Best Solar Pool Cover Review Guide For 2023

Best Solar Pool Cover Review Guide For 2023 – When the nights get longer and the air gets cooler, the water temperature in your pool also goes down. This means the time to enjoy swimming in your pool is over. Maybe not. Maybe it’s just time to buy a solar pool cover! These covers are designed specifically to raise the temperature of the pool water by a few degrees, besides keeping out the debris.

If you have a pool heater, a solar cover will also help bring down the running cost of the heater by keeping water comparatively warmer. You can find a variety of covers. However, you can extend your swimming season by a few weeks, or even months only if you invest in the best solar pool cover.

But the million-dollar question is, what is the best solar pool cover on the market? To see the answer keep reading our Best Solar Pool Cover Review Guide For 2023.

Sun2Solar Rectangular Solar Cover – Amazon’s Choice

With its attractive blue design, this cover from Sun2Solar will add a touch of grace to your rectangular pool. It works great for both in-ground and above-ground pools. With thousands of tiny bubbles on its top layer, it works efficiently to collect and retain heat.

The use of this cover will also help minimize evaporation. It reduces evaporation by up to 95% and conserves water. With the use of this solar cover, you can keep your water warm enough to swim even when the air is cold outside.

You can customize the cover to make it suitable for your rectangular or uniquely shaped pool. A marker and your regular pair of household scissors will do the trick here. Interestingly, cutting the cover will not affect the manufacturer’s warranty.

Product Details:

• ATTRACTIVE BLUE DESIGN – Sun2Solar solar blankets are made from a film of thousands of tiny bubbles, which work together to collect and retain heat both at night and on those chilly days. The blue color provides an appealing look while also using the sun’s rays to help warm your swimming pool.
• MINIMIZE WATER EVAPORATION – The use of a solar cover helps in preventing up to 95% of pool water evaporation. When not enjoying a refreshing swim, keeping your pool covered lessens the vast amount of water lost into the environment. Fill up your swimming pool less and enjoy it more!
• JUMP INTO WARMTH – Show friends and family your bravery by jumping in without the standard toe dip. Enter the swimming pool confidently knowing the Sun2Solar solar cover has kept the water warm just for you. It’s easy to put on and take off allowing more time for showing off.
• HEAT RETENTION – After everyone has called it a day with wrinkled fingers from too much fun in the sun, make sure to place this solar cover back atop the water. Don’t lose all of that warmth generated throughout the day when the sun sets. Assure your pool’s temperature does not drop too much by protecting it at night through use of a solar blanket.
• TRIM TO FIT – Your pool may be uniquely shaped and getting the right fit is as easy as finding a marker and sharp pair of scissors. Have the bubbles facing down to the water and trace a line on the cover showing where you should cut off the additional material. Do so confidently knowing this won’t affect the manufacturer’s warranty—they understand.

In The Swim 12 x 20ft Rectangle Pool Solar Blanket Cover

This In The Swim Solar Blanket is the most famous product on the market. There are many benefits associated with using a solar cover that will tremendously save your money and time.

This product is made of lightweight, and sturdy polyethylene materials. You can cut this solar cover with scissors to fit the shape of your pool, making it easy to install.

This In The Swim solar pool cover will warm up your pool water’s temperature from eight to ten degrees in five to seven days with regular sun rays. This solar pool cover prevents heat loss, minimizes chemical loss, water evaporation, and prevents debris from gaining access to the water.

Product Details:

• Raises water temperature up to 8-10 degrees in approximately 5-7 days of consistent sunlight
• Reduces your water evaporation and chemical loss to save you money
• Reduces heat loss and minimizes the amount of debris that can get in the water
• Extends the swimming season by maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in the pool
• 7 Year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty

SSR SSRA-100 Solar Sun Rings Pool Water Heater with Anchors

This SSR-SSRA-100 solar ring is designed for solar panels that raise the water temperature using only solar energy. This solar ring is a passive solar pool heating system made from UV-resistant double-layer vinyl.

The transparent top layer directs the sun’s rays into the blue layer below, absorbs around half of the sunshine, and turns it into heat. The ring filters the rest of the sunlight into the pool water.

This product is only useful if you need to heat the pool occasionally. The manufacturer also offers a three-year warranty. But the process of putting the lid on or off can be a challenge for two people.

