In the dog days of summer, hanging around the pool is a must. Elevate the fun times with these products.
* SoundScene portable speaker, Bayan Audio, $199
What’s a pool party without tunes? Play your favorites with Bayan Audio’s SoundScene portable outdoor speakers. These speakers are fully sealed with silicone rubber caps to make them water-resistant. Setup is easy, and up to eight speakers can be wirelessly linked to play the same music — as loud (or not) as needed. They run on an internal battery (eight hours between charges) or AC power, and are Bluetooth compatible. The speakers have a port to charge a smartphone or MP3 player, and there’s also an auxiliary port where listeners can plug their music device.
* Kai Water Hammock, Frontgate, $89.95
Relax in style with the Kai Water Hammock. Made of marine-grade, fade-resistant fabric, this hammock is designed to last. Pillows support your head and legs, and the mesh center lets you cool off in the water. The pillows are filled with mold- and mildew-resistant beads, and the mesh center means the hammock will drain and dry quickly. Made in the U.S. Its dimensions are 56-by-28-by-6 inches.
* Hot Dog Battle Set, Amazon, $33.89
Try to keep your balance while jousting for top-dog position with the Hot Dog Battle Floats from Swimline. The set features two hot dog floats and a ketchup or mustard bopper. These floats can be inflated manually. The set is appropriate for kids in the fourth grade and up. Each hot dog inflates to 56-by-24-by-15 inches and is made of PVC.
* Towel For Two, Pendleton, $79.50
More Top Picks Betty Crocker Countertop
There’s no need to carry an extra pool blanket as Pendleton’s Towel For Two can perform double duty. The towel is 62-by-70 inches and is made of 100 percent cotton. One side is sheared to make the material soft to lie on; the other side of the towel is looped to help you dry off. Share with a friend or make a new one. Machine washable.
* Compostable tableware, Repurpose, $9.94 for 50 cups
Breakable objects like glass cups are no-nos at the pool. And who wants to drag home dirty plastic containers? Play it safe and ecofriendly with plant-based, compostable, single-use tableware. Repurpose’s line of cups, bowls, plates, forks, spoons and knives are made from corn, sugar and bamboo, which are annually renewable resources. Further, they are 100 percent compostable in an industrial composter. The tableware is BPA-free, chlorine-free and petroleum-free, and only soy-based inks are used.