Automatic Suction Pool Cleaners
Automatic suction cleaners offer an affordable way to reduce manual pool cleaning. Connected to your pool’s existing pump and filtration system, they move around the pool automatically, collecting dirt and debris from the floor and walls.
While generally cheaper than robotic cleaners, suction cleaners rely on your pool’s pump and filter to operate. This can increase the load on your filtration system, meaning more frequent filter cleaning or backwashing may be needed between regular pool services.
Based on our experience with performance and reliability, The Pool Cleaner is our recommended automatic suction cleaner.
Robot Cleaner Comparison Guide
The PoolCleaner 2WD
The PoolCleaner 2WD features a self-adjusting turbine designed to collect everything from fine dirt to larger debris. Its mechanical steering system helps it navigate obstacles and change direction automatically, while specially designed tyres and adjustable skirts maintain grip and suction across different pool surfaces.
Key Features & Specifications
Pool size: Up to approximately 9.75 m × 4.9 m
Cleaning coverage: Pool floors and walls*
Pool surfaces: Concrete, pebblecrete, vinyl and fibreglass. Special tyres may be required for smooth surfaces, including tiles.
Drive system: 2-wheel, turbine-powered
Navigation: Automatic mechanical steering
Debris: Fine dirt, leaves and larger debris
Hose: Approximately 10 metres included
Filtration: Uses the pool's existing filtration system
Power: Operates using the existing pool pump
Warranty: 4 years
*Wall climbing performance depends on pool shape, surface and available suction.
How Do Automatic Suction Cleaners Work?
Automatic suction cleaners use the power of your pool’s existing pump to move around and clean your pool. They don't need electricity, batteries or separate controls.
As the pool pump draws water through the cleaner, the suction powers an internal turbine that drives its wheels. A mechanical steering system changes its direction automatically, while suction and specially designed tyres help it grip the pool surface and climb walls.
Using your cleaner is simple:
Connect: Place the cleaner in the pool, fill the hose with water to remove air, and connect it to your skimmer box or dedicated suction port.
Clean: The cleaner operates automatically whenever your pool pump is running, moving around the pool and collecting dirt and debris. It can be left connected to run during your regular filtration cycles.
Maintain: Empty your skimmer basket and clean or backwash your pool filter as needed, as all collected debris passes through your pool's filtration system.
What else will you need?
The Pool Cleaner comes with approximately 10 metres of hose and the standard connection fittings. Depending on your pool's skimmer setup, a vacuum plate may also be required (approximately $20).
Unlike robotic cleaners, suction cleaners don't have programmed cleaning cycles or independent filtration. Their performance depends on your pool pump, water flow and pool design.