Struggling with keeping your above-ground pool clean and protected?
In this blog, we share the best covers for above-ground swimming pools, from heavy-duty winter covers to solar blankets that retain heat, including custom-fit options for unique pool shapes.
With over 20 years of expertise in pool maintenance and outdoor supplies, we’ve assisted numerous pool owners in maintaining their pools in pristine condition throughout the seasons. We’ve personally tested these pool covers in a variety of environmental conditions, ensuring they offer superior protection and durability.
Best Above-Ground Swimming Pool Covers: Reviewed 2024
Intex 15-Foot Round Easy Set Pool Cover
This is a pretty inexpensive option, costing about $20 bucks on Amazon after tax; the cover size of the Intex is approximately 27 feet in diameter and comes with a round, blue solid cover, which effectively keeps debris and water out.
Additional features of the Intex also include a steel cable and winch, not to mention a one-year guarantee and an eight-year warranty from the manufacturer.
As mentioned, the cover is approximately 27 feet in diameter and made to fit round pools measuring approximately 24 feet in diameter.
Blue Wave Gold 18-ft x 34-ft Oval Above Ground Pool Cover
The Blue Wave pool cover costs about $108.00 on Amazon (for this particular size) and is ideal for pools whose dimensions are 18 feet x 34 feet, and the cover size is 22 feet x 38 feet (although these dimensions can vary);
The Blue Wave effectively protects against sun, snow, ice, and wind, with a four-foot overlap to ensure there is no stretching or ripping off the cover while it is on the pool.
Additional features of the Blue Wave are the winch tightener and heavy-duty cable, which come included.
- Although this particular model is a bit pricier than some, the Blue Wave is incredibly durable and virtually slip-proof, so there are no worries about it coming off of your pool.
- Another huge plus for this model is that it holds up amazingly well throughout the winter, so you need to worry about having to purchase another cover as soon as the weather breaks!
- The only real con about this particular model is that some of the grommets can come off kind of easily if you don’t secure the cover tightly enough.
Blue Wave Silver 24-ft Round Above Ground Pool Winter Cover
The Blue Wave Silver is essentially the cousin of the Blue Wave Gold that we reviewed above and has various features, including a cover that is approximately 28 feet in size and can be used for a pool size of up to 24 feet.
Like its counterpart, the Blue Wave Silver will protect against sun, snow, ice, and wind, with a four-foot overlap to ensure there is no stretching or ripping; there is also a heavy-duty cable and winch tightener included with this cover as well.
- The Blue Wave Silver is extremely easy to put on your pool and, depending on how harsh of a winter you have, is fairly durable for a couple of seasons.
- For the price, it is sturdy and reliable for the most part.
- The material is relatively poorly made and more so resembles a trap than anything else; over time, the cover can become more porous, meaning that more water can possibly seep through the cover (which defeats the purpose of having one, no)
- Although it advertises a 12-year use out of the cover, I would not necessarily depend on that.
Blue Wave Bronze 24-ft Round Above Ground Pool Winter Cover
The last of the Blue Wave family is the bronze 24-foot above-ground pool winter cover. The Blue Wave Bronze cover has various features, including a cover that is approximately 28 feet in size and can be used for a pool size of up to 24 feet. Like its counterpart, the Blue Wave Silver will protect against sun, snow, ice, and wind, with a four-foot overlap to ensure there is no stretching or ripping; there is also a heavy-duty cable and winch tightener included with this cover as well.
The major differences (although they are all incredibly similar) are that the gold has a 15-year shelf life, the silver has a 12-year shelf life, and the bronze has an 8-year shelf life.
- The price of the Blue Wave Bronze is pretty reasonable, costing only $42.00 on Amazon for the 24-foot option.
- It does hold up really well due to the locking mechanisms that come with it.
- It also does survive really well in freezing rain and cold temperatures so that is an additional bonus.
- The covers advertise a good shelf life; however, this is not a fact that should be 100% relied on; the warranty for this cover can be a bit on the false side as well so you definitely have to make sure that you read the fine print.
Robelle Cover for 21-Foot Round Above-Ground Swimming Pools
The Robelle is a high-quality pool cover that is 8 x 8 in diameter and is made from a heavy-duty polyethylene material. It weighs 2.36 oz./yd2, has a four-foot overlap and includes 4 feet of extra material, making this cover easier to secure with minimal assistance.
It also includes a winch and cable set, which should be used to secure the cover through the reinforced grommets. There is also a 10-year warranty that comes with this particular cover so you can be assured of that fact.
- The Robelle is very easy to secure and stays on pretty well when you use the winch and cable set. The material is not very thick but it is effective in keeping debris out of your pool when it’s not in use.
- The overlap that the Robelle has is also very effective, with the cover being heavy enough (although it’s not that thick) to protect against any heavy gus.
- The seams of the Robelle are kind of weak and can potentially come apart way too easily.
- The warranty that comes with this particular cover should also be taken under advisement, as it does not seem to be that reliable if something does, in fact, happen to your cover.
Let’s also take a look at some general questions that potential buyers may have when looking for the perfect pool cover:
Best 24 Foot Round Winter Pool Cover
FAQs: Best Above-Ground Swimming Pool Covers
Yes, pool covers can be used year-round, not just during the winter season Although water will get trapped on top, typically, it will NOT damage your pool in most cases The material of some of these covers is very thin, so it may not hold up that well in bad weather; the cover can rip, and/or water can get through easily. Most likely not, even though it comes with a winch and tightener. Winds such as those that are in monsoon may be too rough for the cover to not be able to rip away from the pool.Can pool covers be used year-round or just strictly in the winter?
When the water gets trapped on the top of the cover and freezes, will it damage your pool?
How well does it hold up in harsh weather (i.e., ice and snow)?
Will it hold up in monsoon weather?
Conclusion
All in all, you should base your decision on what brand of pool cover to purchase depending (in my opinion) on what kind of environment you reside in; for example, if you stay in South Florida, where there is proneness to hurricanes and the like, you may want to purchase a more sturdy cover to reduce the chances of the cover blowing away during harsh storms.
Also, be mindful of the material since some of the seams on some covers rip fairly easily and wind up being a huge waste of money.
Of the above pool covers reviewed, I would say the Robelle is an ideal choice; just make sure you read the printout of the warranty!
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