Pool alarms are a must these days if you own a swimming pool. The basic function of a pool alarm system is the detection and notification of unauthorized entry into the swimming pool area. The most reliable pool alarms and monitoring devices have multiple features that provide homeowners the peace of mind that their pool is protected and safeguarded. This is especially important if you have small children and pets in your home. Pool alarms have become a mandatory safety feature in many cities and municipalities.

Why Purchase a Pool Alarm?

Sadly, over three thousand people each year die from accidental drownings. It’s also a fact that drowning is the #1 cause of death amongst children ages 1-4. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking statistic, in part because a large percentage of these deaths are entirely preventable. Providing young children with swim lessons and installing a proper pool fence is vital in safeguarding your family around the pool. Purchasing a pool alarm system works in tandem to ensure that swimmers aren’t using the pool unknown to the homeowner.

Best Pool Alarms of 2022

Pool Magazine rates the best pool alarm systems and drowning detection systems available. From entry-level value systems to the latest state-of-the-art technology to hit the market, here is our pick for the best swimming pool alarms of 2022.

• Editor’s Pick – Best Overall Pool Alarm
• Best Value Pool Alarm
• Best Entry Level Alarm
• Best Alarm for Above Ground Pools
• Best Gate Alarm for Pools
• Best Sliding Door Alarm
• Best Value Pool Alarm Under $100
• Best Outdoor Motion Sensor
• Best Value Alarm for Kids & Pets
• Best Portable Alarm System
• Honorable Mention – Inground Pool Motion Sensor
• Honorable Mention – Pool Gate Alarm

Editor’s Pick – Best Overall Pool Alarm

CamerEye’s advanced and highly trained and adaptive deep learning artificial intelligent models will detect a person in or near the pool.

Simply place the camera in your pool or spa and turn it on. The camera will send live video to the smart hub, which will then send it to your phone. Any distress or unwelcome person presence will be detected automatically, and an audio and visual alert will be sent to your smart hub, alarm, and mobile app.

When human entry into the pool area is detected, an alarm is issued to the user. Extra cameras are recommended for larger pools or areas covered by the “Smart Fence.” Up to four cameras can be supported by the CamerEye system. These are all weather cameras with infrared technology that can be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Best Value Pool Alarm

Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm

Once installed in the pool, the poolguard pool alarm cannot be turned off; it is constantly in alarm mode. When removed from the pool, the poolguard pool alarm will sound an alarm. When you’re ready to use your pool, simply take the alarm out of the pool and set it to sleep mode. When the poolguard pool alarm is installed in the pool, it will immediately wake up and do a system test.

The poolguard pool alarm comes with a 12 volt power supply and an in-house remote receiver with a range of up to 200 feet. The poolguard poolside alarm is powered by a 9-volt battery (not included) with a one-year battery life. The in-house remote receiver also indicates an audible low battery indicator at the poolside alarm. New sensor technology reduces the likelihood of false alerts caused by wind, rain, or small things entering the water, such as sticks or toys. Poolguard pool alarms have been thoroughly tested and meet ASTM standards. Poolguard should not be installed too close to the return line.

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Best Entry Level Pool Alarm

The POOL PATROL Alarm is designed to provide an extra layer of protection for your family. The POOL PATROL Alarm is not a life-saving device and should not be used in place of other safety measures such as adult supervision, lifeguards, fences, gates, pool covers, locks, and other similar measures. It’s possible that the POOL PATROL Alarm will miss progressive ingress into the pool.

A transmitter and receiver are included in this model. It’s designed to notify you at the pool if there’s been an incursion, and it’ll send a signal to a receiver nearby.

Pool Patrol Pool Safety devices, like as our award-winning floating Pool Alarms and access Gate Alarms, keep your family and pets safe. Pool Patrol aspires to be the swimming pool safety expert by developing high-quality pool safety goods and serving as a one-stop shop for all things pool safety. This pool alarm meets the criteria of ASTM Protection Specification F 2208 and adds an extra layer of safety, giving parents, guardians, homeowners, facility managers, life guards, and all pool or spa owners peace of mind.

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Best Alarm for Above Ground Pools

PoolEye is the trusted brand you need to provide you and your family piece of mind when it comes to pool safety, thanks to its line of inexpensive, precise alarms. Our subsurface wave detection alarms have been rigorously tested, sensing items as light as 15 pounds while avoiding situations that might generate false alarms, such as wind and rain. PoolEye alarms, which feature the most accurate pool incursion technology on the market, will keep you prepared and equipped.

The PoolEye Pool Alarm is a battery-operated device that is simple to set up. It quickly installs under the top ledge of steel wall pools, with all hardware provided. You may also tailor your experience with the adjustable sensitivity switch.

The water motion sensor uses subsurface wave detection, which means it won’t detect movement caused by rain or wind, resulting in fewer false alarms. When an object as light as 15 lb is identified, the alarm goes off.

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Best Gate Alarm for Pools

If you have a fence surrounding your pool or yard, you’ve already taken a big step in the right direction. However, as children grow older, they are able to open the gates on their own. A YardGard® pool gate alarm delivers a signal whenever the gate is opened, allowing you to better prevent children from wandering into an unsupervised pool area and potentially drowning.

This battery-operated gate safety alarm is a cost-efficient yet effective system that emits a 120-decibel alert if someone opens the gate or door unexpectedly. Unless you activate the one-touch adult bypass, which generates a handy seven-second delay for approved access, the alert will sound automatically and without delay.

The YardGard YG03 gate alarm is a cost-efficient and effective warning device that informs you when someone enters your garden without permission. It’s an effective layer of defense against unaccompanied children wandering into your pool area. YardGard complies with or surpasses all state and local barrier intrusion alarm regulations. For wooden and metal gates and doors, as well as sliding glass windows, mounting hardware is included.

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Best Sliding Door Alarm

One great sliding door alarm that detects entry into the pool the patio area is the Techko S187D Safe Pool Alarm. Any home with a pool, but especially those with children or pets, needs a reliable and easy-to-use pool alarm. This device, when combined with a proper pool fence, can help keep your family, friends, and guests safes.

• Meets UL 2017 standards for Child Pool Safety Law
• Includes extra set of sensors and bypass reset button for use on both sliding glass doors and screen doors
• Water and weather resistant
• High Output 110-115 dB, 6-Tone Alarm. “Always On” Alarm Protection
• Low battery LED display

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Best Value Pool Alarm Under $100

The new Poolwatch pool alarm system is compatible with both above-ground and in-ground pools, giving you a cost-effective and hassle-free pool security option. The Poolwatch is packed with proprietary features to make your swimming environment safer for your family, guests, and pets. A combination of innovative and sophisticated algorithms and high-tech sensors will detect a young child entering the pool while avoiding false alerts produced by wind, rain, floating debris, or robotic cleaners.

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Best Outdoor Motion Sensor

With the Guardline wireless motion sensor is waterproof perimeter alarm system, you can feel safe around your home. It detects heat and motion both during the day and at night, making it a reliable security system. Simple to install and does not require the services of an expensive professional technician. The Guardline motion sensor alarm is ideal for the outdoors. This simple plug-and-play device takes only a few minutes to set up.

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Best Value Alarm for Kids & Pets

SpaLabs Pool Alarm – Universal Pool Safety Alarm for Above Ground and Inground Swimming Pools ensures the safety of pets and children. Has a distance range of 200 feet that will sound a loud pulsating siren alert when something enters the pool. A great value alarm for inground and above-ground pools. Simply attach it to the edge of your swimming pool. This is a portable, self-contained, and lightweight motion sensor monitoring system that is ideal for protecting kids and pets.

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Best Portable Alarm System

To help protect your family, Wave Drowning Detecting Systems employ the world’s most advanced drowning detection technology. WAVE is much more than a pool alarm; it employs ultralight wearables to assess whether a swimmer or non-swimmer is at danger of drowning. If Wave DDS detects something, it will promptly tell rescuers so that they may act before circumstances worsen. Every day, Wave protects thousands of swimmers in schools, YMCAs, community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other locations.

