The Best Backyard Pools

The 13 Best Backyard Pools

Quick reviews of the 13 best backyard pools, break down each product to its core benefits and drawbacks to help you make a more informed decision on which one would be best suited for your backyard and family needs.

1. Intex 12ft X 30in Easy Set Pool Set with Filter Pump

Pros:

• Easy to assemble and install
• Easy to maintain and use
• Dual suction outlet fittings for improved water circulation
• Excellent value for money
• 110-120 volt filter pump comes included in the price
• Convenient drain plug
• Simple and durable

Cons:

• Can’t be set up on soft or loose soil
• Maximum water capacity is 80%

Intex has some of the best-rated pool products in the market and this Easy Set backyard pool is one of their best selling thanks to its simplicity, affordability, and fairly decent size that is ideal for a small family.

The Intex is very easy to set up and install and it comes with a DVD video that explains the entire installation process. The pool can be ready to use in just ten minutes thanks to the inflatable pump that comes with the purchase.

If you are looking for an affordable, fairly durable, and easy to maintain and use backyard pool than you really can’t go wrong with the Intex Easy Set Pool.

2. Intex 12′ x 30″ Metal Frame Pool with Filter Pump

Pros:

• Sturdy and durable
• Included – Krystal Clear Cartridge filter pump with a 1-year warranty
• Dual suction outlet fittings and drain plug
• Fairly easy to set up and maintain
• Puncture-resistant 3-ply PVC sidewalls
• Max. water capacity 90%

Cons:

• Can’t be set up on loose or soft soil

This Intex unlike the one reviewed earlier has an exterior metal frame that gives the pool’s sidewalls added strength making it less susceptible to collapse. The metal frame also allows for a higher water capacity (90%) meaning that the pool is deeper and has more wading room.

The Intex also comes with a filter pump and is relatively easy to install if you follow the instructional DVD that comes along with it. Assembly will take little more than half-an-hour, after that all you need to do is fill the pool with water and jump in.

3. Intex 18ft X 10ft X 42in Oval Frame Pool Set

Pros:

• Large size
• Powder-coated metal frame for added strength
• Oval frames are great for toddlers learning how to swim
• Included – filter pump, ground cloth, debris cover, and instructional DVD
• Amazing value for money
• Ideal for narrow and long backyards

Cons:

• Quite heavy – may require two people for installation
• You may want to invest in a better pump depending on use

Another Intex on the list of top 13! No wonder Intex is one of the best selling pool brands in the world. This oval frame Intex is the perfect solution for those looking for a backyard pool that is large, sturdy, and affordable.

The oval shape is not only aesthetically pleasing but also ideal for swimming laps and playing pool volleyball. The metal frame on the sidewalls gives the pool added strength eliminating the threat of it collapsing.

The large size, oval shape, reasonable price, and many practical features make this the ideal backyard pool for a medium-sized family looking to spend their summer relaxing in clear and refreshing pool water.

4. Steel Pro Deluxe Splash Frame Pool

Pros:

• Rectangular shape
• Pocket-friendly
• Easy to assemble
• Ideal for families with toddlers
• Sturdy frame design

Cons:

• No filter pump or added accessories included
• The poles stretch outwards from the frame which takes up more space

Bestway also makes the list of best backyard or above ground pools with their Steel Pro Deluxe Splash Frame Pool. Built in a rectangular shape, the Steel Pro Deluxe offers better stability and durability than an inflatable pool.

This Bestway pool was made with the intention of being great for small children learning how to swim. The shallow water depth and rectangular shape mean that your kids can swim around all day and you too can take to the waters when so inclined.

Easy to assemble, lightweight, and cheap to maintain the Bestway is definitely a top contender on this list.

