There are so many options these days when it comes to robotic pool cleaners, but finding one that’s both reliable and efficient can be a tough nut to crack. In this Hayward Tigershark review, we’ll be taking a close look to see if this model has the tools required to make it happen.
Like other excellent robotic pool cleaners, the Hayward TigerShark QC is one that also comes with the promise of taking over the time-consuming and exerting job of manual pool cleaning.
Let’s take a look at this particular pool cleaner model and see if it’s right for you.
*The product links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Please see our disclosure page for more information.
You may also like:
Quick compare
Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1-minute Hayward Tigershark Review
The Hayward TigerShark is a robotic pool cleaner designed to automate the cleaning of large in-ground pools. As an entry-level pool vacuum, it’s equipped with only the basic features which enable these robotic cleaners to work as an underwater cleaning machine, although for the price, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
This automatic pool cleaner features active scrubbing brushes powered by a 24-volt motor, a strong suction, and integrated filters for sucking up and trapping all forms of pool contaminants. And finally, its rubber tracks provide great traction and enable the unit to drive through even the most slippery swimming pool surfaces without slippage.
- Cleans both pool floor and walls
- Cleans all type of swimming pools, from gunite to vinyl
- Waterline cleaning feature
- Quick clean technology
- Easy to use and control
- Quality filter cartridge
- 24-months warranty
- Weighs 21 pounds
- No remote control
- No weekly timer
- No anti-tangle swivel technology
- Bottom-access filter basket
Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Full Hayward TigerShark QC robotic pool cleaner review
The Hayward TigerShark QC is a robot designed to clean your pool with efficiency. It’s an entry-level pool cleaner specifically designed for residential in-ground swimming pools of no more than 40 ft long and of any shape (be warned, it often won’t be able to clean as much of a larger pool size, so it’s best to make sure that it’s a suitable size).
How the Hayward TigerShark works
Making good use of quality scrubbing brushes to clean your pool
This robotic pool cleaner is the most basic TigerShark pool robot, it’s equipped with only the primary features of an underwater vacuum machine, no extras or high-end features. This robot is powered by a 24-volt energy-efficient motor which supplies maximum force to the scrubbing brushes, ideal for those who don’t want to rack up their energy costs.
Thanks to the quick clean software, these brushes move at a tremendous speed, working off dirt and grime stuck on the surfaces of the pool. With its quick clean technology, it can get along with its usual cleaning pattern and take care of your pool in next to no time, which is something any swimming pool owners should consider.
How easily can it move through the pool on a cleaning cycle?
The Hayward TigerShark robotic pool cleaner is able to move freely and smoothly on all types of pool surfaces including vinyl pools, gunite, painted concrete, tiles, or pebble. To ensure zero slippage on notoriously slippery tiles and fiberglass, it comes with a foam which attaches to the rubber tracks to provide enough traction and ensure the robot makes a smooth turn and navigates freely and steadily around the pool.
The benefits of a quality water pump and filter cartridge system
As the TigerShark robotic pool cleaners work to dislodge dirt from the surface of the swimming pool, the powerful suction and internal pool pumps send about 75 gallons of pool water through the integrated cartridge filters of the robot every minute, where it sieves out all forms of dirt and debris particles, stores them in the debris container, and leaves the waters of your pool shiny and dirt-free. The pool filtration system on this device is quite impressive, so you won’t need to worry about any contaminants being left in your swimming pool.
These pool cleaners come have a power cord length of 55 ft, which enables the robot to clean in-ground pools up to 20 ft wide and 40 ft long.
Performance
Compared to other robotic pool cleaners in its class, the TigerShark does an excellent job when cleaning the pool, especially those up to 40. It can clean the entire pool, working on all corners and edges of a pool up to the water line. As an entry-level device, it performs quite well.
What are these robotic pool cleaners lacking?
This TigerShark has neither a scanning technology nor a programmable weekly timer, it doesn’t come with the advanced navigation software featured in many other pool robots, or a range of cleaning modes. It also doesn’t have a remote control, and operating it is solely via the power control unit which is actually very intuitive and user-friendly.
Also, the TigerShark’s 55 ft long power cable doesn’t have the swivel technology and may get tangled every once in a while, this is not really a deal breaker because you can adjust the handle to different directions to prevent the power cord from tangling and help the robot to not get stuck too close to the power supply during its 3 hour cleaning cycle.
Another small problem; the filters aren’t too easy to clean.
The TigerShark pool cleaners feature a large filter cartridge which is positioned beneath the robot which isn’t very convenient. This is a problem for two reasons, first, you’ll have to overturn the robot to get to the filter basket when you have to empty it.
Ease of set-up and use
This pool robot is very easy to use and comes fully packaged and ready to work. You simply have to unpack it, connect the cables to the right places, throw the robot into your pool and push the “Start” and the robot will come on, sink to the pool and get to work.
The “Start” button is found on the control panel of the control unit. It has just a standard, 3 hour cleaning cycle, which thoroughly cleans both the floors and walls of your pool up to the waterline, each time, it also cleans some parts of the pool steps.
Are they easy enough to control?
Controlling these pool cleaners is entirely via the power control unit since it doesn’t have a remote control neither does it come with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity for connecting a smartphone app. Finding a pool cleaner that comes with a remote control may be appealing, but it’s not usually a deal breaker. It’s essentially a basic robot pool cleaner, but you’ll find the cleaning programs to be top-notch and it doesn’t disappoint.
