If you have recently had a pool installed and are afraid that it won’t withstand the harsh conditions that come with the winter months, a winter pool cover is the perfect solution for you.
Available in an array of different sizes and materials, choosing a winter pool cover that is perfect for you can be overwhelming because of the amount of choices on the market.
However, we’ve gathered the best winter pool covers available on the market so you can choose the right option for you.
Following these recommendations, we have curated an exclusive Buyers Guide and FAQ so you will know what to look out for when conducting your own research.
Here are the top five winter pool covers that you should consider:
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Our first recommendation is the Robelle 3424-4 Winter Round Above-Ground Pool Cover which can be used with traditional above ground swimming pools.
Made from solid materials that won’t let water pass through, this cover size is 28 feet making it perfect for a 24 foot round pool.
This pool cover features extra heavy duty perimeter binding as well as 12 by 12 scrim with polyethylene weights so you can be assured that the cover will stay in place and prevent your pool from being exposed to harsh conditions.
The 4 foot overlap means that this cover is easier to install and easy to maintain.
What makes this pool cover our top pick is that it comes with the winch and cable which can be used to secure the cover through the grommets so you can be assured that it remains in place.
It also comes with an 18 year warranty so you can be guaranteed that this cover will last you a long time.
The cover will be able to float loosely on the water and there is an option to purchase an ice equalizer pillow separately should you want extra protection.
Pros
- Features extra heavy duty perimeter binding as well as 12 by 12 scrim with polyethylene weights so you can be assured that the cover will stay in place and prevent your pool from being exposed to harsh conditions
- Comes with the winch and cable which can be used to secure the cover through the grommets so you can be assured that it remains in place
- Comes with an 18 year warranty so you can be guaranteed that this cover will last you a long time
Cons
- High price point
EDITORS CHOICE
Our second selection is the Blue Wave Bronze 24-ft Round Above Ground Pool Winter Cover which is a total of 28 feet making it ideal for pools that are 24 feet round so there is plenty of room.
Made from high quality polyethylene, the materials of this pool cover are extremely rugged and durable meaning that they can easily withstand the harsh winter conditions.
The cover is also UV protected meaning that your pool will be protected from the sun so it can be used all year round if you wish.
The black underside of the pool cover helps to reduce any algae growth and the heat sealing seams mean that your pool will be completely clean.
With a total four foot overlap, you can be assured that there is no stretching or ripping of the materials.
This cover comes with heavy duty cable and winch tightener so you can ensure that the pool cover is secured properly and won’t blow away in harsh winds.
The bronze cover helps to secure your pool thanks to the heavy duty, vinyl coated cable and tightener that is then anchored down by rip proof metal grommets that are evenly spaced 30 inches apart.
Pros
- Made from high quality polyethylene, the materials of this pool cover are extremely rugged and durable meaning that they can easily withstand the harsh winter conditions
- The black underside of the pool cover helps to reduce any algae growth and the heat sealing seams mean that your pool will be completely clean
- The bronze cover helps to secure your pool thanks to the heavy duty, vinyl coated cable and tightener that is then anchored down by rip proof metal grommets that are evenly spaced 30 inches apart
Cons
- Not suitable for years of regular use
BEST VALUE
Our third choice is the In The Swim 24 Foot Round Pool Value Winter Cover which comes with a one year full guarantee thanks to the quality of the materials so you can have extra reassurance that it will protect your pool.
This solid round pool cover features an 8 by 8 scrim that provides evenly distributed protection around the perimeter.
The 27 foot diameter is ideal for pools that are 24 feet round as it gives a 3 foot overlap so the material is not stretched or ripped.
The material of the cover is made from a laminated polyethylene sheeting that has then been woven with a high density polyethylene stitching to provide an extra layer of protection.
This pool cover comes with a cable and turnbuckle so you can easily secure your pool cover down without worrying that it will be affected negatively by the harsh winter weather.
The lightweight material means that it is easy to handle and instal while the polyethylene material has been triple laminated and has ultra violet qualities to provide ultimate protection.
This cover comes with an 8 year limited warranty so you can be assured that you are getting years of heavy duty regular use.
Pros
- The material of the cover is made from a laminated polyethylene sheeting that has then been woven with a high density polyethylene stitching to provide an extra layer of protection
- Comes with a cable and turnbuckle so you can easily secure your pool cover down without worrying that it will be affected negatively by the harsh winter weather
- Comes with an 8 year limited warranty so you can be assured that you are getting years of heavy duty regular use
Cons
- Can be tight to size
RUNNER UP
Our penultimate recommendation is the Winter Block Aboveground Pool Winter Cover which is fantastic for keeping any above ground pool completely covered and protected during the harsh winter months and means that when spring comes, it’s easier to get your pool back to its best condition.
The lightweight and durable material makes this cover easy to install and it also comes with everything you need including perimeter grommets, steel cable and winch so you can install it as soon as it arrives.
