Reviews & buyer's guides

Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

Picks by category plus what actually matters when you buy.

Best Above-Ground Pools

Metal-frame, budget, easy-set, and large rectangular picks.

Best Pool Vacuums

Manual, suction, cordless, and above-ground vacuums compared.

Best Pool Test Kits

Drop kits, strips, and digital testers, plus what to actually test.

Best Pool Pumps

Variable-speed and value picks, plus how to size one.

Best Pool Heaters

Gas, heat pump, and above-ground picks, plus how to choose.

Best Salt Chlorine Generators

Picks plus how to size a salt cell and what to know first.

Best Pool Filters

Cartridge, sand, and DE filters compared, plus how to size one.

Best Inflatable Hot Tubs

Best overall, budget, large, and cold-weather picks, plus what to check.

Best Pool Shock

Cal-hypo, di-chlor, and non-chlorine picks by job, plus how to choose.

Best Solar Pool Covers

Best overall, most durable, above-ground, and a low-effort pick, plus how to size and use one.

Best Pool Filter Sand and Media

Silica sand, glass, zeolite, and filter balls compared, plus what grade to buy and when to change it.

Best Chlorine Tablets

3-inch trichlor, 1-inch small-pool, and stabilizer-free cal-hypo picks, plus what actually differs between brands.

Best Pool Clarifiers

Polymer, natural chitosan, and heavy-duty picks, plus what a clarifier does and how to dose it.

Best Pool Floats

Best overall lounger, the most durable no-inflate foam float, best for groups, and a premium pick.

Best Solar Pool Heaters

Panel systems, above-ground kits, Intex picks, and a premium roof-mounted system, plus how to size and run one.

Best Pool Alarms

In-ground water alarm, wearable immersion alarm for kids and pets, door alarm, and a certified budget pick, plus the three alarm types and why an alarm is a backup, not a barrier.

Best Automatic Pool Chlorinators

Off-line, in-line, spa and small-pool, and Hayward-match tablet feeder picks, plus off-line versus in-line and the install rule that saves your heater.

Best Pool Brushes

A best-overall 18-inch nylon brush, a weighted brush for large and deep pools, a stainless brush for algae on concrete and plaster, and a corner and step brush, plus the rule that matters: match the bristles to your surface.