5. H2OGO! Splash-in-Shade Play Pool Orange

Pros:

• Features its very own UV-resistant shade
• Sturdy metal frames for added strength and stability
• Water sprayer on the top of the shade
• Kid and pet-friendly design
• Lightweight and easy to assemble

Cons:

• Small size
• No filter pump

The Bestway H2OGO product line features some truly amazing pool products aimed at toddlers and children. The designs and colors are fun and vibrant making this pool highly desirable to parents wanting to get their children something that is fun and exciting this summer.

This particular model features its very own UV-resistant shade that offers respite from the sun as your children splash around in the shallow waters. The shade also has a water sprayer attached at the top to spray down water keeping everyone in the pool cool and refreshed.

Easy to assemble, reasonably priced, and certainly loads of fun for your young ones, the H2OGO may be the ideal choice for a backyard with limited space.

6. Intex 14ft X 42in Ultra Frame Pool Set 

Pros:

• Large size
• Heavy-duty construction
• Included – water filter pump, ladder, ground cloth, and pool cover
• Compatible with salt water sanitation systems
• Easy to assemble despite its size

Cons:

• May need a more powerful filter pump depending on use

The Intex Ultra Frame Pool Set is a tried and tested model that has had a lot of success in recent years. If a medium-sized backyard pool is what you are in the market for this Intex certainly ticks all the right boxes.

Durable steel frames offer sturdy and stable construction that can support the weight and activities of all members of your family and friends. The round shape makes it great for relaxing or splashing around and ease of assembly means that you can have this pool ready for use in less than an hour.

The Intex Ultra Frame is competitively priced, tried and tested, and ideal for first-time pool owners.

7. Intex 12-Foot by 30-Inch Metal Frame Pool Set

Pros:

• Durable PVC construction
• Easy to assemble
• Comes with a filter pump
• The metal frame offers better support and strength
• Great value for money

Cons:

• Susceptible to punctures and leaks
• No warranty

In terms of value for money, this is perhaps the most cost-effective Intex featured on this list. The large-size makes it ideal for medium-sized families. This backyard pool was designed to be easy to assemble and use and also comes with a filter pump to help keep pool water clean and fresh.

The durable steel construction gives it more strength and stability than an inflatable pool. The steel frame is also powder-coated for rust protection. Simple, affordable, and durable this Intex is hard to beat on value alone.

8. Intex 8ft X 30in Easy Set Pool Set

Pros:

• Super easy to assemble and use
• One of the most affordable pools on this list
• Comes with a filter pump
• Very easy to maintain
• Ideal for toddlers
• Dual suction outlet fittings and drain plug

Cons:

• Small size
• No metal frame support

By far the most affordable backyard pool featured on this list, the Intex 8×30 Easy Set Pool is an inflatable outdoor pool that can be set up in no less than ten minutes. The small size makes it ideal for toddlers who love to splash around in the water during summer.

Its small size and the fact that it comes with a filter pump makes it super easy to maintain. Its lightweight yet heavy-duty PVC material makes it resistant to punctures and leaks, as well as, portable.

9. Bestway Steel Pro 9.8ft x 5.6ft x 26in Frame Above Ground Pool Set

Pros:

• Rectangular shape
• Corrosion-resistant metal frame support
• A steal for the price
• Assembly takes no more than 10 minutes
• Comes with a filter pump

Cons:

• Small-size ideal for toddlers
• Susceptible to leaks and tears

Bestway and Intex are top contenders in the pool equipment niche and it is no wonder that so many of their products have made it on this list. The Bestway Steel Pro is yet another entry that has a practical and aesthetically pleasing design perfected for use for toddlers and even adults.

The corrosion-resistant metal frame construction offers better strength and stability as compared to inflatable pools while the thick layer of polyester mesh and PVC materials make for durable and strong side-walls.

The ease of assembly, price, and rectangular shape of the Bestway Steel Pro make it an excellent backyard pool if your kids want to learn how to swim laps or play pool volleyball.

