What is the best brand of solar pool covers?

The best solar pool covers help you keep your swimming pool warm, clean, and free of pollutants and insects. As it can be quite challenging and expensive to maintain a swimming pool, these covers come in handy—they are cost-effective and use sunlight to warm the pool.

Solar pool covers improve thermal insulation performance and minimize water loss with less energy consumption. You may install solar covers of any size or shape on swimming pools.

Keep reading as we list some quality solar pool covers of various sizes, shapes, colors, and thicknesses. We also give you a few tips on choosing the right solar pool covers.

Our Top Picks

Best Easy-To-Operate:Automatic Solar Blanket Cover Reel-Roller

Best Sturdy Design:Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover

Best UV-Resistant Materials:Robelle 1836RS-8 Box Heavy-Duty Solar Cover

Best Thick:In The Swim 1632D Midsol Rectangle Solar Blanket Cover

Best Lightweight:Intex Solar Cover for Easy Set and Frame Pools

Best Easy To Place And Remove:Solar Sun Rings SSR1 Swimming Pool Spa Heater 21K BTU Cover

Best For Extreme Weather Conditions:Skyfiree Wide Pool Reel Cover

Best For Reducing Chemical Content:Colibrox Swimming Pool Solar Reel Protective Cover

Best Anti-Tear:Blue Wave NS520 14-Mil Solar Blanket

Best For Windy Days: Intex Solar Cover for Frame Pools

13 Best Solar Covers For Inground Pools

1. Best Easy-To-Operate:Automatic Solar Blanket Cover Reel/Roller

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The motorized cordless pool reel is independent of grid-energy and uses solar energy to work. This environment-friendly cover from Solar-Lakes can roll up a ¼in thick solar blanket from a 20x40in in-ground swimming pool in one minute. You can use the cover two to three times a day without using any external power source and continuously for three to four days.
The package includes a motorized unit with a solar panel, battery, waterproof handheld remote controller, and a battery charger for winter storage. The product comes with a year-long manufacturer’s warranty. It weighs 50lb and measures 24x18x8in. Learn more about this product in this video.

• Offers safety from electrocution
• Easy to operate
• Helps control humidity and heat
• Motor handles the size and weight of the cover efficiently
• Automatic
• Saves time

• Moisture may get into the base of the motor

2. Best Sturdy Design:Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover

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The blue solar cover is a heat-retaining blanket of bubbles that can easily cover your in-ground or over-ground swimming pool. The 16x32ft long rectangular cover retains heat in the film bubbles to prevent 95% of pool water from evaporating. You can cut the film according to the pool’s size and shape and spread the sheet on your pool with the bubbles facing down. This video will provide you with added insights about the product.

Pros

• Well-written instructions
• Saves water
• Helps keep the pool clean
• Sturdy and durable material
• Heats using UV light

Cons

• Removing the cover may be time-consuming

3. Best UV-Resistant Materials:Robelle 1836RS-8 Box Heavy-Duty Solar Cover

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The blue heavy-duty polyethylene solar cover is made of bubbles to trap solar heat and keep your pool warm. Putting the cover on the pool increases the pool’s temperature and reduces water evaporation and chemical consumption. The material is resistant to UV rays, and the cover measures 18x36ft and weighs 28.3lb.

Pros

• No assembly required
• Well-built
• Easy to roll up
• Durable

Cons

• Moisture may build up in the bubbles

4. Best Thick:In The Swim 1632D Midsol Rectangle Solar Blanket Cover

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The high-quality solar blanket cover is ideal for protecting your swimming pool from pollutants and maintaining up to 8-10 degrees of heat under continuous sunlight for five to seven days. The cover is made of lightweight and durable polyethylene material that can be easily cut into the pool’s shape with scissors. The cover measures 16x32ft and weighs 30.6lb.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Reduces water evaporation and chemical loss
• Cover is thick
• Easy to roll
• Sturdy
• The black lining avoids algae formation
• Seven-year warranty

Cons

• Bubbles may attract moisture over time

5. Best Heat-Retaining: BigXWell Solar Pool Cover

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Made of thousands of blue bubble membranes, this pool cover helps retain your pool’s temperature during the summers and winters. It also protects the pool from dust and debris for easy maintenance and prevents water evaporation by 95%. Thus, it ensures there is less water wastage when you swim. This cover is made from PE and is non-toxic and safe for use. It enhances the pool’s lifespan and protects it from corrosion and damage.

Pros

• Eco-friendly
• Anti-seismic pressure
• Anti-ultraviolet
• Easy-to-trim

Cons

• May be too thin

6. Best Lightweight:Intex Solar Cover for Easy Set and Frame Pools

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The circular solar cover measuring 16ft in diameter is ideal for small easy set pools. It helps protect your swimming pool from debris and is designed with central drainage holes to avoid rainwater pooling. The product measures 192x192x0.1in and weighs 1lb.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Reduces water evaporation by 95%

Cons

• May not be thick enough

7. Best Easy To Place And Remove:Solar Sun Rings SSR1 Swimming Pool Spa Heater 21K BTU Cover

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This solar cover is a swimming pool heating device made of two UV-resistant vinyl sheets. The cover’s upper transparent layer contains insulating air and focuses sunlight on the lower blue layer, while the lower layer absorbs 50% of the sunlight and converts it into heat. The cover forms an insulating jacket to retain heat in the pool. It measures 11×8.5×1.5inand weighs 2.5lb. The magnets at the corners hold the rings together to keep the cover in place.

