5 Best Pool Cleaners for Pebble Tec Pools in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Owning a pebble tec pool is a dream for some people. Not only is the pool more natural looking but it also hides dirt well and makes chemical damage less likely.

With all the benefits that come with a pebble tec pool, it is crucial to make sure that the pool cleaner you choose can work well with this finish.

Preventing damage to your pool and your pool cleaner is the ultimate goal. We have put together a few reviews of what we consider to be the best pool cleaners for pebble tec pools.

Comparison of our 5 Favorite Picks in 2023:

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Dolphin Premier	Three filter options CleverClean technology Cleans sides waterline and bottom of the pool	CHECK PRICE
		Polaris F9550	Programmable Remote control Good at getting dirt out of corners	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Polaris Vac-Sweep 360	Fair price Climb walls Clean the floor	CHECK PRICE
		Hayward Poolvergnuegen	Good for smaller pools Pre-programmed sequences	CHECK PRICE
		Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900	Powerful model TailSweep helps to clean hard to reach areas	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best Pool Cleaners for Pebble Tec Pools:

1. Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner – Best Overall

Dolphin is one of the leading names when it comes to robotic pool cleaners. Having a robotic cleaner is not a cheap option, but it is well worth the price in the long run. Robotic cleaners do not run through your pool’s filter system and therefore, will not require a booster pump. This is some excellent news and should provide added savings and less wear and tear on your pool equipment.

This Dolphin Premier Robotic is designed for a pool up to 50 feet, and it comes with three-year quality assurance from Dolphin. The Dolphin Premier pool cleaner will have this job done in three hours. Cleaning the walls and sides of the pool is accomplished quite easily with this model. The Dolphin Premier uses a CleverClean algorithm to make sure that all areas of your pool are accounted for.

The Dolphin Premier can be set to clean your pool daily, every other day, or every third day. This is an easy-to-use option with three filter options; bottom-load fine cartridge filters, ultra-fine cartridge filters, and an oversized fine filter bag. With the programmable options and settings, this filter can work exactly the way you need it to. The only real downside we can see for this model is the price, but with the features you get, a lower price would not make much sense. All in all, we think this is the best pool cleaner for pebble tec pools available this year.

2. Polaris F9550 Pool Cleaner

For just a few dollars less than the Dolphin Premier, you can purchase a Polaris F9550. This is a four-wheel-drive robotic cleaner that is capable of cleaning all pool surfaces. Similar to the Dolphin CleverClean technology, the Polaris has what they call ActivMotion Sensor Technology. This unit will scope out your pool and develop a plan for cleaning it, with no problem getting in and out of tight corners, and it will work for pools up to 60 feet. There is a programmable timer on this model, as well as a remote. Polaris is giving you the ability to turn this on and move it where you need it to go.

The problem that some users have with the Polaris is longevity. Although this model works very well for several years, it does not seem to hold up as long as the Dolphin does. For the very slight difference in the price range, it may be worth going with the top model.

3. Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 – Best Value

If we blew you out of the water (pun intended) with the pricing on our first two models, we will bring things back down to reality now with the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360. The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is the best value for the money when looking for a pebble tec pool cleaner.

The Polaris is not a robotic unit, this will plug directly into your existing pump, but it does not need a booster to operate. Regardless of the shape and size of your pool, this model will work.

Also, the Polaris Vac-Sweep is capable of climbing walls, scrubbing, and vacuuming the bottom. The unit comes with a single chamber bag capable of capturing large debris. The problems you see with this filter include clogging and missing certain areas of the pool. Pretty typical for a non-robotic, automatic vacuum. Even considering those things, this pool cleaner is a great value.

4. Hayward Poolvergnuegen “The Pool Cleaner”

Although this is still a decent pool cleaner, some things keep it out of the top spots. This Hayward is only a two-wheel drive unit, and it is capable of cleaning pools up to 16’ x 32’. If you remember, our top models could clean up to 50 feet.

This is not considered to be a “smart” model as it will not scan your pool and develop a course of action. There are, however, multiple pre-programmed steering sequences. Based on the type of pool, you have these sequences could very likely get the job done.

The biggest issue that customers seem to have with the Hayward Poolyergnuegen is that is doesn’t hold up over time. As the years go, some of the many parts start to break and become less effective. The warranty on these products doesn’t quite hold up to the issues that you will be left dealing with. The problems are likely not on every unit, but you may be taking a slight risk going with the Hayward model.

5. Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Pool Vacuum

Last on our list is the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900. This model is similar to the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 that we reviewed as our best value pool cleaner. The Vac-Sweep 3900 is quite a bit more money than the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360. Although not as expensive as the robotic models, this pool cleaner will cost you quite a bit.