Product Details:

• Solar Sun Rings are passive solar swimming pool heating devices, constructed from two layers of UV resistant vinyl
• The upper clear layer directs the suns rays onto the bottom blue layer which absorbs about half of the sunlight, converting it to heat
• The remaining sunlight filters through the ring into your pool water
• Do not over inflate or use as a flotation device
• Coverage: Solar Sun Rings are warrantied to be clear of manufacturing defects for two years and is limited to materials and workmanship.

Intex Solar Cover for Frame Pools

To enjoy a longer swimming season, consider this pool cover from Intex. The pool cover is quite suitable for 12′ diameter round pools. It is a popular product from Intex because it is one of the most economical and easy to use covers available on the market.

It reduces water evaporation by up to 95%.

Another good thing about this pool cover is that it comes with a reusable carry bag. It means that you can store the cover when it is not in use. It fits perfectly inside your pool and stays in place. You can keep the pump running even when you have your pool covered. The only issue is that the pool cover is a bit thin and the blue bubbles could have been stronger.

Product Details:

• Solar-heat-retaining cover for 12-foot round pools
• Reduces evaporation by 95%; retains heat
• Drain holes to prevent water accumulation
• Easy to store; Includes a reusable carry bag for storage

Intex Solar Cover for Rectangular Pools

Sun2Solar covers are made of a film of small bubbles that work together to collect and trap heat during the chilly days. It has an attractive blue color and uses the sun to warm your swimming pool’s water.

Another feature is the ability of the cove to prevent evaporation by up to 95% and ensure minimal use of pool chemicals. One thing I love about this cover is the ability to trim it to fit any size of a pool.

It is a swimming pool cover that is affordable, effective, and comes with a warranty.

Product Details:

• Helps keep pool water warmer
• Comes with carrying bag
• Durable 160 micron material
• Note: This pool cover is made to FIT a 17’8″ x 8’4″ Feet rectangular pool

Sun2Solar Blue 20-Foot-by-40-Foot Rectangle Solar Cover

Sun2Solar covers are made of a film of small bubbles that work together to collect and trap heat during the chilly days. It has an attractive blue color and uses the sun to warm your swimming pool’s water.

Another feature is the ability of the cove to prevent evaporation by up to 95% and ensure minimal use of pool chemicals. One thing I love about this cover is the ability to trim it to fit any size of a pool.

It is a swimming pool cover that is affordable, effective, and comes with a warranty.

Product Details:

• Helps keep pool water warmer
• Comes with carrying bag
• Durable 160 micron material
• Note: This pool cover is made to FIT a 17’8″ x 8’4″ Feet rectangular pool

Splash Pools 21ft Round Solar Pool Cover

The Splash Pool solar cover is specially designed to acquire and transfer solar-generated heat into your swimming pool. It maintains maximum cleanliness by obstructing the dirt and debris from passing to your pool water.

You will also benefit from the water evaporation reduction ability of this product, which is approximately 90% reduction. It raises the water temperature by fifteen percent and distorts unnecessary heat loss.

This round pool cover is made of durable resin and with thousands of light bubbles. These bubbles ensure that your pool cover is floating above the water. It can serve as glass to warm your pool; this depends on the color and cover type.

Product Details:

• Designed to capture and transmit solar heat to your pool
• Keep your pool water cleaner by blocking out dirt and debris which will save on chemicals
• Cuts water evaporation by up to 95%
• Prevents heat loss
• 15° temperature rise

Blue Wave NS 110 Solar Cover

If you are looking for an 8-mil thick solar cover, putting your money on Blue Wave NS110 can be a good bet. It works great to retain heat with its insulating thermal cells. It is made using UV-protected polymer, which is why it is likely to serve you for many years without any issue.

The cover takes advantage of passive heating by raising the pool water temperature by up to 15F. It is usually enough to extend your swimming season a bit. The cover is not heavy at all, which means that even one person can remove it with ease.

The company stands behind its products and offer a 3-year warranty with this pool cover. While it works quite efficiently, it may cost you more than many other solar covers in the similar category.

