It can be tough to find the best quality inflatable pool for your family. You want something that’s big enough to fit everyone, but not so big that it’s a pain to set up and take down.
And then there’s the question of whether you should get an inflatable pool with a built-in sunshade, or one without? Is a filter pump really necessary? What about the type of material? PVC or vinyl?
Outdoor Family HQ has you covered when it comes to having a great time in the backyard sun. From larger inflatable pools to kiddie pools, we’ve done the research and owned a few ourselves so that you can make a smarter buying decision.
After wading through hundreds of inflatable pools, we found that these were filled with something better than hot air.
Sorry, terrible joke.
Seriously, though: to say that these are a top-quality buy wouldn’t be inflated.
I’m so punny.
- Best Quality Inflatable Pool Brand
- Best 3 Above Ground Inflatable Pools
- AsterOutdoor Inflatable Swimming Pool
- Intex Swim Center Family Lounge Inflatable Pool
- Intex Sun Shade Inflatable Pool
- The 10 Best Inflatable Pools for Your Home
- INTEX Crystal Blue Kids Outdoor Inflatable 58" Swimming Pool
- Intex Swim Center Inflatable Family Lounge Pool
- Hilor Inflatable Full-Sized Swimming Pool
- Garden Round Inflatable Baby Swimming Pool
- AsterOutdoor Inflatable Swimming Pool
- Kidzlane Unicorn Pool
- Intex Sun Shade Inflatable Pool
- Intex Rainbow Cloud Inflatable Baby Pool
- Intex Swim Center Family Lounge Inflatable Pool
- Wrapping up a Day of Fun in the Sun
Best Quality Inflatable Pool Brand
Intex Recreation Corp.
Founded over 50 years ago, Intex’s first inflatable product was a beach ball. Now they have grown and evolved into a massive distributor of inflatable pools, toys, spas, boats and much more.
Intex is known for quality inflatable products and excellent customer service!
Best 3 Above Ground Inflatable Pools
AsterOutdoor Inflatable Swimming Pool
It’s huge, it’s rectangular, and it holds 312 gallons of pure, cool summer refreshment (water … not what you’re thinking).
It’s the biggest of inflatable pools on our list with rugged construction and equally rugged warranty (1 full year)!
Get up early. It’ll take a while to fill up (with water, remember).
- Thicker and reinforced pool floor
- Attractive, festive design
- Can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children
- Inflates quickly with air compressor
- Strong PVC construction
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
- Air compressor necessary but not provided
- Takes hours to fill up
Intex Swim Center Family Lounge Inflatable Pool
Whether you’re that parent that sits on the sidelines or jumps into the mix, you can do both in this monster family lounger.
- 4 lounge seats with backrests
- Spacious layout
- 2 drink holders
- Comes with a repair patch
- Drain plug
- 90-day warranty
- Requires air compressor which is not included
- Shallower than other pools to accommodate lounging
Intex Sun Shade Inflatable Pool
Forget trying to find that elusive spot in the yard with the perfect balance of sun and shade. This kiddie pool’s removable sunshade blocks the rays or lets them in … your choice!
- Removable sun shade providing UV protection
- Strong vinyl construction
- Patch kit included
- Festive design
- Integrated drain plug
- 90-day warranty
- Small leaving no room for Mom and Dad ...
The 10 Best Inflatable Pools for Your Home
INTEX Crystal Blue Kids Outdoor Inflatable 58″ Swimming Pool
Sometimes simple is the best! The INTEX outdoor inflatable kiddie pool takes you back to basics. The lovely color will simulate a crystal clear ocean (or puddle, actually) when filled to transport you to a tropical location – until you pop your head out of the water.
The 58-inch pool has plenty of room for more than one kid to splash around, and even adults can join in the fun! Made from vinyl, you can rest assured that the pool is very durable, but it does come with a repair kit just in case.
Inflating doesn’t take a long time, especially if you have an air pump, and the storage and maintenance are easy. All you need to do is wipe down the surface after deflation and fold it away for storage.
Specifications
- 58″ x 13″
- Holds 76 gal.
