Best Solar Pool Cover | Best4YourHome’s Guide To The Top Solar Pool Covers
Looking for a way to affordably maintain warmer pool temperatures? This guide helps you find the best solar pool cover on the market right now.
There is nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in a nice, cool swimming pool after a long, hot summer day. Although a cool swimming pool can be a relief on the hottest summer days, taking a dive in cold swimming pool water is uncomfortable, and it can even be dangerous. A chilly swimming pool can lead to many complications for swimmers. Even during the warmest months of the year, the temperature of a backyard swimming pool may only reach up to 75 degrees. Although that may seem warm enough, 75 degrees is actually too cold for swimming according to most people. 75 degrees is a fairly warm air temperature, but our bodies react differently to the temperature in regards to water.
Because of the risks associated with swimming in chilly water, it is important to control the temperature of your swimming pool in order to prevent it from getting too cold or too hot. The best temperature for swimming largely depends on the age, weight, and body type of each particular swimmer. Swimmers from colder climates may be able to withstand cooler temperatures than those who are used to warmer temperatures.
Swimming in chilly water can be detrimental to the health of babies, children, and elderly swimmers, who require a water temperature ranging from 82 to 86 degrees for safe swimming. Pregnant women also have special water temperature requirements. The suggested water temperature for pregnant swimmers is between 78 and 84 degrees. Swimmers with larger body types are another group that requires warmer water temperatures. The best water temperature for individuals of larger body types ranges between 80 and 86 degrees.
Your level of activity as a swimmer also plays a role in determining a safe water temperature. For example, high energy activities, such as swimming laps and racing, require temperatures ranging from 78 to 82 degrees. While low energy swimming pool activities such as wading or floating require higher water temperatures.
The High Risks of Cold Swimming
There are many risks associated with swimming in water that is too cold. The biggest risks include cold shock, hypothermia, and hyperthermia. Cold shock and hypothermia occur when your body experiences an unexpected drop in overall temperature. These illnesses can occur once water temperatures reach below 70 degrees. Even water temperatures above 70 degrees can be dangerous for swimmers whose bodies are not acclimated to colder temperatures. Longer swimming sessions can also result in a drop in overall body temperature.
Many people falsely believe that either increasing the intensity of your swimming or remaining outside for a longer period of time can reduce the risks of cold shock and hypothermia. However, purposefully trying to raise your body temperature can lead to the risk of hyperthermia, which occurs when the body overheats and is unable to cool itself.
Luckily, there are many options available for avoiding these risks and maintaining the temperature of your backyard swimming pool. One of the easiest, most affordable options is a solar pool cover. Solar pool covers are great for swimming pool owners who are searching for a low cost, yet high value method for heating their swimming pool. Also known as a solar blanket, a pool solar cover is a large sheet of plastic that works by 
trapping heat beneath its surface to increase your swimming pool’s water temperature.
Water evaporation causes 75% of all swimming pool heat loss. Pool covers provide a barrier that keeps evaporated water molecules from escaping into the air, which results in a loss of heat from the swimming pool’s water. Solar pool covers are available in a variety of different colors, sizes, and levels of thickness. Choosing the best solar pool cover for you will depend on your own personal needs and preferences.
Solar pool covers are arguably the most energy efficient and budget friendly swimming pool heating option. The best solar pool cover can reduce the cost of heating your swimming pool by up to 70%. Although the price of a pool solar cover differs based on factors such as the size of your swimming pool and the thickness of the pool solar cover, they are generally very affordable. Most solar pool covers will cost you between $20-$300. This is relatively cheap compared to the cost of purchasing a swimming pool heater, which can cost anywhere from $1,000-$5,000. A high quality solar pool cover can last for up to three years, which makes investing in a good pool solar cover a rewarding option.
Finding the Best Solar Pool Cover: Different Types to Consider
Pool solar covers are available in a variety of different sizes, thicknesses, and colors. The type of solar pool cover that you choose is largely dependent on how warm you want your swimming pool to be. Some of the thickest solar pool covers on the market can increase the temperature of your swimming pool by up to 15 degrees. However, if you simply want to increase the water temperature of your swimming pool by a few degrees, then a lightweight pool cover will be best for you.
