Recommended pool and hot tub supplies

Pool test kits

Every calculator on this site starts with a test result, so this is the one thing worth spending on. Drop-count kits are more accurate than strips, especially for stabilizer.

• Taylor K-2006 Complete Pool Water Test Kit

  Fits: Pools and hot tubs (per Leslie's)

  The kit to get if you only buy one. It tests free and combined chlorine (FAS-DPD drop count), pH, alkalinity, calcium and stabilizer, which covers every number our calculators ask for. Experienced pool owners swear by it.

  Check it on AmazonSources: Bob Vila, Leslie's, Trouble Free Pool forum

• Taylor K-2006C Service Complete Kit

  Fits: Pools

  The same tests as the K-2006 with larger 2 oz reagent bottles, plus acid and base demand tests. A good fit if you test often.

  Worth knowing: Reagents age. One Trouble Free Pool member asks whether online stock is fresh, so check the dates when it arrives.

  Check it on AmazonSources: Poolweb, Trouble Free Pool forum

• EasyTest 7-Way Pool Test Strips

  Fits: Pools, for quick checks

  Cheap and fast. Dip, wait and read, which makes it handy for a quick look between full tests.

  Worth knowing: Reviewers saw some inconsistent readings, and strips aren't accurate enough for stabilizer. Use a drop kit before you dose.

  Check it on AmazonSources: Bob Vila, Trouble Free Pool forum

Work out how much to use with the pool chlorine calculator

Hot tub test strips

Hot tub water changes fast, so quick strips before each soak make sense. Pick strips that match your sanitizer.

• AquaChek Red 4-in-1 Bromine Test Strips

  Fits: Bromine hot tubs

  Made for bromine tubs. Reads bromine, pH, alkalinity and hardness in about 30 seconds.

  Check it on AmazonSource: BestReviews

• VARIFY Premium Pool and Spa Test Strips

  Fits: Chlorine or bromine hot tubs

  Works whether you use chlorine or bromine. Reads both, plus pH and alkalinity, and the color pads don't bleed into each other.

  Check it on AmazonSource: BestReviews

Work out how much to use with the hot tub chemical calculator

Robotic pool cleaners

A robot does the routine floor and wall scrubbing for you. Match the cleaner to your pool type and size; cable length and wall climbing are the big differences.

• Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus

  Fits: In-ground pools up to 50 ft long

  A strong all-rounder: picks up debris well, climbs walls and has a swivel cable that resists tangling.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Polaris 9650iQ Sport

  Fits: In-ground pools

  Built for in-ground pools. Four-wheel drive handles steps and benches, the cable is 70 ft, you can run it from an app, and it comes with a caddy.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Polaris P70

  Fits: Above-ground pools

  Light and simple, with a top-load basket that's easy to empty.

  Worth knowing: It doesn't climb walls, and the cable is 40 ft.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Aiper Seagull SE

  Fits: Floors of most pools

  A lower-cost way to stop vacuuming by hand. Cordless and light, with about 90 minutes of run time.

  Worth knowing: It cleans the floor only; no wall climbing.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Beatbot AquaSense 2

  Fits: Above-ground and in-ground pools

  Uses smart navigation to work its way around the pool, climbs walls well and has a detailed app.

  Worth knowing: In testing it missed debris just above the waterline.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

Salt chlorine generators and cells

A salt system makes chlorine from the salt in your water. Size it to your pool's gallons (the volume calculator gives you that) and check the cell's salt target before adding salt.

• Hayward AquaRite (W3AQR15) complete system

  Fits: In-ground pools up to 40,000 gallons

  Widely seen as the industry standard. Comes with the NSF-certified T-15 cell.

  Check it on AmazonSource: The Pool Nerd

• Hayward TurboCell T-CELL-15 (W3T-CELL-15) replacement cell

  Fits: Replacing a 40,000-gallon Hayward cell

  The replacement cell for AquaRite systems. Hayward lists it for pools up to 40,000 gallons, NSF certified, and compatible with AquaRite, AquaTrol, ProLogic and OmniLogic.

  Worth knowing: Hayward's own Q&A says cells bought on Amazon get a shorter warranty than its standard parts warranty. Check the terms before you buy.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Hayward

• CircuPool Universal25

  Fits: In-ground pools up to 25,000 gallons

  A lower-cost drop-in replacement for AquaRite systems, with a 4-year warranty that still counts if you install it yourself. Plenty of owners report good results.

  Check it on AmazonSources: The Pool Nerd, Trouble Free Pool forum

• Hayward AquaTrol (W3AQ-TROL-RJ)

  Fits: Above-ground pools up to 18,000 gallons

  A salt system sized for above-ground pools. Includes a T-CELL-5 and fittings that mount at the return jet.

