Zodiac Baracuda G3 Suction-Side Pool Cleaner

Our take

The Zodiac Baracuda G3 Suction-Side Pool Cleaner is a suction-side cleaner driven by your pool pump from Zodiac. It cleans the floor and walls, navigates at random, turning when it bumps into a wall, and has no app.

On paper it scores 5.3 out of 10 (basic) against other suction-side cleaners. Its strongest areas are cleaning coverage (7.0) and filtration (7.0). Where it gives ground: warranty (2.0) and navigation (4.0). Random navigation: it can miss spots and take longer to cover the pool.

The best price we found is $324 at Leslie's. The typical suction-side cleaner we track costs $459, so this one is cheaper than most. For what it does, its value score is 7.0 out of 10.

If you want waterline scrubbing, the cheapest we track with it is the Zodiac MX6 Suction-Side Pool Cleaner at $349.

To spend less for nearly the same spec score, the Zodiac Baracuda Ranger Above-Ground Suction Pool Cleaner rates 5.5 for $269.99.

Bottom line: a basic pick for buyers who want the most features per dollar and low running cost and nothing to charge.