Pool Cleaner Fit Worksheet: What to Check Before Buying

The short answer: choose the job before the machine. Write down where debris collects, what your pool is made of, and how you will retrieve and maintain the cleaner. Then ask for exact-model confirmation of the requirements that could make the purchase fail. A headline pool-size rating is not enough.

This is an original research-based planning worksheet, not hands-on testing, an installation guide or a compatibility certification. It does not score products or automatically select a winner. Copy the prompts into a note or print this page; leave unknowns marked unresolved rather than guessing. There are no shopping links in this worksheet.

Print the compact one-page companion to compare two exact offers by hand. Keep this full guide for context and manufacturer sources; the blank companion sends or stores no answers.

1. Record the pool, not just its gallons

• Pool type and surface: in-ground / above-ground; plaster, pebble, tile, vinyl, fiberglass or other: __________. Surface condition or damage to discuss with the manufacturer: __________.
• Dimensions with units: longest length __________; widest width __________; shallow/deep water depths __________. Source of measurements or pool plan: __________.
• Shape and obstacles: freeform corners, benches, drains, ladder, swim-outs or other obstacles: __________.
• Ledges and steps: water depth at normal operating level __________; usable platform length and width __________; transition into the main pool __________.
• Required coverage: floor / walls / waterline / floating debris / ledge. Mark each must have, nice to have or manual cleaning acceptable.

Measure from a safe position; do not enter an unsafe pool or disturb drains or fittings to complete this sheet. Ask the manufacturer whether the exact model is suitable for the surface and its condition. Do not infer suitability from a photograph of a similar pool.

A ledge is a separate purchase gate

Our robot buying guide documents why model and mode matter. For AquaSense 2 Ultra autonomous AI platform cleaning, Beatbot’s guide says water deeper than 13.7 inches and a platform at least 1 meter by 1 meter. Its table and explanatory wording differ at the exact depth boundary; treat a borderline measurement as unresolved. The same source describes MultiZone Mode without a numeric minimum depth. Neither statement proves that an arbitrary shallow step will be cleaned.

Ask: “For model __________ in mode __________, will the documented limits accommodate my platform dimensions and water depth above? What areas will still need manual cleaning?” Save the answer and the manual revision. Manufacturer eligibility is not a measured cleaning result.

2. Name the debris and the cleaning job

Prompt	Your answer	Question for each candidate
What is floating, and what is on the floor?	__________	Does this exact model skim, vacuum, or both?
Large leaves/acorns versus fine dust/pollen?	__________	Which basket or filter is included, and which is an extra purchase?
Worst seasonal debris load?	__________	What emptying and rinsing routine does the manual require?
Walls, waterline, shelves or steps essential?	__________	Which are explicitly supported, and under what limits?
Manual cleanup you are willing to keep doing?	__________	What remains outside the claimed cleaning coverage?

Do not rank different brands solely by advertised flow or runtime: those figures alone do not establish comparable cleaning performance in your pool. A filter specification is not a promise of a clear pool after one cycle. Start with our cleaner-type comparison to separate the cleaning job from the purchase price.

3. Check retrieval, charging and storage before ordering

• Who will remove it, and from where? __________. Record the maker’s listed weight, retrieval method and draining instructions: __________. A dry-weight number is not proof that removal will be comfortable or safe for you.
• Corded candidate: where would the power supply sit, and does the manual’s cable reach and placement guidance fit? __________. Electrical outlet/protection questions for a qualified professional: __________.
• Cordless candidate: where would charging and storage happen under the exact manual’s temperature, moisture and location rules? __________. Required drying procedure and charge time: __________.
• Routine access: can you reach and open the filter, rinse it as instructed and move the cleaner to storage? __________.
• Service plan: who handles battery or motor service, what is excluded, and what is the out-of-warranty process? __________.

Follow the supplied manual; this sheet does not prescribe charger clearances, an extension-cord setup or electrical modifications. Do not improvise power connections or open electrical equipment. Ask for a return-policy explanation if lifting or fit cannot be confirmed before purchase; a return right after use must not be assumed.

4. Inventory equipment you already have

Candidate type	Record before comparing price	Unresolved gate
Suction-side	Pump model, connection type and required flow; current versus cleaner operating schedule	Have a qualified professional confirm compatible plumbing and adequate operation; do not guess a pump RPM.
Pressure-side	Cleaner model, dedicated line, booster model if required, and controls	Confirm the exact combination, not just that a booster exists.
Robot	Exact model, power/charging arrangement, basket and retrieval method	Confirm surface, geometry, operating limits and practical handling.

For a concrete model-specific example, Polaris says the Vac-Sweep 280 requires a booster pump. The PB4-60 manual requires the filtration pump to run while that booster operates. Do not transfer those requirements to every pressure cleaner, or run a booster on its own as a test.

Use our energy calculator to compare documented pump schedules, not to choose a safe schedule. For suction, compare the incremental energy above normal filtration. For pressure, include booster energy plus any additional filtration energy without double-counting. Nameplate amps are not measured running watts.

5. Compare two exact offers

Copy this block once for each candidate. Keep the dated listing and written answers with the quote.

• Model, product number, generation and new/refurbished condition: __________.
• Seller and manufacturer-confirmed authorization: __________.
• Manual URL/revision and date checked: __________.
• Surface and dimensions confirmed? Evidence: __________.
• Required zones and ledge mode confirmed? Evidence: __________.
• Included filters, charger/power supply, cable/hose and retrieval accessories: __________.
• Delivered price, tax/shipping and any installation or extra equipment: __________.
• Consumables and maintenance allowance; source or clearly labeled assumption: __________.
• Main-body, battery, accessory and consumable coverage separately: __________.
• Repair versus replacement, shipping responsibility and service location: __________.
• Return window, used-in-water restrictions, return freight and restocking fees: __________.
• Unanswered requirement that could change the purchase: __________.

Warranty duration is not expected lifespan. Aiper’s policy distinguishes models, accessories, exclusions and service conditions; Maytronics’ seller program is another reason to verify the seller. Use our warranty comparison and quote worksheet for the coverage questions and the Beatbot/Aiper audit for those specific model policies.

What this worksheet can and cannot do

6. Make the decision without hiding the unknowns

Ready to compare: every must-have has a documented answer, the delivered offer is identified, and handling and installation requirements are workable. This is permission to compare offers—not a guarantee of suitability or performance.

Hold: a must-have surface, depth, ledge, connection, lifting, power or return-policy question is unanswered. Request clarification before purchasing; do not award a speculative pass.

Choose a different plan: a must-have falls outside the documented limits. Consider a different cleaner, a different cleaner type or explicitly retaining manual cleanup for that area. A higher price does not erase an unsupported fit.

A cleaner also does not replace water testing, chemical balancing or routine pool-equipment care. The useful outcome of this worksheet is a shorter, better-supported shortlist—not a promise that any machine does everything.