4 Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum 2023 Picks

Initially, when you first buy your above ground pool and have it installed, you probably thought, hey what’s the big deal, I can clean this thing by hand.  At first it’s fun to use the tools attached to the aluminum pole, the leaf skimmer, the brush, etcetera.  But after a while, you will find yourself looking into alternatives to cleaning your pool by hand.  You may ask yourself what is the best above ground pool vacuum?  In this article we will review the best above ground pool cleaning methods, and our recommended products within each category.

Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum – Manual

First, there is the the good old manual vacuum head.  These are an essential component to just about every pool tool set.  You plug a hose into the skimmer, and the other end onto the vacuum head. Connect the vacuum head to your aluminum pole, and you’re in business.  This does require you to manually move the vacuum around the pool, and clean it, but it’s certainly better than trying to sweep everything into a pile and scoop it out.  We recommend the Milliard swimming pool vacuum.  These are shaped in such a way to be safe for vinyl liners, so you won’t risk a tear by moving it improperly.

Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum – Rechargeable & Manual

Next, there’s the rechargeable manual vacuum.  These are a great invention.  A relatively new product, these allow you to vacuum your pool manually without fiddling around with the hose and skimmer.  Our favorite is the Pool Blaster Max. 

One of the major benefits here, is you don’t have to clean your pool filter when you’re done vacuuming, as all the debris is collected in the vacuum itself.  You still need to manually push the vacuum head around the pool to clean, but there is not a hose or a cord to worry about as you vacuum the pool, so the process is much smoother and less cumbersome.

Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum – Cordless & Automated

When searching for the best above ground pool vacuum, you may be wondering, is there an alternative to pushing the vacuum around the pool.  Isn’t there something you can just drop into the pool, forget about for a couple hours and then pull out of the pool when it’s done vacuuming?  Yes, there is and it’s called the cordless vacuum.  These operate on a battery charge, and automatically cover the entire floor surface while they vacuum your above ground pool. We recommend the Aiper Seagull SE for above ground pools.

The Aiper SE will automatically park near the wall of the pool when its batter charge is low, or the cleaning cycle is done.  They include a hook which makes retrieval easy. There is no need to jump in the pool to collect it.

Best Above Ground Pool Vacuum – Corded & Automated

What if you are looking for the best above ground pool vacuum but you don’t trust the idea of a battery powered cleaner?  Maybe you want a plug in vacuum with a high powered head.  If so, you may be a candidate for a plug in pool vacuum.  These have been around for far longer than their cordless cousins, and are known to the industry as reliable workhorses. We recommend the Dolphin E10.

The Dolphin E10 is one of the best value pool cleaners you can buy for above ground pools.  Dolphin has been in the pool cleaning business for 35 years and is known to be one of the most hassle free providers of pool cleaners in the business.  

Pro Tip: Invest In A Pool Vacuum Caddy

Once you’ve figured out what the best above ground pool vacuum is for you, you can move on to accessories.  If you have a robotic pool cleaner you may want to consider a pool cleaner caddy.  These make it easy to move your cleaner from the garage or shed to the side of the pool where you drop it in.  They also make wrapping up the cord a cinch.

Above Ground Pool Vacuum Summary

As you can see, there are many types of pool vacuums for you to consider. Some of these options are more expensive but reduce your effort. Other pool vacuums are quite affordable but require you to manually assist. Either way, we hope you feel confident in finding a good above ground pool vacuum regardless of type.