follow us on twitter, facebook, pinterest, youtube and foursquare

 “where cheap is chic” — wisebread

Home » Home & Garden » Pools

Cheap Pools, Best Backyard Pool

Related Guides: Air Conditioners, BBQ Grills, Fans, Leaf Blowers, Mosquito Traps, Sunglasses, Sunscreen and Tents
When hot summer days arrive, kids love playing in water. A cheap pool is one sure-fire way to cool the crowds. Keeping toddlers entertained is easy with plastic or inflatable waders sold at major superstores for $10-$30 or so. But older children -- not to mention adults -- need a pool that's at least three feet deep. Although some backyard pools cost $5,000 and more and require professional installation, there's a decent selection of cheap pools bearing price tags that max out at about $700. Granted, you'll need to level the ground properly, but setting up a cheap pool is otherwise a do-it-yourself (maybe with a few extra hands) project.

Many frugal consumers opt for inflatable backyard pools with depths up to four feet and diameters ranging from 8 to 18 feet. We researched a few cheap pools that garner decent user reviews but safety issues convinced us to limit our list of best cheap above-ground pools to models with structural frames that can be disassembled and put away for winter storage. A recent article in Consumer Reports notes the risks associated with inflatable pools when proper safety protocols aren't followed (e.g., it's easy for a youngster to push down the sides and topple in). To be sure, safety is always a critical issue where swimming pools of any type are concerned. Some communities require fencing with a latched gate for pools deeper than a few feet, so be sure to check local regulations before purchasing and installing a cheap pool. Regardless what the laws say, there are safeguards you should take, such as removing ladders or securing covers tightly when the pool isn't in use and having adults present when it is. With smaller backyard pools, the best precaution is to drain the water between uses.

Cheap backyard pools are readily available at big box stores and from ecommerce vendors. But be forewarned: do-it-yourself backyard pools, including those on our list, tend to have shorter life spans than high-end models or in-ground pools. Overall build quality isn't as sturdy, installation jobs may not be perfect, and weak pumps and filters are the major factors limiting a cheap pool's longevity and users' enjoyment. Then again, you may be happy to reclaim your backyard when the kids have moved on to other summertime adventures.

Intex, Heritage, Seaview Club, and Summer Escapes are the big fish in the cheap swimming pools sea. Most framed backyard pools are round, with widths ranging between 8 feet and 30 feet and depths ranging from 30 inches to 52 inches. Framed rectangular pools start at about 12' x 24' x 52" and swell to 16' x 32' x 52". Most cheap pools are sold as kits that contain a liner, pump and filter, and skimmer, and some include bonus items such as a ground cloth, ladder, top cover, maintenance kit, and vacuum.

Our search for the best cheap backyard pools hit a few waves due to the limited number of reviews, minimal differences among models, and different brand names splashed onto what otherwise appear to be the same pool. Still, we identified several cheap pools that should give your family warm-weather fun for several years. At the top of our list we put the Intex 15' x 48" Metal Frame Circular pool (starting at $240) for its price, mid-range size, durability, and user-friendly set up, and the Intex 18' x 9' x 52" Ultra Frame Rectangular (starting at $700), also for its durability and easy assembly. The Heritage 12' x 42" Circular pool (starting at $399) and Seaview Club 18' x 42" Galvanized Steel Above Ground pool (starting at $650) qualify for second place; they're both decent swimming pools but require more set-up time and are subject to relatively more grousing about leaks and overall build quality than the Intex pools. Little praise but lots of criticism (parts that break, water that leaks, poor customer service) about the Summer Escapes 18' x 48" (starting at $450) suggests your money would be better spent elsewhere.

Know what you're getting into before rushing out to buy a cheap pool. Maintenance requirements are ongoing and the cost of accessories adds up quickly. But if you follow the installation instructions and take proper care, the rewards on a hot summer day more than compensate for the time and cash you've sunk into your backyard pool.

Back to top »

 

 

 

Intex Easy Set Pools
Summer Escapes Pools
Heritage Round Pools
Seaview Club Pools
Intex Metal Frame Pools
Intex Rectangular Pools

 

Home & Garden Handheld Vacuums Pillows Robotic Vacuum Cleaners Steam Cleaners Air Conditioners Air Mattresses Air Purifiers BBQ Grills Canister Vacuums Cheap Mattresses Cheap Tires

Cordless Drills Dehumidifiers Dryers Fans Furnace Reviews Garage Door Openers Humidifiers Irons Lawn Mowers Leaf Blowers Lowe's or Home Depot

Mosquito Traps Office Chairs Pools Riding Mowers Sewing Machines Snow Blowers Space Heaters Vacuum Cleaners Washing Machines Weed Eaters

blog  about us  contact us  sitemap  in the news  privacy  terms of service  jobs

Follow us on Facebook Twitter Sign up for our Free Newsletter