The Best Pool Covers Buying Guide

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Keep your water crystal clear with our top pool cover picks.

Martha Sorren is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle topics, gift guides, product round-ups, and TV and entertainment. She has worked as a writer and editor for nearly 10 years. Her work has appeared in HelloGiggles, Insider, Bustle, Refinery29, and Woman's Day. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Writing, degree from the Pratt Institute.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Alli Waataja

Don't let dirt and leaves get in the way of you and a sun-soaked afternoon in the pool. Whether you already have a pool or are planning to build one, pool covers are a wise investment.

Many kinds of pool covers exist, including safety covers designed to keep people and pets from falling into the water, winter covers to protect your pool from the elements, solar covers to raise and contain the water’s temperature, and mesh covers primarily meant to keep the pool a bit cleaner. Pool covers can also help your water retain its heat and even minimize evaporation, saving energy because you won't have to heat or refill your pool as frequently.

To find the best pool covers, we researched several options, keeping in mind each pick's type, size, material, and recommended pool type. We also consulted Michael Dean, founder of Pool Research, Dr. Claudia Duncan, CEO, Professional Pool Management, and Ashley Murphy, merchant of fire and pool at Home Depot, for additional insight.

We evaluated several pool covers for their type, size, material, and recommended pool type.

This rectangular cover is durable, meant to be used as a safety cover, and comes with all the hardware you’ll need to install it.

The tight mesh material may allow rain to fall in, which could disrupt the pool’s chemistry.

We named this pool cover from Vevor the best overall because it offers multiple benefits, including safety. This cover is for in-ground pools with a rectangular shape and additional sizes are available. When ordering the size meant for a 16- x 30-foot pool, the cover itself measures 18 x 32 feet. The additional 2 feet on each side ensure the pool cover doesn’t stretch. It also means it’s big enough to protect your swimming pool.

The cover is made from high-strength polypropylene and resists both aging and scratching. It’s triple-stitched for added durability, something that helps with ensuring the pool cover is safe for pets or little ones who may try to step on it. It also is excellent in cutting back on evaporation. Plus, you’ll enjoy a cleaner pool since it effectively keeps debris out.

You’ll need to install the cover, but all of the hardware is included, so no last-minute trips to the store are necessary. The hardware resists corrosion, which is a huge bonus since it will often be wet from splashing around in the pool and the rain or snow. One thing to note is the tight mesh design allows the rain through, so you may need to keep a closer eye on your pool’s chemistry when you’re ready to open it for the season.

Product Details: Type: Safety | Size: 16 sizes from 12 x 24 feet to 20 x 40 feet | Material: Polypropylene | Recommended Pool Type: Rectangular in-ground

If you want a low-cost, lightweight option, this is one of the best pool covers to purchase.

The lighter material makes it easy to install, but it may not hold up as well as thicker pool covers.

Sometimes, you just want a no-fuss pool cover that won’t blow the budget. In that case, this round pool cover is a good go-to. The cover is meant for an above-ground pool and is sold in nine different sizes, including this 18-foot option. The cover size itself is 21 feet, allowing it to fit neatly over an 18-foot pool.

Made out of laminated polyethylene sheeting with high-density polyethylene stitches, it will keep out falling leaves in the autumn, snow in the winter, and rain in the spring and summer months. It’s lightweight and treated to resist UV rays. However, since the material is lightweight, it may not be as durable for pools in climates that receive tons of snow.

Still, installation is easy. The grommets for the perimeter and the steel cable and winch are all included with the pool cover itself, so you won’t need to guess at the correct hardware to use.

Product Details: Type: Winter | Size: Nine sizes from 10-foot to 33-foot pools | Material: Plastic | Recommended Pool Type: Round, above-ground

This solar cover soaks in and holds heat from the sun, so it’s great for outdoor pools that aren’t heated.

It isn’t meant to be a durable safety cover, so it’s not a great option for homes with young children.

If you have an outdoor pool but don’t have it heated, try going solar. Solar covers, or solar blankets, use light from the sun to heat the pool water.

This pool cover from Sun2Solar comes in 29 different sizes and works for in-ground and above-ground pools, meaning you’re highly likely to find a cover size that works for whatever size pool you have. Plus, the covers are trimmable if you have a pool with a slightly different shape.

It’s made up of thousands of bubbles in a resin material and promises to absorb and hold onto heat from the sun’s UV rays. This means you can cover up the pool after a day of fun in the sun, and the water will stay warm for your next dive (or belly flop). However, it’s not a safety cover, so you may want to skip it if you have little ones around the pool regularly.

The brand also advertises that this cover can cut back on as much as 95% of the evaporation that can happen to uncovered pools. This pool cover will also block leaves and other dirt or debris from falling into your pool, saving you time on cleanup—meaning you have more time for enjoying the pool.

Product Details: Type: Solar | Size: 30 sizes from 4 x 8 feet to 30 x 50 feet | Material: Resin | Recommended Pool Type: Rectangular pools

When you want a heavy-duty cover for your above-ground pool, this cover is the way to go with its 10-year warranty.

