If you’ve ever owned a Kreepy Krauly, you know they last forever with minimal maintenance. The secret is their high build quality and an ultra-simple design consisting of just one moving part.
The Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark is designed specifically for cleaning above-ground swimming pools.
Unlike most suction cleaners, Lil Shark has bristles that scrub the pool to loosen stubborn grime.
The cleaner is easy to set up and doesn’t require a booster pump.
Read on for our full review.
If the Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark is not what you are looking for, see other top-rated options we have reviewed.
Pros
- Lasts for years.
- Scrubs and vacuums the pool.
- Easy to assemble.
- Very little maintenance.
Cons
- Sometimes gets stuck.
- It doesn’t clean the walls.
Product Specifications
Specifications
- Type: Suction
- Pool type: Above ground
- Requires booster pump: No
- Onboard filter bag: No
- Sweeper tail: no (but has scrubbing brushes)
- Hose length: 32.’
- Pool coverage: floor
- Weight: 13.1lbs
Best Features
1. Scrubs and Vacuums
Most suction pool cleaners rely on just suction to clean the pool. They do a great job removing loose debris but are not effective against the algae and dirt stuck on the pool surface.
Lil Shark attacks dirt using two strategies: scrubbing and vacuuming.
Two rings of nylon bristles on the underside of the cleaner agitate stubborn dirt as the cleaner moves along on the pool floor.
With the dirt loosened, it’s easier for the cleaner’s suction to vacuum it up.
The scrubbing and vacuuming cleaning action leaves your pool cleaner and saves you the trouble of frequently brushing the pool manually.
2. Fast Cleaner with Pre-programmed Patterns
The Lil Shark doesn’t move any faster than other suction pool cleaners. But it cleans in less time.
The secret is the wide 10” cleaning path it cuts. It covers a broader area than other pool vacuums as it moves.
This allows it to cover the pool faster without leaving any missed spots.
It also has a cleaning program that allows it to clean fast and effectively. Instead of moving randomly, it navigates in pre-programmed patterns.
This ensures it doesn’t spend too much time in some spots while leaving others uncleaned.
3. Single Moving Part
The utterly simple one-moving-part design has been a mainstay feature of Kreepy Krauly cleaners.
In any machine, moving parts wear out faster and need regular servicing and replacement. A machine with many moving parts requires more effort and money to maintain.
That’s why suction and pressure pool cleaners have the upper hand when it comes to maintenance compared to robotic cleaners.
The Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark is designed to last for years with no maintenance headaches.
In fact, it lasts so long that when it finally starts to wear out, most users opt to replace the entire cleaner rather than individual parts.
And since it’s priced affordably, it may make more sense financially to buy a new Kreepy Krauly.
When you buy the Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark, you can expect it to clean your pool for many seasons.
If there’s a problem, you are protected by a 1-year warranty that’s activated by registering your new pool cleaner.
Issues & Concerns
The most common problem pool owners are experiencing with Lil Shark is that it constantly gets stuck when it hits the pool wall.
The problem doesn’t seem to be a clogged vacuum port or inadequate suction. However, this problem appears to occur only in some pools since a majority of users say their cleaner worked perfectly.
If you experience the problem, check the troubleshooting section of the manual (check the vacuum port for any debris, clean pool filter, make sure your pool pump is strong enough, etc.).
If nothing works, contact the manufacturer.
Luckily, the problem happens early on, so you have plenty of time to return the cleaner if it completely fails to clean your pool.
Assembly Instructions
The Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark is one of the easiest automatic pool vacuums to install. The main unit comes pre-assembled, so all you need to do is connect the hoses.
There are 32 feet of hose length, which is long enough to cover most above ground pools.
Identify the leader hose – it has a red sticker on the cuff –and attach the other hose length to it. With the pool pump turned off, place the cleaner underwater, and give it a few seconds to fill with water.
While keeping it underwater, attach the leader hose to it and let go of the hose bit by bit.
Turn on the pump to remove any remaining air. Then turn off the pump and attach the other end of the hose to the skimmer using a skimmer cone.
You can also connect to a dedicated vacuum port if your pool has one.
Turn on the pump and watch the cleaner to make sure it is working correctly.
Our Bottom Line
The Kreepy Krauly Lil Shark is a great choice for above ground pool owners looking for an affordable, reliable, and durable suction pool cleaner.
