The Best Swimming Pool Alarms

Buying Guide for Swimming Pool Alarms

Why buy a swimming pool alarm?

The primary reason to invest in a swimming pool alarm is, of course, for safety purposes. Pools can pose significant risks, especially for young children or individuals who may not be strong swimmers. An alarm adds an extra layer of protection and acts as a constant guardian, even when you are not actively monitoring the pool area. Knowing that you have a reliable alarm system in place can provide peace of mind, especially if you have children or pets.

Swimming pool alarms are also effective in deterring unauthorized access to your pool. The alarm will notify you if someone attempts to enter the pool area without your permission, from curious neighbors to wandering pets to potential trespassers, allowing you to intervene.

Ultimately, keep in mind that while a swimming pool alarm is an excellent safety measure, it should never replace proper adult supervision. Always ensure that someone responsible is present and actively supervising swimmers, particularly children, to ensure their safety at all times.

What should you look for in a swimming pool alarm?

• Accuracy: Obviously, the more reliable and accurate detection a swimming alarm provides, the better. It should have advanced sensors capable of detecting even subtle movements or disturbances in the water. This ensures that the alarm will trigger when necessary, such as when a child falls into the pool, while minimizing false alarms caused by wind or debris. Different types of sensors, namely infrared, laser, or pressure sensors, can offer varying levels of accuracy. To determine which sensor type offers the most accurate detection for your specific needs, research and compare different pool alarms that utilize these sensors. Look for customer reviews, ratings, and any independent testing or certifications that can provide insights into their performance and accuracy.
• Alarm System Reliability: The effectiveness of a swimming pool alarm relies on its ability to deliver timely alerts. Choose an alarm with a reliable and robust alarm system that can promptly notify you when a potential danger is detected. This usually comes in the form of a loud audible alarm within the pool area or notifications sent to your smartphone (or other connected devices, like a tablet), ensuring you are alerted to disturbances even if you are not near the pool or not at home.
• Installation: Opt for a swimming pool alarm that is easy to install and use. The installation process should be straightforward, with clear instructions provided by the manufacturer. Ideally, the alarm’s interface and controls will be intuitive, thus allowing you to easily operate and configure settings as needed. Also consider the power source and battery life of the alarm to ensure it can consistently function without frequent replacements or recharging; this is especially crucial for when you’re at work or on vacation.

How do swimming pool alarms work?

Specific features, functions, and technologies used in swimming pool alarms can vary among different models and manufacturers. However, there are some commonalities. Most pool alarms use sensors to detect movements or disturbances in the water, either through infrared, lasers, or pressure sensors. When a person or an animal enters the pool or causes ripples in the water, the sensors detect the movement and then trigger the alarm system in response. This can be achieved either through a physical connection or wirelessly, depending on the type and design of the alarm.

Once the alarm is triggered, it generates an alert to notify the owner of the potential accident or unauthorized access. Traditionally, the alert comes in the form of a loud audible alarm within the pool area and/or a flashing light, though modern versions often send notifications to connected devices like smartphones or smart home systems.

Our Picks for the Best Swimming Pool Alarms

Pros: This pool alarm is a cutting-edge device designed to provide an added layer of protection and peace of mind for pool owners. Perhaps the most notable feature is its loud and attention-grabbing sound, all but guaranteeing that you won’t miss the alert, even if you’re far away or on the other side of the house. Setting up the alarm is a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly design. Within minutes, you should have it up and running, ready to safeguard your pool area. The sensitivity adjustment feature allows you to fine-tune the alarm to match your specific needs, ensuring accurate detection without unnecessary false alarms. It’s also compatible with most pools, hot tubs, and spas, no matter their size.

Cons: Even with the sensitivity adjustment, this alarm isn’t totally immune to false alarms. It can be triggered by strong winds, which may cause inconvenience at times. And if you have dogs at home, the loud alarm will likely startle them and cause them to bark when it goes off.

Bottom Line: Overall, this pool alarm is a reliable and efficient device that delivers on its promise of pool safety. With its easy setup, loud alert system, and overall effectiveness, it provides an additional layer of protection for your loved ones and pets around the pool area. While it may have some minor drawbacks, its functionality and the peace of mind it brings make it a worthy investment for any pool owner.

 

Pros: Get an extra sense of security in this pool alarm/camera combo, a cutting-edge camera system designed to revolutionize pool safety. With its advanced features and state-of-the-art technology, it provides unparalleled peace of mind for families with swimming pools. The main highlight of this particular pool alarm is, of course, its high-definition camera, which offers live video feed and night vision capabilities. This allows you to monitor your pool area in real time, even in low-light conditions. The two-way audio feature also enables you to communicate with anyone near the pool. In addition to these handy features, the matching smartphone app provides seamless control over the camera, allowing you to customize settings, receive instant alerts, and access recorded footage. And as great as the camera might be, don’t discount the alarm system; it’s both powerful and reliable, instantly notifying you when someone enters the pool area.

