Every pool owner has a pool vacuum head, but we all know that there are good pool vacuum heads and there are the best pool vacuum heads, the question then is which is good and which is the best pool vacuum head.
Pool vacuum heads are pool maintenance attachments that are attached to a filter pump through pool vacuum hoses to facilitate pool cleaning.
As vital pool cleaning tools, the right pool vacuum head will not only keep your swimming pool clean and safe for you but will also save you a lot of stress and cleaning time.
With the sole aim of guiding you on the right path, this pool vacuum head reviews will enlighten you on the variety of the best pool vacuum heads on the market for your pool type and provide the right pointers to look out for when choosing the best pool vacuum heads on the market.
Top 3 Recommendations
Best Overall – U.S. Pool Supply 14 Inches Weighted Head
Runner Up – Polog Pool Leaf Vacuum Head
Best Connector – U.S. Pool Supply 12 Inches Weighted Vacuum Head
The 10 Best Pool Vacuum Heads on the Market
1. U.S. Pool Supply 14 Inches Weighted Head Swimming Pool Vacuum Head – Best In-ground Pool Vacuum Head
As it is known that different pool types require different vacuum heads for maintenance the U.S Pool Supply manufacturing company considered the idea and designed the perfect vacuum head for in-ground pools that will surely take your pool to the next level of cleanliness.
The first notable feature of this remarkable in-ground pool vacuum model is the design. Crafty boasting 14 inches of cleaning surface, this flexible pool vacuum head is a weighted head that sinks and easily remains submerged within the pool.
Furthermore, the vacuum head offers great suction power with a capacity to rid your pool of leaves, sand, and other debris.
Despite being a weighted vacuum head, the U.S Pool Supply vacuum head is lightweight making it easy to transport and store.
With the wide cleaning area, the 14 inches vacuum head features an extra-durable 8-wheel design which is held together by metal bolts that allow the vacuum head to glide easily over the surface of the pool and around corners and curved edges, thereby making it perfect for curved pools.
For attachments, the model comes with an aluminum spring-action pole handle for quick and easy attachment to the filter. Also, the product has a swivel head compatible with both 1.5 inches and 1.25 inches hoses.
Of course, one mustn’t forget the one-year warranty offered by the manufacturer as a sign of quality assurance.
Pros
- Perfect for in ground pools
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy operation and usage
- Great suction strength ideal for leaves and other debris
- Quite affordable
Cons
- Weak springs
- Does not come with instructions
2. Polog Pool Leaf Vacuum Head – Best for Leaves
For swimming pools located close to trees and often get showered by leaves regularly and even worse during the fall season, there is an ideal vacuum head specifically designed to save your pool from leaf invasion.
As the name implies, the Polog Pool Leaf Vacuum head is the best pool vac head specifically designed to competently and effortlessly save your pool surface from leaves.
This it does with the help of its 15 inches round leaf master vacuum that features a durable leaf storage bag. The pool leaf gulper as it is named is a 23 inches by 16 inches fine mesh large bag designed to store as many leaves as possible and also catch smaller debris into it thanks to its fine mesh.
The Polog pool leaf vacuum head comes with 8 high-pressure water jets and once connected to the water pipe generates a strong suction force to pull and rid leaves into the bag in a faster and more convenient manner.
In addition to the suction capacity, the model stands on 3 universal wheels alongside 3 sets of replaceable and removable brushes that make sweeping and gathering of leaves as well as easy movement even at the bottom of the pool possible.
Attachment-wise, the unique model matches standard pool poles and hoses while featuring a 1.1-inch pole size and a 1.2-inch hose size. Plus it comes with an Abs plastic handle for easy grip.
Pros
- Great for getting rid of leaves
- Ideal for above ground pools and inground pools
- Works for all pool surfaces
- Great suction capacity
- Easy to use
Cons
- The ring to attach the net is bigger
- Net comes off easily
3. U.S. Pool Supply 12 Inches Weighted Vacuum Head – Best for All Surfaces
U.S Pool Supply is a popular manufacturing company that is well-known for quality assurance and functionality that cuts across all their products including this powerful vacuum head.
