Review: Zodiac and Polaris pool cleaners

Is there much difference between one pool cleaner and another? We take a look at Polaris and Zodiac pool cleaners - both popular brands - with an expert comment on the Polaris 360 pool cleaner and the Zodiac G2 and G4 pool cleaners.

Searching for the right cleaner for your swimming pool can seem like a daunting task, with so many different brands, models and price tags to weigh up. Here we compare a couple of the more popular makes, Zodiac and Polaris, to help make your decision easier.

Jim Kellog from AquaKleen in Clear Island Waters, Queensland, knows pool cleaners. His company specialises in all types, so he is objective about the top-selling pool cleaning systems.

Zodiac pool cleaners

Jim advises that the popular Zodiac G4 pool cleaner has recently been taken off the shelves in anticipation of a newer model, the X7. But while the Zodiac G4 is no longer available, Jim is a big fan of the original G2 model. "The Zodiac G2 is one of the best all-round cleaners and works well in most pools," he says. "It's a suction cleaner that plugs into the skimmer box and starts automatically when the pump comes on. It can climb walls as well as clean the floor."

The G2 has been known to occasionally find tight corners a challenge, but can handle most standard-shaped pools very well. Zodiac's newest release, the X7, is specifically designed to handle sharp corners in fibreglass pools. It is also a more complex machine, so it may involve complicated part replacement issues.

Polaris pool cleaners

The Polaris 360 pool cleaner is another top-selling cleaner for swimming pools, operating on the pressure system of the pool. It is plugged into the pressure side of the pool return, working only when the pump is in action. Like the Zodiac models, it doesn't cost anything extra to run.

It does cost a little more to purchase, however, so it's usually pool owners with very specific needs who will invest in the 360. "The Polaris 360 is better for picking up leaf debris," says Jim. "It carries around a little bag to pick up gum leaves, twigs and all that kind of thing. The G2 can't handle as much of the debris."

Those using suction cleaners such as the Zodiac G2 are also limited by the power of their skimmer boxes, as a large portion of their suction is used on the cleaner. By using the pressure system to collect debris, the skimmer is completely free to clean the pool's surface simultaneously.

Pool cleaner prices

AquaKleen currently sells the Zodiac G2 for around $525 and the Polaris 360 is a few hundred dollars more. So unless your pool is surrounded by big trees, a Zodiac suction cleaner may be better for your needs.

Which pool cleaners are most popular?

"The Zodiac G2 pool cleaner is the number one model for swimming pools in Australia and has been for many years," says Jim. "It's not for heavy-duty use, but it works well in 95% of pools. Suction cleaners (like Zodiac pool cleaners) are simpler, cheaper and by far the more popular. They're really the way to go unless you have a debris situation."

To check out a wide range of pool cleaners, find a swimming pool supplier in your area: