Quick Answer: Pool Blaster is Water Tech’s line of cordless, battery-powered pool vacuums, from a New Jersey company founded in 2001. For most pools, buy the Pool Blaster Max Li (Gen 2) at $199.99: it runs up to 60 minutes and, per Water Tech, works in water as shallow as 10 inches, against 14.25 inches for most of the lineup. The best value is the Millennium Li ($119.99 on sale, regular $249.99), which lists a higher Power Rating than the original Max and includes a 55-inch pole, and for big floors the Pulse XL 350 ($299.99) is rated at 2,350 sq ft per hour, about twice the Pulse’s 1,200. Skip the iVac 350 Li: Water Tech’s catalog lists it at $499.99 with the same published specs as the $299.99 Pulse XL 350.
Water Tech is an American company headquartered in East Brunswick, New Jersey, founded by Guy Erlich in 2001, and Pool Blaster is its main brand of cordless handheld pool and spa vacuums. All of them work the same way: a battery-powered pump pulls water through a filter bag in the vacuum itself, so nothing goes through your pool pump or filter, and there’s no hose to connect. For this review we compared every pool-sized Pool Blaster on watertechcorp.com on November 5, 2026: prices, the spec list on each product page, Water Tech’s own comparison tables, the warranty list and the refund policy. These are spec, price and documentation checks; we haven’t run a Pool Blaster in a pool ourselves.
Prices and specs checked November 5, 2026 on watertechcorp.com. "No direct price" means Water Tech's product page had no price or Add to Cart button that day, so you'd buy that model from a dealer or retailer.
The 2026 Pool Blaster lineup at a glance
| Model (SKU) | Price on Water Tech | Head | Runtime | Power Rating | Min. depth (45°) | Pole | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Li Gen 2 (30160ML) | $199.99 | 10.5 in, pivoting | 60 min | Not published | 10 in | No | 5.33 lb |
| Max Li Gen 1 (30000ML) | $199.99 | 10.5 in | 60 min | 365 | 14.25 in | No | 5.05 lb |
| Max Li HD (32000HL) | No direct price | 10.5 in | 60 min | 380 | 14.25 in | No | 5.78 lb |
| Max Li CG (31000KL) | $329.99 | 13 in | 60 min | 430 | 14.25 in | No | 5.65 lb |
| Millennium Li (33001HL) | $119.99 sale / $249.99 | 10.5 in | 60 min | 380 | 14.25 in | 55 in | 5.60 lb |
| Pulse XL 350 (35250FLS) | $299.99 | 10.5 in | 60 min | 520 | 14.25 in | No | 4.55 lb |
| iVac 350 Li (35000FL) | No direct price ($499.99 in catalog) | 10.5 in | 60 min | 520 | 14.25 in | No | 4.55 lb |
| Pulse (22151EL) | $110.99 sale / $159.99 | 7.5 in | 45 min | Not published | 14.25 in | 45 in | 4 lb |
| Centennial Li | $119.99 | 10.5 in | 45 min | 290 | 14.25 in | 45 in | 4.05 lb |
| Volt FX-4Li (24050GL) | No direct price | 8 in, clear | 45 min | 275 | 12.25 in | No | 3.40 lb |
| PRO 1000 (40050QL) | $499.99 sale / $899.99 | 15 in | 2 hr | 900 | 17 in | Shoulder strap | 6.80 lb |
| PRO 2000 (41050QL) | $629.99 sale / $1,099.99 | 15 in + gunite head | 2 hr | 1500 | 23 in | Shoulder strap | 10.60 lb |
All figures are Water Tech’s own, from the spec list on each product page. Every handheld here carries a 1-year limited warranty except the Volt FX-4Li (2 years). Water Tech also sells the CX-300 cordless robot ($309.99, covered below), the Dynamo skimmer-basket vacuum ($119.99, regular $179.99, up to 20 minutes) and a range of spa and hot tub vacuums (Catfish, Aqua Broom, Spa Vac) that are too small for a full pool.
What the “Power Rating” does and doesn’t tell you
Most Pool Blaster spec lists include a Power Rating, from 275 on the Volt FX-4Li to 1500 on the PRO 2000. Water Tech doesn’t publish a unit or a test method for it, and no other brand uses the same scale, so it only helps you rank Pool Blasters against each other. Two other numbers are more useful:
- Coverage. Water Tech’s own Pulse vs Pulse XL 350 comparison rates the Pulse XL 350 at 2,350 sq ft per hour and the Pulse at 1,200, and credits the difference to the XL’s P30 motor box against the Pulse’s P20. These are the only coverage figures Water Tech publishes for a handheld.