Designed for all surfaces including a spa or hot tub, both above ground pool and in-ground pools, and others, the model features a 12-inch rectangular weighted pool vacuum head fitted with nylon bristles with a long and sturdy handle.
The bristles are both gentle yet highly functional designed to leave the bottom of the pool sparkling clean without leaving any scratches. In addition to the bristles, the handle allows the head to access difficult-to-reach areas and tight spaces of the pool like walls, corners, and slopes without much stress.
One special feature of the 12-inch model is that as a flexible swimming pool vacuum head, you can twist the head to clean the hard spaces, and to keep the vacuum head in place it features an EZ clip handle for easy attachment and detachment, and it connects to standard 1.5 and 1.25 inches vacuum hose length.
Furthermore, the suction capacity of the model is top-notch with a capacity to clean huge debris from your pool’s surface within 10 minutes with very little effort.
Pros
- A great choice for all surfaces and pool types
- Easy maneuvering and flexibility
- Easy attach and detach
- Good functionality
Cons
- Not so good on pebble tec pool floor
- Bristles fall fast.
4. FibroPool Professional Flexible Swimming Pool Vacuum Head – Best Flexible Pool Vacuum Head
In need of a vacuum head that is gentle yet functional, top quality with a good worth for your money, then you should consider the FibroPool Professional Swimming Pool Vacuum Head.
With a 14 inches length, it tackles any surface cleaning area encased in a flexible thermoplastic body the FibroPool vac head is the ultimate flexible vacuum head perfect to reach every curve and contour without so much damage.
The entire model’s design is supported by long-lasting urethane wheels with metal ball bearings designed to effortlessly roll across the pool floor.
In addition to the wheels, FibroPool Professional vacuum head includes 6 integrated weights that help keep it grounded at the bottom of the pool for a better grip on cleaning.
For maneuvering and attachment, the vacuum head features a chrome-plated metal handle that easily fits most standard-sized extension poles while the suction port connects to standard 1.5 inches hose for a convenient and easy deep cleaning process.
Pros
- Features a flexible plastic body
- Perfect to clean curved and circular corners without causing damages to the pool
- Easy to use
- Efficient in cleaning tough dirt and debris
- Long-lasting with a sturdy material composition
Cons
- Wheels can easily come loose
- Metal fixtures can rust easily
5. Milliard 14” Flexible Spa And Pool Vacuum Head – Best All Cleaning
You might be thinking that the best debris cleaning vacuum head does not exist but the Milliard 14 inches flexible Spa Vacuum Head would beg to differ.
The Milliard 14 inches flexible spa vacuum head is an intricate mixture of simple, flexible and functional with a healthy budget to boot.
First off, its 14 inches rectangular surface is made from flexible abs plastic which makes maneuvering easy especially in tight spots easy, and also makes it long-lasting.
In addition to quality material construction, the vacuum head functions perfectly to clean all kinds of debris from your pool floors such as acorns, small twigs, and leaves while still being able to fit into all the tight corners and spaces of your pool.
To ensure that proper cleaning is done, the model is weighted to keep it steady at the bottom of the pool and comes with durable wheels under the vacuum head for easy and gentle movement across the pool’s surface while preventing scrapes and scratches all around the surfaces.
To attach the vac head, the product features a handle adapter that easily fits standard pool extension poles which are attached with the use of spring-loaded locking clips. Note that these spring-loaded locking clips allow for modification when attaching to different pole types for easier connection.
