Reviews Zodiac Baracuda MX6

Published on July 21st, 2020 | by Roger Corbinetti

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Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool Cleaner Pool Cleaner Review

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The Zodiac MX6 is a powerful suction-side pool cleaner designed for in-ground swimming pools.

Cyclonic suction technology gives it an extra edge over other suction cleaners when it comes to agitating and picking up debris.

Moving on tracks, the MX6 easily traverses the pool floor and scales the walls for nearly complete coverage of your pool.

Because of its low flow design, the Zodiac MX6 works great if you have a lower power pump. If you have a variable speed pump, the MX6 will work perfectly on the lower speed setting.

There are complaints that the turbines under the MX6 are clogged easily by debris like leaves and fronds. Many pool owners also say the quality of hoses could be better. Also, note that the MX6 comes with 27.5ft of hose lengths. If you have a longer pool, you’ll need to buy extra sections.

Read on for our full review of the Zodiac MX6.

If it’s not what you are looking for, see our top pool cleaner reviews for other great recommendations.

If you are specifically looking for a robotic pool cleaner, see our top picks.


Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner Key Features

Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool Cleaner, Blue/Gray

1. Cyclonic Suction

Turbines under the MX6 cleaner spin as water passes over them. This creates powerful cyclonic suction that agitates debris and draws it into the cleaner.

Cyclonic suction gives the MX6 better cleaning performance than most suction cleaners. Even without any scrubbing action, it manages to get the most dirt and grime out of the pool.

2. Low Flow Design

The MX6 cleaner is designed to run efficiently at a lower flow rate. This is a big plus if you have a lower RPM pump. It’s also good news if you have a 2-speed or variable speed pump. You can save energy by running the pump at a lower speed.

3. Quick Connect Hoses with Swivel

Setting up the Zodiac MX6 is easy and quick, partly thanks to the quick connect hose. The hose snaps into the cleaner head without much fuss.

The hose sections themselves are also easy to connect. They have a twist style locking mechanism that allows easy linking while ensuring there’s no loss of suction power.

To prevent twisting and tangling, the hose connects to the cleaner using a swivel. This allows the hose to rotate and turn with the cleaner’s movements.

4. Cleans Floor and Walls

The Zodiac MX6 provides almost full coverage of the pool. We say ‘almost’ because many customers say it struggles with steps.

But for the floor and walls, it covers every inch, including the corners.

The MX6 cleaner uses X-Drive navigation to cover most of the pool without missing some spots. If you observe it moving in the pool, you’ll notice that at set intervals, it automatically changes direction.

Unlike its more advanced sibling, the MX8, the Zodiac MX6 lacks a reverse suction. So it can get stuck in some particularly tough spots such as under the ladder or on the steps.

To easily drive over obstacles and scale walls, the Zodiac MX6 is fitted with a pair of tracks. They provide better traction and mobility compared to wheels.


Product Specifications

  • Hose length: 27.5ft
  • Mobility: tracks with bi-directional navigation
  • Weight: 17.4lbs
  • Pool coverage: Floor, walls and waterline
  • Warranty: 1 year

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How It Works

Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool Cleaner, Blue/Gray

The Zodiac MX6 connects to your pool’s skimmer or a dedicated 1.5″ vacuum line. It then uses the force of the water being sucked out of the pool to move about and vacuum debris.

Debris is taken to the pool filter via the hose.

The Zodiac M6 is ideal for small and medium-size debris. If your pool gets a lot of leaves and other large debris, we recommend buying a leaf canister. Install the canister inline, between two hose sections, to catch any large debris before it clogs up the pool filter.

Be sure to clean your pool filter and skimmer regularly. If it clogs up, the cleaner will move slowly or stop moving completely.


Pros and Cons of the Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner

zodiac mx6

Pros

  • Cleans floor and walls.
  • Aggressive cleaning performance – cyclonic suction removes even dirt stuck on the pool surface.
  • The automatic navigation system ensures no missed spots.
  • Can work at lower pump RPMs – uses less energy than other suction cleaners.

Cons

  • Struggles with steps.
  • It can get stuck in some areas.

Zodiac MX6 vs. Zodiac MX8: Which is Better?

Zodiac MX6 In-Ground Suction Side Pool Cleaner, Blue/GrayZodiac MX8 Suction-Side Cleaner

The Zodiac MX8 is the better cleaner of the two. For one, it has two turbines instead of one. This creates stronger cyclonic suction and allows the MX8 to clean a wider path.

Another big difference between the MX6 and MX8 is navigation. The MX8 has two directional gears, allowing it to move forward and in reverse. This improves navigation around the pool and keeps the cleaner from getting stuck.

The MX8 also comes with a longer hose, meaning you can use it in a bigger pool.

The Zodiac MX8 costs more, but we think it is worth the extra features and cleaning performance.


Where to Buy the Zodiac MX6?

Buy on amazon


 

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About the Author

I’ve owned a pool for over 20 years. During that time, I have owned and reviewed dozens of pool cleaners, especially robotic pool cleaners. I created RoboticPoolCleanersCompared to help other home owners leverage my experience to select the right pool cleaner, pool heater, pool cover and modern pool appliance for their needs & budget.



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