10. Bestway 12752E Power Steel Above Ground Pool, 15-Feet by 48-inch

Pros:

• Large-size and decent depth
• Steel frame for increased strength and stability
• Made from durable 3-ply PVC material
• Easy to assemble – no tools required!
• ChemConnect chemical dispenser
• Drain valve for water removal and winter storage

Cons:

• No filter pump included
• Tad expensive compared to similar models

The battle between Intex and Bestway continues when it comes to crowning the best backyard pool in the world for toddlers. The Bestway 12752E comes in a circular shape and offers plenty of room for a medium-sized family to splash around during the summer months.

The external metal frame combined with a heavy-duty PVC and polyester sidewall makes for stable and sturdy construction that takes hardly any time at all to assemble. The new ChemConnect chemical dispenser that attaches to a valve in the pool wall also replaces the need for a traditional floating chemical cleaner.

Enjoy sparkling clean-water and a decent sized backyard pool for a fraction of the cost of a complicated steel-wall model with this Bestway 12752E.

11. Intex 28167EH 13-Foot X 33-InchBlue Easy Set Pool

Pros:

• A decent-sized pool with shallow water depth
• Assembly takes no more than ten minutes
• Comes with a water filter pump
• Constructed using heavy-duty puncture-resistant 3-ply material
• Easy to maintain
• Great value for money

Cons:

• No metal frame support
• Susceptible to leaks and tears

In terms of value for money, this Intex is perhaps the most affordable backyard solution for a pool of this size. This inflatable only pool is super easy to assemble and great for children six years and older.

The Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump helps maintain water clarity and cleanliness making for easy maintenance. If you are looking for a pool for the whole family to splash around in the summer without having to spend too much the Intex 28167EH might just be the best choice for you.

12. Intex Swim Center Family 72 x 120 Inch Swimming Pool

Pros:

• The most affordable inflatable pool on this list
• Comes with a quick fill air pump
• Super easy to assemble
• Small-size makes it portable and easy to store
• Ideal for children ages 3 and up
• Soft vinyl walls

Cons:

• No metal frame for added support
• Susceptible to leaks and tears

If you are seeking an affordable, small-sized inflatable pool for your three-year-old toddler to splash around in than the Intex Swim Center is the one to opt for. Not only is it the most affordable inflatable only pool featured on the list it is designed with kids in mind.

The soft vinyl side-walls protect your children from abrasions and scratches while the shallow water-depth allows them to splash around without a care in the world. The small size and conveniently placed drain plug makes it easy to drain out and store when not in use.

13. Intex Snorkel Buddies Snapset Pool, 60 X 10

Pros:

• Costs next to nothing
• Ideal for toddlers and pets
• Fast and easy setup
• Repair patches included
• Folds away for easy storage

Cons:

• Walls only stay up when full of water
• Very small size
• Susceptible to leaks and tears

We conclude our list of the top 13 best backyard pools with the Intex Snorkel Buddies because this pool was tailor-made to appeal to toddlers, young children, and even pets. The small size, animated design, and ease of assembly make it the perfect little pool for splashing about.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the prospect of acquiring a backyard pool might initially appear as a formidable and daunting endeavor. However, there is no need for trepidation, as we delve into the realm of backyard aquatic bliss. With a focus on the remarkable offerings from Intex and Bestway, the realization of your personal aquatic paradise can become an economical and surprisingly straightforward endeavor.

For those who have the delightful company of toddlers reveling in aquatic merriment, yet harbor hesitations stemming from inexperience in pool ownership, it would be prudent to consider commencing your aquatic journey with an inflatable or metal frame above-ground pool. This initial step serves as a judicious precursor before delving into more elaborate and costly pool constructions and materials.

Intex and Bestway, distinguished for their innovation, present backyard pool solutions that are not only budget-friendly but also imbued with effortless assembly and pragmatic features, making pool ownership an accessible aspiration. Irrespective of the specific model or make you ultimately opt for, you and your loved ones are poised to embark on a summer filled with exuberant splashes and aquatic adventures

Wise Reviewer