The 4 wheel drive version. (Buy from Amazon)

The Pool Cleaner by Poolvergnuegen (pool-fair-gnyoo-gen) is an excellent automatic pool cleaner with an unoriginal name and made by a company that’s impossible to pronounce. That aside, the actual pool cleaner is excellent, which is the only thing that really matters.

This article will cover the 2x Suction andd 4x (four wheel drive) version. The Pool Cleaner connects to your existing pump and filter for power. It plugs into either your designated suction port or the skimmer.

The Pool Cleaner | Automatic Pool Cleaner

Note: When referring to the actual product name I will italicize it so it’s not confusing, like this: The Pool Cleaner.

The Pool Cleaner is owned by Hayward

How good is The Pool Cleaner from Poolvergnuegen? Well, in December of 2013 Hayward Industries purchased the company. If you don’t know about Hayward — they’re a leading manufacturer of pool related equipment, manufacturing a wide range of products, including: advanced pool pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps, automatic pool cleaners, lighting, controls and salt chlorine generators.

Side-by-Side. Both are highly capable and reliable.

Hayward has been in business for over 80 years and has an excellent reputation for quality. My point is simple: Hayward bought Poolvergnuegen because The Pool Cleaner is a well-engineered automatic pool cleaner that’s made to the same high standards as other Hayward products, which we’ve covered here at Chainsaw Journal with products such as:

• Hayward Tigershark QC RC9990GR | Pool Cleaner
• Hayward Salt Cell | Chlorine Generator
• Hayward H400FDN H-Series Pool Heater | Review

A quote from the official press release on Dec 2013:

Hayward Industries Chief Executive Officer Robert Davis said, “We are delighted about acquiring Poolvergnuegen. The company has developed a wonderful business with a strong presence in the Western U.S. and certain international markets. Outstanding technology, robust and reliable products, together with a clear customer focus has enabled Poolvergnuegen to grow into a leading company in the pool cleaner category. The addition of Poolvergnuegen products is highly complementary and synergistic to Hayward’s product portfolio and global footprint, offering our customers greater choice and value.”

Hayward AquaNaut | 200 and 400

In November of 2014 Hayward released a new line of automatic pool cleaners that were (and are) identical to the Poolvergnuegen models. They (Hayward) essentially took their (Poolvergnuegen) design and radically improved upon it. The similarities and features are identical. Read all the details about the AquaNaut models further down in this article and decide for yourself.

The AquaNaut automatic pool cleaners are superior to The Pool Cleaner models by Poolvergnuegen — and yes, they are a little more expensive but they’re also more durable and the overall design is much better.

Side-by-side AquaNaut models by Hayward. A big improvement.

Two Hayward AquaNaut pool cleaner models:

• Hayward AquaNaut 200
• Hayward AquaNaut 400

There’s more information on all of the features for these Hayward AquaNaut models near the end of this article.

Read our extensive Buying Guide on Automatic Pool Cleaners that covers a wide range of models for you to consider. We know it can be exhausting trying to choose the right one so we decided to create this massive robotic pool cleaner buying guide to help you make a smart buying decision.

The Pool Cleaner Models:

There are two different models for The Pool Cleaner, and they are as follows:

• Two (2x) wheel model: 8965484000-013
  • Suited for average sized swimming pools
• Four (4x) wheel model: 8965484000-020
  • Suited for large swimming pools

We’ll be covering the “next generation” models of The Pool Cleaner in this article — which simply means the current generation. Poolvergnuegen has revised and updated these automatic pool cleaners and have addressed several issues that customers used to complain about. When reading reviews, make sure you know which version they are referring to before making your buying decision.

These are two of the best automatic pool cleaners on the market. Just watch the additional videos at the end of this article and decide for yourself.

See what it can do. Watch this informative video review of The Pool Cleaner by Poolvergnuegen:

These models are identical but the main design differences are the number of wheels: one automatic pool cleaner has 2 wheels and the other has 4.

