--- title: "Learn How to Monitor Your Pool Water Without Test Strips" description: "Testing pool water can be a hassle, so I tried a new device designed to make it hassle-free--no chemistry set required. But is it worth it?" date: "2025-07-18" modified: "2025-07-18" authors: - name: "Paul Rankin" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/paul-rankin.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/aiper-hydrocomm-review/" categories: - "Reviews" tags: - "SPR" --- # Learn How to Monitor Your Pool Water Without Test Strips ![Aiper Hydrocomm closeup]() *Photo: Paul Rankin for BobVila.com* **Rating: 4.5/5** I’ve tested my fair share of pool water test kits, but the [Aiper HydroComm]() stands out as something different—more like a smart home gadget than a chemistry class in a box. I tried it for a week in my pool in Florida, then brought it with me to Kentucky to test in a friend’s pool. It worked so well that it’s staying there permanently, because my friend is hooked on it too. Setup couldn’t have been easier. I connected it to the Aiper app, tossed it in the water, and that was that—no fiddling, syncing problems, or complicated calibration. Within minutes, it started delivering real-time updates to my phone including the pool’s overall water quality, chlorine levels, pH, and temperature. The readouts are much more detailed than any test strip I’ve used, and the app stores everything in a clean, simple interface. The app provides detailed improvement suggestions, and there’s an option to set up push alerts when the chemistry is out of balance or there’s a problem. I turned mine off, but I could see that function being useful, especially for those new at managing pool chemistry. - ![Aiper Hydrocomm in the pool 01]() *Photo: Paul Rankin for BobVila.com* - ![Aiper Hydrocomm floating 02]() *Photo: Paul Rankin for BobVila.com* - ![Aiper Hydrocomm tethered 01]() *Photo: Paul Rankin for BobVila.com* [][][] What surprised me most was how much the kids noticed it. One of them asked, “What’s the cool new toy in the pool?” which told me everything I needed to know. It doesn’t just work well; it looks like modern tech should. The [HydroComm]() is on the large side, but it’s light, and it comes with thoughtful accessories: a lanyard to tether it to the poolside so there’s no need to find a pole or net to remove it, a base for charging, and special wet caps for the probes when not in use. The wet caps are a thoughtful and important feature, since one of the probes must remain partly wet in order to function and can’t stay dry for too long. ![Aiper Hydrocomm app 01]() ![Aiper Hydrocomm app 02]() ![Aiper Hydrocomm app 03]() Overall, this is clearly a more comprehensive—and more expensive—way to stay on top of water quality than test strips or liquid test kits. But for pool owners who want accurate, always-on water monitoring without having to dip a single strip or fuss with counting drops of chemicals into test tubes, this smart little floater might be worth the upgrade. ## Where to Buy the Aiper HydroComm [**Get it at Amazon**]() [**Get it at The Home Depot**]() [**Get** **it at Best Buy**]() [**Get it at Aiper**]() ## Author Paul Rankin is a Scotland native. He has worked in translation and localization for over 10 years and began writing and editing for BobVila.com in 2021, focusing on the full range of tools, furniture, DIY supplies, and home and garden products that the team reviews. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Instagram]()