This is a WIRED product roundup rather than a news story, so no single event drives it: it presents 15 recommended pool accessories for summer 2026, drawn from the personal testing of two writers who between them own an in-ground and an above-ground pool. The piece frames modern "pool tech" as a way to cut down on the manual chores of pool ownership, such as skimming debris and checking water chemistry, while also suggesting fun add-ons for entertaining.

The list spans practical and leisure items, including robotic pool cleaners, water-quality monitoring apps, alarms, sun protection, floats, towels, sunglasses and a slushie machine, with a July 2026 update adding a sun hat, wave machine, pool thermometer, speaker and water bottle. One highlighted product is iGarden's Swim Jet X Pro 10, a $4,320 (or $3,599 discounted) current-generating pump that circulates up to 1,100 gallons of water a minute to create a resistance current for in-place lap swimming, with six power settings and battery life ranging from roughly two to ten hours depending on intensity.