Ethan Walker

Picture this: it is the first real heat wave of summer, the grill is going, and twenty friends show up to your backyard. Everyone hops in the pool for ten minutes, then just floats there looking at their phones. I have lived through that exact moment, and it is the reason I started hunting down … Read more

Splashing around the pool is fun, but it gets really good when your favorite playlist is bumping in the background. After testing more than a dozen waterproof speakers over six weeks, our team narrowed down the best poolside speakers you can buy right now. We dunked them, splashed them, and left them in the sun … Read more

I remember pulling our backyard pool out of hibernation last spring and immediately feeling underwhelmed by how flat it looked at night. We had nice landscaping, a fire pit, comfy chairs, but the pool itself just disappeared into the dark around 9 PM. That is what pushed our team to spend six weeks testing the … Read more

I have spent every summer for the last decade testing pool gear, and the single upgrade that gives the biggest “wow” reaction is lighting. The best solar pool lights turn a basic backyard pool into a glowing retreat without any wiring, electrician bills, or app headaches. In , the options are sharper, brighter, and more … Read more

Nothing ruins a perfect summer afternoon faster than cracking patio chairs or cushions that have gone mildewy after one season by the pool. I spent three months testing the best pool deck furniture sets on the market, leaving them through rain, blazing sun, splashed chlorine, and pool parties with the kids. After weighing comfort, construction … Read more

Every pool owner knows the struggle. Wet towels end up draped over lawn chairs, scattered across the deck, or piled in a soggy heap by the door. I spent three summers dealing with that mess before I realized the right poolside towel rack completely changes the experience. The best poolside towel racks keep your towels … Read more

After three summers testing rinse stations at our community pool, I learned one thing the hard way: the right outdoor shower station makes the difference between a clean pool and a maintenance nightmare. Sunscreen, sweat, sand, and grass clip end up in your water if swimmers do not rinse first. That is exactly why we … Read more

Sitting on my back patio last July, I watched my kid’s birthday guests retreat indoors within 20 minutes because the heat index hit 104 degrees. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole testing the best outdoor cooling fans I could find, and what I learned surprised me. The right outdoor cooling fan can drop … Read more

When the summer sun beats down on your backyard gathering, the right cooling gear can make or break the whole event. After testing dozens of models over three months of patio parties, BBQ sessions, and tailgate weekends, we narrowed down the best portable outdoor fans for parties currently on the market. Our team evaluated each … Read more

Spending time on your deck should not end when the sun goes down or the temperature drops below 60 degrees. The right patio heater transforms an underused deck into a year-round extension of your living space, letting you host dinners, enjoy morning coffee, or relax well past summer. But finding the best patio heaters for … Read more