Quick verdict
The versatile middle ground — Catfish nimbleness with more power and capacity. A smart one-vac pick for mixed spa-and-small-pool use.
Ideal for
- Mixed spa + small-pool cleaning
- Owners who found the base Catfish underpowered
- One-handheld households
Not ideal for
- Large in-ground pool floors (get the Max)
- Absolute lowest budget
The full picture
The Catfish Ultra Gen 2 bridges the gap between the nimble Catfish and the workhorse Max. It keeps the light, cordless, hose-free design that makes the Catfish so easy, but adds meaningfully more suction and a larger debris capacity than the original Ultra — enough to handle not just spa touch-ups but occasional pool-floor and step cleaning without bogging down. For an owner who wants one handheld that's spa-friendly yet capable of a bit more, it's a smart middle ground. It's pricier than the base Catfish but cheaper than the Max, and for many mixed spa-and-small-pool situations it's the sweet spot.
Pool Blaster Catfish Ultra (Gen 2) Cordless Pool Vacuum at a glance
- Type
- Handheld cordless spot vacuum
- Power
- Rechargeable lithium
- Runtime (min)
- 50
- Charge time
- ~4 hr
- Battery
- Li-ion
- Vacuum head width
- ~8 in
- Suction / flow
- Increased vs original Catfish
- Filter
- Larger-capacity filter bag
- Handles
- Dirt, leaves, silt, light sand
- Pool type
- Spas, above-ground & in-ground
- Telescopic pole
- Yes
- Weight (lb)
- 3.2
- Notable feature
- More power and capacity than the original Catfish Ultra
Source: Compiled from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and aggregated owner feedback. Specs and prices change — confirm with the retailer before buying.
This is a research-based review — our analysis draws on manufacturer specifications, manuals, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback rather than our own hands-on testing, and we note where a detail couldn't be confirmed. How we review
The in-depth review
The Catfish Ultra Gen 2 bridges the gap between the nimble Catfish and the workhorse Max.
The best of both
It keeps the light, cordless, hose-free design that makes the Catfish so easy, but adds meaningfully more suction and a larger debris capacity than the original Ultra — enough to handle not just spa touch-ups but occasional pool-floor and step cleaning without bogging down. For an owner who wants one handheld that's spa-friendly yet capable of a bit more, it's a smart single purchase.
The tradeoffs
It's pricier than the base Catfish but cheaper than the Max, and it's still slower than a wide-head Max on big floors. Heavy sand loads remain a job for the Max. Think of it as a capable all-rounder rather than a specialist at either end.
Performance breakdown
Research-based editorial judgments from specs, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback — not lab measurements. How we score
Pros and cons
What works
- More suction and capacity than the base Catfish
- Still light and nimble
- Handles spa + light pool duty
- Cordless, hose-free simplicity
What doesn't
- Pricier than the standard Catfish
- Still slower than the Max on big floors
- Not for heavy sand loads
- Manual vacuuming
Best alternatives to Pool Blaster Catfish Ultra (Gen 2) Cordless Pool Vacuum
Pool Blaster
Catfish (Water Tech)
Pool Blaster
Pool Blaster Catfish Cordless Spot Vacuum
Best for spas & steps
The nimble spot vac — a light, narrow-head Catfish built for hot tubs, spa corners, and pool steps.
Aiper
Pilot H2
Aiper
Aiper Pilot H2 Handheld Cordless Pool Vacuum
Best handheld for scrubbing
The step-up handheld: 1,260 GPH suction plus bottom-scrubbing brushes, Standard and Power modes, and up to 70 minutes of runtime for tougher spot cleaning.
Pool Blaster
Max CG (Commercial Grade)
Pool Blaster
Pool Blaster Max CG Commercial-Grade Cordless Pool Vacuum
Premium / commercial-grade
The heavy-duty Max — commercial-grade build and power for frequent or demanding cleaning, with genuine microfilter bags.
Aiper
Aiper PilotFlow X1 Handheld Cordless Pool Vacuum
Best for shallow spot-cleaning
A cordless spot-cleaning vacuum with 1,260 GPH suction, two-stage filtration, and a depth range from 0.2m steps to 3m deep, plus a self-cleaning backwash that fights clogs.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Gen 2 different from the original Catfish Ultra?
Gen 2 adds more suction power and a larger debris capacity, so it handles bigger messes and a bit more runtime before you empty it — a worthwhile upgrade if you clean more than just a spa.
Catfish Ultra or Pool Blaster Max?
The Ultra is lighter and more spa-friendly; the Max has a wider head and more suction for clearing full pool floors. Choose the Ultra for mixed spa-and-small-pool use, the Max for a larger pool.
Can it do a whole small pool?
Yes, reasonably — the added power makes small above-ground and in-ground pools manageable, though a big pool is still faster with a wide-head Max or a robot.
Does it handle sand?
Light sand and silt, yes; very heavy sand is better for the Max. The Ultra is a capable all-rounder rather than a dedicated heavy-debris tool.
Is it a good one-and-only handheld?
For many owners, yes — it’s nimble enough for spas and powerful enough for light pool duty, which makes it a versatile single purchase.
How do I maintain it?
Rinse the filter bag after use and recharge. The larger-capacity bag means fewer mid-clean empties than the base Catfish.