Reliability
The Hayward TigerShark QC is a robot built to last you many years while keeping your pool neat and shiny. It has a good build quality and features very durable parts, however, using this robot in a pool with pebble tec finish will wear out the drive tracks and rollers very quickly. Usually the rollers and drive track will last anywhere between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the frequency of use, but the coarseness of a pebble pool will wear it out in much less time than that. It also comes with a 24-months warranty from the manufacturers.
Ongoing maintenance
To last as long as it should, this automatic TigerShark pool cleaner will need some commitment on the owner’s part. You’ll need to take care of it, as a simple gadget that it is, the maintenance is really not a big deal. It only requires that you handle your robot carefully.
Clean out the cartridge filters as often as you possibly can.
Clearing out the filter is very easy, however, this Tiger Shark model sports the much older design which positions the filter cartridge beneath the unit instead of the more convenient top-access filter basket we see in newer models of robotic pool cleaner.
For the best results, use a garden hose, water the basket until it’s clean again before replacing loading it back into the unit. You can also get replacement cartridge filters if need be and always clean for wears in other parts of the robot.
Extra purchases and ongoing costs
As a gadget that works right of the box and requires no set-up, this TigerShark model comes as a complete, automatic in-ground pool vacuum and you’ll have no need for any extra purchase before you can get it to work, although it may be worth getting a caddy cart to improv your experience.
However, this TigerShark robotic pool cleaner weighs 21 pounds which is quote heavy and it does not come with a pool caddy to aid mobility, so that is one thing you may want to purchase. Fortunately, you could get a decent caddy cart for a good price.
Purchasing replacement parts for your pool cleaner
With constant usage, the scrubber, rollers and drive system and belts may start to wear out, these parts will need replacement with time, despite this, the ongoing costs to keep this machine running will not drill holes in your pocket. Overall, it’s a great, inexpensive model for maintaining a variety of different kinds of swimming pools.
FAQs
What is the difference between the TigerShark Standard, Plus and QC models?
The TigerShark robotic pool cleaners come in 3 different models; the Standard, the Plus and the QC. These robotic pool cleaners are basically the same, they have similar functions and all perform equally. However, the difference is seen in the extra features of the robots. The TigerShark Standard is the most basic of the 3 and comes with only primary features for getting the job done, no high-end or extra convenient features. The TigerShark Plus is only a step above the Standard in that it comes with remote control, which is the only way it differs from the Standard. The TigerShark QC only has an added 90 minutes “Quick clean” cleaning mode, but it doesn’t have a remote control. Note that both the Standard and the Plus have only a standard 3-hour cleaning mode.
Can it be used in vinyl-lined pools?
Yes, this robot can be used in a vinyl-lined pool and it works great. It can also be used in a wide range of pool surfaces including fiberglass, tiles, concrete, gunite, etc.
Does it get stuck in pool corners?
The TigerShark is very good at navigating through the pool without getting stuck on pool drains or any other areas in the pool. It doesn’t get stuck on steps, neither does it get stuck on bench seats, it works very smoothly and cleans pools very well. It never gets stuck!
Does it come with a caddy?
Weighing 21 pounds you’ll expect it to come with a caddy. But unfortunately, this unit doesn’t come with a caddy, and if you need one you will have to purchase it as an extra.
Is this a good unit for lots of leaves?
The TigerShark is great at picking small leaves (especially leaves of 1 to 2 inches) as they can freely fit in and get trapped in the filter basket. However, it may have some trouble with very large and wide leaves because the filter basket isn’t very big and these leaves may get stuck in it.
How do I keep the cord from tangling?
Since it doesn’t feature the swivel technology, keeping the power cord from tangling needs some tinkering from time to time. You’ll have to adjust the handle to a different direction each time you want to clean to prevent the floating cord from tangling. For each cleaning cycle, switch the handle to a new direction, which is the opposite it’s previous position. Also ensure you always straighten the cord after a cleaning cycle and let lie under the sun and dry out.
Will it take a long time to clean the pool?
This TigerShark robotic pool cleaner has no smart scanning software, and neither does it have swivel technology, but it cleans quite well and after 3 hours of thorough cleaning, you’ll find the surfaces of your in-ground pool (floor, walls and waterline) and the pool water shiny and spotless. It can efficiently clean a variety of surfaces including fiberglass, tiles, vinyl, concrete and also pebbles.
Final thoughts on the Hayward TigerShark robotic pool cleaner
The Hayward TigerShark is reliable, efficient, and safe, and while it lacks in some areas, it certainly gets the job done.
So, is this pool cleaner the right one for you?
It may not have advanced navigation technology or a remote control, but most pool owners on a budget will find that this is one of the best choices. As a machine with an affordable price, it’s well worth considering if you need a good quality, entry-level robotic pool cleaner.
- QUICK CLEAN CYCLE: The Hayward TigerShark QC Robotic Cleaner features an exclusive Quick Clean cycle that provides fast, complete coverage of the pool floor, walls, coves and waterline in just 90...
Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Matt is the founder of the Little Robot Shop, who has spent much of the last decade hacking home cleaning with various robots and devices to make keeping his home clean as easy as possible. Not an easy task with two young children.
When not working on the Little Robot Shop website or YouTube channel, he works as technical support and product specialist for a fast-growing digital company. He does his best to get his younglings to code, which will be an essential skill in the future.
