Portable pool cleaners are cleaning devices used for small indoor pools, spas, jacuzzi, hot tubs, above-ground pools, and small clean-ups for outdoor in-ground pools. They are relatively smaller than most pool cleaners used in the extensive cleaning of in-ground pools. Portable pool cleaners can include vacuums, filters, automatic, and surface cleaners. 

Surface portable pool cleaners

Portable pool cleaners that clean surfaces work like scrubs or mops. They brush the tiles and metal surfaces of tubs and above-ground pools, making them shine like new.  Most of these surface cleaners are battery operated and are powerful enough to do surface jobs.  Using portable surface pool cleaners may require using pool cleaning detergents such as bleach or chlorine to make the cleaning more effective.  Filters should be installed inside the pool or tub so that the dirt and grime that are gathered after brushing are filtered. Brushing with a surface portable pool cleaner without a filter allows the grime to settle once again on the surface after some time, making the cleaning useless.  

One of the popular brands of surface portable pool cleaners is the Pool Buster.  It is battery operated, rechargeable, and can work continuously for 45 to 60 minutes.  The Pool Buster costs $205.  Other popular brands include Baracuda and AquaVac.  

Portable vacuum filters

Portable vacuum cleaning filters are essential portable pool cleaners.  They are primarily filters but they work as a vacuum to sort out the water from the grime. They filter unwanted elements like grime, soil, filth, bugs, and dirt.  It is also important to use cleaning enhancers like bleach and pool chlorine along with portable vacuum filters to maximize the filtering.  Vacuum filters are water-proof electrical units that use a dedicated circuit to operate, and they require professional installation. 

A popular brand of portable vacuum filters is Recreonics.  It is a stainless steel cartridge filter with heavy-duty rubber wheels, a waterproof switch, and GFI protector.  It comes in different models depending on its power and capacity. A Recreonics portable vacuum filter costs $1,500 to $2,500.

Automatic portable pool cleaners

Automatic portable pool cleaners are electronic devices that use a self-detection system to clean the pool automatically.  They are left submerged in the pool, and they clean in only one direction.  Once they finish a specific direction, they surface and submerge again to move to another direction and resume their cleaning until every surface is clean.  They can be used for indoor pools, tubs, spas, jacuzzis, and Olympics-sized in-ground pools in universities. 

A popular brand of automatic portable pool cleaner is the Ultramax with Air Sensor that is designed for zero depth pools. It comes with a remote control.  All you have to do is drop it into the pool and press a button to activate it.  It also has self-contained filtering system that works like a vacuum.