Any tool that helps maintain a comfortable and more importantly safe swimming environment in your swimming pool is worth its weight in gold. One tool that can be a massive help is a pool thermometer.
Pool thermometers are essential when it comes to ensuring your swimming pool stays at the right temperature.
RANK | IMAGE | PRODUCT NAME | RATING | |
1 | | Game 14030-BB Solar Digital Pool & Spa Thermometer | ||
2 | | XY-WQ Floating Pool Thermometer | ||
3 |
| Etekcity Infrared Thermometer | ||
4 |
| Floating Buoy Pool Thermometer | ||
5 |
| Milliard Floating Pool Thermometer - Polar Bear |
Helping you keep a constant check on the pool’s temperature at all times, these thermometers will give you an indication of whether the pool is warm enough.
This then helps you ensure the comfort and safety of anyone using the pool (see also ‘ The Best Pool Slides ‘).
While a pool thermometer makes life much easier when maintaining your pool, finding the best one can be a challenging task.
There are an overwhelming amount of choices on the market. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help.
We’ve compiled a list of the best pool thermometers on the market. In this article, we’ll take you through the list, showing you how each thermometer can help and what to look for.
Let’s dive straight into the list, shall we!
Game 14030-BB Solar Digital Pool & Spa Thermometer
If you seek an easy-to-read thermometer, the first pool thermometer on our list could be perfect for you.
Designed with ease of use in mind, this solar pool thermometer from Game comes equipped with a neat LCD.
On this display, the current temperature of your pool will be displayed, with each number being very clear. This makes the thermometer a lot easier to use than traditional thermometers.
Another great thing about the display is that it can be looked at from any angle. This gives you a much better chance of reading the numbers on sunnier days.
In terms of placing the thermometer in your pool, it has a cool floating design that lets the thermometer float on the surface.
While this works perfectly, we recommend using a tether to guarantee the thermometer doesn’t go underwater. This will prevent any fogging. Conveniently, Game has included a tether string in the design.
Another great feature of this thermometer is its ability to pair with other Game solar products like the solar chlorinator.
Specifications
- Solar-powered
- Digital
- Floating design
- Double display
Pros
- Easy to read – The large numbers are clearly visible.
- Solar-powered – No need for batteries.
- Great accuracy – This thermometer is accurate to within 2°.
Cons
- The screen can get foggy – The screen on this thermometer is known to get foggy.
XY-WQ Floating Pool Thermometer
If you want a more traditional thermometer with a quirky design, take a look at the floating pool thermometer from XY-WQ.
Bringing a bit of fun to swimming pool maintenance, this extremely affordable floating pool thermometer has a quirky animal design that sits on the water.
Featuring a cool flamingo design, this thermometer doesn’t just look cool, it also performs excellently.
With a temperature range of 20 to 120 °F, you can rest assured that this thermometer will accurately tell the temperature of your pool.
To read the temperature, you will have to pull the thermometer out of the water and take the reading.
You will read the thermometer the way you would any traditional-looking device.
To make life easier when removing the thermometer from the pool, XY-WQ has equipped a small rope tether to prevent it from floating toward the center of the pool.
When we took a closer look, we were pleased with the overall durability of the thermometer. XY-WQ has ensured its product is built to last. They have also made it shatter-proof which is appreciated.
Specifications
- Floating
- ASTM design
- Shatter-proof
- Rope tether included
Pros
- Affordable – This thermometer is incredibly cheap.
- Good range – XY-WQ’s pool thermometer has a good range of 20 to 120 °F.
- Awesome design – This thermometer looks fantastic.
Cons
- Not as easy to read – Digital thermometers are much easier to read.
Etekcity Infrared Thermometer
The infrared thermometer from Etekcity is the first thermometer on this list that can be used to tell the temperature of other things. It is also the first thermometer that doesn’t sit in the pool.
If you’re looking for something a bit different and more versatile, this could be your best option. The Etekcity infrared thermometer is essentially a laser gun.
A handheld unit, you simply point the laser at the target, and it will take a temperature reading for you. This comes in super handy as it means you don’t have to faff about getting the thermometer out of the pool.