This pool cover has been designed with resistance and durability in mind as it is also protective against sun rays.
The laminated polyethylene sheeting has been woven with a thick, high density polyethylene stitching which means that it has superior strength and durability.
This pool cover has been designed to help keep debris out as well as rainwater and melted snow so you can be assured that the water will be in the best condition when you unveil it for spring.
The cover is guaranteed to withstand extreme weather conditions and is durable enough to stay in place and resist blowing away with heavy wings.
Ideal for smaller pools, this 21 foot cover is great for 18 foot pools as it will provide a 3 foot overlap so there is no risk of stretching or ripping the material.
Pros
- Comes with everything you need including perimeter grommets, steel cable and winch so you can install it as soon as it arrives
- The laminated polyethylene sheeting has been woven with a thick, high density polyethylene stitching which means that it has superior strength and durability
- Has been designed to help keep debris out as well as rainwater and melted snow so you can be assured that the water will be in the best condition when you unveil it for spring
Cons
- The winch and cable system is weaker than other models
RUNNER UP
Our final selection is the Defender 8-Year 16 feet x 28 feet Oval Above-Ground Winter Cover which is another option that is 28 feet making it ideal for pools that are 24 feet with a 4 foot overlap so the material doesn’t get stretched or ripped.
This pool cover has been designed to protect against any extreme weather condition including harsh sun, snow, ice and winds.
The heavy duty cable and winch tightener that is included allows you to secure your pool cover as soon as it arrives as you will have everything you need to set it up.
The cover is made from materials that provide the strength and durability compared to covers that cost double the amount.
The rugged polyethylene scrim and coating means that this cover is prepared for any harsh winter weather conditions.
The covers are also UV protected so they will last for years even when exposed to direct sunlight meaning you can use it all year round should you wish.
The black underside helps to prevent any algae growth while the heat sealed seams mean that your water won’t be exposed to anything from the outside so the water will be in top condition when you take the cover off in the spring and summer months.
Secured by heavy duty, vinyl coated cable and tighteners which are anchored by rip proof metal grommets that are equally spaced 30 inches apart, your pool will be completely protected with even distribution throughout.
Pros
- The heavy duty cable and winch tightener that is included allows you to secure your pool cover as soon as it arrives as you will have everything you need to set it up
- The rugged polyethylene scrim and coating means that this cover is prepared for any harsh winter weather conditions
- The black underside helps to prevent any algae growth while the heat sealed seams mean that your water won’t be exposed to anything from the outside so the water will be in top condition when you take the cover off in the spring and summer months
Cons
- Thinner material than the other options
Best Winter Pool Cover Buying Guide
When researching which winter pool cover is the best one for you, there are certain aspects that you need to consider before making any purchase.
This will mean that you will know what to expect when it arrives which in turn will reduce the chances of disappointment. Always think about the material of the cover, the size, any warranty period and your budget.
Once you’ve balanced these factors against your own criteria, you’ll be able to make a fully informed decision with confidence.
Material
The first thing you should always look into is the material. One of the strongest materials used to make pool cover is polyethylene which is extremely sturdy and protective against strong winds and heavy rainfall.
As this pool cover is specifically designed for winter weather, it is extremely important that the cover you think is made from materials that are reliable and durable for extreme weather conditions whether it is snowing, windy or raining.
Size
The next thing you need to consider is the size of the pool cover. The majority of pool covers come in a range of different sizes as not every pool is the same.
Therefore, it’s important to know what size your pool is before researching what cover you should get.
The fit of the pool cover should be slightly loose in order to prevent any winch and cables breaking or stretching too far where the material can break.
Having it slightly loose means that there is room for movement but the pool is still being protected.
Warranty
As pool covers are designed to last a long time, always check whether the product comes with a returns policy or warranty period.
This will help to provide peace of mind and ensure that you are covered should the product not give the results you expect.
Even though they are designed with winter months in mind, they are expected to last for years of regular all year round use so you want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.
Budget
Lastly, always consider your budget. As you can see from the recommendations in this article, the pool covers are available at varying price points so whether you have the money to spend or are working with a stricter budget, there is an option for you that will give you the perfect performance.
This is great because it means that you don’t have to worry about compromising your bank account in order to provide full protection for your pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a winter pool cover necessary?
Technically, you don’t have to use a winter pool cover if you don’t want to.
However, using a winter pool cover has an array of benefits that can help maintain the condition and quality of your pool and prevent you from having to pay extortionate amounts of money to have the surface of your pool repaired.
This is because winter pool covers help to prevent your pool from accumulating any algae growth, stains as well as poor water balance which can damage the surfaces.
Can you walk on winter pool covers?
Walking on winter pool covers may seem like an odd thing to do but it can be a great exercise to test how sturdy and reliable the material of your pool cover is.
It’s also dependent on what kind of pool cover you opt for as there are winter pool covers, safety pool covers and platform pool covers which all have their unique benefits.
