The best pool skimmer basket is an import accessory of your swimming pool. The basket rests inside of your pool skimmer and gathers pieces of bugs, debris, toys, and any other material that can damage or harm your pool filter or pool pump.
This basket can be round or square, depending on the brand and type of skimmer your pool has. In most situations, skimmer baskets won’t fit into each other if they are not of the same model or from the same brand.
Getting the best basket isn’t an easy task, especially when you consider that the market is flooded with hundreds of models and brands. Luckily, we have done a thorough research and reviewed the best units on the market today and even given you a buying guide of the skimmer basket.
What is a Skimmer Basket?
This is an accessory that is shaped like a basket and is responsible for trapping large object and debris in order to prevent them from entering your pool’s filter or pump.
Features to Consider When Buying Skimmer Baskets
Now that you have decided to get a skimmer basket, it is probably wise to know how to go about it. What factors should you watch out for?
These factors or features include:
The Price
Obviously, many people have a specific budget that they have allocated for a skimmer basket. You shouldn’t spend more than you have planned to. So, if the quality isn’t compromised, get a basket that is within your budget.
Of important, remember that the best products are often more expensive. However, this doesn’t mean that cheap skimmer baskets are of low-quality; the price is set by the manufacturer and usually depends on the cost of production.
Durability or Long-Lasting
All skimmer baskets aren’t manufactured equal, so ensure that you consider the material the unit is made of. Additionally, go through previous buyers review to see how satisfied or unsatisfied they are with the durability of the basket you want to purchase.
If you realize that many people are complaining about a certain skimmer basket model breaking easily or getting damaged, you should probably consider another model.
Ease of Installation
We would recommend you to buy a basket that is easy to install. With that said, if you have the time and the ability to hire a professional to do it for you, then you can go for a complicated skimmer basket.
UV Resistant Basket
There are thousands of pool skimmer baskets on the market today that are constructed of cheap materials that crack under the harmful UV rays over time. Therefore, ensure that you get a basket that is made of UV resistant material to ensure that it lasts for many years.
Comes with a Warranty
It is hard to trust an item without a warranty. With so many brands, you can’t be assured of getting the best quality in a skimmer basket. This is why it’s important you buy a basket that has a warranty so that you can return it if it doesn’t work as specified.
Conveniently Attaches to the Skimmer
A pool skimmer basket that doesn’t fit your pool skimmer will not work as supposed to. Simply put, it won’t trap the debris it is supposed to, and it might even destroy your skimmer and other parts of your pool such as the filter and pump.
Top 10 Pool Skimmer Basket Reviews for 2022
Here is a review of the top skimmer baskets on the market today.
Impresa Products 20-Pack of Pool Skimmer Socks – Ideal Savers for Skimmers, Baskets, and Filters
Impresa Products 20-Pack is made from ultrafine, durable, and elastic nylon mesh that helps to attract and capture hair, oil, pine, grass, leaves, pollen, bugs, needles, and other debris. This ensures that your swimming pool’s filtration system is always free of any clogging, ready to do its work effectively.
The product comes with pool socks that help to protect the shaft seal and pump impeller from getting clogged or damaged, hence extending the useful life of your facility’s filtration system or pool filters. This product makes cleaning your skimmer pool basket less messy and pretty easy. The other notable feature of this unit is that it fits almost all pool skimmer baskets, including Swimquip, Pentair, and Hayward.
One great thing about Impresa is that it comes in a super value pack of 20 pool filter socks, ensuring that you don’t keep on visiting the market to get more.
Pros
- Compatible with most skimmer baskets
- Product pump impeller and shaft seal
- An affordable product
Cons
- Not perfect for chlorinated
Coopache 30-Pack of Pool Skimmer Socks – Filter Baskets for Above Ground and In-Ground Pools
Coopache 30-Pack protects the shaft seal and pumps impeller from clogging and damage, extending the life of your swimming pool filters system, saving you hundreds of dollars in repair cost. These nylon filter socks are quite easy to install, you can install them and uninstall them easily, and they help to trap dust, pine needles, leaves, little bugs, oil, and other debris.
The products are made from durable elastic and ultrafine mesh which can be recycled for years. This offers your skimmer socks a premium quality that is not matched by other models. Due to their stretching ability, these products fit well over most pool skimmer baskets, including Hayward, Swimquip, Pentair, and others.
Pros
- Universal range of use
- Easy to install and uninstall
- Works effectively
Cons
- Delicate handle that breaks easily
U.S. Pool Supply Swimming Pool Plastic Skimmer Replacement Basket
US Pool is one of the most popular manufacturers of pool supplies in the world. The brand is known for the quality of its products, and this skimmer basket is no exception. The basket is designed to help you to enjoy a clean pool.