Pros

• Can be placed or removed easily within minutes
• Grommets in the inner grid allow water drainage
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Easy to use and set up
• Warms the water very well

Cons

• May develop leaks

8. Best For Extreme Weather Conditions:Skyfiree Wide Pool Reel Cover

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The 16-foot long solar blanket made of 210D waterproof fabric can keep your swimming pool warm and protect it from UV radiation, wind, or extreme weather conditions. You can quickly close or remove the cover using the attached drawstring and Velcro tape. The cover measures 37x16ft and weighs 10.9oz.

Pros

• Durable
• Strong material
• Easy installation
• Easy to use
• Lightweight

Cons

• May not fit well in every pool
• Measurements may not be accurate

9. Best For Reducing Chemical Content:Colibrox Swimming Pool Solar Reel Protective Cover

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Colibrox offers a heavy-duty, high-quality solar cover made of polyethylene with a firm sutured handle and adjustable Velcro straps. It takes less than one minute to install the 18-foot-wide rectangular ground pool reel cover. You can trim the cover with scissors to fit the swimming pool and completely protect it from harmful ultraviolet rays, wind, and dust.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Reduces water evaporation
• Reduces chemical content
• Lightweight

Cons

• Strap may not be very durable

10. Best Anti-Tear:Blue Wave NS520 14-Mil Solar Blanket

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The transparent 14mm Blue Wave solar blanket warms your rectangular in-ground pool as the air bubbles in the sheet form an insulating layer. The bubbles absorb the sun’s heat and then naturally transfer the heat to the swimming pool water, raising the temperature by 15 degrees. The blanket is UV-resistant and chemical-resistant and measures 16x32ft. The product weighs 32 pounds.

Pros

• Prevents up to 95% water evaporation
• Sturdy
• Easy to cut
• Anti-tear
• Durable
• Retains heat effectively
• Easy to fit
• Comes with a six-year warranty

Cons

• May be a tad thin

11. Best For Windy Days:Intex Solar Cover for Frame Pools

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The Intex solar cover is made of 160-micron material and is designed to keep the swimming pool water warm and free of debris and chemicals. The 18x9ft cover can insulate the swimming pool water and reduce water evaporation by 95%. The product weighs 5.4lb.

Pros

• Fits well
• Easy to install and remove
• Stays on well even on windy days

Cons

• Light and thin material

12. Doheny’s Rectangular Solar Cover

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The transparent rectangular solar cover retains heat by trapping solar energy in bubbles and transferring it to the water to keep it warm. It reduces evaporation and helps keep the pool clean. The 20x40ft and 16mm cover comes with a two-year warranty.

Pros

• Heavy-duty
• Durable
• Easy to cut as per the size of the pool
• Easy to install and remove

Cons

• May not be very durable

13. Best Reusable:Labworkauto Solar Pool Cover

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The blue round/oval solar blanket with a thickness of 12mm is made of high-quality PE and is designed to retain heat for insulation and minimize water evaporation by 95%. It also protects your swimming pool from dirt, debris, and tiny bubbles and keeps the swimming pool water warm. The product weighs 21.7lband measures 26.38×25.59×17.72in.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Easy to cut as per the pool-size
• Reusable

Cons

• May not be ideal for rectangular or square pools

How To Choose The Right Solar Pool Covers?

Before purchasing a solar cover for an in-ground swimming pool, consider the following factors:

1. Thickness of the solar blanket: A thin solar cover can allow heat to pass through, while a thicker cover can help retain heat while resisting wind. Generally, a solar cover with a 12mm thickness is ideal.
2. Color: Solar covers in dark colors can retain more heat and resist the sun’s effect on swimming pool chemicals.
3. Shape and size of the pool: It is easy to find a solar cover for all shapes of pools, including rectangle, square, or round. If your swimming pool is large, you may have to consider the solar cover’s size and trim it according to the pool shape.

Why Trust MomJunction?

After considering the quality, latest features, and safety, we have compiled this list of the best solar pool covers for inground pools. These pool covers will help keep your pools warm and free of pollutants or insects. We have chosen these solar pool covers as they are sturdy and durable and considered user reviews on various e-commerce sites to help you make an informed choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does a solar pool cover last?

Typically, a solar pool cover lasts two to three years with proper care and maintenance. The durability of the cover also depends on your pool’s chlorine level and sun exposure.

2. How long can I leave the solar cover on the pool?

It is recommended not to leave the solar cover on the pool for more than a week. Leaving it for a longer time might change the quality of the water.

3. Should I cover my pool every night?

Yes, you should cover your pool every night to prevent evaporation. It also helps decrease the pool cleaning time.

4. Can I run a pump with a pool cover on?

Yes, you can run a pump with a pool cover on. The pool cover does not interfere with the pump while it circulates water.

5. Should I cover my pool when it’s raining?

It is recommended not to cover your pool during a downpour. However, you should cover it when it’s drizzling to prevent the water from becoming acidic due to the rain.

6. Does leaving a pool cover on the pool cause algae formation?

No, leaving a pool cover on a clean pool does not cause algae formation. However, leaving the pool cover on for a longer time might cause algae formation.

7. How long does it take for a pool to warm up with a solar cover?

It depends on the initial water temperature, weather conditions, and the quality of the pool cover. On a sunny day, a solar pool cover can warm up the water by five to ten degrees in 12 hours.

If you think maintaining an inground swimming pool is challenging since you have to keep it warm and pollutant-free, then our list of the best solar pool covers is what you need. The solar pool covers listed in this article have been chosen after thorough research to ensure they are easy to use and durable. An ideal pool cover will not attract moisture over time or prevent water evaporation. While picking, don’t forget to consider the size and shape of your swimming pool to get the right one.

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