6 Best Above Ground Swimming Pools to Splash into Summer – Some Don’t Even Require Tools!

By Sara | Staff Writer
Jun 02, 2022 @ 2:17 PM MDT

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Here are some of the best above ground swimming pools!

people swimming in pool water

Let’s splash into summer! 💦☀️

Looking to dress up that yard this summer with a pool to keep the whole family occupied? Whether you’re shopping for something big enough for the whole block or something smaller for your kiddos, we’re sharing a round-up of the very best above ground pools to kick off the hottest season around!

Best of all, many of them are super easy to assemble and some don’t even require tools!

Here are our top picks for the best above ground swimming pools:

  1. Best Affordable Pool – Intex Above Ground Rectangular Swimming Pool
  2. Best Long-Lasting Pool – Intex 26329EH Ultra XTR Pool
  3. Best Splurge Pool – Intex 26377EH Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool
  4. Best Steel Frame Pool – Bestway 56545E Steel Pro Outdoor Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool
  5. Best Overall Value Pool – Intex 28111ST Easy Set Pool
  6. Best Kids’ Pick Pool – Intex Jungle Adventure Inflatable Play Center

1.  Intex Above Ground Rectangular Swimming Pool

Best affordable pool.

two kids playing with beach ball in pool

Intex Above Ground Rectangular Swimming Pool $119.98 (regularly $199.99)

Dimensions: 8’6″ x 5’3″ x 2’3″

With Intex being the leading pool manufacturer, we know this affordable pool will be a great option for any family sticking to a serious budget on their new above ground pool. With just a 30-minute assembly time, you’ll be on your way to a fantastic summer in no time!

2. Intex 26329EH Ultra XTR Pool 

Best long-lasting pool.

round above ground pool outside in yard

Intex 26329EH Ultra XTR Pool $1,468.98 (regularly $1,999.99)

Dimensions: 18′ x 4’4″ 

Get the best above-ground pool with Intex’s exclusive Hydro Aeration Technology featuring sand filter pumps that provide the best filtration performance and unmatched water clarity like no other! They’ve also made maintenance extremely hassle-free with this above-ground pool since the sand only needs routine backwashing and replacement every 5 years. This leaves you & your family more time for summer fun!

The Amazon listing for this pool says it will ship in 1-2 months, so if you’d like your pool sooner, check it out at Lowe’s where you can score it for the same price, but quicker shipping or even earlier store pickup!

3. Intex 26377EH Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool 

Best splurge pool.

kid standing on ladder from above ground pool

Intex 26377EH Ultra XTR Above Ground Pool $2,296 (regularly $4,669.99)

Dimensions: 36′ x 16′ x 4’4″ 

You won’t want to look for another above ground swimming pool with this larger-than-life option. onlineing in at a whopping 32′ x 16′, the days of endless summer fun are here to stay. Who needs to invest in a spendy in-ground pool when this option provides just as much room for swimming, but at a fraction of the cost!

4. Bestway 56545E Steel Pro Outdoor Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool

Best steel frame pool.

bestway steel pro pool

Bestway 56545E Steel Pro Outdoor Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool $118.99 (regularly $149)

Dimensions: 8.5″ x 5.6″ x 2″

Need something quick, affordable, and exceptionally kid-friendly to set up this summer? Grab this budget-friendly above ground pool to get your summer off to a wild start. Best of all, it requires no tools to set it up and even has a corrosion-resistant steel frame for remarkable durability.

5. Intex 28111ST Easy Set Pool

Best overall-value.

intex easy set up pool

Intex 28111ST Easy Set Pool with Cartridge Filter Pump $114 (regularly $269.99)

Dimensions: 10′ x 30″ 

This Intex pool has tons of pool size options, but our top pick is the 10ft. The setup is simple and straightforward, only taking about ten minutes. You literally just inflate the pool ring, add water, and it’s ready to go! Its three-ply exterior makes it durable and practical for fun under the sun. Plus, this option already onlinees with a cartridge filter pump!

6. Intex Jungle Adventure Inflatable Play Center

Best kids’ pool.

inflatable colorful kids pool with slide outside

Intex Jungle Adventure Inflatable Play Center $74.99 (regularly $119.99)

Dimensions: 8′ x 6’6″ x 2’4″

While this super cute find is arguable called an inflatable pool (I know 😅) it’s still an above ground pool to the kiddos! Given its high ratings and overwhelming cuteness, I couldn’t help but add it to our round-up. Plus, if you’re working with a smaller yard or simply don’t want a pool up all summer long, this one will be perfect to take out for those special summer occasions.

These are hands-down the best sunscreens for kids & babies!

About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara’s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.

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Join The Discussion

onlinements 8

  1. Blue

    Just a reminder to check out what it takes to maintain a pool before you purchase one. This part of pool ownership was not even discussed with us when we put one in a few years ago. I was onlinepletely unaware of how to keep the water balanced and clean. Luckily I found a website called Trouble Free Pool. It taught me a lot. This isn’t a plug for the website, just a gentle reminder that there is more to having a pool than swimming.

    Reply3
    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks so much for the helpful reminder, Blue! 💖

      Reply
    • Ap927

      So true. I didn’t realize what all was involved, but eventually learn through trial and error 🥴, and lots of YouTube videos. Now I actually find it therapeutic to get up early before the family, skim/vacuum the pool, and check the water levels. I get a total rush out of having crystal clear water and balanced levels. So don’t be intimidated! I’m going to check out that site mentioned above.

      Reply
    • Melissa

      Was just going to say exactly that! We got a pandemic pool when all the public pools closed and EVERYONE wanted one. I think it’s hilarious that our quick-set pool said on the box, ‘ready for water in 45 min’… well, it took a little longer to rent a sod cutter from HD, remove the sod, haul it out of the way, go get a gazillion bags of sand, dump those down, rake and level it, put pavers down to support the legs and THEN assemble the pool (a four person job minimum). After that onlinees the water and the maintenance. Btw, the pumps that onlinee with these pools are not strong enough to handle that amount of water. They really need a sand pump or you’ll be cleaning the filter on the other pump up to three times a day with heavy use. It’s a TON of work to get it started and set up. That said, my kids and I really enjoy using it and we think it’s worth all the hard work my husband puts into it 😂. But I no will admit, we had NO clue what we were getting into.

      Reply
  2. Samantha

    After buying a few different 10 x 30 pools I found that Swimways is by far the best constructed. Others are very thin and bow severely due to the weight of the thousand plus gallons of water it takes to fill them. Also the Swimways filter is much quieter than the others. Just be sure your ground is level or it will topple over. Big Lots has all pools on sale at 30% off right now. Better get one for next year!

    Reply
  3. Brittney

    We have the Bestway 8×6 one and it’s great. We are on our second summer with it. We didn’t even take it down after we drained it, I just kept it up on my deck flipped upside down. It is really good for Fall/Winter time too, we bought a bunch of ball pit balls and used it for the littles to have a ball pit for gatherings. They loved it and we didn’t have to chase them around!!

    Reply1
    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Awesome! Thanks for letting us know how yours has held up, Brittney! 💖🙌

      Reply
  4. kelli

    A better idea is to build a stock tank pool. (google it to see what I am talking about.) I put one together for less than 800.00. It will last years longer than the other pools. It has been a great addition to our deck area. We get onlinepliments all the time. The hardest part about putting this pool in is getting the stock tank to your house. I had a neighbor with a trailer that would hold it. Some places deliver for an extra fee. I don’t even have any children remaining at home so its just me and my hubby flaoting in it.

    Reply

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