Want a quick answer? I think the Aquatix Pro Pool Brush is the best pool brush for most swimming pool owners. It’s durable and very affordable. Read more about that model and the rest of my top picks below.
A pool brush is a must-have to add to your swimming pool supply list. It can help you remove tough stains on your pool walls and generally keep your pool squeaky clean. Here are all of my top picks after hours of research and testing. I also listed all of the criteria that went into my research below. Ready? Let’s get started.
Pool Brushes: My Top Picks
Lalapool Swimming Pool Wall & Tile Brush
⭐ Most Affordable Pool Brush
Cheap, easy to use, and the bristles hold up pretty well to repeated use.
Research Score: 4.7/5
- Cleaning Ability: 5
- Maneuverability: 5
- Durability: 4
- Price: 4
What’s Great:
- Affordable
- Large sweep area
- Lightweight
- Cleans quickly
Limitations & What Needs Improvement:
- Bristles can fall out with extended use
Specs:
- Made from ABS and Aluminum
- Dimensions: 17 x 5.3 x 1.7 inches
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
Research Notes
The Lalapool Swimming Pool Wall and Tile Brush is the perfect pick if you’re shopping on a budget. The brush is made of durable aluminum, making it quite sturdy and lightweight. This brush can be used on pool walls, tiles, and floors. The brush measures a generous 18 inches wide and provides a large sweep area, which ensures that you can clean your pool faster and with ease. My favorite thing about this brush is the curved edges, which are designed to assist you in cleaning corners and rounded edges. While the brush does not come with a pole, it is made to fit most standard extension pool poles.
A common problem with these brushes is that the bristles tend to fall out. Luckily, Lalapool offers products with a lifetime guarantee.
Cleaning Ability
One of the most important things I consider when looking for pool brushes is the brush’s cleaning abilities. The Lalapool swimming pool brush bristles are made from high-density nylon. What I thought was really clever about this brush is that the curved edge design creates a wider sweep, making it easier to clean the walls and the steps.
The bristles are strong enough to clean effectively without scratching or marking the pool plaster.
Maneuverability
This brush is 18 inches wide, which makes it easy to clean the pool in a shorter amount of time, and because the brush head is angled at 45°, it is easier to push and pull the brush. In addition, the curved edge of the brush makes maneuvering this brush around the corners of the pool and steps a lot easier than regular pool brushes.
Durability
While the brush bristles are made from premium nylon that is supposed to prevent fallout and the brush is rust-proof, this brush falls short in durability scoring. Several other testers reported issues of the nylon bristles falling out after months of using the brush. In my opinion, this is a pretty important factor when looking for a durable pool brush. With that said, I put this brush through a wear and tear test, and it seemed to hold up well. Plus, the product comes with a lifetime guarantee! But it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
Price
This pool brush retails for under $20, much less than other pool brushes on the market. Aside from some issues with the product’s durability, this brush cleans the pool well! However, you should be aware that the brush does not come with a pole; you will need to buy one separately.
Notes From Other Testers
This brush has almost 10,000 reviews online, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. 70% of reviews gave it five stars, while almost 90% of reviews were satisfied with the product. So overall, this brush is well-liked and very easy to use. While a few testers have had issues with bristle fallout, for the most part, the brush seems to hold up well.
Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush
⭐ Best Heavy-Duty Option for Plastered Pools
Research Score: 4.7/5
- Cleaning Ability: 5
- Maneuverability: 4
- Durability: 5
- Price: 5
What’s Great:
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Can get tough stains out
Limitations & What Needs Improvement:
- Some bristles can fall out when used on rougher pool surfaces
- Can be heavy to maneuver
Specs:
- Made from aluminum and stainless steel
- Dimensions: 18 inches wide and 6.5 inches tall
- Weight: 12 ounces
Research Notes
Tough stains and stubborn algae require a heavy-duty pool brush like the Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush to remove them from pool plaster. This is a professional-grade pool brush that you can use at home to clean walls, floors, steps, and tiles with ease. This pool brush is durable because it is made with an aluminum top and steel bristles to ensure your brush cleans the walls well and lasts for years to come. Stainless steel bristles are stronger than soft nylon bristles and can be used against nasty pool grime, but take care because these sturdy bristles have been known to scratch some pools!
