15 Best Pool Accessories for Your Summer (2026)

This floating device monitors temperature, pH, and ORP (representing free chlorine), together giving you a solid picture of your pool’s disinfection capabilities. It only changes every 15 minutes. While most chemistry monitors require replaceable components (which is a cheaper option) and frequent battery replacements to operate, the Iopool solution is durable, requiring no maintenance at all except for keeping it out of the pool during the winter months. I used mine for two full swimming seasons until it died (at which point it had to be replaced) – and I liked it so much I just threw it in the water this summer. –Christopher Null

Great Sun Protection

Do you find that you tend to burn faster in the pool than hiking or doing things on land? You’re not just imagining things—water is like a mirror, reflecting part of the sun’s rays. This means that every time you are in the water or just hanging around, your UV exposure is generated from the sun and the water around you. A larger hat can help protect large skin, and this one from Solbari sports UPF 50+ nylon and cotton fabric and a wider brim than most hats of this style—5 inches in the front and 6 inches in the back. I tested this hat in the pool on days pushing 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and not only did I not get burned, but I also found that the hat didn’t feel too hot, especially if I turned the color side (it comes in navy, pink, ice cream, or green) to the cream side.

Is It Hot Enough To Go In?

My aboveground pool has a wimpy solar-exchange heater, so a pool thermometer is essential to determine if the water is warm enough for swimming. These TempPro models have been reliable in my tests, and I like that there’s a separate display with a magnet on the back, so you don’t need to use an app or even bother with the phone at all. The solar panel stays charged and can send heat from 150 meters into my house and through its walls. (The range is assumed to be 500 feet.) Note that I compared the TempPro’s temperature readings to the pricier pool thermometer and probe thermometer—the actual temperature runs several degrees cooler than both readings. But that was easy to remember.

For Floating Around With a Drink

When our first 90-degree-Fahrenheit day showed up last month, I immediately started looking for a cheap float. cold for drinks with a sun canopy, and I bought this Funboy version from Amazon. It can hold a six-pack of cans on the ice, the roof is removable, and there’s a drink holder on either side so you and your buddy can push back and forth between your floats. Striped design with fringes and St. Tropez (or ’80s-era pool umbrella, depending on your age and station), and I ended up loving the vibe so much that I’ve added a matching pair of floating pool rings, which come in 16 colors Funboy’s website or six on Amazon. I’ve had the ring in my pool for a month now, in direct sunlight, and I wish it had handles to make it easier to get on-and-off, it’s been working fine. The 48-inch size is perfect for most large butts, and comes with a handy carry case. However, note that the cup design is very small and shallow, so you may want to stick with the more forgiving cabana bars.

Do not dry again

Manual pool vacuums very last years. WIRED analyst Christopher Null has been testing pool cleaning robots for four years, and this one from Beatbot, he says, is the best he’s ever tried. Not only does it excel at its cleaning tasks, but its battery life is amazing at six hours, it has AI-powered debris detection, and its software is great. It can also check the surface of your pool if necessary. Best of all, it floats when it’s finished, so you don’t have to remove it from the bottom of the pool. (Which is good, he says, because it’s heavy.)

A Cheap Robot

If your pool-robot budget includes more noodles than a Portofino, you might want to take a look Beatbot’s Sora 30. WIRED reviewer Christopher Null found it to be good value for money and excellent battery life, and, like its pricier sibling above, it floats when done. It doesn’t have a lot of features, but you’ll still have access to a variety of styles through the Beatbot app.

A Water Bottle You Can’t Throw Away

I always have a water bottle with me at the pool, but it doesn’t usually stay cold all day, hold enough water, or stop long enough to avoid forgetting it when I leave. This one from Dometic, however, hits all three notes. I filled it with ice and water and left the bottle in direct sunlight at 80-degrees-Fahrenheit, and the water stayed cold for three days. You can add a lid and collar of your choice (the cable collar shown comes standard, and sip lid is an additional $15), or go with a standard cover. I like yellow to stand out—and to match the beauty of the color Recon coolerswhich I always pull from somewhere—but it comes in six other colors if that’s not your thing.

Best Dining Towels

Every glorious pool day starts and ends with the perfect towel, and Cozy Earth’s are the best I’ve ever tried. My favorite item in this range is the Seaside Resort Towel. Made from 100 percent OEKO-TEX-certified cotton, it’s super thick and fluffy and extra-large for easy control on the chaise. It will lose its strength after three washes, but most towels do. The Classic Stripe Resort Towel is also durable but a little thinner, with a cotton-viscose blend but in a few colors (six, compared to the Sea’s two). One side also has a low pile, which works well on the beach, because it traps less sand.

For Peak Margarita No

You haven’t had a good party until you’re lazing around in your floating pool on a hot day with a cold margarita in hand. Or a glass of frosting, frozen lemonade, or anything else you can think of – it will probably fall into one of our categories. a favorite slushie machine. Sugary drinks work best, but you can down the alcohol add allulose. If you want to have two drinks at the same time, Ninja has you covered with the newly released dual-reservoir versionwhich WIRED analyst Matthew Korfhage crowned as good for parties. It can change the temperature to ensure that different drinks are ready at the same time.

Floating Sunglasses

Did we drop your glasses in the pool? (Or the lake? Or the river? Or the sea?) Often, this is the last time you will see the two of them. But not now! These lightweight, affordable frames from Goodr’s non-slip, non-breathable glasses will float, so you can easily grab them when you pass them around your bathroom. It comes in five colors (including the Seafoam Party Favor, shown) and is great for all kinds of sports, from running to paddleboarding and beyond.

Speaker With Vibes

These Bluetooth speakers are designed to look like tiki torches, with a glowing flame. You can nail them to the patio steps (not included), or just place them next to the pool for added visibility. They’re cute, funky, and funnier than standard Bluetooth speakers, but be aware that they’re small, weird speakers, so don’t expect to hit any kind of bass. You’ll need two more to make the round noise. (I only have one, which didn’t do a good job with so many prints.) However, one or two make a fun gift or addition to a summer gift basket.

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