Pros
- Flexible construction
- Makes cleaning of corners and difficult to reach areas easy
- Effective cleaning power
- Easy assemblage with the spring-loaded locking clips
- Easy to use design
Cons
- The stainless steel screws and bolts can rust easily
- Not appropriate for algae and wall cleaning
6. POOLWHALE Jumbo Rectangle Pool Vacuum Head – Best Vinyl Pool Vacuum Head
Delicate pool liners often require a delicate vacuum head to tackle any form of dirt and debris found in the pool without damaging or scratching the liner. It is for the purpose that the POOLWHALE Jumbo Rectangle Pool Vac Head comes in handy.
The POOLWHALE Jumbo vacuum head offers everything that makes it the perfect vinyl liner vacuum. One of those is the brush design. The brush is made from nylon bristle, a durable and shape-keeping kind of material that allows the bristles to return to their original shape at every use. And the bristles are soft on any surface while functioning adequately.
Apart from the bristles, another noteworthy feature of the vacuum head is the placement of the brushes and the head design itself. Made from Abs plastic the POOLWHALE Jumbo vacuum head features a translucent top with brushes systematically attached to the side and bottom of the brush for effective cleaning without care.
In addition to that, the vacuum head comes with rubber bumpers located at the sides of the head to prevent scraping or scratching of the vinyl pool liner. Plus, there are three ball wheels attached to the bottom that allows for smooth gliding without a snag or a scratch to the pool liner.
POOLWHALE vacuum head also includes a rotating suction nozzle that allows for an all-around swivel head connection without getting the hose tangled up and is ideal to connect to standard-sized fittings of 1-1/4 inches and 1-1/2 inches vacuum hose.
To keep the vac head submerged in the pool, the model is ideally weighted, and with the use of an EZ clip handle, it connects to the handle safely without causing any harm.
Pros
- A perfect model for vinyl lined pools
- Unique design with rubber bumpers, brushes, and wheels for gentle and effective cleaning
- Features a rotating suction nozzle
- Durable with secure attachments
Cons
- Not suitable for hard surface pool floor
7. Aquatix Pro Pool Vacuum Head – Best Manual Pool Vacuum
Affordable, easy to use, unique and premium design, flexible and effective. These are some of the words that describe the powerful Aquatix Pro pool vacuum head and make it amongst the best manual vacuum heads on the market.
Adequately designed to make your pool cleaning sessions convenient and fast, the half-moon-shaped vac head design allows for an all-around cleaning of the bottom of the pool including the hard to get and awkward corners.
To support the fast and convenient cleaning, the model features strong and durable bristles attached and shaped in a half-moon shape offering endless rows of efficient scrubbing and cleaning without leaving any dirt behind, alongside the side brushes that allow for effective corner cleaning. And as a weighted and flexible vac head, the head stays put on the pool’s floor for better coverage.
In addition to its simplistic yet functional capabilities, the model works fine with any type of swimming pool floor. The Aquatix pro pool vac head is compatible with most standard poles, hoses, and pipes making installation easy and fast.
Plus the vacuum head comes with an EZ clip handle for an efficient and fast attachment of the handle to the pole and filter.
Pros
- The ideal manual vac head for all pool surfaces and types
- Easy access to hard to reach corners
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Pocket-friendly and affordable
- Strong bristle brushes with side brush
Cons
- Bristles get weakened fast
- Hose size smaller than the standard size
8. AgiiMan Pool Vacuum Head – Best Value for Money
The AgiiMan Pool vacuum head stands out for a variety of reasons. It is one of the models that are functional in all levels, suitable for a variety of pool types and floors, features easy usage, offers top-notch quality material, and works superbly to rid your pool of all kinds of dirt and debris, even the very tough ones.
For starters, the AgiiMan vac head offers material durability thanks to its Abs plastic made head design that offers lightweight, durable and long-lasting service. In addition to the head design, the brush bristles match the high-quality standard mark. The model features 12 sets of Polypropylene bristles effectively designed for better cleaning without causing any damage to delicate pool surfaces.
The triangular shape of the model allows it to easily fit into corners with an easy maneuver to clean walls and floor and the product also features rubber bumpers on the side to protect the pool surface and sides from scratch.
