I invested in an automatic pool cleaner, leaf net, and the best skimmers, and I still find myself on the end of a long pole dipping out leaves. As a pool owner, you can’t escape using a skimmer net.
Pool leaf skimmer nets consist of a mesh net or basket attached to a long pole. They remove small and large debris from the pool, which could otherwise clog your pool’s filter. A good pool leaf skimmer net is sturdy and large so that you can clean your pool efficiently.
In this guide, we will cover:
- What are the different types of pool leaf skimmer nets available, and how do you know which one is the best for your needs?
- Best pool leaf skimmer nets available on the market
- How to use a pool leaf skimmer net properly?
And more…
What Are the Different Types of Pool Leaf Skimmer Nets Available?
Swimming pools are a standard fixture in many homes, and they can provide hours of enjoyment for family and friends. However, pools also require regular maintenance to keep them clean and safe.
Leaf skimmers are essential tools for pool owners to help keep a pool running correctly. Leaves can clog your skimmer baskets, restricting water flow to your pool filter, which can result in severe damage.
So it’s best to remove leaves from your pool before they have a chance to make it in your skimmer basket. Various types of leaf skimmers are available so that you can match one with your specific needs.
The following are the four common types of pool leaf skimmer nets:
Leaf rake
Rake nets have wider and more inclined front lips. They help you scoop leaves and other debris easily into the net. Rakes with tiny mesh can even capture mosquitos, hair, and other smaller particles.
With a rake net, you have to sink the net to the bottom of the pool and then pull the net towards you. The action is similar to raking leaves. The slight current created with the action helps trap debris easily.
Leaf net scoops
Scoop nets have a deeper design than rakes. They also feature a wider opening that lets you scoop a ton of leaves in a single action. Most scoops feature a fine mesh net that traps the medium to small debris.
You can use the scoop standalone or with a long handle to cover a more expansive area. This can help you clean the pool efficiently within a short time.
Leaf net shovels
You get an angled edge with a leaf shovel that helps the net glide and maneuver easily along the pool’s bottom. The angular edge also provides an extra scooping power to collect a larger number of leaves so you can clean them out in a shorter time.
Vacuum Leaf Skimmer
This is connected to a garden hose that delivers jets of water under the skimmer. This creates a vacuuming action that sucks up leaves fallen in the pool. The vacuum skimmer comes with tiny brushes that rake up leaves where they get trapped in the attached net.
In place of brushes, some skimmers come with wheels that help you easily maneuver the skimmer around the pool to trap all kinds of pool debris.
Which Pool Leaf Skimmer is Right for You?
You can use either a pool leaf skimmer rake, shovel, or scoop. All three types do the job well but may need different actions when trapping leaves.
For example, the scoop and shovel may need a scooping action that creates a ripple in the water to bring leaves to drop into the attached net basket.
The rake might be a better choice if there are a lot of leaves on your pool’s surface. Their wider surface also helps capture leaves against the tiles better. With the rake, you need to use a ‘dragging’ or pulling action to create currents that bring the leaves into the bag.
If all this seems a hassle or you are physically incapable of using manual leaf skimmer nets, then it may be best to go for a vacuum leaf skimmer that will do the raking, scooping, and shoveling for you.
Top 5 Best Pool Leaf Skimmer Nets on the Market Today
Best Overall – ProTuff Pool Net Skimmer with Fine Mesh
The ProTuff pool net skimmer has several features that make it one of the best-sellers on the market.
First of all, the manufacturer promises a 100% lifetime guarantee – no questions asked. So, if your net fails, tears, or breaks, simply write them, and they will send you a replacement at no cost.
If you’ve owned a pool for very long, you know most nets don’t last; the netting typically rips away for the frame after one or two swimming seasons. I used to replace my net every year.
Secondly, with ProTuff, you can get done with your pool cleaning three times faster than any other pool leaf skimmer net. So, more time in the pool and less time cleaning it! No wonder ProTuff is the tool of choice for professional pool cleaners who naturally wish to get their cleaning jobs done faster for their clients.
Third, the ProTuff features a polypropylene catcher netting with a mesh of 690 microns that efficiently traps small to medium debris like leaves, twigs, and bugs.
Because of its fine mesh netting, you don’t need to have a flat skimmer net to remove small debris from the water’s surface. In addition, its sturdy material resists abrasion and wear and tear and lasts longer.
