Poolsidebasics
Robotic pool cleaner silhouette at the edge of clear blue water

Poolsidebasics

Pool gear that earns the deck.

Buying guides for robotic pool cleaners, vacuums, and care kit ranked for real pools and real seasons.

Browse pool guidesLatest guides

Browse topics

Start with your pool

Robotic cleanersIn-ground and cordless pool robotsVacuumsHandheld and hose vacuums for quick cleanupsWater careTesters, dispensers, and maintenance kitAccessoriesHooks, hoses, caddies, and extras

From the desk

Latest guides

View all guides
Pool water test kit bottles and strips arranged on a sunny deck table
water-care5 min read

Best Pool Test Kit (2026): Drop Kits vs Strips for Weekly Balance

Use a FAS-DPD drop kit when you need numbers you can trust. Keep 6-way strips for fast midweek checks between deeper weekend tests.

vacuums
Best Pool Vacuum (2026): Pressure-Side Sweep vs Handheld Spot Cleaners

Pick an automatic pressure-side cleaner when you have a booster pump line. Grab a cordless handheld when you only need quick spot cleanup after swimming.

robotic-cleaners
Best Robotic Pool Cleaner (2026): Corded Workhorses vs Cordless Climbers

Match corded reliability or cordless runtime to your pool size and debris load. Floor-and-wall robots beat floor-only units when waterline scum is the real chore.