An above ground pool can be an amazing addition to any backyard, but understanding the ins and outs of upkeep is important. One of the easier, but still very important, things you need to do to properly upkeep your pool is have a good pool cover.
The best above ground pool cover will have a variety of helpful benefits for keeping your pool in top-notch condition. Also see: How To Choose The Best Above Ground Pool Cover.
Best Above Ground Pool Cover
| Robelle Super Winter Pool Cover | Blue Wave Bronze Above Ground Winter Pool Cover | Pool Mate Heavy-Duty Winter Pool Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| For Pools | For above ground round pools | For above ground round pools | For above ground oval pools |
| Size Options | 8 size options ranging from 12-foot to 33-foot | 6 size options ranging from 15-foot to 30-foot | 12 sizes ranging from 10-foot x 15-foot to 21-foot x 41-foot |
| Special Features | 18 styles to choose from, 4-foot overlap | Snow, ice, and wind protection, Included cable and winch | Heavy-duty polyethylene, 4-foot overlap |
| Customer Ratings | 4.0 / 5.0 Stars | 3.8 / 5.0 Stars | 3.9 / 5.0 Stars |
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Also see: Best Above Ground Pool Cover Comparison Table
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Above Ground Pool Covers
- Robelle Super Winter Pool Cover
- Blue Wave Bronze Above Ground Winter Pool Cover
- Pool Mate Heavy-Duty Winter Pool Cover
- Intex Round Easy Set Protective Pool Cover
- In The Swim Round Winter Pool Cover
Above Ground Pool Cover Reviews
#1 – Robelle Super Winter Pool Cover
- For above ground round pools
- 8 size options ranging from 12-foot to 33-foot
- 18 styles to choose from
- Various scrim and weight options
- 4-foot overlap
- Included cable and winch
- Minimum 8-year warranty
It is available in 8 different sizes making it fit well with above ground round pools sized anywhere from 12 feet in diameter to 33 feet in diameter.
A 4-foot overlap helps ensure the pool remains fully covered without a lot of stress and strain on the cover. The included cable is easily threaded through reinforced metal grommets that are found spaced around the edges of the cover. Then, the winch, which is also included, can be used to tighten up the cover and keep it securely in place.
Expand To See More In addition to coming in a variety of size options, there are 18 different style options to choose from with this Robelle above ground pool cover as well. The varying factors of the styles include things like scrim (how tight the fabric weave is), weight, and material quality. Options go all the way up to 14 x 14 scrim, the highest-grade polyethylene, and a weight of 5.2 ounces/yard. Warranties vary depending on the style you choose, but even the simplest, most affordable choice will get you a warranty of 8 years. The highest warranty you will get is 20 years for the highest-quality style – the Ultimate Winter Pool Cover from Robelle. With so many sizes and styles available, you will find that the prices vary quite a lot with just this single pool cover. When comparing the style and sizes to other options though, these Robelle covers are a bit higher within the price range of the market.
#2 – Blue Wave Bronze Above Ground Winter Pool Cover
- For above ground round pools
- 6 size options ranging from 15-foot to 30-foot
- Snow, ice, and wind protection
- 4-foot overlap
- Included cable and winch
- Black underside to reduce chance of algae growth
- 8-year warranty
It is very well-made, works for a variety of pools, and is more affordable than many comparable above ground pool covers. This is a cover designed for protecting your above ground pool from snow, ice, and wind.
It also helps reduce evaporation and therefore reduces the waste of pool chemicals. There are 6 sizes available ranging from options for 15-foot round pools to 30-foot round pools.
Like the Robelle covers, these do feature a nice 4-foot overlap to ensure that the cover can easily be positioned properly on the pool and then stay in position.
Expand To See More It also includes a cable and winch that work with reinforced metal grommets in the cover just like the Robelle covers. The black underside of the cover helps reduce the chance of algae growth for a cleaner pool come summertime. An 8-year-warranty helps you know that Blue Wave really stands behind their product.
#3 – Pool Mate Heavy-Duty Winter Pool Cover
- For above ground oval pools
- 12 sizes ranging from 10-foot x 15-foot to 21-foot x 41-foot
- Heavy-duty polyethylene
- Included winch and cable
- Stops algae growth
- Seams are heat-sealed
- 4-foot overlap
- 10-year warranty
Round above ground pools are more common but the oval ones certainly need a great pool cover too. This cover comes in 12 different sizes to work for virtually any oval above ground pool.