In terms of suction capacity, the AgiiMan Pool Vac head offers top-notch quality with a suction capacity to clear all sorts of debris especially those found at the deep pool. It is an ideal vacuum head for algae-ridden pools, works fine to get leaves, sand, and even hair out of your pool to keep your sparkling clean and healthy.
To connect the handle, the model features an EZ clip handle for quick and easy attachment to the standard 1-¼ inches size poles. Finally, the AgiiMan vac head is not just designed to tackle your average swimming pool alone, it also works perfectly for spa pools and artificial fountains.
And you get all of these awesome functions in a single model. If that isn’t worth your money, then nothing else would be.
Pros
- Ideal for all kinds of pool types and floors
- Features unique design for better cleaning
- Lightweight with easy maneuver
- A perfect vac head for algae and other forms of dirt
- Easy and quick connection
Cons
- Does not feature wheels
- Not so ideal for vinyl liner
9. Milliard Sea Thru Triangle Pool Vacuum Head – Best for Smaller Pools
To effectively cover all areas of a small or medium-sized pool including the walls, corners, and hard-to-reach angles you require a pool vac head that would fit in easily, cover the surface area effectively, and clean with as little stress as possible. All of these and much more are what you will get with the Milliard Sea Thru Triangle Pool Vacuum Head.
The first notable feature of the model is the triangular shaped head. As an 11-inch triangular pool vacuum head, you get to enjoy easy access to all the tight spots and corners of the pool with little effort. Plus, the surface area allows it to effectively cover the pool area in a short time without leaving any debris or dirt behind.
Again the vac head is see-through and transparent allowing for better visibility when cleaning so you know where you are cleaning, what you are cleaning, and how well the cleaning is at every use.
The product is lightweight with a seal on the assurance of quality thanks to its material composition. The Abs plastic make allows the vac head to last the test of time even with the constant contact with harsh chemicals in the pool. The material composition allows the vac head to be flexible while staying strong at all times.
The Milliard Sea Thru pool vac head features nylon brush bristles that are angled to funnel dirt into the vacuum while being gentle and easy on pool liners and painted pool floors. As a weighted vacuum head, it stays at the bottom of the pool allowing for better contact between the pool’s floor and the brushes. As a finishing touch, the head features rubber bumpers at the sides for delicate surfaces like vinyl liners to avoid scraping and scratching the surface.
Finally, to secure the Milliard Sea Thru pool vac head in place, the handle features spring-loaded locking clips that are perfect to attach standard extension poles. Plus the vacuum port fits 1½ and 1¼ inch standard vacuum hoses without the need for a hose adapter for proper fitting.
Pros
- Perfect for small and delicate pools
- Easy to maneuver
- The perfect design for unusual-shaped pools
- Offers all-round cleaning for the surface, wall, and corners
- The see-through design facilitates cleaning
Cons
- Bristles disintegrate fast
- Takes longer to clean the smaller areas
10. Aquatix Pro Pool Vacuum Head with Wheels – Best for Heavy-Duty Cleaning
Aquatix Pro is one of the most notable names in the pool supplies and maintenance accessories industry. Known for high-quality material, unique design, high-level functionality, and high regard for customer satisfaction their products are well sought after.
In the case of the Aquatix pro Pool Vacuum head, the manufacturer designed a vac head ideal for heavy-duty cleaning for hard pool surfaces that often require an extra hard scrub. The model’s main function is to offer that hard scrub with as little effort as possible.
Design-wise, the Aquatix Pro vac head features a flat and rectangular shape which is coupled with maximum flexibility to allow access to clean every nook, corner, and crevice present in the pool. With its 14-inch total surface area, the vac head can cover a larger area quickly, thereby speeding up the cleaning process.
In addition to the heavy-duty head design, the vac head features 4 weighted plates with 8 wheels designed to allow for easy maneuver within the pool without drawback and resistance while sucking up every form of debris along its path.
