Ethan Walker

If you have ever spent your Saturday skimming leaves out of your pool instead of actually swimming in it, you already know why we spent three months testing the best pressure side pool cleaners on the market. Our team ran eight different models through a heavy-debris season in , tracking everything from leaf pickup to … Read more

Nothing ruins a pool day faster than jumping in and immediately wanting out because the water feels like ice. After spending months researching what actually works, our team put together this guide to the best pool heaters you can buy in , covering gas heaters, electric heat pumps, and solar options for every pool size … Read more

Spending last summer shivering in an 82°F pool pushed me to find the best pool heat pumps on the market this year. After six weeks of testing eight different models in real backyard setups, I can tell you exactly which ones actually deliver reliable warmth, which ones struggle in mild cold snaps, and which features … Read more

Finding the best pool filters in means sorting through sand, cartridge, and D.E. (diatomaceous earth) options across dozens of brands. I have spent months comparing flow rates, micron ratings, maintenance demands, and real customer feedback across the most popular models from Hayward, Intex, Swimline, Bestway, and AquaStrong. A pool filter’s only job is to push … Read more

If your pool water looks cloudy or you keep fighting algae blooms, the filter is usually the culprit. After spending three months testing eight top-selling sand filters on real residential pools ranging from 5,000 to 24,000 gallons, our team put together this definitive guide to the best sand pool filters on the market right now. … Read more

The best cartridge pool filters keep your water crystal clear with less hassle than sand or DE alternatives. Whether you’re replacing a worn-out cartridge for an above-ground pool, upgrading your in-ground pool filtration, or buying your first pump system, picking the right filter makes a real difference in water quality. Cartridge filters trap particles as … Read more

I spent the better part of three months testing pool filter pumps across two residential pools, one above-ground 12,000-gallon setup and one inground 17,000-gallon pool. My goal was simple: find out which models actually keep water clean without doubling the electricity bill. The results surprised me on more than one front. Finding the best pool … Read more

Finding the best above ground pool covers can feel overwhelming when every brand claims to be the toughest, longest-lasting, and easiest to install. Our team spent over 60 hours testing eight top-rated covers across three climates, three pool sizes, and two winter seasons. An above ground pool cover is a protective barrier that sits across … Read more

I have spent the better part of three swim seasons testing every type of pool skimmer I could get my hands on, from basic manual nets under ten dollars to solar-powered robotic cleaners that cruise the surface on their own. Finding the best pool skimmers is not just about grabbing the cheapest net at the … Read more

After three seasons of testing automatic cleaners across two test pools, our team put together this guide to the best pool vacuums you can buy in . We ran corded robotic models side-by-side with suction-side crawlers and cordless robots from brands like Dolphin, Aiper, Beatbot, Zodiac, and Hayward. The goal was simple: see which units … Read more