As the sun dips lower in the sky, many pool owners face the same challenge: how to keep their pool water comfortably warm without skyrocketing energy bills. A solar pool cover is a simple yet remarkably effective solution, harnessing free energy from the sun to extend your swimming season by weeks or even months. These covers act as a thermal blanket for your pool, trapping heat and significantly reducing evaporation.
Beyond just warmth, a high-quality solar blanket minimizes water and chemical loss while keeping out leaves and debris. This means less maintenance, lower costs, and more time actually enjoying your pool. With various thicknesses, colors, and sizes available, finding the right cover for your specific pool is key to maximizing its benefits and getting the most out of your investment.
The Best Solar Pool Covers for a Warmer Swim
- Blue Wave 16×32 Ft Rectangular Solar Blanket
- Sun2Solar Clear 16×32 ft Rectangle Solar Cover
- INTEX 28013E Solar Pool Cover for 15ft Round Pools
- Intex Solar Cover for 18′ x 9′ Rectangular Frame Pools
- Solar Cover – 12′ Round
- Blue Wave 8-mil Solar Blanket for Round Pools, 18-ft
- Sun2Solar 16 Mil Blue Solar Blanket | 16 x 32 Ft
- Blue Wave NS415 12-mil Solar Blanket, 16-ft x 24-ft
- Solar Sun Rings Portable Pool Heater (6 Pack)
- Intex 28001E Solar Cover for Easy Set Pool
Blue Wave 16×32 Ft Rectangular Solar Blanket
The Blue Wave 16×32 Ft Solar Blanket is a robust 14-mil cover designed for substantial heat retention in inground pools. Its clear design allows maximum sunlight penetration, harnessing solar energy to raise your pool’s temperature by up to 15°F. This helps you extend your swimming season comfortably and naturally.
Beyond heating, this cover is a workhorse for pool maintenance. It prevents up to 95% of water and chemical evaporation, leading to significant savings on refills and chemicals. Acting as a physical barrier, it also keeps leaves and debris out, meaning less time cleaning and more time enjoying your sparkling pool.
Sun2Solar Clear 16×32 ft Rectangle Solar Cover
The Sun2Solar Clear Solar Cover effectively utilizes free solar energy to increase your pool’s water temperature. It is engineered to not only collect heat during the day but also to retain that warmth long after sunset, maintaining a consistent and comfortable water temperature overnight.
This cover is an excellent tool for conservation, reducing water evaporation by up to 95%. This efficiency directly translates to lower water bills and reduced chemical consumption, making your pool care routine more economical and environmentally friendly.
INTEX 28013E Solar Pool Cover for 15ft Round Pools
Specifically designed for 15-foot round INTEX pools, this solar cover is incredibly easy to use. You simply lay it flat on the water’s surface, and the air bubbles go to work absorbing and transferring solar heat directly into the pool water.
It serves a dual purpose by acting as a protective shield against debris like leaves and trash, which helps minimize your cleaning tasks. As one of the most efficient cover types, it insulates the water and reduces evaporation by 95%, effectively lowering your chemical consumption and maintenance effort.
Intex Solar Cover for 18′ x 9′ Rectangular Frame Pools
This durable blue cover from Intex is made for 18′ x 9′ rectangular frame pools. It effectively blocks debris from entering the water, which leads to reduced chemical use and significantly simpler pool maintenance routines.
The cover’s air bubbles are key to its performance, collecting solar heat and transferring it to the pool to maintain a constant water temperature. By preserving heat and reducing water evaporation by an impressive 95%, it offers a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly swimming experience.
Solar Cover – 12′ Round
This 12-foot round solar cover is a straightforward solution for smaller, round above-ground pools. It utilizes the standard bubble-style design to capture heat from the sun and transfer it directly into your pool water, helping to extend your swimming season.
By covering the surface of your pool, it also helps to reduce evaporation and keep out airborne debris. This means you will spend less time on maintenance and less money on water and chemicals, making pool ownership more enjoyable.
Blue Wave 8-mil Solar Blanket for Round Pools, 18-ft
Ideal for round above-ground pools, this 8-mil solar blanket from Blue Wave uses insulating thermal cells to trap heat effectively. It retains warmth even on cool, cloudy days, allowing you to swim in warmer water throughout the summer.
Constructed from a protected polymer, this cover is built to last for many seasons with proper care. It employs passive heating to potentially raise your pool’s temperature by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, offering a great return on investment for pool owners.
Sun2Solar 16 Mil Blue Solar Blanket | 16 x 32 Ft
For those seeking a heavier-duty option, the Sun2Solar 16-mil blanket offers exceptional durability and heat retention. It captures solar energy to raise pool temperature by up to 15°F, locking in heat for longer swimming sessions without relying on expensive electricity or gas.
Its thousands of tiny bubbles form a highly effective barrier that prevents up to 95% of water loss. This cover also excels at keeping your pool clean, acting as a shield against dirt and leaves so you can spend more time swimming and less time skimming.
