Zodiac CX20 / CX35 Pool Cleaner Review - Worth It In 2024?

Zodiac CX20 / CX35 Pool Cleaner Review

The Zodiac model CX20 and CX35 pool cleaners are a popular option among consumers. These products have a lower price point than many machines available on the market, but are they still a quality option to consider?

In this Zodiac CX20/CX35 review, we’ll cover the pros and cons of these machines and talk about how they compare to other products on some main features.

We'll also answer some frequently asked questions to help you determine if one of these cleaners would make the right choice for your pool.

Pros & Cons

Design

The Zodiac CX20/CX35 pool cleaner is designed to be reasonably lightweight and easy to carry. With a sturdy handle and relatively low weight of 9.5kg, we find that it does fairly well on this count.

The CX35 comes with a caddy, which makes it easy to move to and from the edge of your pool.

The CX20 and CX35 are known to have great suction compared to other products. The unique shape and texture of the cleaning bristles also makes these cleaners very efficient in pebblecrete and beadcrete pools.

The CX20 is suited for pools that are a maximum of 10 x 5 metres, while the CX35 is rated for pools up to 12 x 6 metres in area. Both models are applicable for all types of pool surfaces except for tile.

If you have a tile pool, check out the models of CX20/CX35 that are specifically for tiled pools.

Cleaning Performance

The Zodiac CX20/CX35 cleans quite well as long as it is functioning properly. This machine does well with sand as well as larger debris such as leaves and sticks, and it is also able to scale walls and effectively clean the water line of the pool.

These cleaners have fairly efficient filtration systems and can remove particles as small as 200 microns (0.2mm) in diameter from the water and surfaces of your pool. You can purchase a finer grade filter (100 micron) for these units if your pool has a fine-dust problem.

Some users report that the machine can ‘get confused’ and may repeat one area of your pool without venturing to other areas.

This type of issue in the CX20/CX35, as with other cleaning robots, is most often caused by debris buildup on the machine’s sensors, which can be prevented with proper maintenance.

Power Specifications

The Zodiac CX20/CX35 is rated at 150 Watts, meaning its two-hour cleaning cycle consumes 300 Watt hours (Wh) of electricity. If you pay a typical rate of $0.30/kWh, the 2 hour cleaning cycle costs you just 10 cents!

Most robotic pool cleaners use very little power, so this shouldn’t be a deciding factor when purchasing one.

Build Quality & Warranty

Zodiac CX20 & CX35 Problems

While this product performs well for a while, many users report that it fails soon after the warranty expires. The most common issue causing these failures is water in the motor, suggesting that the machine was not designed with adequately durable waterproofing elements.

Many users also report issues with the cord of this machine, either becoming tangled, kinked, or otherwise disconnected from the cleaner. These reports suggest that the cord may not be particularly high-quality.

Another minor design flaw of these machines is that the control panel is not very waterproof. While this piece of the machine is not intended to be in the water, it could easily become damaged if it falls in the pool accidentally.

Warranty

These units all come with a 2 year warranty, which is pretty standard for robotic pool cleaners.

Zodiac CX20 & CX35 Price

The Zodiac CX20 tends to run $1,400+ while the Zodiac CX35 costs approximately $1,600+. While this price point makes them more affordable than many other pool cleaners on the market, it’s important to consider the longevity of the machine.

These machines are prone to needing repairs, especially to vital components such as the motor itself. Because these repairs can be fairly costly relative to the initial price of the machine, it may be worth investing in a more long-lasting cleaner.

One good thing is that spare parts for these units are readily available from a variety of online pool supply stores.

Zodiac CX20/CX35 - FAQ

What’s the difference between the CX20 and CX35?

Each of these models is rated for a different size of swimming pool. The Zodiac CX20 has a cable length of 15m, and is rated for pools that are a maximum of 10 x 5 metres.

Comparatively, the CX35 has a cable length of 18m and is rated for pools up to 12 x 6 metres in area.

The CX35 also comes with a caddy, whereas the CX20 does not.

Can the CX20 and CX35 climb walls?

The Zodiac CX20/CX35 can climb walls. These pool cleaning machines are equipped with top-quality suction technology, allowing them to scale even the steepest of pool walls all the way to the waterline of the pool for a more thorough clean.

If you use the small filter size (100 micron), this can diminish the suction quality of your machine, especially as the filter becomes full of debris.

How often should the Zodiac CX20/CX35 be run?

These models can be run as frequently as needed to suit the debris level in your pool. In a cleaning cycle of about 2 hours, this machine can remove the majority of debris from your pool.

Depending on how often you use your pool, and the environmental conditions that surround it, you may choose to run your Zodiac CX20/CX35 daily, or only once or twice per week.

You should avoid letting large amounts of debris build up before using your pool cleaner because you may experience interruptions in the cleaning process if the filter fills too quickly or becomes clogged.

What do consumers say about the Zodiac CX20/CX35?

These models have many positive and glowing reviews from those who have purchased their machine within the last year. These reviews speak of a great cleaning ability and a lower price point relative to competitor’s pool cleaners.

Most consumers enjoy owning the Zodiac CX20/CX35 while it lasts, but because this machine tends to develop problems near the date of warranty expiration, the quality of reviews for these cleaners rapidly decline the longer that they have been owned.

How long do Zodiac pool cleaners last?

Zodiac pool cleaners tend to last for about two years, but some owners report that they still happily use their machine up to four years into owning it.

Past the warranty period of two years, these machines are increasingly prone to developing severe damage that can cost nearly 2/3rds of the price of the original device to repair.

Final Thoughts - Zodiac CX20/CX35 Review

The Zodiac CX20/CX35 makes a fairly good choice for a pool cleaner, but better options might be available. Although these products have a lower price point than many similar machines and are noted to clean efficiently while they are functioning properly, they do not tend to be long-lasting.

If you can afford to invest in a higher quality pool cleaner, it may be worth doing so in order to avoid future costs associated with repairing and replacing the Zodiac CX20/CX35.

Price Comparison - Zodiac CX20

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