Tired of paying your water, heat bills, and buying a lot of chemicals for your pool? Or don’t you want to clean the pool of leaves and debris too often? For people who have their own pool, maintenance is often difficult and costly. But did you know that many difficulties can be solved by purchasing a solar pool cover?
Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover
Winner in the category:
The Best Warming-up The Pool
In this article, we have listed 5 reasons why a solar cover is a great and beneficial purchase. Also, with the help of unique research, we have selected the 6 best models of solar covers, each of which will best satisfy the needs of pool owners.
So let’s take a closer look at the top 6 best solar covers for above-ground and in-ground pools.
Comparison table: 6 best solar pool covers
Model Characteristics The Best Warming-up The Pool Intex - Rectangular Solar Cover
Type: Rectangular
Available sizes: 18 ft x 9 ft
Thickness: 6.3 mil
Benefits
- Helps to heat up and keep the pool warm
- Helps to reduce water evaporation by up to 95%
- Made of durable material (PVC)
- Easy to put on and take off alone without any problem
Jump to the detailed review The Most Efficient Heat Retention Sun2Solar - Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series
Type: Round
Available sizes: 8-Foot; 12-Foot; 15-Foot; 16-Foot;
18-Foot; 24-Foot; 27-Foot
Thickness: 16 mil
Benefits
- The best helper in keeping water warm
- Promotes an increase in the temperature of the water in the pool up to 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made from high quality 16 mil polymer
- UV-resistant
Jump to the detailed review The Best Protection Against Insects/Animals/Plants Blue Wave - NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket
Type: Rectangular
Available sizes: 12-ft x 24-ft; 14-ft x 28-ft; 16-ft x 32-ft; 18-ft x 36-ft; 20-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 44-ft
Thickness: 14 mil
Benefits
- Able to increase the water temperature up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made from durable 14 mil polymer
- Chemical resistant, so the agents added to clean the pool will not damage the cover
- Easy to cut to exact fit
Jump to the detailed review The Most Wind-Resistant Intex - Solar Cover
Type: Round
Available sizes: 9.5 ft; 12 ft; 15 ft
Thickness: 9.5 ft - 5 mil; 12 ft - 5 mil; 15 ft - 6 mil
Benefits
- Protects the pool and keeps the water warm in bad weather conditions
- Helps to reduce water evaporation by up to 95%
- Has draining holes that allow water that accumulates on the surface of the solar cover to exit back into the pool
- Lightweight
Jump to the detailed review The Best Water Level Retention Sun2Solar - Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series
Type: Round
Available sizes: 4-ft x 8-ft; 12-ft x 20-ft; 12-ft x 24-ft; 12-ft x 32-ft; 14-ft x 28-ft; 15-ft x 30-ft; 16-ft x 24-ft; 16-ft x 32-ft; 16-ft x 36-ft; 16-ft x 40-ft; 18-ft x 34-ft; 18-ft x 36-ft; 18-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 50-ft; 22-ft x 44-ft; 24-ft x 40-ft;24-ft x 44-ft; 25-ft x 45-ft; 25-ft x 50-ft
Thickness: 16 mil
Benefits
- Reduces evaporation by up to 95%
- Durable and resistant to rainy and windy weather
- Has 20 size options so it will fit any pool
- Available in blue and transparent colors
Jump to the detailed review The Easiest To Adjust To Pool Size Sun2Solar - Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series
Type: Rectangular
Available sizes: 4-ft x 8-ft; 12-ft x 20-ft; 12-ft x 24-ft; 14-ft x 28-ft; 15-ft x 27-ft; 15-ft x 30-ft; 16-ft x 32-ft; 16-ft x 34-ft; 16-ft x 36-ft; 16-ft x 40-ft; 18-ft x 34-ft; 18-ft x 36-ft; 18-ft x 38-ft; 18-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 44-ft; 20-ft x 45-ft; 20-ft x 50-ft; 22-ft x 44-ft; 24-ft x 40-ft; 24-ft x 44-ft; 25-ft x 45-ft; 25-ft x 50-ft; 30-ft x 50-ft 12-ft x 18-ft;
Thickness: 12 mil
Benefits
- Easy to cut to an exact fit just using a scissors
- Provides fast and efficient heating of water
- Has the largest selection of sizes, consisting of 25 options
- Available in blue and transparent colors
Jump to the detailed review
Why trust us
Our main goal is to provide readers with unique and detailed research to facilitate the cover selection process.
