Summers here in Tyler, Texas, are pretty hot and oppressive. And swimming pools serve as lifesavers for me and my family.
Now, my kids love spending summer holidays swimming outdoors. But truth be told, it was always a hassle removing the twigs, leaves, and dirt out of the water at the end of spring. That’s when I decided a cover for my pool was an absolute must-have.
Having said that, are you tired of cleaning your pool at the beginning of every swimming season? It’s time you invested in a quality pool cover that ensures all-purpose protection. And to keep them from sagging, we recommend you check out this guide.
Hi! I’m Stacy Smith. And today I’m here to help you find the best pool cover for your inground or above ground pool. For this, I’ve provided detailed reviews of 5 top-grade options for you to check out.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in (pun totally intended)!
Top 5 Pool Covers
1. Robelle 3518-4 Super Winter Pool Cover
Here is a quick recap of what we liked and didn't like about the Robelle 3518-4 Super Winter Pool Cover
Pros
Cons
- Heavy Duty winter pool cover for 18 ft. round pools. This pool cover has a 4 foot overlap, which is the material included beyond the pool size, making this pool cover easier to install. Since 1973 Robelle has been offering the best pool covers for pool owners. This cover has twice as much overlap as other brands, making it the easiest pool cover to install. Including overlap, the cover size is: 22 feet. Includes winch and cable for easy installation.
- This Heavy Duty pool cover is constructed with heavy duty polyethylene that weighs 2.36 ounces per square yard (80 grams per square meter). The material is woven with a 8 x 8 scrim. Scrim is the number of threads per square inch. Material weight and scrim are the best indicators of the overall durability and expected longevity of your pool cover.
- With over 50 years of experience, Robelle has designed this Heavy Duty winter pool cover with an exceptional focus on quality for this season and years to come. Constructed 18% heavier than industry standard. Backed by a 10-Year Warranty that is the best in the industry. We are real swimming pool experts that are here to help with all of your swimming pool needs.
Since its foundation in 1973, Robelle has been dedicated to producing the best above ground pool covers in the market. On that note, I’ve decided to introduce you to the 3518-4 Super Pool Cover from the brand. Made using heavy-duty polyethylene, it is one of the most robust options available out there.
Why Buy This Product?
As mentioned earlier, the Robelle 3518-4 Super is made using heavy-duty polyethylene, weighing around 2.36oz. Hence, it is a durable option that will not allow water to pass through for years to come.
This cover also includes a 4 feet overlap (4 feet of extra material beyond the pool size), which in turn, helped me install it with ease. In fact, like any other above ground cover, the unit comes with a robust winch and an all-weather cable. As such, I was able to use them with the grommets placed every four feet on the cover to secure it in position.
And that’s not all! I was really impressed by the wide range of color and size options it comes in. Having said that, you can choose any variant based on the size of your traditional above ground pool, and color preferences.
What’s more? Each variant features a black bottom to prevent the growth of algae. On the other hand, the top side of the solid cover is designed to inhibit damaging UV rays. So, rest assured, Robelle 3518-4 Super will not wear out over time.
What Could’ve Been Better?
From experience, I can assure you that this polyethylene cover can be installed within 15-20 minutes with no hassle whatsoever. But unfortunately, the wire rope tensioner isn’t strong enough to hold the cover in place in case of storms or heavy winds. So, you might have to get it replaced with a more secure one.
2. Blue Wave BWC958 Inground Winter Cover
Here is a quick recap of what we liked and didn't like about the Blue Wave BWC958 Inground Winter Cover.
Pros
Cons
Backed by a 15-year warranty, the Blue Wave BWC958 is a reliable option built to protect your inground pool from snow, sun, and wind for years to come. In fact, it is among the strongest and most tear-resistant covers on my list that’s available in various sizes, making it a suitable choice for most swimming pool owners.
Why Buy This Product?
In my opinion, the Blue Wave BWC958 is one of the best inground pool covers available in the market today. How am I so sure? Well, I do have reasons to support my statement.
First things first, the royal blue cover is built to last, thanks to its tear-resistant polyethylene construction, featuring a UV-stabilized scrim. As such, it is not only resistant to the UV rays of the sun, but it also manages to ensure complete protection all-year-round.
In fact, it also comes with a 5-feet overlap, which makes it wider and longer than your actual pool size. This prevents it from getting stretched or ripped, improving overall durability. Not only that, but the extra material also helps you secure the cover in place with grommets all around.
Furthermore, it features a black underside to prevent the growth of algae while the heat-sealed seams manage to keep your pool crystal clear until the next swimming season. In fact, I was really pleased to see my pool after the winter. It didn’t look like it had been unused for months.
What Could’ve Been Better?
The Blue Wave BWC958 is undoubtedly a reliable option to consider buying. However, I wasn’t entirely impressed with its water-resistant feature. Although it managed to keep my pool well protected throughout the season, I noticed water-leakage issues. As a result, the top got submerged down to about a few inches below the surface.
- Solid round pool cover features 8 x 8 scrim
- Cover dimensions: 27' in diameter, to fit round pools measuring: 24' in diameter
- Made of laminated polyethylene sheeting woven with, high-density polyethylene stitching
Looking for the best above ground pool winter cover? Well, in that case, I’d suggest you check out this solid round pool cover from In The Swim, a brand known for its high-quality and budget-friendly pool supplies. Made using an ultra-strong woven fabric, it manages to keep your pool crystal clear throughout the cold and harsh winter season.
