Dirt and debris always find a way into your hot tub even if you keep it covered when not in use.
While this may not seem like a big issue at first, once these particles start accumulating, they ruin your soaking experience and present a lot of health hazards because green algae will follow.
To keep this controlled, you need to use a spa vacuum, which basically pulls in this dirt, just like regular home vacs.
However, there is a wide variety and different types of these products in the market, and to help you in the selection process, here is a close up look at the best spa vacuums.
7 Things To Check Before Choosing Spa Vacuum
1. Power
A major differentiating factor between the different types of spa vacuums is their power source.
Considering the ones listed above, you have the option of battery power, manual pumping power, siphoning and pressurized water as sources of power to run the water suction mechanism.
While all these have their own benefits and drawbacks, each one is designed to suit at least one type of person, for instance, if you don’t like the delays caused by recharging, you can opt for manual pumping, siphoning or pressurized water options.
On the other hand, if you don’t like hose hook-up connections, or you don’t have tap water close to your tub, go for the other options.
Ultimately, the best hot tub vacuum should be the one that suits your needs, works best according to the scenario that you are in and fits your personal preference.
2. Corded or Cordless
The choice between the two is usually determined by two factors, which are the size of your tub and the size of debris that gets into the water.
For a small tub, a cordless vacuum is ideal since the area to be covered is small and the limited power is just enough.
However, if you have a large tub, then you need something more serious that is superior in power and this is only possible with corded spa vacuums.
On the size of debris, small ones like pebbles, sand, dirt and tiny toys can be easily picked up using cordless handheld vacuums because the required suction power is not that strong.
If the debris consists of large leaves, plant, and insects, then you might want to consider a corded spa vacuum due to its powerful suction power.
Apart from having a cable dangling around, the other major issue with cabled vacuum cleaners is their cost, but their power advantage means that you can also use them to clean your swimming pool if you have one.
3. Attached Brush
Apart from the suction action for pulling in debris, another desirable feature to have is a brush set for doing a little of scrubbing while using the same vacuum cleaner.
This can either be as an extra slide-on brush or included in the vacuum head permanently.
Whichever the case, this is an important addition to have, and you should highly consider the cleaner that contains such a component.
4. Absorbing Sponge
Just like the attached brush, an absorbing sponge is meant to enhance the performance of the vacuum cleaner, only that this one is designed to take out thick liquid components stuck on the tub’s walls such as lotion.
Not all units feature this and if you find one that comes with the sponge, it should be worth considering if its other features match your needs.
5. Other Shaped Nozzles
Differently-shaped nozzles are meant to pick up different kinds of debris and the more you have in the pack, the better.
Considering the two most common ones: wide and dual, wide nozzles are better for collecting small debris such as sand while dual nozzles are ideal for pulling in large debris.
Other desirable ones to have included spot cleaning nozzles and crevice corner nozzles. Basically, the more they are, the better.
6. Filtration System
From the nozzle, the next part that the water goes to is through the filtration system and even though all spa vacuums feature filter bags, not all have the same filtration quality.
If you want to have your water exiting while completely free from even the smallest debris, consider looking for a vacuum that features microfilters, which contain very tiny pores that only allow water to pass through, trapping all the dirt.
Another important thing to check is the size of the filter bag in which, the larger it is, the more time that you will get to run the vacuum before they get filled up.
7. Cost
Lastly, you have to consider the product that is within your budget.
There are expensive spa vacuums that have very fancy features but if you cannot afford this, just stick to your lane because even the affordable units get the job done.
7 Best Spa Vacuums Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Aura 6250 (Best for Hot Tub) |
|
 | 2. Pool Supply Town PST-463 (Best for the Money) |
|
 | 3. Polaris 5-100-00 (Best Manual) |
|
 | 4. Intex 28620E (Best for Wide Spas) |
|
 | 5. Water Tech Pool Blaster 20000CL (Best Cordless) |
|
 | 6. Water Tech Pool Blaster Manual Handheld (Best Cleaner) |
|
 | 7. Game 4855 (Good) |
|
1. Aura 6250 (Best Overall)
Photo: Aura
- Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 58 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
Aura’s 6250 stands out as the best spa vacuum because it is a self-contained unit, coming as a complete kit that is ready to use straight out of the box.
