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Best Solar Pool Covers

By Macy Sarbacker

Heating a pool with electricity or propane can be very expensive. The perfect solution is a solar pool cover. Not only will the cover help to keep your pool free of debris like stray leaves, but it will also keep your pool nice and warm. These covers are also more eco-friendly than other heating options, so they are better for your wallet and the environment.

If a solar pool cover isn’t the right choice for you, we also reviewed the best solar pool heaters.

Since there are many different sizes and shapes of pools, there are several different sizes and types of solar pool covers. We did some research and picked out our favorites so that you can see what is available and how they can help you with your pool warming needs. After you take a look at our favorite solar pool covers, we’ll explain how we chose them and how you can choose the best solar pool cover for your home pool.

Top 4 Best Solar Pool Covers of 2021

Reviews of the Best Solar Pool Covers

Thermo-Tex Solar Pool Cover

Thermo-Tex Solar Pool Cover

Quick Look: Lightweight, easy to place and remove, 12’ x 24’, and can be cut to fit. Made in the USA and Canada. Comes with a 3-year warranty. Check Price at Amazon

When it comes to pool covers, the Thermo-Tex Solar Pool Cover has everything you need. With thousands of tiny air pockets, this pool cover works to collect and retain the heat of the sun. This cover is made from UV stabilized polymer so it is designed to withstand strong pool chemicals and extended use in the sun.

This cover is lightweight, only 9lb, so it is easy to place and remove. It is 12’ x 24’, so big enough to fit larger pools, but it can also be trimmed down to fit your pool. This is a great choice for those who have oddly shaped pools.

Along with helping to heat your pool, this cover will also help to protect it from unwanted debris, such as leaves and dirt. It will also decrease water evaporation which will save you money in water and pool chemicals. This product is also very reasonably priced and comes with a 3-year warranty, so you can’t go wrong with this solar pool cover.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Intex Round Solar Pool Cover

Intex Round Solar Pool Cover

Quick Look: Budget Friendly, lightweight, and easy to place. Comes with a 1-year warranty. Check Price at Amazon

If you have a 12’ pool and are looking for a lightweight, easy to use solar cover, then the Intex Round Solar Pool Cover is the one for you. Weighing only 2.6lb, you can remove and replace this cover multiple times a day without any trouble. Have a smaller pool? That’s okay too, you can simply trim this cover down to size.

This cover reduces water evaporation by 95%, meaning fewer refills. This saves you money and helps to protect the environment. The thousands of little air bubbles on this cover will absorb the heat of the sun and transfer it to your pool, creating a warmer swimming experience at no extra cost.

The drain holes in this cover help to decrease water retention, making the cover even easier to remove. It also comes with a convenient carrying bag for simple transport and winter storage.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Sun2Solar Rectangular Solar Pool Cover

Sun2Solar Rectangular Solar Pool Cover

Quick Look: Comes in multiple colors and sizes, can be trimmed to fit any pool. Collects and retains heat. Made from durable resin. Comes with a 30-day return policy. Check Price at Amazon

The Sun2Solar Rectangular Solar Pool Cover comes in an impressive 29 different sizes, ranging from 4’ x 8’ all the way up to 30’ x 50’ and it can be trimmed to fit pools of any shape. This means that no matter what size pool you have, you’ll be able to find the perfect cover for you. This cover also comes in blue or clear, giving you even more options.

This cover has thousands of tiny air bubbles that work to collect the solar heat and transfer it to your pool. This cover also helps to retain that collected heat, ensuring that your pool stays warmer for longer, even on days when the sun isn’t shining.

The durable resin design makes this cover sturdy and able to withstand pool chemicals and multiple seasons in the sun. Since this cover can be trimmed to perfectly fit your pool, it will protect your pool from outdoor debris as well as reduce evaporation by 95%.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Sun2Solar Round Solar Cover

Sun2Solar Round Solar Cover

Quick Look: Comes in 11 different sizes and 2 colors. Collects and retains heat and can be trimmed to fit. Made from durable resin materials. Comes with a 30-day return policy. Check Price at Amazon

Looking for a quality cover for your round pool? Then check out the Sun2Solar Round Solar Cover. This cover comes in 11 different sizes, ranging from 12’ to 33’ round. This cover comes in blue or clear and can be trimmed to fit, so you are sure to get the perfect cover for your pool.

