6 of the best swimming pools to keep you cool in the summer

Make the most of the upcoming summer heat, from the comfort of your own garden.

Two above-ground garden swimming pools on a splash background

by Angelica Daujotas |
Updated on

Expecting another heatwave enjoyed from the comfort of your home? An above-ground swimming pool is a perfect solution to keep you and your family cool on the hottest days of the year.

With the winter months flying by quicker than ever, it’ll be summer before we know it. If you’re anything like my family, you’ll spend hours searching for the pool in the shed, only to be met with a gaping hole that everyone had seemed to forget about.

Related: The best splash pads

And then, after another hour of deciding who to blame, you'll be frantically searching the internet to find a pool you can get - and fast. Sound familiar?

After spending last summer revamping the landscape of my entire garden, I’m planning on taking full advantage of it this year, with brand new furniture, garden décor and, of course, a new swimming pool.

Related: The best hot tubs to make your garden feel like a slice of paradise

Get ahead and start preparing now, so more summer days can be spent outside enjoying BBQs, splashing around in the pool, and chilly nights by the fire pit making unforgettable memories.

Treat yourself and the family to a quality swim or paddle with some of the best swimming pools, bound to keep you and the little ones entertained for hours - because swimming pools aren’t just for kids.

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6 of the best swimming pools to keep you cool in the summer

Bestway Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool, Steel Pro 9.1ft1 of 6

Bestway Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool, Steel Pro 9.1ft

This amazing 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.

Specifications:

Product dimensions: 300 x 201 x 66 cm

Weight: 15.7kg

Capacity: 3300 litres

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."

Intex 28202UK 10ft X 30in Metal Frame Swimming Pool with Filter Pump2 of 6

Intex 28202UK 10ft X 30in Metal Frame Swimming Pool with Filter Pump

This 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 than an inflatable but means that it can be up and ready all summer long.

Specifications:

Product dimensions: 305 x 305 x 76 cm

Weight: 16.8kg

Capacity: 1500 litres

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."

Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool3 of 6

Intex 6ft x 20in Easy Set Swimming Pool

This 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.

Specifications:
Product dimensions: 183 x 51 cm
Weight: 3.2kg
Capacity: 886 litres
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 6 am and it was a cinch. It filled in less than two hours. No rips, holes or pops."

Summer Escapes 9ft Octagonal Family Paddling Pool4 of 6

Summer Escapes 9ft Octagonal Family Paddling Pool

Plenty of space for the whole family to have fun, although not as deep as some others on offer, this pool is ideal for families with younger children who are learning to swim.

Specifications:

Product dimensions: 279 x 279 x 56 cm

Weight: 6.55kg

Capacity: 1318 litres

Review: "Minutes to blow up and it's really good for the price as my kids love it and spent hours in it. 100% recommend for the price."

Bestway family Pool5 of 6

Bestway family Pool

If you're looking for a hassle-free and durable inflatable pool, this one is for you. Extra-wide and extra sturdy, you and the family can make a splash without worrying about its stability.

Specifications:

Product dimensions: 262 x 175 x 51cm

Weight: 4.2kg

Capacity: 982 litres

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."

Intex 12ft x 30in Easy Up Swimming Pool6 of 6

Intex 12ft x 30in Easy Up Swimming Pool

Just like its six-foot version, this one 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 - when we're allowed to have our friends over again.

Specifications:

Product dimensions: 366 x 76 cm

Weight: 4.5kg

Capacity: 5621 litres

Review: "Just what the doctor ordered. My grandchildren and wife can't seem to keep out of it, takes a long time to fill so if you can't wait, buy a smaller one, but you will wish you got the bigger one."

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