If you clean pools for a living, the vacuum system you choose can either speed up your route or slow you down at every backyard gate. We break down cart-based workhorses like Riptide and Hammerhead and match them against cartless contenders including the Bottom Feeder, Shrimp, Power Vac’s relaunch, Riptide XP, and the Hammerhead Remora. You’ll hear clear pros and cons on power, maneuverability, durability, price, and real access issues—stairs, narrow side yards, and HOA choke points that make or break your day.

We start with first principles: how a cart changes your workflow, the real benefits of carrying chemicals and accessories in one trip, and the headaches of transport racks, tailgate access, and rear visibility. Then we get practical about mounting: class III receivers, T-bar configurations, swing-away solutions, and anti-wobble plates that keep your setup solid. From there, we shift to non-cart freedom—why a 12-pound Bottom Feeder with no cords can outpace heavier systems on most routes, and when the compact Shrimp becomes a durable replacement for disposable plastic spot vacs.

Power and handling decide the winners. Riptide often tops raw pull for storm debris, Hammerhead glides better on vinyl and feels lighter in the water, Power Vac stays nimble on steps and spas, and the Bottom Feeder proves that enough power plus zero friction can beat brute force on normal weeks. We also cover bag strategy: use lower micron bags for dust and silt, swap to higher micron bags to move leaves fast without clogging. Our best advice for pros: consider a two-system strategy—run a cart setup for heavy lifts and keep a compact vacuum for tight access and quick hits.

Want more route speed, fewer trips to the truck, and cleaner pools in less time? Press play, then tell us your toughest backyard or debris scenario. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a fellow pool pro, and leave a review to help others find it.

We compare vacuum systems with and without carts to help you choose the right setup for your route, debris loads, and backyard

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