Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses Review: The Set-It-and-Forget-It Solution We’ve Been Waiting For?

There’s a romantic idea of owning a pool – lazy summer afternoons, floating without a care, and the sound of laughter echoing off crystal-clear water. Then there’s the reality: the constant skimming, the back-breaking manual vacuuming, and the never-ending war against leaves, dirt, and that fine layer of silt that seems to appear overnight. I’ve been there. For years, a significant portion of my “relaxing” pool time was spent with a telescoping pole and a vacuum hose, wrestling with a clumsy manual cleaner. It’s a thankless, repetitive task that eats into the very leisure time a pool is supposed to provide. Neglecting it isn’t an option; a dirty pool is not only uninviting but can also become a costly maintenance headache, throwing off chemical balances and putting extra strain on your filtration system. The search for an effective, automated solution isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for reclaiming your summer.

What to Consider Before Buying a Suction-Side Pool Cleaner

A suction-side pool cleaner is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for automating one of the most laborious parts of pool ownership. These devices connect to your pool’s existing filtration system, using its suction power to propel themselves around the pool floor and walls, vacuuming up debris as they go. The main benefits are affordability, simplicity, and reliability. Since they have few moving parts and use the pump you already own, there are fewer components to break down, making them a cost-effective entry into the world of automatic pool cleaning. They are workhorses designed to keep your pool consistently clean with minimal daily intervention.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a pool owner with an in-ground or a sturdy above-ground pool who wants a “set it and forget it” cleaning solution for everyday debris like sand, silt, and small leaves. They need a compatible pool pump (typically at least 1/2 HP) and want to avoid the high cost and complexity of robotic or pressure-side cleaners. However, this type of cleaner might not be suitable for those who have pools with very sharp corners, complex step areas, or those who need to clean up extremely large debris like sticks and acorns regularly, as these can sometimes clog the diaphragm or hose. For heavy-duty spot cleaning or pools without an adequate pump, a manual or cordless handheld vacuum might be a better supplementary tool.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Pump Power & Pool Size: Your pool pump is the engine for a suction cleaner. The manufacturer specifies a minimum of a 1/2 horsepower pump (or 1000 gallons per hour flow rate) is required for the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses. Insufficient suction will lead to sluggish movement and poor cleaning. You must also ensure the included 33 feet of hose is adequate for your pool’s dimensions, allowing the cleaner to reach every corner without restriction.
• Cleaning Performance & Surface Compatibility: Look at the cleaner’s core mechanism. This Goplus model uses a flexible 36-fin disc and a diaphragm system, which is excellent for creating a strong seal on various surfaces—including tile, concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass—and for handling fine to medium debris. Consider the types of debris your pool collects most often. Diaphragm models are fantastic for sand and silt but might struggle with large twigs compared to flapper-based models.
• Materials & Durability: The underwater environment is harsh, involving constant movement and chemical exposure. This cleaner is made from ABS, TPU, and EVA plastics, which are standard for their chemical and impact resistance. However, as with any mechanical device, build quality matters. Pay attention to the connection points, the diaphragm material, and any moving parts. The inclusion of a spare diaphragm is a significant plus, acknowledging that this is a wearable part that will eventually need replacement.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The best pool cleaner is one you’ll actually use. A key advantage here is the tool-free assembly. Long-term care should also be simple. With suction-side cleaners, maintenance primarily involves checking your pump basket and filter for the collected debris and periodically inspecting the cleaner’s diaphragm or flapper for wear and tear. A simple design often translates to fewer headaches down the line.

While the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Simple, Smart Design Right Out of the Box

Unboxing the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses, we were immediately struck by its straightforward, no-fuss design. The bright blue and white components look clean and purposeful. Unlike some overly complex robotic cleaners that can be intimidating, everything here felt intuitive. The main body is lightweight yet feels solid, constructed from durable ABS plastic. The star of the show is the large, 18.5-inch 36-fin disc made from a flexible TPU material, which promises to maintain a solid seal against the pool surface for maximum suction. Assembly was, as advertised, completely tool-free. The ten 3.3-foot hose sections clicked together securely, and attaching the cleaner body was a simple push-and-twist motion. The inclusion of a regulator valve, an adjustable weight for buoyancy, and a spare diaphragm in the box speaks to a well-thought-out package designed for both immediate performance and long-term value. It’s a refreshing departure from products that require a trip to the hardware store before you can even get started.

