When you buy a hot tub, you are probably looking forward to the health benefits of receiving a gentle massage while soaking in warm water. For maximum effect, you need to know how hot a hot tub should be which may require a pool thermometer.
Most models of spas have monitoring devices built-in for this purpose, but if yours does not, or has a problem with accuracy, then a pool thermometer will work just as well. Remember that how to clean a hot tub is different from cleaning a swimming pool to keep the respective ideal conditions, water quality, and temperatures in mind.
5 Best Floating Hot Tub Thermometer
Here are 5 of the best inflatable hot tub and pool thermometers available today, helping you prepare for a decadent and well-deserved soak at the perfect temperature reading and avoid overheating.
1. Digital Product: GAME Floating Digital Pool Thermometer
First on our list is the pool thermometer from GAME. With a double display of LCD screens on both sides, you’ll be able to get an accurate digital temperature reading that is large and bold so it is easy to check at a glance.
The water temperature is given in both Fahrenheit or Celsius, so the choice is yours. While the top of the pool thermometer floats above the surface, this digital pool temperature gauge has a long extension that is 5 inches below the surface for more accuracy when measuring the pool water temperature as the surface temperature will be different.
This is also long enough to avoid it getting lodged in the skimmer, although you can also make use of the tether line that is included which will also make the work of trying to reach the pool thermometer a lot easier.
There is some debate on the accuracy of digital thermometers versus a liquid-based analog thermometer but being digital it gives faster readings if you don’t want to leave your pool thermometer in the water permanently.
Why We Liked It
- Readings in Fahrenheit & Celsius
- Double digital LCD display
- Reaches 5 inches below the surface
- Tether line included
2. Best Budget Buy: Milliard Floating Pool Thermometer Polar Bear
This is a device that you can use to measure any water temperatures in and around your house, whether it is an outdoor swimming pool, patio hot tub, or even the fish tank. This cool design is an polar bear who is clearly enjoying the relaxing sunshine, with an easy to read traditional thermometer on the side.
Find the perfect hot tub water temperature since this goes up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or between 0 and 50 degrees Celsius. Although the device itself is relatively large, you will need to get a little closer to get a precise reading.
One of the benefits of sticking to the basics is that this thermometer does not need any electricity. In other words, no batteries required to keep this device working at any time. At the top, there is a string attached which you can use to either fish it back out of the water without getting in or securing it to the side.
However, it naturally floats on its own so retrieving it should be no issue. The outer casing is made of shatter-resistant materials, including the casing protecting the thermometer itself. Yet, despite its sturdy materials and large size, it is still very lightweight.
Why We Liked It
- Fahrenheit & Celsius
- Tether line included
- Traditional thermometer
- No battery required
3. Most Tropical: FreeLeben Flamingo Pool Thermometer
The next product we have is one of the fun accessories that we feature. It is a FreeLeben brand of floating spa thermometers and nothing says luxury summertime fun like a hot pink flamingo. So when the sun is shining and the weather is good these floating pool thermometers will bring a little tropical flair to your hot tub or pool.
But, this device is much more than just a decorative piece, it features a large thermometer scale, showing water temperature measurements up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit on the left and up to 50 degrees Celsius on the right. The manufacturer suggests waiting for 1 – 2 minutes after placing it in the water to get the most accurate measurement of temperature on the scale.
The display is large enough so you will have no problem seeing it and is legible from some distance. Made with shatter-resistant materials, this hot tub thermometer can be used anywhere, including using it for checking the pool temperature level.
Make use of the super long 48-inch tether to secure to the side so it is always easy to find and reach. This product is made with environmentally friendly and anti-oxidation materials, is good quality, has the durability that you would expect, and is an accurate pool thermometer.
Why We Liked It
- Fahrenheit & Celsius
- Tether included
- Traditional thermometer
- No battery required
- Pink flamingo top
4. Best Rated: Blufree Thermometer with Yellow Duck
This rubber duck pool thermometer is another of our fun types to float on the surface and bob around the pool. Although a warranty for swimming pool thermometers may not be the first thing you think about when purchasing one, the price you may pay for a best-rated pool thermometer for your portable hot tub is always worth looking into.
If the brand backs its own product you are normally buying quality and this product by Blufree has the best of all with 45 days money-back guarantee and a 12-month warranty. However, if the reviews are a guide, we cannot imagine anything going wrong with this floating thermometer flamingo.
It is made of sturdy materials and is a traditional water thermometer design and a unit that does not have any electronic parts, unlike digital pool thermometers, which leaves little space for failure.
The top of the product has a rubber duck, exactly like the ones that we keep floating in our kids’ bathtub. Add a little quirky element to your otherwise elegant home hot tub. In its entirety, the design is nearly 8.5 inches long, including the floating parts, and is also available is a blue shark or goldfish design.
Why We Liked It
- Fahrenheit & Celsius
- Tether included
- Traditional thermometer
- No battery required
- Rubber duck top
5. Best for Maintenance: Aquatix Pro Large Water Thermometer
Although a hot tub is mainly meant for relaxation and entertainment, along with the health benefits, of course, it does require maintenance. It requires hot tub chemicals to keep bacteria at bay and to keep the water conditions safe and clean.
Another thing you need to maintain is the water temperature. With this pool or hot tub trustworthy thermometer, you can be sure that the temperature is kept how you need it for a better maintained hot tub or pool.
Even if the pool already has a monitoring system installed, it is always good to double-check using a traditional scale thermometer to ensure your pool temperature sensor is working correctly, and it only takes a minute or two while you are doing the regular maintenance checks of your chemicals, etc.
We recommend this floating pool thermometer by Aquatix Pro. It is a simple but well-built device that requires no instructions to use since you can simply read off the water temperature measurement from the large display this unit has. It comes with a 1-year warranty proving its top quality.
Why We Liked It
- Fahrenheit & Celsius
- Tether included
- Traditional thermometer
- No battery required
Frequently Asked Questions
Now you have seen the picks we hope you are a little more informed as to what devices are out there on the market today. Have you decided on whether you want digital models or the traditional analog scale pool thermometers?
Each model has different features and benefits but everyone should be able to rest assured that their pool water is at a point that is both comfortable and safe with a quality unit.
What is the best pool thermometer?
Although pool thermometers come in all types the features do vary. The best pool thermometer for guaranteeing accuracy are those that do not rely on an electrical signal, i.e. digital, as you will be unable to tell if the accuracy is wrong.
That said, the best digital pool thermometer will give accurate and precise readings as we all know technology is advancing every day, but, sometimes analog is the way to go when you really do need an accurate guide to what temperature your pool water is.
How do I measure the temperature of my pool?
The easiest way to measure the temperature of your hot tub or pool water is by using a water temperature sensor for pools. In plain language that is a pool thermometer, whether it is a digital model or analog is up to you, the digital is faster if you are not planning on keeping the thermometer in the pool permanently.
As any people that have been proud owners hot tubs for a while will know the reading frequency of your pool thermometers should be done regularly to ensure accurate temperature and temperature range is maintained along with checking the chemical level of your pool is correct.
Does a pool thermometer have mercury in it?
How you can tell if your pool thermometer has mercury in it is quite simple. Mercury is a silver-white to a gray substance and this will show the reading. However, the best pool thermometers will be filled with a red liquid and contain red-dyed alcohol or mineral spirits and not mercury.
Please note, as pool owners will no doubt already know, it is not recommended that you put either glass or mercury thermometers into your pool or hot tub water for safety reasons.
What liquid would you expect to find in a swimming pool thermometer?
The liquid that you expect to find in one of the best swimming pool thermometer types is usually red-dyed alcohol or mineral spirits and not mercury.