Many pool owners find the process of keeping their pool clean and free of debris to be a tedious chore. The most common method of cleaning a pool involves running the pool’s pump and filter while using a manual vacuum or automated pool cleaner. However, this requires the pump to be running for hours at a time, which can get quite expensive in terms of energy costs. An increasingly popular alternative is to use a pool vacuum that doesn’t require the pool’s pump system at all. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these pump-less pool vacuums, how they work, their advantages and disadvantages compared to regular vacuums, and some of the top models available on the market.
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What is a Pump-less Pool Vacuum?
A pump-less pool vacuum, also known as a suction-side pool cleaner, is a vacuum system designed to collect debris at the bottom of the pool without needing to connect to the pool’s pump and filter. These vacuums use their own independent motors to create suction and vacuum the pool floor. The debris is collected into a mesh bag or chamber attached to the vacuum. When it’s full, you simply detach it, empty it out, and put it back on the vacuum to keep cleaning.
How Do They Work?
Pump-less pool vacuums have an internal motor and pump system that pulls water through the unit and into the collection bag or chamber. The suction created simulates the effect of the pool’s pump system. Some models may also have wheels or rollers on the bottom to help sweep and loosen debris as the vacuum moves around the pool floor. The independent vacuum motor and pump system allows these devices to operate without tapping into the pool’s main pump and filtration. Their self-contained design makes them completely portable and eliminates the need for hoses.
Advantages of Pump-less Pool Vacuums
Save on Energy Costs
The biggest benefit of using a pump-less pool vacuum is the ability to clean your pool without running your pump and filtration system for hours. This can lead to significant savings on energy bills over a swimming season. Filtration pumps are one of the biggest energy drains for pools. A pump-less vacuum break this energy dependence and lets you clean your pool at a fraction of the cost.
No Hose or Hookups Required
Standard vacuums require you to connect hoses from the vacuum head to the pump’s filtration system. Pump-less vacuums are completely self-contained units. Their onboard pump systems let you vacuum your pool without any hookups or attachments. This makes them extremely quick and easy to use in your pool.
Lightweight and Portable
Traditional vacuums rely on the pool’s suction system, which means maneuvering the vacuum head can be cumbersome with all the hoses attached. Pump-less vacuums are lightweight, compact, and very easy to maneuver around your pool. The lack of hoses also makes them simple to get in and out of the pool. When not in use, they only take up a small amount of storage space.
Can Be Used Anytime
Having to connect it to your pool’s filtration system limits when you can use a standard vacuum. Pump-less models have no such restrictions. You can use them any time you want to clean up debris without having to turn on your pump. Their independence makes them ideal for quick cleanups.
Ideal for Small Pools
Pump-less vacuums work well for smaller pools that don’t have an overly-powerful filtration system. The suction these vacuums can generate on their own is usually enough for pools up to around 20,000 gallons. They provide an affordable cleaning solution without requiring upgrades to pump sizes.
Disadvantages of Pump-less Pool Vacuums
Limited Suction Power
The biggest downside of pump-less pool vacuums is that they cannot match the powerful suction that a full-sized pool pump can provide. While sufficient for smaller pools, they can struggle with larger debris, heavier sediment, or bigger pools with over 20,000 gallons. For large debris, very dirty pools, or pools over 30,000 gallons, a full-powered vacuum system is recommended.
Smaller Debris Collection
Along with the limitations on suction power, the debris collection chambers on pump-less vacuums tend to be fairly small. They usually hold a few pounds of sediment and leaves before needing to be emptied out. That typically allows you to vacuum a small pool, but you may need to stop and empty out the collection chamber multiple times when cleaning larger pools.
Require Battery Power or Recharging
Since they run entirely off their onboard pump systems, pump-less vacuums require battery power. Most models have rechargeable batteries that provide 60 to 90 minutes of cleaning time per charge. Batteries will gradually lose performance over time as well. You’ll need to replace them every few years.
Not Designed for Large Debris
While convenient for regular maintenance, pump-less vacuums aren’t equipped to handle large debris like leaves, toys, and other objects that may accidentally fall into a pool. You’ll still need to use a skimmer net or full-powered vacuum system occasionally for large debris removal.
Top Pump-Less Pool Vacuum Models
If you think a pump-less pool vacuum might be a good fit for your pool, here are some of the top models to consider:
XtremepowerUS 75037 Climb Wall Pool Cleaner
– Ultra lightweight at just 6 pounds
– Wheels and hoses for climbing walls
– 90 minute runtime
– Auto shutoff when out of water
INTEY Battery Powered Pool Vacuum
– Rechargeable lithium battery
– Roller brush loosens debris
– 80 minute runtime
– LED power indicator
Aiper Smart Cordless Pool Vacuum
– Four wheeled design
– Filters down to 2 microns
– Oversize debris chamber
– Up to 60 minute runtime
Pentair 360100 Kreepy Krauly Prowler
– Programmable cleaning cycles
– Automatic reverse to avoid jams
– Cleans floors, steps, and walls
– Filters equivalent to sand filters
Dolphin Escape Robotic Above-Ground Pool Cleaner
– Cleans pools up to 30 feet
– Dolphin filtration cartridges
– Lightweight at 15 pounds
– Up to 1.5 hour run time
Questions to Consider When Buying
Here are some key factors and questions to take into account when choosing the right pump-less pool vacuum:
– How large is your pool? Determine maximum gallons to match vacuums designed for that size.
– What is the floor type? Tile, concrete, or vinyl? Some models are better optimized for specific surfaces.
– How often will you use it? Occasional light cleaning vs. weekly heavier vacuuming?
– Do you need wall climbing ability? Or floor-only cleaning is fine?
– How long does the battery last per charge? Make sure runtimes match your pool size.
– How large is the debris chamber? Big enough capacity to minimize emptying?
– How long is the warranty and what does it cover? Look for at least a 1 year limited warranty.
– Does the vacuum have any smart technology? Programmable cleaning cycles or connectivity?
Conclusion
Pump-less pool vacuums provide a portable, efficient way to clean your pool without the high energy costs of running your pump and filter system. For small to medium-sized pools up to around 20,000 gallons, they can handle most regular debris maintenance. Their lightweight, easy-to-use design allows quick cleanups any time. While they can’t match the powerful suction of full filtration systems, pump-less vacuums are an affordable and energy-saving solution for the majority of residential pools. Compare the suction capabilities, battery life, debris chambers, and smart features on models from reputable brands like XtremepowerUS, INTEY, Aiper, Pentair, and Dolphin to choose the right pump-less vacuum for your pool needs.