Basically, the unit contains a long aluminum telescopic pole that can extend up to 7 feet, enabling you to clean practically all kinds of hot tubs with different depths.
To pull in the debris, a simple siphon action mechanism is built-in, with a thumb release at the far end of the pole that opens up the suction process when dipped in. This means no power, batteries or water hook-up is required.
Even though this process requires you to pull the vacuum out of the water every now and then, it is very easy and you can carry out the cleaning process continuously without recharging.
Included in the setup is a single-sized nozzle that can pick up pennies, rocks, beach sand, marbles, and other debris.
Pros:
- Long 7-foot aluminum telescopic pole for extended reach
- Simple siphon action mechanism for suction
- No power or water hook-up required
- Can pick up differently sized debris, ranging from pebbles to coins, sand, marbles, etc.
Cons:
- No extra nozzle included
- Requires to be pulled out every now and then so as to release the water inside
2. Pool Supply Town PST-463 (Best Budget)
Photo: Pool Supply Town
- Weight: 0.75 pound
This spa vacuum has affordability as an advantage on its side, making it easily accessible to you if you are on a tight budget.
That said, the spa vacuum still performs really well, with a simple lightweight design that requires pressurized water supplied through a garden hose in order to run. This pressure creates a venturi effect that sucks in debris like leaves into the included collection bag.
Though this creates a hosed design, it can be used continuously without lifting out of the water regularly, provided the water flow is consistent.
On the downside, a pole is not included in the set, but it fits any standard 1.25-inch pole. However, a brush is included on the underside, and it helps in scrubbing the spa surface while debris is being pulled out.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Utilizes a venturi effect for debris suction
- Simple lightweight design that is easy to use
- Debris collection bag included
- Brushes on the underside clean the spa further by scrubbing on every pass
Cons:
- Pole not included
- Requires pressurized water to run
3. Polaris 5-100-00 (Best Manual)
Photo: Polaris
- Dimensions: 59 x 2 x 2 inches
- Weight: 2.12 pounds
The 5-100-00 is another cordless vacuum cleaner that is best suited for small water bodies such as hot tubs.
Having a wand design, the unit incorporates the use of manual pumping action to pull in water and debris, after which the water returns to the spa leaving dirt in the filter. This eliminates the need for a hose or power, either from batteries or from the mains.
This design also means that no pole is required since the elongated pump gives the required length to reach deep into your spa.
Two different nozzles are included in the package and these help in picking up small to large debris from the tub’s floor. Combined, these features make it the top-rated spa vacuum in this review.
Pros:
- No hose or electricity is required
- Elongated pump (wand design) eliminates the need for a pole
- Comes with two interchangeable nozzles
Cons:
- Requires manual pumping action
- No brush
4. Intex 28620E (Best for Wide Spas)
Photo: Intex
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 6.9 x 39.4 inches
- Weight: 4.7 pounds
If you have a spa or even above ground pool that is up to 18 feet in diameter, then this rechargeable vacuum is a good option to consider for cleaning purposes.
This is because the unit comes with a long 94-inch (7.8-foot) lightweight aluminum telescopic shaft plus an adapter to fit an additional shaft, giving you extended reach for wider coverage on such wide tubs.
Strong built-in Ni-MH batteries are included inside for powering the water suction mechanism and though they require some time to recharge, they make the vacuuming process much easier by eliminating the manual aspect.
To give you extended range, the unit has an automatic shutoff feature that powers off the unit when it’s not submerged in water.
Other features include USB charging (plug not included), an IPX8 waterproof switch for additional protection when submerged and the inclusion of 2 interchangeable brush heads.
