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When the sun pops its hat on, there’s nothing better than grabbing the pool, setting up in the back garden, and spending the day as if you’re at your own personal beach. A good pool will entertain children and adults as well as provide some much-needed respite from the heat. However, finding the right one can be difficult, as many factors need to be considered.
This guide will take you through all the features you need to think about when buying a garden pool, looking at everything from style to shape. We’ll also show you some of the best garden pools available from trusted companies such as Intex and Bestway, from UK sites like Amazon, eBay and Argos. Whether you're looking for a personal swimming pool or just a small paddling pool for the kids, we've got you covered.
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Table of Contents
So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the nitty-gritty of finding you the perfect pool. We're here to help you get you set up with a purchase that will remain a prominent garden feature for many summers to come. Let's dive in!
The first factor to consider when buying a garden pool is the type. Now, while you could have the garden relandscaped and a pool built-in, we suspect many people don’t want to pay for that. So, instead, we’ll be focussing on two popular, less permanent types – inflatable and framed.
In terms of size, inflatable pools are on the smaller side, which is perfect for children as they won't be too deep. The downside is that they are the most susceptible to damage, either from long-term use, rough weather, pets, or a number of other things. Therefore, you want to ensure that they’re well cared for.
The framed style pool is built using, unsurprisingly, a metal frame. The pool liner is then attached, and while this might seem like a lot of fuss compared to an inflatable pool, once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll be surprised how quick some of them go up. These pools tend to be available in bigger sizes, so they’re a solid option if you have older children, a large family, or you’re buying it just for adults.
Sometimes, framed pools come with a water filter pump, which maintains the water and keeps it free of bacteria and algae, which is especially useful if you’d like to leave it up for days or even weeks at a time. However, the bigger sizes also mean that you need more space.
The next consideration is the capacity of the pool. Of course, it’s worth remembering that these will not be metres deep for you to practice Olympic-style synchronised diving, so set your expectations accordingly.
Finding the right capacity depends firstly on how many people are going to be using it. For example, if you’re buying a pool for two children to play in, the needs will differ from those buying it for a whole family. Secondly, it depends on what you’d like to do in the pool – relax, swim or play.
If you’re only relaxing as adults or having small children play, then a pool under 1000 L should be sufficient. If you’d like to have the whole family in at the same time and some space for swimming, playing games or lying in a lilo, then look for a pool that is, at least 1000 L. Thankfully, many companies provide options that range up to around 9000 L.
Another important point to consider is the shape. Generally speaking, there are two options – round and rectangle. Round is by far the most common and is available for either framed or inflatable pools. A round shape is excellent if you're short on space as the corners are nipped off freeing up more of your garden.
Rectangle pools are less common, but they're still out there. These tend to take up a little more space, although they do have the convenience of being able to be pushed right up into the corners. Now and then, you might come across a square style pool, but these are typically for relaxing in and tend to be focussed more on adults rather than children.
Finally, if you’re looking for a semi-permanent pool that you’d like to keep up for multiple days or even weeks throughout the nice weather, it’s worth considering one that comes with a water filter pump. As we mentioned earlier, this will help maintain the clarity and cleanliness of the water by removing debris and dirt.
Of course, this feature is only usually found with larger, more expensive framed pools because inflatable options are quick to drain and fill up again, particularly if they’re under 1000 L. However doing this will increase your water bill, so it could be worth purchasing a pump separately if you’d like to keep the cost down.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Intex Metal Frame Swimming Pool|28202UK | £189.98 High Mid | A Durable and Robust Amazon Favourite | ||
2 | Intex Inflatable Swim Center Family Lounge|56475NP | £37.00 Low Mid | Drink Holders and Seats for Some Adult Chill Time | ||
3 | Bestway Steel Pro UV | £103.22 Mid | Poolside Fun With Shelter From the Sun | ||
4 | Bestway Swimming Pool with Filter Pump|BW56416 | £169.95 High Mid | Effortless and Uncomplicated to Use | ||
5 | Voxon Inflatable Swimming Pool | £59.99 Low Mid | Add a Tonne More Fun to the Pool With a Sprayer | ||
6 | Intex Rectangular Pool|28270 | £134.00 High Mid | A Great Sized Pool for a Small Family | ||
7 | Chad Valley Turtle Quick Up Kids Paddling Pool | £25.00 Low Mid | Perfect for Small Humans and Small Gardens |
Coming in with 4500 L and approximately 3 metres in diameter, this framed garden pool from Intex is ideal for the family as there's plenty of space. It might take a long time to fill, but you don't have to worry about doing that too often due to the provided water filter pump, which will keep the pool water nice and clean.