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Honorable Mention Inground Pool Motion Sensor

The PoolEye pool alarm can be an important part of any pool safety plan. PoolEye provides you and your family piece of mind when it comes to pool safety, thanks to its line of inexpensive, precise alarms. Their underwater wave detection alarms have been rigorously tested, sensing items as light as 15 pounds while avoiding situations that might generate false alarms, such as wind and rain. Emits a loud 85 dB siren to alert rescuers when objects or people enter the swimming pool.

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Honorable Mention Pool Gate Alarm

Poolguard gate alarms can be installed on any pool gate, outside door, or screen. If a child opens the gate, the alarm sounds in 7 seconds, even if they close the gate. Under all conditions, the alarm is always on and always resets itself. The alarm will prevent someone from mistakenly leaving your gate open for children to pass through. The poolguard gate alarm has an adult pass through option, which allows adults to enter the gate without the alarm sounding.

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Types of Pool Alarms

The finest pool alarm for a home is determined by local legislation as well as desired safety features and requirements. Pool alarms are often combined to provide a fail-safe safety strategy in many homes. Choose from a variety of pool alarms, including conventional, entry, and gate alarms.

A surface wave detection sensor detects when the water is disturbed in a pool entry alarm, which detects when someone or something enters the pool. Alarms for pool entry float in the water or are attached to the pool’s edge. Floating pool entry alarms are temporary and must be lifted into and out of the pool each time they are utilized.

Some poolside alarms have a sensor arm that extends into the water to detect water movement and are installed on the pool’s edge. They might be either permanent or temporary. Some must be hauled out of the water to disable the alarm, while others include a “swim mode” that pauses the alarm when someone is in the pool.

New smart technology pool alarms use Artificial Intelligence and IOT technology to allow users to create a perimeter around the pool area. These type of alarms incorporate infrared motion detection, and alert when triggered by a person or a pet.

Buying a Pool Alarm

When buying a pool alarm, make sure it can be heard from as far away as feasible. That implies the alarm must be loud enough to be heard even if the pool is a long distance away from the house or facing everyday obstacles like bushes and trees.

That being said, it shouldn’t be so loud that it becomes a nuisance. You should also think about local noise ordinance laws, because you don’t want a pool alarm that is so loud that it disturbs the neighbors and gets you fined.

Installing the best alarm for your swimming pool can go a long way toward ensuring the safety of your family. Because safety is the most important factor, we chose the best products available from well-known manufacturers that specialize in pool safety. We also sought out alarms with a simple design because a pool alarm is only beneficial if it is used on a regular basis. Sensor sensitivity and siren volume were both explored as adjustable features when evaluating which pool alarms were best for the given category we rated them on.

A new and popular pool feature we’re taking a look at this week is Rebound Pool Surfaces. Rebound is a soft and slip-resistant pool texturing that is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who are looking for a safer pool deck. Not only that, but swimmers can actually enjoy the same bouncy texture inside the interior of the pool. To get a better understanding of the product and how it works, we reached out to Rebound Pools to get with Steve Walsh and Lance Johnson of Rebound Pools.

What is a Rebound Pool Surface?

“Our new system for decks and pool interiors creates a soft surface. This is a pretty simple system that can go over existing pool interiors including concrete, plaster, pebble, and stone finishes. It creates a beautiful finish for pools and decks,” said Steve Walsh.

The product which is available in a wide assortment of colors, resembles floor safety systems that many with small children will already recognize existing in their local playground or schoolyard. Rebound is very similar to that bouncy texture found in areas where small children play. To see this type of material showing up around the pool deck is a new feature that is catching on with homeowners concerned about safety. The slip-resistant and soft bouncy feel of the texture provide better traction and feels great on bare feet.

10 Years of Data in Splash Pads & Playgrounds

In fact, playground systems are exactly where Rebound Pools initially started. “We actually have a sister company that started about 13 years ago doing playground safety surfacing and they got into splash pads about 10 years ago.” said Walsh.

“Right after that the owners of the company were having some cocktails on their back patio and the dogs knocked all the drinks over and the glasses broke and they thought, ‘boy if we could get our product to be on this deck but in a different way, broadcast instead of mixed in we might have something that would be softer’,” said Walsh.

