The 10 Best Inground Pool Covers
We looked at inground pool covers using manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports. Each pick lists what it does well and where it falls short, so you can match it to how you'll use it.
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Quick picks
Key specs: UL-classified per ASTM F1346, Solid vinyl, blocks nearly 100% of sunlight, 20-year warranty.
- UL-classified per ASTM F1346
- Solid vinyl, blocks nearly 100% of sunlight
- 20-year warranty
- Anchors into deck-set brass points
- Rated for adult foot traffic
Strengths
- Genuine weight-bearing barrier, not just a debris shieldand classified under ASTM F1346
- Solid vinyl blocks essentially all sunlight, the strongest algae control of any cover type
- 20-year warranty leads the safety cover category at this size
Limitations
- Requires a cover pump since rainwater and snowmelt pool on the solid surface
- Custom anchor measurement to the deck adds cost and lead time versus a stock winter tarp
- Blocks all solar heating, unusable as a swim-season cover
- Heavier and harder to remove solo than a mesh equivalent
Key specs: Solid vinyl construction, ASTM F1346-rated, 18x36 ft rectangle fit.
- Solid vinyl construction
- ASTM F1346-rated
- 18x36 ft rectangle fit
- Deck-anchored spring system
Strengths
- Solid vinyl gives near-total sunlight blockage for strong algae suppression
- 18x36 fit covers a common mid-size inground rectangular pool without custom cutting
- Deck-anchored spring system is the same structural design used on premium safety covers
- Vinyl is easier to hose off and clean than mesh's woven texture
Limitations
- Needs a cover pump to clear standing water after rain
- Warranty terms are shorter than WaterWarden's flagship Premium line
- Heavier than mesh at this size, awkward for one person to manage
- No solar heating benefit while installed
3.GLI Secur-A-Pool 18x36 Ft Rectangular Mesh Safety Cover with Center End Step
GLI Pool Products
Key specs: Polypropylene mesh, ASTM F1346-rated, 18x36 ft rectangular fit, Center end step cutout.
- Polypropylene mesh, ASTM F1346-rated
- 18x36 ft rectangular fit
- Center end step cutout
- No cover pump needed
Strengths
- Center step cutout matches how most stock rectangular inground pools are actually accessed
- Mesh drains rain and snowmelt on its own, no pump to buy or maintain
- Lighter than a solid cover of the same size, easier to remove and store
- Strong enough to be walked on, a real ASTM-rated structural barrier
Limitations
- Blocks only about 92% of sunlight, weaker algae control than solid vinyl
- Fine silt and pollen pass through the mesh weave onto the pool floor
- Step cutout hardware is a fixed point that needs periodic inspection
Key specs: ASTM F1346-rated mesh, 20x42 ft extended rectangle fit, Blue mesh construction.
- ASTM F1346-rated mesh
- 20x42 ft extended rectangle fit
- Blue mesh construction
- No cover pump needed
Strengths
- 20x42 sizing covers longer lap-style pools that standard 20x40 stock covers don't quite fit
- Mesh drains on its own, no pump needed for the extra square footage
- Same ASTM-rated structural anchoring as WaterWarden's standard sizes
- Blue color makes the cover easy to visually inspect for debris buildup
Limitations
- Extended length sizing costs more than standard 20x40 stock covers
- Smallest rating sample (96) of any product in this roundup, less data to judge long-term reliability
- Mesh blocks only about 92% of sunlight versus solid vinyl
- Larger surface area means more weight and a harder solo install
Key specs: 8x8 scrim-reinforced polyethylene, 10-year warranty, 20x40 ft sizing with 5-ft deck overlap.
- 8x8 scrim-reinforced polyethylene
- 10-year warranty
- 20x40 ft sizing with 5-ft deck overlap
- Water-tube loops around the perimeter
Strengths
- 5-ft overlap sizing is measured specifically for inground decks, water bags land on solid ground instead of hanging off the coping
- 8x8 scrim reinforcement resists wind-flap tearing better than unreinforced tarps
- 10-year warranty is solid for a mid-tier winter tarp
Limitations
- Not weight-rated, still a tarp and unsafe to walk on regardless of how taut it looks
- 20x40 size is heavy enough to typically require two people for installation
- Requires separately-purchased water bags or anchor hardware
- Standing rainwater pools on the surface without a cover pump
Key specs: Standard-gauge polyethylene, 16x32 ft sizing with deck overlap, 8-year warranty.
