Choosing the best automatic pool cleaner depends on several factors. The first is the type of swimming pool equipment the pool owner can afford, which makes a difference with all pool maintenance issues. The second is the complexity of the shape of the pool. The third factor is the durability of the product. Not all automatic pool cleaners do the same job in the same way and this can significantly affect price.

While any automatic pool cleaner will be able to run along the bottom of the pool and suck up debris and other sediments which have settled on the bottom, the sophistication in how they do it are differently. A simple automatic pool cleaner just uses suction and currents to run randomly along the bottom. The law of averages say it will eventually get to every corner of the pool. A robotic cleaner can be programmed, or can actually map out the swimming pool bottom, to come up with an efficient cleaning grid.

The robotic pool cleaner is the gold standard of automatic pool cleaner models. It is able to map and remember the grid pattern through a computer chip. All of that technology comes with a price. This is the most expensive type of automatic pool cleaner as well, often costing more than $1,000 US Dollars (USD) for the better brands.

That is why many swimming pool owners are very happy with a less sophisticated automatic pool cleaner. In most cases, this will do a very satisfactory job. The cases where the random cleaners may not do as good of job are when the pools have unusual shapes or spots that are more difficult to get to through random chance. If a pool owner has a concern about a traditional automatic pool cleaner not being able to do a good enough job, he or she should check with a pool care professional for advice.

For those who do want to try a more random automatic pool cleaner, the main benefit will be in the price. These can be purchased for less than $400 USD. Check on the store's return policy before buying any pool cleaner. If, after a few weeks, a pool owner decides he or she needs a robotic cleaner, ask the store what can be done in that situation.

Remember that the lowest end automatic pool cleaner models on the market may be made with inferior materials or poor workmanship. Chlorine and the sun can make materials such as rubber very brittle very quickly. Therefore, it is important to ask about various options and ask the retailer which ones have the reputation for greatest durability.