The best pool cleaners, compared.
Top pick: VIVOHOME VH1715 blue – Highest score: pole 90–278 cm, 300-mesh bag, saltwater excluded, 4.3 from 893 shared with yellow, at about £79.83. Some units had no suction. Best value: PoolyPoly 1818 – About £59.99 with its own file of 4.2 from 303, a handle to 141 cm, and a second filter. Fine dirt falls back without the sleeve. Updated October 2026.
A pool cleaner in this UK set collects leaves, sand and silt from a pool, spa or hot tub. The nine amazon.co.uk listings are a cordless stick, a long-pole cordless vacuum, a flat-floor robot or a garden-hose jet. You are usually keeping an above-ground pool or a hot tub usable, and the useful test is whether debris stays in the bag. A robot here is only for a flat floor, up to the seller's 90 m², and not for slopes or heavy wrinkles. Steps, a spa and a shallow edge need a handheld you can aim. The [robot or handheld choice](/hub/pool-care/pool-cleaner/sub/pool-cleaner-robot-or-handheld) is the split that changes which machine you buy. Reach, filter and a runtime the listing and the reviews roughly agree on are the other checks. On these nine amazon.co.uk listings it is one of four types.
A pool cleaner in this UK set collects leaves, sand and silt from a pool, spa or hot tub. The nine amazon.co.uk listings are a cordless stick, a long-pole cordless vacuum, a flat-floor robot or a garden-hose jet.
34 products checked · 67 hrs invested · +19,200 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are you trying to clean?
The blue VIVOHOME VH1715 at about £79.83 is a cordless vacuum with an aluminium pole from 90 to 278 cm, a 40 W motor the listing rates at 4,200 litres per hour, and about 60 minutes after a 1.5 hour charge. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.3 from 893, the same count and matching review text as the yellow listing, so this is one shared review pool rather than a colour that won on its own. UK comments praise the 300-mesh bag for sand and silt, and some units had no suction. The listing says the head must be immersed and that the vacuum is not for saltwater pools. This file states 2000 mAh, while the yellow file states 20000 mAh, for the same 60 minutes, 18 V and five cells, so the milliamp-hour line is not settled. The care note says to dry the charging port before charging. It is the top pick in this set for a wide fresh-water above-ground pool, with that shared-review limit.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A fresh-water above-ground pool you can cover with a pole up to 278 cm, using the fine bag for sand.
Less suitable: A saltwater pool, a hot tub where a 278 cm pole is in the way, or a buyer who treats the 893 reviews as proof of this colour alone.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the blue VIVOHOME for a saltwater pool?
No. The listing says it is not suitable for saltwater pools.
Which bag is for sand?
The listing includes three 180-mesh bags and one 300-mesh bag. UK reviews name the finer bag for sand and silt.
Why does the battery field differ from the yellow model?
This file says 2000 mAh. The yellow VH1715 file says 20000 mAh. Both claim about 60 minutes, 18 V and five cells. The conflict is not resolved in the raw files.
The yellow VIVOHOME VH1715 at about £79.99 lists the same job as the blue vacuum: a pole from 90 to 278 cm, 40 W, 4,200 litres per hour, about 60 minutes, four filter bags, and no use in a saltwater pool. The line is again 4.3 from 893, with review text that matches the blue file, so the star rating is not a second result. UK reviews praise the finer bag, and one buyer had no suction plus an overheating shutdown. This file prints 20000 mAh against the blue file's 2000 mAh, for the same runtime, voltage and cell count, so the larger number is not a reason to prefer yellow. Listed weight is 3 kg. At 16p more than the blue ASIN it does not add a separate test. Take it if yellow is the unit in stock and you accept the same immersion and saltwater limits.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You specifically want the yellow VH1715 for a fresh-water pool and you will not treat 20000 mAh as a settled figure.
Less suitable: Salt water, a spa that needs a short stick, or anyone reading the 893 count as a yellow-only test.
Specifications
Common questions
How far does the pole reach?
The listing says a telescopic aluminium pole from 90 cm to 278 cm.
Can it run in a saltwater pool?
The listing says it is not suitable for saltwater pools.
Are the 893 reviews only for the yellow vacuum?
The blue VH1715 listing shows the same 4.3 from 893 and closely matching review text. Treat them as one shared review pool, not two separate tests.
The PoolyPoly 1818 at about £59.99 is a cordless hoover with a 79.5 cm body, a handle from 66 to 141 cm, a 2600 mAh battery and about 60 minutes after a 1.5 hour charge. Across 303 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.2, the largest count among the spa sticks in this set, and the file is its own rather than a copy of the 1814 text. UK reviews say suction is strong once the sleeve is on the gauze, and that fine dirt falls back in without it. The listing gives a 1.5 litre basket plus a second filter for fine debris. The outlet has to stay submerged, and the listing allows shallow water if you leave the handle off. Saltwater is not stated, and 141 cm will not cover a wide pool the way a 278 cm pole will. In this set it is the best value when you want a cordless cleaner under £60 with a review file you can actually read.