You’ll need to purchase cover clips and ​a ​cover wrap separately​ to create a secure fit.​

These are the best pool covers for outdoor above-ground pools that are round in shape. The polyethylene material is durable and stands up to harsh weather. The pool cover itself is solid rather than mesh or another porous material. It will keep out snow during the winter and rain in the springtime, so you won’t need to worry about your pool’s chemistry altering because of precipitation.

The cover size measures 28 feet, designed to fit a 24-foot pool. The additional 4 feet allow the pool cover to install easier. Buying this cover also means you receive a winch and cable along with grommets to securely cover your pool for the colder months. You could opt for cover clips and a cover wrap if you want to be sure the cover is extra secure, but those are sold separately.

Choose from eight different pool cover sizes, all meant for outdoor, above-ground, round pools. Each size offered comes with a 10-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Product Details: Type: Winter | Size: Eight sizes from 12-foot to 33-foot diameter | Material: Polyethylene | Recommended Pool Type: Round, above-ground

If you have pets or small children around the pool often, it’s smart to invest in this safety cover.

The cover is strong, but its mesh material will let water into the pool.

Keeping people and pets safe by the pool should be a top priority if you have a pool in your backyard. Part of staying safe means investing in a quality safety cover for the pool, and this one does the job. It’s designed for in-ground pools and holds up to a whopping 4,000 pounds of weight, also known as its break strength. As a plus, it’s also available in several sizes, ranging from 14 x 28 feet to 20 x 40 feet.

The cover is a polyethylene, two-ply mesh material that’s made for safety. Keep in mind that the mesh material does let water into the pool, though it fends off falling leaves and other debris you don’t want to see floating in your pool.

While the cover is over the pool, it’s held tight with brass anchors. The anchors sit level with the pool deck when you take the cover off. Ordering this cover means you also receive everything you need to install it, including the brass anchors, stainless steel springs, a specially designed installation tool, and a bag to keep everything handily in one place.

It’s easy to remove the cover when you want to take a dip or relax on a floatie—you can cover or uncover your pool in just five minutes or so. The pool cover comes with a 12-year warranty as a bonus.

Product Details: Type: Safety | Size: Five sizes from 14 x 28 feet to 20 x 40 feet | Material: Polyethylene | Recommended Pool Type: In-ground

Use this mesh pool cover to keep debris out of the pool during your pool’s busy season or to layer on your winter cover for easy clean-up of falling leaves.

The cover is specifically meant to keep leaves out of the pool, so the mesh doesn’t provide any safety protection or protection against the weather.

Keeping your pool clean can feel like a part-time job during the warmer months. Having a mesh cover, like this one from In The Swim, to keep out as much debris as possible can be an incredible time saver. It’s made out of polyethylene knitted together to create the mesh material. This highly porous mesh material is specifically meant to help you keep leaves out of the pool.

It’s not going to hold up to anyone standing on it, and it won’t keep out precipitation. Because of this, the cover may not be for you if you’re concerned about keeping out the rain or preventing the pool water from evaporating. Still, you can pair it with a winter cover as soon as autumn approaches to provide double protection for your pool.

This cover is for in-ground pools and comes in 10 sizes, from 12 x 20 feet to 30 x 50 feet. It’s backed by a two-year limited warranty and a one-year full warranty should any problems arise.

Product Details: Type: Mesh | Size: 10 sizes from 12 x 20 feet to 30 x 50 feet | Material: Polyethylene | Recommended Pool Type: In-ground

The cover’s drawstrings make it easy to install and remove, plus it’s a budget-friendly option.

The cover may be larger than you need, depending on the size of your pool.

It’s important to keep inflatable pools covered, too, and fortunately there are some excellent options available. This cover from Intex is generously sized and can fit inflatable pools of up to 120 x 72 inches.

It can cover smaller pools, too, but there will be extra material. However, you can tuck the excess under the pool to keep things more secure on blustery days. Plus, drawstrings are included with the cover, so you can securely attach it to your inflatable pool without worrying about the wind taking it away.

The cover itself will help keep debris like falling leaves out of your pool water, keeping it nice and clean when you’re not enjoying a dip in the pool. The cover is easy to install and take off since there are no anchors or other permanent fasteners to contend with. It’s also a budget-friendly option, although that may mean its thinner PVC material may not hold up for multiple seasons.

Product Details: Type: Winter | Size: 72 x 120 inches | Material: PVC | Recommended Pool Type: Inflatable pools

If you don’t want rain or water to pass through your pool cover during winter, this is the best choice for in-ground pools.

You’ll need to buy water tubes to install the cover.

Pool safety is important, and so is keeping your pool clean. This includes preventing rain and snow from entering the swimming pool, knocking its chemistry off balance. If you don’t have little ones at the pool very often, then this winter cover is going to be a great option for you.

Use this cover during the winter when you’re not swimming in or otherwise enjoying the pool. This polyethylene pool cover is solid rather than woven or mesh, so it won’t let water through it. Plus, its seams are sealed with heat, providing even more protection from precipitation. The top of the cover is treated with a coating that resists damage from the sun’s rays.

