Zodiac MX6 Suction-Side In-Ground Pool Cleaner, Cyclonic Suction

Excellent cleaner. I decided to try this type of cleaner since my suction-side cleaners get clogged up so fast and won't run with lower suction, frequently getting stuck in a corner. The MX6 gets every corner with the random turning pattern. Climbs all the way to the waterline. Sucks up big leaves and doesn't clog. I actually turned down the run time to clean the pool since switching from the Kreepy Krauly and Zodica G3 skirt-types I used for decades. I have cut 30 minutes off the cleaning time so far, and the pool is still crystal-clear. For the money, this has been a great deal. Note that you need to spend some time adjusting the flow rate, to optimize performance, but it only took an hour of occasionally checking that the device worked correctly. I was actually surprised how little suction was needed to achieve a good pattern. BONUS: absolutely quiet!

This thing is an engineering marvel. Clearly the overall design goal was to create a machine that will operate on very low flow, from pumps down to 1/4 hp, or variable speed pumps like the Pentair (GREAT PUMP BTW). No design is perfect, and there are always trade offs to achieve goals, like low flow performance. If you do not need or want the outstanding low water flow performance and energy savings this cleaner provides, (perhaps you just have a single speed 2.5 hp pump for example), another, hi flow machine might be a better choice, since you won't realize the energy savings this machine enables.. The high-flow machines like Hayward Navigator have a simple paddle wheel inside to drive it, and must have high volume flow to spin the wheel and move the cleaner. But they are less likely to clog, since all the internal clearances are large and simple. This machine is driven by a brilliant little "water motor" with pivoting blades. The blades fit tightly in the rotational chamber they run in on the power stroke of their rotation, so it's true things can get caught in there. But it's NOT a design flaw. It's a trade off. That tight fit is what enables the low flow capability.. BUT, although some stiff plant material like palm fronds, sticks, or even stiff barley straw pieces can stop the motor, almost everything passes through with no trouble. There was a LOT of crap on the bottom of my pool, straw, bamboo leaves etc. The only things that stopped it were some pieces of filter foam, a stick, and a lily root about 6" long. Also, my pool has some acute angle corners because a round built in spa is incorporated into the pool. On either side of the spa are trap corners, not 90 square corners, more like 70 degree corners. The programmed navigation in this thing spins itself out of those traps with ease. It marches up the sides to the water line, splashes water up on the tile, and then spins and heads back down. If you keep the pool full enough to cover the slippery tile, it is less likely to get high enough out of the water to suck air. The treds lose traction on the tile, which keeps it just below the water line. Perfect! My entry steps are likely traps too, but this machine has no trouble there either. I think different engineers designed the hoses. They could be sturdier. But, you can use just one of the provided hoses closest to the machine and then switch to Hayward hose segments to your wall suction outlet or skimmer. I have two sets of old Hayward hoses which I will save and use should the hoses fail in a year or two. Bottom Line: If you need/want low flow performance, this thing is a great deal for you. If you cannot benefit from the low flow capability, another cleaner may clog slightly less often and thus be a better choice for you. I recommend saving $20 and getting the package with the cyclonic pre-filter that goes in-line on the hose. You'll want it, so get it up front and get the package price.

