When it's time to vacuum your pool, you don't want it to take all day or wear you out so much that you only want to collapse on the couch. That defeats the purpose of having a pool. Instead, you want to enjoy your pool, so using the best pool vacuum head is the only solution to clean your swimming pool effortlessly.
The challenge is that there are lots of manufacturers trying to take advantage of your desire for a quick and easy vacuuming experience by pumping out all kinds of pool vacuum heads. Therefore, we have highlighted the best pool vacuum heads for effortless and effective in-ground and above-ground pool cleaning to ease your search. Delve in!
Best Pool Vacuum Heads
1. U.S. Pool Supply 19" Heavy Duty Swimming Pool Vacuum Head
- Professional commercial grade heavy duty flexible 19" wide...
- An easy to maneuver pool vacuum head with non-slip wheels and a...
- Heavily weighted vacuum head body with 6 weights for ensuring...
- Contains a metal swivel pole handle with EZ clips, so you can...
- One Year - 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Buy with confidence, if...
For a pool owner who wants to quickly cover a lot of ground and walls, U.S. Supply offers a much wider vacuum head that can quickly sweep up algae, debris, and other contaminants in your swimming pool. Despite registering a staggering 19 inches of width, this vacuum head is easy to maneuver, making it ideal for inground swimming pools and commercial use.
U.S Supply vacuum head is supplied with a metal swivel pole handle with EZ clips which we used to safely and easily connect our standard pool pole. It is also heavily weighted; hence it stays in complete contact with the pool's concrete surfaces, making it easier to haul across the bottom and sides while cleaning.
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2. FibroPool Vacuum Head
- Generous Cleaning Area: This pool vacuum head offers a spacious...
- Consistent Seal for Superior Cleaning: With 6 integrated weights,...
- Convenient Vacuum Suction Port: The vacuum suction port connects...
- Durable Chrome-Plated Handle: The chrome-plated metal handle of...
- Smooth Rolling Urethane Wheels: Equipped with long-lasting...
Using the FibroPool vacuum head has made it easier to clean the pool. It is designed that there is enough space to clean in one go, that is this will require less passes. The flexible body easily fits all types of pool shapes and efficiently collects the debris without leaving any gaps.
However, we noticed a slight wobble when moving the vacuum head from one area to another and it lost some suction power but the vacuum head always made a seal on the carpet regardless of the area’s uneven surface. Integrated weights help to prevent it from floating and ensures that it picks up dirt and leaves perfectly. This reliability is necessary for maintaining cleanliness of our pool to the highest level.
Although the vacuum head is relatively heavy this product moves easily across the pool floor because of the urethane wheels. After using it a couple of times, we observed that there was a learning curve most notably when fixing it to the pole. However, as soon as we worked on getting the hang of it, it became easy. All in all, it is a very solid product that effectively incorporates usability with sturdiness, which is critical for a swimming pool.
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3. Swimline HydroTools Weighted Half Moon Pool Vacuum Head
- Weighted design
- Fits both 1-¼" & 1-½" hose neck
- Classic half moon shape
- Keeps your pool thoroughly clean
- Durable and long lasting
HydroTools Pool Vacuum head is an excellent choice for smaller pools and owners looking to vacuum their pools cheaply and reliably. It was the cheapest of our picks, but it is by no means the worst. This vacuum head also fits 1.25 and 1.5-inch vacuum hoses without an adaptor.
Considering we tried it in a kidney pool, its curved shape made gliding and cleaning the curved surfaces easier. It also has brushes to agitate stuck dirt on the pool floor and sides, which it then sucks up through the vacuum hose.
Though this vacuum head is weighted, it is not heavy enough to stay at the bottom of the pool. So we had to add extra effort to keep it at the bottom and push it along the surfaces since it doesn't have wheels. Also, the suction power is not the best, so you'll need to make a couple of passes to pick up all the debris. But considering the price, a few extra minutes cleaning the pool is a small sacrifice.
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4. Aquatix Pro Pool Vacuum Head
- PICTURE PERFECT: Aquatix Pro Vacuum Head for Swimming Pool Cleans...
- PREMIUM DESIGN & BUILD: Weighted Flexible Pool Vacuum Head Sticks...
- COMPATIBLE: Works with Most Standard Telescopic Poles and Pool...
- FAST & EFFICIENT: Heavy Duty Head, 8 Weighted Plates, Strong &...
- OUR GUARANTEE: If You Are Not Happy For Any Reason, Simply...
With Aquatix Pro Pool Vacuum Head, we have been able to appreciate an improved clean up process in our pool. Its construction is extremely rugged and heavy, which enables it to stay immersed and adequately cover the bottom and corners without effort. The strong wheels roll without any hitch and the cleaning process is therefore less tiresome compared to using light plastic wheels.
The vacuum head is universally compatible with most telescopic poles. To integrate it into our existing equipment was relatively easy but it has no assembly manual. A brief video showing how to use the whole system would serve to improve the total experience even for first time users.
In conclusion, the Aquatix Pro is found to be a useful cleaner for the home and could do with a lighter body or at least warning to those handling it. We find that pulling it is more effective especially for our vinyl pool and it gives us the versatility and quality that we need. Since the program has full satisfaction guarantee you don’t stand to lose anything by giving it a trial run to determine how efficient it is in helping you clean your pool.
