Pentair
Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF Pump
Best premium pump
The flagship variable-speed-and-flow pump: maximum efficiency and control for large or demanding pools.
Pool Accessories & Gear
The gear that makes a pool easier to own and more fun to use: skimmer nets and brushes, telescopic poles, vacuum heads, replacement filters, cover pumps and reels, variable-speed pumps, and the luxury floats worth actually paying for.
Ledge Lounger
Ledge Lounger Signature Chaise
Best tanning-ledge chaise
The in-water chaise designed for tanning ledges — the piece that defines the modern shallow-shelf look.
Generic
Pool Skimmer Socks (Basket Filters)
Best cheap upgrade
Cheap fine-mesh socks that stretch over the skimmer basket and catch the fine debris it misses.
Pentair
Pentair SuperFlo VS Variable-Speed Pump
Best value variable-speed pump
The popular value entry to variable-speed: big energy savings over a single-speed without top-tier pricing.
Hayward
Hayward TriStar VS Pump
Best high-performance VS pump
Hayward's high-performance variable-speed pump for larger pools and higher-head plumbing.
ProTuff
ProTuff Pool Net Leaf Skimmer Rake
Best leaf rake
A deep-bag leaf rake that scoops sunk debris in one pass instead of chasing it around.
Hayward
Hayward MaxFlo VS Variable-Speed Pump
Best compact VS pump
Hayward's compact value variable-speed pump — a strong SuperFlo VS alternative for mid-size pools.
Generic
Telescopic Pool Pole (8–16 ft)
Best pole
The one tool every other tool clips onto — buy a rigid anodized pole once and stop fighting flex.
Jandy
Jandy VS FloPro Pump
Best for Jandy systems
Jandy's variable-speed pump with easy controls — a solid pick, especially in Jandy-equipped systems.
Black+Decker
Black+Decker Variable-Speed Pool Pump
Best value VS pump
The budget-friendly variable-speed pump that made VS efficiency accessible, with a long warranty.
FUNBOY
FUNBOY Luxury Clear Chaise Float
Best design float
FUNBOY's design-forward clear lounger — the Instagram float with better materials than it looks.
Aqua
Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Lounger
Best value lounger
A versatile lounger that converts between saddle and recliner positions — comfort without a luxury price.
Big Joe
Big Joe Captain's Float
Best puncture-proof float
A firm, buoyant foam-bead float that shrugs off punctures — no seams to split, no valve to fail.
Intex
Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump
Best above-ground pump upgrade
The common above-ground upgrade: a sand filter pump that outperforms the cartridge pump most frame pools ship with.
FUNBOY
FUNBOY Giant Cabana Dayclub Float
Best party float
A big multi-person party float with a shaded canopy and cooler — the centerpiece for pool gatherings.
Aqua
Aqua Luxury Water Lounger
Best everyday lounger
A padded, stable lounger with a headrest — everyday comfort that survives more than one season.
Aqua
Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Pool Float
Best versatile float
A convertible float that switches between hammock, lounger, drifter, and saddle — one float, four ways to relax.
iGarden
iGarden LED Floating Pool Lights (2-Pack)
Best floating pool lights
A two-pack of rechargeable, IP68-waterproof floating lights with 16 colors, 5 brightness levels, and built-in timer modes.
Generic
Pool Filter Cartridge Cleaner Tool
Best filter cleaning tool
A comb attachment that spreads the pleats and blasts trapped grime out of cartridge filters.
Generic
Pool Cover Pump
Best cover pump
An automatic submersible pump that clears rain and snowmelt off a winter cover before it pools and sinks it.
O'Brien
O'Brien Foam Water Saddle
Best casual foam float
A simple, durable foam saddle you sit astride — indestructible, stackable, and perfect for casual bobbing.
Poolmaster
Poolmaster Classic Vacuum Head
Best manual vacuum head
A weighted vacuum head with brushes that stays down and vacuums floors evenly.
Generic
Pool Cover Reel
Best cover reel
A roller that lets one person remove and replace a solar or safety cover in a minute instead of wrestling it.
Poolmaster
Poolmaster Heavy-Duty Leaf Rake
Best value leaf rake
A widely available heavy-duty rake that gets the everyday leaf job done for less.
Poolmaster
Poolmaster 1.5-Inch Pool Vacuum Hose
Best vacuum hose
A kink-resistant 1.5-inch vacuum hose in the length that matches most residential setups.
iGarden
iGarden LED Pool Wall Lights (2-Pack)
Best no-drill wall lights
A two-pack of color-changing underwater wall lights that attach to the pool wall with no drilling.
What to know before you buy
Buy the pole and net once, well
A flimsy telescopic pole and a shallow skimmer net are the tools you'll fight with every week. Spend a little more for a rigid anodized pole and a deep, well-stitched net — they outlast the cheap ones several times over and make the weekly skim far less annoying.
Variable-speed pumps pay for themselves
A variable-speed pump costs more upfront than a single-speed, but running it slower for longer moves the same water using a fraction of the electricity. In many regions the energy savings cover the price difference within a season or two — and several states now require variable-speed pumps on new installs.
With floats, materials are the whole game
The gap between a $25 float that betrays you in three weeks and a premium lounger that lasts years is almost entirely material and seam quality. Marine-grade fabric, welded seams, and UV-resistant foam cost more but survive sun and chlorine; thin PVC does not.
Frequently asked questions
What pool maintenance gear do I actually need?
The short list: a telescopic pole, a skimmer net, a wall/floor brush, and a vacuum head with hose. Add a filter-cartridge cleaning tool and skimmer socks and you've covered routine care. Everything else is situational.
Are variable-speed pumps worth the extra cost?
For most pools, yes. They use dramatically less electricity than single-speed pumps by running slower for longer, and the savings typically recoup the price premium within a couple of seasons. Several U.S. states also mandate them on new pool pump installations.
Why do premium pool floats cost so much more?
Materials and construction. Premium floats use marine-grade or high-denier fabric, welded or double-stitched seams, and UV- and chlorine-resistant foam that survives seasons of sun. Budget floats use thin PVC that fades, leaks, and splits — so you rebuy them constantly.