Its heavy-weight cleaning capacity makes it suitable for all kinds of hard-surfaced pools like cement, pebble tec, concrete, rocks, and so on. And with its premium suction capacity, the vac head guarantees full cleaning of all kinds of debris from the pool irrespective of the surface type.
For attachments. It features EZ clips to the sturdy and flexible professional-grade aluminum handle for a secure, easy, and efficient cleaning activity without the vacuum head falling off in the process and with a firmer grip. Plus, the model is compatible with most poles and pool hoses without the need for additional accessories.
Finally, for assured consumer satisfaction, Aquatix Pro offers its valuable customers a one-year warranty on the pool vacuum head with a complete refund if necessary.
Pros
- Ideal for heavy-duty cleaning
- Offers faster cleaning with little time spent in the process
- Durable and sturdy composition
- Easy to use
- Flexible and functional design for deep cleaning and maintenance
Cons
- No brushes to scrub off hard particles on the pool’s floor
- The tube for the hose is relatively short
FAQs
What is a pool vacuum head?
A pool vacuum head is a swimming pool maintenance accessory placed at the end of a pool vacuum hose and fitted or attached to a filter pump to scrub and suck any loose dirt, debris and algae found above or inside the swimming pool and swimming pool floor.
Pool vacuum heads can be manual pool vacuum heads or automatic pool cleaners.
What is the best pool vacuum head?
Based on the many aspects considered in this best pool vacuum head reviews, the best pool vacuum head would be the U.S. Pool Supply Pool Vacuum head.
Apart from being a product from a well-known manufacturing brand always sure of providing quality products, the U.S. Pool Supply offers a pool vacuum head that offers durability, top-quality, and quality assurance.
Some of the U.S. Pool Supply Pool Vacuum head’s outstanding features include its durable aluminum handle, optimum lightweight design for easy operation, its size and design optimally built for concrete pool as well as its easy functionality.
How does the pool vacuum head work?
Pool vacuum heads function by using the suction power of the pool filter system with the help of the filter nozzle to suck dirt and debris out of the pool surface. To make the process easier, the vacuum head is fitted with a brush to scrape the dirt, algae, and debris off the pool surface.
Once the vacuum head has sucked all the loose dirt and debris off the surface, you can then remove and empty the filter system. Note that be it for an above-ground pool or for inground swimming pools, a pool vacuum head works the same.
What does a pool vacuum head attach to?
Pool vacuum heads attach to a telescopic pole and swimming pool filter systems through vacuum hoses.
The vacuum hoses connect the vacuum head to the pool pump through a water intake nozzle that provides the sucking power.
Are pool vacuum hoses universal?
Yes, vacuum hoses are universal with the standard size being 1.5 inches in diameter. Although various vacuum heads require different vacuum hose sizes with most measuring 1-1/4 or 1.25 inches mostly fit within the standard size.
Buyers Guide
Pool Type
Before you go ahead to get yourself a pool vacuum head, the first step to getting the best pool vacuum head for your swimming pool is knowing that different vacuum heads work for different pool types.
While an above-ground swimming pool would fare better with a light and subtle vacuum head, an in-ground pool vacuum head should be more heavy-duty with harder and tougher brush bristles.
Again, for concrete pool types, for pebble tec pool types, and other harder surfaces alongside larger pool types, a rectangular vac head with steel brushes or wheels is the best choice for regular cleaning.
But for pools with more delicate surfaces or liners like vinyl lined pools, an appropriate vinyl liner vacuum head with soft nylon bristles is advisable.
This is because vinyl-lined pools or vinyl pools are more delicate and any form of hard brushing can damage the surface.
Shape
Vacuum heads come in different shapes basically to enhance their functionality with respect to the type of pool they are used for.
You can either have a rectangle vacuum head, a triangle pool vacuum head, and a half moon pool vacuum head.
