Pentair Rebel 2 Automatic Vacuum Pool Cleaner

The breakdown machine – Received Pentair Rebel 2 as replacement for previous model which failed. Was ok replacing with tuneup kit every 6 months but it has now failed completely after 2 years. Told by customer service that I was running it too much and should be taking it out of pool few times a week. Not really convenient- might as well have a robot. Show details

Three strikes and you're OUT! – We had the original Pentair Rebel but the tyres were useless on our tiled pool so we bought a new one with the special tyres designed for tiles. It worked okay for a few weeks but then refused to move away from the floor drain. It was then just a non cleaning deepwater sucker for the filter and we had to manually clean leaves out of the pool.… Read more

After a year or so, I was so fed up that I complained to the company and they sent me a free replacement. But, after a few weeks, we had exactly the same problem. The tyres get waterlogged and lose their grip. I can temporarily fix this by swapping the tyres from the one that was replaced but it always fails again after a week at most. The rubber used in the tyres seems unsuitable for constant water immersion. And it never climbs the walls. Such a disappointment. I do not recommend this.

Works fine... then DOESN'T – We had the original PoolCleaner (which was brilliant but expensive) after about 4 years and a tune-up kit we decided that we'd try the Rebel, being told that it was pretty much an exact copy... For the first 6 months, it worked reasonably well but needed more suction than the PoolCleaner. After that it just wore out - so I contacted the supplier… Read more

and was provided with a new machine... GREAT! But, 6 months later it failed and turned in circles or wouldn't move. Again I contacted the supplier and this time was sent a tune-up kit... This worked for about 3 months and then the same problem occurred. Since then I have been manually vacuuming the pool - now I'm looking for an affordable replacement.

When it works it's awesome. Worked for 2 years then no amount of repair kit will fix it – We got a Rebel and then a Rebel 2. Having read the reviews which were positive at the time, I was impressed at first, and was very satisfied with the ease of use and cleaning power. Seemed a great purchase! 2 years in when it stopped working - I thought that we'd encountered a rare one off problem so I got a repair kit. It wasn't cheap! And it… Read more

worked for another 6 months...

Then I saw that the Rebel 2 was released, and aimed to fix this issue. Not seeing any super obviously good alternatives in their price range, I got a Rebel 2.

Both the Rebel 1 & 2 were awesome at first, but after a couple of years Rebel 2 had the exact same issue - stuck moving in endless tight circles.

Fool me once - that's their fault. Fool me twice, my fault for giving em the benefit of the doubt.

Considering the cost of both the unit and the repair kit, it's an expensive folly. I hope we can find a long-term reliable pool cleaner but unsure which brand to trust.

Great Cleaner - All Rounder – I’ve had this cleaner for about 6 or so years, and can’t fault this device. It’s taken a few adjustments and updates (inc buying the wheel/shaft V2 upgrade kit). It won’t deal with large tree matter, but if you have an average yard, it will suffice. Show details ·  1

Cheap and nasty – I gave this one a good go including buying an upgrade kit, and the end of the day it cost of lot of time to continually pull leaves out of the unit as it is so finicky and needs constant TLC. If you never get a leave in your pool then this may be a good unit. I'll happily pay double to buy a unit that I don't constantly need to clean out. Show details

Cleans well. Small fixable tolerance/design fault – Cleans everything except sticks and palm fronds (and kids toys left in the pool). It is easy to remove when using the pool. Small tolerance/design fault on the cam (the one that changes it between forward and turn). Can be fixed with screwdriver, hex bit (metric), hammer, super glue, baking soda (bi-carb) and file. Knowing about the fix, I would… Read more

still recommend it. The outer cam sections need to be about 2mm wider to push outwards further and stronger into the teeth.

Poorly designed, Pentair's support is terrible – We were sold this as a replacement for another cleaner - it was, if anything, worse. There is a clear design issue where the left drive system does not engage fully with the wheel, leaving it unable to move correctly. It either spins in circles or gets caught in a corner. Along with this, the suction ports are too small, and even moderately… Read more

sized gum leaves fail to be picked up, just being dragged along in the mouth of it until enough block it entirely (meaning that once again, it just stops).

When I sent a video of the behaviour, Pentair's response was to send me replacement parts - for a cleaner that was less than two weeks old. They didn't talk to me about it, they just assumed the problem (a known issue with them wearing over time). The issue in my case is that the parts were exactly the same as the ones I had (in two weeks, I had no appreciable wear), and they still did not correctly engage with the wheel, meaning the cleaner still did not function.

https://youtu.be/0fcloGfYq4U (for some reason the product review site says the video doesn't exist). You can see one of the original pieces in the bottom right of the shot.

The design is saveable - there's a YouTube video from a guy (I assume from his accent is) in South Africa, where he builds up the cam wheel to properly push the left drive spline into the wheel. I'm not about to modify a ~2 week old device though, that's for the manufacturer to consider as a product revision.

The retailer did everything within their power to resolve the issue (and have now issued a return authorisation, no re-stocking fee, and are covering the cost of shipping), so I really cannot fault them - it's just the product itself that is the problem.

Not worth the money – We bought it because a friend bought it n it worked well . Was great for over a year then started playing up . Friends already had same issue n they had to replace it. We couldn't find the receipt n the shop we bought from wasn't there anymore. By now it's completely stopped n finally found the receipt n found the shop in another location but… Read more

it's 1 month past 3 yrs when the shop said the warranty was for 3 yrs but ofcourse now they say it's 2 yrs .pentair says 3 yrs but 1 month expired so can't help. So basically its good for about a yr Please buy something that lasts longer for the price since this is not worth the money n get warranty in writing.