Once the reading has been taken, the reading will be displayed on a clear digital LCD screen. To make reading easier, the screen comes fitted with a useful backlight too.
When we tested this pool thermometer, we found it very easy to use and quick when it came to taking readings.
However, the only downside was that it only reads surface temperature. This means the actual reading will be about 5° higher than the actual pool temperature.
This isn’t too much of a problem though as long as you subtract 5° from the final reading. Aside from that, the Etekcity thermometer is very accurate.
Specifications
- Digital
- Infrared laser
- Lighted LCD
- Auto on/off
- Handheld
- Battery powered
- Contactless reading
- Wide temperature range
Pros
- Versatile – You can use the Etekcity thermometer for other things.
- Contactless readings – The thermometer doesn’t have to touch the water.
- Quick results – The Etekcity thermometer gives results quickly.
Cons
- Have to take temperature change into account – You will have to take the temperature variation into account.
Also available at: Etekcity.com
Floating Buoy Pool Thermometer
As far as great value for money goes, the floating buoy pool thermometer takes some beating.
Reading temperatures up to 120 °F before displaying the reading on a large display, this analog thermometer is a simple, yet effective thermometer that gets the job done with little hassle.
Since the pool thermometer is analog, you will have to wait a couple of minutes to get your reading, but considering its accuracy this shouldn’t be a problem.
In regards to the design of this thermometer, we were thrilled by what we saw.
When the reservoir on top of the unit is filled, the thermometer will float onto your swimming pool. This reservoir also ensures that the unit stays horizontal.
Aside from being easy to read and clean, the floating thermometer is also very durable and shatter-resistant which is always nice.
In terms of accuracy, the floating buoy pool thermometer provides an accuracy of +/- four to eight degrees.
Specifications
- Analog
- Large display
- Shatter-resistant
- Floating
- Temperature range up to 120 °F
Pros
- Durable – The floating buoy pool thermometer is made to last.
- Easily read – The large display makes it much easier to check your pool’s temperature.
- Great value for money – For what you get, you can’t go wrong with this thermometer.
Cons
- Varied accuracy – The accuracy of this thermometer tends to vary.
Also available at: Aquatixpro.com
Milliard Floating Pool Thermometer – Polar Bear
If you have children that regularly play in the pool, it could be a good idea to purchase a more child-friendly pool thermometer. With this polar bear pool thermometer, Milliard has made the ideal option.
You only need to look at this analog thermometer to realize it’s kid-friendly. Sitting on top of the thermometer is a hilarious polar bear sitting on a rubber ring with his/her sunglasses on.
This is the part of the thermometer that helps it float, so when it’s in the water, the polar bear is all you see.
That’s not the only feature that makes this pool thermometer child friendly. We all know how children like to play and mess around with things when nobodies looking.
Milliard has taken that into consideration and made their thermometer out of durable ABS plastic that will last for years. Not only that, it will withstand the pressures of everyday sun exposure.
When it comes to performance, Milliard’s pool thermometer is also great. The thermometer will collect temperatures up to 120 °F, with a varying accuracy of +/- five degrees.
This seems to be the general accuracy of all the best pool thermometers.
Specifications
- Analog
- Floating
- Child-friendly design
- Temperature readings up to 120 °F
- ABS plastic
Pros
- Long-lasting – Milliard’s pool thermometer is built to last.
- Cool design – This thermometer looks awesome.
- Good accuracy – Compared to other thermometers, this unit has great accuracy.
Cons
- Tricky to read – The readings on the display are quite hard to read.
Buyer’s Guide
Making the best decision when buying a pool thermometer isn’t all about knowing what’s on the market. You also need to have a good understanding of what to look out for and what is required from the thermometer you need.
To help you work out what you need from a pool thermometer, we have listed some key factors to consider below.
By taking these factors into consideration, you can rest assured that you won’t regret your final decision in the future.
Accuracy
Without a doubt, the most important factor to consider when looking for a pool thermometer is how accurate it is.
The whole reason you’re buying a thermometer in the first place is, so you know exactly how warm or cold your pool is, so it makes no sense to buy one that doesn’t do that accurately for you.
