Finding the right pool cleaner can yield impressive results. From automating your pool cleanings to saving tons of money on electricity. So which should you choose? Is it time to make the switch?
A robotic pool cleaner is the modern successor to pressure‑side cleaners
Introduction
Welcome back to Pool Pad, your landing pad for all things swimming pool related. I'm Kelly, and today, let's dive into the differences between Robotic and Pressure Cleaners. When I first got my pool, it came with a standard Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 pressure-side cleaner. These pressure-side cleaners have been around for decades, and many people still use them.
But with the recent introduction of modern robotic pool cleaners, it seems that today's robots are now far superior, as they operate on less electricity, have more power, and better cleaning ability. Today, I'll be comparing these two types of pool cleaners in the typical areas of pool coverage, filtration ability, and feature set and warranty.
Pool Coverage
So let's start with what each cleaner can cover in your pool. Pressure cleaners can cover the floors and walls of your pool, but not the waterline. Robotic pool cleaners can cover the floors, walls, and waterline of your pool, depending on the model. That being said, premium units such as the Dolphin Premier and Sigma cost about as much as the most popular pressure cleaners once you factor in the cost of a booster pump. This means pressure cleaners aren't really competing against any robotic pool cleaners, but rather the best of the best, which can cover your whole pool.
The low value of pressure cleaners doesn't stop there though as they also do not have actively spinning brushes to dislodge debris or a mapping system. This means you will be left with a lot of debris stuck to the floors and walls of your pool, that is if the pressure cleaner ever gets to them. Without a mapping system, pressure cleaners often run over the same spots again and again or get stuck on drains, bumps, or stairs.
Practically every robotic pool cleaner comes with a mapping system of some kind that helps it to effectively clean your whole pool without any wasted time or energy. In the pool coverage category, I have to give the point to robotic pool cleaners. Not only can they cover all of your pool, but they can actually clean it thanks to active brushes and mapping systems.
Filtration Ability
Next, let's look at filtration ability. Most, if not all, pressure cleaners come with a standard debris bag, and when we compare similarly priced robotic pool cleaners, we find a variety of filters. The Premier, for instance, comes with Multi-media filtration, which is made up of three filter types out of the box: fine, NanoFilter, and an oversized leaf bag. The Sigma, on the other hand, comes with a NanoFilter set and standard fine filters. These additional filter types mean that there is no debris in your pool that these bots cannot handle, from the smallest microscopic particles to lots of leaves and twigs.
Pressure cleaners, on the other hand, only have a debris bag, which cannot filter water as well as cartridges, much less filter out microscopic particles. If you struggle with cloudy water, pressure cleaners will not be able to clear the water up like robotic pool cleaners can. So when it comes to filtration ability, robotic pool cleaners win again. They have more options, and their standard filters are better able to filter your water than the bags you find on pressure cleaners.
Feature Set and Warranty
Finally, let's look at the feature set and warranty. When it comes to features, pressure cleaners come out of the box with nothing other than the unit. No timers, no apps, no remotes, no caddies, nothing. Robotic pool cleaners have programmable timers, remotes, app connectivity, and more.
When it comes to warranties, there are a variety of lengths, but robotic pool cleaners typically have longer warranties. The Dolphin Premier and Sigma even have three-year warranties backed by Maytronics, which makes them easy to redeem. Since they have longer warranties and features to choose from, robotic pool cleaners win the feature set and warranty category as well.
Conclusion
That's a clean sweep for robotic pool cleaners, and it is easy to see why. They can clean more of your pool, filter your water better, have more features, and come with longer warranties. Pressure cleaners are really showing their age, so don't make the mistake of going with the past. Instead, invest in the superior ability and quality of a robotic pool cleaner, you won't regret it.
Check back soon with the Pool Pad team, as we will be constantly letting you in on the best products and methods to keep your pool clean and healthy!