Though the cover comes complete with water tube loops for easy installation, the water tubes that hold the cover in place must be purchased separately. (It’s designed to work with the water tubes because the cover floats on the water.) To that end, be sure to go up in size if your pool has steps or a seat to allow the cover to float on the pool water. The 12 different cover sizes make it easy to find something that will cover your pool.

Product Details: Type: Winter | Size: 14 sizes from 12 x 14 feet to 30 x 60 feet | Material: Polyethylene | Recommended Pool Type: In-ground

The Vevor Pool Safety Cover is our pick for the best overall pool cover for its safety features and durability. If you’re shopping on a budget, try the Winter Block Aboveground Pool Winter Cover.

When shopping for the best pool cover, you’ll spot a few different types, including safety, mesh, solar, winter, and automatic covers.

Safety covers—which may also be called pin down covers or safety mesh covers—are made from vinyl or mesh and are “specifically designed to withstand the weight of an animal or child,” according to Ashley Murphy, merchant of fire and pool at The Home Depot. Dr. Claudia Duncan, CEO of Professional Pool Management, adds that safety covers need to be installed by a professional.

If a mesh cover isn’t specified as a safety cover, it’s main purpose is to keep the pool clean. “Mesh pool covers are designed to keep debris out of the pool while allowing rainwater to pass through,” Murphy says. “They are made from woven fabric with small openings that block leaves, twigs and other debris from entering the pool.”

Solar covers, meanwhile, are typically chosen to raise the temperature of pool water and will not hold up to any weight. “Solar pool covers are designed to harness the sun's energy to heat the pool water,” Murphy says. “These covers are usually made of a lightweight and durable material that floats on the pool's surface.” Dr. Duncan adds, “When installed, some debris may still get into the pool and they will not hold the weight of even a small dog, especially if they are near the edge of the cover.”

Dr. Duncan also mentions that winter covers are another type of pool cover, which are usually less expensive. They’re useful for keeping debris out of the pool but will not keep out children or pets, so don’t rely on them as safety covers.

While searching for the best pool cover for your pool, you may come across automatic pool covers. These are another convenient option because they’ll allow you to operate the cover with a button or switch. That also means they’re more expensive. Dr. Duncan notes, “They provide good protection in terms of children or pets getting in the pool.” She also explains they have many other benefits, noting that “they can prevent heat loss in cooler weather or climates, keep the pool free of debris, reduce evaporation and can decrease the amount of chemicals needed.”

When it comes to the size of your pool cover, Michael Dean, founder of Pool Research, says it’s “pretty straightforward.” Choose a pool cover that fits both the size and the shape of your pool. Those with freeform-shaped pools “may need multiple covers, a custom cover, or just one big enough to cover all the freeform edges.”

Several materials exist for pool covers. Dean tells us the least expensive option will be a “thin, tarp-like material, and it’s cheap for a reason.” It’s not very durable, so he advises against it if you’re looking for a safety cover or pools located in “extreme climates.”

Dean adds that mesh covers are popular; they’re more durable than tarp-style covers, and they protect from debris. He says they can be a decent option for pools indoors. However, he adds that they don’t offer much protection from the sun, and they let water through, “which can mess with your pool chemistry pretty badly.”

Vinyl pool covers are another common cover material, and they come in varying thicknesses. Depending on how thick the material is, vinyl covers are typically used in higher quality winter and safety covers. Dean says, “I recommend it for most pool owners since it will save you safety headaches and some maintenance costs over time.”

You’ll want to pay attention to whether a cover is meant for above-ground or in-ground pools, Dean says. “There are companies that design covers specifically for one or the other, so read the details carefully to make sure it lines up with the pool you have.”

A safety cover is “physically anchored to your pool deck,” according to Dean. He notes they’re one of the safer choices if you have children at the pool. Winter covers, on the other hand, are generally designed to block UV light, protect against harsh weather, and keep out debris when the pool isn’t in use.

Dr. Duncan explains that “thickness varies by type with winter covers being the thinnest.” Murphy elaborates, “For basic debris and leaf protection, a thinner cover would suffice.” However, she adds, “Thicker pool covers are better at trapping heat, thus helping to maintain water temperature and reduce heating costs. They are also more durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions."

When it comes to how tight a pool cover should be, “safety covers are the only ones that will actually be tight,” Dr. Duncan says. She adds that a tighter-fitting pool cover is best for keeping debris from the pool. When it comes to winter covers on the other hand, she advises, “There should be some slack in the cover which will allow some water to accumulate on it during the off season.” She explains that this water helps to keep the cover where it belongs.

This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance lifestyle and travel writer whose work has been published with several Dotdash Meredith brands. To create this list, she researched various types of pool covers and contacted Michael Dean, founder of Pool Research, Dr. Claudia Duncan, CEO, Professional Pool Management, and Ashley Murphy, merchant of fire and pool at Home Depot, for additional insight.