Cleaning Ability
Before even using this pool brush, I knew that it would have a good cleaning ability score since the bristles are made from stainless steel, and using the brush only confirmed my opinion. The stainless steel brush effectively scrubs away stubborn stains and algae in pools. However, some testers have reported that the wire bristles have scratched porcelain and fiberglass pools, so I would caution against scrubbing too hard.
Personally, I recommend using this brush for extra stubborn dirt rather than an everyday cleaning brush. The bristles are hard and can damage your pool’s surfaces if you use the brush excessively.
Maneuverability
While the brush is excellent at removing stubborn dirt, it can be a bit heavy to maneuver because of the stiff stainless steel bristles. Pushing the brush along the pool floor will require some upper-body strength. In addition, for some, the added pole could make the brush a lot heavier to use.
If you don’t want to struggle with a heavier brush, stick with a nylon bristled brush, as they are more flexible than metal.
Durability
The brush is made from decently durable materials like aluminum and ABS plastic, and the bristles are made from stainless steel, designed to withstand rigorous scrubbing. The brush held up well in my testing and is definitely up there as one of the more heavy-duty brushes on the market.
Price
The Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush is a professional-grade pool brush sold at an affordable price. While this is not the pool brush you should get for everyday cleaning, it is a great tool to have on hand in case you need to really scrub an area of your pool! The more than reasonable price is a massive win in this case!
Notes From Other Testers
Out of more than 1,000 reviews on the Aquatix Pro brush, 85% of reviews agree that this heavy-duty brush is great at removing tough stains and scrubbing extra hard. This pool brush is also rated highly for durability. However, a few testers have had issues with the overall maneuverability of the brush, which is not surprising since it’s a stainless steel brush!
The Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush
⭐ Best for Tough Stains on Walls
Research Score: 4.7/5
- Cleaning Ability: 5
- Maneuverability: 4
- Durability: 5
- Price: 5
What’s Great:
- Great for tough algae stains
- Easy to operate
- Affordable
Limitations & What Needs Improvement:
- The “tail” can get in the way of cleaning some spots in the pool
- Cleaning the bottom of the pool can be difficult because of the “tail”
Specs:
- Made of plastic/nylon
- Dimensions: 18 x 2 x 12 inches
- Weight: 16 ounces
Research Notes
Scrubbing tough stains on pool walls can be tiring on your back and shoulders, but the Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush allows you to scrub the pool walls in a way that removes the strain from your body. The whale fin on the brush allows the brush to hug the wall, directing the cleaning power to where it is needed. The bristles are made from nylon that will last up to four times longer than standard plastic bristles. The fin will do all the hard work for you, delivering up to 10 times the force between the pool brush and the pool’s surface. Although the tail can sometimes get in the way of your cleaning, for a wall brush, this product will do the trick!
Cleaning Ability
The Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush is not your standard pool brush, thanks to the unique fin that looks like a whale tail. This fin does more than just look cute; it also helps improve the cleaning abilities of this brush. The fin works like a car spoiler and allows the brush to hug against the wall. This makes cleaning the pool walls much easier and faster and puts less strain on your back.
I found that the nylon bristles effectively cleaned algae and other stubborn dirt that accumulated on my pool wall without me having to work up a sweat scrubbing. However, if I had to find a fault, sometimes the tail could get in the way when cleaning tight spots like the steps.
Maneuverability
What I like most about this pool brush is its effortless use on the pool walls. The Wall Whale Brush is lightweight, and the hugging action of the tail does all the work for you! I can brush my walls using one hand. The one problem with this brush is that scrubbing the pool floor and stairs can be quite difficult due to the tail. The trick is to keep the brush moving.
Durability
When it comes to durability, this Wall Whale Brush shines. Unlike other brushes, I have found the nylon bristles to be sturdy and durable without any fallout despite the rigorous testing I put it through. In fact, many testers have reported that their Wall Whale Brushes have lasted years.
Price
While this brush is a bit more pricey compared to other pool brushes, the price is well justified for its excellent cleaning ability and ease of use. Across the thousands of online ratings, this brush ranked highly for value for money. It does take some adjusting to get used to cleaning the bottom of the pool with this brush, but if you’re willing to practice, you won’t regret it.
Notes From Other Testers
This brush has over 4,000 reviews, and almost 90% of them give it 4 or 5 stars out of 5! Testers love that this brush is easy to use and lightweight. It also rates particularly highly for value for money and sturdiness, so it’s an all-around great pool brush to have in your arsenal of pool cleaning supplies! On the flip side, some reviewers have had issues cleaning some parts of the pool, such as the floor and stairs, due to the tail getting in the way. However, it should be noted that this brush is marketed as a wall brush.