Finally, the skimmer net has a tapered design that eases maneuverability and helps you get the pool cleaning done quickly.
Features
- Available in 4 sizes – for pools of 24, 27, and 30 ft
- Strong aluminum alloy frame
- Sturdy polycarbonate mesh net
Pros
- Deep net with a wide mouth and tapered design that easily hugs the sides of the pool without drag
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Easy to set up and use; reasonably easy to maneuver
Cons
- Some users found it too stiff when emptying it. Many could not just turn and dump the trapped debris and had to use both their hands.
Best Skimmer Net – Sunnyglade Swimming Pool Cleaner Professional Heavy Duty Pool Leaf Rake
Here are the primary reasons I like the Sunnyglade Pool Leaf Rake:
Sunnyglade pool leaf rake has a lightweight yet heavy-duty plastic frame that is easy to maneuver. You can pull, push, drag, and lift the rake to get more amount of cleaning done in a short time.
With its strong nylon mesh and sturdy ABS plastic frame, you get a long-lasting and durable pool leaf rake that lasts for years to come. Its wide design also helps trap a large amount of debris with minimum effort.
However, note this is a leaf rake and doesn’t have a deep basket. It’s perfect for removing small debris from the surface of the water. This skimmer net can be used standalone or with any household cleaning pole to increase its length and cover a wider area.
It also has a spring-loaded hole, making it easy to put on and take off your pole.
Features
- 17.5 x 11.8 x 1.2 inches
- ABS plastic with nylon mesh
- Heavy-duty yet lightweight
- Compatible with most poles for household cleaning
Pros
- Wide range of applications, versatile – traps leaves, insects, and all kinds of floating debris
- Easy to install and use; easy maneuverability
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Economically priced
Cons
- It does not come with a pole attached
- Small in size
Best Net for Small Pool – POOLWHALE Heavy Duty Swimming Pool Leaf Net Skimmer Rake
POOLWHALE heavy-duty pool leaf net skimmer is made with a reinforced plastic frame, a sturdy four ft. aluminum pole, and a durable polypropylene mesh.
Its fine-grade strong mesh material efficiently traps insects, leaves, and medium-to-fine debris. Poolwhale leaf skimmer net also has sturdy rubber grips and a lightweight body that lets you easily maneuver the net over the pool’s surface. You can get more amount of cleaning done without fatigue.
Features
- Telescoping pole – 56.5cm(22.6 inch) to 122cm(48 inch) to clean near and far
- Overall size – 12.5 x 11.8 x 1.2 inches; pool net with 60.5 inches in total. Also available in 3 different sizes
- Curved edges prevent damage to tiles.
- Plastic frame, polypropylene mesh, and aluminum pole
- Can handle up to 50 lb. debris
Pros
- Smooth glossy exterior with a flat lip to trap more debris.
- Fine mesh even traps small bugs and leaves
- Lightweight
- Sturdy; durable, and long-lasting
- It comes with a leather tab that helps while dumping trapped contents.
Cons
- Pricier than other nets
Best Easy-to-empty Design – Sepetrel Swimming Pool Leaf Rake
Where other pool leaf skimmer nets are difficult to empty, the Sepetrel leaf rake, with its reinforced lip design and wider inclined front, overcomes the issue.
Furthermore, the net also has sewed corners, so you can easily trap and dump leaves and debris without getting stuck in the corners.
Other superior features like reinforced frame, EZ-clip design, and high-density mesh make this one of the best non-commercial grade leaf rakes for home pool cleaning.
Features
- 15.5-inch deep bag with a frame of 17 x 11 inches
- Wide inclined font lip
- Sewed corner
- Compatible with standard pool poles of 1-¼” diameter
Pros
- Lightweight and maneuverable
- Sturdy and durable
- Easy to empty out
Cons
- The two outer edges are thicker than the front edge. This makes it challenging to grab debris around the pool’s edges.
- Difficult to remove heavy leaves from the pool’s bottom.
Best Vacuum Pool Leaf Skimmer Net – Poolmaster 28300 Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum
The Poolmaster 28300 can be attached to any ordinary garden hose. This passes eight jets of water underneath the vacuum to create a powerful suction. This vacuuming action traps leaves and other debris in the attached mesh bags.