- Minimum depth. Water Tech lists how deep the water must be with the vacuum held at a 45-degree angle. It ranges from 10 inches (Max Li Gen 2) to 23 inches (PRO 2000). If you want to vacuum steps or a sun shelf, this matters more than power.
By the Pulse XL 350’s rating, a 16 x 32 ft pool floor (512 sq ft) takes about 13 minutes, and about 26 minutes with the Pulse (our arithmetic on Water Tech’s figures; real time depends on how dirty the pool is and how often you empty the bag).
The Pool Blaster Max family: Gen 1, Gen 2, HD and CG
“Pool Blaster Max” now covers four different vacuums. Two of them cost the same.
Pool Blaster Max Li (Gen 2)
- 10.5-inch "Omni Pivot" rotating head, up to 60 minutes per charge, 5.33 lb.
- Works in water as shallow as 10 inches at a 45-degree angle, the lowest minimum depth of any Pool Blaster handheld.
- Includes one Xtreme multi-layer filter bag, a crevice corner nozzle, a wall charger and US and EU adapters. No pole.
- Listed on Water Tech's store in May 2026; 1-year limited warranty.
The Gen 2 is the Max to buy. It costs exactly the same $199.99 as the Gen 1, runs the same 60 minutes on the same 10.5-inch head width, and works in 4.25 inches less water (10 against 14.25 inches). That’s the difference between reaching a typical step or sun shelf and not. Water Tech pitches it for “the debris robotic cleaners leave behind”, including sand, silt, pollen and pine needles, which is the realistic job for any handheld. The one gap in its spec list: Water Tech doesn’t publish a Power Rating for the Gen 2, so you can’t compare its suction with the Gen 1’s 365 on paper.
Pool Blaster Max Li (Gen 1)
- 10.5-inch head with scrubbing brushes and a crevice nozzle, Power Rating 365, P30 motor.
- Up to 60 minutes per charge; Water Tech says it fully recharges in under 4 hours.
- Needs 14.25 inches of water at a 45-degree angle. 5.05 lb, no pole.
At the same price as the Gen 2, the Gen 1’s only advantages on paper are the scrubbing brushes in the box and a published Power Rating. If you vacuum mostly deep, flat floors, it’s a fine vacuum; for everyone else, the Gen 2’s shallower reach is worth more.
Pool Blaster Max Li CG (Commercial Grade)
- 13-inch head, the widest Pool Blaster under the PRO models. Power Rating 430, P30 motor.
- Two filter bags in the box: an Xtreme multi-layer bag and an all-purpose bag.
- Up to 60 minutes, 5.65 lb, 14.25-inch minimum depth, no pole.
The CG costs $130 more than the Gen 2 for a head that’s 2.5 inches wider and a second bag. It’s the handheld pick in our best pool vacuum guide for big floors. One thing to weigh before you pay for “Commercial Grade”: the $299.99 Pulse XL 350 lists a higher Power Rating (520 against 430) for $30 less, with a narrower 10.5-inch head.
Pool Blaster Max Li HD
- Same high-flow P30 pump as the original Max, with a debris chamber Water Tech says is 40% larger.
- Power Rating 380, 10.5-inch head, up to 60 minutes, 5.78 lb, 14.25-inch minimum depth, no pole.
You can’t buy the HD on Water Tech’s own site, and you don’t need to: Water Tech’s Millennium Li lists the same Power Rating (380), the same “40% larger” chamber claim against the Max, the same 10.5-inch head and the same 23.5 x 10.5 x 7.5-inch body, and Water Tech sells it directly with a pole.
The best-value Pool Blaster: Millennium Li
Pool Blaster Millennium Li
- Power Rating 380, P30 motor, 10.5-inch scrub-brush head that pops off to expose an angled nozzle for corners.
- Up to 60 minutes per charge, 5.60 lb, 14.25-inch minimum depth.
- Includes a 55-inch five-piece pole set, an Xtreme multi-layer bag and a wall charger.
At $119.99, the Millennium Li undercuts the Max Li Gen 1 by $80 while listing a slightly higher Power Rating (380 against 365) and a pole in the box. That makes it the best-value Pool Blaster for deep, flat floors, as long as the sale lasts; at its $249.99 regular price it would be harder to justify. Its page contradicts itself once, saying “Pole not included” in one paragraph while the spec list and What’s Included both list the five-piece pole set. Go by the spec list, and check the box contents when it arrives. The Speed Vac XL (SKU 33101HL) shares the Millennium’s SKU family and its listed head, bag, five-piece pole and 1-hour runtime, but Water Tech doesn’t sell it directly.
