
Vinyl is one of the most popular liner materials found in today’s pools. Therefore, if you need a vacuum for cleaning or sucking up dead algae, dirt or debris, you’ll need one specifically designed for this pool type. So, what is the best vinyl pool vacuum to buy this 2020?
The Vinyl Pool Vacuums: Top 6 Reviews
We’ve done the research and cherry-picked 6 best vinyl vacuum models for your vinyl pool.. These are selected from 3 pool cleaner types: pressure pool cleaners, robotic pool cleaners and suction pool cleaners. Check them out!
Best Pressure Pool Cleaners
1. Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Side Swimming Pool Cleaner
This item from Polaris is an easy-to-use and versatile hydraulic model to sanitize your pool effectively. To operate, you must connect this pool cleaner to a booster pump. It is delivered with a hose kit, a filter bag, and a user manual.
The Vac-Sweep can adapt to all types of coverings and all forms of in-ground pools. The vacuum’s tires guarantee impeccable mobility, helping the device have a deep cleaning of the bottom and walls of the pool. This pool robot moves by propulsion supplied by the water jets of the booster pump. It sucks and captures dead leaves, large debris and fine particles in its filter bag.
This device is not supplied with a booster pump. There’s a reserve valve which automatically unclogs the vacuum as soon as large debris is trapped in the suction circuit. This product can completely clean your pool in 3 hours. It’s, however, not very comfortable in cleaning the walls. Also, this cannot clean the waterline of the swimming pool.
What we like about this pressure pool cleaner
- Versatile and easy to use
- Sucks up and filters all kinds of impurities
- Suitable for all inground pools
- Includes a 31-foot hose
2. Polaris Vac-Sweep 165 Pressure Side Swimming Pool Cleaner
The Polaris 165 hydraulic pool cleaner is an ideal pool cleaner for private vinyl pools up to 11x7m and a maximum depth of 2.2m.
The vacuum collects the remains in its filter bag independent of the filtration system. The Polaris 165 pool cleaner has numerous jets under the device and at the end of the sweep tail. This ensures effective cleaning of the pool.
The pool cleaner is a perfect solution for swimming pools with compact cleaning systems. The Vac-Sweep 165 doesn’t require a long installation. Just plug the vacuum into the pool return nozzles. Also, you don’t need an additional pump.
What we like about this pressure pool cleaner
- Ideal for private pools with compact filtering systems
- Quick installation
- Filter bag reduces the frequency of pump filter washing
- The Polaris 2-year warranty
Best Robotic Pool Cleaners
1. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner for Inground Pool
The automatic cleaning robot is like a suction machine. However, the vacuum uses Clever Clean technology to optimize the cleaning path. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus does not run randomly. The pool cleaner is an autonomous pool robot.
Suitable for inground pools, the model is a sophisticated and efficient pool cleaner. The Dolphin vacuum ensures impeccable and complete cleaning of your pool. This high-end device is also one of the most popular among pool robots.
This versatile robot can adapt to all kinds of surfaces, including vinyl, thanks to its tracks, which adhere perfectly to the walls.
What we like about this robotic vinyl pool cleaner
- The model is energy-efficient
- Features a tangle-free cable
- Great for inground pools up to 50 feet
- Its wall-climbing capability
2. Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner for Above and Inground Swimming Pools CN8
Dolphin Nautilus CC is the king of simple cleaning. With the brushes rotating twice as fast, say goodbye to stubborn dirt or debris on the walls and floors of your pool. You can install the cleaner and come back after 2 hours to find your pool as new. The Dolphin Nautilus CC is made for swimming pool sizes of up to 33-foot. A rotating cable prevents the vacuum from knotting and tangling.
The device’s multi-layer filter guarantees perfect filtration of all waste, whether large or microscopic, for clear and pure pool water.
The Dolphin pool robot is, however, not equipped with a remote control. This vacuum cannot, therefore, be configured to clean the pool stairs.
What we like about this robotic vinyl pool cleaner
- Effectively clean walls and floors
- Short cleaning cycle
- The weekly scheduler for automated operation
Best Suction Pool Cleaners
1. Pentair GW9500 Kreepy Krauly Inground Swimming Pool Cleaner
The Kreepy Krauly vacuum cleaner is very aggressive in vacuuming dirt and debris. The model features the Smart Trac Programmed Steering. This ensures easy navigability even around pool barriers for a hitch-free and uninterrupted cleaning.
The suction pool cleaner is adjustable for more customized cleaning. To provide safety, the vacuum’s door has a fitting with cover loaded of springs. It’s suitable for cleaning dirt, debris, and dead algae from fiberglass, gunite, and vinyl liners pools. With its wide head, the vacuum can clean everything on its 15-inch path.
It has a special turning mechanism which allows it to stop, escape, or return from difficult or entangled areas.
What we like about this suction pool cleaner
- High suction power
- Easy to assemble and install
- Its value for money is high
2. USA Premium Store Swimming Pool Leaf Gulper Vacuum Cleaner with Wheels and Brushes
Did you situate your pool under a tree or close to a tree shed? Leaves and twigs can be a time-consuming and frustrating problem for swimming pool owners. However, with the Leaf Gulper Pool Vacuum, you have an easy and fast way of clearing your swimming pool leaves.
The pool cleaner has a mesh bag and a base that you can attach to the telescopic pole as well as a garden hose. The vacuum sucks up pool bottoms in a matter of minutes.
What we like about this suction pool cleaner
- Cleans leaves in minutes
- Large mesh bag for waste collection
- Suitable for vinyl-lined and concrete pools
Buying Guide
Here are some features to consider before buying a vacuum cleaner for your vinyl liner swimming pool:
Filter Bag

Not many pool vacuums come with a filter bag. Instead, they send all debris through the connected pool filter. This way, much load will be on the filter. However, to prolong your pool filter life, get a vacuum that has a filter bag where all debris, dirt, leaves, etc. can go into and disposed of after each use.
The Vacuum Head Width

The width of the vacuum head will determine how fast it can be. So, while choosing a pool vacuum, select one which has up to a width of 15 inches or more. Depending on how fast they can be, they’ll be able to clean up a medium to large size pool in 2 hours.
The Handle

The design of the vacuum concerns the ergonomics that the product presents. Some models have a short handle, similar to the usual household vacuums, which can be suitable in small and shallow pools. In other cases, you may need a vacuum cleaner that is equipped or can be fitted with a telescopic pole.
Tangle-free Rope Design
You don’t want to be getting in the pool every minute to free up a robot caught up in a pool corner. That alone clearly nullifies its autonomy. So, it’s better if you can get a vacuum with tangle-free rope, especially if you are choosing an automatic model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you use a shop vac to clean a pool?

A: If you already have a shop vac, then there’d be no need to purchase a pool vacuum. In fact, instead of passing the debris collected through the filter, you can dump it directly into the garden or grass.
Q: What is the brown stuff at the bottom of my pool?
A: The brown stuff you see at your pool bottom is a sign of algae infestation. As soon as possible, you have to brush them, use the leaf rake, and then pass the vacuum to suck the dead algae out.
Conclusion
There are various types and models of vacuums for vinyl pools. There are the pressure pool cleaners, the robotic pool cleaners, and the suction pool cleaners. With two for each type, we’ve shown you the best inground vinyl pool vacuum models. We hope you’ve been able to find your preferred model. If not yet, why not go through the review once again.
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