The holes are large enough for water to pass through but tiny enough to trap bugs, debris, pines, leaves, and contaminants. By using this basket, your pre-emptively tackle any clogging in your pools’ filtration system.
The product is made from chlorine-resistant plastic, which will allow you to use it for a long time. Due to the dimensions and design, the US Pool Supplies basket can fit into many pool skimmers. With this basket, cleaning the swimming pool is an easier process.
Pros
- From reputable manufacturer
- Easy to set up
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Low durability
Aquabeacon 30-Pack Original Premium Pool Skimmer Socks
The next product on this roundup offers users up to 30 socks, therefore, you don’t have to hit the market often looking for a replacement. Each of these socks is made to protect the shaft seal and pump impeller from damage, especially because of clogging. With this in place, you will extend the lifespan of your filtration system and reduce the maintenance cost.
An advantage of these skimmer socks is the ease of installation. Once set up, they work to trap any dust, oil, bugs, and debris that might be in the pool. Each of the 30 pieces is made from high quality, ultra fine nylon mesh. Therefore, they are designed to last.
They are also elastic, which implies impressive versatility and compatibility with different types of baskets. Interestingly, these socks can also be washed and reused for up to eight weeks!
Pros
- Durable
- 30 replacement pieces
- Useful with different baskets
Cons
- Not easy to clean
10-Pack of Pool Skimmer Socks – Ideal Savers for Skimmers, Filters, and Baskets
These products are made from long-lasting elastic and amazingly fine nylon mesh to enable them to act as a net that attracts grass, oil, pollen, pine needles, bugs, scum, hair, leaves, and other debris. This prevents the debris from blocking your swimming pool’s filtration system and they also act as superb algae sock for all types of pool use.
The products also protect the shaft seal and pump impeller from damage or blocking, thereby prolonging the life of your swimming pool cartridge, filter pump, and the entire filtration system. These socks make cleaning your swimming pool baskets less messy and easier. The best part, they fit almost all kinds of pool filter basket or strainer basket or pump basket.
Pros
- Comes in a value pack of 10
- Easy to clean using a garden hose
- Durable products
Cons
- Need replacing after 4 to 8 weeks
Hayward SPX1082CA Basket Assembly Replacement for Hayward Automatic Skimmers
If you own a uniquely-shaped auto skimmer basket that you are having a hard time finding a replacement for, this filter basket from Hayward might be just what you require. The product works with most Hayward models such as SP 1086, SP 1085, SP 1084, SP 1083, and SP 1082 skimmers.
The basket is also compatible with other filters that match its measurement since not all skimmer baskets have the same shape or size. The other great feature of this unit is its affordability and it offers you superb filtration. It keeps large leaves, stones, and other debris out of your swimming pool filter system for many years.
Pros
- Easy to install
- It’s very durable
- Comes from a reputable manufacturer
Cons
- Its handle breaks easily
SkimDoctor 2.0 for Inground Pools; Fits Pentair, Hayward, and Other Skimmer Baskets
SkimDoctor 2.0 is a new and improved product that makes cleaning your swimming very easy. It comes with a patented tech that creates a vortex to swiftly pull dirt as well as other debris from your facility into the skimmer basket, ensuring that there is no dirt floating above the basket. This product skims your swimming pool 3 times faster than other units, giving you a spotlessly clean pool within minutes.
Another great feature of this basket is that it works effectively with both low-flow and variable-speed pumps and it boosts the flow of water into your pool’s skimmer. One of the best features of this unit is its easy-empty, quick-release design that only requires a simple twist and lift of the tube and the skimmer basket will be empty.
Pros
- Works with most skimmer baskets
- An easy to use the unit
- Attaches to the top of an existing skimmer
Cons
- Basket not included
Pool Skimmer Socks 30-Pack, Filter Savers for Skimmers and Baskets, Fine Mesh Screen
Pool Skimmer Socks 30-Pack is one of the best products for filtration system protection since they capture debris which your pool’s filter fails, including bugs, hair, and other minute debris. Highly compatible with other baskets, these socks can work with most skimmer baskets from the leading brands on the market today. The best thing, these products lower your maintenance needs and extend the lifespan of your swimming pool filter.
Simple to use, these units also happen to be very easy to install, making it’s a breeze to remove debris from your facility.