Pros
Cons
Best for: An above-ground pool, spa or hot tub you can reach with a 141 cm handle, if you will fit the finer filter.
Less suitable: A wide pool that needs a pole near 278 cm, or sand if you leave the sleeve off.
Specifications
Common questions
Can you use it in shallow water?
The listing says the body is 79.5 cm and you can clean shallow water without the handle. Deeper water uses the 66–141 cm handle.
Why does fine dirt fall back in?
UK reviews say fine dirt returns unless the sleeve or bag is fitted over the gauze. The listing says to add the second filter for small debris.
Does it need tools to assemble?
The listing says no installation tools are required. Assembly is still required.
The PoolyPoly 1822 at about £56.99 is a cordless 3-in-1 stick the listing extends to about 165 cm, and also to 168 cm, with a 1600 mAh battery and about 1.5 hours after a two-hour charge. Across 129 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.2. The UK comments in this file match the 1814 listing and praise auto start and suction, so the two sticks are not two separate tests. The seller says it is not for big pools and that the sensor needs 30 cm of water, with the outlet submerged. The colour field says White and a highlight says orange, which the file does not resolve. Filter micron and saltwater suitability are not stated. It is the cheaper of that pair for a spa or a very small pool, and it is the wrong reach for a wide above-ground floor.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A spa or very small pool where 30 cm of water covers the head and a short stick is enough.
Less suitable: A wide above-ground pool, water shallower than 30 cm, or a saltwater pool the listing does not clear.
Specifications
Common questions
Will the 1822 clean a large above-ground pool?
The listing says the extended length is about 165 cm and also 168 cm, and that it is not suitable for big pools.
How deep does the water need to be?
The listing says the sensor needs a minimum water depth of 30 cm, and that you should submerge the water outlet while you use it.
What colour is it?
The colour field says White. The item highlight says orange. The file does not resolve that.
The PoolyPoly 1814 at about £59.99 is the blue cordless stick at about 165 cm and 1.4 kg, with a 1600 mAh pack and about 1.5 hours of use, while the highlight line says 90 minutes. Across 128 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.2. The ten UK reviews in the file match the 1822 listing and praise a sensor that starts in the water and stops when you lift the head out. The listing says it is not for big pools and needs a 30 cm minimum. One installation field says robotic, but the product text is a handheld stick with three heads, so it does not drive itself. The filter is described as rinse-and-dry, with no micron. At £3 more than the 1822 it does not add an independent review file.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A spa where you want the blue 1814 and you have already treated the reviews as shared with the 1822.
Less suitable: A large pool, or a buyer who reads the word robotic as a machine that drives itself.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the 1814 turn itself on?
Yes. The listing says a sensor starts it when it is submerged and stops it when it is lifted out. Minimum depth stated is 30 cm.
Is it a robot?
The installation field says robotic, but the product text is a handheld stick with three heads and an extendable handle. It does not drive itself.
How long is a charge?
The listing says about 2 hours to charge and about 1.5 hours of use. The highlight line says 90 minutes.
The Hydro Haus HHRSV at about £74.99 is a cordless spa vacuum with a telescopic pole of 105–164 cm, a reusable 200 micron stainless cup, and a listing claim of up to 90 minutes. Across 10 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 3.7. Several buyers say it works, one reports a failure at about six weeks, and one says it needed about 40 cm and was no use in a shallower water feature, a depth the listing does not state. The bullets say it turns on when submerged and off when removed, with no buttons, while one UK reviewer could not find a switch in the leaflets. The title says 19 L/min and a capacity field says 19 litres, which are not the same claim. A charger is not stated in the included list. Ten reviews are too small a sample to treat the 200 micron cup as a proven sand result.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A hot tub where you want a named 200 micron cup and you can accept a ten-review sample.
Less suitable: A wide pool, a shallow feature around 40 cm or less, or a buyer who needs a large UK review file.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Hydro Haus need a button?
The bullet says it turns on when submerged and off when removed, with no buttons. One UK reviewer could not find a switch in the leaflets.
What is the filter?
The listing says a reusable 200 micron stainless steel filter with a one-click cup.
How deep does it need to be?
The listing does not state a depth. One UK review says it needed about 40 cm and was no use in a shallower water feature.
