Suction Pool Cleaners

Quick answer: A suction pool cleaner connects to your existing skimmer box and runs off your main pool pump, so there's no extra motor to buy or power point to run — making it the most affordable way to automate pool cleaning. The trade-off is that it shares suction with your skimmer while running and needs your pump switched on to work, unlike a robotic cleaner.

Suction Pool Cleaners connect to the pool skimmer box and run whenever the pool system is on. As these cleaners use the skimmer box, they reduce the skimming effect of the pool. Each time the pool pump switches on, the pool cleaner starts and moves around the pool. Robotic Pool Cleaners run off power and pressure pool cleaners run on their dedicated pump.

Shop our range of uncomplicated and reliable Pool Cleaners, which will suit almost any pool surface. At poolshop.com.au, we supply only the best models and brands such as the Zodiac G2, AX10 (upgraded MX8), Onga Hammerhead, Pentair Rebel, Hayward Pool Vac, and more at Australia's best prices. Need help? Contact us today.

Types of suction cleaners

Suction Cleaners are the most affordable of all pool cleaners and fall into the following two types:

Non-mechanical pool cleaners

Non-mechanical Suction Cleaners have a rubber circular mat or disk and primarily follow the pool hose in the pool. The driving force is created by either a rubber diaphragm or hammer because they do not have a mechanical mechanism inside. Suction Cleaners will miss areas, and results will vary between the pool's shapes, sizes, steps, ledges, and debris load and type. The Onga HammerHead, Zodiac G2, T5 & T3, Kreepy Krauly suction cleaners all fall within this category. Our picks for non-mechanical pool cleaners are the Onga Hammerhead and the Zodiac G2.

Mechanical pool cleaners

Mechanical Suction cleaners have internal gears. These gears allow the cleaner to make a series of turns and solve inadequate coverage that some pools may experience with non-mechanical pool cleaners. The Zodiac MX6, AX10 (updated and improved MX8), and Pentair Rebel fall into this category.

Suction vs robotic vs pressure cleaners

How to choose a suction cleaner

Pool surface. Vinyl liners and fibreglass are more prone to scuffing from mechanical cleaners with worn parts — check the manufacturer's surface compatibility before buying, especially for gear-driven models.

Pool shape and obstacles. Steps, ledges, and irregular shapes are where non-mechanical cleaners are most likely to leave gaps in coverage. If your pool has a lot of these, a mechanical (geared) model will generally track more consistently.

Pump size and run time. A suction cleaner relies entirely on your existing pump's flow, so it needs to run during your normal filtration cycle rather than on its own schedule — factor this into how long you run your pump each day.

FAQ

Do suction cleaners reduce filtration and skimming? Yes — because the cleaner shares the skimmer's suction while it runs, surface skimming is reduced during that time. This is the main trade-off against a robotic cleaner, which runs independently.

Can I use a suction cleaner with a variable speed pump? Most suction cleaners need a minimum flow rate to move and hold suction, so check your cleaner's minimum GPM/LPM requirement against your pump's lowest usable speed setting.

Are suction cleaners worth it compared to robotic cleaners? For a straightforward pool shape and a tighter budget, yes — they cost less upfront and use equipment you already have. For complex shapes, heavy debris, or hands-off convenience, a robotic cleaner typically performs better.

Pool suction cleaner advice

We will help you find the right pool cleaner for your pool and advise if a suction cleaner meets your needs. Please contact us and we will gladly answer your questions.