Who is Using Rebound?

When looking at where the product is being installed, it’s primarily homeowners with small children that are looking for safer alternatives and additional slip resistance around the pool deck. “Side by side, if you compare rebound to all the other decking products on the market, on the safety issue – it’s a slam dunk for our product,” said Lance Johnson, “in addition, if you’ve applied the product on the interior, this product offers a huge benefit if you’re worried about safety at all. Walking around in the shallow end is a lot safer.”

How Durable is a Rebound Pool Surface?

For those who are wondering how durable this surfacing is, the two part polymer and plastic thermo granular material is designed to be submerged under water and hold up year after year in wet / dry conditions. “It’s really impervious to water,” said Walsh, “it doesn’t react to it and we think it has got a really long life on both decks and pool interiors. The granules we use feel like a squishy soft rubber but are actually a high end product called TPV – it’s a type of plastic without any fillers. It lasts a long time and doesn’t leach or interact with anything. Because it’s completely inert, it’s a great product for the pool environment.”

How Rebound Holds up in the Swimming Pool

While the product has only been around for a few years, there is considerable data from the splash pad/playground sector to indicate that the product will have an equally long life in pool interiors. Steve Walsh helped explain, “I think the best test for us has been the 10 years or so that it’s been used in splash pads, which has heavy traffic and high chlorine water. The product is exposed to the sun all day. It gets wet and dry, on and off constantly. Holding up to that is much tougher than what is happening when it’s sitting in a pool.”

How The Product is Applied

“The product itself is a three-coat system,” said Walsh, “The polymer goes on and sets up in a few hours, then the second layer of polymer is applied. After that, we broadcast granules into the surface. The next day the granules are vacuumed up and then granules get applied again. For a standard pool of about 900 square feet, it’s about 27 man-hours to install it. Three guys in three days including all the prep and cleanup.”

In terms of how the product feels, Walsh described the end product. “That quarter inch you get is very durable and very flexible. It has some elongation properties to it. We call it rebound because it’s kind of a soft squishy product. It’s not super soft, but it’s softer than any other product on the market and feels great to stand on when you’re in the pool.”

What Pool Contractors Think of Rebound

“When they find out about our product they want to take over their territory and start moving truckloads,” said Johnson, “once they see how little labor is involved to go over the top of an existing surface versus that big tear out and all the mess and expense that comes with that.”

“To get into installing the product, it’s very economical,” said Walsh, “you’re looking at a few hundred dollars in product that you would need to install versus the high prices for other products out there.”

“The granules come in bags and get blended. You can rent a mixer at Home Depot for about $40 or buy one for a couple of hundred dollars. That lets you mix and blend the product,” explained Walsh, “the other products are just ways of applying the polymer. Roller frames, roller covers, and poles, some spiked shoes are about $20 a pair. The list of everything to get into the business of installing rebound pool surfaces is about $700 and roughly $100 in consumables per pool.”

One contractor that swears by the product is Sacramento pool industry veteran, Gregg Sample of Gregg’s Pool Works & Pool Yoda. An early adopter, he was one of the first installers of Rebound Pool Surfaces. “The low start-up cost of becoming an installer make it a really viable business for pool contractors to get into,” said Sample, who has been installing the products in pools around El Dorado County.

With a short learning curve to become an installer, Walsh says that learning how to apply a Rebound Pool Surface is incredibly easy. “If you can use a paintbrush or a roller, you can learn how to install this product,” said Walsh, “the product can be applied in fiberglass, gunite, and composite wall pools as well as on decks and steps.”

“The product works well vinyl liner pools,” said Walsh, “the whole industry has been looking for a product that can fill in the nasty cracks that develop in broken pool stairs and are finding this product works better than a patch. With our product, you can skip the first step and just do a double broadcast. The only prep work needed is a little acetone on a rag to wipe it down. You can get it done in one day at a pretty economical price.”