U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor & Wall Pool Brush
⭐ Best for Above Ground Pools
Research Score: 4.7/5
- Cleaning Ability: 5
- Maneuverability: 5
- Durability: 4
- Price: 4
What’s Great:
- Multi-use
- Good for cleaning corners
- Easy to clip on
Limitations & What Needs Improvement:
- Can deteriorate on rougher surfaces
- The attachment piece on the brush can break
Specs:
- Made with nylon bristles and aluminum handle
- Dimensions: 20″ wide
- Weight: 8.2 ounces
Research Notes
The U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor and Wall Pool Brush is 20 inches wide and features a sturdy reinforced aluminum back handle. Not only does this brush clean the walls, but it will also easily clean your floors, steps, and corners. The brush has 5 to 7 rows of extremely durable nylon bristles and curved ends, which makes it easier for the brush to stay in contact with the pool.
You can use this brush on all pool types without worrying about damaging the pool while keeping your pool algae-free. Unfortunately, the pole that the brush comes with is prone to breaking, but you can easily replace it with another standard pole.
Cleaning Ability
The U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor and Wall Pool Brush has 5 to 7 rows of durable nylon bristles, which makes it scrub stubborn dirt while still being gentle enough for an above ground pool. What I liked most about using this brush is that it’s lightweight, and I can easily snap the brush off the pole and use it as a hand brush if needed. Thanks to its rounded shape, it can clean all areas of your pool, including your walls, floor, and even steps!
Maneuverability
Sometimes, pool brushes can be pretty heavy and difficult to move, making cleaning your pool a task you begin to dread. Well, that is not the case with this brush. The curved ends of the brush made cleaning the pool quick and easy. I found this especially helpful when cleaning round or irregularly shaped pools.
Durability
The idea behind the design of this pool brush is fantastic. However, I did run into some issues. Notably, the bristles have a tendency to fall out. In addition, the attachment piece on the brush is pretty weak and may snap or break after a few months of use. With that said, the brush comes with a one-year satisfaction guarantee, so if you are unhappy with the brush, you can return it for a replacement or refund.
Price
While the brush is on the cheaper side, it still gets the job done satisfactorily! It has a great cleaning ability, and the curved edges make it particularly perfect for irregularly shaped pool owners! The U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor and Wall Pool Brush does have a couple of issues with durability, but at this price point, I don’t have too many complaints, especially since it comes with a one-year satisfaction guarantee!
Notes From Other Testers
With over 2,000 reviews, around 85% of those gave this brush 4 or 5 stars out of 5! It’s rated particularly highly for its great cleaning capabilities, maneuverability, and affordable price. However, some testers complained about the bristles falling out and the pole breaking after a few months of use. I recommend trying out this brush for yourself, and if you don’t like it, you can have it returned from the company within one year of purchase.
Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush
⭐ Best for Vinyl-Lined Pools
Research Score: 4.6/5
- Cleaning Ability: 5
- Maneuverability: 5
- Durability: 3
- Price: 5
What’s Great:
- Great for vinyl-lined pools
- Wide brush makes cleaning faster
- Cheap price point
Cons:
- Given how affordable it is, it will likely only last you for one or two seasons
Specs:
- Made from ABS plastic
- Dimensions: 17.5 inches wide
- Weight: 13 ounces
Research Notes
The Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush is my pick for cleaning vinyl pools. It is easy to use and cleans effectively. This pool brush has stiff nylon bristles that work well against stubborn build-up and algae in your pool.
Don’t worry about damaging your vinyl pool lining, as the Millard Pool Brush is designed specifically for above ground vinyl-lined pools and is gentle on these surfaces. The brush head is made of ABS plastic, which I found pretty durable. However, the bristles are not as durable. Depending on how often you use the brush, you may need to replace it every one to two seasons. But at the cheap price point, I’ve got no complaints about that!
Cleaning Ability
When cleaning vinyl-lined above ground pools, I like to use a pool brush that is strong enough to scrub away dirt and algae but also gentle enough not to tear the pool lining. The Milliard extra-wide nylon pool brush does just that. The nylon bristles clean effectively, and the wide curved brush head makes it easy to clean edges, round pools, and steps.