- 2.87 lbs. (empty)
- 8 gauge vinyl rings with 7 gauge vinyl floor
- Recommended for ages 2+
- Repair Kit Included
- Robust vinyl construction
- Cool crystal blue color
- 90-day Warranty
- Small. If Dad gets in, the party's over.
Intex Swim Center Inflatable Family Lounge Pool
How about a pool that everyone can get in … including big ol’ Dad?
The Intex Swim Center has one that is perfect for the whole tribe. At 90 x 86 x 31 inches, it’s spacious enough that you may even invite the labradoodle.
A little sitting ledge and headrests inflate with the rest of the surface. Add the flanking cup holders and a comfy backrest and you’ve got the making of an outdoor, aquatic living room!
The two air chambers ease set up by reducing inflation time and the drain plug makes tear down a no-brainer.
Specifications
- 90 x 86 x 31″”
- Holds 156 gal.
- 16.77 lbs. (empty)
- 13 gauge vinyl
- Recommended for ages 3+
- Very spacious
- Durable plastic vinyl
- Repair kit included
- Convenient drain plug
- 2 air chambers
- Has cupholders
- Built-in sitting area with backrest
- Limited 90-day warranty
- Due to size, the pool requires a very flat surface to set up
Hilor Inflatable Full-Sized Swimming Pool
The biggest selling point of this best inflatable pool is that it’s, well, the BIGGEST! It’s one of closest inflatable pools to a true above ground pool.
The Hilor Full-Sized Family Swimming Pool is constructed of 0.4mm PVC, twice the thickness of most in the market. It’s durable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.
This thirsty leviathan has a voracious 312-gallon capacity and features strong and stable outer walls that can withstand the extra weight of being climbed on and over.
This best quality inflatable pool can be used as a swimming pool, ball pit, sand pit, and toy pool. It’s equipped with a built-in drain plug for easy draining and deflation, and can be folded for easy storage.
Three individual air chambers make inflating this best inflatable pool that much quicker.
Specifications
- 120 x 72 x 22″
- Holds 312 gal.
- 17.49 lbs. (empty)
- 3 air chambers to expedite setup
- High-strength PVC
- Recommended for ages 3+
- 3-4 minute inflation with electric compressor (not included)
- Accommodates up to 2 adults and 5 smallish children
- Built-in drain plug
- Large, strong, and stable
- Air compressor necessary but not included
- Warranty information cannot be found
Download this guide to get your kids outside and off screens.
Download The FREE Guide NowGarden Round Inflatable Baby Swimming Pool
Among our smaller inflatable pools, the Garden inflatable baby pool is a colorful, yet, simple selection for those with young children. The surface is decorated with adorable sea creatures that add a splash of design to an otherwise drab pool!
The soft and textured BPA-free pool floor will make sure your child does not slip and injure themselves. Still, NEVER leave a child unattended for even a brief time in a swimming pool.
The pool inflates quickly due to the smaller size and the drain valve empties the contents after each play day.
Specifications
- 47 x 10″
- Holds 18 gal.
- 2.66 lbs. (empty)
- BPA-free, UV-resistant PVC
- Recommended for ages 3+
- Small and easy to store
- Non-toxic materials
- Soft, non-slip pool bottom
- Can double as a ball pit or sandbox
- Drain valve
- Suitable for small children under 7 years of age only (Sorry, Dad!)
- Warranty information not posted
AsterOutdoor Inflatable Swimming Pool
What makes us consider a product for our best inflatable pool list? It has to be durable, stable, and sturdy, and a nice appearance will definitely help. The AsterOutdoor inflatable swimming pool checks all of our boxes.
The materials used to construct the inflatable pool are CPC-certified to ensure the PVC is extra strong and safe. The structural integrity of the pool is reinforced by independent air chambers and the pool comes with a 1-year quality guarantee.
Decorated with marine creatures in an underwater habitat, the AsterOutdoor inflatable swimming pool makes a festive addition to a backyard pool party.
Specifications
- 100 x 73 x 24″
- Holds 312 gal.
