Best Pool Thermometer in 2022 – Reviewed
People spend a lot of time adjusting every aspect of their pool. They make sure that the chemistry is right on the mark and that they have the lighting and accessories that they need. Unfortunately, as many pool owners begin thinking about the things that they might need for their pools, they tend to overlook one little thing: the pool’s temperature. And not surprisingly, pool temperature is as important as just about anything else.
Why is pool temperature important? First of all, it’s important for the comfort of your swimmers. No one wants to swim in a pool that’s too cold. However, it’s also important for the water to not only be too warm. If the pool’s temperature is over 85-degrees, then algae and bacteria may begin to call your pool home. That’s why it’s important to buy the best pool thermometer available and use it regularly.
Quick Summary of Best Pool Thermometer
Reviews
Best Overall: Milliard Floating Guy Floating Pool Thermometer
In our opinion, sometimes it’s better to go with a pool thermometer that is simple enough to just do its job. The type of thermometer that we like is one that is easy to retrieve from the pool, has a temperature scale that’s easy to read, and one that can be put in the pool and just forgotten about. And this product more than meets our criteria. This is a 7-inch tall thermometer that reads temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius and has a cute little float on the top of it that keeps it floating around the pool until it’s needed.This product is made from high-quality ABS plastic, which allows it to hold up to the rigors of most pools, and it has a temperature scale that goes from 30-degrees to 120-degrees Fahrenheit. If the consumer doesn’t want it to float all around their pool, they can anchor it in place thanks to the 7-inch rope that comes along with it. And because this product is manufactured by Milliard, it’s sure to last a long time. All those are the reasons why this particular model is one of the best pool thermometers available for consumers to use in their pool.
- It does a great job of taking the pool’s temperature.
- It’s easy to retrieve to take temperature readings.
- It’s a real conversation starter.
- None.
Best Jumbo Thermometer: Splash Tech Floating Buoy Jumbo Thermometer
Another pool thermometer that we liked was this one from Splash Tech. This thermometer is bigger than many pool and spa thermometers, and as a result, it has a larger and easier to read display. This thermometer is approximately 9-inch long and 2.75-inches wide. It has a temperature scale that features large black numbers and the whole thermometer does a good job of floating in the water. Because it’s alcohol-based, this product is also extremely accurate and has a scale that goes from 30-degrees to 104-degrees Fahrenheit.Because this product is made from ABS plastic, it’s also capable of holding up well in the chaotic environments of most pools. And because this product floats on top of the water, it’s easy for the pool owner to get a temperature reading whenever they need to get one. If there was one thing that we didn’t like about this thermometer, it’s the fact that it might be prone to fading out due to sun exposure. We haven’t had that experience, yet, but looking at the way it’s made, we can see how it could fade out over time. It’s just something for pool owners to keep in mind if they decide that one of these thermometers is right for them.
- Made of durable, shatter-resistant ABS plastic.
- It has a jumbo display that’s easy-to-read.
- This thermometer won’t sink.
- It might begin to fade out over time.
Best For Pools & Aquariums: Bluefree Shatter-Resistant Floating Thermometer
Some people might look at this pool thermometer from Blue-Free and think that it’s just another novelty thermometer, but we have to disagree a little bit. We feel that although this product is cute, it works quite well. This product is approximately 8.46-inches high and its float is 4.53-inches wide with the thermometer sticking out of the bottom of it. The top of each thermometer has a cute cartoon design that keeps it floating in the pool. Some of the cartoon designs include a blue whale, a goldfish, and a yellow ducky. And fortunately, each of these cartoon characters is made to be fade-resistant, so pool owners should get a good life out of it.Although the temperature readings of this thermometer might be off a degree or so, it’s still a great product for pools, hot tubs, and spas. We think it works exceptionally well as an aquarium thermometer as well. This thermometer has a temperature scale that goes from 10-degrees to 120-degrees Fahrenheit, and the scale can also be read in Celsius. Keeping all of this in mind, it’s quite easy to see how this thermometer could become a trusted tool for just about any pool owner.
- This is a fade-resistant thermometer.
- It’s made of shatter-resistant plastic.
- Suitable for use in pools, spas, and aquariums.
- It’s not the most accurate of thermometers.
Best Affordable: eLander Professional Water Thermometer
For pool owners who are looking for an affordable thermometer, then this product is probably welcomed with open arms. That’s because this product is extremely affordable, sometimes costing half the price of other thermometers. It’s a product that measures approximately 7.3-inches tall, is 0.9-inch at the base, and is approximately 1.8-inches wide at the top buoy. This product has a scale that reads from 20-degrees to 120-degrees Fahrenheit. This product is also equipped with a rope that allows it to be tethered in place.As inexpensive as this product is, however, there are a few things that keep it from achieving a higher position on our list. For one, we found that the scale wasn’t as easy to read as other thermometers, and second, this thermometer might be off a degree or two. While those concerns won’t be a big problem for most pool owners who are looking for a budget pool thermometer, it’s enough for us to mention, so consumers should keep it in mind before they decide to purchase it.
