No matter what kind of pool you own, chances are good that at some point you will want to invest in a pool cleaner. A pool cleaner is a device that will move around your pool and collect dirt and debris. Although all pool cleaners use a combination of vacuum and mechanical cleaning, there are two major classes of pool cleaner that you should consider.

The most basic type of pool cleaner manually connects to your current filter and pump apparatus and acts as an extension of the filtering system. This type of pool cleaner travels around your pool randomly scrubbing the pool walls and collecting dirt and debris through the connected hose. The collected material is deposited into the pool filter or into a filter bag connected to the cleaner. There are a number of competing cleaners in the group that are priced between $150 and $300.

Another type of pool cleaner that connects to outlet of your existing filter and pump equipment requires a booster pump that is used to provide high-pressure water for the cleaning unit. This type if pool cleaner has a filter bag to collect dirt and debris and normally as a tail or other sweeping device to scrub the pool walls. This type of vacuum pool cleaner is normally more effective for larger in ground pools. These a pool cleaners are reliable, but you need consider the installation and maintenance of a second motor and pump to drive this type of cleaner.

The latest in pool cleaning technology are small self-powered robotic pool cleaners that can be programmed to clean your pool perfectly regardless of the shape, size or obstacles on you pool. These pool cleaners have their own pumps and filters and will mechanically scrub the pool walls. In many cases the filtered water coming out of these units are cleaner that what comes out of your normal filter. This class of pool cleaner is the most expensive and you can expect to pay as much as $1800 for the top of the line robotic pool cleaner.