If you are considering a backyard pool for your family, this guide to the best above ground pool is for you! I grew up with a pool and when I started designing my backyard as a mom with 2 kids, I did a lot of research into the best above ground swimming pools for my family. I feel like I know quite a bit about what to look for, what you might be forgetting and everything you want to know before buying one of the above ground swimming pools for sale today!
In this guide I will take you through the best above ground pools, as well as things to consider when buying, whether it is a blow up pool or a round, oval or square above ground pool! When I started my research, I was surprised how many options were on the market. From top end to cheap swimming pools there are many factors to think about. I will go through durability, size, water capacity, as well as set up and things you might have forgotten to purchase!
By the end of this guide, I am sure you will have a good idea of the best above ground pool for your backyard and you will be well on your way to making your backyard dreams a reality!
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The Best Above Ground Pools for Sale in 2022
Contents
Best Above Ground Pool Comparison Chart
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| Above Ground Pools | Image | Size | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intex 15' Pool |   | 15' x 48" 4660 Gallons | Check Price |
| 12' Intex Pool |   | 12' x 30" 1770 Gallons | Check Price |
| 12' Bestway pool |   | 12' x 30" ~1500 Gallons | Check Pricel |
| 10' Intex |   | 10' x 30" 1185 Gallons | Check Price |
| Summer Waves 12' Pool |   | 12' x 30" 1900 Gallons | Check Price |
| Summer Waves 10' Pool |   | 10' x 30" 1266 Gallons | Check Price |
| Meadows 24' Pool |   | 24' x 52" ~14000 Gallons | Check Price |
| Summer Waves 24' Pool |   | 24' x 52" 12984 Gallons | Check Price |
Things to Consider when buying Backyard Swimming Pools
There are a few things to consider before you purchase an above ground pool. You might have some above ground pool ideas, but if this is your first time putting an above ground pool in your backyard, carefully read through these tips.
Leveling your backyard and backyard obstacles
Leveling
One of the first things you will come across is how big is your level space. If you have a large yard, you can create any level surface you want, but if your yard is smaller, ensure you accurately measure the size of your level space before purchasing an above ground pool.
When you level your backyard, also keep in mind the material that your pool is going to sit on. Maybe it is a small, portable pool and you plan to put it on the grass or on a cement pad. But if it is a larger pool, ensure you are aware of what kind of materials you can use to put your pool on. Some pools cannot be put on sand for instance.
Backyard Obstacles
One of the biggest backyard obstacles to installing your above ground pool is trees. Whether it is branches above the pool that will be constantly dropping pine needles or leaves into it, or roots that are growing in the ground, you need to take into account the trees in your backyard.
Other obstacles are items that are already in your backyard such as a trampoline or storage shed, or whether you just wrecked your kids usual soccer pitch.
Do you plan to heat it? What are your heating options
Do you plan to heat your backyard pool? There are a few different heating options available for above ground pools. Depending on where you live, the pool might be quite cold in the spring and fall and if you want to get the most out of your pool, a heater might make the water temperature more comfortable.
Solar Panels for Above Ground Pools
Heating your pool with solar panels is an inexpensive way to warm up your pool. They can warm up your pool’s temperature by as much as 10 degrees! That makes a big difference when you are talking about 76F versus 86F.
You can check out solar panel options here
Pool Solar Cover
Another way to warm up your backyard pool is a pool solar cover. These covers are made up on thousands of tiny bubbles that are designed to retain heat. They capture and transmit the UV heat from the sun into your pool.
Having a pool cover also reduces evaporation by up to 95% meaning you are not losing that precious heat as the water evaporates on hot days. It also keeps debris out of the pool making cleaning your pool much easier!
The nice thing about these types of covers is that they can be trimmed to fit your pool.
You can check out pool solar covers here
Do you Plan to Keep Your Above Ground Pool up all Year?
Another thing to keep in mind before purchasing the beat above ground pool is whether or not you plan to keep it up all year. If you are looking to do this, and perhaps build a nice deck around your pool, you want to ensure you buy an above ground pool model that is designed to be assembled once.
A pool like this one is designed for what you are looking for.
If you plan on putting it up in the spring and taking it down in the fall, you can get one like this one.