The POOLPURE RPC-100A at about £149.00 is a cordless floor robot for flat above-ground and in-ground pools up to 90 m², with a 5000 mAh pack, 100 minutes, a listed weight of 3.8 kg, and a floating handle for retrieval. Across 100 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 3.4. UK reviews split. Some buyers say it cleans a flat above-ground pool and that dirt stays in the robot rather than in the pool filter. Others say it is too fast and throws debris up, the on/off button is intermittent, it runs and then stops, and a wheel snapped off after about a week. The listing excludes slopes and heavy wrinkles. IPX8 is stated without a depth or a time. A wheel off inside the first weeks is a return under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, not a setting you can tune.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A flat pool inside the 90 m² claim, if you have read the wheel and speed notes and still want hands-off floor cleaning.
Less suitable: Steps, a wrinkled liner, a hot tub, or a first cleaner you cannot send back if a wheel fails.
Specifications
Common questions
Who is the RPC-100A for?
The listing is for flat-bottom above-ground and in-ground pools up to 90 m². It says it is not for sloped floors or heavy wrinkles.
What do UK reviews complain about?
UK reviews in the file say it can be too fast and throw debris up, the on/off button is intermittent, it may run then stop, and a wheel snapped off after about a week. Other UK buyers say it cleans a flat above-ground pool well.
Does it use the pool filter?
No. It is cordless. One UK review liked that dirt stayed in the robot rather than in the pool filter.
The POOLPURE AquaGuard SE II at about £139.00 is a cordless robot for a flat floor up to 90 m², with a 5000 mAh pack, about 100 minutes, and a charge of 2.5 to 3 hours. Across 60 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 3.4. The listing says it is not for sloped floors or heavy wrinkles, and you lift it at the wall rather than steering it. Filter micron is not stated. IPX8 is printed without a depth or a time, so the code does not add a deep-end rating. In the first 41 reviews only three are from the UK: one success and two early failures, including a wheel and charging. The part number on this listing is RPC100A, which overlaps the £149.00 RPC-100A ASIN. At £10 less it is the cheaper robot here, and the UK sample in the file is the thinner one.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A simple flat above-ground floor inside 90 m² if you want the cheaper of the two POOLPURE listings and you have read the failure notes.
Less suitable: Steps, a wrinkled liner, a spa, or a buyer who needs more than a handful of UK reviews.
Specifications
Common questions
Will it clean steps and slopes?
No. The listing says it is for flat-bottom pools and is not suitable for sloped floors or heavy wrinkles.
What does IPX8 mean here?
The listing says IPX8 and does not state a depth or a time. The code does not add a depth by itself.
Is the part number the same as the RPC-100A?
The model name is AquaGuard SE II. The manufacturer part number on this listing is RPC100A. It is a separate ASIN from B0G1Y6YL4V, at about £139.00 rather than about £149.00.
The FAMINESS hose vacuum at about £25.99 runs on garden-hose pressure, not a battery, and the listing states five pole sections up to 4.4 feet. Across 40 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 2.4. UK comments repeat three failures: the hose adapter will not stay on, the pole or handle snaps, and dirt is pushed around rather than collected. Micron size and a working depth are not stated. WaterSafe's advice is not to leave a hose submerged in a pool, which is how this tool has to sit while it runs. A collection bag, three brushes and a fishing net are in the box, and that does not answer the connector complaints. It is only worth a look if you already accept a weak hose set on a very small pool.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A very small pool where you only want a hose-powered leaf pass and you will watch the connector the whole time.
Less suitable: Sand that has to stay in a bag, a pool wider than a 4.4 foot pole, or any setup that leaves the hose submerged.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the FAMINESS vacuum need a battery?
No. The listing says it is water powered and attaches to a standard garden hose. It does not use electricity.
How long is the pole?
The listing says five sections of 10.2 inch rods, up to 4.4 feet overall. The hose-length field also says 4.4 feet.
What do UK reviews say goes wrong?
Repeated UK comments say the hose adapter will not stay on, the pole or handle snaps, and dirt is pushed around rather than collected. The rating is 2.4 from 40 reviews.
Nine amazon.co.uk listings were scored on 19 October 2026 from the UK review notes, the star line, and the fields you can match to a pool. There was no laboratory clean. A duplicated review file does not earn a second count. Reach, runtime, mesh and area are listing claims. The hose jet is scored as a hose tool, not as a cordless hoover. The four weights below sum to 100.
Amazon evidence
30%Star rating on amazon.co.uk, then a small addition for review count. A large count on a low star line is not a full mark. A sample of about 10 is deducted. A duplicated review file does not earn a second count bonus.
Listing fit
35%A type, a reach or area, and a limit you can match to a pool. A named mesh or a stated saltwater exclusion scores. A missing micron, a missing depth, an unresolved milliamp-hour clash, or IPX8 with no depth and no time is deducted.