Blue Wave NS415 12-mil Solar Blanket, 16-ft x 24-ft
This 12-mil solar blanket from Blue Wave is tailored for rectangular in-ground pools, harnessing the sun’s power to naturally heat your water. It is designed to trap and retain warmth efficiently, keeping your pool at a comfortable temperature for a longer period.
It significantly reduces evaporation and heat loss by up to 95%, which minimizes the need for frequent refills and lowers maintenance costs. As a bonus, it acts as a barrier against leaves and debris, helping to keep your pool cleaner with less effort on your part.
Solar Sun Rings Portable Pool Heater (6 Pack)
Solar Sun Rings offer a unique, portable approach to pool heating. Each ring is constructed from two layers of UV-resistant vinyl; a clear top layer directs sunlight onto a blue bottom layer that absorbs and converts it into heat, with remaining light filtering into the pool.
It is important to note that because they do not cover the entire pool surface, heat can escape at night. For best results, they are often used in conjunction with additional insulation like a solar blanket. The pack includes six rings and magnets to connect them together.
Intex 28001E Solar Cover for Easy Set Pool
Designed for compatibility with Intex Easy Set pools, this solar cover provides a simple way to increase water temperature and reduce maintenance. The cover uses air bubbles to absorb solar energy and transfer heat directly to the pool water.
By covering the pool’s surface, it helps to significantly reduce water evaporation and slows chemical loss. It also acts as a physical barrier, preventing leaves and other debris from entering the water, which means less time spent on cleaning and more time for swimming.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Solar Pool Cover for Heat Retention
Choosing the right solar pool cover for heat retention can feel a bit overwhelming with all the options out there. I’ve found that focusing on a few key factors makes the decision much simpler. The main goal is to trap the sun’s energy and keep that warmth in your pool, so let’s look at what actually makes that happen.
First, consider the thickness. This is usually measured in mils (a thousandth of an inch). A common range is 8 to 16 mils. While a thicker cover, like a 12 or 16 mil, feels more durable and often does a better job at insulating, it’s also heavier to handle. An 8-mil cover is lighter and easier to roll on and off, but it might not retain heat quite as well and could be less resistant to punctures. For the best balance of heat retention and manageability, I usually look for something in the 12-mil range.
Next, the bubble design is crucial. Those little air bubbles aren’t just for structure; they’re the engine of your solar cover. They work by absorbing sunlight and transferring that thermal energy directly into the pool water. Look for covers with smaller, tighter bubbles. In my experience, they tend to be more efficient at heat transfer and are less prone to collapsing under foot traffic or debris. The color matters, too. Clear or light blue bubbles allow for better solar penetration, which is great for heating. Some covers have a darker underside, which can help reduce heat loss back to the air at night.
Material quality is another big one. You want a cover made from UV-stabilized, copolymer plastic. This material is built to withstand constant sun exposure without becoming brittle and breaking down quickly. A cover that degrades in a single season is not a good deal, no matter how cheap it is. Check the warranty length as a good indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in their product.
Finally, think about the shape and size of your pool. A well-fitted cover is essential for maximum efficiency. You can get rectangular covers for standard pools, or you can order a custom-cut cover for freeform pools. A cover that is too small will leave significant areas of water exposed, letting heat escape and defeating the purpose. Many companies offer easy tools on their websites to order a custom size, which I highly recommend for oddly shaped pools. Getting the right fit from the start makes a huge difference in performance and longevity.
FAQ
How much warmer will a solar cover make my pool?
In my use, a good quality solar cover can raise your pool’s temperature by 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact amount depends on factors like your local climate, the amount of daily sunlight, and the cover’s quality and fit. You’ll see the most significant temperature gains during sunny days, but the cover also works overnight to slow down heat loss, which is just as important.
Can I cut a solar pool cover to fit?
Yes, absolutely. It’s very common to trim a cover for a perfect fit. Most covers are sold in standard rectangle sizes, so if your pool has rounded corners or is an unusual shape, you will likely need to cut it. The best method is to lay the cover on the pool’s surface, let it sit in the sun for an hour to become more flexible, and then use sharp scissors or a utility knife to carefully trim it to the pool’s shape.
How long does a solar pool cover typically last?
The lifespan varies with quality and care, but I generally expect a decent cover to last between 2 and 5 swimming seasons. Thicker, UV-stabilized covers will be on the longer end of that range. To extend its life, try to keep it out of the water when you’re not using it for long periods, and store it properly out of direct sunlight when winter comes.
Do solar pool covers also help with chemical loss and evaporation?
They are fantastic for this. A solar cover acts as a physical barrier over your pool water. This dramatically reduces water evaporation, which is the primary cause of both water and chemical loss. By using a cover, you will not only save heat but also save on your water bill and the amount of chlorine or other sanitizers you need to use. It’s one of the most effective ways to manage your pool’s 10 best solar pool covers for heat retention and overall maintenance costs.
Are solar blankets and solar covers the same thing?
For all practical purposes, yes. The terms “solar blanket” and “solar cover” are used interchangeably to describe the same product—that sheet of plastic bubbles you float on the pool’s surface. You might also hear them called “pool solar blankets.” There is no functional difference between the names.