I wish I had this after we got hit by a hurricane. We lost power for almost a month and evacuated our home. When we returned, the pool was green, and leaves covered the bottom. I used a standard net and pole to remove the leaves. The Big Sucker would have saved me a lot of time and energy.
Features
- Large profile vacuum with a 15-inch diameter
- Four multi-directional wheels for easy maneuverability
- Reusable mesh bags that can be attached around the neck of the vacuum
- Made with durable ABS plastic
- Compatible with the standard garden hose and any standard pool pole
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Easy to set up and use
- Lightweight
Cons
- It does not come with a pole
- It needs to be constantly pushed down into the pol while cleaning as, being lightweight, it tends to keep popping up.
What Factors Should You Consider When Purchasing a Pool Leaf Skimmer Net?
Buying a pool leaf skimmer net may seem like an easy task, but you need to consider the following factors before doing so:
Type
As seen above, there are different types of skimmer nets – rakes, shovels, scoops, automatic, or vacuum-based. Select one based on the pool’s size, how much foliage or debris falls in it, your pool’s flow, how often you need to clean it, etc.
For basic debris removal, either a rake, a scoop, or a shovel can do the job. You might also need a vacuum skimmer to clean the bottom of the pool. It will help if you install an automatic skimmer that circulates the water and prevents debris from reaching your pool’s filtration unit.
Price
Your budget will also play a role in the kind of skimmer net you choose. If you want a long-lasting net, go in for the higher-end products made with superior ABS plastic, reinforced mesh, and sturdy aluminum poles.
Note that many skimmer nets do not come with a pole or handle, and you need to buy one separately.
Durability
Always read reviews of the skimmer nets to ensure they won’t break within a few uses. You certainly want a skimmer net that you can use for several years.
Ease of use
Many skimmer nets are relatively heavy and difficult to empty. Some are difficult to maneuver along the edges of the pools. Some do not make it easy to clean leaves that may have sunk to the bottom. Look for a net with a wider lip design, easy maneuverability, and overall design features that can help avoid these drawbacks.
How to Use a Pool Leaf Skimmer Net Correctly?
- First, use a brush attachment with the telescoping pole to clean the algae off the pool’s walls.
- Next, attach the skimmer net basket to the telescoping pole. Make sure the basket is clean and free from previously trapped debris.
- Skim the pool’s surface with the skimmer net to trap leaves and twigs. You may have to use ‘pulling or dragging action’ to do this job. Ideally, it would be best to do this daily to keep the pool clean and prevent the twigs and leaves from sinking to the bottom.
- If you have foliage debris collecting at the bottom of the pool, you may need to get into the pool to clean it out with the skimmer.
- If required, use an automatic vacuum skimmer after basic surface cleaning. It would help if you worked this by attaching a garden hose to the skimmer’s inlet to create an intense suction action that pushes the heavier sunk leaves into its attached basket.
Wrapping Up – What Are the Best Pool Leaf Skimmer Nets?
Good pool leaf skimmer nets are an essential tool for pool maintenance. They help remove debris from the pool’s surface. If you have a lot of foliage around the pool, you may want to invest in a pool leaf net in addition to having a robotic pool cleaner.
We recommend the ProTuff Pool Net Skimmer with Fine Mesh as it is affordable, durable, and easy to use. It is made with superior materials, and its lightweight yet heavy-duty design can ease the pool-cleaning job considerably.
You can go in for the Poolmaster 28300 Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum to remove leaves from the pool’s bottom.
Do check out our other recommendations as well.
Here is a great YouTube video showing you how to correctly use a pool skimmer net.
FAQs – Best Pool Leaf Skimmer Nets
How do you clean a skimmer net?
Remove the skimmer’s basket by pressing the push button on the handle. Tap the basket out to release most debris. You may need to use a stream of water to remove smaller debris stuck in the mesh.
Is there a pool skimmer for pollen?
To get pollen out of the pool, you must use a skimmer with a fine mesh. You may also want to skim the pool frequently, several times a day, when pollen is very high. Also, run the pool’s pump or filter to keep the water circulating.
Do you have to use a pool skimmer net?
Yes, a pool skimmer net is a must-have to remove floating debris from the pool’s surface. Using a net regularly reduces the number of leaves that flow into your skimmer basket and protects your filter from clogging and overworking.
