In The Swim Ratings and Reviews

Product Reviews

Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner

"High performance Hayward Phantom pressure side swimming pool cleaner will vacuum the pool floor, walls and steps and then rise to the pool surface to skim any floating debris. Automatic pool cleaners."
Average Customer Rating:
3.643 out of 5
3.6
 out of 
5
(14 Reviews) 14
10 of 14(71%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Review 1 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
1 out of 5
1 out of 5
Hayward Phantom,
Date:May 10, 2010
By C6Corvettegirl
from Brighton, MI
from Brighton, MI
Pros: Surface cleaning
Cons: Doesn't last
"When I first became aware of this product, I was so excited because it cleaned the surface of the water. I thought finally a total cleaner. I immediately ordered one. It worked for about a month and the hose system didn't last. I was able to clamp the hose together myself with lots of waterproof tape until a replacement unit arrived. I worked with Hayward and told them when I saw the hose system that it wouldn't last. I'm not an engineer or an expert with this product however, you could plainly see that it would last and it didn't. Through the past several years I have had 7 Phantoms, replacing some that had defects, always keeping one as a backup unit. I have taken them in for repair, which was costly, to a recommended company by Hayward that didn't even have a system set up to test it after they repaired it. The repairs lasted about 2 weeks. I had purchased one unit a year ahead of time, which was foolish because it voided my warranty. I must say the concept of this unit is wonderful, the cost is very high, and the durability is terrible. All of mine were perfectly installed and monitored as far as the pressure was concerned. Everything was done perfectly. I contacted Hayward at the beginning of this season and for a company that supposedly manufactures wonderful products they did not help. They emailed me and just told me their product had a one year warranty and that was it. I can't understand why a company like Hayward will not address this problem and create a more durable unit. Look on Amazon.com for more customer reviews, they are not good. They all loved the unit when it worked. I hate to contribute to a "throwaway" society. For the most part Hayward gave me the runaround. I have spent so much money in purchasing these units as I see others have. I have recently sent Hayward two emails with no response whatsoever. I'm not asking for a refund, I just want a good unit that I can depend on. I love this unit when it is working. If anyone else can suggest what to do to try and get Hayward to address the problem, please let me know. If they address it and fix the problems, they will make a fortune with this unit. It's a dream come true as well as a nightmare in the making. Please Hayward, listen to your customers."
Review 2 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Best Option,
Date:June 30, 2009
By Debra
Pros: Cleans great when it works
Cons: Last only about a season
"This is our third season with the Phantom Turbo. It was great the first year, second year it needed maintenance. The third year we replaced parts but today I'm off to buy a new one. It is the best we have used, but it has a tendency to go in circles or get tangled after one season. Still I am going to buy another ..."
Review 3 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
1 out of 5
1 out of 5
Works 1 yr only,
Date:April 13, 2009
By swim1211
from Chicago Il
from Chicago Il
Pros: easy to assemble - good cleaner
Cons: will not last
"System is great for one year but will not last more than one season. I have bought two and had to repair both. Just got out the cleaner for this year and same thing again- 2 parts broken - and I was careful to dry and store inside. Time to switch"
Review 4 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
1 out of 5
1 out of 5
Not a good purchase,
Date:September 15, 2008
By Anonymous
from Martin, TN
from Martin, TN
Pros: Works great when it works!
Cons: Breaks every two months
"I bought the Phantom last year and it worked for about two months and then started going around in a circle. I reported to manufacturer and they sent me the turbo (entire internal part) to replace. I did and it worked for two months. Then they sent me a new Phantom, it worked for, again, two months. The same thing happened each time. It starts circling. I contacted the manufacture and they have been no help. The warranty has expired! I took it apart and found in each turbo that the rubber washers become stretched and stops the parts from moving that change direction and thats what makes in rotate in a circle...BAD ENGINEERING!!!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 5 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Very Effective Cleaner,
Date:July 23, 2008
By Indian
from Huntsville, AL
from Huntsville, AL
Pros: Excellent cleaner, Easy setup, Easy to retrieve and place into pool
Cons: Not perfect but excellent, Recommended cleaning time is too short, Instructions slightly inadequate
