Best Above Ground Pool Accessories
The right accessories make an above ground pool safer, cleaner and easier to enjoy, and the wrong ones end up in the shed. After years of installing pools across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, these are the accessories we see homeowners actually use, grouped by the job they do.
Step 1
Getting in and out
Every pool needs a safe way in. Which one depends on whether you have a deck.
| Your setup | What to get |
|---|---|
| No deck | An A-frame ladder like the Confer Rollguard, which locks to keep kids out |
| No deck, want something easier than a ladder | A ground-to-pool step system with handrails on both sides |
| Deck | A deck-to-pool ladder |
For a full comparison, see Ladders and Steps.
Step 2
Safety
- A pool alarm. It sounds when someone, or something, falls into the water. It’s an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for supervision. See our full Safety Checklist for Families, and if your dog swims too, Can Dogs Swim in an Above Ground Pool?
- A locking ladder or gate. Lock or remove the ladder whenever the pool isn’t in use.
- A fence where your town requires one. See Do You Need a Permit for an Above Ground Pool in Massachusetts?
- GFCI protection for anything electric. See Electric Requirements for Above Ground Residential Pools.
Step 3
Cleaning
- A telescopic pole that every other tool attaches to.
- A bag skimmer for leaves and bugs.
- A nylon brush. Nylon is safe on vinyl liners; skip wire brushes.
- A vacuum head, vacuum hose and vac plate for vacuuming through the skimmer.
- A robotic cleaner, if you’d rather not vacuum yourself. Choose one made for above ground pools.
For a weekly routine, see our Pool Maintenance guide.
Step 4
Water care
- A good test kit. The Taylor K-2005 is accurate, and test strips are handy for quick checks.
- A chlorine floater or inline chlorinator to feed chlorine tablets steadily.
- A wireless pool thermometer that floats in the pool and shows the water temperature on a display inside the house.
Thinking about another sanitizer? Compare options in Pool Frog Compared to a Salt Water System, and see our Pool Chemicals guide.
Step 5
Warmth
- A solar cover, the best value accessory you can buy for warmer water.
- A solar cover reel so the cover actually goes on every night.
- Solar rings if a full cover isn’t practical.
More ideas in How to Keep an Above Ground Pool Warm Without a Heater. Ready for a heater? Read Above Ground Pool Heating in New England.
Step 6
Comfort and fun
- Floats and loungers for relaxing.
- Rechargeable floating pool lights for evening swims, with no wiring needed.
Step 7
Winter
- A solid winter cover sized for your pool.
- An air pillow to take pressure off the cover and wall.
- A winterizing kit to keep the water clean until spring.
- A cover pump to keep rain and snowmelt off the cover.
Step by step, see Winterizing an Above Ground Pool in New England.
We install new pools in Massachusetts and replace liners and pools across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Site visits are free.