How to choose a pool vacuum for a UK garden pool

A garden pool in the UK spends most of its life collecting leaves, grass cuttings and the occasional wasp. The good news is that keeping it clean does not require a filtration plant: a small vacuum, used ten minutes a week, does most of the work. Here is how to pick the right kind.

Three types, three jobs

Manual pool and spa vacuums run off a garden hose or a hand pump. They are cheap, have no battery to charge and suit inflatable and small frame pools up to about 3 m across. You do the moving; the device does the sucking.

Cordless submersible vacuums have their own motor and battery. You push them along the floor on a telescopic pole and they collect debris in an internal filter bag. They suit frame pools and small in-ground pools where the floor is flat. Expect 30 to 60 minutes of run time per charge, which is enough for a weekly clean of a family pool.

Automatic leaf vacuums are the lazy option: they sit on the floor and move on their own, collecting leaves and larger debris into a mesh bag. They work best on smooth, level floors and struggle on steep slopes or in corners, so they are a supplement to a manual clean rather than a replacement.

What to check before you buy

• Pool floor: a smooth liner is fine for any type; a textured or sloped floor favours a manual or submersible unit you control.
• Debris type: fine sand and silt need a fine filter; leaves and twigs need a coarse bag that does not clog.
• Pole compatibility: most units fit a standard telescopic pole; check the connector diameter if you already own one.
• Battery: lithium units charge from a USB or mains adaptor in 4 to 6 hours. Never charge outdoors or near the water.
• Filter cleaning: a filter you can rinse under a tap in a minute is one you will actually clean.

Care between uses

Rinse the filter after every use, let the unit dry in the shade, and store it indoors over winter with the battery at roughly half charge. Chlorinated water left in the housing shortens the life of the seals.

From our range

• Portable Pool and Spa Vacuum — manual, for inflatable and small frame pools
• Pool Vacuum, Cordless and Submersible — battery unit for frame and small in-ground pools
• Automatic Leaf Vacuum for Swimming Pools — self-moving leaf collector for smooth floors

Delivery is free across the UK and takes 6 to 12 business days; you have 30 days to return an item under our Returns and Refund Policy.