8 Best Pool Thermometers [Analog, Digital & Solar]

Regulating your pool water temperature is crucial for ensuring you keep it nice and comfortable for the swimmers. However, you can only control the temperature if you get accurate readings using the best pool thermometer.

Pool thermometers float on the water to constantly measure the temperature, hang over the water, and some types are also handheld. Also, they come in analog and digital types, and they also differ in other things like accuracy level and durability.

This guide shows you how to pick a suitable thermometer for your pool and reviews a few top models to help you narrow down your options.

8 Best Pool Thermometers – Review

1. Best Overall: GAME 14030-BB Solar Digital Pool Thermometer 

• Type: Digital
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Solar

The GAME 14030-BB Solar Digital Pool Thermometer is our best overall model as it is convenient and cost-effective to use. Its convenience stems from the use of solar power, as this ensures it never runs out of power and eliminates the need to keep buying batteries.

The thermometer provides highly accurate temperature readings and includes a double-sided display with large numbers for easy reading. Also, it gets up to 5 inches below the water surface to ensure the readings you get are more dependable.

You can get the temperature readings in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, making the thermometer even more convenient. What’s more, you never have to worry about it floating away into your skimmer as it includes a tether string to hold it in place.

Overall this pool thermometer is also built to last as it uses some premium quality and shatter-resistant materials.

The only issue some users have with this thermometer is that the display starts fogging a little as it ages. Luckily, this does not affect its usability or accuracy and should hence not be a big concern.

Pros

• Never runs out of power
• Larger, easy read double screens
• Flexible temperature display
• Easy and secure installation with tether

Cons

• The display seems to fog a little as the thermometer ages

2. Best Hanging: Pentair R141036 127 Tube Thermometer 

• Type: Analog
• Hanging type: Hanging
• Power: Liquid

Accuracy is always a guarantee when using a sinking pool thermometer like Pentair R141036 127 Tube Thermometer. The thermometer gets below the water surface to ensure the readings you get are from the actual water temperature as the unit does not sense the air temperature.

With this pool thermometer, you will get a 3-foot cord that will allow for easy installation and ensure you can hang it in the pool more securely.

When it comes to the readings, you can easily interpret them by reading the Celsius or Fahrenheit scales, depending on what you prefer. Additionally, it has some clear and bold markings and a glass window to ensure you can view the true and accurate readings.

When you buy the thermometer, you will also get a high-quality ABS case to make storage easy, and each bubble pack includes 24 thermometers to ensure you get a good bargain.

Some of these thermometers will come with a gap in the fluid. Luckily, this is a quick and easy problem to fix by heating your thermometer to allow the liquid to expand and combine. Also, it is a common problem that comes from transporting thermometers and should not be a deal-breaker.

Pros

• Easy and secure hanging
• Sinks to provide more accurate results
• Allows or both Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature readings
• High-quality case for easy storage

Cons

• Gap in fluid

3. Best for Accuracy: eLander Pro Water Thermometer 

• Type: Analog
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Liquid

With the large temperature display with perfect calibration on the eLander Pro Water Thermometer, you can be sure of having an easy time reading the temperature and accurate results. What’s more, the thermometer sinks enough to ensure you always get highly reliable readings.

You can get both Fahrenheit and Celsius readings, making the thermometer ideal for any pool owner. Better still, it can work for indoor and outdoor pools, meaning it is suitable for measuring temperature on any pool out there.

The overall construction will also never disappoint as this thermometer includes rugged housing and shatter-resistant glass window to ensure long service life.

Attaching the thermometer to your pool should also be easy and secure as it comes with a long string to ensure you can tie it almost anywhere in the swimming pool.

The quality of the provided string is not the best, and it also looks like it will unravel within a short time, but you can always replace it with something better from your local store.

Pros

• Larger display for easy reading
• Suitable for use on any pool type
• Rugged and durable overall build
• Comes with a long string

Cons

• Provided string is not very good

4. Best Digital: Ambient Weather WS-14 Pool Thermometer 

• Type: Digital
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Solar powered (with battery backup)

If you prefer the accuracy and convenience of a digital pool thermometer, the Ambient Weather WS-14 Pool Thermometer is a good choice. With this pool thermometer, you get accurate results consistently as it updates every 60 seconds.