Product Details:

• RETAINS HEAT – Insulating thermal cells trap heat and retain warmth on cool cloudy days allowing you to swim in warmer water all summer long
• LONG-LASTING – Created with UV-protected polymer, our solar blankets are resistant to the deterioration caused by chemicals and UV radiation
• EXTENDS THE SEASON – This high-quality 8-mil solar blanket uses passive heating to raise your swimming pool’s temperature by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit
• REDUCE EVAPORATION: Prevent up to 95% of pool water and chemical evaporation with the use of a solar blanket. This reduction of evaporation is not only environmentally friendly, it will save you time and money, as well
• 3-YEAR WARRANTY – Your product comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty

In the Swim 8Mil Pool Cover

If you are looking for a durable cover for your pool, you can always consider putting your money on this offering from In the Swim.

The company offers some highly efficient and durable solar pool coves. This thick cover is sure to keep your water protected from debris and dirt.

The 8Mil solar pool cover comes with tiny air bubbles that work efficiently to collect and transfer heat to the water. It keeps heat trapped in your pool and works to prevent chemical loss as well. No need to worry about rebalancing often with your pool covered properly.

A good thing is that you can trim or cut the pool cover to suit your oval, kidney, or irregularly shaped pools. It can raise the water temperature by 6-8 degrees, which may be all that you need. This high-quality cover is backed by 3-year warranty.

Product Details:

• Raises water temperature up to 8-10 degrees in approximately 5-7 days of consistent sunlight
• Reduces your water evaporation and chemical loss to save you money
• Reduces heat loss and minimizes the amount of debris that can get in the water
• Extends the swimming season by maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in the pool
• 3 Year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty

Blue Wave NS520 Solar Cover

Whether you want to conserve energy or want to keep your pool warmer, Blue Wave can be a viable solution for you. This pool cover from Blue Wave is one of their best offerings, mainly because it is super thick at 14-mil. The thicker the cover, the higher will be its efficiency.

This thick pool cover has insulating thermal bubbles on its top layer. These innovative cells keep your pool warm through cloudy days and cool nights.

Since it is a 14-mil thick cover, durability is not going to be an issue. In fact, the company offers a 6-year warranty, which shows that the product is highly durable. Its price could have been better though.

Product Details:

• Conserves energy – this 14-mil blanket covers your swimming pool and employs Solar heating to increase the water temperature by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Minimizes heat loss: our insulating thermal bubbles provide effective heating all summer long. This blanket is packed with innovative cells ensuring your swimming pool stays warm through cool nights and cloudy days.
• Superior durability – this Rectangular 14-mil Solar blanket for in-ground swimming pools is designed to withstand deterioration caused by ultraviolet rays and chemicals.
• Reduce evaporation: prevent up to 95% of pool water and chemical evaporation with the use of a Solar blanket. This reduction of evaporation is not Only environmentally-safe, it will save you time and money, as well.
• 6-Year limited Warranty

Best Solar Pool Cover Buyers Guide For 2023

What are Different Types of Pool Covers?

Pool covers certainly help maximize your pool’s potential by keeping them warm. Once you have decided to buy a pool cover, the next thing is to decide which type of cover will suit you the most.

There are three basic types of pool covers available today – thermal, automatic, and solar covers. Here is a bit more about these types:

• Automatic Pool Covers: These fully-automated covers are quite popular. You can open and close them with a mere push of a button. You have to install two tracks parallel to each other to make these covers work. Therefore, you need to hire a professional to have them installed, which adds to the overall cost of having them.
• Thermal Covers: If you live in a relatively colder area, you may want to opt for a thermal cover or a thermal pool blanket, as they call it. It works great to limit evaporation.In other words, it insulates the water and goes on to extend your season. They also work fine to keep your pool clean because they prevent any extraneous debris from entering the pool.
• Solar Pool Covers: One increasingly popular option is to opt for specially designed solar pool covers. Also called bubble covers, they are easy to install and also the most affordable pool covers.They have special bubbles on the surface that absorb sun’s warmth and keep it trapped at night. They reduce evaporation by 99% and reduce heating costs as well. However, overtime the cheap covers start losing cover, which impact their effectiveness and leaves a layer of unwanted plastic on the water surface.

What Makes Solar Pool Covers a Better Option?

Solar pool covers are fast becoming popular because of their affordable price and ease of installation.