These sizes range from fitting a 10-foot x 15-foot oval pool to fitting a 21-foot x 41-foot oval pool. Like our previous picks, this does include a 4-foot overlap of the heavy-duty polyethylene fabric as well as an included winch and cable.
These things just ensure that the cover can be easily placed and then actually stays in place effectively.
Expand To See More All seams are heat-sealed for better quality and durability. The cover is also designed to stop algae growth. An impressive 10-year-warranty adds even more value to your purchase. As far as actual cost goes, these are around the same cost as the Robelle Super Winter covers.
#4 – Intex Round Easy Set Protective Pool Cover
- For above ground round pools
- Easy set pool cover
- Available for 12-foot pools and 15-foot pools
- Fits snugly around the edge of the pool
- Integrated drain holes
- Included rope ties
- 7 gauge vinyl polyethylene fabric
It is made of a strong 7 gauge vinyl polyethylene fabric and features drain holes throughout the cover.
The holes are small to make sure that the cover still prevents debris from entering the pool. They simply allow water to drain in order to prevent it from pooling on top of the cover.
This also prevents stress on the cover and therefore can extend the life of the cover. It is available in only 2 sizes, but that is generally fine considering it is made for easy set pools.
Expand To See More You can choose it in a size to accommodate 12-foot pools or 15-foot pools. The overhang on this cover is smaller at only 12 inches. However, again, this is for easy set pools and this amount of overhang should accommodate these pools nicely. The cost of these covers is very affordable.
#5 – In The Swim Round Winter Pool Cover
- For above ground round pools
- Fits 24-foot pools
- 3-foot overhang
- 8 x 8 scrim
- Laminated polyethylene
- Included cable and winch
- 8-year warranty
This is a popular size and style of pool, so it will be a good option for many. It features a slightly smaller overhang of 3 feet compared to the 4-foot overhang that the other similar style covers have on our list.
Even so, it does a good job helping with proper placement of the cover. It also includes a cable and winch for easy and effective tightening.
The 8 x 8 scrim of the laminated polyethylene fabric is on the lower side. However, it is still durable and capable of lasting quite some time.
Expand To See More An 8-year warranty can bring you some peace of mind in regard to the durability, of course. One of the best parts of this pool cover is that it is good quality for a highly affordable price. It is the lowest cost for a 24-foot pool cover of the options we’ve reviewed.
Above Ground Pool Cover Comparison Table
| For Pools | Size Options | Special Features | Customer Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robelle Super Winter Pool Cover | | For above ground round pools | 8 size options ranging from 12-foot to 33-foot | 18 styles to choose from, 4-foot overlap | 4.0 / 5.0 Stars |
| Blue Wave Bronze Above Ground Winter Pool Cover | | For above ground round pools | 6 size options ranging from 15-foot to 30-foot | Snow, ice, and wind protection, Included cable and winch | 3.8 / 5.0 Stars |
| Pool Mate Heavy-Duty Winter Pool Cover | | For above ground oval pools | 12 sizes ranging from 10-foot x 15-foot to 21-foot x 41-foot | Heavy-duty polyethylene, 4-foot overlap | 3.9 / 5.0 Stars |
| Intex Round Easy Set Protective Pool Cover | | For above ground round pools | Available for 12-foot pools and 15-foot pools | 7 gauge vinyl polyethylene fabric | 3.9 / 5.0 Stars |
| In The Swim Round Winter Pool Cover | | For above ground round pools | Fits 24-foot pools | Laminated polyethylene, Fits 24-foot pools | 3.6 / 5.0 Stars |
How to Choose the Best Above Ground Pool Cover
From reducing evaporation and pool chemical waste to keeping out debris and holding in heat, above ground pool covers make pool maintenance much more manageable. Of course, the best cover for above ground pool use isn’t the same for everyone.
There are lots of factors to consider. You can learn more in our guide on How to Choose the Best Above Ground Pool Cover. We also encourage you to consider our top 5 picks for the best pool covers for above ground pools below!
Having a cover for your above ground pool is important, but choosing the right cover is even more important. With so many options, it can be easy to choose a cover that doesn’t quite meet your needs perfectly.
Read over the following considerations and you will have no problem figuring out exactly what you want and need in an above ground pool cover.
Size
There is no questioning that the most important thing to look at when purchasing a pool cover is the size of the cover. Most above ground pools are round and the size is described with one number – the diameter.
The thing that can trip a lot of people up in regard to size is if they should choose a cover that is larger than the size of their pool or not.
