Having a well-insulated pool means you’ll be spending a lot less on heating your water back up when you want to take a dip, and there is a range of different thicknesses to choose from to find the cover that’s perfect for you. We would recommend picking out a cover that ranges between 12 and 16 millimeters, to get the quality you need. We’ve handpicked the best solar pool covers below so you can compare all of your options depending on the features you need. Looking for durability? Or maybe you need a cover that’s easy to take off? We’ve got you covered on all bases so that you can retain heat all year round, and use your cover hand in hand with the best pool heaters. While you’re here, why not stock up on all of your outdoor essentials with the best pool alarms (opens in new tab) too?
The best solar pool covers
1. In The Swim Ultra 16 Mil Solar Cover: The best solar pool cover overall
The In The Swim Ultra 16 Mil Solar Cover is thick and durable, so it’s sure to withstand nature and keep your pool safe, clean, and warm. This solar pool cover is round-shaped and it has been designed to protect your pool and keep the water warm. The top layer of this blanket is made of polyethylene while the aluminized bottom layer with its tiny air-filled pockets keeps your water insulated. Your pool can be a full 10 to 15 degrees warmer thanks to this thick blanket. The aluminized bottom layer reflects heat back into the water so you’re not going to waste any sunlight. This solar pool cover is excellent value for money considering its eight-year warranty and thickness of it. There aren’t many reviews for this cover, however, one user described it as ‘heavy-duty’.
2. In The Swim Premium 12 Mil: The best round solar pool cover
The In The Swim Premium 12 Mil Solar Blanket is made of polyethylene and its thick material can raise the temperature of your pool by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This can really help cut heating costs. Raised air pockets on the surface of this thick blanket prevent your pool water from evaporating and protect it from things like falling tree branches or garbage - not to mention small, unwanted insect visitors. The air bubbles also trap heat and keep your pool warm. The thickness of this solar blanket means it’s pretty durable but the real winner is the impressive seven-year warranty to give you added peace of mind. This solar pool cover also has UV-stabilized resin to prevent excess damage from the sun. If your pool isn’t round, that’s not an issue either as you can cut this pool cover to size. While there aren’t many reviews for the In The Swim 12 Mil Solar Pool Blanket, it scores an average of 4.5 out of five stars on the company’s website. Users state that it effectively warms the water.
3. Sun2Solar 1200 Series Solar Pool Cover: The best solar pool cover for in-ground pools
The Sun2Solar 1200 Series Solar Pool Cover is ideal for both in-ground and above-ground swimming pools. It’s oval-shaped, however, you can cut it to suit your pool accordingly and this won’t affect your warranty. The small air pockets on the underside of the blanket capture and send solar heat back into the water of your pool, keeping it warm even on cloudy days. You can choose a blue or clear blanket, however, we’d recommend the clear version as sunlight can travel directly into the water.
4. In The Swim Premium Plus: The best value solar pool cover
This solar blanket from In The Swim is 12-mil thick, so it’s going to easily keep your pool water warm. This particular model is oval-shaped, however, the brand does offer a range of shapes and sizes. With UV stabilized resin construction, it can withstand the sun’s rays, raising the temperature of your family pool up by 15 degrees. The small air bubbles on the bottom side of the blanket make it kind of look like bubble wrap, but bubbles paired with the thickness of the blanket work together to keep heat trapped in your pool and any bad weather. An impressive seven-year warranty comes with this solar pool cover, and the seams have been reinforced to prevent rips. The In The Swim Premium Plus has an average user rating of 4.6 out of five on its website. Users praised how well this pool cover kept their pool warm, and some also mentioned how well it kept debris out of the pool too. Some users criticized the pool cover, stating it didn’t raise the temperature of the water.
5. Blue Wave NS120: The best solar pool cover for removal
The Blue Wave NS120 is a solar pool blanket that is made up of small bubbles that insulate your swimming pool and can improve the temperature of your pool by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Since this solar pool cover is going to be directly in the sunlight, it’s made to be resistant to the wear and tear from UV radiation, along with the chemicals that you treat your pool water with. The Blue Wave solar pool cover is one of the pricier options in our round up, however, for what you pay, you do get a three-year warranty. This solar pool cover is round so obviously won’t be suitable for square pools, and it has been designed for above-ground swimming pools. It does, however, claim to prevent up ‘to 95% of pool water and chemical evaporation’. This means you won’t have to spend as much money or time replenishing your pool.
6. Thermo-Tex Pool Cover: The best lightweight solar pool cover
The Thermo-Tex Pool Cover aims to make your pool a more comfortable temperature in the summer and spring and works to keep you and your family safe in the winter months too. There’s an emphasis on quality with the Thermo-Tex Pool Cover, which is made from UV-stabilized polymers. That means that it can better withstand the elements, and any negative effects your pool chemicals may have. This cover is particularly good for those who use their pool a lot, as the lightweight design makes gaining access to your pool a lot easier. If you think you’ll be covering up your pool on your own too, then it will make maneuvering run a lot smoother. User reviews are overwhelmingly positive about this Thermo-Tex Pool Cover, with many commenting on the noticeable difference it makes to their pool temperatures. One reviewer stated that this cover has also helped to prevent algae growth as there was less water evaporating within their pool. It’s good to know there’s also a three-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
What to look for in a solar pool cover
The bare minimum your solar pool cover should do is keep your pool’s temperature from severely dropping by retaining the sun’s heat. Thickness and insulation are also essential so that there is less water evaporation occurring inside the pool. You also want a cover that’s going to keep the direct sunlight from draining the chemicals that are working to clean your pool, as you’ll have to top those up more if not, and run the risk of algae growing in their absence. Safety should be another crucial concern when looking for a pool cover. Options that are easy to put on correctly will save you from accidentally leaving your pool unprotected, and importantly keep your pets and loved ones safe. Make sure that if your child or an animal were to step on top of your cover accidentally that it would be able to support their weight. Thickness is the last factor to think about on your buying journey. Whilst a thicker cover will do a better job at retaining heat, these do tend to be more expensive, and more of a task to take on and off.
