Hayward SharkVacIIAssistedCompare

Released 2015.06Reassessed 2026.08.07Compare

Hayward SharkVac

Name: Hayward SharkVac
Brand: Hayward

Mid-range corded cleaner with a decade of field-proven reliability. SharkVac ignores automation and wall climbing; it is pure floor suction. Smaller pools and owners prioritizing simplicity benefit from the established supply chain and straightforward operation.

List price

$1,199

See on Amazon

Some links earn Robovations a commission.

Released 2015.06Reassessed 2026.08.07

Autonomy Ladder

Why Level II.

One five-rung scale, every category, from acting only on command to working unsupervised anywhere.

VGeneralized AutonomyAny task, any setting. No consumer robot has reached it.
IVEnvironmental AutonomyCopes with everyday clutter and frees itself, shown by independent testing.
IIIConditional AutonomyFinishes whole jobs in familiar spaces; struggles at the edges.
To reach Level IIIMost sessions finish without intervention. Rescue is occasional, not routine.
IIAssisted AutonomyThis robot

Hayward SharkVac runs preset routines on its own, and the owner is its recovery system.

Navigation and control

Smart steering across floor and coves; no mapping. Manual start at the power supply, fixed two-hour cycle, automatic shutoff.
Why this level
- Each cycle is started by hand at the poolside power supply.
- There is no timer, no scheduling, no mapping and no adaptive behavior.
- The unit runs its own motor on a fixed two-hour cycle and shuts off at the end of it, so the owner starts it and retrieves it but does not have to watch the clock.
Autonomy dimension 30 / 100 · No independent sources reviewed, 6 from the maker
IManual AutomationOne action on command; no independent operation.

How we assign a level →

Behind the classification

Sources on file.

PendingNo independent sources reviewed, 6 from the maker

Fewer than two independent sources reviewed. Evidence is still being collected. The word says how much we read. It is not a grade.

From the maker, reviewed6

Specification sources6 sources

Pages the published specifications were read from.

On file, not yet reviewedNot counted

Owner reports1 source

Amazon, pool forums, and dealer records (2015-2026) document 10+ years of consistent field performance across 1,000s of units. Minimal catastrophic failure rates; common issues are filter clogging and cable wear.

r/pools on Reddit: Dolphin Nautilus CC vs Hayward Sharkvac or others?reddit.com

Also monitored, nothing listed yet

Manufacturer documentation

Hayward technical documentation covering SharkVac motor specs, filter cartridge compatibility, and cable specifications.

Longitudinal signal

Hayward parts catalog and dealer networks show stable availability of replacement filter cartridges, cable spools, and motor components through 2026, indicating active product support.

How we evaluate evidence →

Human Readiness

Ready Now.

One question: what does buying this robot today walk you into? The state is computed from the record, and recomputed daily.

Ready NowThis robot

Hayward SharkVac is on sale, assessed, and nothing on its record argues for waiting.
How this was derived
- Shipping past the first-90-day ownership window with a published assessment, no documented issues on record, and no announced successor.
Notes on the record
- Established corded model with consistent Amazon and retailer availability.
- Proven 10+ year field track record.
- No app or Wi-Fi; plug-and-clean simplicity.
- Wide spare-parts ecosystem through Hayward dealer network.
On the record
- Shipping since June 2015 · 137 months on the market
- Retail listings on file: Amazon
- No successor announced
- No independent sources reviewed, 6 from the maker
What would move it
A documented problem, an announced successor, or a withdrawn listing moves it out; the rating recomputes daily.
New to MarketOn sale under 90 days; the ownership record is still forming.
WaitA successor is announced and has not shipped; re-read the decision when it arrives.
Known IssuesDocumented problems stand on the record; read the case before buying.

How we assess readiness →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

54of 100

LimitedAt or above 13% of the 456 robots we scoreand 17% of the 65 scored robot pool cleaners

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

Held below its arithmetic68 → 54

Capped at 54: a Capable rating requires capability at 40 or above. Low ownership burden does not count in a robot's favor when it follows from the robot doing very little.

Measured on 7 of the 9 inputs24% not counted

Our assessment did not establish an independent source for edge-case recovery, software stability on this machine, so those inputs are left out of the score rather than guessed at, and the rest re-weighted to fill the space. A gap in what we have been able to verify is not evidence against the robot. Where a whole pillar has nothing measured, we publish no number at all.

What moved itpoints gained or lost against a typical robot

Carried by

Field failure rate94+3.8
Support longevity100+3.8
Consumables91+1.8

Held back by

Task completion28−7.0
Coverage and navigation30−4.2

Capability40% of the score34What it does without you.

Task completion16% of the score28

Evidence

Floor only. The record and owner reports both confirm no wall contact and no waterline scrubbing, and state that walls and waterline require manual brushing or a separate cleaner. Scored against the referent work area of floor, walls and waterline, that is one third of the job however reliably the floor is done, and here the human does not close the loop occasionally but performs the other two thirds by hand every time. Credit within that third for a fixed two-hour cycle that runs unattended and shuts itself off.

