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Pressure-side pool cleaner review

Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner

5.4BasicValue 6.7/10
Pump-drivenWallsWaterline?Skims surfaceWi-FiBluetoothRandom nav

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

Our take

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner is a pressure-side cleaner driven by your pool’s return line from Polaris. It cleans the floor and walls, navigates at random, turning when it bumps into a wall, and has no app.

On paper it scores 5.4 out of 10 (basic) against other pressure-side cleaners. Its strongest areas are cleaning coverage (7.0) and ease of use (5.5). 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 $699 at Leslie's. The typical pressure-side cleaner we track costs $949.99, so this one is cheaper than most. For what it does, its value score is 6.7 out of 10.

If you want waterline scrubbing, the cheapest we track with it is the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Platinum Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner at $949.99.

Bottom line: a basic pick for 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.
  • +Light to lift out at 14.5 lb.

Cons

  • −Random navigation: it can miss spots and take longer to cover the pool.
  • −Runs off a pressure line: some models need a booster pump. Check your plumbing first.
  • −Filter fineness isn’t stated.
  • −Only a 1-year warranty.
  • −In-ground pools only.

Best for

  • Low running cost and nothing to charge

Skip it if

  • You want the fastest full-pool coverage
  • You have an above-ground pool

Where to buy the Vac-Sweep 380

StoreCheckedBuy
Leslie's$699—todayView deal
In The Swim$699—todayView deal
INYO Pools'Less Pump' listing; price much higher than other stores$1,278.99—todayView deal
Amazonlive—at clickCheck price

Similar-priced alternatives

5.3

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner

Polaris · Pressure-side · value 10.0/10

Pump-drivenWallsWaterline?Skims surfaceWi-FiBluetoothRandom nav
  • +Climbs and cleans the walls, not just the floor.
  • +No battery or cord to manage: it runs whenever your pool pump does.

$599

at Leslie's

Read review

Compare the Vac-Sweep 380 with any cleaner →

Head to head: Kreepy Krauly Platinum vs Vac-Sweep 380 · Vac-Sweep 280 vs Vac-Sweep 380 · Vac-Sweep 380 vs Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport