There are several brands and styles of swimming pool slides that a buyer can choose from. Which one is right for you depend on the type of pool you have and the look you are going for. Pool slides range anywhere from basic straight models to tightly curved styles. The best way to start your search is to visit any of the websites for the popular manufacturers.

The Inter-Fab G-Force Pool Slide

One of the better-known pool slide companies is Inter-Fab Incorporated. They offer six different styles of slides that range from a thirty-seven inch height to a staggering seventy-seven inch height. The Zoomerang, Whitewater, X-Stream, City 2, and Wild Ride slides feature either straight or slightly curved designs. Their popular G-Force slide is a tightly curved slide that propels the user at a fast rate of speed. Inter-Fab's prices are competitive for the market with the basic Zoomerang running around $830 to the G-Force, which runs for close to $3,300. Inter-Fab's slides get four-star reviews from users based on their durability and style.

The S.R. Smith Vortex Pool Slide

Another popular pool slide manufacturer is S.R. Smith. With eight slides on the market, you can easily find one that fits all of your needs. Like Inter-Fab, S.R. Smith offers both straight and tightly curved styles. Their Big Ride, Cyclone, Turbo Twister, Typhoon, Aqua Blast, Rocket Ride, and Rogue Grand Rapids all fit into their straight slide category. Their Vortex model is curved with either an open or closed plume option. The S.R. Smith slides range from four feet tall to eight feel tall, depending on the model. Prices for these slides run between $1,000 for the basic Cyclone kid-sized slide to an astounding $12,000 for the Vortex. Due to the high cost of the Vortex slide, it is generally recommended only for commercial or high-end residential pools. Whichever model you choose, rest assured that S.R. Smith slides also rank highly with users for their ability to withstand heavy use.

The Intex Pool Slide

For pool owners that cannot or do not want to invest in a pricey pool slide, there is another option. Intex inflatable slides provide the fun of a typical pool slide but without the high price tag. While Intex only offers one style of inflatable slide, the affordable price tag is a worthwhile trade-off for the limited choices. Ringing in at a mere $90, the Intex inflatable pool slide will be enjoyable without breaking the budget. Reviews are mixed on the Intex slide, with the majority of complaints being the eventual loss of air (this is true of inflatable pools as well). Intex provides patches for any damage that may occur during use; however, you will need to decide if the price is low enough to justify purchasing several replacements through the years. Plan your budget to see if it is more cost-effective to make a one-time expenditure of a pricier slide versus the multiple purchases of a cheaper slide.

All three manufacturers provide pool slide options for inground pools, although these pool accessories are tougher to come by for above ground pools. If you have an above ground swimming pool, you will need to contact the company of your choice to inquire about their options. To use many of the slides available you will need to build a deck around your swimming pool (obviously inground swimming pools don't need them).

By taking stock of your budget, the type of pool you own, and the amount of room available, it will be relatively easy to decide which slide is right for your family. Pool slides are a smart investment to increase the worth of your home and to upgrade the enjoyment of your personal swimming pool.  Throw in some pool floats and pool toys and you'll have a regular water park going on!

Over the years there have been a ton of different pools toys that have tried to make room for themselves in the chlorine treated waters, but there are three in particular that have become essential pool accessories to any pool.  What are they you ask?  The inflatable raft, the floating basketball hoop, and the foam noodle are required to either be in the pool before you get in or should at least be within arms reach once you’ve cannon-balled.

One of the Classic Inflatable Pool Toys: The Inflatable Raft

Floating pool toys for adults!

Swimming pool toys are usually designed around some sort of game but the inflatable raft needs no silly rule set to be one of the greatest pool toys around. As opposed to all of those pool toys for kids, the inflatable raft is designed with the Mommy’s and Daddy’s in mind. While your kids swim about splashing each other in the shallow end you can rest easy floating idly in the deeper waters on your inflatable raft or other similar pool floats.

You can find all sorts of inflatable raft models at your neighborhood pool supplies store. They’ve got your basic mattress style raft, your crocodile themed rafts, rafts with handle bars, rafts with canopies…all sorts of different styles. Not only can you catch some Z’s out on the serene waters with this inflatable pool toy but you can even use it to make some massive waves. Stand up in the shallow end and vigorously push and pull the inflatable raft underneath the water to create a wave pool effect for everyone in the pool.