The Pulse family, and the $499.99 twin
Pool Blaster Pulse XL 350
- Rated at 2,350 sq ft per hour of cleaning coverage, against 1,200 for the Pulse. Power Rating 520, P30 motor box.
- Auto-start water sensor: no power switch, the motor runs only when the vacuum is under water.
- 10.5-inch head, up to 60 minutes, 4.55 lb (tied with its iVac twin as the lightest 60-minute Pool Blaster), 14.25-inch minimum depth, no pole.
Water Tech calls the Pulse XL 350 “the most powerful, high-capacity residential cordless manual pool vacuum we offer”, and its published numbers back that up among the sub-$300 models: the highest Power Rating, the only 60-minute model with a coverage rating, and the lowest weight in the 60-minute group (shared with the iVac 350 Li below). The auto-start sensor means it stops when you lift it out to empty it, which also saves battery.
Then there’s the iVac 350 Li (SKU 35000FL). On November 5, its spec list matched the Pulse XL 350 line for line: Power Rating 520, 10.5-inch head, 60 minutes, 25.5 x 10.5 x 7 inches, 4.55 lb and a 14.25-inch minimum depth. The only difference Water Tech lists is a push-button switch instead of the auto-start sensor. Water Tech’s catalog prices the iVac 350 Li at $499.99, $200 more than the Pulse XL 350, though its product page shows no Add to Cart button. If you see it in a pool store, compare it with the Pulse XL 350’s price first.
Pool Blaster Pulse
- 7.5-inch head, P20 motor, rated at 1,200 sq ft per hour of coverage.
- Up to 45 minutes per charge, 4 lb, includes a 45-inch four-piece pole and an all-purpose filter bag.
- 14.25-inch minimum depth.
The Pulse is the cheapest pool-rated Pool Blaster with a pole included, but the narrow 7.5-inch head and 45-minute runtime suit spas, small above-ground pools and spot cleaning. For $9 more, the Centennial Li ($119.99) has a 10.5-inch head and the same 45-inch pole and 45-minute runtime, with a Power Rating of 290, and for the same $119.99 the Millennium Li adds 15 minutes of runtime and a higher rating.
The PRO 1000 and PRO 2000: big pools, deep water
Pool Blaster PRO 1000
- 15-inch vinyl-pool head, Power Rating 900, up to 2 hours on a sealed, non-removable battery.
- Three filter bags (all-purpose, sand and silt, Xtreme multi-layer), shoulder strap and a shallow-water adapter.
- Needs 17 inches of water at a 45-degree angle. 6.80 lb.
Pool Blaster PRO 2000
- 15-inch head with both a vinyl head and a gunite head on polyurethane ball bearings, plus a universal head adapter. Power Rating 1500.
- Up to 2 hours on a sealed battery, three filter bags, shoulder strap, shallow-water adapter.
- Needs 23 inches of water at a 45-degree angle without the gunite adapter. 10.60 lb.
Water Tech says both PRO models use its “most powerful motor” and capture debris up to golf-ball size. The PRO 2000’s rating (1500) is two-thirds higher than the PRO 1000’s (900) and it adds the gunite head, for $130 more at sale prices. Both replace older models with swappable batteries: Water Tech’s own comparison tables list the PRO 900 and PRO 1500 at 60 minutes per battery with “regular battery replacement and care required”, against 120 minutes on one sealed battery for the PRO 1000 and 2000. The trade-off is depth. At 17 and 23 inches, neither is a step or sun-shelf tool. For heavier commercial work, a cart vacuum like the Riptide is the next step up.
The Pool Blaster CX-300 cordless robot
Pool Blaster CX-300
- Up to 2.5 hours per charge, 4-hour recharge, daily or weekly cleaning schedule.
- Rated at 2,160 sq ft per hour; works from 16 inches to 13 ft deep. Water Tech's store files it under floors and walls.
- 23.3 lb, retrieval hook for a standard pole, sold in the USA only.
- 2-year limited warranty on the lithium battery, drive motors and pump motors.
