Help me choose
ICO Pool
Current product · hourly readings · no required subscription
pHin Smart Water Monitor
Discontinued · Hayward ended the app and cloud service December 20, 2021
Important: Hayward ended pHin service on December 20, 2021. The monitor no longer provides active chemistry readings, so used or unopened units are not viable purchases.
The simple comparison
| What matters | ICO Pool | pHin |
|---|---|---|
| Current status | Available and supportedEdge | Discontinued December 20, 2021 |
| Water readings | Every hourEdge | None · cloud service is offline |
| Subscription | None requiredEdge | Previously subscription-based · service ended |
| Connection | Direct 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi + BluetoothEdge | Cloud-dependent service shut down |
| Replacement parts | Separate pH, ORP, and TDS probesEdge | No current parts channel |
| Should you buy it? | Yes, if its measurements fit your poolEdge | No · old stock cannot provide chemistry readings |
pHin helped popularize the idea of a floating smart water monitor. Unfortunately, the product depended on Hayward's online service, and that service ended on December 20, 2021. A pHin unit cannot provide active chemistry readings today.
What happened to pHin
Hayward's shutdown notice set December 20, 2021 as the end of pHin service. Readings and recommendations lived in the company's cloud, so the monitor stopped doing its job when the service went offline. There is no current support or replacement-parts channel.
That history is worth remembering whenever a smart-pool product promises convenience. I want to know who keeps the app running, what happens when a sensor wears out, and whether the monitor needs an ongoing proprietary supply.
Why I would not buy old stock
A sealed pHin is still not usable as a smart monitor. The service cannot be reactivated, and the hardware does not become independent just because it was never opened. Any listing that presents pHin as a working current monitor is missing the most important fact.
My advice is blunt: do not buy one, even if the price looks irresistible.
How ICO differs
ICO is a current product that measures pH, ORP, and temperature every hour. ICO Salt adds salt and TDS. It connects over direct 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and its app does not require a paid subscription.
I also like the repair path. The pH, ORP, and TDS probes are individual $149 parts, and the electronics core is available separately. That cannot guarantee an online service will exist forever, but it does reduce the everyday hardware lock-in that makes many smart devices disposable.
Final call
ICO is the clear winner because pHin is no longer an operating product. Former pHin owners should compare current monitors based on measurements, parts, fees, and app support—not try to revive old hardware. For the balance of hourly readings and serviceability, ICO is the replacement I would choose.
See ICO Pool and choose your water type →
Common questions
Does pHin still work?
No. Hayward ended pHin service on December 20, 2021, and the monitor no longer provides active chemistry readings.
Can an old pHin be reactivated?
No supported activation path exists. The service it depended on is offline.
What should a former pHin owner look for?
Prioritize an active app, no required subscription, replaceable sensors with public prices, and measurements that match your pool. ICO meets those requirements, but you should still keep a manual kit for periodic full chemistry checks.
More ICO comparisons
ICO vs WaterGuru S3
Hourly, cartridge-free monitoring versus one cassette test per day.
ICO vs iopool EcO
Direct Wi-Fi and salt measurement versus a lower-priced Bluetooth probe and gateway.
ICO vs Aiper HydroSync
A broad five-value sensor versus six-month battery life and a clear repair path.
ICO vs Crystal
The same starting price, but Crystal adds a yearly plan and a deck-mounted cable.
Discontinued
ICO vs Sutro
Sutro service ended in 2025. This is a replacement guide, not a close matchup.