Additionally, as with many of their products, you can expect the best materials, from the PVC liner to the durable and robust frame. Don't just take our word for it, though. If you're unsure, look at the Amazon reviews, as around 80% of the folks have given their purchase five stars.
It's safe to say that it's not only children that enjoy relaxing in the water on a hot summer's day, which is why we've included this family lounge-style pool for those who are just looking to sit and relax. Plus, there are even two nifty drinks holders included.
All you need is to take a book and a glass of something tasty, and you've got one hell of a chill day ahead of you. It might not be the best bet for those who have families, even though the name suggests it, but if you're looking for something for a bunch of adults, we think this is a sure winner.
One of the things about being in the pool is that we're often left defenceless against the heat, which is particularly dangerous for our children. For these reasons, Bestway has come up with an excellent addition for their framed pool - simply more frames that provide cover!
The Steel Pro UV makes sure that you and your children can still enjoy the pool without having to reapply sun cream every five minutes. Moreover, while many people initially questioned the security of the shelter, it's proven to be something that you can count on.
One of the best features of the Bestway framed pools is their design, as they're effortless and uncomplicated to put together, thanks to their clever seal and lock frame. Not only that, but once in place, you can rest assured that they'll stay put due to their supremely secure connection.
This offering from the company is a little on the larger side with a very decent 6473 L, ensuring that the whole family can enjoy it if they wish. Some people have found that the pump isn't overly efficient, though, which is a bit of a shame, so it could mean that you'd prefer to buy your own.
If you're looking for a garden pool that has a little more going for it, then this option from Voxon features a built-in sprayer adding tonnes more fun! Plus, because it's designed for children, there is also an overflow feature that keeps the water level at an appropriate height.
Not only are there some extra features, but the pool is also adorned with dolphins, making it a little more enticing for children that may be apprehensive about joining in the fun. Some users have found issues keeping it inflated, though, so make sure you keep an eye on it.
In terms of framed pools, this offering from Intex is on the smaller side, with a 1662 L capacity. However, while that could put some people off, there is still enough room for a small family, which would be ideal if you have limited outdoor space.
The liner is made of puncture-resistant three-ply material, and the whole thing usually takes around 30 minutes to set up - maybe even quicker if you've got a few little helpers! The only downside is that some users have found the plug placement to be a little troublesome when it comes time to empty.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have this small inflatable option that is the perfect garden pool for children. With 757 L, it's plenty big enough for the kids to splash the day away while still leaving room in the garden for the adults to relax.
Not only that, but the cuteness of the turtle definitely earns it some points too. It might not be the most family-friendly option out there, but if the adults are not looking to get involved in the water play, then it might just hit the spot.
Whether your garden is like a home Disneyland for the kids, or it's purely a place where you can relax and unwind, decorating your outdoor space right creates a personal sanctuary. If you're ready to give your garden a new lease of life, check out more of our articles below!
So there you have it - our comprehensive guide to finding the ultimate garden pool. We hope that you found this article interesting and informative and it's given you some ideas as to which pool to go for. Here's to making the most of summer by splashing around and staying cool. Let's just hope the weather holds out!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Intex|Metal Frame Swimming Pool|28202UK
No. 2: Intex|Inflatable Swim Center Family Lounge|56475NP
No. 3: Bestway|Steel Pro UV
No. 4: Bestway|Swimming Pool with Filter Pump|BW56416
No. 5: Voxon|Inflatable Swimming Pool
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