There are a few types of solar pool covers that use different methods for heat retention:
Straight Line Vinyl Pool Covers
Straight line vinyl pool solar covers are large sheets of vinyl that float on the surface of your swimming pool. This type of pool solar cover inhibits evaporation and traps heat beneath its surface. This results in a warmer swimming pool for an extended period of time.
Insulated Vinyl Pool Covers
Insulated vinyl pool covers use a different method for trapping heat. This type of solar pool cover consists of multiple vinyl layers that are joined together by air pockets. Insulated vinyl pool covers stop heat from transferring from your pool to the air.
Pool Bubble Covers
This type of pool cover looks like a giant sheet of bubble wrap. With pool bubble covers, heat is trapped within the bubbles. The bubbles then transfer this heat to the water. The bubbles keep the heat from escaping into the atmosphere. Many of the swimming pool solar covers on our list our pool bubble covers.
Liquid Solar Pool Covers
Liquid solar pool covers are a new option for swimming pool owners who are looking to heat up their swimming pools. Using this liquid to cover your pool works through the use of a dispenser of non-toxic chemical that floats on the surface of your pool. The chemical in this option is supposed to be able to trap heat from the sun.
The Best Solar Pool Cover for Your Swimming Pool
There are many factors to consider when it comes to purchasing a pool solar cover. One of the biggest concerns of swimming pool owners purchasing solar pool covers for the first time is finding a pool cover based on the specific type of pool that they own. There are solar covers for inground pools and solar covers for above ground pools. Although some pool covers work best with certain pool types, there are also many solar pool covers that work for both.
Solar covers usually come in either a circular or rectangular shape. If you are purchasing a solar cover for an above ground pool, it is likely you will be purchasing a round solar pool cover. No matter the shape you decide to purchase, it is important to purchase a pool cover that is large enough to cover most of the surface of your swimming pool. A wide majority of swimming pool covers can be trimmed with scissors in order to fit any pool shape. So, it’s better to go bigger than smaller.
When it comes to color, you will most likely be deciding between a transparent or a tinted solar pool cover. Some people argue that a transparent solar pool cover can be more effective than a tinted one. Those who prefer transparent pool covers argue that tinted pool covers lower the temperature of your swimming pool in the same way that tinted windows can keep the temperature lower in a car.
Although some people believe that sunlight is more easily absorbed through transparent surfaces, others argue that tinted solar pool covers absorb more heat. The arguments for transparent and tinted pool covers are both valid, and for many pool owners, the chosen color comes down to personal color preferences.
Determining the level of thickness that the best solar pool cover for you should have depends on your own personal temperature preferences, For an extremely well insulated swimming pool you will need a thicker solar cover. Thick pool covers tend to have large bubbles underneath. Although thicker pool solar covers provide maximum insulation, they are heavier and more difficult to move around. For individuals who do not want the hassle of moving around a heavy solar pool cover, a lightweight cover may be a better option. For most people, thick solar pool covers work best with inground swimming pools.
The Best Solar Pool Cover: Our List
Now that you have learned more about the basics of solar pool covers, it is time to find the best solar pool cover for your swimming pool. You will want to keep in mind the level of heat you would like for your swimming pool to retain, your budget, and the size that you will need to adequately cover your pool. To make this process easier, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite solar pool covers on the market. These pool covers are top of the line and there are options that fit all types of swimming pools and shopping budgets.
1. Intex Solar Cover for Easy Set and Frame Pools
This Intex Solar Cover is perfect for medium-sized, above ground pools. This straight line solar pool cover is circular shaped and made of tough PVC plastic. The Intex Solar Cover for Easy Set and Frame Pools is perfect for those who are searching for a pool solar cover that is dependable and affordable.
This solar pool cover is top of the line when it comes to solar heat retention. The Intex Solar Cover maintains a consistent water heat by reducing water evaporation by up to 95 percent. This solar pool cover collects the sun’s heat by trapping it in the water. The Intex Solar Cover is made for 15 foot round swimming pools. It is available in the color blue.
This Intex Solar Cover is made of the tough PVC plastic that keeps your pool free from debris. This material is made to last throughout multiple swimming seasons. The Intex Solar Cover can last for up to two seasons under the summer sun. If a durable, affordable pool cover is what you have in mind, then the Intex Solar Cover is the best option for you.
