Keep your pool and spa sparkling
Kokido XtroVac 200 cordless pool vacuum
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As we get closer to Memorial Day and the kickoff of the summer, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll need. Whenever the weather gets warm, people love to flock to the water. It makes the air cooler, you can go for a dip when you get too hot and the kids can amuse themselves for hours on end. In this world of the future, you don’t have to be stuck with beach balls and sand castles, though. There’s a lot more out there to help you have fun.
The team here at CNET is not immune to the water’s wiles, so we’ve put together our favorite items that make beach and pool visits a much more enjoyable experience. Some of these picks are technology, but a lot are just cool gear that makes our lives easier or more fun.
The JBL Go 3’s durable design, coupled with surprisingly decent sound for its tiny size, make it one of the top micro Bluetooth speakers out there. Available in multiple color options, it has an IP67 water-resistance rating, meaning it can be dunked in water and is dust-proof. Battery life is rated at up to 5 hours, too. While you can opt for older JBL models like the
— David Carnoy and John Falcone
Beatbot is currently offering a huge discount ($200 off) when you buy it from their official website or Amazon store.
If you’re hosting a summer party and want to stand out a little, this battery-powered dispenser makes a big impression. You drop the tube into a pitcher of your favorite water jug, cocktail or mocktail, plug the other end into this dispenser, and for the duration of the party you get perfectly portioned drinks with every button press.
It’s dead simple to use, and you’ll be sure to impress everyone at the function. And if you get more than one, you can get them in different colors and make it clear one is for kids and the other for adults. Any way you mix it, there’s a lot to like.
— Russell Holly
Keeping your pool or spa free of debris can be a chore. I was using a manual vacuum that pumps cold water into your spa, and it worked, but not nearly as well as the Kokido spa vac. This battery-operated vacuum is incredibly strong and sucks up all the debris at the bottom of the spa.
Because it doesn’t use extra water, it won’t dilute your chemicals or make your spa overflow. It’s not just for spas either, the handle comes in a lot of short pieces that you can tailor to your pool depth. While this might not be the coolest gadget on this list, I have used it every day since I got it and will be using it all summer.
— James Bricknell
In all the years I’ve been taking my kids to the beach, I’ve never thought to buy a wagon to carry all our stuff. This makes me a fool, but a fool that can save you from making the same mistake. This wagon was able to accommodate everything I needed to take to the lake with me this summer, and I do mean everything. Blankets, an umbrella, towels, a black tote full of floaties, foldable chairs, iPads, and even a solar panel and power station.
The wide wheels made pulling it across the sand a breeze, and once unloaded it served as a great place for my 5-year-old to nap in the middle of the day. Don’t be like me — get one of these as soon as you can. You won’t regret it.
— James Bricknell
The Anker 622 MagGo battery pack is an ideal travel companion. It lets you juice up any MagSafe-compatible iPhone while also doubling as a pedestal stand — great for watching video hands-free on the plane’s tray table, for instance, or FaceTiming from poolside. Fold the stand down, and the 5-ounce battery stays securely on the iPhone’s backside, even as it slips into pockets or purses, charging the phone all the while.
— John Falcone
Having some power at the poolside is amazing. If you spend a day with your friends or family, then your phone (or someone’s) is likely to die before the end of the day. Using a solar panel like the SolarSaga helps keep both of you charged the entire day as it has two USB-A outputs.
The panel is 100 watts and capable of charging a large power station, but really, who needs a heavy battery bank at the beach? Just using the solar panel is good enough.
— James Bricknell
For as long as I can remember, playing with a flying disc at the beach has been a part of my family traditions. In the ’80s we used to play with a standard Frisbee, but as the years went on we switched to the Aerobie. It flies much farther than a standard flying disc, is much easier to get the hang of, and can be tuned to fly straight no matter how you throw it. I love it, and it’s a staple at every beach trip I go on.
— James Bricknell
Swimming in a lake or at the beach is made infinitely more enjoyable with a mask and snorkel. This full-face mask lets you breathe more comfortably as you snorkel and gives you a lot of viewing angles to see underwater as you swim.
My son and I always use ours when swimming in the lakes, trying to see any fish in the deep and lost items in the shallows. It also has a GoPro attachment on the front so you can record your dives.
— James Bricknell