The Absolute Best Solar Covers for Inground Swimming Pools

You can consider several options when trying to keep your pool covered and the temperature maintained. That’s where a solar pool cover can come in handy. If you’re unsure about these types of covers or are looking for recommendations, then check out the following article to find the best solar cover for inground pool.

Our top 10 products consist of solar pool covers that do well at keeping the temperature in your pool steady, keeps out debris and other elements that can pollute your pool, and are generally simple to use. We kept these features and others in mind when creating our countdown.

What Are The Benefits of Solar Pool Covers
In addition to warming your swimming pool, these solar pool covers provide some money-saving advantages.

Maintain Water Temperature & Retain Heat
The main purpose of a solar pool cover is to help keep pool water at a certain warmer temperature. This is done via heat transfer from the sun. How much the temperature is maintained or raised depends on a variety of factors such as the design of the cover and how much sun exposure there is.

Save Energy Costs and Water by Reducing Evaporation
A solar cover uses nothing but the sun’s natural energy to keep your pool at a warm temperature. Even if you already have an additional heating element such as a pool heater, a solar cover can help prevent the heat from escaping.

In turn, it can save you on heating costs. You can save even more if you have enough steady sunlight to not even require another heating element. Another thing you can save with a quality solar cover is water. The cover can help reduce evaporation that naturally occurs. In turn, you won’t have to replace the water as frequently.

Protect the Pool From Debris & Bugs
If you don’t cover your pool, you risk leaving it exposed to a number of elements. Leaves, debris, and even bugs can fall into the water. This can risk damaging your filter. Also, as a solar cover maintains a steady temperature, it can reduce the chance of mildew developing inside the pool as a result of uneven temperatures.

10. Robelle 1836RS-8 Box Heavy-Duty Solar Cover

To start off our review to find the best solar cover for inground pool, we take a look at the Robelle 1836RS-8 Heavy-Duty Solar Cover. This cover comes only in blue, and it is made from 8-mil polymer. For some people, putting it on and removing it may become a two-person job.

Although this is 18 x 36 ft., you can easily cut this to fit your specific pool size. In case something does happen to your cover, rest assured it comes with a 3-year warranty.

PROS
Keeps evaporation down
Raises temperature fast
CONS
May bunch up
A bit too lightweight

9. In the Swim 12 Mil Rectangular Swimming Pool Solar Blanket Cover

This solar pool cover from In the Swim can be purchased at a somewhat reasonable price when compared to other similar covers. It is available in a light blue color only. When it comes to the materials used to make the solar cover, it features 12-mil UV-stabilized resin.

If needed, this can trim down to size without difficulty. You can make it fit oval, kidney, or other irregular-shaped pools. Though it’s backed by a 7-year limited warranty, there’s a list of things it doesn’t cover, so it’s important to read up on it.

PROS
Good weight
Can reach high temperatures easily
CONS
Needs to be handled gently
May deteriorate within a season or two

8. Sun2Solar Midwest Canvas Clear Diamond Solar Cover

The Sun2Solar Midwest Canvas Solar Cover is the best solar cover for inground pool for those looking for a budget-friendly option. It offers good heat retention throughout various seasons. This is made from a resin material, and the cover itself is a clear cover.

Unlike many other common solar covers, this uses diamond-shaped bubbles with the claim that with a diamond design you get a greater coverage of bubbles to absorb more UV rays.

PROS
Easily removed/replaced by one person
Holds up well against cool weather
CONS
Doesn’t seem as thick as advertised
Hard to lay flat

7. Down Under Blue/Blue Solar Cover

Next, on our best solar cover for inground pool list we have this solar cover from Down Under that makes use of a double blue layer technology that aims to give the cover more durability. It features reinforced seams that try to help it fight against wear and wind resistance in spite of the fact that it is very lightweight.

More about the durability, this solar cover is made from vinyl that is UV stabilized to fight of fading from both the sun and the chemicals from the pool. Also, it comes with a decent 3-year warranty.

PROS
Comes w/ good warranty
Raises temperature quickly
CONS
Could have better weight
The cut may be off

6. MidWest Canvas SC-BS-000045 Space Age Solar Cover

The MidWest Canvas Space Age Solar Cover has a unique color design that is blue on silver. It helps the solar cover pull in a good deal of heat during the day, and it helps it hold onto that heat at night. This rectangular cover is 18 x 40 ft., and it appears that you can trim it easily enough.

The 8-mm material in this solar cover is UV protected. By being so, it can allow the Space Age cover to hold up against heavier heat without taking in damage.

