Best pool cleaning tools

Here's a roundup of the best pool cleaning tools to keep your swimming area sparkly.

best pool cleaning tools
(Image credit: aftab chandsha via Unsplash)

Pool cleaning tools are important for maintaining the overall appearance and hygiene of your swimming area. These specifically designed tools can scrub hard-to-reach areas, remove dirt and debris, and more to keep your pool in spectacular condition. Here's a roundup of my favorites.

Staff pick

Sunnyglade swimming pool skim net

(Image credit: Amazon)

Sunnyglade swimming pool skim net

Catches leaves, bugs, and more

This pool cleaning tool is a sturdy net, designed to rid your pool of unwanted dirt and debris.

Pros:

  • Thick plastic frame
  • Heavy-duty netting
  • Measures 17.5-inches wide
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Doesn't come with pole
  • Mesh may start to detach from the rim with use

This pool cleaning tool is great for removing leaves, dirt, and debris. With a wide paddle, this net can quickly and easily scoop unwanted items from your pool. The frame is made from thick ABS plastic and the netting is made from heavy-duty mesh, ensuring it can withstand daily use. This pool skimmer can be attached to almost any pool cleaning pole to access those hard-to-reach areas. 

Best for leaves

best pool cleaning tools

(Image credit: Poolmaster)

Poolmaster 28300 Big Sucker swimming pool leaf vacuum

Captures rogue greenery

This pool cleaning tool sucks up fallen leaves to keep water pristine. 

Pros:

  • Designed specifically for leaves
  • Measures 15-inches in diameter
  • Frame made from strong ABS plastic
  • Features eight high-pressure water jets
  • Equipped with four multidirectional wheels
  • Leaf bag included

Cons:

  • Leaf bag may be hard to attach
  • Doesn't come with the pole

This pool cleaning tool rids your pool of leaves and twigs. It measures 15-inches in diameter, easily sucking up foliage and trapping it in the included net bag. The eight high-pressure water jets along with the four multidirectional wheels help the tool maneuver while directing debris out of your pool. This easy-to-use vacuum is great for personal and public swimming pools.

Best brush

best pool cleaning tools

(Image credit: Amazon)

LALAPOOL swimming pool wall and tile brush

Scrub your pool's surfaces

This pool cleaning tool scrubs walls, floors, tiles, and more.

Pros:

  • 18-inch brush head
  • Made from high-quality aluminum and ABS plastic
  • Brush features nylon bristles

Cons:

  • Doesn't come with a pole
  • Bristles may shed with use

This 18-inch pool brush is great for scrubbing a pool's walls, floor, and tile. The brush frame is made from high-quality aluminum paired with heavy-duty ABS plastic. This allows it to be flexible and strong while in use. The brush's strong nylon bristles ensure buildup is removed without any scratches or damage to your pool's structure. This pool brush is a great choice for deep cleaning and is compatible with most pole attachments. 

Best vacuum

POOL BLASTER Aqua Broom cordless vacuum

(Image credit: Amazon)

POOL BLASTER Aqua Broom cordless vacuum

Terrific for sand and silt

This vacuum pool cleaning tool is great for removing small grains, pebbles, and more

Pros:

  • Vacuums sand and silt
  • Battery-operated
  • 3-hour run time
  • Lightweight design
  • Filter bag, pole adapter, and two disposable micro-filter bags included

Cons:

  • Doesn't have an off/on switch
  • Suction strength may not be the strongest

This must-have pool cleaning tool weighs less than 2 pounds. Its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver along the bottom of your kiddie or adult-sized pool. Simply insert the four D batteries and submerge the vacuum in water to remove sand, silt, and more from your pool's floor. Conveniently, this pool cleaning vacuum comes with one all-purpose filter bag, one pole adapter, and two micro-filter bags. 

Best for filter

best pool cleaning tools

(Image credit: Amazon)

Filter Flosser Mikise ultimate pool and spa cartridge filter cleaning tool

Convenient dirt-basting attachment

Designed to clean the pool filter, this curved cleaning tool is ultra-handy.

Pros:

  • Designed to clean the pool filter
  • Great for all types of filters
  • Uses water and air to deep clean
  • Eco-friendly and water-saving design
  • Corrosion-resistant

Cons:

  • Can corrode in the inside over time
  • May not have as much power as expected

This corrosion-resistant pool cleaning tool, made from aluminum, is perfect for keeping your swimming pool fresh. It flosses filters for a deep clean using water and air. The attachment added to a regular garden hose, saving up to 50-percent more water. This makes this pool cleaning tool an eco-friendly choice. This selection can be used daily, weekly, or monthly to keep your swimming pool extra clean. 

The bottom line

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best pool cleaning tool is easy to use and ultra-effective, keeping your water and surrounding areas hygienic. The Sunnyglade swimming pool skim net is a water-skimming attachment that can be attached to almost any pool cleaning pole. The heavy-duty frame and net sift your pool's water, ensuring no large debris is left behind. 

The Poolmaster 28300 Big Sucker swimming pool leaf vacuum is specifically made to rid your pool of leaves, twigs, and other debris. The vacuum uses eight high-pressure water jets and four multi-directional wheels to maneuver around your pool while sucking up unwanted items. 

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Camille Sanghera is a UX writer and copywriter for global brands as well as an author of self-help books. Although she has lived and traveled internationally, Camille is originally from British Columbia, Canada. She merges over 10 years of writing experience with a love of words to bring authenticity and human connection to every project. When not writing, Camille can be found exploring nature with her dog, sketching to music, or laughing with loved ones.

You can chat with Camille on Instagram at @projectpvo.