A swimming pool is already one of the best parts of summer, but the right accessories can make it considerably more comfortable, entertaining, organized, and easier to maintain.
The best pool accessories are not necessarily the most expensive or complicated. Some simply make it easier to relax. Others keep the deck cleaner, help guests stay safer, or make routine pool care less of a chore.
If you are getting your backyard ready for summer, here are 15 pool accessories worth considering—from floating loungers and games to lighting, storage, shade, and safety equipment.
1. A Comfortable Floating Pool Lounger
A good floating lounger is still one of the simplest ways to make a pool more enjoyable.
Look for a design that:
- Supports your head and back
- Feels stable when getting on and off
- Uses durable material
- Is easy to inflate or store
- Includes cup holders if you actually use them
Some people prefer a traditional reclining float, while others prefer mesh-bottom loungers that keep part of the body submerged.
Choose what feels comfortable rather than assuming the largest inflatable float is automatically the best.
2. Pool Volleyball or Basketball Games
A pool game can turn a quiet afternoon into something much more social.
Popular options include:
- Pool volleyball
- Basketball hoops
- Floating target games
- Diving games
- Water toss games
If the game attaches to the deck or pool coping, make sure the equipment is stable and does not create a trip hazard.
For inflatable games, choose something that can be removed easily when the pool is not in use.
3. Waterproof Floating Bluetooth Speaker
Music can completely change the atmosphere around a pool.
A battery-powered waterproof Bluetooth speaker can let you play music without bringing plugged-in electrical equipment near the water.
Look for:
- A water-resistant or waterproof rating appropriate for pool use
- Long battery life
- Easy volume controls
- Good Bluetooth range
- A stable floating or poolside design
4. Poolside Storage Organizer
Pool toys have an amazing ability to end up everywhere.
A poolside organizer gives you one place for:
- Floats
- Noodles
- Goggles
- Pool games
- Small toys
- Towels
Mesh organizers are especially useful because wet equipment can continue drying instead of sitting in an enclosed container.
Choose materials that resist:
- Rust
- UV exposure
- Water
- Outdoor temperature changes
5. Pool Towel Rack or Towel Station
A dedicated towel station is one of those small upgrades that makes a backyard feel considerably more organized.
It can also keep wet towels:
- Off patio furniture
- Off the ground
- Away from walkways
- Available for guests
If you frequently entertain, consider keeping separate areas for clean and used towels.
6. Outdoor Shade
A pool may provide relief from the heat, but everyone still needs a way to get out of direct sunlight.
Shade options include:
- Patio umbrellas
- Cantilever umbrellas
- Shade sails
- Pergolas
- Covered seating areas
Shade is particularly useful for:
- Children
- Older adults
- Pets
- Guests taking breaks from swimming
Make sure umbrellas and other large objects are properly secured so wind cannot send them into the pool or surrounding area.
7. Poolside Drink and Snack Station
If people are spending several hours around the pool, a designated drink area helps keep everyone hydrated without constantly walking through the house dripping wet.
Useful additions can include:
- Water dispenser
- Cooler
- Reusable plastic cups
- Covered snack containers
- Trash receptacle
8. LED Pool Lighting
Lighting can make a pool much more attractive after sunset and can improve visibility around the swimming area.
Options include:
- Built-in LED pool lights
- Floating battery-powered lights
- Landscape lighting
- Path lighting
- Deck lighting
If you are replacing or modifying installed underwater lighting, use equipment specifically designed for swimming-pool applications and follow all electrical requirements.
Permanent pool lighting should be installed and serviced by qualified personnel.
9. Outdoor Path and Step Lighting
The pool itself is only part of nighttime safety.
People still need to safely walk between:
- The house
- Pool
- Restroom
- Seating areas
- Steps
- Gates
Low-level landscape or path lighting can help guests see wet surfaces, steps, furniture, and other potential trip hazards.
10. Pool Thermometer
A pool thermometer is inexpensive and useful.
Knowing the actual water temperature can help you:
- Judge swimming comfort
- Monitor heater performance
- Compare seasonal temperature changes
- Recognize an unusual heating problem
Do not rely only on how the water feels.
If you have a heated pool or attached spa, an independent thermometer can also provide a useful comparison against the equipment's displayed temperature.
11. Automatic or Robotic Pool Cleaner
Cleaning the pool floor is rarely anyone's favorite summer activity.
Depending on your pool, an automatic or robotic cleaner can reduce the amount of manual vacuuming required.
Different cleaners are designed for:
- Pool floors
- Walls
- Waterlines
- Specific pool surfaces
- Different debris types
Match the cleaner to your pool rather than simply buying the most powerful model available.
12. Good Pool Cleaning Tools
Even if you have an automatic cleaner, a few basic tools are still extremely useful.
A practical pool-maintenance kit may include:
- Telescoping pole
- Leaf skimmer
- Leaf rake
- Pool brush
- Vacuum head
- Vacuum hose
Keeping leaves and debris out of the water helps reduce the load on the pool's filtration and sanitation systems.