Here’s a more detailed and comprehensive review based on the provided input: --- **Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner Review** I had high expectations for the Zodiac MX6, and while it showed promise initially, my experience with this cleaner was ultimately disappointing and concerning. Here's a detailed breakdown of my experience: **Shipping and Setup** The Zodiac MX6 arrived promptly, and the unboxing experience was smooth. The directions were clear, and setup seemed straightforward at first. Following the instructions, I connected the hoses and carefully ensured everything was in place before placing the cleaner into the pool. **Initial Operation** To get the cleaner to work, I had to fully close off the main drain and skimmer. This step was necessary to allow the Zodiac to function without climbing the pool walls uncontrollably. While this requirement was manageable, it felt like an inconvenience compared to other pool cleaners I've used. Nonetheless, the robot started cleaning as expected. **Design Flaws and Performance Issues** The major issue I encountered was with the design of the Zodiac MX6's hose and connector system. Specifically: - The hose allowed air to be sucked into the line through the plastic connectors. - I tried both the cleaning port and skimmer attachment, but neither resolved the air-leak problem. This design flaw proved to be a significant drawback. Within 30 minutes of operation, I checked my pool equipment and found the pump running dangerously dry due to the air being introduced into the system. This could have caused serious damage to the pump if I hadn’t intervened promptly. Despite multiple attempts to adjust the setup and troubleshoot, I could not resolve the air-sucking issue. Each time I restarted the Zodiac, the problem persisted, making the cleaner unusable without risking damage to my pool equipment. **Effectiveness** When it functioned briefly, the Zodiac MX6 did a good job cleaning the pool. It moved efficiently and picked up debris effectively. However, the trade-off for this performance was simply not worth the risk of damage to my pump and filtration system. **Final Thoughts** While the Zodiac MX6 is an innovative and potentially effective pool cleaner, its poor hose design and tendency to introduce air into the pool system make it a high-risk option. Pool equipment like pumps is expensive to replace, and no cleaner should compromise the integrity of your system. For anyone considering this model, I strongly advise researching this air-sucking issue further. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the Zodiac MX6 due to the significant risks associated with its use. **Pros:** - Cleans the pool well when operational. - Easy to set up initially. **Cons:** - Requires closing the main drain and skimmer, which adds inconvenience. - Faulty hose design allows air to enter the system. - Risk of severe damage to pool equipment. - Repeated attempts to troubleshoot did not resolve the issue. **Conclusion:** Stay away from this model unless Zodiac addresses these design flaws. It’s simply not worth the potential damage and hassle. Note: The vendor has a VERY hefty restocking fee. If I were to look for a robot/cleaner like this, I would visit a local pool shop and ask to have a demo of a system BEFORE purchasing. I would NOT buy from this vendor again.

Update #2: It's been 26 months since I bought the unit, and it's finally given up the ghost. It just flounders on the drain at the bottom of the pool, and the propeller on the bottom doesn't spin reliably. I could probably replace the parts and get it working again, but the bottom of the unit itself has worn through. That's probably due to it getting stuck on the edges of steps and just sitting there, grinding itself away. (See photo of the original unit on the right, and compare it to the new unit on the left.) In the closeup photo, you can see the wear pattern and where it's completely through. This little guy has been in the pool continuously that entire time though, and has saved me countless hours, so I didn't hesitate to buy another one. You could probably get more mileage out of one if you didn't keep in the pool 24/7, but for me, the convenience far outweighs the cost of buying a new unit after a couple years. Plus, I got a whole new set of hoses that I can keep around for when they inevitably break. (See update #1 below.) Update #1: It's been 17 months since I bought the unit. It still does a good job of cleaning, but now the hoses are starting to disintegrate (see picture). I've had four break within the past month. They're pretty pricy to replace one or two at a time; I finally bought a box of 12 from a local pool store for around $13 each. Also, the robot is still getting stuck on the steps and love seat (see video), so I have to occasionally give it a push to get going again. Still, even with these failings, the robot has freed me from a lot of manual cleaning. Original review: I have a 30-year old pool with pop-up heads. From the start, the pop-ups were merely adequate. When I resurfaced the pool from fiberglass to pebble-tec a few years ago, they were pretty much worthless. I had to spend a lot of time manually brushing/vacuuming the pool. Finally, a couple months ago, when the pop-up valve actuator started leaking, and I knew I was looking at $500+ to get it fixed, I decided to try a robotic cleaner. This thing is GREAT! I should've gotten it years ago. It keeps the pool far cleaner than the pop-ups ever did, and I don't have to brush the pool anymore. My pool is roughly 20,000 gallons, with a deep end, and the number of sections of pipe included were exactly right. I have a variable-speed pump, changing a few times during the day, and so the robot sometimes goes faster, and sometimes goes slower, but it always does a good job getting rid of debris. Haven't had any problems with algae forming since it's been on the job, either. The only issue I have (as others do) is that it sometimes gets stuck on the steps. I've adjusted the float on the suction hose and that's helped, but occasionally I do have to push it away from the steps. I'm really glad I bought this!

