Polaris 280 Black Pool Cleaner

Pros: works as advertised. There is a reason the Polaris is the most popular pool cleaner.
Cons: Might not be the easiest to install for most folks.

It's late winter in Houston, TX. The leaves have begun to fall. Armed with my $30 leaf vacuum under one arm, a 30' roll of light blue corrugated hose over my shoulder, a 20' telescopic pole, and a heavy duty pool vacuum head, I bravely face down the ...

Pros: Keeps your pool crystal clear all year round.
Cons: None

When deciding what type of cleaner to purchase be sure to ask your local pool builder or service company for their opinion. They will know what works best in your area.

I live in Northern California and my pool is surrounded by trees. Everyday...

Pros: Larger throat than the 180 and 380, Gear driven like the 180, larger bag...
Cons: May need to install ladder guards so it won't get stuck behind ladders.

I own and operate a swimming pool cleaning and repair business in TN with around 35 pools a week cleaned(almost all have polaris 180,280 or 380's). In my opinion, the 280 is the best of the 180-380 line. The 280 is actually the newest one of the 3 and...

Pros: Effective at big items
Cons: separate pump must be turned on and off without timer, poor job on sand

We run our Polaris about 3 hours per day in a 40x20' pool. Although we don't have a lot of trees, it does an excellent job at removing any leaves or debris that make it to the bottom. Because our pump (which drives the Polaris) is not on a timer, we...

Pros: see below
Cons: see below

I suppose this may be short and sweet as far as epinions go, but let me offer some viable information as to the quality and usefulness of the polaris pool cleaner.

PRO:This thing won't break on you. Plain and simple. It rides around in the...

Pros: Enjoy your pool again! Pools are for swimming - not cleaning!
Cons: Installation may not be a DIY job. This is true with most pool cleaners though.

After two years this thing is still going strong! I bought the polaris 280 after having another automatic pool cleaner. There is simply no comparison. The polaris will pick up rocks and acorns as other reviews have mentioned. Installation is the ...

Pros: Great for picking up leaves, grass, sand, toys etc. Reliable.
Cons: Can get tangled in ladders if you don't use an in-line back-up valve.

First, with all due respect to other reviewers of this item, you're supposed to turn it off and take the unit out of the pool if you're going to swim. Polaris makes the best cleaners on the market (unless you want to spend more than $900) and the ...

Pros: Good, lasts a long time. Mine runs 2 plus hours a day almost all year!
Cons: I wish the bags were a little bigger.

All in all this is a good product, it installs fairly easily although adjusting the tracking takes a little practice once its set, its good for life. I'm really happy with the product, maybe one thing...I wish the bags were a little bigger so changing them is less frequent, but otherwise its a good product.

Pros: Works quickly and efficiently.
Cons: none

We had a polaris 180 that was over 15 years old when it was destroyed in a storm. This summer we bought the 280 and love it as much as the 180. It cleaned the pool quickly and efficiently. Just hook it up and walk away. I also love the separate sand bag so that the debris does not go through the filtering system, thus putting less stress on it. I use my polaris once or twice a week and have a sparkling clean pool that I am very proud of.

Pros: Factory Support
Cons: None

Great cleaner! This is my second one, first was a 180 that lasted 21 years. Pool is in a heavy landscape area with lots of 25yr old oak trees. Does a fine job on all types of debris. Have a pool pro install and maintain for years of trouble free use. Never had a sticking problem, unit runs 3.5 hrs aday, 365 days a year! And could have had the 180 rebuilt but for the difference in monies went with a new 280.

Pros: Keeps pool very clean.
Cons: Gets stuck a lot.

I have a modern vanishing/infinity edge pool with relatively sharp-edged walls. Compared to other pools I have seen with different brands of in-pool cleaners, this one does the best job for the money; however, it does suffer from getting stuck on the steps, sharp edges, and drains quite a bit. I have seen it stay stuck for hours on end. I did put drain covers in the pool, but I have even seen it get hung up on these. It's all very frustrating.

Another note is that the motor did go out after about 2 years, but Polaris replaced it at no cost to me (I did have to change it out myself, though). After 3+ years, it outer shell has become somewhat soft and flexible and scratched, so I suspect that this is what has caused it to get stuck more frequently. I will probably replace it before it turns 4.

If you have a simple pool with round edges, this is probably the cleaner for you. If you have complex or angular edges, shop around a bit more.

Pros: Great all around performance
Cons: None

We have had our Polaris 280 since 2002 and it is still running well today. We run it for about 2 1/2 hours a day seven days a week, probably 10 months of the year. We like the continued good performance and the no hassle ease of use. In response to one of the other reviews, first, you don't run it when you're in the pool, it's simply a safety hazard as any automatic pool cleaner would be. Second, if you want it to operate automatically, put it on a timer, it's that simple. Third, why would you try and empty the leaf bag or disconnect the hose without turning off the pump? That's just stupid. My review, to the point.