Why Buy This Product?
Usually, it doesn’t really snow much here in Tyler, Texas. But the strong gust of wind and dry leaves always tend to mess up my beautiful lawn.
In fact, the harsh winter doesn’t even spare my above ground pool. For this reason, I decided to try out this pool cover from In The Swim, and I wasn’t disappointed!
Made using laminated polyethylene sheeting that’s woven with high-density stitching, it offers reliable winter protection. That being said, it keeps your pool clean by preventing the entry of snow, twigs, and leaves.
Not just that, but it also features an 8 x 8-feet scrim that’s UV-resistant. Consequently, it won’t wear out due to the UV rays of the sun. Moreover, the cover comes with an 8-year warranty, so you can invest in it with your eyes closed.
Coming to installation, I was able to cover my pool using the sheet with ease. And the included cable and turnbuckle helped me with this. Furthermore, the cover is extremely lightweight. As such, it’s easy to carry around from one location to the other.
What Could’ve Been Better?
This solid round pool cover from In The Swim doesn’t come with an overlap. Having said that, despite being easy to set up, the absence of additional material, made it a tad difficult for me to secure it in place. Now, the end results were satisfactory. However, it stretches the sheet to a certain extent, which may eventually cause it to rip.
Intex, a leading manufacturer of plumbing accessories, comes forward with some of the best pool covers for above ground pools. And the 28031E from the brand is definitely no exception! Equipped with a round metal frame, it manages to cover the pool securely, thereby ensuring all-purpose protection throughout the swimming season.
Why Buy This Product?
If you ask me, the Intex 28031E is a personal favorite when it comes to my above ground pool. Why? Well, for starters, it is designed to ensure a 10-inch overlap on a 12-feet pool. In addition, the metal frame helped me securely cover my pool without any hassle.
That being said, once the cover’s installed, you can forget about your pool throughout the season. The sturdy frame and heavyweight design will keep it well-protected, even during harsh winds and storms. In other words, you need not worry about the sheet getting blown away, which in turn, may allow the entry of dry leaves, twigs, and other debris.
In fact, the resilient cover also includes rope ties, further adding to your convenience. On that note, I can assure you that the unit is easy to install. Plus, it ensures a perfect fit, provided you choose a size based on your above ground pool size.
What else? Well, it’s made using 7 gauge vinyl, which makes it highly durable. Apart from this, I loved the inclusion of drain holes. They helped prevent the accumulation of water on the top of the cover so that it didn’t submerge.
What Could’ve Been Better?
To be honest, I wasn’t quite impressed with the overall quality and design of the Intex 28031E Pool Cover. Having said that, the rope ties fail to flatten the surface of the cover. This is because it’s not possible to pull the overlap tight enough. However, the drain holes manage to prevent it from getting completely submerged in the pool.
- Spend more time swimming in your pool this summer and less time cleaning it with the Foot Solar Pool Cover. This above ground pool cover helps keep your pool free of dirt, leaves and debris when not in use.
- In addition to covering your pool, this solar cover also harnesses the natural power of the sun to warm the water. This allows you to extend the swimming season by warming the water earlier, and keep the temperature enjoyable late in the season.
- This pool cover features drain holes to prevent water from accumulating on top. Having your pool covered helps to prevent evaporation which means adding less water and chemicals to your pool.
With a promise of providing trustworthy products at the best services, Who-Canside brings you this must-have accessory for pool owners. That being said, this pool cover protector from the brand fits snugly on your round frame above ground pool to protect it from leaves, twigs, insects, and dirt for continuous use throughout the summer.
Why Buy This Product?
Perfect for round above ground pools, this dust pool protector from Who-Canside helped me spend more time swimming with my kids, instead of cleaning it. But that’s not all! You’ll be pleased to know that along with covering the pool; the solar cover harnesses the natural power of the sun to heat the water.
In other words, it keeps the water temperature enjoyable for optimal comfort and relaxation, even late in the season. In fact, the warm water also helps relieve pains and aches after a hectic day.
Furthermore, it’s made using high-quality PE resistant materials to help protect your fast-paced pool throughout the season. Other than this, the durable and resilient cover comes with ropes, using which I could secure it in place conveniently. Moreover, the ropes prevent it from getting blown away during strong winds.
Now, it doesn’t just end there! Available for 8 feet, 10 feet, and 12 feet pools, the Who-Canside Solar Pool Protector proves to be an ideal option for most above ground pool owners. Not only that, but it also comes with drain holes, preventing the accumulation of water.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Unlike the other options on the list, the Who-Canside Solar Pool Protector wasn’t easy to install. Although the cover was lightweight and easy to handle, it took some time to set it up using the included ropes. In fact, the drawstrings were a bit flimsy. As a result, I wasn’t able to keep them tight.
Final Words
Protecting your inground or above ground swimming pool from dust, insects, snow, leaves, and rain is crucial to keep it crystal clear, even when not in use. For this, it’s imperative to cover it before you stop using it for the winter season.
On that note, I’d now like to conclude this informative and review-based guide. However, before signing off, I’ll take a few more minutes of your time to do a quick run-through of my top recommendations.
Robelle 3518-4 Super offers value for its price. Blue Wave BWC958 is a reliable option, while In The Swim Round Pool Cover is the best budget buy.
With this, I’ll now take your leave. Till next time!