Automatic Pool Cleaners for In-Ground Pools - How To Make A Right Choice

Nobody wants to spend more time cleaning their pool than they do swimming in their pool. At the same time, however, keeping your pool clean for your swimmers is extremely important. Fortunately, with the help of automatic swimming pool cleaners, you can keep your pool clean with very minimal time and effort on your part. Of course, considering the multitude of different models of automatic pool cleaners available on the market, it may not always be easy to decide which cleaner will be best for you and your in-ground swimming pool. However, by taking a few factors into consideration and by educating yourself about different features and options, you can feel confident that you'll end up making the right choice and the right purchase.

To begin with, it's a good idea to think about what type of debris you will be primarily trying to remove from your in-ground swimming pool. For example, if your pool collects a lot of leaves and not much in the way of dirt, you might be better off with a different automatic cleaner than someone who has a pool that collects lots of dirt but not many leaves. This is because certain models of in-ground pool cleaners are better at cleaning up different types of debris.

Automatic pool cleaners for in-ground pools are typically divided into three general categories -- suction side cleaners, pressure side cleaners and robotic cleaners. The different types of cleaners vary in price and have different pros and cons. Once you know your budget and the type of cleaning your in-ground swimming pool primarily requires, it's time to start considering the benefits and drawbacks of each category.

Automatic suction pool cleaners attach to your existing pool suction system, which is the part of the pool plumbing which sucks water out of the swimming pool to be filtered. These in-ground pool cleaners attach to the skimmer or a separate vacuum port and move automatically around the pool when your pool pump is turned on. Suction swimming pool cleaners are particularly great at picking up dirt and they also tend to be the most affordable type of automatic pool cleaner for in-ground pools. Also, these cleaners do not require a booster pump to operate and are easy to install and to maintain. The main drawback involved in using suction pool cleaners is that they’re operated by your pool pump and the dirt and debris they suck up goes to your pool filter.

Pressure side pool cleaners operate differently from suction pool cleaners as they typically require an additional booster pump or work off the pressure side of your pool's circulation system. Pressure side in-ground automatic pool cleaners are excellent for pools that collect leaves and other large debris and will provide outstanding cleaning power. These cleaners also help to circulate pool water and will collect dirt and debris in their own internal debris bag, which will prevent your filter from becoming compromised. However, if you are considering the purchase of a pressure side pool cleaner, keep in mind that these cleaners are typically more expensive than suction pool cleaners and are not as easy to install, especially if you do not already have a booster pump hooked up.

Robotic pool cleaners make up the third category of swimming pool cleaners. Robotic cleaners are self-contained units that operate off of electricity. This type of automatic in-ground pool cleaner uses a transformer to convert electricity from your house into a safe current. The electricity is then used to power the unit's drive motor, which powers the cleaner's movement and pump motor which sucks debris into the cleaner's internal filter. Robotic swimming pool cleaners are perhaps the easiest to install and use as they just have to be plugged in and thrown in the pool. They also do a great job of cleaning and come with an easy-to-remove internal bag that stores the collected debris.

However, just as with all other in-ground automatic pool cleaners, robotic cleaners have certain drawbacks that need to be considered. Perhaps most notably, robotic cleaners are the most expensive type of in-ground pool cleaners. If you're on a tight budget, these cleaners may not be a realistic option. However, if you have more money to spend, robotic swimming pool cleaners will provide you with excellent cleaning power as well as outstanding convenience.

Basically, the major factors to consider before purchasing any of the above types of automatic pool cleaners include expense, performance and maintenance. Once you have taken all these considerations into account and have become aware of all the pros and cons associated with the various categories of in-ground automatic pool cleaners, it will be much easier to choose the right unit for your pool and your cleaning needs.