This is something you want to think about before your purchase. A permanent pool is usually a bigger investment cost wise, and setup time wise, but you will not be setting it up and taking it down year after year. You can also build a deck around it and make it a permanent fixture in your backyard.
How to Store your Above Ground Pool
If you do not plan to keep your above ground pool up all year long, you will need to ensure you have a good storage space so you can keep the liner protected from rodents, and ensure all of the pieces are not lost over the winter.
Maintenance
Just like anything, a pool needs maintenance. But it will likely need a lot more maintenance then what you are used to if you have never had a pool or hot tub. And not just time maintenance, there is a cost to keep a pool running.
Cleaning your Above Ground Pool
You will need something to clean the pool with. Whether a robot pool cleaner or a manual brush pool cleaner the debris and dirt from the bottom of the pool needs to be removed. Also ensure you clean out the skimmer basket that has collected any floating debris.
Testing your Above Ground Pool
You will also need to check and adjust the chemicals. This involves a simple dip into the pool with a pool chemical test kit or test strips and to match the colors up with the guide. Once you have done it once or twice, it is pretty easy!
Safety
Water safety is crucial and I suggest you never swim alone and you always have adult supervision when children are using the pool. Ensure your children are well aware of your household rules and that any friends are also briefed in pool safety. You can read more tips from the Red Cross.
You also want to ensure that your backyard is fenced and that the pool ladder is removed when the pool is not in use. This will mitigate young children from entering the pool, unaware of the danger.
What else you need when purchasing an Above Ground Pool for your Backyard
There are a few other things to consider buying when you are buying the best above ground pool. Some are for safety, some are for function and some are for fun! Consider adding these to your above ground pool sale.
Safety Ladder
This one is a safety feature. These ladders are designed to keep people out of the pool when it is not in use. They are specific to certain pool sizes, so ensure you read whether or not it will fit your pool. It is something worth considering depending on your backyard pool setup!
Pool Cover
This one is for function. As mentioned above, a solar pool cover can trap UV rays and transfer heat into the pool. It also helps prevent evaporation. Another reason to have a pool cover is to keep debris like leaves and tree needles, as well as bugs, out of the pool. These can often be cut to size, so you can ensure you have a good fit, whatever your pool size!
Solar Panels
As mentioned in the heating section, if you plan to heat your pool, look into the different solar panel options to warm up that pool water! Some will increase the temperature by up to 10 degrees!
Pool Floats
There are dozens of pool floats out there to choose from from mats to loungers to kids floaties! A few things to keep in mind is whether or not you need to blow them up, how to store them and will they fit!
Life Jackets / Puddle Jumpers
Life jackets or puddle jumpers are an important part of your pool purchase if you have younger children.
Goggles
My kids are always losing their googles or always asking to wear them. They are an inexpensive addition to your pool and helps them work on diving deep and seeing underwater!
Dive Toys
These ones are always the first dive toys scooped up by the kids in the pool! They love making treasure hunts with them. There are dozens of different styles of dive toys. The rings are also popular.