- This product is extremely affordable.
- This product appears to be quite durable.
- It’s not the most accurate thermometer.
- It isn’t the easiest to read.
Pool Thermometer Guide
Although your backyard pool might look appealing with its crystal clear blue water, it is not always safe or advisable to do so. When you have young ones around or at-risk groups looking to share the pool, it is important to make sure it is warm enough to do so.
Even a swimmer looking for a cooler temperature so they can swim lengths will need to be sure the temperature is not too low. This is why it is a good idea to invest in a quality pool thermometer. We have created the following buyer’s guide to help you find a good one.
What To Look For In A Pool Thermometer
Clear Display
The easier it is to take a reading the better. Most products have nailed this, especially the digital pool thermometer types. Make sure it has a well-lit backlight and that it is still clear even under bright conditions.
Floating or Hanging
These are the two main choices you have and a hanging pool thermometer tends to be placed on the ladder or to the side of the pool, submerged under the surface. This is where you will need to keep an eye on the water levels as they will evaporate faster in the warmer months and the hanging thermometer needs to be underwater to work.
Floating pool thermometers use inner sensors as they bob on the water but sometimes are not as accurate. because they aren’t fully submerged.
Battery Life
A digital pool thermometer is only as good as the battery life. You might consider a solar-powered product for this reason and otherwise, analog pool thermometers do not have this problem.
Durability
You need to buy a product that is made from quality materials, particularly the casing of the thermometer. When it comes to water and the hard surfaces around the pool, accidents happen so try and find a thermometer that is known for being able to withstand a few bumps and grazes.
Since these products are designed to go in the water with chemicals such as chlorine, they also need adequate protection. Because they are exposed to this, and the UV rays when outside, it is important to make sure the product you like it known for its durability.
Accuracy
Above all else, you need to be able to take reliable readings. Most products are accurate within a fraction of a degree and although you can afford a little room for error, you don’t want to be using a product that can’t give you an accurate temperature check.
Alerts
Thanks to modern technology, you can purchase a pool thermometer that will alert you when the water is below or above a set temperature range. This is useful for anyone who has a heated pool and needs it to reach a certain level before they consider getting in.
Scale
Not everyone works in both Fahrenheit and Celcius so it is important to make sure you have the one you use most often. A lot of products will provide both which makes life that bit easier.
Warranty
Not every product is going to come with a warranty but it can be a good idea to protect your purchase, especially if you are investing in a high-end pool thermometer. Some brands will give you a couple of years but anything of a year and above can give you a bit of reassurance.
Why Buy A Pool Thermometer?
There are different reasons for checking the water temperature depending on who is using the pool. If the water is too cold, you could end up going into shock. Anything below 60 degrees F is going to feel too frigid for many people to even consider.
It could lead to restricted blood flow which in turn might result in hypothermia. This is why it is important to check the water is warm enough use. Another consideration is whether or not the water is too warm.
Yes, many people use hot tubs which means that hot water should be fine no matter what right? Wrong! There is a reason why you’re only supposed to use a hot tub for certain periods. Also, when you’re in a hot tub, you are sitting and relaxing, swimming is another story as it can lead to dehydration.
Temperatures over 90 degrees F will mean you are sweating more profusely which can dehydrate the swimmer and cause cramps.
Pool Thermometers and Algae
Because certain temperatures are ideal for bacteria and algae to fester and grow, you need to keep a check on the temperature. Anything of 90 degrees and above might become a feeding ground for unwanted germs.
This is where the temperature of the water is not favorable for chlorine and it can break down sooner than it would usually. As a result, the water is at the mercy of these building up so you will want to know when you will need to keep an eye on the chemical levels more frequently.
What Is The Ideal Temperature For A Swimming Pool?
When using a pool thermometer, it is good to know what should be considered the optimal range for swimming. This varies depending on who is using the pool as children will need a more comfortable temperature so something at the colder end will not suffice.
For most people, the ideal temperature is between 83 and 88 degrees F which is often ideal for beginner swimmers as well.
Different Types of Pool Thermometers
There isn’t a tonne of variety, but the two most common differ greatly.
Analog
These are more basic yet affordable and still popular with many people. An analog pool thermometer will also last a long time and you will be unlucky if you pick up a product that is not highly durable.
The only way they can start to be less effective is if the mercury used to provide the readings starts to deteriorate because of sun exposure.
Digital
These come with clear, easy to read displays that resemble most modern technology. They are not as affordable as the analog options but some come with access to a complementing smartphone app to allow you to make clear readings and adjustments.
Most importantly, they. are accurate and most of the time, easy to use.