I have had the Zodiac MX6 swimming pool cleaner for two years now and I am very pleased with it. It is still running every day. There are pool cleaners that cost hundreds of dollars more, but this one works quite well. It works off of the suction of the main swimming pool pump, so does not require any other power source, and it runs all day, as long as the pump is running. It is meant to connect to the pool cleaner fitting that comes into the side of your pool. If you don't have this, the cleaner comes with an attachment to connect it to your skimmer. (However, if you use this, your skimmer will not operate while the cleaner is connected.) It comes with several 3-foot sections of hose so you can adjust the length of the hose for your particular pool. After I got the length of the hose adjusted to the best length, the cleaner has not gotten hung up on the pool's steps. It is easy to set up and comes with clear instructions. It does not require much suction, I have a valve to control the suction of the cleaner so there is still enough suction for the skimmer to work. It has really made a difference in the look of my pool. The most often I could vacuum my pool manually was once per week, but this cleaner is like a little robot that vacuums all day long. The only negative is that it gets jammed up by some leaves, particularly eucalyptus and privet leaves. It is easy enough to pull the cleaner up and get the leaves out, but if you get a lot of leaves in your pool this might be a nuisance. Also, I was disappointed that it did not come with a threaded fitting for the suction-side inlet on my pool, instead it just has a tapered fitting that you jam into the inlet. The hose can then fall out, which is a safety hazard. I bought an adapter at the pool store that helps hold it in, and has a spring-loaded cover to close the inlet off if the hose were to fall out. (An example is the GW9530 vac port fitting, on Amazon.) But, overall, for the price it has been a very effective automatic swimming pool cleaner. May 2025 - I have now had the MX6 for three years and it is still working great. However all of the original hoses have split. I leave the cleaner in the pool all the time, so I think the UV deteriorates them. To get the most life out of the hoses treat them gently, don’t bend them sharply, and be careful when pulling up the cleaner by the hose. The official replacement Zodiac hoses are expensive, but I have not tried the cheaper aftermarket ones. If you are careful with the hoses, they can last a couple years. Even with the limited life of the hoses, I still think the MX6 is a good buy.

First of all lets face it, done of these products are inexpensive . But for the value I found this M6 simple to operate and the best value. Recently I've tried the newest "Smart" Robot, Battery and Electric. They suck. If your trying to impress your techie friends go ahead and waste your money. I'll take a simple mechanical item that works over some high tech electronic item any day. Regarding the Smart Battery Robot, they get confused, just like the ones that are suppose to clean your house (shark, ninja ,etc). This is the thing!! $$$$$$ The batteries are going to wear out, electronic parts are going to go out. You can count on that! Only 1 year warranty. The one unit I brought paid over $700.00 Called the manufacture and asked the cost of the replacement battery. They wouldn't tell me, they said when the battery goes out, you need to buy a new machine . Really !! Ok Back to the M6 . If you follow the instruction, really simple it works great. Two important issues. #1 the hose length is important , just one length too many and it gets curly cues and hinders the operations . #2 the rpm of the wheels is based on the flow volume of your pool. The suggested rotation 20-25 per 10 revolutions doesn't work for everyone. I have a 16,000 gal. 32 ft. long pool. With a Solar heating system. When the solar is working, my flow rate is about 38 rpm , with my pump running at 2000 rpm's. When the solar is not working, my flow rate at the same pump speed goes up to about 50 to 55 gpm. With the solar on I have to adjust my diverter valve for the M6 to 17-18 revolutions to get more volume. When the solar is off, I have to close it down it down. I hope I didn't confuse anyone. The Zodiac M6 works great . If you got the right hose length . And your flow rate is set for your pool operation. If the Zodiac climbs the wall all the way up to the tile line and try to climb out of your pool, YOU HAVE TOO MUCH FLOW AND RPM'S, and it will suck in air and hinder the operation. On the other hand if it doesn't climb the walls and just sits on the bottom, and doesn't move well. You need to increase the flow rate. Don't just go by the 20-25 rpm per 10, you may have to adjust it a little. Every pool flow rate is different based on your pump settings rpm and flow rpm. But the Zodiac really does a great job, very happy , it's simple to operate. AND IT WORKS, NO ELECTRONIC CRAP AND SMART TECHNOLOGY THATS HAS FLAWS TO DEAL WITH .