Find out more about Rebound Pools and listen to our interview on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Swimming pools are indisputably excellent sources of enjoyment and relaxation. Even so, cleaning and maintaining a pool is not a walk in the park. Pool maintenance usually consumes a lot of time and effort. Unfortunately, you can never skip pool maintenance if you want to maintain crystal clear pool water. On average, you need to clean your pool at least twice a week. Moreover, you need to ensure you have balanced water chemistry at all times. Fortunately, there is a wide range of pool cleaning equipment you can use to keep your pool in good shape. In this article, we look at some of the best robot pool cleaners of 2021.

2021 best robot pool cleaners

The pool filter is usually responsible for getting rid of dirt and debris in your pool. However, some particles may be too large to go through the filter. As a result, you need to use a vacuum or robotic pool cleaner to clean the pool. At present, there is a wide range of robot pool cleaners in the market. Each offers unique functionality.

There are two primary types of automatic pool cleaners; pressure cleaners and robotic cleaners. Both deliver excellent functionality. But pressure cleaners usually depend on the pool filter and pump to function. At times, they rely on a booster pump to operate. On the flip side, robotic cleaners depend on electricity to function and work independently. Also, some robotic cleaners use smart technology like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to function.

Factors to consider when buying a robotic pool cleaner

Typically, robot pool cleaners incorporate a head unit responsible for running all operations of the cleaner. You can set a robotic cleaner to work at your preferred timings during the day. Most robotic pool cleaners have floor and wall cleaning options. In addition, pool professionals usually advise getting a robotic pool cleaner that cleans the waterline. Such pool cleaners reduce the need for brushing your pool surfaces. Nevertheless, these robotic pool cleaners tend to be more expensive.

All robot pool cleaners use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi systems to function. Thus, you can easily control the robotic cleaner using a smartphone app. You can start and stop the robotic cleaner at any time. When buying a pool cleaner, always buy one with a quality debris canister. The debris canister is responsible for trapping debris in the pool. After cleaning the pool, you need to empty and remove the canister according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Another factor to consider when buying a robotic pool cleaner is the size and shape of your pool. If you have a complex pool design, buy a robotic cleaner that can navigate tough corners. Also, if your pool has steps, choose a robotic cleaner that can go up the steps.

Different types of robot pool cleaners

It is important to note that robot pool cleaners are costly. Thus, before purchasing this equipment, ensure you analyze your requirements. Even so, pool experts report that robotic pool cleaners are worth the purchase.

DOLPHIN Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner with Bluetooth and Massive Top-Load Cartridge Filters, Ideal for Pools up to 50 Feet.

Hassle-free cleaning. Easy-to-use, robotic pool cleaner equipped with an anti-tangling swivel cable, allowing Sigma to move freely around large residential pools up to 50 feet with ease. Backed by a 3 year quality assurance.

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Polaris Alpha IQ+

This is one of the best robotic pool cleaners you can find in the market. The Polaris Alpha IQ+ incorporates a fast and straightforward installation process. Also, it does an excellent job of helping you maintain crystal clear pool water.

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Aquabot Turbo T4RC

Another robotic pool cleaner is the Aquabot Turbo T4RC. It is lightweight and uses a series of brushes to keep the pool clean.

Polaris 9550 Sport

Another Polaris robotic cleaner is the Polaris 9550 Sport. This cleaner is ideal for getting rid of dirt on pool surfaces of inground pools.

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Smart pool water monitors

Maintaining balanced water chemistry is essential. Currently, there are several pieces of equipment specially designed to check the pool pH, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels. Smart monitor systems do this job and send measurements to your smartphone app every day.

WaterGuru Sense

This smart monitor system is specially designed to stay in the pool skimmer. The WaterGuru Sense smart monitor measures the pool pH and chlorine levels. You can find it on Amazon for as low as $295.

cFloat

Another smart monitor system is the cFloat. This system helps you improve water quality at all times.

Sutro Smart Pool Water Monitor

This smart monitor helps you know your pool chemistry. Also, it advises you on all the chemical adjustments you need to make. Purchasing a Sutro smart pool water monitor costs approximately $199.

Ultimately

Today, there is a wide range of smart pool equipment. Before purchasing any pool equipment, ensure you evaluate all your requirements.