141 showdowns · 48 SKIPs named · updated Nov 7
Backyard gear, fought head-to-head on 1.7 million owner ratings and the makers' own fine print.
Pool Water Levelers · Oct 25
Why it's the SKIP: 16% of its ratings are one star, and 7 of its 10 newest written critical reviews describe it overfilling the pool, one for three weeks while the owner travelled and one at a $1,000 water bill.
Start with the job
Every job leads to a fight that's already settled.
The record
| Score | Winners | SKIPs |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0–1.4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2.5–2.9 | 0 | 1 |
| 3.0–3.4 | 0 | 1 |
| 3.5–3.9 | 1 | 6 |
| 4.0–4.4 | 1 | 4 |
| 4.5–4.9 | 3 | 1 |
| 5.0–5.4 | 5 | 3 |
| 5.5–5.9 | 5 | 6 |
| 6.0–6.4 | 14 | 6 |
| 6.5–6.9 | 18 | 4 |
| 7.0–7.4 | 17 | 2 |
| 7.5–7.9 | 14 | 1 |
| 8.0–8.4 | 15 | 0 |
| 8.5–8.9 | 11 | 0 |
| 9.0–9.4 | 4 | 0 |
| 9.5–10.0 | 4 | 0 |
1.7M owner ratings weighed across 701 products580 products scored0 paid placements
Reigning champions
The SKIP list
What owners report: Leaks, bursts and splits within months.
Your pick if: nobody we would send to it: buy it only if storage space beats everything else and you expect to replace it.
Buy insteadFlexzilla Garden Hose, 5/8 in x 50 ft6.2What owners report: Air loss, and it is overwhelming.
Your pick if: nothing we would recommend — if the price is the whole decision, the Winter Block is $3.80 more with a double valve and four grommets.
Buy insteadWinter Block Above Ground Pool Winter Air Pillow5.5What owners report: Seams and valves leak.
Your pick if: you are buying the brand and you know it — because on owner data this is the weakest float on the card, at the highest price.
Buy insteadAqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Pool Float7.1What owners report: The grill grate melts — 'the grill rack has warped/melted with first use' (Aug 2026), 'The grill warped and melted over the fire.
Your pick if: nobody who wants the grill. The grate it is sold on melts, and the Outland above costs forty dollars more with a burner the maker names and a tail with no leaks in it.
Buy insteadOutland Living Firebowl 883 Mega 24-inch Propane Fire Pit8.5You worked hard for the money. Spend it on solid facts and the experience of people who already own it.
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New in the ring
Grills, Smokers, and Pizza · Oct 31Gas and Charcoal Combo GrillsWinner: Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo7.3
Grills, Smokers, and Pizza · Oct 31Tabletop Griddle ShowdownWinner: Blackstone 1666 22" Tabletop Griddle8.7
Fire & Heat · Oct 30Electric Patio HeatersWinner: Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat 6000 W Electric…6.8
Grills, Smokers, and Pizza · Oct 30Flat-Top Griddle ShowdownWinner: Blackstone 1554 36" Griddle8.3
Lighting · Oct 30Permanent Outdoor Lights ShowdownWinner: Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 26.5
Pool · Oct 25Pool Water LevelersWinner: Fill-O-Matic 2000 Automatic Pool Water…8.1
