As nice as it would be to have a pool at home, especially during unbearable summers, they’re expensive to build and can be very hard to maintain. Also, they leave a permanent hole in your backyard. If you’re not willing to spend a big amount of money and don’t want something extra to clean, an above-ground pool is the next best thing. To help you pick out the best one for you and your family, here’s a roundup of the top models on the market including saltwater and kid-safe options.
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Best Above-Ground Pools Comparison Chart
Name | Intex Ultra XTR Pool Set | Coleman Power Steel Swim Vista Series II | H20G0! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool |
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Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
Capacity | 6,981 gallons | 6,100 gallons | 555 gallons |
Dimensions | 18 feet x 52 inches | 18 feet x 48 inches | 8 feet x 26 inches |
Shape | Round | Round | Round |
Frame | Galvanized steel | Corrosion-resistant steel | Inflatable |
Best Features | -durable -spacious -comes with complete set of accessories | -rust-resistant -puncture-resistant -easy to set up | -interactive -easy to set up -puncture-resistant |
Coleman Power Steel Swim Vista Series II
TheColeman Power Steel Swim Vista Series II is the most durable above-ground pool.

If durability is your top priority, you can be sure to get a lot of use out of theColeman Power Steel Swim Vista Series II. Made with rust-resistant steel and puncture-resistant TriTech, this above-ground pool will be able to withstand the test of time. Aside from being heavy-duty, it’ll look nice in your backyard as well, thanks to the rattan design on the outside and the tile pattern on the inside. As for dimensions and capacity, it’s 4 feet deep and can hold 6,100 gallons of water which is pretty impressive for an above-ground pool.
If you’re not good at assembling things, you don’t have to worry because this Coleman model is quite easy to put together and take apart. You don’t even need any tools to do so. The only downside to it, and it’s a minor one, is that there’s only design to choose from.
Intex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool
TheIntex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool is the best above-ground saltwater pool.

If you think the saltwater experience is for in-ground pools only, theIntex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool proves otherwise. Equipped with a saltwater system, it lets you enjoy all the benefits of saltwater without the extra maintenance. Not just that but you get extra accessories as well such as a ladder, a sand filter pump, a pool cover, and a ground cloth. It’s nice that this Intex model is large too, measuring in at 32 feet length-wise. This gives you enough space to do some laps, play games, and splash around. To top things off, you get a two-year warranty for extra peace of mind.
The only downside to this above-ground pool is that you have to purchase your own saltwater and manually add it to the saltwater system to get to a certain level of salinity. This small inconvenience is heavily outweighed by all the pros though.
H20G0! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool
TheH20G0! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool is the best above-ground pool for children.

If you have kids who can’t stay still inside the house, having an above-ground pool in the yard can help take away some of that boredom. TheH20G0! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool is a good option for the little ones as it’s safe for them yet offers loads of fun. It comes with an inflatable dolphin which you can hook up with a hose so that it acts like a water fountain. In addition, this H20G0! model is able to handle as much as 555 gallons of water and is spacious enough to hold multiple playmates at a time. And even if things get a little rowdy, it has a puncture-resistant, three-ply TriTech liner so it will be able to hold up well.
As for the parents, they’ll love it too because of how easy it is to assemble. All you really need is 10 minutes or so to get it up and running so it shouldn’t take up too much of your time. The only downside to this above-ground pool is that it’s not backed up by a warranty.
Intex Ultra XTR Pool Set
The Intex Ultra XTR Pool Set is the best overall above-ground pool.

If you want an above-ground pool that has it all, look no further than the Intex Ultra XTR Pool Set. It has a galvanized steel frame for extra durability, plus its structure is further stabilized by a precision-engineered locking system. In addition, it’s rust-free thanks to the protective powder coating on its inner and outer walls. It offers a lot of space too, measuring in at 18 feet in diameter with a capacity of 6,900 gallons of water. For these reasons, this Intex model is the best overall above-ground pool in our book.
It’s a nice bonus as well that this above-ground pool comes with a bunch of accessories such as a pool cover, a sand filter pump, a slip-resistant ladder, and a ground cover. The only setback you may experience with it is its long set-up time which may last up to 45 minutes. We think that the pros are well worth it though.
Verdict
TheIntex Ultra XTR Pool Set bags the number one spot because it’s able to tick off all the boxes.
TheIntex Ultra XTR Pool Set bags the number one spot because it’s able to tick off all the boxes. It’s durable, spacious, and comes with a complete set of accessories. It is, however, on the pricier side and it’s not the easiest to set up. If you want something more affordable and less time consuming to assemble, theColeman Power SteelSwim Vista Series II is a good alternative.
As for those who don’t want just any ordinary pool and instead want to swim in saltwater, there’s theIntex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool. It’s the best above-ground saltwater pool in our book because it’s equipped with its own saltwater system. But if what you’re looking for is an above-ground pool for your kids, theH20G0! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool is able to bring the fun while keeping things safe.
FAQs
TheIntex Ultra XTR Pool Set is the best above-ground pool in our book because it’s able to tick off all the boxes. It’s durable, spacious, and comes with a complete set of accessories.
If you want value for money, theColeman Power SteelSwim Vista Series II is an affordable yet high-quality option. It’s durable, spacious, and easy to set up.
If durability is your top priority, theColeman Power Steel Swim Vista Series II and theIntex Ultra XTR Pool Set are both rust-proof and sturdy.
TheH20G0! Underwater Oasis Spray Pool is a good option for kids as it’s safe and interactive.