If you’re looking for a way to stay cool this summer but aren’t quite ready to commit to an above-ground pool, the best inflatable pools are an affordable and convenient way to beat the heat. These pools come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re as easy to set up as your favorite pool floats—just fill them with air and they’re ready to go. Our top choice is the Intex Easy Set Inflatable Swimming Pool, a full-size option that easily accommodate several people, and takes just 15 minutes to set up. But there are several inflatable pools on this list to suit every budget and backyard.
The Valwix Inflatable Swimming Pool inflates in just 3 to 4 minutes with an electric pump making it ... [+] an easy option to setup in your backyard.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
“Inflatable pools and spas are a great starter option to dive into the pool or spa lifestyle,” says Lisa Cheatham, category director of pool and hot tub lifestyle products at Leslie’s, an online pool supply store. “Plus, they aren’t permanent and tend to be easier to set up and take down.” As you shop for an inflatable pool, you’ll want to consider how many people will be using it, where you’ll set it up, what it’s made from, and more. A larger pool may seem like the way to go, but keep in mind that bigger inflatable pools take up significantly more space, need more water to fill and require more maintenance. If the pool is going to be used by just one or two people, a smaller option will likely be much more convenient.
Ahead, find the best inflatable pools on the market for summer 2023.
A Full-Size Pool With All The Necessary Accessories
Amazon
Intex Easy Set 15-Foot Inflatable Swimming Pool
Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 4 feet | Shape: Circular | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 3,736 gallons | Fits: 6 people
If you want a full-size pool that can easily be taken down at the end of each summer, the Intex Easy Set 15-Foot Inflatable Swimming Pool is the way to go. It’s made from a three-ply puncture-resistant PVC, and the pool comes in both 48- or 42-inch depths, depending on how deep you want the water to be. The pool can easily accommodate several people and it takes just 15 minutes to set up with no tools required.
One of the major benefits of this inflatable pool is that it comes with all the accessories you need to keep it running throughout the summer. It includes a ground cloth and pool cover, a filter pump that cleans 1,000 gallons of water per hour, and even a ladder for getting in and out. Just keep in mind that this pool requires more than 3,000 gallons of water, so you may need to arrange for a water delivery to fill it up.
Pros:
Two depth options
Includes a filter pump, ladder and cover
Quick and easy to set up
Cons:
Requires a lot of water to fill
Best Large Inflatable Pool
An 18-Foot Pool That Can Fit The Whole Family
MOST POPULAR
The Home Depot
Intex 18-Foot Inflatable Pool Set
Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 4 feet | Shape: Circular | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 5,455 gallons | Fits: 6+ people
The Intex 18 ft. Inflatable Easy Set Pool is one of the largest inflatable swimming pools you can buy. With an 18-foot diameter, it’s the same side as some hard-sided above-ground pools, and it’s 4 feet deep, giving adults plenty of room to swim around. The pool is made from puncture-resistant three-ply material for durability, and it can generally be assembled in around 30 minutes.
In addition to the pool itself, this set comes with a variety of accessories. It includes a 1,500 gallons-per-hour filter pump to keep the water clean, as well as a ladder, ground cloth, and debris cover. You’ll also get a surface skimmer, pool vacuum, and telescoping pole to make your pool easy to clean.
Pros:
Spacious enough for several people
Comes with a filter pump, ladder and cover
Pool cleaning tools included
Cons:
Requires a lot of water to fill
Best Small Inflatable Pool
A Rectangular Pool That’s Easy To Set Up
Amazon
Sellotz Inflatable Pool
Dimensions: 120 x 72 x 22 inches | Shape: Rectangle | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 312 gallons | Fits: 2 adults; 3–5 children
The Sellotz Inflatable Pool is one the smaller side, measuring just 120 by 72 inches, and it’s a great option for younger children, as the sides are less than 2 feet tall. Its rectangular design is made from BPA-free PVC, and if you have an electric pump, it inflates in as little as three or four minutes. The pool has a drainpipe for easy emptying when you’re done playing, and it comes with two repair patches in case it ever gets a hole. You can even use the inflatable pool as a ball pit for children, allowing you to use it year-round.