After 8 months of using this product, I can say that the sides of my pool have never looked better...this unit has a pretty good traction and actually makes it along the sides of the pool, as well as up onto (but not always off of) the steps. A lot of built-up crud from the previous homeowner is now gone. Unfortunately, it's not very good if you happen to have any leaves at the bottom of your pool that are more than about a half inch in diameter, and certainly nothing stringy such as palm frond pieces or grass. They all get stuck in the gears, causing the unit to stall underwater. You then get to spend 10 or 20 minutes carefully trying to remove all of this stuff...sort of like removing hair and thread from your vacuum cleaner brushes, without the luxury of taking anything apart to ease the process. During heavy leaf/debris season, I end up having to clean the unit at least once, sometimes three times in a day. The unit is also cheaply made -- all the mountings and the case are plastic, and after a few months, they began to come loose. I now have to push one of the wheels back in and realign the tread every morning before I run the thing. Sooner or later, the wheel's going to come off while it runs, and I'll going to have to fish the wheel, the mounting clip and possible the rubber tread out from the bottom of the pool. Eventually, I'll get around to contacting the company for repair or replacement, once the issue becomes unfixable. The mounting clips that connect the hose to the device -- and that allow you to actually take the unit out of the water -- are also starting to loosen, which results in the unit unsnapping from the hose and sinking back into the pool. I've just been lucky enough to grab the unit's handle and pull it out right as that has been happening, but eventually, I'll miss my attempt and I'll end up having to go into the pool to grab it from the bottom. Not a favorite thought during winter. Overall, it's about what I expected for the price, and maybe it'll last a couple years. It's not what I hoped for, but if I wanted that, I should have gone for something that costs twice as much. Letter grade: C+

I've used a different type of pool sweep for over 30 years ( the kind with the floppy ears on the side and the pitter patter of little feet). This beats it 100%. The tank tread tracks not only propel it up the walls, but they also clean. It gets on the steps and and everywhere. This does not get stuck on the deep end suction cover!!

This little cleaner is doing a bang-up job on my 18' X 36' in-ground vinyl pool. Had to fiddle a bit with the water flow mechanism, but I've now got it cleaning every inch of the pool floor and climbing the walls without cavitating. I bought this basic model over its bigger (MX8) brother because it has fewer parts to wear out. Recommended.

Nos ha ahorrado mucho tiempo a la hora de limpiar la alberca, lo único es que en nuestra alberca no sube paredes, no sé si sea por la potencia de la bomba o cual razón pueda ser, sin embargo, preferimos darle una cepillada a las paredes y escalones de la alberca de vez en cuando que estar aspirando como lo hacíamos antes, además nos ha ahorrado mucho en agua, recomiendo ampliamente.

Blocks up with the smallest leaves. Wasteof money and does not work as ad advertised.

No sirve, se descomponen muy rápido de los engranes de las llantas

Was skeptical before because of my previous product that I used. Turns out I am very pleased with this product. Does the job. Something gets stuck but nothing major.