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 claims to work in all in-ground pools regardless of size or shape. This pool cleaner will require a Polaris booster pump to work correctly. Make sure to consider this expense when purchasing this unit. A booster pump is frustrating to buy, but it will make the vacuum work with quite a bit more power.

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 includes the TailSweep Pro, which provides a sizeable sweeping action behind the unit. The sweeping helps to ensure all areas of the pool are scrubbed and swept. It also keeps water from spraying outside of the pool.

The reviews on this product are quite mixed. A good majority of people swear by this pool cleaner while others struggle with the price for the quality of the job. It’s known to clog frequently, causing some manual labor to fix the clog and get the cleaner back up and running.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Pool Cleaner for Pebble Tec Pools

Purchasing a pool cleaner that will work for your pool is difficult in and of itself. Add in the fact that you are working with a pebble tec pool and need to make sure the cleaner has specific requirements that can make the process exhausting. The good news is that most robotic pool cleaners and vacuums will work well for pebble tec. The models to avoid would be suction type vacuums. Here are a few other things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect automatic pool cleaner.

Robotic or Pump

Do you want a unit that runs off of your current pump, or do you want a stand-alone robotic unit? There are advantages and disadvantages to each. The robotic units are usually priced quite a bit higher, but they are highly programmable and have some great features.

The more traditional style that runs off of your current pump will save you some money but cause some extra wear and tear on your pump. Some of these require an additional booster pump to make the unit function. Check all requirements before purchasing; an underpowered automatic pool vacuum will not effectively clean your pool.

Programmability

Features come at a cost. We are all accustomed to this, whether it be a car or a phone, extra features cost more money. This is no exception when it comes to programming an automatic pool cleaner. If you want to make sure that your pool is cleaned in a specific pattern that will cover every square inch, you will have to pay for it. These models are quite a bit more expensive, but you can program things like your pool shape and size, and also which days and times to run the pool cleaner.

Price

If you think you have to spend thousands of dollars on an automatic pool cleaner, you are wrong. There are models available for less than five hundred. The most important thing to keep in mind is the value. A very inexpensive model that needs a booster pump, hoses, fittings, and connections is not all that inexpensive after all.

If you are looking to save some money but want a high-quality machine, look at giving up a few of the bells and whistles. Do you need the remote? Is blue tooth something that matters to you long term? These are the things you can lose while still having a clean pool.

Sensing Capability

When we talk about additional features that can cost money, sensing is one of them. Sensing capabilities give your pool cleaner some direction on where to go in the pool to get the job done. This is a premium technology, and lower-priced units will not feature this.

Quality of Hoses

Don’t focus solely on the quality of the vacuum. The quality of the hoses should be considered as well. If a hose is known to kink and split, the vacuum will be useless. Keeping your pool vacuum hose untangled is vital for long term effectiveness with the pool vacuum. Some of the lower-powered automatic vacuums will struggle when there is any type of resistance. A pool hose that has not been cared for properly could cause resistance that keeps the unit from traveling. This is mostly an issue when it comes to climbing the walls or reaching all corners of the pool.

Sides/Bottom/Stairs

Three main areas need to be cleaned in a pool (aside from the actual water). The bottom, the sides, and the walls are all things that should be included in weekly maintenance. When purchasing an automatic or robotic pool vacuum, choose something that has no issues climbing sides. If the sides of your pool are not cleaned, they will be subject to algae growth.

It is relatively common for a pool vacuum to struggle with stairs in a pool. The robotic pool vacuums do a much better job than the automatic options run off of your pool pump. The difference in price between these models may make it worth it for you just to clean the stairs yourself. The ability to clean stairs should not be a deal-breaker on a lower-priced model, just something to consider before purchasing.

Conclusion

Pebble tec pools are beautiful. The pebble tec finish can make your backyard feel natural and your pool shine unless it is dirty! It’s certainly not worth paying for an exceptional finish on the inside of your pool and then leaving it a mess with leaves and dirt. Our top pick, the Dolphin Premier Robotic, will make sure that your pool is clean. Although you will pay a bit more for a Dolphin Premier Robotic, you will have options and settings that other models don’t have. The difference in the price of this model justifies all of the extra features you get. The Dolphin Premier Robotic is a pool cleaner that you will have for many years if it is taken care of properly.

Also, we just released a buying guide for automatic pool cleaners. This guide is for all types of pools and not just pebble tec.

Related articles:

Top 5 Dolphin Pool Cleaners
Top 5 Polaris Pool Cleaners
Which robotic above ground pool cleaner beats all the others?