Want to do more than just get a tan at the beach this summer?
Why not have a blast in your own backyard, instead? After gawking at all of those Instagrams of people splashing around in their own pools, you’re probably ready to take the plunge and buy your own.
Buying one is easier said than done, though. There are so many different models to choose from that you’ll go swimming in prices ranging from barely any money to thousands.
Still, there are some great choices at every price point, and I’ve gathered 6 of the best available today.
Looking to buy an above-ground pool for your home? You’ve found the right place to be.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Intex 18ft X 52in Ultra XTR Pool Set | Best Overall |  |
| Gladle Inflatable Swimming Pool | Budget Pick |  |
| Summer Waves 16ft x 48in Elite Metal Frame Above Ground Pool Set | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Intex 18ft X 52in Ultra XTR Pool Set
Pros:
- Comes in sizes ranging from nine yards to 18-and-a-half yards
- Intex’s specially designed pump filters out up to 350 gallons per hour
- The ground cloth helps reduce the chemical exposure to your family and pets
- It comes with a ladder and a convenient carrying bag for easy transportaion
- It has easy-to-install instructions
- It comes with a heavy-duty ladder and a convenient carrying bag for easy transportation
- The walls of the pool this Intex kit comes with are made out of fabric
Cons:
- The vinyl can be punctured by hard items
- Maintaining this pool may take a skilled pool professional.
This Intex pool is one of the best above ground pools on the market. Let’s see why. The pump can filter up to 350 gallons of water an hour, so you will be able to start using your pool immediately. The cleaning cartridge lasts up to three months so you can experience long periods of swimming with this pool.
2. Gladle Inflatable Swimming Pool
Pros:
- Very Durable
- Air Lift Bead Coated Standing Pad
Large Pools Are the Best Choice for Families and Pool Parties, NIB, easy to install for quick setup, stable enough for adults, for ages 3+, great for hot weather above ground, made of Oxford Cloth and Polyester Flocking. It can hold up to 463 gallons or 1814 liters of water. The inside dimension of this pool are 118” x 73” x 20”.
This above ground swimming pool is very sturdy and is perfect for kids and adults to have wade in and splash around. If you are searching for a family pool to cool off during the hot days, this is the item to get.
3. Bestway Steel Pro 13' x 7' x 32" Rectangular Above Ground Swimming Pool
Pros:
- Swimming-pool liner designed to resist pool chemicals
- Pool with sturdy steel frame
- Sturdy swimming pool walls with ladder
- Best outdoor swimming pool for the price
Cons:
- Not a lot for the filter pump
- No lights also included
The Bestway Steel Pro Pool is a great way to not only relax during the summer but also create lasting memories for you and your family. A large swimming pool can be very expensive and the cost of a pool deck can double the cost. The Bestway Steel Pro Pool is designed to give you the most water for your money.
It is an above-ground pool that is very easy to assemble and install. The Bestway Steel Pro pool comes with a fabric liner that is designed to last years because of the special PVC material. It can be fitted with an optional saltwater pool system if you wish to have a system that creates a chlorine-free water environment.
The Bestway Steel Pro Pool is large enough to enjoy for the whole family. It has an 18” shallow end to make it easier to get in and out of the pool and a diving board to splash from. It also has four heavy-duty handles on each corner to provide extra assistance if needed.
4. Intex 8.5' x 5.3' x 2.13' Rectangular Frame Above Ground Backyard Swimming Pool
Pros:
- Great price
- Easy to set up
- Comes with all the tools you need to put it together
Cons:
- No cover included.
This above-ground pool that comes at a great price is also very easy to set up. The convenience of setting it up and filling it with water is appealing to any buyer. For the perfect setup you will need to supply a few extra things, including some sort of ground cover to avoid any unwanted holes in the floor, a filter pump, filter pump electrical cord, pool hose and of course, water.
Other accessories that can be purchased separately are a pool cover, deck brush and pool chemicals. It is recommend that a vinyl or PVC liner be purchased for the pool in order to keep the water from leaking through the cracks or tears in the pool if any were to happen.
Not all pools are created equal and you have to be wary of the low quality of pools. There has been an increasing number of low quality pools that do not have the ability to hold air. This means that they lose pressure nearly as soon as you fill them. You must make sure that you are aware if a pool is low quality and does not hold air well before you purchase it.
5. Summer Waves 16ft x 48in Elite Metal Frame Above Ground Pool Set
Pros:
- Greater depth range gives kids and parents lots of space to move around in
- Comes with ladder and ground cloth for added safety
- Great pool for kids
- Fair price for what you get with this pool set
Cons:
- Not as heavy duty as some of the other metal frames
- Instruction-book is not written for newbies
A few years ago we built a big wooden frame for a pool but never actually got one because by the time we got it the boys had outgrown it. I can’t believe how much easier it is to buy these now, they are so easy to assemble and don’t even take up room on your deck if you are tight on space.
If you are looking for one of the least expensive above ground pools on the market then check out the Summer Waves Metal Frame Pool Set. It includes a 400 filter pump, a ladder, a ground cloth, a cover and an instructional DVD.
This metal frame pool can hold up to 1,000 gallons of water and comes in three different sizes depending on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best above ground swimming pool?
There are so many different best above ground swimming pool options in the market today that choosing the best one for you can be tricky.
What is the most durable above ground pool?
If you live in the northern states, you are going to need a pool that can survive those harsh winters.
If you live in Arizona, a German-made aluminum pool is probably a better option.
If you live in Michigan, you are going to want a pool that can withstand ice-jams, dirty snow and seasons without a lot of sunshine.
There are a lot of factors that should go into your decision on which above ground pool to buy. Think about all the factors you can. The pool you buy will probably outlive you, so think of everything you’ll need.
Are above ground swimming pools worth it?
If you don’t have space for a full-sized pool or you have a yard that is sloped or too rocky to allow for digging, then an above ground swimming pool might be exactly what your family needs.
People often think these pools are dinky and cheap. If you go to a dark corner of the pool store, you’ll find aisles of very cheap off-brand products that give above ground pools a bad name.
However, if you just know what you’re looking for, there are plenty of high-quality above ground pools that are both durable and safe.
What is the best above ground pool liner to buy?
Above ground pools are great for quick months of fun while also being at a budget-friendly price. For the ultimate in fun, you should consider getting an inflatable pool. These can be set up and ready to use in minutes. However, they may not last as long as a regular above ground pool. So, if you do plan on getting an inflatable pool, you might want to get one that has more than one air chamber. This will ensure a longer life span in the long run. The Intex Ultra Frame pool is a great deal with its anodized aluminum framing and fantastic stability. What makes it really great, though, is the combination of the steel walls and 52-gallon capacity with 20-gauge vinyl liner.
Conclusion
In our opinion, the best above-ground swimming pools in the market today are the Intex Ultra Frame Pool Set 60 x 30, Intex Round Frame Pool Set 48 x 24, Intex Metal Pool Set 24– x 15—, Intex Easy Set Pool Set 15– x 48—, and the Coleman® 16– Oval Solar Cover. But there are a lot of other great products that we didn't have the opportunity to include in our selection. We hope that this article will help you to make the best decision for your needs.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Intex 18ft X 52in Ultra XTR Pool Set | Best Overall | |
| Gladle Inflatable Swimming Pool | Budget Pick | |
| Summer Waves 16ft x 48in Elite Metal Frame Above Ground Pool Set | Upgrade Pick | |