The 10 Best Solar Pool Covers
We looked at solar 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
Top pick
1.Blue Wave NS110 18-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 8-Mil
Brand: Blue Wave
ASIN: B003B0UESE
Key specs: 8-mil polyethylene bubble construction, 18-ft round sizing for above-ground pools, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 8-mil polyethylene bubble construction
- 18-ft round sizing for above-ground pools
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Trimmable at bubble seams for a custom fit
Strengths
- Highest review count (3,800+) of any solar cover in this roundup, the most-option for round above-ground pools
- Lowest price entry point into meaningful heat gain and evaporation control
- 8-mil thickness is light enough for one person to handle removal and refitting without a reel
- Trimmable edges let it be sized down to match a pool slightly smaller than 18 feet
Limitations
- 3 to 5 year lifespan is the shortest of the mil-thickness tiers, needs replacing sooner than a 12-mil cover
- Thinner material is more prone to puncture and UV degradation over a season of full sun exposure
- Round-only sizing, not usable on a rectangular or oval pool
2.Blue Wave NS480 15-Ft Round Solar Blanket for Above-Ground Pools, 12-Mil Clear
Brand: Blue Wave
ASIN: B003TQMCEO
Key specs: 12-mil clear polyethylene bubble construction, 15-ft round sizing for above-ground pools, Clear tint for maximum direct-sunlight transmission.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 12-mil clear polyethylene bubble construction
- 15-ft round sizing for above-ground pools
- Clear tint for maximum direct-sunlight transmission
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- 5 to 7 year typical lifespan
Strengths
- Clear tint transmits slightly more direct sunlight than a blue cover of the same thickness, a marginal heating edge in full sun
- 12-mil thickness lasts noticeably longer (5-7 years) than the 8-mil budget round option
- Compact 15-ft sizing suits smaller above-ground pools without needing to trim excess material
Limitations
- Clear material offers less algae-limiting shade than a blue cover, since it passes more light through to the water
- Heavier than the 8-mil round option, slightly more effort to remove and store
- Clear covers show dirt and cloudiness more visibly than tinted blue covers over time
Key specs: 12-mil blue polyethylene bubble construction, 16x32 ft rectangle sizing, 5-year seam warranty.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 12-mil blue polyethylene bubble construction
- 16x32 ft rectangle sizing
- 5-year seam warranty
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
Strengths
- 16x32 sizing matches the most common rectangular above-ground and inground pool footprint
- 5-year seam warranty backs the bubble-to-bubble bonding, the point most solar covers fail first
- 12-mil thickness balances durability and handling weight better than 8-mil for a cover left on most of the season
- Blue tint helps limit algae growth while still delivering the standard bubble-lens heat gain
Limitations
- Heavier than an 8-mil cover of the same footprint, harder for one person to remove without a reel
- Costs more upfront than the budget 8-mil rectangle option in this roundup
- Rectangle-only sizing, requires trimming or a different shape for an oval or round pool
4.Blue Wave NS450 24x40 Ft Rectangle Solar Blanket for In-Ground Pools, 12-Mil Blue
Brand: Blue Wave
ASIN: B003TQMCDU
Key specs: 12-mil blue polyethylene bubble construction, 24x40 ft rectangle sizing for inground pools, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 12-mil blue polyethylene bubble construction
- 24x40 ft rectangle sizing for inground pools
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- 5 to 7 year typical lifespan
Strengths
- 24x40 sizing covers large inground rectangles without needing to piece together multiple smaller covers
- Same 12-mil durability and blue algae-limiting tint as the standard 16x32 Blue Wave rectangle cover
- A reel becomes especially valuable at this size, and Blue Wave's bubble sheet rolls cleanly onto standard reel tubes
- Meaningful evaporation savings on a pool this large translate to real water and chemical cost savings over a season
Limitations
- Lower review count (780) than the standard-size rectangle covers, reflecting the smaller buyer pool for large inground sizing
- Substantial surface area makes manual removal and folding a two-person job without a reel
- Custom-scale sizing costs more per square foot than the standard 16x32 option
Key specs: 12-mil clear polyethylene bubble construction, 12x24 ft oval sizing, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 12-mil clear polyethylene bubble construction
- 12x24 ft oval sizing
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Trimmable at bubble seams for a custom fit
Strengths
- Oval sizing is harder to find well-fitted than round or rectangle, this fills that gap at a common 12x24 footprint
- Clear tint gives a slight heat-gain edge over blue for owners prioritizing warmth over algae control
- 12-mil thickness holds up 5 to 7 years, longer than an 8-mil cover of the same shape
- Trimmable bubble seams allow a closer custom fit for a pool slightly under 12x24
Limitations