Pros:
Inflates in just a few minutes
Shallow enough for young children
Includes two repair patches
Cons:
Fairly shallow water level
Best Deep Inflatable Pool
A Pool That’s 4 Feet Deep And Comes With A Canopy
Amazon
Evajoy Inflatable Swimming Pool with Canopy
Dimensions: 150 x 70 x 47 inches | Shape: Rectangle | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 317 gallons | Fits: 2 adults; 5 children
The Evajoy Inflatable Swimming Pool is deeper than most inflatable pools, making it ideal for adults and older children. Its walls are 4 feet tall, and the pool itself is more than 12 feet long, making it spacious enough for a few occupants at a time. The walls are made from thick BPA-free PVC, and it even comes with an optional canopy to provide shade on hot summer days.
This pool is easy to inflate if you have an electric air pump (not included), and it requires just over 300 gallons of water to fill—doable with a garden hose. There’s a drainpipe in the bottom that makes it easy to empty, and it can be folded up for easy storage in the off season.
Pros:
Just under 4 feet deep
Large enough for multiple occupants
Includes removable canopy for shade
Cons:
Somewhat pricey for its size
Best Inflatable Pool For Families
A Shallow Pool That’s Spacious Enough For Adults And Kids
Amazon
Valwix Inflatable Swimming Pool
Dimensions: 122 x 71 x 20 inches | Shape: Oval | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: Not listed | Fits: 2 adults and 2–3 children
Both children and adults will have a blast splashing in the Valwix Inflatable Swimming Pool. The PVC construction is just over 10 feet long and roughly 6 feet wide, and it has shorter walls that make it easy for young children to climb in and out. On one end, there’s a built-in seat and backrest where adults can lounge, while kids have plenty of room to play at the other end of the pool.
This pool inflates in just 3 to 4 minutes with an electric pump (not included), and it has a handy extended drain pipe for emptying. You can actually hook up a garden hose to the drain pipe, if desired, allowing you to drain the pool into a garden or even spread the water across your lawn.
Pros:
Built-in seat and backrest
Extended drain pipe
Inflates quickly
Cons:
Electric pump sold separately
Best Inflatable Kiddie Pool
A Colorful Pool With A Padded Bottom
Amazon
Intex Summer Sunset Glow Kiddie Pool
Dimensions: 57.87 x 57.87 x 13 inches | Shape: Circular | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 79 gallons | Fits: 2–3 kids
Instead of a hard plastic kiddie pool, which are tricky to store, you can opt for the Intex Summer Sunset Glow Kiddie Pool, an inflatable option that’s fun and colorful. It’s just under 5 feet in diameter, and the walls are around 1 foot tall, allowing you to fill it with up to 9 inches of water. It’s easy to inflate, even if you don’t have an air pump, and it actually has a cushioned bottom, which makes it gentler for young children. The kiddie pool is compact and easy to store when it’s deflated, but you will want to use caution when handling it, as the plastic siding isn’t the most durable.
Pros:
Inexpensive
Easy to inflate, even without a pump
Cushioned bottom is safer for kids
Cons:
Not the most durable
Best Heavy Duty Inflatable Pool
A Self-Rising Model With A Durable Metal Frame
Wayfair
Summer Waves Quick Set Above Ground Pool
Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 3.5 feet | Shape: Oval | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 3,938 gallons | Fits: 6 people
Inflatable pools typically aren’t the most durable, but the Summer Waves Quick Set Above Ground Pool is sturdier than other options thanks to its metal supports. The pool has an inflatable top ring is supported by metal frame pieces on each side. The walls themselves are made from puncture-resistant three-ply polyester, and while the overall design is more durable than other inflatable pools, keep in mind that it also takes longer to set up.
