Hayward TigerShark RC9955CUB Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaner Review

The Hayward brand is well known for its line of pool pumps and pool cleaners. The TigerShark robotic pool cleaner by Hayward is designed to clean your pool with minimal effort on your part. However, automatic pool cleaners are prone to as many problems as your robo-vacuum and are sometimes far worse. Let’s learn more about this robotic pool cleaner. We’ll share the pros and cons of this model along with a few observations that may make or break the buy decision for some readers.

First the Posistives of the TigerShark RC9955CUB

There are no additional hoses, hookups or pumps needed to power it. It only needs a power plug. It doesn’t rely on the pool’s filtration system, so you won’t have to choose between cleaning the swimming pool and cleaning the backwash filters more often.
This model is very energy efficient. It uses less power than most of its rivals. That lowers operating costs.
The cartridge filter is easy to use. Just open it up, take it out, and hose it off. And unlike some units, the dirt won’t come out as you’re getting the pool cleaner out of the pool so you can empty the filter.
It comes with a remote control for directing it toward problem areas, but it can run automatically, too. You’ll want to take control with the remote control if you have an unusually shaped pool, since the navigation program is designed for conventionally shaped oval or square swimming pools. It will require manual navigation to properly clean a kidney shaped pool.

What are its Limitations of the TigerShark RC9955CUB

It pretty much ignores stairs. You may try to put the pool cleaner on the steps, but it may not be able to fit. It also won’t climb the sidewalls of the pool. This is not the right pool cleaner if you have a steep drop off for the deep end of the pool. It will safely drift to the bottom and keep working, but it won’t be able to get out. If there is a steep incline, it will tend to stay in the deep end of the swimming pool.
One downside of the model is how fast the wheel and roller bearings wear out. If you’re constantly using this in the swimming pool, these parts will have to be replaced once or twice a year. While replacing the filters or cleaning them takes five minutes, replacing these parts takes thirty minutes or more. And it isn’t easy to get these replacement items.
If the power supply or another expensive, critical part dies, you’re asked to haul a forty pound item to one of the few authorized repair centers. You may have to wait weeks to get it back at which point you’re cleaning the pool manually.

Should You Buy the Hayaward TigerShark

The Tiger Shark can pick up sand and silt that other sweepers miss in addition to leaves, though it may take one or two passes to pick up the leaves. It may not pick up branches at all.

This model has a tendency to get stuck on drain covers. You can prevent this by putting a protective cover over the drain like those that prevent children getting sucked down toward the drain. If your pool has many curves or an uneven surface, the pool cleaner will tend to lift up on one side before settling back down, preventing it from cleaning around those lifted areas. This includes the base of the stairs.

The manufacturer sells a caddy for lugging the pool cleaner around, but that is sold separately.

Replacement cartridges are readily available. The company allows you to save money on them when you buy two at a time.

While this unit picks up nearly all the small debris, it may take six hours to clean a large pool. You can save time by directing it to get trouble spots, but you can’t make it speed up the entire process. Smaller pools can be cleaned in three hours or less.

Summary

This pool cleaner will dramatically reduce the amount of debris in your swimming pool, though it doesn’t eliminate all the work. The pool cleaner comes with a remote control and a ready supply of replacement parts. It won’t work in all types of pools, so make sure it is a fit with your application before you buy it.