Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you punch links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Keep your water crystal clear with our top pool cover picks.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Whether you already have a pool or are planning to build one, pool covers are a wise investment.
We also consultedMichael Dean, founder of Pool Research,Dr.
The tight mesh material may allow rain to fall in, which could disrupt the pools chemistry.
Credit: Amazon
We named this pool cover from Vevor the best overall because it offers multiple benefits, including safety.
This cover is for in-ground pools with a rectangular shape and additional sizes are available.
The additional 2 feet on each side ensure the pool cover doesnt stretch.
Credit: The Home Depot
It also means its big enough to protect your swimming pool.
The cover is made from high-strength polypropylene and resists both aging and scratching.
It also is excellent in cutting back on evaporation.
Credit: Amazon
Plus, youll enjoy a cleaner pool since it effectively keeps debris out.
Sometimes, you just want a no-fuss pool cover that wont blow the budget.
In that case, this round pool cover is a good go-to.
Credit: Amazon
The cover size itself is 21 feet, allowing it to fit neatly over an 18-foot pool.
Its lightweight and treated to resist UV rays.
Still, installation is easy.
Credit: Home Depot
If you have an outdoor pool but dont have it heated, try going solar.
Solar covers, or solar blankets, use light from the sun to heat the pool water.
Plus, the covers are trimmable if you have a pool with a slightly different shape.
Credit: Amazon
Youll need to purchase cover clips and a cover wrap separately to create a secure fit.
These are the best pool covers foroutdoor above-ground poolsthat are round in shape.
The polyethylene material is durable and stands up to harsh weather.
Credit: Amazon
The pool cover itself is solid rather than mesh or another porous material.
The cover size measures 28 feet, designed to fit a 24-foot pool.
The additional 4 feet allow the pool cover to install easier.
Credit: Amazon
Choose from eight different pool cover sizes, all meant for outdoor, above-ground, round pools.
Each size offered comes with a 10-year warranty for added peace of mind.
The cover is strong, but its mesh material will let water into the pool.
The cover is a polyethylene, two-ply mesh material thats made for safety.
While the cover is over the pool, its held tight with brass anchors.
The anchors sit level with the pool deck when you take the cover off.
The pool cover comes with a 12-year warranty as a bonus.
Keeping your pool cleancan feel like a part-time job during the warmer months.
Its made out of polyethylene knitted together to create the mesh material.
This highly porous mesh material is specifically meant to help you keep leaves out of the pool.
Its not going to hold up to anyone standing on it, and it wont keep out precipitation.
Its backed by a two-year limited warranty and a one-year full warranty should any problems arise.
The cover may be larger than you need, depending on the size of your pool.
Its important to keep inflatable pools covered, too, and fortunately there are some excellent options available.
This cover from Intex is generously sized and can fit inflatable pools of up to 120 x 72 inches.
It can cover smaller pools, too, but there will be extra material.
However, you might tuck the excess under the pool to keep things more secure on blustery days.
Youll need to buy water tubes to roll out the cover.
Pool safety is important, and so iskeeping your pool clean.
This includes preventing rain and snow from entering the swimming pool, knocking its chemistry off balance.
Use this cover during the winter when youre not swimming in or otherwise enjoying the pool.
This polyethylene pool cover is solid rather than woven or mesh, so it wont let water through it.
Plus, its seams are sealed with heat, providing even more protection from precipitation.
The top of the cover is treated with a coating that resists damage from the suns rays.
(Its designed to work with the water tubes because the cover floats on the water.)
The 12 different cover sizes make it easy to find something that will cover your pool.
If youre shopping on a budget, try theWinter Block Aboveground Pool Winter Cover.
Dr. Duncan adds that safety covers need to be installed by a professional.
If amesh coverisnt specified as a safety cover, its main purpose is to keep the pool clean.
Solar pool covers are designed to harness the sun’s energy to heat the pool water, Murphy says.
These covers are usually made of a lightweight and durable material that floats on the pool’s surface.
Dr. Duncan also mentions thatwinter coversare another pop in of pool cover, which are usually less expensive.
While searching for the best pool cover for your pool, you may come acrossautomatic pool covers.
These are another convenient option because theyll allow you to operate the cover with a button or switch.
That also means theyre more expensive.
Dr. Duncan notes, They provide good protection in terms of children or pets getting in the pool.
Size
When it comes to the size of your pool cover, Dean says its pretty straightforward.
Choose a pool cover that fits both the size and the shape of your pool.
Material
Several materials exist for pool covers.
He says they can be a decent option for pools indoors.
Vinyl pool covers are another common cover material, and they come in varying thicknesses.
A safety cover is physically anchored to your pool deck, according to Dean.
He notes theyre one of the safer choices if you have children at the pool.
How thick does a pool cover need to be?
Dr. Duncan explains that thickness varies by bang out with winter covers being the thinnest.
Murphy elaborates, For basic debris and leaf protection, a thinner cover would suffice.
They are also more durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions."
Should pool covers be tight or loose?
She adds that a tighter-fitting pool cover is best for keeping debris from the pool.
She explains that this water helps to keep the cover where it belongs.
