1. Intex ZX300 Deluxe 28005E: current pressure-side cleaner for frame pools
Intex ZX300 / 28005E Intex ZX300 / 28005E
Our verdict:
Matched frame-pool return
For the exact Intex frame-pool and pump setup supported by the current manual.
View on Amazon- Pressure-side return-powered cleaner
- Official pump-rating screen: 1,600 to 3,500 GPH
- Rotating scrubbers and debris canister described
Keep in mind: Manual excludes Easy Set, inflatable-top-ring pools and non-Intex pumps. Rating alone does not prove fit. Confirm exact hose and package; no universal waterline result is claimed.
The ZX300 has the clearest current maker record in this group. Intex lists it as a Deluxe automatic pool cleaner (Intex ZX300 page). The English manual is also published (Intex manual). Its documented task is automatic floor and wall work in a matching Intex frame-pool setup, with care and retrieval still required.
Scope matters. The maker framing covers frame pools only. It is not for EasySet or inflatable top-ring pools.
It is also not for non-Intex pumps, even where catalog text mentions other brands. Check your pool type first.
The pump rating is the next check. Use the manual's range of 1,600 to 3,500 GPH. The catalog has inconsistent upper-bound and unit wording.
This comparison uses the official GPH range rather than repeating those errors. A label range is a screen, not proof of installed flow in your plumbing.
This cleaner connects to the pool's return fitting. Its suction is created inside the unit. It does not use the skimmer suction port.
That is a real difference from a hose-and-pole vacuum. A reachable return is not a complete fit check. Confirm the exact Intex pool, pump, fittings and manual together.
The catalog claims dual scrubbers for fine dirt and water-powered all-wheel drive for wall climbing. Treat these as catalog claims. The manual governs actual floor and wall use.
Do not assume stairs or the full waterline get cleaned. The manual also requires walls and floor free of algae before use. That is a prerequisite, not an algae cure.
Confirm the supplied hose and connection package against the exact manual before buying. A familiar model name does not establish every adapter or hose length. Reach and compatibility need to be checked together.
Use the manual's stopping, retrieval and collector-care procedure. Check collected debris and the condition of the hose and parts during that routine. Clearer water is not sanitized water.
Choose the manual kit instead if your pool has awkward steps or you like to control each pass. Choose this model if you want less hand work and a documented fit. Compare the pressure-side cleaner guide before deciding.
2. Intex Deluxe Maintenance Kit 28003E: hands-on suction kit
Intex Deluxe Maintenance Kit / 28003E Intex Deluxe Maintenance Kit / 28003E
Our verdict:
Hands-on Intex kit
Compare the complete tool kit when its listed Intex pool, pump and connection fit and you need the separate vacuum, net and brush tasks.
View on Amazon- Manual vacuum, net, brush, pole and hose listed
- Maker minimum pump rating: 800 GPH
- Maker recommends pools 18 feet across and larger
Keep in mind: No pump or filter included. Confirm the exact package and connection; pole-length wording differs within the catalog. The tools do separate jobs and do not sanitize water.
This is the hands-on choice. It is a manual suction kit, not an automatic or robot cleaner. Intex describes it as a deluxe maintenance kit (Intex kit page). You do the work with a pole.
The catalog says the vacuum runs from the filter pump. It asks for an Intex filter pump with at least 800 GPH. That is a label screen.
It is not installed flow or a universal fit. Confirm the exact pump and connection in your manuals.
The catalog list includes a leaf rake with debris net, a curved wall brush, a deluxe vacuum head with two nozzles, a scrubber vacuum, an aluminum pole and a 24 foot hose with connectors. Confirm the exact order contents and supplied manual before relying on a package description. Do not assume every option includes every tool.
The kit adds no pump or filter. Pole length is stated two ways in the catalog, so this review leaves it out. The catalog recommends the kit for pools 18 feet across and larger.
The tools do separate jobs. The vacuum head works the floor. The brush and net handle walls and surface leaves.
One head does not skim and scrub the wall by itself. Plan a pass for each task.
Use the kit and pool manuals to plan its separate netting, brushing and vacuum tasks. Water treatment is a separate issue from picking up loose debris. Check the pump's basket and filter under their own service instructions.
Filtration and brushing remove material. They are not water treatment.
For a pool below the stated kit range, do not assume a smaller size makes it a match. Within the documented range, the net and brush are useful only if they fit the separate tasks you need. There is no tested time saving in this comparison. Cartridge care belongs to your pump manual, and the best above-ground pool filter guide covers choices there.
The kit has no robot body, but the head, pole and hose still need handling. Follow the pool and pump instructions for stopping and disconnection, then the kit's care and storage method. Do not retrieve it by pulling the hose.
Choose an automatic model instead if you hate daily labor. Choose this kit if you want control, spot cleaning and a lower-tech tool. Read the Intex vacuuming walkthrough for method. Follow your pool and pump manual for routing and stopping.
3. Intex 28001E Auto Pool Vacuum: a legacy pressure-side listing
Intex 28001E (legacy) Intex 28001E (legacy)
Our verdict:
Legacy model comparison
For existing owners comparing a supported older unit and its parts needs with current alternatives.