"I have used only Polaris cleaners before because they were supposed to be excellent. To keep them in good working condition was far too costly and time consuming. The Phantom seems to be a better alternative. The tail is not as effective since it does not provide any type of scrubbing and only agitates any sediment formation over which it passes. I love the dual cleansing ability that performs a skimming action as well as the walls and floor of the pool. There does appear to be some tangling problems but occasional observation and ease of untanglement does seem to help. The step cleaning ability is another excellent feature.
I will write another review after the first season to give a more accurate report.
"
Review 6 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Great the first Year,
Date:June 27, 2008
By SaltwaterScott
Pros: Kept Pool Clean all winter
Cons: Parts are expensive and once it breaks is hard to fix
"I loved this product the first year. But year two the thing just went around in circles in one place until it got stuck in the corner of the steps.
I replaced about all the parts I could order but still have been unable to fix it.
"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 7 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Great Cleaner,
Date:June 1, 2008
By FireDiven
from Lenoir, NC
from Lenoir, NC
Pros: Easy to Install, Easy to Use Very Simple
Cons: None found
"This is our first automatic cleaner and our experience couldn't be any better. It is so easy to use and simple to install. We love to just sit and watch it in action. We actually named ours "Danny" Phantom after the popular children's cartoon. Danny leaves the pool sparkling and is a great addition to our family."
Review 8 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Best Ever!,
Date:September 28, 2007
By cdpratt
Pros: Quick cleaning
Cons: Kind of expensive
"This cleaner is 10 times better than the Polaris 280 that I had for several years. I too spent way too much money on the Polaris during that time on maintenance and repairs. I think I replaced just about every moving part on that piece of junk! The Hayward cleans faster and looks better doing it. I love the skim cleaning feature of the Hayward as well. It took the cleaner about 2 hours to get the pool spotless and it hasn't been spotless in over a year! Great product!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 9 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Amazing!,
Date:September 4, 2007
By katygirl
Pros: Cleans the whole pool, very thorough.
Cons: n/a
"We were so amazed at how thorough of a job the Phantom does and how fast it does it. They say total pool in 3 hrs, but it doesn't take that long. I've never seen another cleaner like this before. I highly recommend it. It's well worth the price. The old saying 'you get what you pay for'. With this, you're getting the best!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 10 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Hayward Phantom,
Date:August 22, 2007
By Debi
"Purchased Phantom from In the Swim. They were wonderful getting me this product. This product works great."
Review 11 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
The Very Best I've Ever Owned,
Date:August 10, 2007
By RickTN2007
Pros: It cleans your ENTIRE POOL !!! Top, bottom and sides.
"It cleans your entire pool FAST! No more waiting for an automatic pool cleaner that misses areas of your pool. This cleaner gets them ALL ! It skims the surface, then cleans the bottom and sides.
Debris is collected in its easy to access mesh bag.
Very easy to clean out after it has cleaned your entire pool. The Phantom has a switch that can quickly be set from its automatic position (cleans top & bottom) to bottom only or top only when you need just top or bottom cleaned. It is EASY to assemble.
The Phantom takes care of cleaning your pool, so you can spend more time enjoying your pool
"
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Review 12 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This thing is fantastic!,
Date:June 12, 2007
By bosshog
from Nixon, Texas
from Nixon, Texas
Pros: Cleans bottom, middle and surface quickly and efficiently.
Cons: Would like a larger collection bag, but was still very adequate.
"I have had three Polaris 360s and been disappointed with the high maintenance on all of them and their poor performance.
I have lots of nice trees in the yard and leaves are always a problem,but the Phantom gulped them down along with twigs 7" long and even a ball of moss! I had to empty the bag twice in its first run.
The pool was sparkling in about 4 hours and it needed it. The polaris had broken a drive belt and was not working for about a week before.
Great job Hayward!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 13 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Great Product,
Date:May 29, 2007
By rcurrington
Pros: works like a charm
Cons: none
"This is a great product, I would highly recommend!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 14 for Hayward Phantom High Performance Automatic Pool Cleaner
Overall Rating
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
the phantom,
Date:May 12, 2007
By beachbunny
Pros: would never have thought this cleaner could do the amazing job that it does.
Cons: none
"My husband found this cleaner on the internet. Reviews looked good, so we ordered it. When it arrived, I thought no way is this thing going to work.
I was wrong. It cleaned the pool, picked up debris from the bottom, and did it all in a few hours. We love this cleaner!! Filter is easy to clean, unit is easy to store, what more could you ask for?
"
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.