From the comfort of your own outdoor space, you can now enjoy a refreshing dip in a swimming pool for as little as £20. Perfect for keeping the kids entertained and beating the heat. We've picked out the best swimming pools for your family.
An above-ground pool is a perfect solution for keeping cool in the summer - it's great because you don't have to sacrifice the space all year round. Easy to put up and take down, these swimming pools are ideal for enjoying the British summer and make a great alternative to the ever-so-popular hot tubs.
Looking to upgrade the old paddling pool and make waves in a sparkling new pool? Treat the family and, of course, yourself to the best swimming pool imaginable. Whatever your budget and needs, you'll find the perfect pool in our round-up.
Best swimming pools at a glance:
• Best shape swimming pool (Editor's Choice): Summer Escapes 9ft Octagonal Family Paddling Pool - View offer on Argos
• Best value swimming pool: Intex 10ft x 30in Metal Frame Swimming Pool - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best swimming pool for smaller gardens: Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best swimming pool for durability: Bestway Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool - View offer on Amazon UK
So - we've got a swimming pool for everyone, from big gardens to small ones and even ones perfect for younger children, all that's left for you to do is get shopping.
The best swimming pools UK
Best shape swimming pool (Editor's Choice)
www.argos.co.uk
Plenty of space for the whole family to have fun, although not as deep as some others on offer. This Argos Summer Escapes pool is ideal for families with younger children who are learning to swim. The octagonal shape is great for giving everyone their own 'space' to chill out, and the two-in-one valves make it easy to set up and take down.
Customer review: "bought this paddling pool for my 2 grandchildren and family. We had such fun. The pool was big and didn't take long to blow up with a pump. (Bought separately) we all loved it and recommend it thoroughly."
Pros
- Great shape and size
- Includes repair kit
Cons
- Only one drainage hole
Best value swimming pool
This Intex 10ft pool is fantastic if you've got a larger outdoor space, able to hold 1,500 litres of water. It's perfect for the whole family to enjoy on a hot summer day. It takes a little while to set up compared to an inflatable pool but means that it can be up and ready all summer long.
Customer review: "This pool is by far the best I have ever bought! It took approximately nine hours to fill. Was easy to assemble. And the kids love It! Plenty of room for both children (7&5) and me and my partner to swim around in."
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Very sturdy
- Long-lasting product
Cons
- Takes a while to fill
- Need extra mats for underneath
Best hassle-free swimming pool
If you're looking for a hassle-free and durable inflatable pool, this Bestway family pool ticks all the boxes, as it comes in a range of sizes. Extra-wide and extra sturdy, you and the family can make a splash without worrying about its stability. As well as being easy to drain thanks to its integrated drain drive, it can be easily dismantled and stored to save space for use next year.
Customer review: "We were called the best parents ever when we bought this paddling pool for our little ones. Due to this year's summer being so warm and dry, the kids needed something to keep them entertained and cool; this was just that thing. I have four children and this happily fits them all in, with plenty of room to spare."
Pros
- No hassle
- Easy to store
- Range of sizes
Cons
- Can lose air
Best swimming pool for smaller gardens
The Intex Easy Set is your perfect starter pool; quick and easy to set up and fill, it's excellent to pull out on the morning of a bright sunny day. At six feet, it's ideal for smaller gardens and getting younger kids used to bigger pools.
Customer review: "I bought this as a replacement for our family holiday to Spain (thanks Covid-19). If you're drunk enough, and the sun is hot enough, it can be convincing. I blew the ring up with my very own set of lungs because I couldn't be bothered to search the garage looking for a bike pump, it would probably turn out to be bitterly disappointing anyway. It was easy to do by mouth. Then I set it up all by myself at 6am and it was a cinch. It filled in less than two hours. No rips, holes or pops."
Pros
- Ranges of sizes
- Easy assembly
- Robust
Cons
- Needs to be on a flat surface
Best swimming pool for larger gardens
Just like its six-foot version, the Intex Easy Up swimming pool is quick and easy to set up but will take longer to fill as it's double the size. It's ideal for bigger families or even pool parties.
Customer review: "Pool is good value for money and easy to set up. This is the second one we have had, the previous one lasted 5 years. Bought some foam floor tiles to place the pool on, this not only protects the base of the pool but makes it more comfortable to use. At the end of the summer care needs to be taken to empty, clean and pack away the pool if you want it to last, fairly easy to do by following the instruction manual. A pump and chemicals are essential to ensure the pool only needs filling once per summer. It gave great relief in the hot summer months for all, the family."
Pros
- Ideal for big families
- Lasts a lot longer than inflatable pools
- Super tough side walls
Cons
- Size up from what you need
Best swimming pool for durability
This amazing Bestway family-sized pool delivers on strength and durability and provides hours of entertainment for the entire family. Easy to both empty and fill up, it can be kept up all season and enjoyed on every hot day.
Review: "Really good, size accurate! Great family pool. Really recommend. Only thing is, it does take a while to fill up and also recommend getting a pool cover, pump and chlorine."
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Great for swimming lengths!
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Takes a while to fill
- Keep on top of cover pump and chlorine
Best stylish swimming pool
Become the most popular person around with this M.Y Splash Rattan Frame Pool at Amazon. Suitable for children 6 years and older (but with adult supervision), this pool is just what your garden needs for the warmer months, and the stylish rattan exterior combines playtime with a stylish outdoor accessory. Quick and easy to set up, you'll be able to go for a swim in no time at all.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Durable
Cons
- Needs bigger filter
Are swimming pools for gardens safe?
Yes, as long as you check the guidelines and do your research. Just like inflatable pools and splash pads, garden swimming pools normally come with an age range and state that children need to be supervised at all times.
If you follow the set-up guidelines carefully and adhere to any safety precautions provided with your pool, they are considered safe for you and your family to enjoy.
Yes, as long as the pool is set up and used correctly and you ensure that children are supervised at all times. It is also important to test the water and use appropriate filtering and chemicals to keep it clean.
Which shape of swimming pool is best?
Round, rectangular and oval are some of the most popular pool shapes, but the best one depends on your preference. Round and oval ones might be slightly easier to clean as there are no tight corners to scrub.
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Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's rennovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in her jungle garden with her sausage dog Waffle.