Polaris 360 Vac-Sweep Pool Cleaner Review 2024 – Pros, Cons & Verdict
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We give the Polaris 360 Vac-Sweep Pool Cleaner a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Review Summary
The Polaris 360 is an updated, improved look at the 280 model. It’s a fast pressure side pool cleaner that uses three jet nozzles and, in this case, it’s designed to operate without a booster pump. Considering the cost of the pump, this is a significant improvement. It can clean up debris of all sizes and deposit it into an easy-to-remove filter bag that reduces wear and tear on the cleaner’s motor. It also has lower maintenance needs because its drive device is belted.
On the minus side, it’s expensive. Its repair parts are also expensive. If you buy this model, be prepared to spend some serious coin on upkeep and maintenance. Customer service is also something of a joke, so be prepared to feel like you’re on your own.
Polaris 360 – A Quick Look
- Belt-driven mechanism
- Fast
- Doesn’t require booster pump
- Three jet nozzles
- Expensive
- Pricey replacement parts
- Brand name: Polaris
- Model: 360
- Type: Pressure side
- Pool type: Inground
- Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 22.75 in
- Weight: 62 lbs.
Booster pump-free operation
The attraction of a pressure side cleaner is that it places less strain on your pool pump because it’s using water that the pump is already pumping. The flip side is that pressure-side cleaners usually require an additional booster pump to build up the proper pressure to make the cleaner go.
That’s not the case with the Polaris 360. It can operate without a booster pump, using just the water your pool circulation system is already pumping. That’s a much more efficient operation. It also means a much smaller up-front financial investment.
Belt drive mechanism
The Polaris incorporates a belt drive mechanism instead of a shaft-driven one, which means fewer moving parts. Fewer moving parts means fewer parts to wear out. This equates to less downtime for maintenance and repair. Plus, replacing a worn belt is a lot simpler and a lot less expensive than replacing a shaft drive.
Three jet nozzles instead of two
Increasing the number of jet nozzles from two to three allows for faster operation, more comprehensive cleaning, and—perhaps most importantly—a better ability to climb walls and steps.
FAQ
How many cleaning jets does the 360 use?
Three.
Does the Polaris 360 require a separate booster pump for proper operation?
No additional booster pump is required to operate the Polaris 360.
What kind of warranty does Polaris offer for the 360?
Polaris offers a standard one-year manufacture free-from-defect warranty for all of its pool cleaners.
What the Users Say:
Most users report very good experiences with the Polaris 360. It’s a fast, reliable, thorough pool cleaner that does a great job of climbing and cleaning walls. It’s popular, especially as a multi-generational purchase. A lot of people who bought the 360 said they’d originally owned a 280 and wanted to see how well other models performed. Most were happy with their purchase.
Interestingly, not many people mentioned the features that set the 360 apart from the 280—primarily, that a booster pump isn’t a necessary additional purchase. Considering how much these pumps cost, it’s surprising that more people didn’t mention these savings.
People have, however, complained about the customer service. If you have a problem with your Polaris 360, Polaris will do very little to help you out. Repairs are especially expensive and maintenance is always an issue for pool cleaners, so it’s really odd that Polaris would put so little effort into keeping people—who spent a lot of money—happy with their continued support.
But overall, most people reported very positive results from using the Polaris 360. They reported clean pools, with fast, hands-free operation that allowed them to spend time doing something other than paying attention to their pool cleaner.
How does this model compare to the Polaris 380?
Our review of the Polaris 280 Vac-Sweep
Conclusion
The Polaris 360 combines three jet nozzles and a belted-drive mechanism on a classic frame for a fast, thorough cleaning product. It’ll clean your walls and your floor with equal gusto. It’ll also deposit all that waste into a bag that you can remove and empty without putting a lot of strain on your motor.
While a lot of pressure side pool cleaners require a booster pump to provide the necessary juice, the 360 doesn’t need one. It can operate on your system’s ambient pressure. This will save you a little money up-front.
You’ll want to bank those savings, however, because while the belted drive mechanism cuts down on maintenance necessities, repair parts and maintenance calls for this model are awfully pricey. And if user reviews are to be believed, the company will leave you hanging.
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