The Intex Solar Cover is thin for those who want a modest increase in water temperature. The Intex Solar Cover can increase the temperature of your swimming pool by up to 10 degrees. At a weight of around 5.8 pounds, the Intex Solar Cover is lightweight and easy to place and remove. The pool cover fits slightly inside the edge of your swimming pool as it floats in place. When you’re not using your Intex Solar Cover, you can store it away in the accompanying storage bag that comes with the pool cover.
This solar pool cover is available in multiple sizes ranging from 10-18 feet in diameter. This solar pool cover can be purchased on Amazon for prices ranging between $20-$40.
Buy Intex Solar Cover for Easy Set and Frame Pools
2. Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover
If you’re looking for an attractive, water-efficient swimming pool heating option, then the Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover is one of the best solar pool cover options for you. The Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover is a visually appealing, blue pool bubble cover. These solar blankets use tiny bubbles to trap heat and warm the water in your swimming pool. The Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover even retains heat at night and on chilly, overcast days.
This solar pool cover’s ability to maintain its retained solar temperature for long periods of time makes it a very economical choice for swimming pool owners. This pool cover can be left on overnight to protect your swimming pool from debris and the cool, night air. The protective features of this swimming pool cover mean that you won’t have to refill your swimming pool as often as you normally would. This saves you money on your overall water and energy costs.
Although the Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover uses bubbles to retain heat it also minimizes water evaporation in the same way that straight line vinyl pool cover does to increase your swimming pool’s temperature. Sun2Solar’s Blue Rectangle Solar Cover can prevent up to 95% of swimming pool water evaporation. This reduced level of evaporation can save you money on water and energy costs by decreasing the frequency at which you need to fill up your swimming pool.
This swimming pool cover can be trimmed with scissors to easily fit most swimming pools. When trimming, always be sure to keep the side with the bubbles facing down. Trimming the Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover will not affect its warranty.
While this may not be the best solar pool cover for anyone who is on a tight budget, the Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover is well worth the investment if you can swing it. It can be purchased on Amazon for around $94.
Buy Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover
3. In The Swim Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar Blanket Cover
In The Swim’s Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar blanket is one of the best solar pool covers on the market. If you’re searching for a dependable pool solar cover with an average level of thickness, then this is a great choice for you. In The Swim’s Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar Cover has a thickness of 12 mils. This is a perfect middle ground when it comes to solar pool covers. This solar pool cover provides superb heat retention, without the bulk of a thicker solar pool cover.
This solar pool cover provides insulation for your swimming pool through the use of thousands of micro bubbles. These bubbles provide an even distribution of heat throughout the swimming pool. These swimming pool covers retain a comfortable, safe water temperature for your swimming pool. Within just a few weeks of use, this solar pool cover can increase your swimming pool’s water temperature by up to 15 degrees.
In The Swim’s Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar Blanket Cover comes pre-shaped, but it can easily be trimmed to suit a variety of swimming pool shapes. You can purchase a 16 x 32-foot pool cover by In The Swim on Amazon for $88.
Buy In The Swim Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar Blanket Cover
4. Intex Solar Cover for Rectangular Frame Pools
Another one of Intex’s budget friendly, top of the line swimming pool solar covers makes our list. If you are on a tight budget, but still want the advantages of using a pool solar cover, then this solar swimming pool cover should be at the top of your shopping list.
This pool solar cover by Intex is made for rectangular frame swimming pools. The Intex Solar Cover for Rectangular Frame Pools is made of a durable 160-micron material that protects your swimming pool from unwanted objects and retains the heat of your swimming pool’s water. With advanced heat retention abilities, this Intex Solar Cover distributes heat evenly throughout your swimming pool.
This durable swimming pool cover is able to withstand a variety of weather conditions. It is built to last for multiple summer seasons. The surface of this solar pool cover features heat retaining bubbles that keep the pool cover floating while in use and evenly distribute heat.
This solar pool cover is also designed with holes that provide ventilation. This design is perfect for swimming pool owners who live in rainy climates. The solar cover’s holes allow rainwater to pass through rather than creating puddles on top of the pool cover. This increases the lifespan of the Intex Solar Cover for Rectangular Frame Pools by preventing the damage that can be caused by the weight of heavy rain puddles on top of the pool cover.
