The Ryobi Tool That Will Make Cleaning Your Pool A Breeze

Keeping a swimming pool clean is not for the faint of heart. If you have beens struggling to keep your swimming pool clean and are beginning to question if a robotic pool cleaner is worth it, you may want to consider an alternative option — a handheld pool vacuum. Though using chemicals is also an effective way to keep your pool clean, they can be harsh and drying on sensitive skin, and there are a number of common pool cleaning mistakes that could lead to an explosion if you aren't cautious. If you want to take control of your pool's cleanliness without hiring a professional — or spending hours scrubbing and straining — a handheld tool is one of the best ways to get and keep it clean. The Ryobi 18V One+ Pool Vacuum is highly rated, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars on the Ryobi website and 4.5 out of 5 stars at Home Depot. It is designed for use in pools and hot tubs and is capable of picking up dirt, sand, and leaves. While you have the option of using it while you are in the water, it also has a stick attachment that allows you to clean at least some areas of your pool without getting wet. This is also a cordless device, so you won't have to worry about having somewhere to plug it in. 

To get a grasp of how this product works in the real world, we turned to reviews left by real customers. While considering the good reviews, the negatives were also taken into account to determine what was excellent about the product and what could present some issues. 

A customer on Ryobi's website shared that they were more than impressed with this device's performance. "Used the pool vacuum for the first time today. Picked up the fine sand very well. And was very pleased it picked up the worms that just love my pool. So happy with this. The battery compartment stayed absolutely dry and the [2Ah] battery was plenty of power to do the whole pool." Another customer also compared it to the previous model, stating that the current design was lighter weight, more balanced, and very easy to maneuver. 

Many customers also noted that this device was incredibly powerful. Some even shared that it could suck up gravel, so be conscious of where you use it if you plan to use it to clean a pond or aquarium. This high level of power means that cleaning up leaves and other types of stubborn organic debris won't present any issues, so you won't have to worry about getting the net out before you start to vacuum. Plus, it's not just good for handling the big stuff. "This pool vac has been a godsend especially during pollen season," one customer wrote on Ryobi's website.

The biggest downside with this product is that it requires special batteries to operate. You can buy the vacuum itself for $149, but the vacuum with a battery and charger will bring the price up to $179. Selling the vacuum without the battery makes sense from a business standpoint — this battery is designed to be used with a range of Ryobi products, the idea being that it is so versatile that you only need one. With over 300 compatible products to choose from, there are a ton of options that could end up being more affordable and more effective than purchasing a range of different tools each sold with their own battery. If you don't already have a collection of other Ryobi products, however, the additional cost might be a deterrent.

If you aren't keen on getting wet to clean the deep end or don't feel the need to have a versatile battery because you don't, want, have, or need the other tools it is compatible with, then it probably isn't the ideal fit. But when it comes to this tool, there are next to no cons related to its actual performance. If you are in search of a pool cleaner that allows you to be in control, is easily maneuverable, and works alongside your other Ryobi tools, this could still be a great option for you.