A solar pool cover helps raise your pool’s temperature, reduce water evaporation, and keep debris out. The best solar pool covers are easy to install and remove, offer strong insulation, and last for multiple seasons. Jimmie Meece, Brand President of America’s Swimming Pool Company, recommends UV-stabilized polyethylene for optimal heat transfer while protecting chlorine levels from UV degradation.
Focusing on polyethylene models, we researched solar pool covers based on effectiveness, thickness, durability, and ease of use. We then tested several top picks in pools across the country, evaluating their ability to retain heat, prevent evaporation, and withstand regular use.
Beyond traditional solar blankets, we also recommend solar discs for small above-ground pools due to their ease of use, and liquid solar covers as a low-maintenance, short-term alternative.
Best Overal
SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket
What We Like
- Kept the water warm
- Easy to customize shape
- Lightweight and easy to use
What We Don’t Like
- Packaging issues
- No warranty information
We recommend the SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket as the best solar pool cover due to its outstanding performance in our tests, effectively maintaining water temperature even on cooler days. Acting like a DIY pool heater, it consistently captured solar energy over six months of testing. Using a precise pool thermometer, we monitored the water temperature before and after installation and saw impressive results.
We recommend the SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket as the best solar pool cover for Rhode Island, thanks to its ability to keep pool water warm even during those unpredictable New England temperature swings. Acting like a DIY pool heater, it absorbed and retained solar heat effectively over six months of testing. Using a reliable pool thermometer, we tracked temperature changes before and after installation and saw a noticeable difference.
We installed the cover on a pool in Rhode Island in early spring, when the weather can be all over the place, and were impressed that it kept the water between 71 and 73 degrees, even on cooler days.
Once the hot and humid summer months rolled in, we found ourselves using the cover less. Leaving it on during long, sunny days actually made the water too warm, so we mainly used it at night or on overcast days to keep debris out. It also did a great job of preventing evaporation, reducing how often we had to top off the water.
The only minor issue was with the packaging, the way it was rolled made it tricky to unroll bubble-side down, as instructed. We had to unroll it with the bubbles facing up and carefully flip it over with two people to get it properly in place.
Best Heavy-Duty
BigXwell 1600 Series Solar Pool Cover
What We Like
- Easy setup for two people
- Reduced water evaporation
- Noticeable temperature difference
What We Don’t Like
- Limited instructions
Heavy-duty pool covers are ideal for cooler climates, as they help retain heat and better withstand the elements. Our top choice for a heavy-duty solar pool cover is the BigXwell model, thanks to its solid construction and robust 16 mil thickness. Despite its added weight, it remains easy for two people to deploy.
Before installing this cover on our pool, we used a floating thermometer to measure the water temperature. After six hours with the solar cover in place, we found the water temperature had increased by two degrees, even though it was already fairly warm.
Although we didn’t encounter any chilly weather during our test, we were impressed by how effectively the cover retained heat, blocked debris, and minimized evaporation. We’ve used a similar cover in the past, but this one felt much more durable and resilient. While further testing is needed to fully assess its durability, this cover appears to be built to last.
We installed and removed the cover without a reel, and had no trouble with two people working together. However, if you prefer to handle it solo, we recommend using a reel, as the cover is heavy and bulky, especially in larger sizes. A reel would also address our only real complaint: the cover’s bulk when folded up for storage.
Best UV Protection
In the Swim Rectangle Premium Plus Pool Solar Blanket
What We Like
- Aluminized cover to increase heat transfer
- Effectively kept debris out
- Easy to set up and cut to fit
What We Don’t Like
- Setup is difficult without a roller
UV rays can have a negative impact on your pool’s water chemistry, leading to reduced chlorine levels. If you prefer not to add more chemicals, choose a dark-colored solar pool cover that blocks UV rays from affecting the water beneath. For this purpose, we recommend the Premium Plus Solar Blanket from In the Swim.
We installed this cover on our 24-foot above-ground pool in Rhode Island and were impressed with how easy it was to set up. While two people were needed to drag it over the pool, one person could easily remove it to open the pool. Although a roller would have made installation and removal easier, we managed to use the cover throughout the summer without one.
Upon first placing the cover over the pool, we measured a water temperature of 70 degrees, which rose to 74 degrees in just a few hours. This allowed us to enjoy the pool on cooler days we might have otherwise skipped and kept the pool open well past the usual winter closing date.
Best Round
Doheny’s Clear -Tek Micro-Bubble Solar Cover
What We Like
- Easy to set up and remove
- Effectively warms the pool
- Keeps debris out
What We Don’t Like
- Puckers if too large
For round pools, we recommend the round Clear-Tek Micro-Bubble Solar Cover from Doheny’s. This was one of the easiest covers we tested, and we were happy to discover that it could be installed and removed by just one person. After a few hours, we noticed the water temperature had increased, and the cover also did a great job of keeping debris out of the pool.
Initially, we struggled with installation due to our method of putting it on (we tried lifting it over the pool filter). Once we switched directions and started from the opposite side, it was much easier for just one person to pull it over.
Like most solar blankets, this one is designed to be cut to fit, but it’s simpler if you start with the right shape. It comes in sizes ranging from 12 to 33 feet to fit most round pools, with oval options available too.
Our pool was in between sizes, so the cover we tested was slightly large, causing it to pucker. However, we actually preferred it this way, as it proved highly effective at keeping debris out, retaining heat, and preventing evaporation. Although we had a lot of rain during testing, which makes it difficult to fully assess its impact on evaporation, we believe it would be effective since the cover fully covered the pool.
Best Liquid
Natural Chemistry COVERfree Liquid Solar Blanket
What We Like
- Saves the effort of removing and replacing a physical cover
- Formula is pH neutral
- Application only required once per week
What We Don’t Like
- No physical barrier for UV rays or debris
- Needs to be added to pool skimmer for best results
We haven’t had the chance to test this one yet, but it seems like a great choice if you don’t have the time or ability to regularly remove and replace a physical pool cover. It’s particularly effective in dry climates where evaporation is a concern, as it forms a liquid “cover” that reduces pool water evaporation by 85% (only 5% less than our top overall pick) and heat loss by 70%, according to the manufacturer.
The biggest benefit of using this liquid solar pool cover is the time and effort saved by not having to deal with bulky physical covers. However, keep in mind that it won’t protect your pool from UV rays or debris that may blow in, so you’ll still need a pool cleaner to keep your water free from leaves and twigs.
The Coverfree Liquid Solar Blanket comes in a 32-ounce bottle. To use it effectively, you’ll need four ounces for every 20,000 gallons of pool water. For optimal results, Natural Chemistry recommends adding it weekly by pouring it into the skimmer while the pool pump is running.
Wrapping It Up
Our top pick for a solar pool cover is the SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket. With a 12-mil thickness, it’s both lightweight and easy to handle. The blue tint of the polyethylene material helps retain heat while also blocking some UV rays that can negatively affect pool chemistry.
However, if you’d rather avoid the hassle of regularly covering and uncovering your pool, consider the Natural Chemistry COVERfree Liquid Solar Blanket. Simply add the liquid formula to your pool skimmer, and it will increase the surface tension of the water, reducing evaporation and heat loss.
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