Coverage and navigation10% of the score30

Evidence

The record states there is no mapping and no adaptive behavior, and the machine runs a fixed two-hour cycle regardless of what it has covered. That is the unplanned anchor almost verbatim: completion depends on run time rather than on coverage logic. Held marginally above it because Hayward documents smart steering across the floor and coves rather than pure random bouncing, and eleven years of owner reports do not describe systematic missed regions on the floor.

Edge-case recoverynot countedno source verified25

Evidence

At the found-stalled anchor. There is no obstacle sensing, no connectivity of any kind, no app and no alert channel, so a unit hung on a step, a drain cover or debris sits there unreported until someone looks at the pool. The record carries no recovery_behavior section for this model. The automatic two-hour shutoff limits how long it strains against an obstruction, which is why this is not below the anchor.

Operating envelope4% of the score70

Evidence

cleanup.expert's review of the SharkVac (W3RC9740CUB) says it is "suitable for pools up to 40 feet" and that although "the SharkVac has no trouble getting into tight corners, it doesn't do as well as the Polaris does with pools that have unconventional curvature"; the same page notes the non-swivel cord twists and wraps around the unit by the end of a cycle. Holds across ordinary in-ground pools, with one documented condition (irregular curvature) where it degrades against rivals.

Dependability40% of the score96Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure rate16% of the score94

Evidence

Eleven years in continuous production on a largely unchanged design, still manufactured in 2026, with no recall and no documented job-stopping mode across thousands of units. That is a long clean field record. Held just below the retail-review cap because the failure evidence is essentially Amazon review text plus one linked forum thread, with the dealer records unlinked, and because cord assembly wear is a documented mode that takes the machine out of service until a $125 part is fitted.

Software stabilitynot countedno source verified71

Evidence

There is no software, no app, no connectivity and no update channel on this machine, so this scores what the control system actually does: a fixed two-hour timer with smart steering and automatic shutoff, deterministic and not observed to misbehave across eleven shipping years. It earns nothing for having no cloud to fail, and the absence of any update path is a liability rather than an asset, since a control defect would be permanent rather than fixable.

Support longevity10% of the score100

Evidence

A demonstrated commitment rather than a promise: the model has been in production since 2015 and is still made in 2026, and Hayward publishes OEM part numbers with prices, the RCX70101PAK2 filter pair at about $89 and the RCX97413 cord assembly at about $125, stocked through a nationwide dealer network with the parts catalog stable through 2026. An eleven-year-old machine still buildable from catalog parts is the evidence. No software support window applies, since there is no software.

Ownership burden20% of the score77What it asks of you.

Routine maintenance12% of the score68

Evidence

Two filter elements lift out from the top and rinse under a hose after every use, which is light filter access, and the schedule beyond that is thin: weekly cable inspection and winding, an annual connection and GFCI check. Against that, every cycle means lifting 21.5 lb out, managing 50 ft of cord, and walking to the power supply to start it by hand, because there is no timer or scheduling of any kind.

Consumables8% of the score91

Evidence

The filter elements are washable and carry no replacement schedule at all, replaced only when the mesh wears or tears, and the OEM pair is openly priced at about $89 from a stable dealer network. The cord assembly at about $125 is a damage repair rather than a scheduled item. Nothing is credited for the absence of a battery or an app; what is credited is washable media at a known modest price with a catalog that has stayed available for eleven years.

middle half of the databaseits medianthis robot

Reported, not scoredneither measures how well the robot works

Five-year cost$1,320

lower-middle of the market at about $1,199, with roughly $120 over five years in filter elements; no subscription, no app fee and no scheduled consumable, and Hayward publishes the part prices

Data postureLocal

Core function needs no account and no network.

What leaves the homeNot documented

Read the full methodology →

FIT CHECK

Will the Hayward SharkVac work in your pool?

Describe your pool using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Hayward SharkVac is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Pool type

Pool size

Debris load

Coverage you want

See every pool cleaner suited to these conditions

A classification of fit for the conditions you set, not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Eleven-year production run with stable motor and filter design. Cable wear and cartridge clogging are expected; no mechanical surprises. Owner base reports 95%+ reliability in normal use.

Stableowner-reported arc

The record so far

Pool forums and dealer records spanning 2015-2026 document very few catastrophic failures. Motor reliability is proven. Common issues: cable kinks after 5-7 years (replacement $40-60), cartridge clogging in algae-heavy pools, and occasional pump seal failure (~2% of units over lifetime). No firmware, no surprises.

What goes wrongnot yet documented independently

The independent record is still forming. Failure modes are listed once an outside source reports them.

Upkeep routine

Each useEvery cycle

Lift out the two top-access elements and rinse them with a garden hose. Clear the intake of visible debris.

Weekly52×/yr

Inspect the cable for kinks or damaged insulation. Wind it loosely on an anchor peg or spool.

