Nobody wants to spend their summer manually vacuuming the pool. Automatic pool cleaners are one of the best investments you can make, and we get asked all the time: robotic or suction?
Here is an honest breakdown to help you decide.
How Suction Cleaners Work
Suction cleaners attach to your skimmer and use the suction from your pool pump to move around the pool and pick up debris. The Hayward Aqua Bug is a popular above ground option we carry.
Suction cleaners are simple, durable, and affordable. The downside is that all the debris runs through your pump and filter, adding strain to your system and requiring more frequent filter cleaning.
If your pool sits under trees or near a lot of landscaping, that extra debris load adds up fast. You will find yourself cleaning your filter basket more often, and over time that added strain can shorten the life of your pump.
For lighter debris loads, though, suction cleaners handle the job well and hold up for years with minimal maintenance.
How Robotic Cleaners Work
Robotic cleaners are self-contained units with their own motor and filtration. You drop them in, plug them in or charge them, and let them go. They scrub the floor, climb the walls, and filter debris independently of your pool’s pump system. That means less wear on your equipment and a cleaner pool.
We carry the Maytronics Dolphin line, including the S50, New Liberty Cordless Models, the M400, and the M600. These units are well-built, easy to use, and do an excellent job on both above ground and in-ground pools.
The M600 lets you schedule cleanings and control the unit from your phone. That means your pool can be getting cleaned while you are at work and ready to swim when you get home.
Some models even offer multiple cleaning cycles and programmable weekly schedules, so you set it once and forget it.
Another advantage worth mentioning is water clarity. Because robotic cleaners filter independently, they pull fine particles out of the water that your main filter might miss. That translates to noticeably cleaner, clearer water, especially in pools that see heavy use.
Cost Comparison
Suction cleaners are more affordable upfront, typically in the low hundreds. Robotic cleaners start around one thousand dollars and go up from there. However, robotics save wear on your pump and filter, which has real long-term value.
Think about it this way. If a suction cleaner shortens the life of your pump by even a few years, you are looking at a repair or replacement bill that can easily offset the price difference. Robotic cleaners also tend to use less energy than running your pump at full power for extended cleaning cycles. Over a full swim season, those savings add up.
Maintenance Is Simpler Than You Think
Both types are low maintenance, but robotic cleaners edge ahead here too. Most models have a removable filter cartridge that rinses clean in minutes. No backwashing, no cartridge swaps, no fuss. Suction cleaners require less attention to the unit itself, but more attention to your pump basket and filter system overall.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you have a smaller above ground pool and want a straightforward, low-cost solution, a suction cleaner works great. If you have an in-ground pool or want the cleanest possible water with minimal effort, a robotic cleaner is worth every dollar.
Stop by Rogers Pool and we will help you find the right fit for your pool, your budget, and your schedule.