We have researched the solar cover market and selected the 10 most popular models. Next, we studied over 100 customer reviews and identified the best solar covers’ main criteria. Based on the data obtained, we have selected the top 6 of the most effective solar covers that will best meet the needs of customers.
Why you need a solar pool cover
The solar cover is a protective bubble wrap that is placed on the surface of the pool water. There are covers in different shapes, colors, and thicknesses. This item is necessary for all pool owners, as it performs the following functions:
- Warming-up the pool
The cover has a lot of air bubbles, which retain the heat of the sun and transfer it to the water in the pool, thereby heating it.
Thanks to the solar cover, people living in sunny regions may no longer use the heater, and others can use it much less. You can also enjoy swimming in warm water even in bad weather.
- Heat retention
Most of the heat in the pool water is lost through evaporation. In turn, solar covers let in sunlight, which heats the water, and air bubbles in the cover create an insulating layer that prevents heat from evaporating.
- Water level retention
Solar covers notably reduce water evaporation. This means that you will need to add water to the pool much less often, and your water bills will decrease.
- Saving money on chemicals
Chemicals also evaporate. The presence of a solar cover notably reduces the loss of chemicals, which saves you money.
- Protection from insects/plants/leaves/dirt
Since the solar cover is on the surface of almost the entire pool, significantly less dirt, insects, leaves, etc. get into it. This makes it possible to clean the pool much less frequently.
A detailed review of each model
Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover — the best warming-up the pool
Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover
Category winner:
The best warming-up the pool
| Type: | Rectangular |
| Available sizes: | 18 ft x 9 ft |
| Thickness: | 6.3 mil |
| Absolute winner at: | Warming-up the pool Easy to put on and take off |
| Good at: | Keeping water level Water heat retention Protection from debris/animals/plants |
Pros
- Helps to heat up and keep the pool warm
- Helps to reduce water evaporation by up to 95%
- Made of durable material (PVC)
- Easy to put on and take off alone without any problem
Cons
- Only available in one color (blue)
Are you looking for a solar cover that will help heat the pool to a comfortable temperature for swimming? Then we advise you to pay attention to the Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover. PVC, from which it is made, accumulates solar heat and transfers it to water, which allows you to quickly and efficiently heat the water in the pool and enjoy swimming. This cover has a porous structure that allows not only to heat the pool but also to retain heat.
You do not have to worry if you leave the cover in the sun for a long time, because it is resistant to ultraviolet rays. Also, it will help you avoid getting dirt, insects, leaves, etc. into the pool.
This cover is only available in blue color, so if you want a transparent cover, we recommend paying attention to Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series.
Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the most efficient heat retention
Sun2Solar – Round Solar
Cover | 1600 Series
Category winner:
The most efficient heat retention
| Type: | Round |
| Available sizes: | 8-Foot; 12-Foot; 15-Foot; 16-Foot; 18-Foot; 24-Foot; 27-Foot |
| Thickness: | 16 mil |
| Absolute winner at: | Water heat retention Durability High quality |
| Good at: | Warming-up the pool Wind resistance |
Pros
- The best helper in keeping water warm
- Promotes an increase in the temperature of the water in the pool up to 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made from high-quality 16 mil polymer
- UV-resistant
Cons
- Heavy
We mentioned heating the pool in Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover (review). But it is important not only to increase the temperature of water in the pool, but also to keep the heat, and Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series will be the best helper in this. This cover allows the sun’s rays to penetrate deep into the water, and the 16-mil thick polymer creates a powerful protective layer, significantly reducing evaporation. Also, this cover neutralizes the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, which often causes water bloom.
Despite its rather heavyweight, this cover will serve you for a very long time and will delight you with warm and clean water due to its material density and high quality.
Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series is available in 7 sizes from 8 to 27 Foot. Also, you can choose blue or transparent colors.
Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket — the best protection against insects/animals/plants
Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket
Category winner:
The best protection against insects/animals/plants
| Type: | Rectangular |
| Available sizes: | 12-ft x 24-ft; 14-ft x 28-ft; 16-ft x 32-ft; 18-ft x 36-ft; 20-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 44-ft |
| Thickness: | 14 mil |
| Absolute winner at: | Protection against insects/animals/plants |
| Good at: | Warming-up the pool Water heat retention Thickness |
Pros
- Able to increase the water temperature up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made from durable 14 mil polymer
- Chemical resistant, so the agents added to clean the pool will not damage the cover
- Easy to cut to exact fit
Cons
- Only available in one color (transparent)
According to 40% of users, the Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket is the best helper in protecting the pool from dirt, leaves, plants, etc. It is made from a tough 14 mil polymer that is UV and chemical resistant, which makes the cover more long-lasting. The cover contains thousands of air bubbles that retain the sun’s heat and transfer it to water, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable swimming temperature at any time.
