Best Overall
Poolguard PGRM-2
The Poolguard PGRM-2 lets you know as soon as someone enters the pool. It will also work with the pool cover closed. It is a versatile, reliable alarm that can detect movement up to 200 feet away.
Best Value
Techko S197D
The Techko S187D pool gate alarm is an inexpensive option with solid functionality. This unit attaches to a door or a gate and sounds an alarm when two magnets are separated. It has an adult pass-through button that resets automatically so adults don’t set off the alarm.
Best Versatility
Pool Patrol PA-30
The Pool Patrol PA-30 works for both in-ground and above-ground pools. You can sync it with other alarms if you want to buy multiple systems.
Best Overall
Poolguard PGRM-2
The Poolguard In-Ground Alarm installs into the side of a pool, using an electronic sensor to sound an alert when someone enters the pool. It can sense when a child weighing 18 pounds or more has entered the pool and will sound a loud alarm at the pool (and in the home with a secondary alarm).
The weight limit on detection reduces the frequency of false alarms – such as when a stick or a small object drops into the water. But it also means a small animal may not trigger it.
The secondary alarm receiver has a 200-foot range, so even if your pool is a significant distance from the home, you can take the receiver inside to continue monitoring activity in the pool area. The alarm is more than loud enough to be heard throughout most homes. This alarm is tamper-proof, so older children can’t disable it when you aren’t around. It will alert you if the alarm is taken out of the pool.
The alarm even works under a solar blanket, so you’ll be alerted if someone attempts to go into the pool with the cover on. It has an audible low-battery alert to let you know when it’s time to change batteries. This alarm cannot be used for above-ground pools, but it is one of the most reliable alarms for in-ground pools.
Pros
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The secondary alarm receiver has a 200-foot range so you can be alerted to issues even if you’re far away from the pool.
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This alarm works even under a solar blanket.
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This pool alarm is designed to minimize false alarms.
Cons
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This alarm will not work for above-ground or inflatable pools.
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Small animals are in danger of drowning because it is designed to sense only objects and people weighing 18 pounds or more.
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You need to take the alarm out of the pool when the pool is in use.
Best Value
Techko S197D
The Techko S187D Safe Pool Alarm is an inexpensive alternative for keeping your children and pets safe around the pool. This model attaches to a door or a gate on a fence and sounds an alarm when the magnetic sensors are separated. It also includes a second set of magnets you can use on a secondary door or gate.
It has an adult pass-through auto-reset button, so adults can easily access the pool (or allow kids and pet through) without setting off the alarm. This alarm is outside the pool, but it is water- and weather-resistant, so you can use it for indoor and outdoor pools. This alarm is always on, so you don’t need to reset it every time, but it can get a bit annoying when you use the pool frequently.
This alarm has a loud output of 110 decibels, which is about as loud as the average car horn, so you can hear it throughout most homes. It alerts you if a child or intruder enters the pool area, but not when they go into the pool, as many other alarms do. This pool alarm requires a 9-volt battery, which you must buy separately. A low-battery indicator lets you know when it is time to replace the battery.
Pros
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It is weather-resistant and works for indoor and outdoor pools.
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A low-battery indicator lets you know when you need to change the battery.
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A loud alarm will sound when someone enters the pool area.
Cons
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It does not let you know when someone enters the pool itself.
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Batteries are not included.
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It’s always on, which can be a hassle when you use the pool frequently.
Best Versatility
Pool Patrol PA-30
The Pool Patrol PA30 works with in-ground and above-ground pools and sets off an alarm when a child enters the pool. It connects with multiple alarms, so you can purchase additional alarms to provide extra security at other points around your pool, such as at a gate.
The Pool Patrol is a buoy alarm that tracks the motion of the water and detects intruders by floating on the surface of the water. You can choose to let it float freely or tie it to one side of the pool Since the motion of waves sets off the alarm, it is more prone to false alarms. A stick or other inanimate object falling into the pool, or strong winds, can trigger it. You can, however, adjust the sensitivity level to reduce false alarms.
When the sensor is triggered, an alarm will sound at the pool and in your home. The remote receiver has an on/off button with an indicator light that turns on when the device is in use. This means you can easily turn it off when you are using the pool.
The pool alarm runs on a 9-volt alkaline battery, and the indoor receiver operates on a 120-volt wall plug. A low battery indicator allows you to switch out batteries before the device dies. You can install the remote alarm up to 200 feet away from the pool, making it a good choice if you live in a large home or your pool is located a distance from your home.
Pros
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You can use this in both above-ground and in-ground pools.
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It syncs well with multiple alarms, so you can set up more than one.
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It’s easy to turn off when the pool is in use.
Cons
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This device is more prone to false alarms than an exclusively in-ground alarm.
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It’s more expensive than most other alarms.
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During times of prolonged usage, frequent battery replacement could become a hassle.