Here are some of our favorite pool gadgets that reduce the drudgery that comes with owning and maintaining a pool, spa or hot tub. Each of these pool gadgets are affordably priced at less than $80.
1. Check your pool’s water temp without going outside
With this floating thermometer, you can check the temperature of the water in your pool or spa from inside your house. The Maverick Remote Pool Thermometer with Bluetooth communicates with your iOS smartphone or tablet up to 150 feet away via the the free, easy-to-use app. Set a high and low temperature range to receive alerts if the water gets too cold or too hot. Powered by two AAA batteries. About $60.
2. Maintain the water level in your pool automatically and unattended
Filling the swimming pool or spa is one of those time-consuming but necessary chores to prevent your pump from running dry and suffering from motor burnout. With a Pool Sentry Water Leveler, you set the desired water level using the built-in float mechanism. When the water level drops, Pool Sentry automatically adds just the right amount of water. Pool Sentry can be used on almost any style swimming pool, as well as most hot tubs, spas and fish ponds. Just place the unit on the pool deck at the waters edge and attach it to a standard garden hose. It’s great for when you’re away on vacation, at rental or vacant homes, or to maintain water levels in leaky pools. Around $80.
3. Listen to your favorite music while swimming, soaking or doing pool chores
With a Swimline PoolTunes Floating Pool Speaker and Transmitter, you can listen to your music in the pool or hot tub while your iPod is a safe distance away from the splashing water. The floating speaker is waterproof and submersible in up to 3 feet of water (up to 30 minutes). The transmitter broadcasts music wirelessly from your iPod to the floating speaker as far as 100 feet away. Set-up is easy, just plug the transmitter into the earphone jack on your iPod (or other digital music player with a standard mini style output jack). It also features an LED light for nighttime parties. Less than $60.
4. Swim in clean, safe water — everytime!
Testing the chemistry of your pool water for pH, alkalinity, bromine and chlorine is an important step for a clean and safe swimming environment. Do-it-yourself pool and spa test kits that use test strips make water testing easy and accurate. Look for models with digital and automated color matching readouts for best results, like these AquaChek® TruTest® systems that have both a numerical readout along with low and high indicators. About $70.
5. “Sweep” your hot tub or spa clean
No one wants to sit and soak in a gritty hot tub or spa, right? With the battery-powered SwimtimeAqua Broom, you can easily “sweep” away grit, pebbles and other small debris from your hot tub, spa or small pool in minutes. The Aqua Broom is hand held and weighs less than 3 pounds. All debris is vacuumed into the unit’s own reusable, easy to clean filter bag. To clean deeper parts of your spa or pool, attach AquaBroom to telescoping pole (not included). $75.
More Pool Gadgets to Keep Swimmers Safe
The pool gadgets mentioned above make it easier to maintain and enjoy your pool or spa. Swimmer safety is another responsibility of pool ownership that you should not overlook. Add a pool alarm to your pool, spa or hot tub to make your backyard a safer place for everyone and protect family, friends and pets from accidental drowning.