- Lowest review count (410) among the Blue Wave covers in this roundup
- Clear material shows algae and cloudiness sooner than a blue-tinted oval cover
- Oval-only shape, not usable on a round or rectangular pool
Key specs: 12-mil clear polyethylene bubble construction, 12x24 ft rectangle sizing, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 12-mil clear polyethylene bubble construction
- 12x24 ft rectangle sizing
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Trimmable at bubble seams for a custom fit
Strengths
- Compact 12x24 rectangle sizing suits smaller above-ground rectangular pools without excess trimming
- 12-mil thickness offers meaningfully more durability than an 8-mil cover at a similar price point
- Clear tint edges out blue slightly for direct heat gain in consistently sunny climates
- Solid 1,150-review base for a smaller-size specialty rectangle option
Limitations
- Small 12x24 footprint limits it to compact pools, not usable on a standard 16x32 rectangle
- Clear material passes more algae-promoting light through than a blue-tinted cover
- Lower rating (4.3) than the larger 16x32 Blue Wave rectangle cover in this roundup
Key specs: 8-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction, 18x33 ft oval sizing, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 8-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction
- 18x33 ft oval sizing
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Reflective silver underside
Strengths
- Lowest price point for the common 18x33 oval above-ground footprint in this roundup
- 8-mil weight is easy for one person to handle without a reel system
- Blue/silver two-tone construction helps limit algae growth while keeping cost down
- Solid 890-review base backs consistent sizing for this popular oval dimension
Limitations
- 3 to 5 year lifespan is shorter than the 10-mil Premium version of the same size and shape
- Thinner 8-mil material is more prone to punctures and UV wear over a full season
- Lower rating (4.3) than the thicker 10-mil Pool Mate oval option
Key specs: 10-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction, 18x33 ft oval sizing, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 10-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction
- 18x33 ft oval sizing
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Reflective silver underside
Strengths
- 10-mil thickness lasts noticeably longer than the 8-mil Deluxe version at the same 18x33 oval size
- Higher rating (4.4) than the 8-mil Deluxe oval option, reflecting the added durability
- Blue/silver construction retains the same algae-limiting benefit as the budget version
- Middle-ground thickness balances handling weight against durability better than 8 or 16 mil extremes
Limitations
- Costs more than the 8-mil Deluxe oval cover for the same footprint
- Heavier than the 8-mil version, more effort to remove and store without a reel
- Smaller review base (520) than the budget 8-mil version of the same size
9.Pool Mate 24-Ft Blue/Silver Premium Solar Cover for Above-Ground Pools, 10-Mil
Brand: Pool Mate
ASIN: B01EOKTHTQ
Key specs: 10-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction, 24-ft round sizing for above-ground pools, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 10-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction
- 24-ft round sizing for above-ground pools
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Reflective silver underside
Strengths
- 10-mil thickness gives noticeably more puncture and UV resistance than the 8-mil budget round option
- 24-ft sizing covers larger round above-ground pools that the 18-ft Blue Wave round cover doesn't reach
- Blue/silver construction limits algae growth while maintaining strong heat-gain performance
Limitations
- Costs more than the thinner 8-mil round option for the same or smaller footprint
- Heavier material makes solo removal and folding more cumbersome without a reel
- Round-only shape, not usable on an oval or rectangular pool
10.Pool Mate 20x40 Ft Blue/Silver Deluxe Solar Cover for Inground Pools, 8-Mil
Brand: Pool Mate
ASIN: B01EOKTI72
Key specs: 8-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction, 20x40 ft rectangle sizing for inground pools, Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 8-mil blue/silver polyethylene bubble construction
- 20x40 ft rectangle sizing for inground pools
- Raises water temperature up to 10-15 degrees F in full sun
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Reflective silver underside
Strengths
- One of the few stock sizes built specifically for larger 20x40 inground rectangles rather than requiring a custom cut
- 8-mil weight keeps a large-format cover manageable to remove and fold without a reel
- Blue/silver tint helps control algae growth over a season on a larger exposed water surface
- Fills a sizing gap between the standard 16x32 rectangle covers and full custom-cut large inground options
Limitations
- Smallest review base (260) of the solar covers in this roundup, less feedback on long-term large-format durability
- 8-mil thickness on a large surface area wears and punctures faster than a 12-mil cover would at this size
- Handling a cover this large is still a two-person task despite the lighter 8-mil material
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.