This pool comes with several accessories, including a ladder, pool cover, ground cloth, filter cartridge, and repair patch. It also includes a filter pump, which is able to clean 1,000 gallons of water per hour, keeping your pool clean all summer long.
Pros:
Large enough for several people
Supported by metal frame
Includes filter pump, ladder and cover
Cons:
Takes longer to set up
Best Inflatable Pool With Seats
A Four-Person Lounging Pool With Cushioned Chairs
Amazon
Summer Waves Inflatable Deluxe Comfort Swimming Pool
Dimensions: 105 x 105 x 26 inches | Shape: Square | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 250 gallons | Fits: 4 people
Up to four people can comfortably lounge in the Summer Waves Inflatable Deluxe Comfort Swimming Pool, which features four built-in seats, complete with backrests. There are even integrated cup holders in the sides, making it easy to keep your drink at hand.
This pool is roughly a 9-foot square, and the sides are 20 inches tall, holding just enough water to get your lower body wet. It inflates quickly with the help of an electric pump (not included), and the whole thing weighs just 12 pounds, making it easy to store in the off-season.
Pros:
Built-in seats and backrests
Large enough for four people
Lightweight when deflated
Cons:
Fairly shallow
Best Inflatable Pool With Filter Pump
An 8-Foot Pool With A Filter For Easy Maintenance
Target
Summer Waves Round Inflatable Above Ground Pool With RX330 Filter Cartridge Pump
Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 2.5 feet | Shape: Circular | Air pump: Sold separately | Water capacity: 800 gallons | Fits: 4 people
If you’re planning to leave your pool up for long periods of time, a filter pump will make maintenance a lot easier. The Summer Waves Inflatable Outdoor Swimming Pool has an 8-foot circular design that’s made from triple-layer polylaminate PVC, and it comes with a filter pump that can clean up to 300 gallons of water per hour, as well as a replacement filter cartridge.
This pool is around 2.5 feet deep, and it can comfortably accommodate up to four people at a time. The drain plug includes a garden hose connection that allows you to water your plants when emptying the pool, but keep in mind that this pool doesn’t come with a ladder, so it may be tricky for children to get in and out.
Pros:
Affordable, especially for its size
Includes filter pump and replacement cartridge
Drain plug has hose connection
Cons:
No ladder for getting in
Best Inflatable Pool With Water Slide
An Oversized Play Center That’s Fun For Everyone
Amazon
Bestway H2OGO! Aquaventure Kids Inflatable Water Park
Dimensions: 264 x 69 x 101 inches | Shape: Rectangle | Air pump: Included | Water capacity: 161 gallons | Fits: 4 children
Children will have a blast playing on the Bestway H2OGO! Aquaventure Kids Inflatable Water Park, an inflatable pool for kids 5 and up that features two water slides. There are taller and lower slides for kids of different ages, and with the help of a garden hose, shower sprays keep the slides wet and slippery. Kids can reach the top of the slide using the climbing wall, and they can also cool off in the play center’s two shallow wading pools.
The Aquaventure Water Park comes with an air blower that keeps it inflated, as well as a dozen stakes to secure it to the ground. You’ll also get a repair kit and storage bag, but keep in mind that its maximum weight capacity during use is 120 pounds, so it should only be used by a few children at a time.
To choose the best inflatable pools, we consulted with a pool and hot tub expert for her input on which elements to look for in this backyard essential. We then scoured the market, looking at the most popular inflatable pools and compared factors like setup, size, durability, assembly and storage. We also analyzed reviews from real users to see what owners value in inflatable pools.
What To Look For In An Inflatable Pool
Setup
Inflatable pools are a temporary seasonal fixture for your yard, but they do have specific set up requirements. You’ll need to find a flat, level location in your yard that’s free from rocks and other objects that could damage the lining. Depending on the size of the pool you select, you may also need to invest in an electric air blower to inflate the walls.
