Can you think of a better way to put the summer heat at bay than to dive into a nice, refreshing pool? For most of us, pool ownership and access are a dream come true.
However, most of us are unable to afford the fancy in-ground swimming pool of our fantasies. For us, there is another option.
We can choose instead to have inflatable swimming pools that are large enough to splash in, but not so large that it will take all our money to maintain them or our entire backyard to keep everyone swimming.
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Benefits of Inflatable Swimming Pools
Inflatable pools have a few advantages over traditional swimming pools. The biggest of which is going to be affordability.
You can pick up a good-sized inflatable pool for less than $400 most of the time. The benefits do not stop there though.
Here are a few more reasons that you may want to consider choosing to go inflatable for your family’s summer fun.
Less Maintenance
In every way, inflatable swimming pools require less work. They use fewer materials, can be set up by you, need fewer chemicals, and use a lot less water than in-ground swimming pools.
This makes them eco-friendly and easy to manage if you would rather not spend all your summer days dealing with pool chemicals.
As a bonus, because they are made with smooth PVC or vinyl, they will typically be easy to clean so that you don’t have to deal with stains, even if you do fall behind on maintaining chemical levels.
Space Saving
Another benefit is for anyone who may have a smaller property. Maybe you don’t have a large backyard and would rather not fill it completely with a pool.
With inflatable pools, you don’t have to. These pools are ideal for small and medium-sized spaces.
Portable
Most of the inflatable pools that are available can be moved around where you need them. They are easy to inflate, easy to store, simple to set up, etc.
If you want, and depending on the one you choose, you may even be able to take it to your friend’s house when they have a backyard barbeque that you want to attend.
This will make it great for all the kids and adults who want to take a dip.
Features
Inflatable pools are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. They may sometimes have other features, such as ladders, pool filters, and pumps, cleaning aids such as vacuums and brushes, and more.
What to Look for in an Inflatable Swimming Pool
Inflatable pools are designed to be simple. However, this does not mean that there aren’t things you must consider before choosing the one you bring home. Some main considerations are:
Size
We all tend to want the largest pool possible, but this doesn’t always mean it will fit in your space. We recommend you measure your available space and where you want the pool to be placed before you even begin looking for a pool.
Bigger pools may take more water to fill. This may not be a big issue if you are on a private well, but in the city where you have to pay for what you use, it could be an issue.
Who Will Use It
In a home with small kids, inflatable pools do still carry the same risk as in-ground pools. Are your kids going to be able to play in the pool that you bring home?
Can you close off the pool area when it isn’t in use? In a home where kids are teens and no little ones will be around, this may be less of a concern, but you have to decide what you are working with.
Does It Come with Pumps and Filters
This is one of the necessary accessories if you are going to choose a larger-sized inflatable pool.
You will not want to drain the water weekly to change it out if it holds 3,000 gallons of water. Ladders are a good accessory to have, especially if you choose a larger pool.
Do You Have a Good Area to Set It Up
Along with the size of your backyard, you must make sure that you have a good area for it. Ideally, you want a space that is covered in grass, free of tree roots and rocks, or anything else that may puncture the pool.
Pets should also be something you consider since their claws can seriously damage an inflatable pool.
How to Setup Inflatable Pools
Setting up an inflatable pool is easy to do. Most manufacturers recommend that you make sure that the area you are setting it up in has no sharp objects and that it is level, or at least close to level.
Once you are certain of this, you will want to spread out a tarp for the inflatable pool to rest on.
Most inflatable swimming pools are simple to inflate and fill up from there. However, some may have multiple air chambers that will have to be inflated.
A larger pool will take more time to inflate. You may want to allow a day or two for filling a larger pool.
Inflatable Swimming Pools Comparison
If you want a small pool for your family to relax in, the Homech inflatable swimming pool may be a good option. It has plenty of space for two adults or a few small children to play in and holds little water.
You can inflate it in only a few seconds making it great for portability. Its small size allows you to put it virtually anywhere.
A larger option is one of the “soup bowl” pools by Intex. These pools inflate easily because they have just a single ring at the top of the pool.
Then the rest is soft-sided to create a sort of bowl. It comes with a pump to make cleaning easier and there are several sizes available that will allow you to play together as a family.
For homes with small children, you may want to stick with smaller pools like the Intex Swim Center Clearview Aquarium. It is designed for kids ages 3+ and is easy to set up and maintain.
