How We Review

We want you to be able to trust what you read here, so this page explains exactly how our guides are made, including what we don’t do.

Research-based, and labeled that way

Most of our reviews and roundups are research-based. We have not personally tested most of the products we cover. Instead, we:

• Start with the maker’s specs: runtime, coverage, filter size, charging, warranty, and price, taken from the official product page and linked.
• Check independent testing: reviewers who have actually used the product (for example, The Pool Nerd, PCWorld, and connect), quoted and linked so you can read their full take.
• Read owner reports in forums and reviews for patterns in reliability and customer support.
• Flag biased sources. When a comparison comes from a brand that sells one of the products, we say so.

If we ever test something hands-on, the article will say so clearly. If it doesn’t say so, we didn’t.

Chemistry and how-to guides

Our pool care advice is based on public-health and industry sources such as the CDC, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, Taylor Technologies, and the Florida Swimming Pool Association, plus product labels. Wherever we can, we cross-check dosing amounts against more than one source. Always follow the label on the product you’re using, and call a licensed pool professional for electrical, structural, or flood-damage problems.

Prices

Prices change constantly. Every price we print has a source and a “checked” date. Click through for the current price before you buy.

How we make money

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide our picks or rankings, and we’ll recommend a product we don’t earn from when it’s the better choice. See our affiliate disclosure.

Corrections

If you spot something wrong, an outdated spec, or a broken link, please contact us. We fix errors and update the date on the page.