When the summer fun is over it comes time to think about closing up your pool for winter. If you do the job right and protect your investment then come spring everything will be ready for you to enjoy again. If you do not properly protect your swimming pool from the winter elements it could be damaged or destroyed. Homeowners have lots of questions about protecting pool covers and Outside Modern has the answers. Here are our best above ground pool cover tips.
Do I have to cover my above ground pool for the winter?
No, but most homeowners are happier using a winter cover to protect the pool from the elements. A cover keeps leaves and other debris out of the pool while protecting it from wind, ice and snow. Winter above ground pool covers reduce algae growth and the stains that develop from stagnant, dirty water. They also can block sunlight to help conserve your winter chemicals in the water.
What happens if you don’t cover your above ground pool?
For climates that experience freezing temperatures, the snow and ice during harsh winter weather can damage the vinyl liner. Small cracks can become large ones in just a single outdoor season and come spring time you will spend a lot more money opening the pool back up. An unprotected pool is more likely to tear and fall apart. Homeowners that are not going to cover their above ground pool should lower the water level a few inches below the skimmer line, keep the pool free of debris, and open the pool early in the Spring.
What is the best winter cover for above ground pool?
The best winter cover will have tough vinyl or polyethylene material and UV protection for your above ground pool. It should also offer drain holes to help prevent water and ice from accumulating on top of the cover. The cover should be easy to use but also heavy enough that strong winds won’t blow it away. Heat sealed seams and high-density stitching should provide it with strength and durability.
Best Above Ground Pool Cover
Our choice for the best above ground pool cover is the Intex Round Easy Set Pool Cover. Made of tough fabric that can withstand harsh winter months, the cover uniquely offers the stay tight edge to install easily without the need for ropes or a winch.
- EASY TO USE – Installation is a breeze by using...
- PROTECTS POOL FROM DEBRIS – Intended for an...
- SUPER-TOUGH – Made with puncture-resistant PVC...
- SAFETY, QUALITY and VALUE – Intex designs,...
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION – Our dedicated customer...
Last update on 2025-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Runner Up: Best Above Ground Pool Cover
The runner up choice is the Robelle Super Winter Pool Cover. It is a lightweight pool cover that can still hold up to the elements all winter long. This heavy duty cover is a great choice for harsher climates.
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Budget Choice: Above Ground Pool Cover
Our budget choice is the Blue Wave Bronze Pool Winter Cover. This cover is a great buy with loads of awesome features found in high end covers.
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Above Ground Pool Cover Tips
When looking at pool covers the main considerations for homeowners is efficiency, durability and ease of installation. A pool might survive the winter without a cover, and a cheap cover might survive more than one season, but why take chances. Instead focus on finding a high quality cover with these buying tips.
Efficiency
A pool cover helps make your chemical treatments more effective by reducing sunlight and limiting evaporation. They also dramatically reduce the amount of cleaning necessary by keeping the water safe from debris, leaves, and other stuff. Look for a pool cover with a dark color underside to help.
Durability
All of the pool covers suffer from negative customer sentiment. Customers are frustrated when the winter elements rip and tear the cover apart, leaving their pool exposed. In cold climates the covers have to deal with freezing ice and snow that can put a lot of pressure on seams and thread. In any climate the sun poses a risk and causes cracking and peeling if the material is not UV resistant.
Installation
The installation process should be easy for homeowners. Most manufacturers provide an extended lip of fabric to wrap over the pool edge along with grommets to run rope and tie down the material. When the winter wind shows up you don’t want to be running down the street chasing your pool cover. Some pool covers are heavy to help resist blowing away in the wind but those can be difficult to install. Homeowners often times resort to weighing down the cover with milk jugs but cover clips are a better solution for keeping the cover taut.
Putting a cover on your pool is an essential step of winterization. Find a durable, quality cover that is easy to install. Work during the winter months to keep it clear of snow and ice. Stagnant, freezing water on the cover is one of the leading causes of rips and tears. Look into accessories like air pillows to help the pool keep integrity through the cold winter months.
It is also important to check your pool cover regularly during the winter months. It is not ok to set it and forget it. Examine the exterior of the pool cover for cracks and pull out any slack by tightening up the cover wherever you can. It only takes a couple of minutes to check the pool cover, and fixing small cracks can save you big time when opening your pool in the spring.
Best Above Ground Pool Cover Tips & Reviews
Buffalo Blizzard Deluxe Winter Cover
Key Points at a Glance
- 3 ft of overlap
- Grommets every 3’
- 8×8 scrim per square inch
Dimensions and Specs
- Includes vinyl coated cable and winch
The Details
Buffalo Blizzard gives homeowners confidence they closed the pool tight for winter with double stitched and triple thick hems using UV resistant nylon threads. The cover is lightweight and offers reversible blue and black colors.
The Bottom Line
Buffalo boasts big things but a lot of homeowners expressed frustration that this cover didn’t hold up to the elements. While all pool covers have some negative sentiment, the loud concerns on this item should give purchasers some pause. Remember one of our key above ground pool cover tips is to find one with durability.
