both large and fine debris. The baskets are accessible from the top to make them easy to remove and clean.

3. Cleans Pool Walls

The Kuppet cordless cleaner provides full pool coverage. It’ll vacuum your pool’s floor, walls, and waterline.

4. Programmable Cycle Timer

While you cannot set an auto-cleaning weekly timer on a battery-powered pool cleaner, the Kuppet cleaner allows you to select how long the cleaning cycle will be depending on how dirty your pool is or how quickly you need to use it.

5. Floating Handle

When the Kuppet pool cleaner completes a cleaning cycle or if the battery gets low, it automatically navigates to the side of the pool.

To pull it to the surface, use the included floating handle. Note that the Kuppet cordless cleaner is a bit heavy because of the battery. It’s dry weight is 27.2lbs.

best robotic inground pool cleaner

Specifications

  • Cordless battery-powered robotic pool cleaner
  • 120 minutes working time
  • Takes 4-5 hours to recharge
  • Includes floating handle
  • Two fine filter baskets accessible from the top
  • Cheaper than corded pool cleaners

Customer Feedback

According to most customers, the Kuppet cordless pool cleaner cleans just as well as pricier corded pool robots.

And with the long battery life, it easily manages to finish cleaning the entire pool before the battery runs out.

The only concern is that the brushes are soft sponge, not bristles. They still manage to get most of the algae stuck to the pool floor and walls, but they are not as thorough as the tougher brushes in other robotic pool cleaners.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a cheaper and cordless alternative to robotic inground pool cleaners, we highly recommend the Kenwell Kuppet cordless cleaner.

[RETURN TO LIST]


Buying Guide: Robot Pool Cleaners for Inground Pools

Getting the right pool cleaner is vital to cleaning any inground swimming pool thoroughly. After all, there is no point in investing in a pool cleaner if you have to clean the pool manually. Here are some features that will help you select the best inground pool cleaner:

Hose Length

Hose length is an essential consideration as the hose should be long enough to cover the whole pool. You should keep the size of your pool in mind while determining the suitable hose length. This will save you from the trouble of having to get a hosepipe separately to cover your whole pool. 

Ability to Climb Walls

The ability to climb walls is another requirement for the best inground pool cleaner. If the cleaner does not climb walls, you will have to scrub them yourself. This can be both tiring and time-consuming. So, it is better to opt for an inground pool cleaner that can climb walls. 

Pool Surface Compatibility

Swimming pools have different surfaces, like vinyl, concrete, fiberglass, and tile. This makes them sensitive to certain pool cleaners. So, it is wise to decide which pool cleaner is suitable for the surface material of your pool before purchasing one. 

Price 

Last but not least, you have to be mindful of your budget as well. It would be best to look for a cleaner that is both affordable and feature-rich so that it works for you. There are some options in this guide that meet these criteria.

How to Choose the Right In-ground Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Triton PS Plus Automatic Pool Cleaner with Bluetooth and Extra-Large Filter Basket, Ideal for In-ground Swimming Pools up to 50 Feet.

Here’s what to consider when buying an in-ground robotic vacuum.

Pool Size

Make sure you get a robotic pool cleaner that will adequately cover your entire pool. The most important thing to look at is the length of the cable.

Get a pool vacuum with a cable that’s 10′ longer than your pool length. This ensures you can locate the power unit a safe distance from the water and leave enough cable length for the cleaner to reach every corner of the pool.

For example, a cleaner with a 60ft cable can clean a pool up to 50ft long. A cleaner with a 50ft cable can clean a pool up to 40ft long.

Smart Navigation

Pool robots that rely on random movements tend to miss some areas and are generally more energy wasteful.

A robot cleaner with smart navigation cleans faster and more efficiently without leaving any spots uncleaned.

Scrubbing Brushes

Unlike most suction and pressure cleaners, almost all robotic pool cleaners come with scrubbing brushes. Brushes loosen dirt, algae and grime stuck on the pool surface, making it easier to vacuum.

A pool cleaner with scrubbing brushes will leave your pool far cleaner than one without.

Filters

Check what kind of filters the pool cleaner comes with. Some have both fine and ultra-fine filters to capture all debris sizes, while cheaper ones will typically have only a fine filter.

Also, check how easy it is to access the filters. Top-access filters are the most convenient since you don’t need to turn the cleaner over.

We also recommend getting a robotic pool cleaner that uses a filter basket instead of a bag. A basket is much easier to empty and clean.

Weight

If you don’t have a lot of upper body strength, try to find a lightweight robotic pool cleaner that will be easy to put in and lift out of the pool.

Two of the lightest cleaners among our top picks are the Polaris 9450/9550 Sport and the Dolphin Triton Plus.

Extra Features

These extras are not essential, but they are nice to have.

