There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to swim in a clear blue pool, but going outside to it unswimmable. For instance, leaves and nearby debris can easily find their way into the water.
In addition, a pool with an unbalanced pH can quickly develop algae blooms that settle onto the bottom and sides. Pollen is another thing to worry about in the right season.
Do you want to avoid having to hire an expensive professional pool boy? If so, a pool cleaner may be the solution you are looking for.
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Our rating:
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In this shoot-out, we will be comparing the Polaris 380 vs Polaris 3900 pressure-side pool cleaners. Both of these automatic pool cleaners sweep, scrub, and vacuum your pool. However, they have several key differences.
Hopefully, with the best pool cleaner, you will be relaxing and enjoying the benefits of pool ownership in no time. So let’s find out which is the perfect one for you…
Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
Over the last 40 years, Polaris has established itself as a leading manufacturer of automatic pool cleaners. The Polaris 3900 Sport pressure-side pool cleaner is a testament to this.
Automatic pool cleaner…
This is the most technologically advanced pressure-side pool cleaner on the market today. In other words, Polaris has taken their classic cleaners and upgraded all of the most beloved features. It can be used in all in-ground pools.
Legendary power…
The 3900 is more expensive than the 380. However, pool owners who want the latest features will pay more to get them. This includes a completely re-engineered, sporty body design. It uses a triple jet system to produce the maximum amount of pool vacuum power possible. In addition, increased drive torque makes cleaning quicker than the 380.
This Polaris pool cleaner has a new Wide Trax all-wheel PosiDrive system. The durable stainless steel drive chain provides 50% more torque than the 380. As a result, the more expensive price tag is offset because the total energy use is reduced. Wide Trax wheels will grip onto even the most slippery surfaces.
Maximum capacity…
In the same vein, the energy you as a pool owner will expend is also reduced with this model. Pool cleaning has never required less effort before.
This is because the Polaris 3900 Sport has a 5-liter, dual-chamber zippered Superbag. As a result, it can pick up and store both more and larger debris than the 380. This means that you will only have to empty this best in-ground pool cleaner half as often as older models.
Extra clean and clear…
This model of pressure-side pool cleaner does require a booster pump. However, the 3900 supplements your pool’s existing filtration system. Its filter bag can circulate an additional 40 gallons of water per minute. Therefore, your pool will be cleaner and clearer than it has ever been before.
Do you often find that debris gets built up in the corners of your pool?
Other cleaners have trouble with spraying water out of the pool when trying to get into hard to reach places. But, that problem is solved with this pool cleaner. The 3900 features a unique TailSweep Pro hose. The tail moves in a sweeping motion to clean every nook and cranny. Above all, the corners of your pool will be clean while your windows and walkways stay dry.
Convenient features…
This pressure-side pool cleaner can handle even the largest of pools. It is supplied with 31 feet of feed hose that is a discrete black color. In addition, the 1.5-inch connection will fit into all standard pressure cleaner lines.
Best of all, the 3900 has been designed with auto-reverse technology. This enables the automatic pool vacuum cleaner to free itself if it gets stuck. This means you won’t be disappointed to find that your pool is only half clean. In addition, you will not need to bother with having to get the cleaner running again.
In conclusion, this pressure-side pool cleaner is definitely an investment and is designed to be the best. It is more expensive than the 380, but it has attention to detail that the more basic model lacks.
The Polaris 3900 Sport is a pool cleaner that will make your pool water crystal clear. You are sure to get the most out of your in-ground pool if you purchase this device. Most importantly, you will even save money in the long run when you take the energy-saving costs into consideration.
Pros
- Filters very fine particles.
- Made of quality materials.
- Strong and fast vacuum.
- Sweeping tail.
- Large debris bag.
Cons
- More expensive model.
- Only comes in one color.
Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 pressure-side pool cleaner is a predecessor to the 3900 Sport. While it is not as sleekly designed, it still has lots of valuable cleaning power. So let’s make a Polaris pool cleaner comparison.
Strong and affordable…
This best automatic pool cleaner is a very durable classic for in-ground pools. It is powered by the same three jet system as the 3900. As a result, it has similar cleaning capabilities to it’s more expensive counterpart.
Although this pool cleaner has comparable jets, the belted drive is made of plastic. Belted drive chains reduce the number of internal moving parts by powering all wheels simultaneously. Ideally, this would mean that your pool cleaner has less likelihood of breaking down.
The 380 is known to be a strong machine. However, it is not as strong as the stainless steel drive chain in the 3900.
Total pool cleanliness…
In addition, this pool cleaner has less torque than the redesigned version. It can still clean an average-sized pool in about three hours, just not as quickly as the 3900. This is an important factor to take into consideration.
The slower cleaning time means that this pool cleaner will use more energy. As a result, it may become more expensive to run over time.
The Polaris 380 is designed to scrub, sweep, and vacuum both the bottom and sides of your pool. Classic tires allow it to travel all the way up to the edge of the water. However, there may be some occasional slippage.
Capture all debris…
This Polaris pool cleaner comes with a 2.5-liter zippered single chamber filter bag. You can also choose a velcro version if you prefer. In addition, the 380 comes standard with a multi-purpose bag for year-round use.
Above all, the bags can be changed out for different styles. If you have problems with fine sand or silt, you can buy a replacement bag with a finer mesh. Special leaf bags are made for larger debris.
This is an advantage to the Polaris 3900, which only has one bag type. On the other hand, the single chamber bags can only hold half as much as the double chamber bags on the 3900.
The best part?
By removing debris before it reaches your pool filter, you will prolong the life of your pool filtration system. The 380 needs a separate booster pump to run optimally, but can be used without one as well.
Customizable to your needs…
This pool cleaner does not come with a TailSweep Pro. However, it is compatible with one. If you have a pool with tough corners, you can simply purchase a sweeper tail and attach it aftermarket.
Likewise, this automatic pool cleaner is also equipped to clean large pools. It comes with 31 feet of feed hose, which is the same at the 3900. And it also has the same sized vacuum inlet. In addition, this pool vacuum is also equipped with auto-backup to prevent tangling and stoppage. It may be the best Polaris pool cleaner if you are looking for both value and features.
Above all, the 380 is available in a BlackMax model. If you have a dark bottom pool, you can buy the darker color model. From a distance, you will be the only person who knows that your pool cleaner is hard at work.
If you want even more information on this excellent pool cleaner, then please check out our in-depth Polaris 360 review. Or if you would like to see how it compares with other Polaris models, check out our Polaris 280 vs 380 shoot-out or our Polaris 360 vs 380 review.
Pros
- More affordable model.
- Different types of filter bags available.
- Two color options.
- Powerful vacuum.
- Can be run without a booster pump.
Cons
- Sweeping tail must be purchased separately.
- Drive chain is not stainless steel.
- Slower than the 3900.
Conclusion
Although it’s a close call, the…
…is the pool cleaner we are taking home. It is an upgraded version of the Polaris 380 with higher quality construction.
Similarly, while it is more expensive, the price difference is not extreme. Both models should be used with a booster pump, which must be purchased separately. However, the 3900 comes with the TailSweep Pro hose.
In addition, the 3900 has Wide Trax wheels that will grip onto any pool surface. The bags are also double the size of the 380, for maximum debris collection.