With the large, clear, and easy-to-read LCD display, you can also be sure of an easy time viewing the temperature readings even when out in the sun.

You do not have to be close to the pool to check the water temperature, as this unit transmits the results wirelessly. It includes an 8-channel selectable switch that makes it possible to keep track of the pool temperature from up to 8 different locations.

Since this pool thermometer works with both solar and battery, it will still be usable even in inclement weather and when you do not get much sun.

This pool thermometer can have sensing issues after a battery change, but you can quickly fix them by keeping it close to the display for a while after battery replacement. Also, it is a little pricier, but for a digital thermometer, the price is still relatively fair.

Pros

• Updates readings every minute
• Clear and easy read display
• Works with both solar and battery
• Allows temperature monitoring from different locations

Cons

• Can have issues after a battery change
• A little pricier

5. Milliard Floating Pool Thermometer 

• Type: Analog
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Liquid

The appearance of the Milliard Floating Pool Thermometer is one of the first elements that will catch most people’s attention. The thermometer includes a fun molded bear top that will look fantastic in your pool to ensure it will also be a decorative piece for your pool.

Although it is a floating pool thermometer, it comes with a rope tether to anchor it in place so that it does not end up in the skimmer or other sensitive pool fixtures.

You can also be sure of using it season after season as it features a heavy-duty ABS plastic construction that makes it rugged and durable enough.

The 7-inch tall thermometer sinks enough to ensure you get reliable readings and not just the surface or air temperature. Also, the scale displays the readings in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

The numbers on the scale seem a little on the smaller side. However, they should still be pretty easy to see once you get used to the thermometer.

Pros

• Looks fantastic in the pool
• Easy to keep anchored in place
• Highly durable to last many seasons
• Reads in both Fahrenheit and Celsius

Cons

• Relatively smaller numbers

6. XY-WQ Floating Pool Thermometer 

• Type: Analog
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Non-toxic liquid

The XY-WQ Floating Pool Thermometer will give you a long-lasting service as it has highly durable and shatter-resistant materials.

You can use this thermometer in almost any situation as it has a wide temperature measuring range of 20 to 120 °F or -10 to 50 °C. Better still, it works for both indoor and outdoor pools, and you can use it for other things like spas and Jacuzzis.

Keeping this cute turtle thermometer in place should also be easy as it comes with good quality and long enough rope that you can use to anchor it in place.

The temperature reading can sometimes be a little off, but a little calibrating can help solve this problem. Furthermore, it is common for analog thermometers to be sometimes off without proper calibration.

Pros

• Measures a wide temperature range
• Designed for long-lasting use
• Easy to anchor in place with the included rope
• Works on any pool type

Cons

• Readings can sometimes be a little off

7. Alysontech Floating Pool Thermometer 

• Type: Analog
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Liquid

The innovative flamingo gives the Alysontech Floating Pool Thermometer an impressive appearance to ensure it looks fantastic in your swimming pool.

Besides the impressive look, the pool thermometer also delivers highly accurate results and can measure temperature up to 120 °F or 50 °C to ensure you do not miss anything. Also, you can quickly see the results in the larger display.

With this thermometer, you can get results in as little as 60 seconds. Also, it is suitable for a wide variety of applications. Besides indoor and outdoor pools, it can measure temperature in spas, hot tubs, and even fishponds.

The thermometer uses some highly durable and shatter-resistant materials that will ensure you get a long service life.

Like many other floating pool thermometers out there, the string you get with this one does not seem very good quality, and so it will wear out fast and is hard to keep in place. Nonetheless, this is a minor issue you can quickly fix by replacing it with something better.