Pros:
- Packed with a long 7.8-foot telescopic shaft plus an adapter for extended reach
- Powerful Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
- Automatic shut-off prevents battery power wastage
- IPX8 waterproof switch for protection when submerged
- Comes with 2 interchangeable brush heads
Cons:
- Requires recharging
- USB plug not included
5. Water Tech Pool Blaster 20000CL (Best Cordless)
Photo: Water Tech
- Dimensions: 14.8 x 4.5 x 7 inches
- Weight: 3.05 pounds
Water Tech’s Catfish Li is also an electric spa vacuum that is powered by a lithium battery, which fully recharges in about 4 hours and gives a maximum of 45 minutes continuous run time.
However, the best cordless unit makes it a highly effective filtration mechanism, which, despite being battery-powered, gives superior filtration performance.
This system cleans up to 33 gallons per minute, running the water through a reusable all-purpose filter plus a microfilter for fine filtration, all of which are included in the package. 2 microfilters are actually included for this process.
Although a telescopic pole is not included, any standard size can be fitted for extended reach. On the plus side, apart from the included filters, you also get a crevice corner nozzle for vacuuming the hard-to-reach spots.
Other features include an easy push-button on/off switch and a minimum operating depth of 9 inches at an angle of 45°.
Pros:
- Powerful lithium battery gives up to 45 minutes continuous run time
- A fast flow rate of 33 gallons per minute
- Reusable all-purpose and 2 micro filters included for filtration
- Crevice corner nozzle included
- Easy push-button on/off switch
Cons:
- Pole not included
- Takes a long time to recharge
6. Water Tech Pool Blaster Manual Handheld (Best Cleaner)
Photo: Water Tech
- Dimensions: 23.5 x 10.5 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 8.6 pounds
This Pool Blaster spa vacuum might be the most expensive as well as the heaviest product in this review, but it packs in a ton of useful features.
For starters, the unit features a very powerful lithium-ion battery that has up to 20% more power than standard Pool Blasters, enabling it to run continuously for one hour as you clean your hot tub. This battery recharges in 8 hours after being completely depleted.
For filtration, a large reusable multi-layer filter bag is included while suction begins at the product’s 10.5-inch vacuum head.
Other features include a spot cleaning nozzle accessory and a standard pole size fitting that easily connects to your existing pole.
Pros:
- Powerful lithium ion battery
- Runs continuously for one hour
- Large reusable multi-layer filter bag
- Wide 10.5-inch vacuum head
- Comes with a spot cleaning nozzle
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
7. Game 4855 (Good Choice)
Photo: Game
- Dimensions: 2.9 x 55.5 x 2.9 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
Game’s 4855 is a manual spa vacuum that uses a simple pumping mechanism to create suction. Even though this pumping action requires some effort, it means no recharging, hoses or hook-ups are required to run.
The kit includes a slide-on brush and wide nozzle, which can be used to quickly and easily clean up minor debris, while a dual nozzle takes care of larger debris in both spas and smaller above ground pools.
This included brush is quite soft and can be comfortably used on vinyl liner pools if you have an above ground pool.
Other features include an easy to clean filter basket and a long pumping column that is shaped like a wand, which gives you the length required for extended reach to the spa’s floor (pole not required).
Pros:
- No recharging, hoses or hook-ups are required
- Comes with a slide-on brush plus wide nozzle for cleaning up minor debris
- Dual nozzle for pulling in large debris
- Easy to clean filter basket
- Long wand-like shape eliminates the need for a pole
Cons:
- Requires manual pumping action
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean hot tub can be quite challenging if you do not use the right tools. Apart from using a hot tub cover, a spa vacuum is a very critical component and as you can see above, it is well-equipped and designed to help you keep your tub floor clean and safe to take a dip in.
However, you should get a cleaner that works for you and after going through the review and buying guide above, you should be in a good position to pick the best spa vacuum that suits your needs.