Hayward TriVac™ 500 Pressure Side Cleaner Review

This is the new Hayward TriVac 500 Pressure Side Cleaner. The TriVac 500 requires a dedicated 3/4 hp booster pump with a separate return line plumbed in to operate.  The TriVac 500 is a pretty original and effective pressure cleaner.

If you already have an existing pressure cleaner the TriVac 500 will fit perfectly into the the threaded wall fitting so it is easy to change out your old pressure cleaner with the TriVac 500. It uses the same exact 1 1/2" threaded fitting with the two clips to hold the hose in to the wall as the other brand of pressure cleaners. Very convenient.

I will go over some of the unique features of the TriVac 500. First, it covers the entire pool -floors, walls up to the water line and it can clean the step areas also. It moves very rapidly on the pool bottom. The clips in the video are not speed up so you can see how it will clean your pool in less time than other pressure side cleaners. It features a unique floating debris bag on back so no more problems with the bag coming off and dragging on the bottom. The tires are very low friction and it comes with small guide wheels on the side to help protect the cleaner from getting hung up and scrapped on the pool walls and steps.

The TriVac 500 has a built in back-up valve and a very short back-up cycle. This will increase the TriVac 500's cleaning time so you can run it for shorter cycles. I like the idea of the internal back-up valve and the shorter back-up cycle.

This is based on the old Phantom by Hayward and the two cleaners look similar on the outside. But the TriVac 500 has been redesigned with all new engineering to make it a reliable cleaner. If you are familiar with the old Hayward Phantom you know that it was an excellent cleaner when it was working. But the gearing was so complex it would not stay working. Those defects have been addressed and the new TriVac 500 should be very reliable and long lasting.

Like I mentioned you will need a booster pump for this cleaner and it can use your existing 3/4 hp booster pump if you have one already.  So if you don't have the set up already for the TriVac 500 you cannot use it for your pool.

The TriVac  features three venturi on the bottom that shoots a powerful jet of water up into the cleaner, thus picking up debris. It has a very large opening on the bottom so it will have no problem with large debris. The debris bag is also extra large.


The TriVac500 comes with a one year warranty and Hayward has invested a lot of time in engineering into this cleaner. Hayward is getting back into the Pressure cleaner market with the TriVac 500 and will likely be offering rebates and deals to get customers to purchase the cleaner.

The Trivac 500 would be a good choice for a pressure side cleaner if you are in the market for a new one.