Hayward W560 PoolVac Navigator Standard Leaf Canister

The Verdict

If your Hayward PoolVac Navigator spends more time circling the shallow end than actually cleaning, the problem might not be the cleaner — it’s the tiny 1-quart leaf bag it ships with. The W560 Standard Leaf Canister is Hayward’s own answer to that limitation, and at 4.5 stars from 225 ratings, it’s clearly working for most owners. But is it the upgrade your pool actually needs, or just another $40 accessory that ends up in a drawer? Let’s break it down.

What You Actually Get

The box contains the W560 canister body, a clear plastic collection chamber, and the twist-lock collar that connects to your PoolVac Navigator’s throat. That’s it. No tools, no adapters, no instructions longer than a paragraph. As shown in the product image, it’s a straightforward cylindrical unit that sits between the cleaner head and the hose.

The key spec here is capacity: roughly 2 quarts versus the stock bag’s 1 quart. The transparent housing is the real selling point — you can see leaves and debris accumulating without having to disassemble anything. For a pool surrounded by trees, that visual check alone is worth the price of admission.

Performance and Real-World Use

Installation is genuinely tool-free. You twist off the stock bag, twist on the canister, and you’re done. The twist-lock mechanism is positive and secure — no accidental pops mid-cycle. One buyer noted, “Took 30 seconds to install and I immediately noticed the difference in how much debris it held before needing to empty.”

The bigger capacity changes your maintenance rhythm. Instead of checking the bag every 20 minutes during fall cleanup, you can let the cleaner run a full cycle. The canister catches the same range of debris — leaves, acorns, twigs — but holds roughly twice as much before the cleaner starts losing suction.

But here’s the tradeoff buyers don’t mention in the marketing copy: the canister is heavier than the stock bag, especially when full. Multiple reviewers report the Navigator climbs walls less aggressively with the canister attached. One long-term owner put it plainly: “Works great for leaves, but I switch back to the original bag for wall cleaning. The extra weight makes it stall on steep slopes.”

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The 4.5-star average reflects genuine enthusiasm. Common themes in positive reviews:

• Visible debris level — “Being able to see when it’s full without opening anything is a game-changer”
• Twice the runtime — “I can run the whole pool on one cycle now instead of stopping to empty mid-way”
• Build quality — “Feels like a proper Hayward part, not a cheap knockoff. The plastic is thick and the seal is tight”

Where It Falls Short

The biggest complaint is the weight issue mentioned above. If your pool has steep walls or you rely on the Navigator for wall scrubbing, the canister will reduce performance. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s real.

Second, the clear plastic scratches. After a few months of bouncing off tile and steps, the transparency fades to a hazy blur. You can still see debris, but not as crisply as day one. It’s cosmetic, not functional, but worth knowing.

Third, it only fits the Navigator line. If you ever upgrade to a different Hayward cleaner, this canister won’t transfer. That’s a compatibility trap to plan around.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if you have trees near your pool, deal with seasonal leaf drop, or find yourself emptying the stock bag multiple times per cleaning session. It’s also a smart buy if you prefer visual confirmation that your cleaner is actually picking up debris.

Skip it if you have a mostly open pool with minimal debris, or if your pool has steep walls that already challenge the Navigator’s climbing ability. Stick with the stock bag for lighter duty.

FAQ

Q: Will this fit my Hayward PoolVac XL or other Hayward models? A: No. The W560 is specifically designed for the PoolVac Navigator (W3PVNAV) and Navigator Pro. Other Hayward suction cleaners use different throat attachments. Check your model number before ordering.

Q: Does it affect the cleaner’s ability to climb walls? A: Yes, somewhat. The added weight and water displacement reduce climbing power, particularly on steep or slippery surfaces. Many owners switch back to the stock bag for wall-heavy cleaning sessions.

Q: How often do I need to empty it? A: It depends on debris load, but most buyers report getting through a full cleaning cycle without emptying, versus stopping once or twice with the stock bag. For heavy leaf season, you’ll still need to check it mid-cycle.

The Verdict

The Hayward W560 isn’t a flashy upgrade, but it’s a practical one that solves a genuine annoyance. It doubles your debris capacity, shows you when it’s full, and installs in seconds. The tradeoffs — added weight and plastic scratching — are manageable and don’t undermine its core value.

Buy it if your Navigator is constantly choking on leaves or you’re tired of guessing when the bag is full. Skip it if your pool is debris-light or your walls already give the cleaner trouble.

Rating: 4.6/5 — A solid, well-executed accessory that does exactly what it promises, with minor caveats that won’t matter to most pool owners.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.