Our top pick, the Intex Ultra Frame Pool Set, is available in multiple sizes, is easy to set up, and comes with an effective filter. Here are the best above-ground pools to get your yard ready for celebrating all summer. Installing the Intex Ultra Frame Pool Set doesn’t take professional skill or equipment but requires site preparation: a level space that’s clear of vegetation, protruding sticks, and rocks, with compacted soil that can support 8,403 gallons of water when the pool is filled. It takes two or three people one to two hours to set up. Our tester also liked the easy-locking powder-coated steel frame, which held up to an entire summer of use without much wear and could be quickly stored at the end of pool season. An effective pool filter and included ladder added to our tester’s thumb’s-up for Best Overall pick. Price at time of publishing: $2,500 This pool includes no pump or filter, so expect to do a bit more cleaning to keep the water clear. (Purchasing a pool cover can be another great way to keep debris out of the pool.) Given its affordable price, it is still cheaper to purchase additional accessories separately than to splurge on a pricier pool. Price at time of publishing: $250 The pool includes extras you would expect at this price point: sand filter pump, ground cloth, removable ladder, and pool cover. The ladder is particularly important, helping to keep kids from accessing the pool without supervision. Price at time of publishing: $1,480 The H2OGO! Pool has a delightful kid-appropriate spray dolphin. (Connect a garden hose.) The kid-friendly illustrations, colors, features, and size all make the H2OGO! perfect for younger swimmers. This pool might not last for more than one season. Fortunately, it comes with one repair patch, increasing its longevity. Price at time of publishing: $51 It does include some great extras that will make maintaining the pool easier: a filter pump, chlorinator, and filter cartridge are all included. Consider purchasing a ground tarp to go under the pool, and a cover to go over it. They help keep the pool in great shape, and reduce the overall time you spend getting rid of debris. At the end of pool season, simply drain the pool, clean it, and fold it (dry) for storage. Price at time of publishing: $122 Setup is more complicated than other options. You need an ample level space, and you or a professional may need to compact the soil. Setup requires at least two people; even experienced DIYers recommended hiring a professional. However, the kit includes plenty of extras: a blue pool liner, wide-mouth skimmer and return, pool light, sand filter, and 1 HP pump, sturdy ladder, and maintenance kit. Price at time of publishing: $2,852 The kit includes a sturdy ladder, as well as a ground cover that reduces the potential for punctures. The exterior has a basket-weave print, but it’s unavailable in any other color or pattern. Price at time of publishing: $1,099
Inflatable: Affordable, easy to set up, and straightforward to maintain, inflatable pools are the quickest, easiest way to take a dip in your backyard. They typically require an air pump (sometimes included, sometimes sold separately) to inflate. At the end of the summer, they can be deflated, folded, and stored. Because there’s such a wide range of inflatable pools available, chances are you’ll be able to find one that has the exact dimensions to best fit your space. But while they are highly convenient, inflatable pools lack durability, and they often don’t include filters or other methods for keeping your water clean, thus requiring frequent water refreshes. Steel: Our favorite above-ground pool—the Intex Ultra Frame Pool Set—is a steel-frame pool, which combines durability and multiple size configurations for a backyard swimming hole that’s designed to be a more permanent fixture than inflatable models. Steel frame above-ground pools typically use rust-resistant steel supports, including vertical struts and side rails, to create a rigid frame for PVC or vinyl side walls. Steel frame pools often use snap-together connectors and other convenient design elements to make assembly relatively straightforward, but it’s still going to be a hassle if you plan on disassembling and storing the pool in the off-season. The rigid construction also often requires a more rigorously prepared ground, since the frame will need to sit level in order to assemble properly. Resin: This is the material used in the most upscale above-ground pools. Instead of steel, which risks rust and heating up in the sun, resin-frame pools use ultra-durable plastics. Pools with resin frames are typical lighter than their steel equivalents. Resin pools are often more expensive, but they may well be worth it if you plan on moving your pool parts around. This design is also a great option if you plan on setting up your pool in direct sunlight. Hybrid: These models try to combine the durability and non-heating qualities of resin with steel components. Semi-Inground: Semi-inground pools are much closer to a traditional pool installation. These typically require professional assistance, since they are partially buried. Semi-inground pools are easy to climb into and out of, and they can fit more harmoniously in your yard. They can also be incorporated into other construction, such as a deck. Beyond the aesthetic and design advantages, a semi-inground pool can have a long lifespan, often lasting for decades before needing to be replaced. Saltwater: This type of above-ground pool comes with a saltwater system (also known as a salt chlorinator) for achieving the correct salinity, though, you need to add your own salt. Rather than adding chemicals to the pool yourself, saltwater systems convert salt to chlorine to keep your water sterilized. Saltwater pools do not feel like swimming in the ocean. Instead, the salt chlorinator system creates a less-aggressive chlorine smell and a soft, silky water feel.