View on Amazon- Return-pressure floor cleaner in the catalog
- Catalog lists an Intex-only connection
- No onboard battery or surface-skimming task
Keep in mind: Manufacturer lists it as discontinued. Not a default new purchase. Catalog presence does not prove condition, current production or parts support; confirm exact hose, manual and spares.
Read this one as a legacy listing, not a default new purchase. Intex's official replacement-parts page lists the 28001E Auto Pool Vacuum as discontinued (Intex parts page). A catalog record being present does not prove current production or parts support. This section is for owners comparing an older unit with the ZX300.
The catalog title calls it a pressure-side cleaner for Intex pools only, with a 24 foot 7 inch hose and a 1.5 inch fitting. The catalog says it suits pools up to 24 feet across and needs a filter pump rated 1,600 to 3,500 GPH. It also says the cleaner is not for in-ground pools.
The word "cordless" in the catalog copy does not mean a battery. Nothing here points to a charger.
The catalog describes a small brush under the base. Water pressure blows debris into a net inside the cleaner. It also says the cleaner reverses direction on its own.
That does not promise full floor coverage. The catalog does not establish a fit for every round pool or obstacle layout. Use the exact legacy manual rather than inferring a supported shape from the general description.
The catalog also mentions a skimmer basket. The maker notes give no support for a floating-debris basket on the cleaner. Treat it as unverified. Do not expect it to skim the surface.
A daily routine would start with the pump basket. The catalog says to clean skimmer baskets often, because poor flow hurts performance. Use the exact unit's manual for net removal and care; a catalog statement does not establish every service step.
Filtering and netting remove debris. They do not sanitize the water.
Condition and parts support are practical limits for an older listing. Confirm the complete hose, collector and supported retrieval method rather than assuming the order has current replacement support. The parts page also lists the inlet filter as discontinued or legacy. Check the hose is complete and match the exact manual before buying.
Choose a simpler model if you cannot confirm condition and parts. Choose the ZX300 if you want a documented current maker route. An owner who already has a working 28001E and a matching pump may reasonably keep it. A new buyer has less reason to start here.
Factors to consider when choosing an Intex pool vacuum
Start with the pool and the port. Not all Intex products interchange. The ZX300 needs the exact documented Intex frame-pool and pump match; a reachable return alone does not establish it. An inflatable top-ring pool is outside the ZX300 maker framing, so check before buying.
Next, match the pump rating. The 28001E catalog and the ZX300 manual both use 1,600 to 3,500 GPH. The kit's catalog screen is 800 GPH.
If your pump falls under a stated range, choose a different cleaner or check the manual. Do not use adapters or a bigger pump without documents.
Then weigh labor against control. A pressure-side cleaner saves daily effort. A manual kit lets you target a corner or a wall stain.
Automatic steering can reduce hand-guided passes, but setup, retrieval and collector care remain. If you want to pick every spot, the kit does.
Consider size. The catalog puts the 28001E at pools up to 24 feet. It puts the kit at 18 feet and larger.
Do not use the ZX300 catalog size wording to override its exact frame-pool and Intex-pump restrictions. A pool inside a headline range still needs the manual's complete match. Below the kit's stated range, do not assume it is approved just because the pole could reach.
Think about availability. A discontinued listing may lack parts. A buyer with an old 28001E should check the hose and net. A new buyer should lean on current documents.
Finally, plan upkeep. Empty nets and baskets often. Use each maker's drain and storage directions.
Keep the pump basket clear. Use the filter's own service method and trigger. For hose or head upgrades, see the guides on vacuum heads and vacuum hoses.
For basics, see how to vacuum a pool.
How We Picked
This roundup uses catalog records and Intex pages. No one tested these products by hand. We compared pool type, pump rating, port type, size range and listed parts.
We kept the automatic, legacy and manual modes apart. Where figures conflicted, we used the manual or left the detail out. Catalog claims are labeled as claims.
Our process is on the editorial policy page, and fixes go through sources and corrections.
Our verdict on an Intex pool vacuum
For a new Intex pool vacuum choice, compare ZX300 only after confirming its exact frame-pool, pump and return fit. It has a current maker page and a manual. Confirm your pool type, return port and pump rating first.
Treat 28001E as a legacy owner comparison, not the default new purchase. Its discontinued status makes complete condition, manuals and spares central questions. Pick the maintenance kit if you want hands-on control and have a matching Intex pump. Each fits a different habit, so choose the habit before the model.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Intex 28001E still a current model?
No. Intex's parts page lists it as discontinued. A catalog listing may still appear for sale. Check condition, hose, manual and parts support before buying old stock. Most new buyers should compare the current ZX300 first.
Does the ZX300 work with any above-ground pool?
No. The maker framing is for frame pools only. It is not for EasySet or inflatable top-ring pools. It also is not for non-Intex pumps. Check your pool type, return fitting and the manual's 1,600 to 3,500 GPH range first.
Does the maintenance kit include a pump?
No. The kit adds tools, not a pump or filter. It needs a compatible Intex filter pump. The catalog gives an 800 GPH minimum, but that is a label screen. Check your exact pump, connection and manual before buying.
Does vacuuming make pool water safe?
No. Vacuuming, netting and filtering remove debris and may clear the water. They do not sanitize it. Water treatment is a separate task. Follow your pool and pump manuals and the chemical label directions for that step.