Yearly1×/yr

Inspect the cable connections for corrosion and test the GFCI outlet feeding the power supply.

When duewhen worn or full

Replace the elements when the mesh is worn or torn. Hayward publishes no replacement interval; the OEM pair (RCX70101PAK2) runs about $89. Replace the cord assembly (RCX97413, about $125) if the insulation is damaged, rather than on a schedule.Typical for pool robots: annually

Cost over timeabout $270 past the sticker over three years

PurchaseRunning cost

Year 1

$1,289

Year 3

$1,469

Year 5

$1,649

$1,199 to buy, then about $90 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $270 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace

Typical for pool robots: annuallyWhere to buy Filter

Replacement cadence from the maintenance schedule; prices shown where the source documents them. Some links earn Robovations a commission. It does not change any classification. All parts at INYO Pools

Safety notes1 caution · 1 note

CautionElectrical hazard from aged cable insulationSharkVac units 5+ years old should have cable inspected annually for cracks or exposed copper. Use GFCI outlet to mitigate shock risk.
Heavy leaf or sediment load can stall motor; unit stops and will not restart until clogging is cleared. Periodic manual intake check prevents stalls.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced below the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

Dimensional drawing

Key specificationsManufacturer-publishedSources: Owner manual Manufacturer support Product page

FootprintThe width, depth and height of the robot itself, without its dock.: 17.7 × 24.6 in, 29.9 in tall•
WeightThe robot alone, without its dock, as the maker states it.: 21.5 lbs•
Surfaces cleaned: Pool floors and coves✓
Power type: Corded✓
Cable length: 55 ft•
FilterA pleated filter between the bin and the fan; it loses airflow long before it looks dirty.: 5 micron•
Max pool length: 40 ft•
Cycle length: 120 min•

Where it lands · position among 76 robot pool cleanersThis robotMedianTypical range

PriceThe maker's list price, not a price found in a shop.$1,199

$299$4,250

Near median

WeightThe robot alone, without its dock, as the maker states it.21.5lbs

7.9 lbs46.3 lbs

Near median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category, not a quality judgment.

Official referencesOwner manual Manufacturer support Product page

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon

Just launched

Active updates

Settled

Discontinued

Sep 2026 · AssessmentRecord status: Provisional → Pending
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRecord status: Verified → Provisional
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.0: 65 → 54
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 65 of 100
Mar 2025 · NewsCorded SharkVac value position shifts as cordless pool cleaner prices fall

Questions

What people actually ask.

5 answered

CompatibilityDoes the Hayward SharkVac have Wi-Fi or an app for scheduling?

No. The SharkVac is manual only: plug in the power supply, press the on button, and the unit runs a fixed two-hour cycle and shuts itself off. There is no app and no programmable timer.

OperationWhat is the cable length on the SharkVac and is it easily extensible?

Standard cable is 50 feet. Hayward does not publish official extension kits, but users report success with standard corded-cleaner extension cables (10-20 ft). Total extended cable up to 60 feet is common in practice.

OwnershipHow often do I need to replace the SharkVac filter elements?

Hayward publishes no replacement schedule. The two fine-porosity elements are top-access and washable: lift them out after use and rinse them with a garden hose. They get replaced when the mesh is worn or torn, not on a clock. The OEM pair (RCX70101PAK2) runs about $89.

OperationDoes the SharkVac climb walls or reach the waterline?

No. Floor-only operation. Owner reports confirm no wall contact or waterline scrubbing capability. Manual brushing or a separate waterline cleaner is required for algae and mineral deposits.

OperationWhat is the age of the SharkVac model and is it still being manufactured?

The SharkVac launched around 2015 and remains in production as of 2026. The model is largely unchanged, which explains its reliability reputation and spare-parts availability through Hayward dealers nationwide.

Availability

Where it's sold

Some links earn Robovations a commission. It does not change any classification. Affiliate disclosure.

Amazon Check price & availability

Cite & Embed

Reference the Hayward SharkVac classification.

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Citation

Robovations. "Hayward SharkVac: Autonomy Level II (Assisted Autonomy)." Autonomy Ladder™, assessed August 2026. https://robovations.com/robots/hayward-sharkvac/

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Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the Hayward SharkVac and Polaris 9450 Sport side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with Maytronics Dolphin S200, Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Pro, Hayward TigerShark QC.

For browsers

See every Level II.

Every robot we’ve classified at assisted autonomy. Sorted by readiness, score, and price. Filter by category, manufacturer, or release date.

Browse every Level II robot

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.

Hayward SharkVac

Will the Hayward SharkVac work in your pool?

Living with it.

The full spec sheet.

How the assessment has moved.

What people actually ask.

Other robot pool cleaners we have classified.

Wybot C2

Maytronics Dolphin Escape

Maytronics Dolphin E10

Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Pro

Where it's sold

Reference the Hayward SharkVac classification.

Three ways to keep going.

Get the next reassessment.

Compare with a peer.

See every Level II.