While the rectangular vacuum heads offer more width for effective cleaning the moon-shaped and triangular pool vacuum head is known to be more effective with cleaning as all three sides are actively involved in the cleaning process.
The moon-shaped and triangular shape types are often preferred as they make cleaning of pool corners and edges easier especially for pools that are not rectangular shaped.
Width/Cleaning surface
Although the total width of a vacuum head does not directly correlate with its overall cleaning capacity, a good width does in some way facilitate the entire process.
The appropriate width for a triangular vacuum head or a moon pool vacuum head would be between 10-15 inches of width. This is good enough to cover enough ground and offer satisfactory cleaning.
Rectangular-shaped heads on their part often measure between 12-20 inches in width to cover enough surface area and facilitate pool cleaning.
Material
Most pool vacuum heads are made from Abs plastic material which is both easy to mold and lightweight to facilitate movement in the water without many drawbacks.
However, for the brushes found in the vacuum heads, their materials should and could vary based on the pool type.
Delicate pool types like vinyl lined pools require a swimming pool vacuum head with soft-bristle brushes like nylon bristles. And of course, for harder surfaces like concrete or pebble tec, harder bristles like metal or steel bristle brushes work well.
Compatibility
A vacuum head is a vital component of pool maintenance but it does not function alone. For proper functionality, it requires a telescopic pole and hoses that will connect it to the filter and pump.
Ensure that the new pool vacuum head fits adequately with the pole and hoses to avoid the need for an extension pole and new hoses. Look out for models that work fine with standard-sized hoses and poles to avoid extra fitting costs.
Weighted Head
Another feature to look out for is if the head is a weighted vacuum head.
A weighted pool vacuum head makes cleaning more effective as it doesn’t float on the surface thereby allowing for smooth gliding and control when cleaning.
Handles
Aside from the material composition of the vacuum head, you also need to be sure of the composition of the handle.
Just like the vacuum heads, the handles are made from different materials. Some vacuum head handles are made from Abs plastic while other vacuum heads have their handles made of stainless steel.
Although the plastic handles are lighter, they are prone to breaking easily and may not last so long except if users are extra careful when using them. Stainless steel handles on their part are known to be sturdy and durable but may be prone to rust once exposed to water and lead to a weakened grip.
The best thing to do is find the kind of handle that you are sure you can maintain over a long period of time and of course that you can handle fine.
Suction Power
The suction power of a vacuum head indicates how much debris it can collect while in use. The better the suction power the more efficient the vacuum head will be.
When searching for a good vacuum head for your swimming pool, ensure that the suction only happens through the suction pad and that it is secure to avoid excess suction and malfunctioning of the vacuum.
Price
Prices for vacuum heads vary on the type available. An automatic vacuum head costs much more because of the mechanization involved in it, but there are also moderately priced automatic cleaners too.
The manual types are more pocket-friendly of course but quite functional. Please note that some heads are both manual and automatic in the sense that they feature some automatic designs like wheels to facilitate cleaning while still needing manual efforts with a telescopic pole attached to make them function.
The important thing to keep in mind is that there is a vacuum head for every pocket type. All you need to do is define your needs and mark a budget around that, and you’ll surely find a vacuum head that will fit.
Extra features
The whole idea of a vac head is to clean the pool with little effort but excellent pool vacuum heads are designed to make the process easier and faster.
Vacuum heads with wheels reduce the amount of effort required to cover the entire pool floor, making the heads more practical, autonomous, and efficient.
Not all heads come with wheels, the manual heads often feature just brushes but the automatic pool cleaners feature wheels for faster and easier coverage especially in tight spaces and when cleaning walls.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the importance of vacuum heads and how much they facilitate pool cleaning, having just any vacuum head to do the job would definitely not cut it, hence the search for the best vacuum head for your pool.
Now that you understand a little more about the main features to look out for in an excellent vacuum head and have had a look at some of the best on the market with ample descriptions you can finally venture into the market and get yourself the best vacuum head for a stress-free pool cleaning.