Additionally, it’s important to look at how much water is required to fill the pool—some large inflatable pools, including our top-recommended Intex Easy Set Inflatable Swimming Pool, require thousands of gallons to fill. If this is the case, you may need to pay for water delivery. Depending on your water source, you may be able to use a garden hose to fill it, but the process will likely take several hours.
Size
Inflatable pools come in a wide range of sizes, from 4-foot kiddie pools with low sides to full-size options that are a whopping 18 feet in diameter. When considering different pools, you’ll want to think about how many people will be in the pool at once. If your maximum occupancy will be just one or two people, you might want a smaller option, such as the SELLOTZ Inflatable Pool, which will be quicker to set up and fill with water. However, if you’re planning to host pool parties with several people, you’ll likely want a larger model. Just keep in mind that larger pools are more time-consuming to set up and disassemble, and they often require accessories such as a ladder and filter pump.
Durability
One of the main concerns about inflatable pools is durability. After all, they’re made from thinner material than other above-ground pools, which makes them susceptible to rips. “The most common material used for inflatable pools is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber composite,” explains Cheatham. “While the durability of the materials has improved considerably in the past few years, they are still more susceptible to punctures.” To ensure your pool lasts for several seasons, you’ll want to look for a model that uses multi-ply material and comes with a repair kit. It’s also important to set up the pool properly, taking care to avoid rocks, twigs, and other items that could pop it.
Disassembly And Storage
Inflatable pools aren’t designed to be left up year-round, so you’ll want to think about how you’ll store it in the off-season. Important considerations here include the size and weight of the pool when it’s deflated, as well as how you empty the water out. Some models have a drain plug that makes them quick and easy to drain, and others come with storage bags.
“Before storing the pool or spa, scrub the surface with a cleaning solution such as common household bleach and warm water mixture,” says Cheatham. “Make sure that the surface of the material is completely dry before storing it away until next season or you may have mold growth, which can do damage to the surface.”
Is An Inflatable Pool Worth It?
Inflatable pools are an inexpensive option for swimming on hot summer days, and while they’re typically smaller and less durable than other above-ground pools, many people choose them for their convenience. Not only are they more budget-friendly, but they’re also easy to assemble and take down—ideal if you rent your home or want to try out a small pool before committing to a larger model. Plus, inflatable pools can last for several years if cared for properly. “While these pools and spas are less expensive, they don’t have to be disposable,” says Cheatham. “If you choose wisely, your decision can deliver summertime fun for years to come.” To get the most for your money, look for a pool that’s made from durable materials, and be sure to follow the assembly, disassembly, and care instructions to keep it in good shape.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Buying An Inflatable Pool?
The major benefit of an inflatable pool is simply the low cost: “On the pro side for inflatable pools, they are less expensive and can start as low as $100 and range up to $400, compared to above-ground hard-sided pools, which can range $1,700 to $7,000 or more,” says Cheatham. Inflatable pools are often easy to set up, as well. Some smaller models can be inflated in a matter of minutes and filled with a garden hose, saving you the hassle of assembling and filling a hard-sided pool. Most are also easy to take down at the end of the summer and can be stored in a basement or garage, thanks to their lighter weight.
However, there are downsides to inflatable pools as well. One of the biggest concerns with these products is durability. Because the material is lightweight and sometimes thin, it’s more prone to ripping and punctures than hard-sided pools. Inflatable pools are also quite a bit smaller than other above-ground options, limiting how many people can use them at a time.
Are Inflatable Pools Easy To Set Up?
Inflatable pools are often very easy to set up—you simply have to inflate the walls then fill them with water. This process can be made even easier with the help of a small electric air pump, which are generally inexpensive. That said, to take proper care of your inflatable pool, it’s important to set it up properly. “Find a flat, level spot free from debris or sharp objects that might puncture the pool material,” recommends Cheatham. “The ground must be compacted and firm enough to withstand the pressure and weight of the pool. Aggressive grasses, like St. Augustine and Bermuda, must be eliminated, as they can grow through the liner.”