  • Weekly timer – Let’s you set the days and time the cleaner will come on automatically. Handy for keeping your pool clean when you are away (Note: It’ll require leaving the cleaner in the pool – check with your manual or manufacturer whether this is okay).
  • Wireless connectivity: Some robot pool cleaners let you control the cleaner from your smartphone via Bluetooth or WiFi.
  • Remote control: Some cleaners come with a remote control that you can use to manually navigate the robot for spot cleaning.

Three Reasons to Get an Automatic Cleaner for Your Inground Pool

Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner

1. Less Work for You

Older pump-driven pool cleaners often cannot reach custom-molded steps, raised sitting platforms, and irregular features that many inground pools feature.

This means you’re left to brush and clean those sections yourself.

But robotic pool cleaners are intelligent appliances that are designed to clean your pool no matter what the design. Many can even clean vertical surfaces like steps and walls.

2. Less Expensive Than the Alternative

With a robotic pool cleaner, you won’t need to add a booster pump to your existing filtration system, because robotic pool cleaners use their onboard filters to sift pool water for debris.

This makes installation much easier and can save you hundreds of dollars in installation costs.

3. Lower Operating Costs, Long Term

Robotic pool cleaners cost less to operate than pump-driven units for several reasons.

First of all, robotic cleaners use advanced software to optimize their cleaning path and use DC power. Intelligent navigation reduces the amount of time required to clean your pool, verses pump-driven units that randomly wander around. A shorter, more efficient cleaning cycle consumes less energy.

In addition, robotic pool cleaners are DC-powered (for safety), and DC motors are far more efficient than AC motors. Most use no more energy than a light bulb.

For a large inground pool, choosing a robotic cleaner over a pump-driven unit can save several hundred dollars a year in energy costs.


How We Pick The Best

We use the scale below to rate the best robotic pool cleaners in our reviews.

Roboti Pool Cleaner Reviews - Ratings

We also consider customer ratings and reviews on popular retail shopping sites like Amazon.com.

Finally, we attempt to offer a few pool cleaners for every type of pool and budget.


Our Verdict

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner with Easy To Clean Large Top Load Filter Cartridges and Tangle-Free Swivel Cord, Ideal for In-Ground Swimming Pools Up To 50 Feet

There are plenty of options for in-ground pool owners to pick from. We think Dolphin Triton Plus is the best choice overall. Though a bit pricey, it offers excellent cleaning performance even for extra-large pools. The remote smartphone control is a nice bonus.


Where to Buy

The best place to buy robotic pool cleaners for an in-ground swimming pool is online or Amazon.com, where you’ll often find the best deal.


FAQs

How do you vacuum an inground pool?

Vacuuming an inground pool is not that hard if you have the best inground pool cleaner and know the correct procedure. Here are the simple steps that you have to follow to vacuum your inground pool cleaner:

  • Begin by closing off the bottom drain ¾ of the way if you don’t have a variable speed pump. 
  • After this, connect the vacuum head with the telescopic vacuum hose. Then, connect the swivel end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head.
  • Next, pin everything in the water and connect the free end of the vacuum hose with the water return in your pool. 
  • Once the bubbling stops in water, attach the vacuum hose with the vacuum plate. After this, put the vacuum plate on top of the vacuum skimmer basket.
  • Turn up the speed to 3 if you have a variable speed pump. Now, you are all set to vacuum your pool. 
  • Once you are done, remove the equipment and clean out the skimmer basket. 

Should you backwash your inground pool before vacuuming?

It will help if you backwash your inground pool after vacuuming, as it helps clean the pool more thoroughly.

This leads to removing dirt and accumulated particles from the filter left behind during vacuuming. You will have to let the filter rinse for 30 seconds once you have backwashed the pool.

However, it is not recommended to backwash an inground pool before vacuuming as it will not benefit you as much as backwashing after vacuuming. 

Can I leave a robotic cleaner in the pool?

Yes, you can but not for too long. Most manufacturers recommend leaving it for up to a week. This allows you to set an auto-cleaning schedule.

Never leave the robotic cleaner in the pool when you are adding chemicals if you are using swimming or during winter.

If your robotic cleaner lacks an auto-cleaning timer, there’s no reason to leave it in the pool. Take it out as soon as it’s done cleaning.

Are robotic pool cleaners worth it? 

Yes, they definitely are. A robotic pool cleaner saves you loads of time and effort you’d have spent scrubbing and vacuuming the pool.

Owning a pool used to be a maintenance headache (or a cost headache if you paid a pool cleaning company). That’s no longer the case with robotic pool cleaners.

In addition, robotic pool cleaners clean better and are cheaper to run compared to suction and pressure pool cleaners.


LATEST DEALS

 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to Top ↑