You can opt for thermal pool covers or even put your money on automatic pool covers. However, they may be easier to use, but are going to cost you a lot more.

A solar pool cover is cost-effective and offers a range of benefits too. For instance:

• It is the best option when you want a cover to help reduce evaporation. It can reduce evaporation by 99%.
• Solar pool covers are better than other types because they work great to keep in the chemicals required to maintain the water chemistry. You are less likely to worry about adding more chemical to the water, which cuts the overall maintenance cost.
• When used correctly, solar pool covers can increase the temperature of pool water by 8 degrees. Other pool covers may only protect the water temperature from going down. The cover essentially turns your pool into a solar heater.
• They do not require any serious skills for installation. You can handle the process with a pair of household scissors that you need to cut the cover as per the shape of your pool. Automatic pool covers require a professional’s help, and installing thermal covers can be tricky too.
• A solar cover does not look unsightly, which may be the case with automatic pool coves. In case of automatic covers, the tracks have to sit above ground, which makes them highly visible and unattractive.

Things to Consider When Buying a Solar Pool Cover

It is clear that a solar pool cover is an inexpensive way to extend your swimming season, so you may certainly want to buy one. It is a good choice also because no other pool cover actually ‘increases’ the temperature of your pool water. Now, if you want to make a purchase, be sure to keep the following points in mind.

Consider the Type of Your Pool:

It is important to consider whether you have an in-ground or above ground pool. When buying a pool cover for an in-ground pool, remember that you may also have to invest in a right type of cover reel.

Moreover, you need to consider the size of your pool. You can cut a solar pool cover to suit the size of your pool – in-ground or above-ground. But, you should know the measurement to start on the right foot.

Consider the Ease of Use:

Not all pool covers are easy to use – you have to go through some hassle to cover your pool. The same holds true for solar pools that are also available in three types – manual models, semi-automatic, and automatic models.

Manual models require your assistance to work – that is why they are also called passive solar covers. Semi-automatic pool covers come equipped with a reel system. It uses electric power to remove your pool solar cover. Still, you will have to guide the movement into the reel.

Automatic solar covers come equipped with a fully automatic function system. You just need to push a button to roll and unroll the cover. They are highly convenient but are equally expensive too.

Find the Right Material:

You will find pool covers made using different types of materials. Not selecting the right material would keep you from getting a cover that lasts for long.

A good option is to buy vinyl covers. As compared to other options, vinyl covers are a lot more resilient. You can expect heavy-duty protection. You can try other options too if you have an indoor pool.

However, do not forget to check the quality of construction before buying. The build quality can lead to a difference in heat retention and make your solar pool cover less effective.

Select the Right Color:

You will find solar pool covers in different colors. It is better to opt for darker colors because they are likely to offer better protection against heat. However, you should not go for a cover that is too dark or else it will start keeping your pool cooler.

To avoid making a wrong decision, you can put your money on semi-transparent covers. These covers allow UV rays to pass through the cover and reach the water. However, the cover then prevents evaporation and keeps heat trapped in the water. Such covers will also help store water longer because they reduce evaporation to a significant level.

Consider the Thickness:

The thickness of a solar pool cover can have a great impact on its efficiency. Ideally, you should opt for a thicker pool cover because it is going to last longer and help trap heat better. Just be ready to pay more when opting for a thicker solar pool cover.

Pay Attention to the Design:

Apparently, it looks that all solar pool covers are the same, but they are not. Look closely and you will notice varying patterns and shapes in these covers. Some common designs include bubble wrap-like bubbles, diamonds, and hexagons.

While it is a good idea to consider the design, the larger bubbles are usually not going to prove better. So, do not end up spending more on it!

Different Types of Solar Pool Covers:

It is true that solar pool covers work efficiently to keep your pool warmer. Many people think that they can get similar results by using a sheet of heavy plastic. That is not true because solar pool covers use air chambers that work as a magnifying glass. It captures the energy and then transfers it to the water to increase its temperature.

What you should bear in mind is that solar pool covers can be of two types, such as solar ring pool covers and bubble covers. Here is what you need to know about these types:

Bubble Covers:

Also called solar blankets, these pool covers are the most affordable ones. It is also quite easy to handle them – even new pool owners with little skill can manage them. They have air bubbles on top that absorb sun’s heat and send it to the water.

