Suction-side pool cleaner review

Zodiac Baracuda Ranger Above-Ground Suction Pool Cleaner

Name: Zodiac Baracuda Ranger Above-Ground Suction Pool Cleaner
Brand: Zodiac

5.5BasicValue 10.0/10

Pump-drivenWallsWaterline?Skims surfaceWi-FiBluetoothRandom nav

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

Our take

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

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

The best price we found is $269.99 at Leslie's. The typical suction-side cleaner we track costs $459, so this one is cheaper than most. For what it does, its value score is 10.0 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 basic pick for above-ground pools, buyers who want the most features per dollar and low running cost and nothing to charge.

Pros

+Climbs and cleans the walls, not just the floor.
+No battery or cord to manage: it runs whenever your pool pump does.

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.
−Only a 1-year warranty.
−Above-ground pools only.