It is important to realize that pool cover sizes are described in terms of the size of the pool – not the cover. So, if you buy a 12-foot pool cover, you will get a cover for a 12-foot pool.
Pool covers have some overhang, so the cover itself would actually have a diameter larger than 12 feet. The same thing goes for oval pools – choose the size that describes your pool.
There is no reason to get a pool cover with a size that is larger than your pool size.
Material Type
Choosing a strong and durable material is always a good idea when it comes to pool covers. The most common material is polyethylene. This is a good material that handles water well and should remain durable overtime.
Scrim
What is more important in terms of material is the scrim. The scrim of a pool is kind of like thread count in a sheet.
The scrim describes how many fibers there are per square inch. So, the higher the scrim, the better quality and more durable the pool cover.
Weight
Fabric weight is also important when looking at the material of a pool cover. This goes hand in hand with scrim. The higher the scrim, the heavier the fabric tends to be. This is generally measured by ounces per yard.
Heavier options definitely have more durability. Just keep in mind that the heavier the cover is, the more work it can be to get into place effectively.
This is especially true for larger pools and will likely require more than one person to get the cover on properly.
Overhang
We mentioned this a little when talking about the size of pool covers. The overhang of a pool cover simply refers to the amount of fabric that will hang over the edges of the pool when the cover is in place.
So, a 12-foot pool cover with a 4-foot overhang would actually have a diameter of 16 feet. This allows it to cover the 12-foot pool and have some room to hang over the side.
This overhang keeps the cover in place better and makes it easier to tighten around the pool.
Adjustability
You definitely want a pool cover with adjustability built into it in some way. Being able to tighten the cover around the edges of your pool keeps it in place and ensures it won’t easily blow off the pool.
It also helps make sure there are no issues if your pool is off a little in terms of size.
Many covers have metal grommets around the edges and come with a cable that can be threaded through them. Then, a winch, also usually included, can be used to tighten the cable effectively and easily.
You may also find pool covers that have simpler rope ties for tightening/adjustability.
Drain Holes
Here is a feature that some pool covers have and others don’t. Drain holes have some cool benefits as they allow any water that collects on the cover to simply seep through into the pool. This keeps water from pooling on top of the cover.
That means less stress on the cover for increased durability. It also means that it will be easier to remove the cover without the weight of additional water and the mess of debris in that water on top of the cover.
However, many covers purposefully avoid such holes. That is because water draining into the pool can lower the temperature.
It also won’t reduce evaporation as effectively and can even lead to waste of pool chemicals. It comes down to preference mostly.
One thing to think about is that drain holes may be more helpful on easy set pools that can’t take as much weight on top of the cover.
Algae Control
Nobody wants a bunch of algae to grow in their pool. A really good pool cover will prevent just that. Many covers are designed to prevent or at least reduce the growth of algae.
Look for this feature especially in winter pool covers that will be on the pool for an extended amount of time without removal.
Warranty
Finally, warranty is always an important factor to consider. A longer warranty doesn’t just give you greater peace of mind that the company believes in the product.
It also means that you can rest assured that if something does go wrong, you aren’t just out of luck.
A good warranty of a decent length will allow you to get a new product, repaired product, or product refund if something happens to your pool cover that is the fault of the manufacturer.
Above Ground Pool Covers – FAQs
Are there hard covers for above ground pools?
Hard covers are not made for above ground swimming pools. Such a cover would be difficult to use and store. They would also put a lot of weight and stress on the pool.
Should I cover my above ground pool?
Absolutely! Above ground pools, like all pools, should be covered when not in use for a long period of time such as the winter. There are benefits for covering your pool anytime you aren’t using it though – even just overnight.
What is the best way to cover an above ground pool for winter?
Simply choosing a good quality winter pool cover for above ground pools is the best way to cover your above ground pool.
What is the best pool cover for winter?
There isn’t necessarily one best pool cover for winter. However, any good winter pool cover will be made of a durable fabric with an easy tightening mechanism and decent amount of overhang.
Buyer’s Tips for Above Ground Pool Covers
As you shop for an above ground pool cover, you want to be sure to choose one that will work well for your specific pool. The most important thing to consider is definitely size.
The size of the cover is described in terms of what pool it will fit on, so remember to choose a cover that matches the size of your pool.
Things like scrim, overhang, algae control, and warranty are also very valid and helpful considerations. Once you do choose a pool cover, don’t forget that where you purchase from is also very important.
The best retailers are ones that are well-known and well-trusted. Amazon is a perfect example of this and also happens to have some of the best customer service out there with fast and often free shipping.