Best Above Ground Pools For Sale
Intex 15′ x 48″ Round Above Ground Pools
The Intex 15′ above ground pool is 48″ high and the water level can be 36″ to 48″ high. Although I would not recommend filling it right to the top as you would have a lot of spillage as swimmers are in the water. However, backyard pools around 4 feet tall is perfect for adults and kids to enjoy all summer long! This is one of the best rated above ground pools and is designed with powder coated steel frames and a super tough laminated sidewall with a reinforced body to hold everything in place. It can be set up in as little as 45 minutes. Its water capacity is 4440 gallons. This Intex pool comes with a 100-120 V Krystal Clear Cartridge pump, ladder, ground cloth and debris cover.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 15′ x 48″
- Weight: 145 lbs
- Water Capacity: 4440 Gallons
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Intex 12′ x 30″ Small Above Ground Pools
The 12′ Intex Pool is the smaller version of the 15′ pool, but still a metal frame model. It is only 30″ high and one of the smaller Intex above ground pools. Its depth makes it ideal for children. It has the same super tough laminated sidewalls as the 15 foot size, and holds 1718 gallons. This pool comes with a Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter and sets up in less than an hour. If you are looking for above the ground pools for younger children, this is one of the best quality above ground pools.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 12′ x 30″
- Weight: 57 lbs
- Water Capacity: 1718 Gallons
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Bestway 12′ Kids Swimming Pools
The 12′ Bestway pool is 30″ tall and has a 12′ diameter. It is ideal for younger children as the max water height is 30″. It has PVC and polyester side walls and a 330 gallon filter pump. The capacity is approximately 1500 Gallons. The frame is rust and corrosion resistant.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 12′ x 30″
- Weight: 54 lbs
- Water Capacity: ~1500 Gallons
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Intex 10′ Above Ground Swimming Pool
The 10′ above ground pool by Intex is perfect if space is a big factor in your purchasing of a backyard pool. It is also 30″ like the 12′ model but is going to take up a smaller footprint in your backyard. This is the best small above ground pool for small backyards or those with water constraints! It is 1185 Gallons and only takes about 30 minutes to set up. It has a steel frame and durable wall materials.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 10′ x 30″
- Weight: 49 lbs
- Water Capacity: 1185 Gallons
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Summer Waves 12′ Above Ground Pools
Summer Waves 12′ Pool is another of the best above ground pools that you should consider when you are trying to decide which of the above ground swimming pools works for your family and your backyard. It has a 1900 Gallon water capacity and a SFX600 pump. Its sides are made of a ripple layer polyester mesh and PVC combo for extra durability. It has a rust resistant galvanized steel frame with oval frame tubes. Their snap in design means that your pool can be up and ready to fill in less than an hour!
The dark herringbone wicker pattern of the Summer Waves above ground pool means that there is no more blue eyesore in the backyard. Its muted color can match with other outdoor decor. Its pump also sits off the ground which means no one will trip overhanging hoses.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 12′ x 30″
- Weight: 69 lbs
- Water Capacity: 1900 Gallons
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Summer Waves 10′ Above Ground Pool
This 10′ Above Ground Pool from Summer Waves is similar in design to the 12′ model, but is the best cheap pool for those who have space constraints or water limitations. It is also 30″ deep and holds 1266 Gallons of water. It is made of a rust resistant galvanized steel frame with oval frame tubes. Their snap in design means that your pool can be up and ready to fill in less than an hour! It comes with the SFX330 Filter pump that sits off the ground which means no one will trip over hanging hoses.
The dark or tan herringbone wicker pattern of the Summer Waves above ground pool means that there is no more blue eyesore in the backyard. Its muted color can match with other outdoor decor.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 10′ x 30″
- Weight: 52 lbs
- Water Capacity: 1266 Gallons
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Meadows 24′ Large Above Ground Pool
If you are looking for a full size above ground pool for your backyard, this one is one you should be checking out. It is 24′ in diameter and has a 52″ wall height giving you the option to put a full 4 foot water height into your above ground pool. It holds between 13000 and 15000 Gallons of water depending on the water levels.
This Meadows 24′ Pool Kit has everything you need to set up and install a pool in your backyard. It is one of the best above ground pool options for large yards or for someone who wants a pool to build a deck around or to keep up all year long! It is designed for a one time installation, so perfect for those who cannot put in an inground pool.
This pool is made from galvanized steel and a champagne color. It has a 1 HP pump, ladder and everything you need to assemble it. It can be a challenging assemble however, so keep that in mind with your purchase.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 24′ x 52″
- Water Capacity: ~14000 Gallons
- Designed for one time installation
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Summer Waves 24′ Pool
If you are looking for a large above ground pool that you do not need to leave up, you can consider the Summer Waves 24′ Pool. It has a 52″ wall height and the muted herringbone design that takes the blue eyesore out of having a bright blue pool liner! it holds 12984 Gallons and gives you a real 4 foot depth swimming pool.
This Pool is easy to set up and you can start filling it with about an hour of setup time! It has a strong metal frame and snap in design which makes set up quick! it comes with a sand filter, a four step ladder, ground cloth, cover, telescoping pole skimmer, and vacuum brush head.
Technical Specifications:
- Size: 24′ x 52″
- Weight: 388 lbs
- Water Capacity: 12984 Gallons
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Intex 12′ Blow Up Swimming Pools
If you are looking for a blow up above ground pool, consider this Intex 12′ Blow Up Pool