Shared Features (2x and 4x models):

• These cleaners are made in the USA.
• Designed for inground pools only.
• Full Coverage: Programmed steering ensures the cleaner will spend more time in the shallow end compared to other automatic pool cleaners.
• Power adjusting turbine maximizes the suction from your pump. This allows the
  cleaner to run at lower suction.
• Advanced tire tread design enables the Pool Cleaner to overcome unique obstacles such as main drains etc.
• Durable internal gears don’t wear out.
• Wide vacuum path with significant ground clearance.
• Two models: 2 Wheel and 4 Wheel.
• Quick and easy installation with no tweaking required.
• High quality hoses.
• Fast installation. Pressure hoses “SNAP” together with the patented hose swivel.
• One year warranty.

Details for each Feature

The 2 wheel model. A very well-designed pool cleaner.

Self-Adjusting Turbine Vanes

Both models have patented self-adjusting turbine vanes. The flexible vanes guarantee that you’ll always be operating at maximum power regardless of flow speed. They are designed to allow easy passage of large debris.

Steering System

The Pool Cleaner has a variety of advanced steering sequences that it can initiate. The 2x Suction Pool Cleaner has an internal programmed steering system, that causes the left wheel to periodically reverse, allowing the cleaner to turn and then direct itself in another direction.

The 2x Suction pool cleaner has five different programmed turns ranging from 90 to 450 degrees. This feature allows the cleaner to cover both the deep end and shallow end with ease. Fully capable to travel over uneven surfaces or unique features. Unlike many other automatic pool cleaners, these models won’t get stuck in a corner, or get caught by a main drain.

Because of the way the cleaners are designed, you’ll find that the hose never gets tangled when turning, which is as you probably already know, is common with other automatic pool cleaners.

The 2-Wheel Suction Drive Pool Cleaner travels 8 to 10-feet. before turning and it’s designed for most average sized pools. It comes with 33 feet of hose.

The 4-Wheel Suction Drive Pool Cleaner travels 11 to 14-feet. before turning (turns ranging from 90 to 540 degrees) and it’s designed for larger pools. It comes with 40 feet of hose.

Advanced Tire Treads

Inside the machine.

The patented tire treads give these automatic pool cleaners an edge over other cleaners as they provide impressive climbing ability and flexibility to maneuver around any obstacle — especially main drains, which are often a problem. Pools come in all shapes and sizes but thankfully the design of these swimming pool cleaners are engineered to handle anything.

The tires have tread wear markers that actually tell you when to replace your tires. The front tires of The Pool Cleaner have raised treads that enable the cleaner to handle a wide variety of obstacles.

Adjustable Roller Skirt

These pool cleaners have patented adjustable skirts that allow the cleaner to maintain consistent suction under the unit even when it reaches an obstacle. When it does encounter an obstacle one (or more) of the skirts will actually lift up and self-adjust over the obstacle and maintain optimal suction beneath the cleaner.

Self-Cleaning Swivel

This feature enables the cleaner to turn freely without resistance or interference from the hose due to debris accumulation in the swivel hose cone. Self-cleaning eliminates the hose from tangling.

Documents for The Pool Cleaner (2 wheel & wheel next generation model):

• MANUAL : Pool Cleaner | Poolvergnuegen
• RESET BYPASS VALVE : Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
• SUCTION PARTS : Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
• PARTS : Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
• CHANGING TIRES : Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
• REMOVE OBSTRUCTION OR TURBINE VALVE REPLACEMENT : Pool Cleaner
• FEATURES : Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner
• BROCHURE : Poolvergnuegen Pool Cleaner

Hayward Leaf Canister W560 | Recommended

Protect your pool pump.

I highly recommend you buy the Hayward W560 Leaf Canister when using an automatic pool cleaner in order to protect your pump from large debris. It’s inexpensive and ultimately well worth the money, giving you peace of mind. Watch this video to see why it’s a good idea.

The Pool Cleaner | 2x Suction

Plugs into either your designated suction port or the skimmer.

The 2x (2 wheel) Suction pool cleaner by Poolvergnuegen is intended to be used on average size swimming pools. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t specify what the size ranges are but here are some details unique to the basic 2x model:

• It comes with 33 feet of hose.
• Travels 8 to 10-feet before turning.
• Five different programmed turns ranging from 90 to 450 degrees.

The Pool Cleaner | 4x Suction

The 4x is suited for larger pools.