13. Water-Test Kit or Test Strips
This may not be the most exciting pool accessory, but it is one of the most useful.
Regular water testing helps you monitor important chemistry including:
- Sanitizer
- pH
- Total alkalinity
- Other water-balance parameters appropriate for your pool
Testing regularly is much easier than waiting until the pool turns cloudy or green and trying to figure out what happened afterward.
14. Pool Safety and Rescue Equipment
Some of the most important pool accessories are the ones you hope never need to be used.
Useful safety equipment may include:
- Reaching pole or shepherd's crook
- Rescue ring or appropriate throwable flotation device
- First aid kit
- CPR barrier or mask
- Life jackets
- Phone or easy access to emergency services
Keep rescue equipment where it can actually be reached quickly.
Do not bury it behind pool toys, furniture, or storage containers.
15. Poolside Furniture That Can Handle Water
Good pool furniture should be comfortable, but it also needs to survive the environment.
Look for materials that tolerate:
- Sun
- Water
- Chlorinated splash-out
- Rain
- Repeated cleaning
Useful furniture can include:
- Chaise lounges
- Outdoor sofas
- Side tables
- Dining tables
- Storage benches
Arrange furniture so it does not block gates, rescue equipment, pool access, or safe walking areas.
Bonus: Floating Drink Holders
Floating drink holders can be fun, but use them carefully.
They are best for:
- Water bottles
- Cans
- Plastic cups
- Other non-breakable containers
Do not use them as an excuse to bring glassware into the pool.
Bonus: Waterproof Playing Cards and Pool Games
If your pool gatherings tend to last for hours, waterproof cards and floating games can give people something to do besides simply swim.
They are especially useful for older children and adults who want to remain in the pool without constantly playing more physical games.
Bonus: Poolside Foot Rinse
A simple outdoor foot rinse can help reduce the amount of:
- Grass
- Dirt
- Sand
- Mulch
- Other debris
that swimmers carry into the pool.
This is particularly useful when the pool deck connects directly to a lawn, garden, or sandy area.
Bonus: Outdoor Storage Box
A weather-resistant deck box can be useful for items that should remain dry when they are not being used.
Store things such as:
- Clean towels
- Pool games
- Goggles
- Small accessories
Do not use an ordinary storage box for pool chemicals unless it is specifically appropriate for chemical storage and follows the product manufacturers' storage requirements.
What Pool Accessories Are Actually Worth Buying?
You do not need every accessory on this list.
Start by thinking about how your family uses the pool.
If You Mostly Relax
Prioritize:
- Comfortable loungers
- Shade
- Towel station
- Poolside drinks
- Lighting
If You Entertain Frequently
Consider:
- Volleyball or basketball
- Bluetooth speaker
- Extra seating
- Towel storage
- Drink station
- Lighting
If You Have Children
Prioritize:
- Approved flotation devices where appropriate
- Pool barriers
- Rescue equipment
- Clear deck space
- Safe toys
- Active adult supervision
If You Hate Pool Maintenance
Put more of your budget toward:
- Automatic cleaner
- Quality skimmer
- Pool brush
- Water-test kit
- Storage for maintenance tools
Accessories to Be Careful With
Some products look entertaining but can introduce new hazards if used carelessly.
Use extra caution with:
- Large floats that block visibility across the pool
- Glass drinkware
- Electrical equipment near water
- Unsecured umbrellas
- Floating toys left in the pool when nobody is supervising
- Pool games that encourage unsafe diving or rough play
- Slippery mats or deck accessories
Do Not Forget the Pool Equipment You Already Own
Before spending money on accessories, make sure the basic pool equipment is working properly.
Check:
- Pump operation
- Filter pressure and condition
- Water circulation
- Skimmers
- Pool heater
- Drain covers
- Lights
- Valves
A new floating speaker will not make summer better if the pool pump fails the day before your party.
Summer Pool Accessory Checklist
If you are preparing the backyard for summer, consider whether you have:
- Comfortable pool floats
- Pool games
- Waterproof music
- Toy and float storage
- Towel storage
- Shade
- Pool-safe drinkware
- Pool and pathway lighting
- Pool thermometer
- Automatic cleaner
- Basic cleaning tools
- Water-test supplies
- Rescue equipment
- First aid kit
- Comfortable outdoor furniture
The Bottom Line
The best pool accessories are the ones that make your backyard more enjoyable without creating more clutter or safety problems.
You do not need to buy everything at once.
Start with the basics:
Comfort + entertainment + organization + maintenance + safety.
Then add the extras that match how your family and friends actually use the pool.
Bath & Spa Parts Online carries replacement pool and spa pumps, filters, heaters, plumbing parts, drain covers, controls, cleaning components, and thousands of other pool and hot tub parts.
If something in your pool equipment needs attention before summer begins, call us at 800-918-9143 and we can help identify the parts you need.
This article provides general swimming-pool accessory and safety information. Follow all product manufacturer instructions and applicable pool-safety and electrical requirements. Recreational floats and toys are not substitutes for approved flotation devices or active adult supervision.