What to Look for in an Above-Ground Pool
Installation
Installing an above-ground pool depends on the type. However, you can follow a general process when setting up standard pools, with PVC walls and steel frames. After clearing an area and making sure the ground is level (and compacted, if installing a large pool), start by laying down the ground cloth and placing the bottom plate on top. Next, connect the metal rails to the bottom plate and around the perimeter. Then, connect the vertical side rails to the bottom portion of the frame. Be sure to read the directions carefully, as different metal rods can appear similar but don’t line up or connect properly if you use the wrong ones. After that, install the lining onto the bottom plate and up the walls. When finished, your pool should have a balanced shape, and the walls should be the same height. There are a number of other installation considerations outside of the build process itself. Installation can cost hundreds of dollars and may add over a thousand to the total price of your new above-ground pool. But price isn’t the only consideration. If you belong to a homeowner’s association (HOA), there may be neighborhood guidance or regulations regarding above-ground pools. The same may also be true of local zoning regulations. Check with your community before making an above-ground pool purchase, since that might well inform what size or type of pool you are allowed to accommodate in your yard. For example, local regulations often stipulate how far a pool must be located from sewers, utility towers, and even your house. Fencing may also be required before you can fill and use your pool. Beyond local regulations, above-ground pools often have physical limitations. If your ground slopes too much, or if tree roots make the ground uneven, an above-ground pool may be impossible to install where you’d prefer.
Insurance
It’s worth considering the insurance ramifications before buying or installing an above-ground pool. Your homeowner’s insurance may require supplemental coverage or increased rates in order to protect you from liability. Above-ground pools won’t be unfamiliar to your insurer, who should be able to quickly outline any additional coverage that might be needed or recommended.
Size
When buying an above-ground pool, one of the most important considerations is size. You need to make sure it not only fits in your yard but also encompasses a few feet of space on all sides. We recommend accurately and carefully measuring your outdoor area a couple of times before buying. The two measurements that are likely to be most important are the square footage of your new pool’s footprint and the capacity in gallons. Square footage calculations depend largely on whether you are considering a rectangular or circular pool. Our “Best Overall” winner, the Intex Ultra Frame Pool, comes in a variety of configurations. The square footage occupied by a rectangular pool can be easily found by multiplying the width by the length. The area of a circular pool requires a little more math and is determined by multiplying the value of pi (about 3.14) by the circle’s radius squared, or A=π r2. A little more math, and you can also determine the volume of your pool in square feet or inches. For a rectangular pool, simply multiply the height, width, and length. To calculate the volume of a circular pool, you’ll need to use the formula V=π r2h, multiplying the radius squared, the height, and pi together. Make sure to keep your units consistent (for example, plugging only inches into the formula). That will tell you the capacity of your pool in square inches. Though models vary, rectangular and oval pools tend to be the largest, with water capacities of up to 20,000 gallons. If you’re short on square footage, a smaller, round pool might be your best bet.
Features
Many above-ground pools come in kits, which include all of the necessary components for setting up, using, and maintaining your pool. Often, kits include a filter pump, a pool liner, a ground cloth, and a debris cover. Some larger pools also come with slip-resistant ladders. You can find above-ground pools with dual-suction outlets, for easier cleaning. Others contain built-in chemical dispensers, eliminating the need for free-floating cleaners.
Why Trust The Spruce
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. An avid swimmer, Katie spent every summer swimming laps as part of her swim team growing up, and now she splashes in the pool with her own children. For this article, she looked for pools that were easy for homeowners to set up and maintain that also provided enough space to enjoy pool games.
