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As the summer draws to a close, pool party days may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean pool maintenance season has ended. In preparation for the off-season, pool owners need to tackle the pool closing checklist, including giving the pool a deep clean, balancing chemicals, and backwashing the pool filter. Whether looking for algaecide, strong shock to keep water clear, or sturdy pool covers, we’ve rounded up everything needed to close a pool. Read on to stock up on the best pool closing supplies to properly winterize your pool.
1. The Wall Whale 18” Swimming Pool Brush
Cleaning is one of the most critical steps in preparing a pool for winter. A solid scrub with a brush will help dislodge grime, algae, and any other debris stuck to the walls. In our article on the best pool supplies, we ranked the Wall Whale Classic Swimming Pool Brush as a favorite for good reason. It takes its name from the large 18-inch, whale-like fin at the back of the brush, which pushes against the brush head for additional force as you move it through the water. This gives it far more scrubbing power than a standard pool brush.
Get the Wall Whale 18” Swimming Pool Brush at Amazon for $34.99.
2. ProTuff 19″ Fine Pool Net
Skimmers are essential accessories for closing pools, and we named the ProTuff 19″ Fine Pool Net is our top pick in our best pool skimmers guide. Whether it’s routine cleaning throughout the season, or as part of the pool closing process, use this wide-net skimmer to scoop out any leaves and dirt. It has an aluminum alloy frame that creates a stable and strong pool net. It doesn’t come with a pole, but it’s compatible with standard pool poles and clicks on easily with its EZ-clip attachment.
Get the ProTuff 19″ Fine Pool Net at Amazon for $46.39.
3. Pool Blaster Max Cordless Pool Vacuum
A pool vacuum can help clean the fine debris that pool nets miss. Of all the models we tested for our review of the best handheld pool vacuums on the market, the Pool Blaster Max Cordless Pool Vacuum was our top pick. It’s a top performer that’s worth its price, and it offers strong suction and user-friendly performance. It’s lightweight and very easy to use, but it boasts great suction, picking up everything from large leaves to fine dirt.
What our tester says: “Despite the fact that it’s “just” a manual vacuum, we love the Pool Blaster for how quickly and easily it cleaned our pool. It even got rid of debris some robotic vacuums missed after working on the pool for hours.”—Lisa Galek, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Pool Blaster Max Cordless Pool Vacuum at Amazon for $199.99.
4. Intex Handheld Pool Vacuum Cleaner
For those on a budget, the Intex Handheld Pool Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent, more affordable handheld option. In our testing, it was very simple to use and picked up lighter dirt well. However, we found it on the small side to clean a larger pool, and the suction was a bit too weak for larger debris. For those who don’t want to spend big for a small pool, it’s a good pick.
What our tester says: “Striking a balance between affordability and functionality, the Intex handheld pool vacuum is a solid choice for small pools, hot tubs, and budget-conscious buyers. This compact model is easy to store in a shed or garage and is lightweight enough for quick cleanups. While it performs well with fine dirt and debris, it struggles with heavier pieces like small pebbles, requiring some extra effort to pick them up.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Intex Handheld Pool Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon for $66.99.
5. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
We ranked the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner the best pool vacuum among all the vacuums that we tested. Completely robotic, it’s capable of cleaning a pool up to 50 feet in length in under 2 hours—with no scrubbing involved. It climbs walls, too, so you can set it in the pool and it will clean the walls and bottom of the pool. Alternatively, set schedules and monitor this Wi-Fi–enabled cleaner from an app. It’s like a robot vacuum for the pool (and it’s priced similarly).
What our tester says: “This is the pool cleaner I use in my pool. I love that it has multiple filters to remove large and small debris as well as the microscopic stuff I can’t see. For me, it delivers the best results with the least amount of effort”—Jen Karetnick, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner at Amazon for $799.
6. Taylor Pool Water Test Kit
While it’s important to maintain the right chemical balance in pool water throughout the season, it’s equally important to test the water quality before closing the pool down. In our research for the best pool test kits, the Taylor Pool Water Test Kit came out on top. This complete kit helps users test free and total chlorine, pH levels, acid and base demand, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid levels. It sounds complicated at first, but the kit makes it easy with color-coded instructions, a treatment guide, and other essential materials. Understanding the chemical balance is key to deciding which chemicals to add or balance as the pool is closed down for the colder months.
What our tester says: “This kit feels like a fun chemistry set, but it’s obviously a comprehensive way to test several aspects of your pool water. Once you get the hang of reading the results, it’s a handy tool to have.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Taylor Pool Water Test Kit at Amazon for $80.45.
7. EasyTest 7-Way Pool Test Strips
Another option for a quick check of chemical balances in the water is the EasyTest 7-Way Pool Test Strips. It’s faster and easier to use than the Taylor Pool Water Test Kit—just dip a strip in the water and compare it to the chart on the bottle. The strips measure free chlorine, total chlorine, bromine, total hardness, total alkalinity, pH, and cyanuric acid. In our testing, it wasn’t the most accurate product, but its readings are close enough for most home pools, and it’s much more convenient for quick checks, especially since it’s sold at such a budget-friendly price.
What our tester says: “For pool owners on a budget, the EasyTest 7-Way Pool Test Strips offer a straightforward and affordable way to monitor water quality. These strips are quick to use and require no fancy equipment—just dip, wait, and compare the colors to the chart on the bottle. While the results weren’t identical to other test strips we tried, they were close enough to provide a decent snapshot of the pool’s condition.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the EasyTest 7-Way Pool Test Strips at Amazon for $12.99.