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5. Swimline Hydrotools Vacuum Head
- DEEP CLEAN- : This vacuum head is perfect for deep cleaning of...
- WEIGHTED DESIGN- Built In weighted design ensures that the vacuum...
- HOSE COMPATIBILITY- Hydrotools Vac Heads are strategically...
- POLE COMPATIBILITY- Double reinforced molded handles feature...
- CLEAN BRUSHES- Our pool cleaning vacuums feature strategically...
We also like the Swimline Hydrotools vacuum head as it now dips to the bottom of pools without losing suction. The wider surface area picks up dirt, dust and other debris with ease and we are able to finish cleaning in a much shorter time than when using our previous vacuum heads.
Once again, the brush bristles provide an excellent performance in this line by loosening the dirt and we have seen an improvement in suction. It is also comforting to note that it has provision for both 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inches hoses and this means that we can continue using the current arrangement without much difficulties.
That said, some of the users have met durability issues after multiple seasons; all in all, we’ve had quite a pleasant experience so far. This is one appliance that you need to be gentle with so as to make it last longer. All in all, if you are willing to pay for that value and get performance like that you get from this vacuum head, you will definitely be satisfied for pool cleaning tasks.
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Best Pool Vacuum Head Buyer’s Guide
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i) Pool Type
Before purchasing a vacuum head, check whether it is designed for concrete/plaster, vinyl, or fiberglass pools. Vinyl pools are delicate, and if you use a vacuum head designed for a concrete pool, your pool liner could get scratched or torn.
Concrete pool vacuum heads usually have wheels, very low vacuum ports, and no brushes. On the other hand, most vinyl pool vacuum heads feature brushes, don’t have wheels, and the vacuum ports are a bit higher to avoid sucking in the liner.
ii) Width
As with any pool cleaning product, the wider it is, the fewer strokes it will take to clean the area. For example, pool vacuum heads start around 11″ in width, with the widest being 14″. So the larger the pool, the wider you’ll want the vacuum head to be.
iii) Shape
Pool vacuum heads come in various shapes and styles. Triangle-shaped vacuum heads are one of the popular designs. They effortlessly clean along the wall edges and have no trouble getting into corners. A rectangular pool vacuum head is also suitable for edge and wall cleaning.
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But if you have a rounded or kidney-shaped pool, get a half-moon vacuum head. It works great at cleaning curved pools.
iv) Design
Some design features to look for include:
A see-through body that makes it easier to maneuver the vacuum head and spot dirt.
A flexible head that can bend to contour uneven pool surfaces.
Wheels to make it easier to push the head around in the pool surfaces. Note that most wheeled vacuum heads are designed for concrete or fiberglass pools.
v) Brushes
A vacuum head with bristles agitates the dirt and vacuums the pool simultaneously. This saves you the trouble of first brushing the pool before vacuuming it.
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However, brushes can reduce suction power. So you have to decide whether the suction power trade-off is worth having the brushes. Also, ensure the bristles are of good quality and don’t shed too easily.
vi) Compatibility
Because you are looking for the best vacuum head, you must ensure it fits the hose. Some products are fine to attach to any standard hose, while others are compatible with the brand’s products.
Check what hose size the vacuum head accepts. You’ll need to buy an adapter if it’s incompatible with your hose. It also needs to fit the pole. The standard sizes tend to be 1.25 to 1.5 inches.
vii) Suction
Suction power is one of the major aspects of any vacuum, and the pool vacuum head is not exceptional. So, suction should be up to the task because of the amount of debris that they often need to collect. Besides the brands’ promises in this area, also look to customer reviews to be sure the product will leave your pool clean in no time.
viii) Material
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ABS materials are the most common in the construction of pool vacuum heads. Vacuum heads for vinyl pools are made of plastic, while those designed for concrete pools are made from heavy-duty plastic or a combination of plastic and metal. An all-plastic vacuum head is the best if you have a saltwater pool to avoid rusting
Frequently Asked Questions
a) What Else Can the Pool Vacuum Head be Used for?
Pool vacuum heads are specifically designed for water facilities, especially pools and spas. However, there are no rules restricting you from using them for other uses at home. For example, you can use automatic vacuum heads to capture pet hairs and trap insects around your home or pool facility.
b) How Much Does a Pool Vacuum Head Cost?
The price varies depending on the brand and size, but you can choose a budget product for around $80. However, if you need a higher-spec product with quality bristles, high suction power, and a wider head made from durable materials, you should consider products over $100.
c) Does the Vacuum Head Come with a Hose?
Most pool vacuum heads do not come with a hose. So if you don’t have one already, you’ll have to buy it separately. You’ll also need a telescopic pole.
d) How Do Pool Vacuum Heads Work?
You should first attach the head to the hose line. Then, attach the head to a telescopic pole to give you a longer reach. After this, connect the other end of the hose to the pool skimmer. This will push water through the pole, creating suction power that picks up debris. If you see air bubbles, don’t fret, this is a sign that the vacuum head works fine.
Some vacuum heads have brushes to agitate dirt stuck on the pool floor and wall, but if yours doesn’t have, you have to brush the pool first before vacuuming it. This makes it easier for the debris to be sucked up through the port, leaving your pool sparkling clean.
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