The CX-300 is a reasonable spec sheet for $309.99, with a longer runtime than most cordless robots in its price range. The catch is Water Tech’s own flow claim: the spec list says up to 7,200 gallons per hour, while the feature text on the same page says it “filters at 3,038 gallons per hour”, a gap of about 2.4 times. We’d plan around the lower figure. To compare it with WYBOT, Aiper and Beatbot cordless robots, see our best cordless robotic pool cleaner guide.
By the numbers
- $0: the price difference between the Max Li Gen 1 and Gen 2 ($199.99 each). The Gen 2 reaches 4.25 inches shallower water.
- $200: how much more Water Tech’s catalog asks for the iVac 350 Li ($499.99) than the Pulse XL 350 ($299.99), with matching published specs.
- $80: what the Millennium Li ($119.99) saves against the Max Li Gen 1, with a higher listed Power Rating and a 55-inch pole.
- About 2 times: the Pulse XL 350’s rated coverage against the Pulse’s (2,350 against 1,200 sq ft per hour), per Water Tech.
- 2.4 times: the gap between the two flow figures on the CX-300’s own product page (7,200 against 3,038 gallons per hour).
- 10 to 23 inches: the range of minimum water depth across the handhelds, from the Max Li Gen 2 to the PRO 2000.
Warranty and returns: the fine print
| What | Water Tech's terms (Nov 5, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Handheld vacuums (Max, Millennium, Pulse, Centennial, PRO) | 1-year limited warranty |
| Volt FX-4Li | 2-year limited warranty |
| CX-300 robot | 2-year limited warranty on lithium batteries, drive motors and pump motors |
| Returns on watertechcorp.com orders | 30 days after delivery; item must be unused, in original packaging, with proof of purchase; returns shipped to East Brunswick, NJ |
| Defects and warranty claims | Through Water Tech's RMA form (US and Canada) or international support form |
The return rule is the one to read twice. Water Tech’s refund policy says the item must be “unworn or unused” and in its original packaging, which reads like generic store wording but would rule out a vacuum that has already been in your pool. Decide on depth, head width and pole before you order, and keep the box until you’re sure. The PRO models’ sealed batteries also mean there’s no battery to swap when it ages: Water Tech sells the PRO 1000/2000 motor box as a part for $375.25.
Which Pool Blaster should you buy?
- Most in-ground and above-ground pools, including steps and sun shelves: Max Li Gen 2 ($199.99).
- Best value for deep, flat floors, pole included: Millennium Li ($119.99 while on sale).
- Big floors, fastest rated coverage under $300: Pulse XL 350 ($299.99).
- Widest head without going pro: Max Li CG ($329.99).
- Spas and small soft-sided pools: Pulse ($110.99) or Centennial Li ($119.99), both with a 45-inch pole.
- Large or gunite pools, two-hour sessions: PRO 1000 ($499.99) for vinyl, PRO 2000 ($629.99) for gunite, as long as your shallowest area is at least 17 or 23 inches deep.
- You’d rather not push a pole at all: CX-300 robot ($309.99), or compare cordless robots in our best cordless robotic pool cleaner guide.
For how Pool Blasters compare with Kokido’s XTROVAC handhelds, Aiper’s PilotFlow X1 and the Ryobi PCL780, see our best cordless pool vacuum guide and our Kokido pool vacuum review.
The bottom line
Water Tech’s Pool Blaster lineup is bigger than it needs to be, and some of it overlaps. The Max Li Gen 2 at $199.99 is the one to buy for most pools, because it matches the Gen 1’s price and runtime and reaches 4.25 inches shallower water. The Millennium Li is the value pick at $119.99 with a pole, the Pulse XL 350 is the big-floor pick at $299.99, and the PRO 1000 and 2000 make sense only for large pools with no shallow areas. Before buying any Pool Blaster from a pool store, check whether it’s a same-spec twin of a cheaper model; the iVac 350 Li is the clearest example.
Sources (checked November 5, 2026): watertechcorp.com product pages, spec lists and Shopify catalog data for the Pool Blaster Max Li (Gen 1 and Gen 2), Max Li HD, Max Li CG, Millennium Li, Speed Vac XL, Pulse, Pulse XL 350 (including Water Tech's Pulse vs Pulse XL 350 comparison), iVac 350 Li, Centennial Li, Volt FX-4Li, PRO 1000 and PRO 2000 (including the PRO 900/1500 comparison tables), CX-300 robot, Dynamo skimmer vacuum and PRO motor-box part; Water Tech's About page, Product Warranty list and Refund Policy; CPSC recall database (no Water Tech or Pool Blaster recall found). We compare published specs and documentation and don't test products ourselves.