Not only is this solar pool cover strategically designed, it is also affordable. This pool cover is available for a little more than $26. When it comes to affordability, the Intex Solar Cover for Rectangular Frame Pools is arguably the best solar pool cover.
Buy Intex Solar Cover for Rectangular Frame Pools
5. Harris Rectangle Solar Cover
Although it is one of the pricier swimming pool covers on our list, the Harris Rectangle Solar Cover provides an excellent value when it comes to heating your swimming pool. For those who are searching for a pool solar cover that can provide maximum heat retention without the cost of a swimming pool heater, the Harris Rectangle Solar Cover is the best solar pool cover on the market.
This rectangular solar pool cover has the ability to increase your swimming pool’s water temperature by up to 15 degrees. In many cases, you would have to purchase an expensive swimming pool heater that would drive up your energy costs in order to increase your water temperature by this amount. This fact alone makes the Harris Rectangle Solar Cover and incredible value for swimming pool temperature control.
This swimming pool cover is quite large in size, which makes for many advantages. The heavy weight of this pool solar cover helps it to reduce water evaporation by up to 90 percent. This keeps your swimming pool comfortably warm and leads to savings on chemicals such as chlorine. This pool cover’s heaviness also helps to prevent the pool cover from being disturbed by strong winds or other elements. Finally, the large size makes it an excellent value for owners of large swimming pools.
This swimming pool solar cover is available in multiple sizes ranging from 12 x 18 feet to 20 by 40 feet. It is easy to trim to meet the needs of your swimming pool. Prices for this swimming pool cover range from $59.99 to $134.99 on Amazon.
Buy Harris Rectangle Solar Cover
6. Harris 24 ft. Round Solar Cover
Swimming pool solar covers by Harris are known for providing an excellent value to owners of large swimming pools. If you have a large, round swimming pool, then the Harris 24 ft. Round Solar Cover is the best solar pool cover for you. This is an excellent solar cover for above ground pools. This swimming pool cover is made from a high quality material that is lightweight. This makes the Harris Round Solar Cover easier to place and remove from your swimming pool. The lightweight design also keeps the swimming pool cover from sinking. This solar cover is a great option for anyone who is looking for a full coverage option for reducing the water evaporation from your swimming pool.
The heat retention technology of the Harris 24 ft. Round Solar Cover can increase your swimming pool’s water temperature by up to 15 degrees. This pool solar cover absorbs heat quickly and is able to retain it for an extended period of time. This pool solar cover allows for optimal penetration of the sun’s UV rays.
This round solar swimming pool cover is both flexible and durable. It is lightweight and easy to handle, while also being durable and built to last for multiple summer seasons.
Although Harris’s solar swimming pool covers can be on the more expensive side, their water heating abilities are unmatched by other solar pool covers. If you are searching for a solar cover that can provide maximum heating to your swimming pool, then investing in a Harris Round Solar Cover is a great idea. Get yours on Amazon for $124.99.
Buy Harris 24 ft. Round Solar Cover
7. In The Swim 8 Mil Swimming Pool Solar Blanket (24 ft. Round)
If In The Swim’s Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar Blanket Cover caught your eye, but you own a round pool, then you’ll be happy to know that In The Swim also offers a pool solar blanket to round swimming pools. This pool solar cover can be trimmed to fit a variety of swimming pool shapes including oval, kidney, and other irregularly shaped swimming pools.
In The Swim’s 8 Mil Swimming Pool Solar Blanket has many of the same economically and environmentally features as it 12 Mil Rectangle option. This pool solar cover has a thickness of 8 mils and uses tiny air bubbles and reinforced flat seams to provide insulation for your swimming pool. These features work together to transfer the sun’s heat to your swimming pool’s water. This pool cover minimizes evaporation, which keeps your swimming pool pleasantly warm and reduces the number of chemicals that you need to use in your pool. This swimming pool cover has a weight of 28 pounds. This is perfect for swimming pool owners who live in climates that commonly face strong winds.
If you’re looking for a durable swimming pool cover by a trusted brand, then this is the best solar pool cover for you. In The Swim’s 8 Mil Swimming Pool Solar Blanket is available on Amazon for $69.99.
Buy In The Swim 8 Mil Swimming Pool Solar Blanket (24 ft. Round)