For the 4x Suction automatic pool cleaner there are a few significant differences that make this model more capable and geared towards large swimming pools. The differences are:

• Three different programmed turns ranging from 90 to 540 degrees.
• Advanced 4 wheel drive system. Combined with the raised tire treads, the cleaner has the ability and power to overcome obstacles that usually get in the way of other pool cleaners.
• It comes with 40 feet of hose.
• Travels 11 to 14-feet. before turning.

Watch this informative video of the The Pool Cleaner (4X) by Poolvergnuegen:

Hayward AquaNaut | 200 and 400

Hayward has their own line of impressive all-terrain pool cleaners.

Note: For a comprehensive review of the AquaNaut 400 and 200, visit our more dedicated article to these wonderful robotic pool cleaners. They truly are wonderful machines that will save you a lot of time and allow you to do things more enjoyable than cleaning your pool.

I find it interesting that Hayward has a very similar line of all-terrain automatic pool cleaners that seem to compete directly with the Poolvergnuegen line of pool cleaners. The Hayward AquaNaut models were released in Novemeber of 2014 so they likely used the technology from the Poolvergnuegen acquisition in their own AquaNaut line.

The two models are: The AquaNaut 200 (2 wheels) and the AquaNaut 400 (4 wheels).

I don’t know for certain as I’m just speculating, but the similarities between the two brands are uncanny and clearly they purchased Poolvergnuegen for strategic reasons. It will be interesting to see how Hayward manages these two similar brands going forward.

Watch the video overview of the Hayward AquaNaut:

Both brands are excellent and worthy of your money. In terms of your preference, we’ll that’s up to you. Personally I love the styling, and engineering of the AquaNaut automatic pool cleaners. I think Hayward has radically improved upon the design with the AquaNaut models. The design is exceptional.

I thought I’d introduce you to them so you can decide for yourself. Since the AquaNaut line is new many pool owners are not aware that they exist. Now you do.

Read the official press release for the AquaNaut 200 and 400 from November 2014.

Hayward AquaNaut 200 | PHS21CST

Beautiful design.

Features of the Hayward AquaNaut | 200 & 400

The Hayward AquaNaut (200 & 400) automatic suction pool cleaners are designed with advanced technologies to deliver a thorough and reliable clean for pools of different shapes, sizes, flow rates and debris types.

The AquaNaut is available in two or four wheel drive models (just like The Pool Cleaner). They feature patented self-adjusting variable vanes known as V-Flex technology. The variable vanes automatically adjust on the fly in order to allow large debris to pass through the cleaner, V-Flex technology delivers maximum power even at lower flow. Welcome to clog-free pool cleaning. Yes, technology has finally caught up to the needs of pool owners.

Hayward AquaNaut 200 Video Review:

Handles large debris without clogging
V-Flex technology eliminates clogs and maximizes power at almost any flow Perfect for use with variable-speed pool pumps.

Expertly navigates any surface
Patented robust tire treads provide superior climbing power and obstacle maneuverability

Maintains constant suction
Patented adjustable roller skirt maintains optimal suction on uneven surfaces.

End-to-end cleaning
Multiple pre-programmed steering sequences ensure complete pool coverage.

Optimal suction at almost any flow
Three easily interchangeable throats improve debris passage and suction performance, making it ideal for use variable-speed pool pumps.

AquaNaut 400 | PHS41CST 

For larger pools.

Available in 4-wheel drive
With its 4-wheels, AquaNaut 400 maintains power and balance in larger pools or pools with deep ends.

Additional videos on The Pool Cleaner:

The Pool Cleaner | Tips and Tricks | Poolvergnuegen

Changing the tires on The Pool Cleaner by Poolvergnuegen:

The Pool Cleaner | Next Generation Tips

Hayward Leaf Canister |  W560

The Pool Cleaner Keeper

A storage unit to keep your automatic pool cleaner organized and secure.

The Pool Cleaner Keeper provides ideal storage for when your cleaner is not in use. It prolongs the life of your Pool Cleaner hoses as it eliminates coiling. Keep your cleaner safe and out of the way with The Pool Cleaner Keeper

Features:

• The Keeper is a storage unit.
• Compatible with any automatic Swimming Pool Cleaner.
• Extends the life of your cleaners hoses as it prevents coiling.
• Keeps your cleaner safe and secure.
• Can be used indoors and outdoors.
• Easy to install.

The Pool Cleaner | Parts Replacement

Coming soon…