Nothing Beats a Good Game of Water Basketball

A basketball hoop is one of many cool pool toys!

After a while it can get kind of dull just swimming around in a pool. It’s a lot more fun when you have a bunch of people with you and can get some sort of game going. The floating basketball hoop makes a perfect pool toy for the sports minded pool-goer.

The floating basketball hoop can sit in the deep end of the pool and float around as the players struggle to make baskets with their tiny basketball. The game can be played like a water polo game as in water there is no such thing as dribbling. If you’re a dunk fan you can make some pretty cool moves on the floating hoop because it isn’t very far above the water.  You can also do some fun horse games, with "shooting while jumping into the pool shots," etc.

Water basketball can be played with any number of people. Just divide everyone into two teams and then start racking up the points. The hoop is even a great pool toy if you’re all by yourself in the pool. You can practice free throws from one end of the pool and then swim over to get your missed shots.  Of all swimming pools toys, if you have a big group of people, forget playing Marco Polo - get yourself a water basketball hoop!

Foam Noodle Fight!

The foam noodle is a fun baby pool toy!

Of all the baby pool toys, the foam noodle is one of the best.  They are soft and bendy, and lots of fun!  They definitely won't keep even a baby afloat, but they are certainly fun for kids because all kinds of games can be made with them.  Most kids (especially the boys) end up using them as weapons.  With foam noodles its ok though, because they are so soft.

Horseplay can be dangerous in inground pools but if you play it safe and just use foam noodles as swords you can have a lot of fun whacking each other around and splashing about. Throw in a couple water guns and you’ll feel like you’re having a wet and wild war!  This swimming pool toy is sure to entertain you and your kids for hours.

Not all pool floats are made equal; some are much higher quality and will last much longer despite the harsh swimming pool chemicals they will be exposed to. As you begin to browse around your neighborhood pool supplies store you will quickly find that there are a ton of pool float options available to you. Pool floats tend to range in quality from the ridiculous and awful (cough, foam noodle, cough) to the expensive and luxurious.  Ok, ok, foam noodles are fun for the kids.

Choosing the right kind of pool float for your pool will require you to balance your desires with your budget, so it is important to know what to look for.

To Float or Not to Float

Some cheap pool floats toys.

Be honest, the only reason you want to buy a pool float is to float around and do nothing all day. You want to exude lazy relaxation when you’re in the pool. You have no intention of using your pool float to splash people or make waves, you just want to sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather. So why would you buy a pool float that can’t support your weight?

The first question you have to ask yourself when you’re out buying a pool float is: Will this pool float be able to hold me above water? You have to be honest with yourself about your weight and you have to be careful to pick a swimming pool float that will stay on the surface of the water and not dip underneath it.

There are a few types of inflatable pool floats that will keep just about anyone above water but the heavier you are, the larger your pool float has to be. A floating pool chair is generally a good choice over the regular foam pool float if you’re worried about falling into the water. Floating pool chairs are generally made of special material that has much better buoyancy than your average pool float.

Will Your Pool Float Keep its Shape?

Pool floats lounges work for kids and adults!

The biggest concern when buying any pool accessories is durability. Pool toys, especially pool floats, are designed to get wet but extended use in the pool is going to wear just about anything out. The cheaper the pool floats, the more likely they will develop damaging holes and tears as you use it. The more beat up your pool float gets the harder time it will have staying above water and a pool float that doesn’t float is no good at all.

To ensure that you won’t be duct taping your inflatable pool float after the first couple days of using it, you can invest in a foam pool float. Foam is a porous material that doesn’t require you to blow it up in order to float on top of the water. Foam pool floats are generally more durable as well so they will last longer.

What Kind of Accessories Does Your Pool Float Have?

There are many colorful pool toys and floats to choose from.

There’s nothing better than an ice cold beer out in the middle of the pool. Pool floats are great because they will often come equipped with different accessories to add to the pleasure of relaxing out in open water (including *drum roll please* - a cup holder!  There also many other fun pool floats including inflatable keg floats, pool floats with umbrella stands built in, baby pool floats that attach your own pool float, and others!  There is even an inflatable pool float trampoline!  The list of fun pool floats for your swimming pool is endless.

Note about the baby pool float: NEVER trust any of these types of floats to keep your baby safe.