This brush is designed to be used on vinyl and painted pool surfaces, so you don’t need to worry about the bristles damaging the pool surface while you brush.
Maneuverability
What I like about this pool brush is that it is very lightweight and thus easy to move around the pool, thanks to the nylon bristles and ABS plastic handle. In addition, the brush head is an impressive 17.5 inches wide and angled at 45 degrees, which is ideal for easy pushing, so it takes me half the amount of time it usually takes to clean all areas of the pool.
The brush head easily attaches to a standard 1 ¼-inch pool pole.
Durability
While I cannot fault the cleaning ability of this brush, the durability of the product is where it loses some points. As with most nylon brushes, unfortunately, this brush’s bristles has the tendency to fall out after some rigorous use. To avoid this, ensure you are not scrubbing too roughly or using it on rougher surfaces.
Price
The Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush is one of the cheaper brushes on the market, but it still delivers! It’s not surprising that durability is lacking at this low price point, but at just over $10, this brush is still one of the best brushes in terms of value.
Notes From Other Testers
This brush has over 2,000 reviews, and almost 90% of them all gave this product a 4 or 5 stars, with an average of 4.5 stars from all reviewers. Testers rate this product highly specifically because it is easy to use, sturdy, and is good value for money. For vinyl pool owners, this product is a godsend. Some reviewers have complained about the bristles falling out, but at the price point, most brush over this fault.
Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush
⭐ Best for Cleaning Corners
Research Score: 4.7/5
- Cleaning Ability: 5
- Maneuverability: 5
- Durability: 4
- Price: 4
What’s Great:
- Great for hard-to-reach corners
- Won’t scratch your pool liner
- Fits most pole connections
Limitations & What Needs Improvement:
- Not great for larger pools
Specs:
- Made from polypropylene cleaning bristles
- Dimensions: 12 inches wide
- Weight: 11 ounces
Research Notes
Cleaning the corners of your pool can be difficult, especially when using a standard bulky rectangular brush. I have found that the Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush is the best pool brush for cleaning those pesky corners in your pool. This heavy-duty brush does a great job keeping your pool corners clean. The 360-degree design and durable polypropylene cleaning bristles ensure you have a sparkling pool by the end of the cleaning session! However, keep in mind that this product is better suited for smaller pools.
Cleaning Ability
One of the most difficult things about cleaning pools is getting into those pesky corners, which is why I recommend using this 360-degree brush from Blue Torrent. This brush has heavy-duty polypropylene bristles, and because there are no sharp edges, you don’t need to worry about tearing your pool liner. In fact, this pool brush is rated to be able to use on vinyl liners without any tearing or damage.
The bristles are strong yet gentle enough to be used as an everyday cleaning brush, and because of the 360-degree design, I can easily clean under the lip of the pool.
Maneuverability
Thanks to the 360-degree and lightweight design, maneuvering this brush around the pool is very simple. Even cleaning the steps and corners of the pool is a breeze. Simply attach the brush head to your standard pool pole and start cleaning. If I had to fault one thing about this brush, it is quite small, so if you have a larger pool, you might want to get another brush.
Durability
This is a heavy-duty cleaning brush that should last you several pool seasons. The bristles last a long time and can withstand some harder scrubbing. With that said, a few testers have had issues with bristles falling out, though I haven’t noticed this in my own testing.
Price
This brush may be more expensive than some of the more budget-friendly options, but this price is worth it, considering its durability. Plus, the Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush has a great cleaning ability and is the perfect tool for smaller pools.
Notes From Other Testers
The Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush is a popular brush with almost 6,000 reviews online, and nearly 90% of those reviews give the brush 4 or 5 out of 5 stars because of how well it cleans and how easy it is to use. Testers also love that this brush is good value for money. However, there are a handful of complaints about the pole connection, stating that it doesn’t fit snugly enough on the pool pole, so this is something you should be aware of.
Recap: The Best Pool Brushes
- Lalapool Swimming Pool Wall & Tile Brush: Most Affordable Pool Brush
- Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush: Best Heavy-Duty Option for Plastered Pools
- The Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush: Best for Tough Stains on Walls
- U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor & Wall Pool Brush: Best for Above Ground Pools
- Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush: Best for Vinyl-Lined Pools
- Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush: Best for Cleaning Corners
How They Compare
Cleaning Ability and Price Comparison
I created a scatterplot of my top picks and scores for cleaning ability and price. This chart shows which brushes have the best value for your dollar. Overall, every brush scored really well, but the Aquatix, Wall Whale, and Milliard were standouts.
