Automatic Pressure-Side Cleaners
This type works off of water pressure coming from a pump. The pump can
be your main circulation pump, or it can be from a dedicated (booster)
pump. A pressure-side pool cleaner runs by water pressure from the the
pump that drives the cleaner around the pool and is also what forces the
debris into the bag (that holds the debris). The most beneficial thing
about a pressure-side pool cleaner is that it doesn't suck stuff into
your pool filter or pump basket (allowing you more time in between
cleanings). If your pool is around a bunch of trees, or if you get a lot
of debris in your swimming pool, than a pressure-side pool cleaner is
the best way to go.
Automatic Suction-Side Cleaners
These rely on suction to make them move and vacuum the stuff off of the
pool floor. There are several advantages to this. First, as I mentioned
before, is that they act like a moving main drain. When the cleaner is
underwater, sucking stuff into it, it is also sucking water through your
filtration system, causing you to turn more water over in a shorter
amount of time.
Some suction side cleaners have the ability to "scrub" your pool walls.
By agitating itself as it moves around the pool, it also scrubs the
walls. This can possibly cut down on the number of times you need to
brush your pool. And since it sucks stuff right into your filter, it can
remove much finer particles than a pool cleaner with a bag. And since
there is no need to install any additional plumbing or pumps, a
suction-side pool cleaner is usually a lot cheaper to install. If you
are in an area where large debris rarely gets into your pool, then a
suction-side cleaner may be your best bet.
Robotic Automatic Pool Cleaners
These are driven by electric motors inside the unit. The electricity
that powers the cleaner comes from a little transformer that you plug
into a outdoor GFCI outlet. The transformer converts the outlet
electricity to a low voltage which is then connected to the cleaner via a
long cord.
It vacuums stuff strait into its own filter by a separate pump inside
the unit. It also usually has some sort of on board computer chip that
diagnosis any issues with the cleaner and helps to "learn" the shape of
the pool. Some even have a remote control that allows you to maneuver
the cleaner around your pool to spot clean anything it may have missed.
Robotic pool cleaners are one of the best when it comes to small debris
and sand or silt situations. It is one of the only type of pool cleaners
that not only scrubs the walls, but also the tile line. They also serve
as a great supplemental way to circulate the water in your pool because
of the powerful pump inside that vacuums the debris.
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