POOL BLASTER Catfish Ultra Gen 2 - Rechargeable Pool Vacuum

Looking for a rechargeable pool cleaner that’s cordless, simple to use, and built to suck up leaves, dirt, sand and silt? The POOL BLASTER Catfish Ultra Gen 2 is a handheld, battery-powered pool vacuum that many pool owners pick for quick spot-cleans, weekly maintenance and for use where hoses or robots aren’t practical. In this review we'll cover what it does, how it performs, key specs, and whether it’s a good fit for your in-ground or above-ground pool.

Quick snapshot — why it’s worth a look

The Catfish Ultra Gen 2 is a cordless, lithium-powered pool vacuum offering up to 45 minutes of run time per charge with a wide, 10.5" vacuum head and a larger debris chamber than many handheld competitors — making it solid for cleaning leaves, dirt, sand and silt. It ships with a sectional pole and a reusable multi-layer filter bag so you can reach floor and wall spots without dragging hoses.

Key specs & what’s included:

• Power / Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery — up to 45 minutes runtime.

• Vacuum head: 10.5" wide XL head (large suction path for faster coverage).

• Debris capture: Reusable Xtreme multilayer filter bag (larger debris capacity than original Catfish models).

• In the box: Catfish Ultra unit, charger, four-piece (45") sectional pole, pole adapter, and filter bag.

• Minimum operating depth: Designed to work in shallow areas — check manual for exact angles and depths.

• Warranty: 1-year warranty and USA based customer service.

Real-world performance — what it cleans well

The Catfish Ultra Gen 2 is built for spot cleaning and routine maintenance. Its wider head and improved debris chamber make it better at picking up leaves, grit, sand and silt than smaller handheld vacs — especially in in-ground pools and above-ground pools where you don’t want to string a hose or bring a full robotic cleaner out. Reviewers and editorial testers note strong suction for its size, though plastic construction can limit heavy-duty longevity if abused!

Battery & charging — what to expect

Expect roughly 45 minutes of cleaning per full charge; the official manuals and product pages cite that runtime. Charge times reported in product docs and user Q&As are around ~3 hours for a full charge (some owners report 3–4 hours depending on outlet and battery condition). That makes it very handy for short sessions — you can do quick cleanups or rotate charging between jobs.

How to use (fast setup):

1. Fully charge the unit before first use.

2. Attach the pole, clip in the filter bag, and press the push-button ON/OFF switch.

3. Sweep the vacuum across the bottom and around shallow corners; its wide head covers more ground per pass. Empty and rinse the filter bag after use.

Maintenance & tips to get the most life

• Rinse the reusable filter bag after each session and periodically check the intake for clogging.

• Store the Catfish Ultra dry and avoid leaving it in the sun or freezing conditions.

• Treat it as a spot-cleaner, not a substitute for weekly skimming + full filtration for large pools. For heavy leafy debris or deep cleaning, follow with a standard skimmer or a larger vac (check out the Pool Blaster Max for heavier use and longer runtime).

Pros & cons (quick decision guide):

Pros

• Cordless convenience — no hoses or external pumps. Great rechargeable pool cleaner for quick jobs.

• Wide 10.5" head and larger debris chamber capture more leaves, sand and silt per pass.

• Lightweight and easy to maneuver on floors and shallow slopes — good for in-ground and above-ground pools.

Cons

• ~45 minutes runtime is great for spot work but may not be enough for very large pools without recharging.

• Plastic housing and moving parts — reasonably durable but can crack under heavy misuse; handle gently and store properly. Editorial testers noted occasional durability issues over long-term heavy use.

Who should buy the Pool Blaster Catfish Ultra?

• Owners of above-ground pools (Intex, Bestway, steel frame) who need a quick, cordless spot cleaner.

• In-ground pool owners looking for a handheld for stairs, shallow ends, and small patches of debris.

• Anyone wanting a battery-powered pool vacuum for fast cleanup of leaves, dirt, sand and silt without running hoses or robots.

• 
  

Final verdict

The POOL BLASTER Catfish Ultra Gen 2 is a smart, cordless pool vacuum for routine spot cleaning: rechargeable, easy to use, and engineered to handle leaves, dirt, sand and silt with a wide 10.5" head and reusable filter bag. If you want an affordable handheld pool vacuum for quick maintenance on in-ground or above-ground pools, it’s a very practical choice — just be realistic about runtime and treat it as a complement to (not a replacement for) full filtration, skimming and deep clean routines.

Buy Now