Maneuverability Comparison
- Lalapool Swimming Pool Wall & Tile Brush: 5
- U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor & Wall Pool Brush: 5
- Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush: 5
- Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush: 5
- Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush: 4
- The Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush: 4
Maneuverability is pretty much a non-negotiable characteristic of a good pool brush. All of my top picks excelled here.
Durability Comparison
- Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush: 5
- The Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush: 5
- Lalapool Swimming Pool Wall & Tile Brush: 4
- U.S. Pool Supply Flexible Floor & Wall Pool Brush: 4
- Blue Torrent 360 Degree Brush: 4
- Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush: 3
Aquatix and The Wall Whale really shined in my durability testing.
Other Notable Pool Brushes Researched
- Intex Curved Wall Brush – This brush is ultra-budget, and the performance shows it.
- Poolmaster Deluxe Heavy Duty Pool Brush – The durability of this brush didn’t match up to the Aquatix model.
- SEPETREL Pool Step & Corner Brush – In my testing, the Blue Torrent brush is a better value for corner cleaning.
- Swimline HydroTools Floor And Wall Brush – Pretty simple, but ineffective.
My Research Criteria
Here are four factors I considered when determining the best pool brushes on the market in each category. Also, make sure to read my full guide on how to clean your pool.
Cleaning Ability
Of course, cleaning ability is the biggest consideration when it comes to pool brushes, so this accounted for 40% of the total research scores.
Design is everything for pool brushes and determines how well they will clean your pool. For example, you want the design to be durable but gentle when it needs to be (depending on what type of pool you are trying to clean).
For example, the Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush has a unique tail design. The hugging action will direct the cleaning power to where it is needed, which will reduce strain on you and clean the pool more efficiently.
Besides the design, the type of bristles the brush is made of may affect the cleaning ability. Make sure they are durable and are able to clean even harder-to-clean substances, such as algae and tough stains.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability made up 30% of the scores.
No one wants a hard-to-use tool for cleaning. The right pool brush will do your job easier for you and take less time to complete. The design of the brush is actually a big determining factor here. The right design will provide the maximum force on the brush head with the least amount of effort. I also took into account how easy the brush made it to clean the edges, corners, and other hard-to-reach areas. Brushes with slightly curved designs or a 360-brush (like the Blue Torrent option) can help you clean those tough spots and prevent bacteria and algae growth.
Durability
Durability took up 20% of the total product scores.
You’re going to want a pool brush that is durable and will last you for years to come. If you get a flimsy pool brush, you will not be able to clean your pool efficiently, and it will not last very long. The quality of materials that the pool brush uses is typically the biggest determining factor here.
The head of the brush is typically going to be made from plastic or aluminum. I preferred aluminum in my research, but I still found some good plastic options for folks who are on a budget.
When it comes to bristles, the heavy-duty brushes are going to have stainless steel bristles. The cheaper options will be nylon or plastic, which can still be a decent option if you have a vinyl-lined pool or don’t have some crazy tough stains to get out.
Price
Price affected 10% of the product scores.
While pool brushes are not the most expensive purchase you’ll make for your pool, the price will still play a factor. The slight differences in prices may or may not affect your decision, so rather than simply looking at the number, I also considered the value. I took into account all of the above factors (cleaning ability, maneuverability, and durability) to make sure the pool brushes I’ve chosen above are worth the money you pay. No matter how cheap a product is, the last thing you want is to throw your money away.
What Else To Consider
Here are some additional things to consider that didn’t impact my research score but may affect your purchase.
Size
The width of the brush also matters a lot. If you have a big swimming pool, you need to cover a lot of surface area, which a wider brush will help you accomplish. But if you want to clean smaller areas, concentrating on one section at a time, a smaller brush will help you clean those tough stains that are hard to get rid of.
Compatibility
Compatibility is also super important in finding the right pool brush. You need to find one that is going to fit any extension pole that you either already have or can pick up for a few extra bucks. Most of these pool brushes don’t come with an extension pole, so make sure to grab one as well if you don’t have a pole already. That’s it for pool brushes! Any questions on them? Drop me a message. If you need other supplies, check out my guide on the best pool products.
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