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Top 5 Handheld Pool Vacuums Under $100 — quick picks, real results!

  • Writer: AboveGroundSplash
    AboveGroundSplash
  • 3 days ago
  • 5 min read

Keeping an above-ground pool clean doesn’t have to mean hiring a pro or buying an expensive robot. Below are five easy-to-use handheld pool vacuums you can find on Amazon that are budget-friendly (under $100), portable, and perfect for spot cleaning sand, leaves and silt. Each pick includes a short review, pros and cons, and an option to Buy Now, so you can jump straight to the listing.



Pool Blaster Aqua Broom Sweep XL — Best classic, no-frills spot cleaner


The Pool Blaster Aqua Broom Sweep XL for cleaning swimming pools




The Pool Blaster Aqua Broom Sweep XL is a lightweight, cordless pool vacuum and rechargeable pool vacuum built for fast spot cleaning in small to medium sized above-ground and inground pools. It features an extra-large 8" vacuum head, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with up to 40 minutes run time and ships with a 60" pole set. Plus a reusable filter bag for easy debris pickup.


Pros: cordless & simple, long runtime on rechargeable lithium-ion battery, very lightweight and 60" pole set included.


Cons: not for heavy sludge or full-pool deep cleaning (for deep cleaning, check out the Pool Blaster Max).


Best for: small to medium sized pools, quick spot cleaning.


Want fast spot cleaning? This model is our top pick for handheld pool vacuums under $100 (priced around $69). Pool Blaster is a USA-based business with over 20 years of experience in building handheld pool vacuums. This model also comes with a 1 year warranty, with USA based customer service. Check the Pool Blaster Aqua Broom on Amazon!



Intex Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum — Best budget rechargeable option


The Intex rechargeable handheld pool vacuum for cleaning spa's and swimming pools




Coming in at second place is Intex’s rechargeable handheld pool vacuum. This unit comes with a 94" telescoping pole and gives you cordless convenience without the cord or hose. It’s designed for above-ground pools (up to 18ft diameter!) and is a solid portable pool vacuum for weekend maintenance. Easy to use and comes with 2 interchangeable brush heads.


Pros: rechargeable (no disposable batteries!), great suction, includes 2 brush heads and 94" pole.


Cons: smaller collection basket — empty frequently when vacuuming larger debris such as leaves.


Best for: above-ground pools, quick weekly cleanups.


Ready to ditch the hose? This rechargeable pool vacuum features strong suction, a built-in rechargeable battery and interchangeable vacuum heads to capture dirt, sand, and small debris. With the attachable pole for extended reach and simple push-button operation, it’s an ideal handheld pool vacuum for fast spot cleaning and routine pool maintenance. Priced at around $70, it is a fantastic handheld rechargeable vacuum for under $100 and is well deserving of our runner-up spot. See the Intex rechargeable vacuum on Amazon.



VIVOHOME Cordless Pool Vacuum — Best suction for the price


the VIVOHOME cordless pool vacuum for cleaning swimming pools




Taking home the 3rd spot is the VIVOHOME cordless pool vacuum. This is a rechargeable model often praised for stronger suction (18.5 GPM) and a 40W motor in a compact handheld body. It’s a great cordless pool vacuum under $100 (usually priced around $75) for people who want more pick-up power for sand and heavier debris (such as small twigs) without the cord.


Pros: strong suction for a handheld unit, decent run time (60 mins on a 1.5 hour charge!) and comes with a telescopic pole reaching up to nearly 10ft.


Cons: heavier than the smaller handheld vacs.


Best for: above-ground pools and deeper spot cleanup where stronger suction helps.


Need better suction? This is a powerful handheld pool vacuum designed for efficient spot cleaning in above-ground pools. It’s an affordable rechargeable pool vacuum ideal for quick cleanups and routine pool care. Check the VIVOHOME cordless pool vacuum on Amazon.




KOKIDO XTROVAC Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum — Best for hot tubs & spas


The KOKIDO XTROVAC Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum for swimming pools




The KOKIDO XTROVAC Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum is a lightweight, cordless pool vacuum built for fast spot-cleaning of hot tubs, spas, above-ground and small inground pools — designed to make routine pool care simple and cordless. It delivers up to 60 minutes runtime on a single charge and is rated for pools up to 20 ft, so it’s ideal for quick clean-ups and weekly maintenance.


Pros: solid 60 min runtime, cordless and rechargeable, telescoping/aluminum pole for reach without getting in the water, trusted brand in pool accessories.


Cons: small head means it’s slower on large debris fields.


Best for: hot tubs, small to medium sized above-ground pools, great for picking up dirt from edges and corners.


Why it’s great: Kokido makes compact, IPX-rated rechargeable vacs (XV series) built specifically for hot tubs, spas and small to medium sized pools. They’re lightweight, include fine filters/mesh bags, and come with a pool pole adapter — perfect if you want a reliable hot tub vacuum that’s easy to store. See the Kokido handheld vac on Amazon.




Poolmaster “Big Sucker” Manual Vacuum — Best ultra-budget manual option


Poolmaster Big Sucker manual pool vacuum for large debris




Lastly (but certainly not least when it comes to affordability), if you don’t mind a non-electric solution, the Poolmaster Big Sucker manual vacuum creates powerful suction using a garden hose (jet-action nozzles) and collects debris in a mesh bag. It’s affordable, super durable, and an excellent manual pool vacuum for larger debris without electronics.


Pros: very cheap (around $17), no batteries/charging, great for leaves and big debris.


Cons: requires hose pressure (garden hose) and manual effort; not ideal for very fine silt.


Best for: big leaves, budget-conscious owners, above-ground and inground floors when you want a low-cost fix.


Want a low-cost, powerful manual cleaner? The Poolmaster Big Sucker Manual Pool Vacuum is a reliable manual pool vacuum that uses powerful garden hose suction to remove leaves, dirt, and debris from above-ground pool floors without batteries or electricity. This budget-friendly pool cleaner features jet-action suction, a reusable mesh debris bag and easy setup for quick spot cleaning. Ideal for pool owners who want an affordable, efficient handheld pool cleaner for leaves, twigs, and large debris. Check the Poolmaster Big Sucker on Amazon.



How we picked these (quick notes for shoppers):

  • We focused on handheld & portable pool vacuums that are frequently stocked on Amazon.com and are priced under $100 for spot cleaning above-ground pools. Each listing above links to the product page so you can confirm current price, specs, and reviews.

  • If you want the absolute cheapest option for leaves: go manual (Poolmaster Big Sucker). If you want cordless convenience and stronger suction: VIVOHOME or Kokido are solid choices. For the lightest, simplest spot cleaner, Pool Blaster and Intex are reliable favorites.


Quick buying tips:

  • Match the vacuum to the job: fine silt vs. big leaves need different heads.

  • Look for telescopic pole compatibility if you don’t want to get in the water.

  • Check runtime and battery type (rechargeable vs. D-cell) so you’re not mid-clean and out of power.

  • Read recent Amazon reviews for real-world issues (filter replacement, clogging, durability).


Happy cleaning — and if prefer an automatic robotic vacuum to manual cleaning, check out our Top 5 Robotic Pool Vacuums.

 
 
 

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