This cover significantly reduces water and chemical evaporation and can heat water up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, just like Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover (review).
Differently from Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series (review), this cover is only available in 6 sizes, but you can easily cut it to fit.
Intex – Solar Cover — the most wind-resistant
Intex – Solar Cover
Category winner:
The most wind-resistant
| Type: | Round |
| Available sizes: | 9.5 ft; 12 ft; 15 ft |
| Thickness: | 9.5 ft – 5 mil; 12 ft – 5 mil; 15 ft – 6 mil |
| Absolute winner at: | Wind-resistance |
| Good at: | Warming-up the pool Protection against insects/animals/plants Lightweight |
Pros
- Protects the pool and keeps the water warm in bad weather conditions
- Helps to reduce water evaporation by up to 95%
- Has draining holes that allow water that accumulates on the surface of the solar cover to exit back into the pool
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only available in blue
Do you live in a windy area and can’t find a cover that will be resistant to bad weather? Then we recommend that you pay attention to Intex – Solar Cover. Despite its lightweight, it will protect your pool even in strong winds. Also, in case of rain, the pool has drain holes, thanks to which water will not remain on the surface of the cover and it will not sink.
Another advantage of this cover is the heating of the water. It makes it possible to save money on the heater and enjoy a comfortable water temperature even on cool days. Also this cover, like Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover (review), reduces water evaporation by up to 95%.
This model is an excellent choice for round pools. A nice bonus is that the cover comes with a reusable storage bag.
Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the best water level retention
Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar
Cover | 1600 Series
Category winner:
The best water level retention
| Type: | Rectangular |
| Available sizes: | 4-ft x 8-ft; 12-ft x 20-ft; 12-ft x 24-ft; 12-ft x 32-ft; 14-ft x 28-ft; 15-ft x 30-ft; 16-ft x 24-ft; 16-ft x 32-ft; 16-ft x 36-ft; 16-ft x 40-ft; 18-ft x 34-ft; 18-ft x 36-ft; 18-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 50-ft; 22-ft x 44-ft; 24-ft x 40-ft; 24-ft x 44-ft; 25-ft x 45-ft; 25-ft x 50-ft |
| Thickness: | 16 mil |
| Absolute winner at: | Water level retention Saving chemicals |
| Good at: | Warming-up the pool Water heat retention Wind-resistance |
Pros
- Significantly reduces evaporation
- Durable and resistant to rainy and windy weather
- 20 sizes options
- Available in blue and transparent colors
Cons
- May fade slightly with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
Tired of constantly adding water to your pool and paying big bills? Then we recommend that you pay attention to Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series. Its 16 mil density and a large number of air bubbles greatly reduce water evaporation, which not only saves water but also saves chemicals and heats the pool, extending your swimming season.
It may not withstand the storm like the Intex – Solar Cover (review), but it can be used in rainy and windy weather without a doubt, during which time it will still effectively keep water warm.
This cover is available in 20 size options and two colors: blue and transparent. We recommend choosing transparent color as it allows more sunlight to pass through. Also, note that medium to large covers are quite heavy and may require several people to put on and take off.
Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series — the easiest to adjust to pool size
Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar
Cover | 1200 Series
Category winner:
The easiest to adjust to pool size
| Type: | Rectangular |
| Available sizes: | 4-ft x 8-ft; 12-ft x 18-ft; 12-ft x 20-ft; 12-ft x 24-ft; 14-ft x 28-ft; 15-ft x 27-ft; 15-ft x 30-ft; 16-ft x 32-ft; 16-ft x 34-ft; 16-ft x 36-ft; 16-ft x 40-ft; 18-ft x 34-ft; 18-ft x 36-ft; 18-ft x 38-ft; 18-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 40-ft; 20-ft x 44-ft; 20-ft x 45-ft; 20-ft x 50-ft; 22-ft x 44-ft; 24-ft x 40-ft; 24-ft x 44-ft; 25-ft x 45-ft; 25-ft x 50-ft; 30-ft x 50-ft |
| Thickness: | 12 mil |
| Absolute winner at: | Ease to adjust to the size of the pool |
| Good at: | Water heat retention Warming-up the pool High-quality |
Pros
- Easy to cut to an exact fit using a scissors
- Provides fast and efficient heating of water
- 25 sizes options
- Available in blue and transparent colors
Cons
- No drain holes provided
Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series is the most versatile cover as you can easily cut it to exact fit even if your pool has an atypical form. Although thinner than Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series (review), this cover is quite dense and durable. Also, it can be put on and off without difficulty.