When it comes to pool thermometers and their accuracy, you should always expect at least some variation because ensuring 100% accuracy requires calibration which really isn’t easy.
With this in mind, you might be better looking at the consistency of the thermometer instead.
If you know the pool thermometer is consistently 5 °F off, you know you’ll be able to work out the true temperature. If the thermometer isn’t consistent, the whole thing will be a guessing game.
Ease Of Use
It is important to find a pool thermometer that is nice and easy to use. A pool thermometer that isn’t easy to use can be difficult to operate, hard to read, or even tricky to get out of the water without getting yourself wet.
In our opinion, to avoid any of these problems it’s always a good idea to look for a simple device that can be easily used. There is no need for a complex unit as it will only make things more complicated.
Finding thermometers that are easy to use isn’t that difficult. There is a wide range of different features that make them much easier to work with.
Some features to look out for are a large display, a rope tether to keep the thermometer in place, and a strong ability to float.
These three features will make your life much easier, making it super easy to reach, read, and move the thermometer.
Power Source
It is always worth taking into consideration how the pool thermometer is powered. The reason for this is simple.
If you have an indoor pool that doesn’t get much exposure to the sun, a solar-powered thermometer isn’t going to be any good.
On the other hand, if you’re planning on placing the thermometer in the pool, you will want to avoid a battery-powered thermometer as it will break.
The type of power source you choose can also affect how you read the thermometer.
For example, an analog thermometer usually has a smaller display that is harder to read, while a solar thermometer typically comes with a digital LCD.
Deciding which type of power source to go with can’t really be decided by anyone other than yourself. It is very much a personal choice that will vary depending on what you’re looking for.
Durability
Finally, you’ll want to find a pool thermometer that lasts for years to come. While you would think this would be easy, there are a lot of pool accessories that have very short lifespans.
Luckily, most pool thermometers don’t fall into this category.
Pool thermometers with simple designs, made from solid materials should easily maintain their function for many years. The only real issue we can expect is some color fading from the sun, but that’s no biggy.
To ensure you choose a thermometer with good durability look out for certain features.
These features could be shatter resistance, durable plastic designs, or even sun ray resistance that will counteract the effects of sun exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use A Regular Thermometer To Check My Pool’s Temperature?
Within reason, you can use some regular thermometers to check the temperature of your pool. However, doing so wouldn’t be very practical.
First of all, before we go any further, you shouldn’t use any regular thermometer that uses a battery in your pool, unless of course, it is a laser thermometer that can be held above the water.
When it comes to using regular analog thermometers to check the temperature, you can do it, but you might not want to. Specialized pool thermometers are designed to float on the surface.
This lets you drop them in and leave them to collect a reading. Without this floating capability, you will have to stand at the side of the pool until a reading is gathered. This could be very boring.
Do Pool Thermometers Contain Mercury?
Generally speaking, no, pool thermometers do not contain any mercury. The red liquid used to fill your pool thermometer is actually a type of mineral spirit or red-dyed alcohol.
The reason for this is pretty simple. They are a lot safer to use in the pool than thermometers that contain mercury.
Which Type Of Pool Thermometer Is The Best?
In our experience, a digital pool thermometer is the best option when it comes to checking the temperature of your pool (see also ‘What Is The Perfect Pool Water Temperature?’).
These thermometers are very easy to use because all you need to do is tether them to the side of your pool and drop it in it.
When the thermometer is in the pool, all you then need to do to take a reading is pull the thermometer towards you and take a look at the digital screen that will display a large reading.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, that concludes our article looking at the best pool thermometers on the market right now. As you can see from our list, there are plenty of great options out there, it’s just a case of finding them.
Having a pool thermometer gives you a quick and easy way to stay on top of the temperature of your pool.
It is important to stay on top of the temperature of your pool because you need to ensure it is comfortable and more importantly safe to use.
By looking through the list and reading our buyer’s guide, you should now not only have a much clearer understanding of what’s available but also have a much better knowledge of what to look for.
Now you have this new knowledge and understanding, take some time to narrow down your options until you find the best pool thermometer for you.