PROS
Does well at fighting evaporation
Easy to handle
CONS
Feels thin
May develop small holes

5. Pool Mate 1836RS-8SBD BOXPM Deluxe Solar Blanket

The Pool Mate Deluxe Solar Blanket is the best solar cover for inground pool that uses an aluminum heat shield. Overall, the solar cover is made from polyethylene material that features a unique aluminum shield on the other side. This blue on silver design can do a better job at trapping heat inside the pool.

In total, the solar cover is 18 x 36 ft. It does come with a 5-year warranty, but you’ll need to speak with the company to see exactly what it does and doesn’t cover.

PROS
Cleans off well
Cuts to shape easy
CONS
Needs better longevity
Some quality control problems

4. Thermo-Tex Rectangle Swimming Pool Solar Cover

Thermo-Tex Solar Cover is made from UV stabilized polymer material. It is a type of material designed to fight against degradation caused by the sun and pool chemicals. This material is 6-mil thick and is light in weight in order to make it easier to put on and take off by one person.

Though this is rectangular in design and comes in at 16 x 32 ft., you can trim it to fit a variety of pool styles and sizes. It comes with a 3-year manufacturer limited warranty.

PROS
Cuts well
Good quality out of the box
CONS
Doesn’t hold well in the wind
Might tear

3. Splash Pools Round Solar Pool Cover

Next on our best solar cover for inground pool list, we have this blue solar cover from Splash Pools that is made from polypropylene material. It features thousands of tiny bubbles that do a good job at capturing heat. In fact, it can do such a good job that it may be too much for those that live in areas with hot climates.

The Splash Pools Solar Pool Cover is round in design and is 21 ft. in total. It may seem larger than many pools, but the excess is enough to allow you to trim if needed.

PROS
Good sized bubbles
Keeps water warm longer
CONS
Can have calcium build-up
Feels a bit flimsy

2. Blue Wave NS520 14-Mil Solar Blanket

This Blue Wave Solar Blanket is designed for rectangular pools. It is 16 x 32 ft., but it can trim down well if need be. The cover is 14-mil thick, and this gives it a good amount of weight so that it won’t blow away. At the same time, you may need a reel or another person to help remove it or place it down.

The solar cover features round bubbles and is clear by design. This effort is meant to help the cover soak in more of the UV rays to better maintain the temperature in the pool.

PROS
Holds up well against pool chemicals
Lays flat
CONS
Feels a bit stiff
Hard to manage by hand

1. Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover

Many see the Sun2Solar Solar Cover as the best solar cover for inground pool. It’s affordable, and it still offers good value. The 16 x 32 ft. comes in either blue or clear color, and they are made from thousands of round bubbles. Blue can provide an appealing look, while clear does a better job at acquiring more heat.

This solar cover is 12-mil thick, and it can have a reasonable amount of durability. You can trim it to suit your specific needs, and you won’t have to worry about voiding the warranty.

PROS
Helps balance chemicals
Raises temperature fast
CONS
Can be tough to remove
Seams can open
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Swimming Pool Covers
Do Solar Pool Covers Actually Work?
Yes, Solar Pool Covers do really work! They help to both retain heat and reduce humidity, and when used on outdoor pools, they also help to add heat to the swimming pool water.

What Is the Best Solar Pool Cover Thickness?
The thickness of solar polar covers range from around 8 mil to 16 mil. Thicker covers are better at retaining heat and aren’t as easily blown off the pool by strong winds, but they are heavier.

How Does A Solar Cover For Inground Swimming Pools Work?
A solar cover for swimming pools works like a lid. It captures the heat from the sun and prevents your pool from debris and dirt. It also prevents heat loss as well as the water from evaporating.

How Fast Does A Solar Cover Heat A Pool?
In an inground swimming pool, a solar cover can increase the water temperature by 5 to 8 degrees F for each 12 hours of coverage. With no cover at all, pool water absorbs a substantial amount of sunlight. A white plaster pool averaging 4.5 feet in depth absorbs approximately 60% of the sun’s energy. This energy will heat the pool by about 0.7°F per hour under direct midday sunlight.

How Long Does A Solar Pool Cover Last?
Because a solar cover is made of plastic material, it will begin to deteriorate after a while. Also, because of the outside elements and chemicals in your pool, the pool cover will begin to dry around the corners and the bubbles will start to deflate as well. High quality solar pool covers can remain in good quality condition for about 4-5 years on average.

Conclusion on Solar Pool Covers
There are many benefits to having a solar cover from maintaining your pool temperature to balancing out the chemicals. You can use the above reviews to decide which product is the best solar cover for your inground pool. You can also check out the best pool sand filters for better maintenance of your pool. Let us know what you think about our best solar cover for inground pool choices in the comment section below!