- Durable: The Buffalo Blizzard 18ft round heavy duty winter pool cover...
- Tailored Fit: Our pool covers for above ground pools includes an...
- Strong Winch and Cable: The Buffalo Blizzard winter pool cover for a...
- UV Resistant: Our pool covers for above ground pools have double...
- Built to Defend: The Buffalo Blizzard pool winter covers for above...
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Harris Economy Winter Cover
No products found.Key Points at a Glance
- Navy Blue with Black Underside
- 10-Year Warranty, I Year Full
- Grommets every 3 feet
- Aluminum grommets
Dimensions and Specs
- Includes Cable & Ratchet Kit
The Details
Declaring itself an ‘economy’ cover but still fully priced, this round pool cover from Harris boasts just a 1 year warranty. The cover offers reinforced, double-stitched borders and aluminum grommets. Navy blue with a black underside to help inhibit algae growth, the cover also includes a cable and ratchet kit. Harris makes a lot of products besides pool covers and focusing instead on a pool cover speciality company might be a more economical choice.
The Bottom Line
Some homeowners encountered rips and tears with this cover that are concerning. While all pool covers take a beating, you still hope to get more than one season out of them. Due to the questionable durability this was not our choice for best above ground pool cover.
No products found.
Blue Wave Bronze Pool Winter Cover
Key Points at a Glance
- Rugged polyethylene scrim and coating
- U.V. protected
- Heat sealed seams
- Black underside
Dimensions and Specs
- Heavy duty cable and winch tightener included
- 5.5 lbs
The Details
The Blue Wave Bronze Above Ground Pool Winter Cover gets high marks for it’s rugged construction and durability. The cover boasts metal grommets and heat sealed seams to help ensure that the pool will be ready for you next spring. Navy blue cover with a dark underside.
The Bottom Line
Our budget choice is this Blue Wave Bronze cover. This cover has many of the features found on the highest rated models even though it is the middle-tier offering from Blue Wave.
- PROTECTS YOUR ABOVE-GROUND POOL - Made from high-quality polyethylene,...
- EFFECTIVE DEBRIS BARRIER - The cover features a black underside and...
- GENEROUS OVERLAP FOR SECURE FIT - With a generous 4-foot overlap, this...
- COMPREHENSIVE SECURING SYSTEM - Each cover includes a metal winch and...
- 8-YEAR WARRANTY - Backed by an 8-year warranty, this solid winter...
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Robelle Super Winter Pool Cover
Key Points at a Glance
- Heavy-duty polyethylene
- UV-resistant
- Available in multiple colors
Dimensions and Specs
- Includes winch and cable
- 5 lbs
The Details
This Robelle pool cover is lightweight for easy installation but still holds up to tough elements without rips or tears. The pool cover offers a generous 4 ft overlap and strong grommets. Strong 8 x 8 scrim indicates the high quality and leaves most competitors far behind.
The Bottom Line
You pay for what you get and while not cheap this pool cover from Robelle is highly regarded by homeowners. Offering an all weather solution and heavy-duty construction, this pool cover is a great choice. Available in multiple colors.
- Winter pool cover to be used with traditional above ground swimming...
- Pool Size: 12 Foot Round - Cover Size: 15 Feet (includes overlap in...
- Extra heavy-duty perimeter binding - 3 foot overlap (Includes 3 feet...
- Includes winch and cable, which should be used to secure the cover...
- Cover should be able to float loosely in the water, consider going up...
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Intex Round Easy Set Pool Cover
Key Points at a Glance
- Snug fit
- Drain holes
Dimensions and Specs
- Rope ties
- 9 lbs
The Details
This round pool cover from Intex is easy to use with a snug fit over the edge of pools to attach. Unlike other covers that offer overlap and a cumbersome winch, this Intex cover fits snug and holds tight. The cover sports drain holes to prevent water accumulation and is made of tough polyethylene fabric.
The Bottom Line
Our winner for best above ground pool cover is this Intex easy set round pool cover. It gives homeowners great peace of mind that their pool is protected from the elements and harmful debris.
- EASY TO USE – Installation is a breeze by using the 12-inch overhang...
- PROTECTS POOL FROM DEBRIS – Intended for an 15-foot round pool, this...
- SUPER-TOUGH – Made with puncture-resistant PVC material and drain...
- SAFETY, QUALITY and VALUE – Intex designs, builds, and tests all its...
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION – Our dedicated customer service team is...
Last update on 2025-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
A pool cover for your above ground pool is an essential tool for surviving the winter months. To help keep your pool free of debris and to have your pool ready to go in the spring, install a high quality all weather pool cover this winter. Be careful of the cheap models that offer an attractive price point because they might not be tough enough to survive the weather. For a good investment in a longer term solution for your pool take a look at our best pick for above ground pool cover.
Nothing like a good hot tub in the winter time! Check out our post on How To Use An Inflatable Hot Tub in Winter for tips and tricks on using your hot tub all winter long. If you have something for our list of the best above ground pool cover tips then please add it to the comments below.
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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