Review outcome
20%UK comments that describe debris staying in the bag score. A failed connector, a snapped pole, stirred dirt, no suction, a sleeve you must fit, a wheel off, or a switch that will not stay on are deducted. A tiny UK sample stays low.
Value
15%Shelf price in GBP against a cleaner you can still match to a job. The lowest price does not score when UK reviews say the tool does not collect debris.
A pool cleaner in this comparison is a stick, a long pole, a flat-floor robot or a hose jet, not a dose of chlorine. On these nine amazon.co.uk listings the shelf runs from about £25.99 to about £149.00. Start with the floor the seller allows, then the reach, then whether the filter is fine enough that debris stays in the bag.
A pool cleaner in this comparison is a machine that collects leaves, sand and silt. On these nine amazon.co.uk listings it is one of four types. A cordless stick is for a spa or a small pool: the Hydro Haus HHRSV at about £74.99 (3.7 from 10), the PoolyPoly 1814 at about £59.99 and the PoolyPoly 1822 at about £56.99, both about 4.2, and the PoolyPoly 1818 at about £59.99 (4.2 from 303) with a longer but still modest handle.
PoolyPoly 1814 and 1822 are about 165–168 cm and the listings say they are not for big pools. VIVOHOME is the 90–278 cm pole in this set. FAMINESS states 4.4 feet.
UK reviews of the VIVOHOME use the 300-mesh bag for sand and silt. On the PoolyPoly 1818, fine dirt falls back unless the sleeve or bag is fitted over the gauze.
POOLPURE prints IPX8 and does not give a depth or a time. The yellow and blue VIVOHOME files share one 4.3-from-893 line. The 1814 and 1822 UK comments match. Do not count either pair twice, and do not rank the VIVOHOME colours on the clashing milliamp-hour fields.
Match the pole or the robot's area to the pool before you compare star lines. PoolyPoly 1814 and 1822 are about 165–168 cm and say they are not for big pools. The 1818 handle runs from 66 to 141 cm, and the 79.5 cm body can be used without the handle in shallower water. Hydro Haus is a telescopic pole of 105–164 cm. VIVOHOME is 90–278 cm, the longest reach here. FAMINESS states 4.4 feet of pole. A robot does not extend.
Read the water limit as printed. PoolyPoly states a 30 cm minimum and says the outlet should stay submerged. A Hydro Haus reviewer needed about 40 cm, which that listing does not state. VIVOHOME says the head must be immersed and that the vacuum is not for saltwater pools. The other listings leave salt water blank, which is not a clearance. POOLPURE says IPX8 and does not give a depth or a time, so the code does not add a deep end.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want sand and leaves off the floor without a hose on the filter, and you can use a pole. The blue VIVOHOME VH1715 reaches 90–278 cm and includes a 300-mesh bag. The 4.3 from 893 is shared with the yellow listing, and some units had no suction. It is not for saltwater pools.
You need a short stick and a minimum depth you can read. The PoolyPoly 1822 is about 165–168 cm, states 30 cm, and says it is not for big pools. UK comments match the 1814 file, so the 4.2 from 129 is not a second test. The colour field and a highlight disagree.
You will skip steps and wrinkles and you have read the wheel and speed notes before paying about £139 to about £149. The POOLPURE RPC-100A is capped at a flat floor of 90 m². UK reviews split between a clean floor and a machine that is too fast, a bad switch, or a wheel off.
The top pick is the blue VIVOHOME VH1715 at about £79.83. It has the highest score in this set: a pole of 90–278 cm, a 300-mesh bag, a stated saltwater exclusion, and 4.3 from 893 shared with the yellow listing. Some units had no suction, and the battery field says 2000 mAh against 20000 mAh on the yellow file. The best value is the PoolyPoly 1818 at about £59.99, a cordless cleaner under £60 with its own review file of 4.2 from 303, a handle to 141 cm, and a filter those reviews depend on. Fine dirt falls back if the sleeve is left off. The FAMINESS hose set is set aside: UK reviews describe a failed connector, not a hoover. None of these scores is a lab test.
VIVOHOME VH1715 blue
Highest score: pole 90–278 cm, 300-mesh bag, saltwater excluded, 4.3 from 893 shared with yellow, at about £79.83. Some units had no suction.
PoolyPoly 1818
About £59.99 with its own file of 4.2 from 303, a handle to 141 cm, and a second filter. Fine dirt falls back without the sleeve.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources for plugs, backflow, CE marking and the 30-day right to reject, taken from the research digest. Listing prices, stars and review counts are from amazon.co.uk on 19 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk with the tag pcuk26-21. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines checked on 19 October 2026. We did not run a lab test.
