The 10 Best Above Ground Pool Vacuums

The Hayward Aquabug (about $177) offers more than just a fun look. With its constant, gentle movement, it provides coverage for all manner of surfaces, including concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl. And if you don't like ladybugs, you might choose the whale or penguin versions, instead.

This Milliard Sea-Thru Triangle (about $20) is a head, and not a complete vacuum, but if your previous one has broken, it could be the low-priced replacement you need. And, as you may have guessed from the name, you can easily monitor the area you're trying to clean.

The Aura Paradise (appx. $48) is self-contained, which means you don't need any hoses or power hookups to operate it. Instead, its simple siphon action helps you suck up leaves and any annoying particles for a sparkling clean swimming experience.

The Aquabot X4 (appx. $799) is a handy programmable model that can alert you when its basket is full, and run according to a preset schedule, all without hurting your electricity bill, thanks to relatively low power consumption. It is a little heavy, but there's a caddy available.

If you're not terribly mechanically inclined, you might like the Zodiac Ranger (about $140), as it arrives preassembled and ready to be used in just minutes. It's also quiet, so as not to disturb your family's (or neighbors') summertime relaxation.

It's likely that you're already familiar with the name, and the Pentair Kreepy Krauly (around $167) lives up to the company's reputation for quality. There's only one drawback, though: this unit tends to become tangled up with, or stuck under, ladders.

You shouldn't expect the Poolmaster Big Sucker (around $34) to remove every single bit of detritus, as it's mainly for capturing those pesky leaves. Of course, if you've got a lot of trees in your back yard, this may be just what you need.

Although the PoolSupplyTown Mini Jet Vac (about $22) isn't ideal for fine particles, it's a remarkable value for the price, making it a good choice for anyone who's counting their pennies. Simply attach it to any standard garden hose and let the water pressure do the work.

On one charge of its lithium-ion battery, the Water Tech Pool Blaster Max (appx. $175) can run for 60 minutes, which should be more than enough for a thorough cleaning. It arrives with everything you need to get started, including a multilayer filter for debris of various sizes.

The makers of the Dolphin Escape (about $639) have thought of just about everything for a hassle-free robotic experience, from a sleek, lightweight design to a smart navigation system that keeps this little model from fruitlessly running around in circles.