- 16.7 lbs. (empty)
- 3 air chambers to expedite setup
- CPC certified PVC
- Recommended for ages 3+
- Thicker and reinforced pool floor
- Attractive, festive design
- Can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children
- Inflates quickly with air compressor
- Strong PVC construction
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
- Air compressor necessary but not provided
- Takes hours to fill up
Kidzlane Unicorn Pool
A unicorn pool? That’s different. Unique.
You could say that it’s a Unique-corn pool.
That was Uni-corny.
What would a backyard pool party be without unicorns … which brings us to the next in our line up for best inflatable pools.
The Kidzlane Unicorn pool is a great inflatable option for those with ONE young child (maybe two). Yep, it’s that small!
But, it comes packed with extras: an included pump, rubber floating unicorns toys, and a storage bag!
The pool is an eye-catcher, but the appearance does not come at the expense of durability as the pool is crafted with strong PVC.
Specifications
- 43 x 32 x 28″
- Capacity unknown
- Empty weight unknown
- PVC construction
- Recommended for ages 3+
- Includes a pump and carrying bag making it a portable set
- Comes with unicorn toys
- Unique-corn design (Bwah, ha, ha!)
- Strong PVC
- Soft padded floor
- Easy storage
- Ultra tiny ... like for one or two kids only!
- Warranty not posted
Intex Sun Shade Inflatable Pool
The Intex Sun Shade inflatable pool provides a place to swim and a shady cabana to chill under!
Composed of 10-gauge vinyl, this innovative pool is durable, nice to look at, and also comes with a repair kit to patch up any punctures.
To add to its versatility, the sun shade on the Intex pool is removable if you want to let the sun in!
Specifications
- 62 x 62 x 48″
- Holds 78 gal.
- 8.55 lbs. (empty)
- 2 air chambers to expedite setup
- 10 gauge vinyl
- Recommended for ages 2+
- Removable sun shade providing UV protection
- Strong vinyl construction
- Patch kit included
- Festive design
- Integrated drain plug
- 90-day warranty
- Small leaving no room for Mom and Dad ...
Intex Rainbow Cloud Inflatable Baby Pool
Another innovative design from Intex inflatable pools, the Rainbow Cloud is a fun-styled inflatable baby pool that will make for great photo op’s!
Specifications
- 62 x 62 x 48″
- Holds 78 gal.
- 8.55 lbs. (empty)
- 2 air chambers to expedite setup
- 10 gauge vinyl
- Recommended for ages 2+
- Cute rainbow sun shade
- Strong construction
- Protects kids against UV exposure
- Inflates quickly
- 90-day warranty
- Sunshade is more decorative than functional
Intex Swim Center Family Lounge Inflatable Pool
Finally, an inflatable pool with the entire family in mind! This inflatable lounge is a great option with 4 built-in seats complete with backrests and cup holders! It’s an excellent addition to the backyard whether you want to go for a shallow dip or just lounge in the water.
Get the pool filled quickly with air pumps and drain it equally as fast thanks to the built-in drain plug. Aside from having fun for the whole family, you can also invite (smallish) friends to join in the fun!
Specifications
- 90 x 90 x 26″
- Holds 262 gal.
- 14.68 lbs. (empty)
- 2 air chambers to expedite setup
- 10 gauge vinyl
- Recommended for ages 2+
- 4 lounge seats with backrests
- Spacious layout
- 2 drink holders
- Comes with a repair patch
- Drain plug
- 90-day warranty
- Requires air compressor which is not included
- Shallower than other pools to accommodate lounging
Wrapping up a Day of Fun in the Sun
Whether you’re looking for a pool to keep the kids entertained all summer long or one that will make your next backyard bash a hit, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of finding the perfect inflatable pool and rounded up some of our favorites. So whether you’re in the market for an affordable no-frills option or something extra special, we’ve got you (and your wallet) covered.
Now, chillax … and get out there!
Joshua Davis
Being outdoors is freedom! Being outdoors with my wife and two boys is LIVING! Whether in my backyard or getting lost in a National Park, there’s nothing I’d rather do than explore, discover, and experience the paradise that surrounds us. Give me my family, a backpack, and a trail and my life is full!Download this guide to get your kids outside and off screens.
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