Pros
- 30-Pack that last longer
- Easy to use and install
- Low maintenance needs
Cons
- Not durable
Hestya 20-Pack Pool Skimmer Filter Savers Socks Nylon Pool Filter Socks
Hestya 20-Pack is made of long-lasting nylon materials which are highly flexible, soft, and elastic and helps to protect your pool filtration system. The product size is 22 by 13 cm but the mesh filter socks are easy to stretch, hence fits most skimmers and baskets from other brands. Due to this feature of stretch-ability, these products act as replacement units.
The products are easy to put on and off your basket and they help to trap dog hair, leaves, little bugs, needles, dust, and other debris. These filter socks are great pool system protectors since they make your pool’s water to be cleaner – they gather the minute debris that is floating on your pool ensuring that they don’t reach your pool’s pump (this also protects the pump).
Pros
- Protect pool pumps
- Make pool water cleaner
- Fits most skimmer baskets
Cons
- Need replacement after 30-60 days
Our Top Pick
All the 8 models we have reviewed above with offer value for the money. However, 10-Pack of Pool Skimmer Socks – Ideal Savers for Skimmers, Filters, and Baskets just edges the rest because of its amazing features such as durability, effectiveness, and universal fit.
Cleaning the Skimmer and Skimmer Basket
Here we will look at the reasons why you should clean your skimmer and skimmer basket and how to go about it.
Why clean the skimmer and the basket?
Cleaning your skimmer and skimmer basket regularly is vital to the general maintenance of your pool. A blocked basket makes your pool’s pump to work harder when trying to cycle the water. This might reduce the life and even stress the seal in your swimming pool pump.
With the water flow being obstructed by a skimmer basket full of dirt, you will not get the right turnover rate to effectively filter your swimming pool water. For your facility to remain clear and clean, the water needs to be filtered.
When the skimmer and the basket are full, there will be little water being pulled to the pump, and it won’t be filtered compared to when the basket is kept clean.
How do you clean the skimmer and skimmer basket?
You should clean the skimmer and the basket once per week. Follow the directions below:
Cleaning the Pump Basket:
- Switch off the pool heater and cleaner pump. If the heater was on, wait for about 10 minutes for it to cool before you turn off the pump.
- Close the main drain valves and the skimmer.
- If your swimming pool pump is under the water in your pool, then turn close the filter valve – turn to “Closed”.
- Remove the pump lid.
- Use your garden hose to clean the pump basket. Remember that a skimmer basket might become brittle over time and might break. It’s easier to clean a basket if the materials are allowed to dry. Therefore, having 2 pump baskets that you can be rotating is the best way to clean this accessory.
- Inspect this basket for any sign of damage; replace it if needed.
- Re-install the basket. Some units twist-lock in place, so don’t over-tighten them.
- Inspect the o-ring and pump lid for damage or cracks and oil the o-ring with oil if it is dry.
- Install the o-ring and the pump lid. Again, don’t over-tighten them.
- Ensure that your pool’s filter valve is in the right place.
- Open the primary drain valve.
- Open the pressure relief valve on the filter.
- Switch the pump on.
- Once your pool pump has caught the prime, open the other skimmer valves.
- Close the valve when you see a steady stream of pool water running through the relief valve.
- Turn the cleaner pump as well as the heater on.
Cleaning skimmer basket:
- Turn the swimming pool pump off.
- Take the skimmer lid off.
- Remove your skimmer basket and empty the trash.
- Return the basket into its skimmer.
- Return the lid and switch the system on.
FAQs About Skimmer Basket
Q: After how long should I empty my skimmer basket?
A: We would recommend you inspect and empty your basket weekly. Emptying it regularly ensure that it doesn’t crack or break from heavy flow of dirt and debris.
Q: What is the purpose of a skimmer basket?
A: The purpose of a skimmer basket is to provide a barrier for big debris. It prevents them from entering the pump and filter.
Q: What are skimmer baskets made of?
A: Usually, these accessories are made of hard plastic and feature some kind of handle or weight for ease of use. The handles are made of plastic or metal material and are located in the middle so you can easily grab and lift them.
Q: How can I remove my skimmer basket?
A: You can remove these units by opening the skimmer’s lid. On some in-ground pools, the skimmer lid might be screwed; you need to unscrew the lid before you lift it up. For above ground pools, just open and lift the lid. Once the skimmer is open, you can easily access the basket inside.
Q: How do pool skimmer baskets work?
A: The skimmer basket is an essential part of the pool skimmer. The skimmer collects debris from the pool surface. But it is the pool basket that contains the debris collected. To ensure maximum filtration, the basket should be emptied periodically.
Conclusion
Skimmer baskets are found in a variety of sizes and designs, but they all have the same purpose – collecting bugs, leaves, toys, and any other debris that enters your pool. The best pool skimmer basket will last for years, are made of plastic, and should be inexpensive to replace.