8. HTH Pool Care Shock Advanced
Throughout the season, shocking the pool with a high dose of chlorine and other chemicals keeps water clear, eliminates bacteria, and makes the water safe for swimming. Giving the pool a shock treatment before closing it down will help ensure that the levels of bacteria don’t increase over the offseason. This will also make it easier to get the pool up and running the following season. Of all the products we tested for our guide for the best pool shock, HTH Pool Care Shock Advanced nabbed the top spot. The 4-in-1 formula sanitizes, clarifies, and also reduces chlorine odor and irritation. It comes in a 12-pack, which is handy since it’s a year-round product.
What our tester says: “The HTH shock was easy to use and cleared up my pool water fast. By the next day, it looked crystal clear and swim-ready”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.
Get HTH Pool Care Shock Advanced at Amazon for $54.32.
9. HTH Advanced Algae Guard
Many pool closing kits and checklists suggest not just shock but also algaecide as part of the winterizing process. That’s because algae can bloom in untreated, neglected waters over the cooler months, resulting in green water at pool opening. To prevent that, after shocking the pool, apply HTH Advanced Algae Guard, one of the recommended products in our best pool algaecides guide. Using ammonium compounds, it targets green, black, and mustard algae with a non-foaming formula that’s compatible with all pool types, including saltwater pools.
Get HTH Advanced Algae Guard at Amazon for $23.74.
10. In the Swim Pool Closing Kit
If you want the most straightforward pool-closing solution, the all-in-one In the Swim Pool Closing Kit includes the essential chemicals for closing a pool. It is designed to help winterize both above-ground and in-ground pools of 35,000 gallons or smaller. The kit includes 11 quart of Winterizer, 1 quart of Winter Stain-Away, 2 pounds of Chlorine Free Pool Shock, 1 Winter Sorb, and 1 Winter Pool Floater. Perfect for pool owners who may be new to pool maintenance, the kit rates highly among consumers. Thousands of users at Amazon give it a five-star rating, citing it as effective, simple to use, and economical.
Get the In the Swim Pool Closing Kit at Amazon for $44.99.
11. Buffalo Blizzard Ripstopper Winter Pool Cover
Most pool owners know they need to cover their pools during the winter months. Not only does it help keep the water clean, but it also prevents damage to the pool during winter storms. The Buffalo Blizzard Ripstopper Green Winter Cover delivers superior protection for 24-foot round above-ground pools, especially in climates with snow, wind, and debris. A variety of sizes is available from Buffalo Blizzard. This Buffalo Blizzard Ripstopper Winter Pool Cover is made of triple-laminated polyethylene and includes a winch to help secure the included cable through the grommet holes along the edge of the cover, keeping it securely in place.
What our tester says: “After installing this winter cover on my 24-foot pool, I am confident this cover will last more than a few years. It was easy to maneuver and secure in place.”—Stephanie Cronk, Executive Editor of Product Reviews.
Get the Buffalo Blizzard Ripstopper Winter Pool Cover at Amazon starting at $69.99 or at PoolSupplies.com starting at $59.99
12. Robelle In-Ground Winter Pool Cover
Robelle also makes a range of in-ground pool covers, including in-season solar covers to keep the pool warm. But for a pool winter closing checklist, this Robelle In-Ground Winter Pool Cover is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather. The cover comes in a variety of sizes to fit in-ground rectangular pools and is made of extra heavy-duty polyethylene. It includes loops for water tubes, but the tubes themselves are sold separately.
Get the Robelle In-Ground Winter Pool Cover at Amazon starting at $67.91.
13. Yankee Pool Pillow
Adding an air pillow underneath the cover of an above-ground pool helps offset rain, snow, and ice accumulation by giving ice a place to expand upward, instead of out toward the pool walls. The Yankee Pool Pillow is resistant to cold temperatures as low as −10 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great choice for pools in areas with heavy snowfall and long periods of below-freezing temperatures. Reviewers appreciate its durability, ease of installation (including reinforced grommets and rope to hold the pillow in place), and fast inflation and deflation.
Get the Yankee Pool Pillow at Amazon for $49.90.
14. Buffalo Blizzard Leaf Net Cover
Keep your pool clean all autumn long with the easy-to-use Buffalo Blizzard Leaf Net Cover. Designed to catch leaves and debris before they settle in your water or winter cover, these leaf nets fit securely over your pool or winter cover, allowing you to easily catch and remove large piles of leaves. This also makes opening your pool for the next season a breeze, as leaves will not fall into the water when removing the winter cover.
Get the Buffalo Blizzard Leaf Net Cover at Amazon starting at $54.99 or at PoolSupplies.com starting at $39.99.
15. Acquaer PCP025 Automatic Pool Cover Pump
A pool cover pump prevents excess rainwater from accumulating during the offseason. In our search for the best pool cover pumps, our testers ranked the Acquaer PCP025 Automatic Pool Cover Pump as the best overall. Designed to switch itself on when it senses more than 2 inches of water, this pump is powerful, and in our experience, worked well when put to the test in a heavy rain storm. It was also incredibly easy to set up.
What our tester says: “I just placed this unit on my pool cover and it got to work right away—no setup headaches. It’s powerful, dependable, and handled a heavy rain without breaking a sweat.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Acquaer PCP025 Automatic Pool Cover Pump at Amazon for $139.99.
