Suction-side pool cleaner review

Hayward TracVac Suction Pool Cleaner

Name: Hayward TracVac Suction Pool Cleaner
Brand: Hayward

6.5FairValue 6.0/10

Pump-drivenWallsWaterline?Skims surfaceWi-FiBluetoothRandom nav

Spec-based review: scored from Hayward's published specifications with the same weights as every other suction-side cleaner. Not a hands-on test. How we score.

Our take

The Hayward TracVac Suction Pool Cleaner is a suction-side cleaner driven by your pool pump from Hayward. It cleans the floor and walls, navigates at random, turning when it bumps into a wall, and has no app.

On paper it scores 6.5 out of 10 (fair) against other suction-side cleaners. Its strongest areas are pool size (8.5) and warranty (7.0). Where it gives ground: navigation (4.0) and ease of use (5.5). Random navigation: it can miss spots and take longer to cover the pool.

The best price we found is $549 at Leslie's. The typical suction-side cleaner we track costs $404, so this one is pricier than most. For what it does, its value score is 6.0 out of 10.

If you want waterline scrubbing, the cheapest we track with it is the Zodiac MX6 Suction-Side Pool Cleaner at $349.

Bottom line: a fair pick for large pools and low running cost and nothing to charge.

Pros

+Climbs and cleans the walls, not just the floor.
+Rated for large pools, up to 40 ft long.
+No battery or cord to manage: it runs whenever your pool pump does.
+Light to lift out at 5.76 lb.

Cons

−Random navigation: it can miss spots and take longer to cover the pool.
−Runs off your skimmer or suction line and the pool pump, so the pump has to be on while it cleans.
−In-ground pools only.