Pros

• Cute flamingo looks fantastic in the pool
• Easy to see temperature scale
• Suitable for wide application
• Display results in as little as 60 seconds

Cons

• String wears out fast

8. Blufree Floating Pool Thermometer 

• Type: Analog
• Hanging type: Floating
• Power: Liquid

Blufree Floating Pool Thermometer comes at a more affordable price tag to ensure you will not have to spend a fortune to know your pool water temperatures. But, despite being an inexpensive model, it uses highly durable and shatter-resistant materials.

Pool owners can also be sure of getting highly accurate readings with this inexpensive pool thermometer as it uses highly precise sensors.

Also, it displays the temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, and its scale includes a display with large and clear numbers that will make it easy to read the temperature.

The pool thermometer is also super cute as it includes a cartoon at the top and will come with a string to make it easy to keep in place without floating away.

The provided string seems a little short to tie the thermometer on something in the pool, but this should not be the deal-breaker as you can always replace it with a longer string.

Pros

• Highly affordable
• More accurate readings
• Durable materials
• Easy to use and read

Cons

• Relatively shorter string

Guide to Buy the Best Pool Thermometer?

1. Thermometer Type

There are several ways of classifying pool thermometers. However, most types out there will fall into two broad categories: analog and digital pool thermometers.

Digital

Digital thermometers like Ambient Weather WS-14 Pool Thermometer are some of the most popular types out there. They are highly accurate and will display the readings on a built-in LCD screen or even connect to smart devices and allow you to see them directly on your phone.

These pool thermometers are solar or battery-powered and often more technologically advanced. However, they cost much more than the analog types and do not last as long as the latter.

Analog

Analog thermometers are more like the traditional body temperature thermometers that have an analog scale calibrated on them. Also, they rely on the expansion or contraction of liquids like mercury, alcohol, or kerosene to detect temperature changes.

A good analog pool thermometer like Pentair R141036 127 Tube Thermometer can last for ages and never runs out of batteries as it does not use any.

Also, these thermometers are easier to use and more affordable. However, some often use toxic liquids like mercury that can pose a considerable health risk if the thermometer breaks.

2. Hanging or Floating Thermometer

You will often also need to decide whether to go for a hanging or floating pool thermometer. The hanging pool thermometers attach to the pool ladder or even walls using a string. They will sink into the water to ensure they take their readings from the water only for increased accuracy.

Floating thermometers float on the water and have sensors that allow them to measure the temperature by taking a reading from the water surface. However, the sensors can also pick up from the air temperature since the thermometer is not submerged, which can decrease their accuracy.

3. Accuracy

Accuracy is perhaps the most crucial element to consider when deciding what pool thermometer to buy. If your thermometer does not give you accurate readings, you cannot optimally regulate your water temperature.

Digital pool thermometers are the most accurate as they often do not require complicated calibration like the analog types to maintain accuracy.

Besides being accurate, the pool thermometer should be consistent, as this is even more important for continuous water temperature regulation.

4. Durability

A pool thermometer has to face a lot of abuse, which is more so if you prefer to leave it in the water for continuous water temperature measurement. Therefore, whatever you choose needs to be durable enough to give you a long service life.

Most of these thermometers feature a primarily plastic construction. It is crucial to make sure the plastic they use is thick enough and rugged for maximum durability.

Also, if what you buy uses glass for the scale, make sure it is shutter-proof to ensure the liquid never leaks out as some use mercury which is a dangerous substance.

5. Easy Read Display

Whether you choose a digital or analog thermometer, you have to make sure that it will give you an easy time when it comes to reading the temperature.

Digital thermometers with large enough and clear displays with a good font allow you to read the temperature even under the bright sun.

If you prefer the analog types, make sure the thermometer has a large scale with some precise calibration and provides temperature reading in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Bottom Line

You can be sure of an easy time keeping track of your water temperature with the best pool thermometer, but finding one should now be easy with our review and buying guide above.

That said, the GAME 14030-BB Solar Digital Pool Thermometer is our best overall product as it is an accurate and convenient model with a large and easy read display.

If you prefer a hanging thermometer that sinks deeper into the water to deliver highly accurate results, go with the Pentair R141036 127 Tube Thermometer.