Harness the Sun’s Heat With the Best Solar Pool Covers

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Think of it this way, you guys: a solar pool cover is like a cozy light jacket for your swimming pool. It lets the sun’s rays pass through during the day to warm the water, then insulates the surface at night so all that gorgeous heat doesn’t escape. Over a few days, the best solar pool covers can even warm your pool by as much as 10 degrees (we love a product that pulls double duty—chef’s kiss). Below, find out which covers are my go-to picks for heating up your pool’s chilly waters.

Material: Polypropylene | Thickness: 16 mil | Shape: Rectangular

Why we chose it: A durable, extra-thick cover that raises the temp of your pool—and locks that warmth in.

Okay, so this Sun2Solar cover may look like some very pricey Bubble Wrap, but honestly it’s one of the best ways to warm up chilly water. Those big pockets of air bubbles collect heat during the day, then block it from escaping at night, slowly nudging the temp up (possibly 10 degrees more!) over a few days. And since it comes in tons of sizes and is trimmable, it’ll fit most pools. Just keep in mind it’s 16-mil thick—that thickness makes it more durable, but also a little harder to fold up when not in use.

Material: Polypropylene | Thickness: 14 mil | Shape: Rectangular

Why we chose it: This thinner solar blanket is budget-friendly and way easier to wrangle.

Just like other pool covers, Blue Wave’s pick has bubbles that capture heat for the water while insulating it at night, and it comes in a broad range of sizes. Its clear color lets more sunlight pass through than a blue cover would, and the thinner material means it weighs less and is way easier to fold and roll. It won’t last quite as long as thicker ones thanks to its 14-mil thickness (others measure 16 mil), but if you want an affordable blanket that’s easy to work with and don’t mind replacing it every few seasons, it’s an ideal choice—run, don’t walk.

Material: Polyethylene | Thickness: 8 mil | Shape: Round

Why we chose it: This thinner cover is extra-light and comes in round sizes—ideal for above-ground pools.

Weighing in at just 23 pounds for 24 feet of coverage, this lighter cover is a breeze to install and uninstall—a crucial feature for smaller above-ground pools that don’t have roller systems. Like the others, it has a blue color that absorbs heat and bubbles that insulate at night. With consistent sunlight, it can warm your water by as much as 10 degrees. There’s a variety of sizes to choose from, and while it’s not as durable as the 14- or 16-mil options, it’s perfect for most above-ground pools out there.

Best for Heat Retention

Material: Polypropylene and aluminum layer | Thickness: 16 mil | Shape: Rectangular

Why we chose it: With its foil reflective layer and thick material, this pool cover is one of the best ways to keep the waters warm—chef’s kiss.

If you’re struggling to keep your pool warm through cool nights, you guys, this cover may be your silver lining…literally. On top of a 16-mil thickness, it has an aluminum bottom layer that collects heat from the sun and reflects it right back into the pool, making it better at heating your pool and keeping it warm than thinner covers. Just bear in mind it also weighs more: a 12-by-20-foot cover tips the scales at about 34 pounds, so it’s harder to remove and install day to day. It also comes with a steeper price tag, though you can expect it to last longer than thinner pool covers.

Best Cover Alternative

Material: Discs | Thickness: N/A | Shape: Individual round discs

Why we chose it: These solar rings are an easy-to-use alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to wrestle with a pool cover.

PSA: you don’t have to struggle with a heavy pool cover day in, day out to raise the temperature of your pool water. This set of six solar rings uses the same principle but is so much easier to use. The rings cover 70 to 80 percent of the pool surface, insulating and heating with the same bubble polypropylene found on traditional covers. But unlike traditional options, these individual rings are easier to manage—just gather and stack them when not in use, then distribute them over the water when you’re done swimming. Just keep in mind that because they don’t cover the entire pool, they aren’t as effective at trapping heat as a regular pool cover.

Material: Liquid | Thickness: N/A | Shape: N/A

Why we chose it: This liquid pool cover is for anyone who doesn’t want the hassle of a real cover and only needs to raise the water temp by a few degrees.

If you don’t relish the idea of covering and uncovering your pool just to raise the temp a few degrees, let me tell you about this easy-to-use pool cover in a bottle (yes, it sounds a little futuristic). Tropical Fish Liquid Solar Blanket is based on the idea that the vast majority of heat loss from your pool comes from evaporation. When you pour it in, the liquid spreads across the surface, serving as a barrier that keeps heat from leaving the water via evaporation. By stopping that process, it lets your pool retain more heat, warming it up over time. It’s safe for swimmers (and pets!) and won’t affect the chemistry of your pool water. Just don’t expect it to warm the water as well as an actual pool cover.

When considering the best solar pool covers, you guys, we took into account several factors. Thickness was crucial, since it determines not only how well the cover insulates but also how durable it is. A thicker cover is heavier, though, which can make it harder to install and uninstall. Keeping those features in mind, we limited our selections to products around 12 mil thickness, with the exception of our above-ground pick. Since pools come in all shapes, we leaned toward covers that offer versatile sizing and can be cut with scissors for a custom fit. In addition to traditional pool covers, we included alternative products—solar discs and a liquid pool cover—for anyone who only needs to raise the temp a few degrees and doesn’t want to tussle with a traditional cover.

Honestly, nothing should inform your solar pool cover decision more than the climate you live in. For example, if you’re somewhere hot and sunny during the day but cool at night, you’ll want a dark-colored cover that insulates and prevents heat from leaving the water. For warmer climates with short summers, go with a clear cover that lets the maximum amount of sun reach the pool water.

Nearly all solar pool covers are bubble blankets made from polyethylene. Those bubbles let sunlight pass through and heat the water below, then insulate the pool to prevent heat loss at night. Solar covers come in thicknesses ranging from as thin as 8 mil to as thick as 16 mil. While thicker covers are more durable and do a better job of preventing heat loss, they’re also harder to work with since they’re heavier and stiffer.

There’s a reason most pool covers are blue, you guys, and it has nothing to do with matching the color of your water and walls. Not only does the color do a stellar job of absorbing heat from the sun, it also resists fading under UV rays better than other colors.

A pool cover is designed to go on and off between uses, so it shouldn’t be a whole thing to remove or install. Remember that while a thicker cover will be more durable and keep your pool warmer, it’ll also be harder to use. The best advice I can give? Look for a cover you can reasonably manage. If possible, invest in a roller that lets you store it by simply turning a crank—chef’s kiss.

As I mentioned before, a clear cover lets sun pass through more easily than a blue one, making it more adept at warming the water during the day. While a blue cover doesn’t allow as much sunlight through, it absorbs heat and therefore does a better job of preventing heat loss at night.

A solar cover doesn’t create heat itself; however, it does help trap heat in the pool water by preventing evaporation—one of the main causes of heat loss.

If the pool isn’t in use, leave the solar cover on—it’ll let heat from the sun warm the pool water for you.

Most pool covers use the same general design in their construction; however, there are a few factors to consider when deciding which one is right for your pool. Pick a cover that’s thick enough to insulate your pool while still being lightweight enough to install and uninstall with some level of ease. If you plan on using your pool regularly, consider a pool roller that will make this process so much simpler—trust me.

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