- Standard-gauge polyethylene
- 16x32 ft sizing with deck overlap
- 8-year warranty
- Blue color
Strengths
- Lowest price point of the winter tarps in this roundup while still sized correctly for inground deck overlap
- 16x32 fits smaller inground pools without paying for excess unused material
- Lighter gauge than the Heavy Duty line makes it easier for one person to fold and store
Limitations
- 8-year warranty trails the Heavy Duty and Ultimate lines by 2 to 12 years
- Standard gauge is more prone to wind-flap wear than scrim-reinforced tarps
- Not weight-rated, same caution as any winter cover
- Blue color fades and shows dirt more visibly over multiple seasons than charcoal
Key specs: 20-year warranty, longest in the winter tarp category, Ultimate heavy-duty charcoal fabric, 20x40 ft sizing with 5-ft deck overlap.
- 20-year warranty, longest in the winter tarp category
- Ultimate heavy-duty charcoal fabric
- 20x40 ft sizing with 5-ft deck overlap
- Dark color absorbs residual heat
Strengths
- 20-year warranty is roughly double the standard Heavy Duty line's coverage
- Charcoal color absorbs more residual heat, which helps ease ice stress against the pool wall
- Ultimate-grade fabric is a heavier gauge than Robelle's standard tarps, more tear-resistant
Limitations
- Premium price relative to standard-gauge winter tarps
- Not weight-rated regardless of the heavier fabric
- Heavier material is more cumbersome to fold and store than lighter tarps
- Dark color shows algae staining more visibly if left on too long into spring
Key specs: 12-mil UV-stabilized bubble material, 24x40 ft rectangle, rated for large inground pools, 5-year seam warranty.
- 12-mil UV-stabilized bubble material
- 24x40 ft rectangle, rated for large inground pools
- 5-year seam warranty
- Blue color
Strengths
- 24x40 sizing covers large inground pools that smaller stock solar covers can't reach
- 12-mil thickness survives a full swim season of pool chemical exposure better than 8-mil covers
- 5-year seam warranty is above average for a solar blanket this size
Limitations
- Large surface area is heavy and essentially requires an in-deck or above-deck reel to manage
- Solar covers on inground pools see the shortest lifespan of any cover type, typically 3 to 6 years
- No structural weight rating, can't double as any kind of safety barrier
- Higher price than smaller solar covers simply due to square footage
Key specs: 12-mil UV-stabilized clear bubble material, 12x24 ft oval fit for inground pools, Cuts evaporation and raises water temperature.
- 12-mil UV-stabilized clear bubble material
- 12x24 ft oval fit for inground pools
- Cuts evaporation and raises water temperature
Strengths
- One of the few solar covers cut specifically for smaller oval inground pools rather than only rectangles
- 12-mil thickness holds up to chemical exposure better than thinner 8-mil covers
- Clear material lets more sunlight through for slightly faster heat gain than tinted covers
- Smaller 12x24 footprint is manageable without a dedicated reel system
Limitations
- Oval sizing is fixed and won't work for rectangular or freeform inground pools
- Clear material shows algae and debris buildup more visibly than blue covers
- Still a 3-to-6-year wear item on an inground pool given chemical exposure
- No weight rating, purely a heating and evaporation product
Key specs: 8-mil UV-stabilized bubble material, 20x40 ft rectangle fit, Blue/silver reflective surface.
- 8-mil UV-stabilized bubble material
- 20x40 ft rectangle fit
- Blue/silver reflective surface
- Lower price point than 12-mil covers
Strengths
- Lowest cost way to add solar heating to a standard 20x40 inground pool
- Reflective blue/silver surface helps limit overnight heat loss
- Lighter 8-mil material is easier to handle without a reel on smaller sections
Limitations
- 8-mil thickness typically lasts only 3 to 5 years, shorter than 12-mil covers
- Thinner material punctures more easily on pool ladders and rough coping
- Less heat retention than thicker 12 or 16-mil covers
- At 20x40 the total sheet is still heavy and unwieldy to remove by hand despite the thinner mil rating
How we chose
- Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports. We don't claim our own testing.
- We do not list prices or star ratings because they change. Check Amazon for current details.