This cover helps to reduce evaporation by up to 95%, so the water will quickly warming-up, and the heat will remain for a long time. Also, its advantage is protection from dirt, leaves, insects, etc. This will allow you to spend much less time cleaning your pool.
Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series has the largest number of size options, so you can certainly find the right one. You can also choose a clear or blue color for the cover.
Accessories to make using the solar pool cover the most comfortable
Some things can help you enjoy using the cover more. Below are the best solar pool cover accessories:
Solar Cover Attachment Kit
Solar cover attachment kit easily attaches your solar cover to the solar reel system. This makes it easy to fold and unfold the solar cover.
Sun2Solar Solar Reel Attachment Strap Kit
– Can be used for any in-ground or above-ground reel system
– All necessary details and instructions are included in the kit
– Easy to install
– Durable
Reel system
The solar cover reel system is a giant coil to which one edge of the solar cover is attached using special straps. It allows you to easily deploy and store solar pool cover.
VINGLI Pool Cover Reel Set
– Suitable for swimming pools of any shape
– Features embedded strap link construction
– Has a lockable telescopic tube that prevents shaking in the process of use
– Stainless steel legs will not rust even in bad weather conditions
Quick Drain Grommet System
The Quick Drain Grommet System is small holes protected by heavy-duty grommets that allow water that accumulates on the surface of the solar cover to exit back into the pool.
Sun2Solar Quick Drain Grommet Kit
– Includes 6 individual pieces for any size cover
– Extends the lifespan of the solar cover by eliminating excess weight on its surface
– Anchors the cover for windy days
– Easy to install
Summary
A solar cover is the best solution for heating your pool without paying large heater bills. Also, it has many other useful functions, such as keeping the heat, keeping the water level, protecting from insects/plants/leaves/dirt, saving chemicals, etc.
When choosing a solar cover, we recommend paying attention to its size, shape, color, and thickness. We also recommend getting a reel system and a kit of solar cover attachments for even more comfortable use of the cover. If the model of the cover you have selected does not have drain holes, you can purchase the quick drain grommet system.
FAQs
⚪ Is a blue or clear solar pool cover better?
We recommend choosing transparent solar covers, as they allow deeper penetration of sunlight, and therefore heat the water in the pool more strongly. We recommend that you pay attention to the following transparent color models:
– Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the best water level retention
– Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket — the best protection against insects/animals/plants
– Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the most efficient heat retention
– Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series — the easiest to adjust to pool size
You can find more information about these products in our article.
🌡️ Do solar pool covers warm the water?
Yes, solar covers are very effective for heating water. They are translucent and therefore transmit sunlight and heat water. Air bubbles on the cover create an insulating layer, preventing heat from evaporating. Solar cover can heat the pool by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit.
We recommend the following models of solar covers for the most effective heating of the pool:
– Intex – Rectangular Solar Cover — the best warming-up the pool
– Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the most efficient heat retention
– Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the best water level retention
– Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket — the best protection against insects/animals/plants
These models are described in detail in our article.
👍 Are pool solar covers worth it?
Yes, because they perform many useful functions, such as: heating the water in the pool, reducing evaporation of water, heat, and chemicals, protecting against plants/leaves/debris, preventing water blooms, and so on.
We recommend paying attention to the following models:
– Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series — the easiest to adjust to pool size
– Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket — the best protection against insects/animals/plants
– Intex – Solar Cover — the most wind-resistant
– Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the most efficient heat retention
These models of solar covers are described in detail in our article.
🌅 What should I look for when buying a solar pool cover?
When choosing a solar cover, we recommend paying attention to its size, color, thickness, and shape.
The following models are some of the best solar covers available:
– Sun2Solar – Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series — the easiest to adjust to pool size
– Blue Wave – NS510 14-Mil Solar Blanket — the best protection against insects/animals/plants
– Intex – Solar Cover — the most wind-resistant
– Sun2Solar – Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series — the most efficient heat retention
These models of solar covers are described in detail in our article.
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