Pool equipment, explained for Texas backyards
Buy the right pool gear once, and keep the warranty.
Heat, hard water, oak leaves, pollen and the occasional hard freeze all change what works. We read the specs, manuals and warranty fine print, and tell you plainly what we found, including when the answer is "you don't need this."
Every guide here is research-based. Nothing is labeled "tested" unless we actually tested it. How we review
Start here
- Buying Pool Equipment Online? The Warranty You Quietly Give UpHayward's Open Line vs Expert Line, Pentair's e-commerce warranty, and Jandy's no-internet policy, explained in plain English before you click 'buy' on a pump, heater or salt system.
- Best Robotic Pool Cleaners for Texas Pools (2026 Buyer's Guide)Cordless and corded robots compared on the things that matter in Texas: leaf and pollen loads, tanning ledges, big freeform pools, and warranty terms you can actually use.
- Beatbot vs Aiper: How the 2026 Lineups Compare on Specs and WarrantyA tier-by-tier comparison of Beatbot and Aiper cordless robots: what each brand publishes for coverage, suction, runtime and surface cleaning, and the warranty difference that matters most.
Browse by equipment
- Robotic CleanersCordless and corded robots, plus the older suction and pressure-side cleaners they compete with. What each type handles well in oak-and-pollen country, and what the warranty actually covers.3 guide(s)
- PumpsVariable-speed pumps, the federal efficiency rules behind them, and the online-vs-dealer warranty split that changes what you should buy and where.3 guide(s)
- Salt SystemsSalt chlorine generators sized for Texas summers, and how hard fill water turns into scale on the cell plates.1 guide(s)
- Water TestingDrop kits, strips and digital testers: which numbers you can trust when chlorine demand climbs with the heat.1 guide(s)
All guides
- Buying Pool Equipment Online? The Warranty You Quietly Give Up
- Best Robotic Pool Cleaners for Texas Pools (2026 Buyer's Guide)
- Beatbot vs Aiper: How the 2026 Lineups Compare on Specs and Warranty
- Best Pool Test Kit: Taylor K-2006C vs TF-100 vs Strips vs Digital
- Best Variable-Speed Pool Pumps (and Which SKUs Lose Warranty Online)
- Hayward Super Pump VS vs Pentair SuperFlo VST
- Best Salt Chlorine Generators for Texas Heat and Hard Water
- Robotic vs Suction vs Pressure-Side Pool Cleaners: Five-Year Cost, Honestly Estimated
The one thing most buying guides skip
Hayward, Pentair and Jandy all treat internet purchases differently from dealer purchases. Depending on the brand and SKU, buying online can mean parts-only coverage, a shorter term, or no manufacturer warranty at all.Read the warranty guide before you buy a pump, heater or salt system online.