Much like the rectangular version, this cover has the tiny air bubbles you need to collect the heat of the sun. It will keep your pool warm through those chilly nights and cloudy days, so you can comfortably use your pool more often throughout the warm seasons.

This cover helps to protect your pool from outdoor debris and reduce evaporation, saving you time and money. You will spend less time cleaning your pool and more time enjoying it, who could ask for more than that?

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon

How We Chose The Best Solar Pool Covers

We used some very straightforward criteria to choose our favorites. We looked for versatility, durability, and ease of use.

Versatility

We know that not all pools are created equal, so we looked for covers that come in a large variety of sizes and were easy to cut to fit any shape. Being able to trim your pool cover to fit any size is especially important if you have a custom in-ground pool. You may think that the unique shape of your pool could keep you from making efficient use of solar heating, but that is not the case. No matter what shape your pool is, you can find an option that can be trimmed to fit the custom shape of your pool.

Durability

Nobody wants to waste money on products that are not going to last. That is why we looked for covers that were made out of quality materials that would be able to withstand strong pool chemicals as well as constant exposure to UV rays. We also looked for options that had good warranties, so you could feel confident in your purchase.

Ease of Use

Using a pool cover is usually an easy process, but some elements can make it easier. That is why we chose a few lightweight options. If you are trying to handle a pool cover by yourself, having a lightweight option can make maneuvering it a lot easier which means you will use it more often. If the cover is too heavy or cumbersome, then you probably won’t use it as much which means it would just be a waste of money. The lightweight materials also make these covers easier to fold up at the end of the season which means they can be stored properly and used for many seasons to come.

What You Need To Know About Solar Pool Covers

There are two main elements to consider when choosing the proper solar pool cover: size and color.

Size

The reason we keep mentioning the sizes of these covers and how they can be trimmed to fit is because having the cover properly fitted is the most important element of a pool cover. You want to make sure that the cover you choose covers the entire surface of the water. The reasons for this are efficient heating, proper protection, and reduced evaporation.

Efficient Heating

The main purpose of a solar pool cover is to help increase the heat in your pool without having to use expensive electric or propane heaters. If your pool cover does not cover the entire surface of the water, it will not be able to heat efficiently. These covers not only absorb solar heat, but they also work as a type of blanket to hold the heat in. If the cover does not reach across the entire pool, heat will escape around the edges leaving you with a chilly swimming experience.

Protection

Another useful element of a well-fitted pool cover is that it helps to keep your pool free of outdoor debris such as sticks, leaves, and anything else that happens to blow by. A properly fitted cover will catch more of the debris, keeping it out of your pool. This will save you cleaning time as well as increase the life of your pool filters by blocking debris before it gets that far.

Reduced Evaporation

We also mentioned how these pool covers can decrease evaporation, some up to 95%. This can only happen if the cover is fitted correctly. If the cover is too small, then water will simply evaporate around the edges. This not only affects the amount of water you have to pump into your pool but your pool chemicals as well. Your pool cover will keep your water and chemical levels stable, saving you time and money. Saving water is also environmentally friendly, so that is another benefit of reduced evaporation.

Color

The color of your pool cover is a slightly less important element, but it is still worth mentioning. There are two main colors to choose from: blue and clear. Although you wouldn’t think that this would make much of a difference, it certainly can.

The blue option is best for those who want less of the heating benefit, but still want protection and reduced evaporation. Although blue covers will still increase the heat of your pool, they will not increase the heat as much as a clear cover.

Clear covers allow more direct sunlight into your pool, thus creating more heat. Some clear covers can increase the temperature of the pool as much as 15 to 20 degrees, which may be too much for some people. If you want extra heat, choose a clear cover. For a slightly cooler pool experience, choose a blue cover.

Bottom Line

Choosing a solar pool cover can benefit you in several ways. It can increase the temperature of your pool without adding inconvenient energy costs. Using solar power is also more environmentally friendly, making this a better option for everyone. A pool cover can also save you time and money when it comes to pool cleaning, water usage, and maintaining proper chemical balances.

It’s hard to go wrong with any of our top solar pool cover picks, but we recommend the Thermo-Tex Solar Pool Cover for its ease-of-use, durability and versatility. Compare all of your options before making a final decision, though, to make sure that you’re choosing the right model for your circumstances.

Top 4 Best Solar Pool Covers of 2021