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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on PoolTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Sized to your gallons
Every recommendation works from pool volume, turnover and climate, not marketing tiers.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the equipment suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer specs and manuals, DOE efficiency ratings for pool pumps, AHRI and manufacturer ratings for heaters and heat pumps, ASTM F1346 for safety covers, and CDC Model Aquatic Health Code and manufacturer chemistry targets.
What we check, by product type
| Pumps | Speed type, horsepower and flow curve, DOE efficiency rating, voltage and plumbing size. |
|---|---|
| Filters | Type, filter area, rated flow, cleaning method and media cost. |
| Heaters | Fuel type, BTU output, efficiency (COP for heat pumps), climate range and install needs. |
| Sanitation | Salt cell rating in gallons, chlorine output, cell life, test kit accuracy and range. |
| Covers and spas | Cover standard, material and fit, spa capacity, jets, heater and insulation. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email [email protected] and we'll check it and fix it.