A Deep Dive into the Goplus Cleaner’s Performance

An automatic pool cleaner lives or dies by its performance in the water. It can have all the features in the world, but if it leaves patches of dirt, gets stuck in corners, or requires constant babysitting, it’s failed in its primary mission. We put the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses through its paces in a real-world pool environment to see if its simple design could deliver a truly autonomous and effective clean.

Assembly and Setup: From Box to Pool in Under 15 Minutes

Our experience with the setup process was overwhelmingly positive and validated the “tool-free” claim. The process is logical and well-documented in the included instructions. First, we assembled the hose, connecting the 10 segments to create a single 33-foot length. It’s crucial to use only as many sections as needed for the cleaner to reach the furthest point of your pool from the skimmer, plus one extra section. Using too much hose can lead to tangles, a common issue with all suction cleaners. The Goplus includes a roller stabilizer that attaches to the hose, which we found helps maintain balance and prevent the hose from coiling on itself during operation.

Next, we attached the deflector wheel to the top of the cleaner body. This large wheel is a critical component, as it gently bumps the cleaner away from walls and corners, preventing it from getting stuck. The final steps involved fine-tuning for our specific pool. We connected the hose to our skimmer’s suction line using the provided connectors and then submerged the hose section by section to purge all the air—an essential step for establishing strong suction. The included regulator valve allows you to dial in the perfect amount of water flow. Too little, and the cleaner won’t move effectively; too much, and it can move too fast, reducing cleaning efficiency. By timing the wheel rotations as per the manual, we had it perfectly calibrated in about five minutes. The entire process, from opening the box to having the cleaner moving on the pool floor, took less than 15 minutes. It’s a setup process that even a complete novice can handle with confidence, which we found incredibly refreshing. You can see its full feature set and detailed components online, which gives a great overview of this simple yet effective system.

Cleaning Power and Coverage: A Relentless Attack on Debris

Once submerged and running, the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses got straight to work. The heart of its cleaning system is the long-life vacuum diaphragm. This component flutters rapidly, creating the powerful, pulsating suction that pulls in debris. It’s a simple, hammer-like action that is surprisingly effective and far more reliable than cleaners that rely on complex internal gears or flappers that can jam. We watched as it effortlessly inhaled fine sand, silt, and small leaves that had settled on the pool floor. The 36-fin TPU disc creates an impressive seal against the pool’s vinyl surface, ensuring that all the pump’s suction power is concentrated where it’s needed most.

This finding was powerfully confirmed by one user who stated their pool had “inches of leaves, debris and dirt” and that this cleaner made it “crystal clear in 2 days.” This is a testament to its raw cleaning power. We were particularly impressed by its wall-climbing ability. With the water flow correctly adjusted, the cleaner would periodically travel up the curved walls of our test pool, scrubbing them clean before gracefully peeling off and returning to the floor. It effectively covers the entire pool in a random, yet methodical, pattern. Over a two-hour cycle, we observed it had visited nearly every square foot of the pool, including the shallow end and around the main drain. The deflector wheel worked as intended, preventing it from getting hung up on the ladder or in tight corners. It’s a truly autonomous cleaning machine that lives up to its promise.

Design and Long-Term Maintenance: Simplicity Breeds Reliability

The long-term appeal of the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses lies in its minimalist design. There are no wheels to jam, no gears to strip, and no complex computer boards to fail. The single moving part is the internal diaphragm, which is a wear-and-tear item. Recognizing this, Goplus wisely includes a replacement diaphragm right in the box, effectively doubling the initial service life of the unit’s core component. Replacing it is a simple, five-minute task that requires no special tools. This low-maintenance approach is a huge selling point. As one user noted, they run it for about a quarter of the time they ran their old Hayward cleaner, yet the pool is cleaner. This efficiency not only saves on electricity but also reduces wear on your main pool pump.