  Worth knowing: One reviewer says warranty experiences have been mixed lately.

  Check it on AmazonSource: The Pool Nerd

Work out how much to use with the pool salt calculator

Automatic chlorinator

A tablet feeder keeps chlorine going in between your tests.

• Hayward CL200 In-Line Automatic Chlorine Feeder

  Fits: In-ground pools

  Holds 9 lb of slow-dissolving trichlor or bromine tablets and plumbs in-line after the filter, per Hayward's spec page.

  Worth knowing: Trichlor tablets add stabilizer every time (about 0.6 ppm for each 1 ppm of chlorine). Test stabilizer every few weeks; it only comes down by draining.

  Check it on AmazonSources: Hayward, ICC Building Safety Journal

Work out how much to use with the pool stabilizer calculator

Pool brushes

Brushing is step one for algae. Pick bristles for your surface: nylon for vinyl, fiberglass and painted pools, stainless steel only on plaster.

• Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush

  Fits: Walls

  Good for tough stains on walls. A fin on the back helps it hug the wall as you push.

  Worth knowing: The tail gets in the way on floors and steps.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Pool Research

• Aquatix Pro Heavy Duty Pool Brush (stainless steel)

  Fits: Plaster and concrete pools only

  Stainless bristles for scrubbing stubborn stains off plaster.

  Worth knowing: Steel bristles scratch vinyl and fiberglass.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Pool Research

• Milliard Extra-Wide Nylon Pool Brush

  Fits: Vinyl, fiberglass and painted pools

  Extra-wide, so you cover the pool faster, with nylon bristles that are gentle on liners and painted surfaces.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Pool Research

Solar covers, winter covers and cover pumps

Covers keep heat in during the season and debris out over the winter. Measure your pool first; the volume calculator's length and width are the numbers you need.

• Sun2Solar 1200 Series Crystal Clear Round Solar Cover

  Fits: Round pools, 12 to 33 ft

  Clear 12 mil plastic lets sunlight warm deeper water, and you can trim it to fit.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Sun2Solar 1600 Series Ultimate Blue Solar Cover

  Fits: Round pools, 10 to 33 ft

  A thicker 16 mil cover that holds heat well.

  Worth knowing: Stiffer and harder to pull off than the 1200.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Blue Wave Bronze 8-Year Above Ground Winter Cover

  Fits: Round above-ground pools (choose your size)

  Cut oversized, which helps it resist ripping through the winter.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Pool Research

• Blue Wave Bronze 8-Year Rectangular In-Ground Winter Cover

  Fits: Rectangular in-ground pools (choose your size)

  An affordable winter cover for in-ground pools that's easy to put on.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Pool Research

• Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Pool Cover Pump

  Fits: Solid pool covers

  Set it on the cover and forget it. Little Giant rates it at 1,700 gallons per hour; the float turns it on at 2 inches of water and off below 1 inch, and it takes a garden hose.

  Check it on AmazonSources: Pool Research, Little Giant

Work out how much to use with the pool volume calculator

Hot tub covers and filter cleaner

A cover that fits keeps heat in and debris out. Sundance says to soak the filter in cleaner every 3 to 4 months.

• MySpaCover Hot Tub Cover Replacement

  Fits: Most square and rectangular tubs (custom sized)

  Made to order in sizes up to 96 by 96 inches, with marine-grade vinyl over a foam core.

  Worth knowing: Measure length, width and corner radius before you order.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Classic Accessories Veranda Round Hot Tub Cover

  Fits: Round tubs up to 84 inches

  A fitted cover made for round tubs.

  Worth knowing: It isn't insulated, so it suits warm climates.

  Check it on AmazonSource: Bob Vila

• Leisure Time Filter Clean

  Fits: Hot tub cartridge filters

  An overnight soak for cartridge filters. The maker says it removes body oils, lotion, sunscreen and mineral scale.

  Worth knowing: We found no independent review of this one. Follow your spa maker's filter instructions.

  Check it on AmazonSources: Leisure Time, Sundance Spas

Work out how much to use with the hot tub chemical calculator

Safety gear and measuring

The CDC recommends gloves and goggles whenever you handle pool chemicals, and to follow every product label. For hot tubs, small doses are easier to get right on a scale.

• Chemical splash goggles

  Protects your eyes from acid and chlorine splashes, as the CDC recommends.

  Check it on AmazonSource: CDC

• Chemical-resistant nitrile gloves

  For handling acid, chlorine and other pool chemicals, as the CDC recommends.

  Check it on AmazonSource: CDC

• Digital kitchen scale (grams and ounces)

  Hot tub doses are a few grams. Weighing beats guessing with a scoop.

  Check it on Amazon