Cons: As high-tech as this pool alarm is, some users have reported initial issues with false alarms, which can be triggered by unrelated movements or activities near the pool. Additionally, the volume control on the extender may be lacking, requiring careful placement or adjustment to ensure optimal sound levels.

Bottom Line: Investing in this pool alarm/camera means investing in the safety of your family and loved ones. With its reliable camera and advanced features not found in most models, it’s a must-have for any pool owner. Don’t compromise on pool safety—choose this pool alarm and experience the ultimate peace of mind.

 

Pros: Want an alarm for the door leading into your pool rather than the pool itself? This door alarm adds an extra layer of security to keep young children safe, especially when you have a sliding door that leads directly to the pool area. It has two possible settings to choose from; the first sounds instantly as soon as the door is opened, alerting you of any attempts to access the pool. The second provides a 7-second delay before sounding the alarm, allowing you time to exit before the alarm goes off. This device is extremely loud, so you can rest assured that you won’t miss it—the volume and piercing sound is comparable to a fire alarm, demanding immediate attention. The alarm also comes with a UL listing on the device, giving you assurance of its reliability and compliance with safety standards. Furthermore, this door alarm has successfully passed stringent safety inspections. Inspectors have approved it as satisfying the necessary requirements for pool safety, thereby guaranteeing its effectiveness. Not only is it effective for pool safety, but it can also be used as a general security feature for your home since it can be installed on any door or window. And this alarm is suitable for all types of doors, including French doors and inward-opening doors.

Cons: The delay feature of the alarm may not function as reliably as intended, with some users reporting it only working approximately 30% of the time. In addition, the alarm does not have an on/off switch or option to be temporarily or permanently turned off. This means that during occasions when a lot of people are coming and going at the same time, the alarm may go off frequently. The installation process may also pose challenges, particularly on French doors where the provided screws may not work as intended. Moreover, it’s important to note that the alarm does not come with a 9V battery, so you’ll need to buy your own separately.

Bottom Line: If you want to be alerted whenever someone enters your pool area, rather than the water itself, this is the pool alarm for you. It’ll let you know whenever someone opens the door or gate leading to the pool, potentially allowing you to prevent an accidental fall into the water altogether instead of being alerted after the fact.

 

Pros: As useful an investment as a pool alarm might be, there’s no denying that the peace of mind they provide comes with a fairly high price tag. But if you don’t want or can’t afford to drop a few hundred dollars on one, this little alarm might be just what you’re looking for. Designed to attach to gates and doors, it lets you know whenever someone opens said gate or door leading into the pool without your permission, while the bypass button provides flexibility, allowing you to disable the alarm temporarily when needed. It’s compact and slender, allowing it to fit almost anywhere without detracting from the appearance of your home. The installation process is simple and basically hassle-free, allowing you to set it up as quickly as possible. Its functionality and effectiveness have been praised by numerous customers thanks to its loud alarm, allowing you to rest assured that any unauthorized access to the pool area will be immediately detected and alerted. Better yet, it can be installed on various types of doors and windows, making it a practical choice for different pool setups.

Cons: Consider carefully where you choose to place this alarm, as some users have experienced issues with the adhesive not sticking well to textured walls or doors, requiring the use of alternative adhesion methods. And though it’s quite versatile, this alarm may still not be suitable for certain door configurations, particularly on raised door frames or if the door is recessed. Keep in mind, too, that it won’t tell you when someone is actually swimming in the pool itself—just when the door or gate leading into the pool area has been opened without your knowledge.

Bottom Line: This is a reliable and effective solution to regulating whenever someone enters your pool area or opens your pool gate, all without breaking the bank. With its easy installation process, versatile application, and loud alarm, it offers the peace of mind you need to enjoy your pool with confidence.

 

Pros: Made specifically for in-ground pools, the advanced technology and user-friendly design of this alarm offer peace of mind like never before. It’s been meticulously engineered to meet and exceed safety standards and passed rigorous inspections, giving you the assurance that it is a reliable and trustworthy addition to your in-ground pool area. It’s made with a pad rather than a stabilizing screw for a quicker, easier installation. Plus, its durability and long-term reliability make it a valuable investment. And while there is no remote reset option, the straightforward manual reset process guarantees that you have full control over the alarm system when the time comes to shut it off.

Cons: While this pool alarm offers many advantages for in-ground pools, there is a risk of false alarms triggered by high winds or rain. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure that the water level in the pool needs is appropriately maintained for optimal performance; too high or too low water means it won’t function properly. And, of course, it’s suitable for in-ground pools only.

Bottom Line: If you have an in-ground pool and want to invest in a pool alarm for it, you won’t want to pass on this model. Its easy installation, accurate detection, and durable construction make it an essential addition to any in-ground pool, no matter how large or small.

Final Thoughts

Pool alarms are extremely useful safety devices that provide an extra layer of protection for swimming pools and peace of mind for pool owners. While they aren’t infallible or a complete replacement for human supervision, a good pool alarm is a worthwhile addition to any in-ground or above-ground swimming pool.