The Bottom Feeder Vacuum Update for 2024

The Bottom Feeder Vacuum System has had some problems in 2023, mainly centering around the battery and the availability of parts. This has led to recalls and shipping delays, which frustrated the customers. Glen Heffernan, the creator of the Bottom Feeder, goes over some of these issues in the podcast interview.

Some key takeaways are that the Bottom Feeder has a new battery that won't catch on fire but reduces the rune-time to 1.5 hours. To compensate for this, the new battery can fully charge in 2-3 hours, and you can also set it in your truck between stops so that you never run out of juice. The ability to charge the battery quickly will allow you to get even more significant run time over the previous battery, which took 8-10 hours to charge fully. If you service a standard-size route, this should be plenty of time each day. The battery is what makes the Bottom Feeder so compact and light. It attaches to your pool pole and rides behind the Body, making the battery pack submersible. 

The price point has also crept up over the past few years, and like everything else, that is due to part cost increases, labor increases, and other factors out of its control of Glen. Since each Bottom Feeder is made by hand, it is very labor intensive, raising the cost of making each unit and the cost of the new battery back. The good news is that the price should remain steady for 2024. 

Everything else is similar since the bottom feeder was already refined to be today's best portable vacuum system. 

The compact size makes this ideal for those pools that need more than a quick skimming but have too much debris for a traditional manual vacuum with a hose and a vacuum head. It is also great if you do not need the standard Vacuum System with the cart. The Bottom Feeder weighs just 12 lbs. and is fully assembled, including the battery pack. 

Here is what the manufacturer says about the Bottom Feeder: "The Bottom Feeder " is a revolutionary pool cleaning system combining innovative technology and lightweight flexibility. Powered by a long-lasting rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, The Bottom Feeder requires no hoses or lines – which saves you time and gives you the mobility and flexibility needed to vacuum pools in minutes. Designed by professionals for professionals, The Bottom Feeder is durable and practical and vacuums in as little as 4″ of water."

I like the portability of the Bottom Feeder. It is easy to carry back to my service accounts, and it takes less than 30 seconds to connect it to my pole and drop it into a pool. It is powered by an 18-pound thrust motor, which is less potent than a standard vacuum system but still very powerful. I only noticed a little power drop-off between the Bottom Feeder and my other Vacuum Systems. The Body is light and maneuverable, like using a standard manual vacuum head with the swivel on the handle. The great thing about it is that there are no hoses or cords, so using it couldn't be easier.

The Bottom Feeder would be ideal for a homeowner with large debris in their pool each week. The compact size makes this ideal for use and storage. If you have a pool route and only a handful of heavy debris accounts, investing in the bottom feeder would save you time without needing a full-size vacuum system and cart. Overall, Carrying back to your service accounts is a convenient vacuum.