At night, the bubbles play a different role and turn into insulators. The good thing about these covers is that they are UV-ray-resistant. They can withstand direct exposure to sunlight. It is easier to handle them because they are lighter in weight.

You can also find them in different grades of polypropylene or polyethylene materials. They are available in different thicknesses, ranging from 8 gauge to 16 gauge. A thicker cover is likely to prove more efficient. The pool covers also work great to conserve water by limiting evaporation.

Solar Ring Pool Covers:

Some solar pool covers come with small spheres to enhance solar collection in your pool. They are called solar ring pool covers that are quite useful and efficient too. They have rings attached to create a raft on the surface of your pool through magnets present in each unit.

A good thing about these solar ring covers is that they have triangles of uncovered space that let sunlight to pass and prevent unwanted algae growth. Moreover, you can easily remove a few rings for vacuuming and skimming. In terms of durability, they are no better than a bubble cover though.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is solar pool cover?
A: A solar pool cover is a modern system of keeping pool water warm to prolong the swimming season’s length. These pool covers are otherwise known as a blanket; they look like an enormous sheet of bubble wrap that captures heat from sunlight and transfers it to the swimming pool.

Q: What color solar pool cover is best?
A: When choosing a solar pool cover, dark blue pool covers are the best in this category because they do the best job of warming the pool water. However, the heat penetration ability of darker colored pool covers is higher. So, a dark blue solar pool cover is the best for the money.

Q: Does a solar pool cover heat the water?
A: Apart from heating your pool water effectively, a solar pool blanket helps to elongate your pool’s chemical effectiveness. Most of these excellent pool covers can increase the swimming pool water temperature by 8 to 10 percent. Solar pool cover efficiently heats the water and allow more sunlight to enter the pool.

Q: Where to buy solar pool cover?
A: To make the process of purchasing a solar pool cover easier for buyers, most of these products can be shipped to the buyers’ doorstep if purchase online, while many are available for pickup in stores and supermarkets. However, online items may incur additional shipping fees.

Q: What size solar pool cover do I need?
A: Simply measure the Length and Width points of your pool to determine the solar pool cover size you’ll need. When installing the cover, it is better to completely cover the water’s surface so that there would be no gaps that allow heat to escape.

Q: Why solar pool aren’t covers black?
A: The solar pool cover is not black because Blue covers conserve more chemicals with their ability to obstruct UV rays effectively. The Department of Energy in the United States says opaque colored solar blankets can occlude more pool heating light energy than translucent ones.

Q: Do liquid solar pool covers work?
A: Yes, liquid solar pool blankets function adequately well. Although they do not absorb the sun’s heat in the swimming pool water, they help minimize the water’s evaporation during the night to keep the water warm.

Q: Should I Leave Pool Cover On?
A: You should always leave your pool cover on when you are not using your swimming pool. It quickly heats the water during the day while it traps the heat in during the chilly nights.

Q: How to Cut Solar Pool Cover?
A: Follow these steps:

• Let the cover float in the water for a few hours to soften and for the creases to settle.
• Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut 3-5 cm over your pool’s edge and take care to ensure that it remains below the rim of your pool.
• Cut a small flap, about 5 cm, for the pool skimmer box.
• Note: Make the cover a little bigger and trim it later when you have installed it after a few days.

Q: How to use Solar Pool Cover?
A: A solar pool cover is an excellent accessory for a swimming pool that you can use for different things.

• Warm the pool – It can collect the sun’s heat during the day and trap it inside during the night.
• Prevent evaporation – Pool covers can prevent up to 95% of evaporation.
• Minimize chemical usage – With little evaporation, your pool doesn’t lose a lot of chemicals.
• Minimize operation cost – The above three usages all lead to minimal use of operation costs.

Conclusion:

Not only does a pool cover help extend your swimming season by maintaining a right temperature, it also helps protect the pool water from becoming dirty. Although other pool covers have their benefits, using a solar pool cover is the most affordable way to enjoy the benefits of using this technology.

It is the only cover that can actually ‘raise’ the temperature of your pool water. It is durable, it is efficient, and it is available in different sizes. Just be sure to pick the right size and know the material you are selecting is resilient to maximize its performance. Thanks for taking the time to read our Best Solar Pool Cover Review Guide For 2023.