Is the Hayward SharkVac Robotic Pool Cleaner Worthy of Consideration?

If you have been shopping for your first-ever robotic pool cleaner or looking to replace your old, worn-out machine, you may want to look at the Hayward SharkVac series of robotic pool cleaners. You may have heard of Maytronics, Dolphin, Aquabot, and other more well-known brands, but SharkVac could give them a run for its money. 

Let’s take a look if one of the standard robot cleaners, the SharkVac W3RC9740CUB pool vacuum cleaner, could hold its own on its cleaning capabilities, technology, and other features despite being a budget-friendly model. (For a comprehensive list of the best automatic pool cleaners and pool vacuum cleaners in the market, Cleanup Expert’s breakdown is fabulous. I recommend you check it out and read it for yourself.)

By The Numbers

Before going in-depth with the features of the Hayward SharkVac, check out the numbers and stats associated with the W3RC9740CUB model:

• 2. The number of hours the SharkVac needs to clean your pool.
• 44.6. The weight of the unit in pounds, which is pretty heavy and one of its glaring cons.
• 24.6 x 17.7 x 29.9. The dimensions of the SharkVac W3RC9740CUB, measured in inches. Again, this is a big unit and is probably not for someone who has a bad back or is advanced in age. Otherwise, just lifting it in and out of the pool is a two-man job. Buying a caddy is an option, but it costs over $200 more. 
• 80. The Hayward company’s years of experience and, therefore, demonstrating trustworthiness and quality.
• 7. There are 7 options/models in the Hayward SharkVac series. The W3RC9740CUB is just one of them.

5 Best Features of the Hayward SharkVac W3RC9740CUB

1. No complications

Less is sometimes more, and that’s certainly the case with the Hayward SharkVac W3RC9740CUB. This robotic pool cleaner doesn’t require any extra hoses and hookups in any of your pool’s filtration systems. 

Another thing about the unit is it’s assembly-free. That means you can use it straight out of the box without having to read manuals for half an hour and another 30 minutes for assemblage. You simply need to pull it out of the shipping box, make sure that you put the power supply near a GFCI outlet no less than 12 feet within the pool’s edge. After that, you can set the unit into the pool and let it go to work.

On top of that, the Hayward SharkVac series models have these easy-access filter cartridges. What this means is that you can clean debris and filter cartridges without having to turn the robotic pool cleaner upside down. You simply open the big top cover, remove the filter cartridge, and wash it down with the garden hose nozzle.

If you think about it, it’s a virtually maintenance-free machine that could save you money for upkeep in the long run.

2. Design and Quality

Hayward has been around for eight decades already. No one lasts in any industry for that long making low-quality products. The design of their units, including the SharkVac W3RC9740CUB, is modern and is made of robust materials. Now, as mentioned, this particular SharkVac model is on the heavy side at over 44 pounds, but it has the top-notch quality that’s synonymous with Hayward.

3. Smart Steering Technology

The Hayward Sharkvac W3RC9740CUB can finish cleaning the pool floors and surfaces in around two hours. The secret to that is the smart steering technology that allows the SharkVac to map an efficient cleaning pattern. As soon as you dip it into the pool, the SharkVac “remembers” the details including the pool size and its contours. It then programs itself to know the most efficient cleaning route in its future cleaning sessions.

4. Cleaning Capabilities

Hayward says the robotic pool cleaner can get rid of particles as small as 5 microns. Robotic pool cleaners from other brands may have finer filters that can do away with 2-micron particles, but that’s already pretty solid. 

For most of its cleaning capabilities, we have to take the word of the people who have purchased and used the unit themselves. Here are examples:

• One user from the United States is impressed by the amount of debris it collects. It may even be better than his old Dolphin unit in that regard.
• This unit cleans pool surfaces in just around 20 minutes. In that time, it will render the water sparkling clean, and it even picks up tiny particles of sand lying on the floor. 
• When it comes to dirt and algae, the SharkVac W3RC9740CUB is unforgiving. One pool owner had a filthy 18×30 pool since it went weeks without a sand filter while the heat and rain showered over it. After using the SharkVac for a total of 8 hours over two days, they are already swimming by the third day!
• Hayward claims that only the SharkVac XL could climb walls, but I guess that’s not the case after all. One user noticed that the W3RC9740CUB can do the same in addition to cleaning algae, sand particles, and other debris.

5. Pricing and Energy Efficiency

The SharkVac W3RC9740CUB is the lowest-priced among all the units in the SharkVac series. It has its own drawbacks, but definitely, energy efficiency is not one of them. It consumes 94% less energy than most robotic pool cleaners, comparable to that of a light bulb.

Are there common features shared by SharkVac cleaners?

There are seven models in the SharkVac series, and the W3RC9740CUB is the cheapest. (There are two standard models, two standard with caddies, two XL models, and one XL model with a caddy.) They are robotic pool cleaners designed to clean inground swimming pools and for a maximum of 20 feet x 40 feet. According to the company, they can clean pool floors and algae, but the SharkVac XL is the only one capable of climbing walls. However, unit owners also noticed that the standard models can also climb walls, although not as good as the XL.

All models in the SharkVac series have filter cartridges that can be accessed by opening the top section of the unit. They also feature wheel brushes as they clean the pool. The power supply of all models is basically an on/off switch, while the cleaning cycles last two hours (three for the XL models).

For installation and minor troubleshooting of Hayward products, please watch this training video first before proceeding.

Conclusion

The Hayward SharkVac W3RC9740CUB model is a moderately-priced robotic pool cleaner. Among all Hayward robot cleaners, it is its cheapest, but nonetheless, an excellent option if you have a tight budget.

While this model weighs 44 pounds, it does a fantastic job cleaning the pool surfaces, getting rid of algae, and picking up minuscule particles on pool floors. It also has a smart steering technology to map the most efficient cleaning routes, making the robot “wiser” on every cleaning session.