However, no product is perfect, and we must address potential durability concerns. One user reported that within a month, the plastic bracket holding the buoyancy weight and the floater ball holder both snapped. While this appears to be an isolated incident, and the user noted that the seller was very helpful in resolving the issue, it’s something to be aware of. The cleaner is primarily constructed of plastic, and while it feels robust, care should be taken during handling and storage to avoid unnecessary stress on these smaller components. Despite this, the overwhelming simplicity of the design means that there are very few potential points of failure, making it a reliable and cost-effective choice for long-term pool maintenance. The value proposition is hard to beat when you check the latest price and availability and compare it to more complex, expensive models.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing feedback from other owners provides a well-rounded picture of the product’s real-world performance. The sentiment is largely positive, echoing our own findings. One user was simply “amazed how well this works,” noting their brother became “addicted to using it” because of the superb results. This speaks to the satisfaction of seeing a perpetually clean pool with minimal effort.

The most compelling story comes from a user whose previous cleaner had died, leaving their pool in a state of disaster with “inches of leaves, debris and dirt in the bottom.” They reported that the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses transformed the pool to “crystal clear in 2 days.” This is a powerful endorsement of its effectiveness, highlighting its ability to handle not just daily maintenance but also heavy-duty cleanup jobs. They specifically praised its wall-climbing ability and full-pool coverage. On the other hand, a critical review pointed out a potential weakness in the durability of some plastic parts, stating that “the weight attached to unit snapped off and the bracket holding the floater ball also broke” within a month. While this is a valid concern, it’s important to note that the same reviewer praised the seller for their timely and helpful response, suggesting good customer support is in place should issues arise.

How Does the Goplus Cleaner Stack Up Against the Competition?

The Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses operates in a competitive market. While it offers incredible value, certain alternatives might be better suited for different needs or budgets. Here’s a look at how it compares to three other popular options.

1. Hayward W3PVS20JST Suction Pool Cleaner

The Hayward Poolvergnuegen (often called ‘The Pool Cleaner’) is a premium option from one of the most respected brands in the industry. Its key advantage is its patented self-adjusting turbine vanes, which allow it to handle larger debris without clogging and maintain power at lower flow rates. It also features programmed steering that ensures more thorough coverage by forcing it to turn at set intervals. For pool owners with variable-speed pumps or those who want a more predictable cleaning pattern and are willing to pay a premium for the Hayward brand name and engineering, this is a formidable alternative. However, the Goplus cleaner achieves similar end results for a fraction of the price, making it a better value for most budget-conscious buyers.

2. Yousky Cordless Pool Vacuum Cleaner

This Yousky cleaner represents a completely different approach to pool cleaning. As a cordless, handheld vacuum, it offers ultimate portability and is perfect for spot-cleaning tasks, stairs, spas, and small above-ground pools where a full-size automatic cleaner is impractical. It doesn’t rely on your pool’s pump system at all, using its own rechargeable battery and internal filter bag. It’s not a direct competitor for automated, whole-pool cleaning. A user would choose the Yousky for quick touch-ups or as a supplementary tool, whereas the Goplus is the primary, autonomous cleaner you leave to run for hours to maintain the entire pool.

3. Pentair Kreepy Krauly Kruiser Pool Cleaner

The Pentair Kreepy Krauly is another legend in the suction-side cleaner world, known for its rugged simplicity and reliability. Its design features only one operational moving part—the flapper—which has been proven over decades. Its extra-wide mouth can inhale debris both large and small. Someone might prefer the Pentair for its long-standing reputation and ultra-simple, time-tested design. However, the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses offers a more modern design with its 36-fin disc for superior surface seal and includes wall-climbing capabilities and a deflector wheel, features that give it a slight edge in maneuverability and thoroughness for a comparable or lower price point.

Final Verdict: An Unbeatable Value for Automated Pool Cleaning

After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner with Extension Hoses is a standout performer in its category. It delivers on its promise of powerful, autonomous cleaning for both pool floors and walls, rivaling the performance of models that cost two or three times as much. Its simple diaphragm-based design is not a weakness but a strength, ensuring reliability and incredibly low maintenance. The tool-free setup, generous hose length, and included spare parts make for a complete, user-friendly package right out of the box.

While we noted a potential concern regarding the durability of smaller plastic components, its overall cleaning power and efficiency are undeniable. We would recommend this cleaner without hesitation to any owner of a compatible in-ground or above-ground pool who wants to reclaim their free time and enjoy a consistently sparkling pool. It strikes an almost perfect balance between price, performance, and simplicity. If you’re ready to put an end to the chore of manual vacuuming and let an affordable, reliable workhorse take over, we strongly encourage you to explore the Goplus Upgraded Automatic Pool Cleaner for yourself.