Easy Winter Pool Care…
It’s been a long summer.
You had a lot of pool parties, barbeques, and get-togethers.
Best of all, plenty of fun in the swimming pool.
But now, with winter coming, it’s almost too bad that it’s time to close the pool.
Maybe while the pool temperature isn’t too cold for swimming, you can squeeze in a couple more parties before you cover it until spring.
I know the feeling…
About Pool Covers
One of the biggest problems many pool owners have each year when they roll out their winter pool cover is finding it damaged.
They unwrap or un-roll it to find it covered with mildew or mold.
This happened because it wasn’t cleaned well enough when you stored it away.
Or you didn’t let it dry off before it was folded or rolled up and stored away.
So while it was baking in the shed or all summer, mold ruined it.
The same thing will happen with camping tents and tarps – you have to clean them and let them dry off before you store them.
This is a bigger problem if you live where it’s humid.
In Arizona, our problem is dry rot…
Heavy Duty & Sturdy Covers Work Best
It doesn’t take long for vinyl or canvas to dry rot if left in the sun or a hot shed all summer.
That said, I guarantee you’ll only get a few uses from a cheap cover – especially if you don’t take care of it.
My first few years with a pool sucked because I had no idea what to do during the wintertime with my pool.
But worse is that my pool isn’t square or rectangular – it’s shaped like a kidney bean.
So, finding a way to cover it wasn’t easy.
That’s not a problem anymore because I figured it out.
Covers come in all sizes, shapes, and colors.
The local pool shop doesn’t carry covers in many sizes or shapes.
So I was stuck trying to make a cover that’s not long enough or wide enough to fit.
That’s right. And you might have to buy more than one cover because they don’t have the size you need.
Forget that hassle, I can help you find a cover that will fit your pool perfect and you’ll probably save money, too.
Taking care of my pool for more than 10 years has taught me a few things.
- How to Save Time and Money – Don’t buy costly supplies or waste time because you don’t know how to shop at the big-name pool supply store.
- How NOT to Get Ripped Off – Avoid getting ripped off or paying too much for parts and repairs.
- How to Do It Yourself – Do your pool care or know who to call when you need an expert.
If this sounds like something that interests you, it is worth all the time I spend working on this DIY pool care website.
Let’s get to why you’re reading this: you’re looking for the best pool covers for winter, and here they are.
Best Selling In-Ground Pool Covers
Here’s a list of the 5 best winter covers for inground pools.
- DOHENY’S OFFERS ALL TYPES OF WINTER POOL COVERS – IN ALL DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS TO FIT ANY BUDGET! Choose from our inexpensive Economy-Grade cover to our huge selection of finer covers – we have the right cover for you!
- WE OFFER THREE DIFFERENT SYLES OF WINTER COVERS! Our SOLID COVERS come in several different grades – while all featuring our triple-laminated construction that includes an extra-tight weave to resist tearing and are coated with an extra-thick polyethylene for durability. They also feature an industry leading 5’ overlap to accommodate an adequate water drop while allowing perfect water tube placement.
- Our ECONOMY COVERS provide a “Best In Value” In-Ground Winter Cover and include aluminum grommets placed every 4 ft. for easy tie-down.
- Our MESH COVERS are available in two different styles – STANDARD MESH and the state-of-the-art MICROMESH. Both are designed to allow excess water to drain back into the pool – just vacuum the fine silt from the bottom of the pool in the Spring! The MICRO-MESH cover’s top fibers are coated with a reflective silver compound that helps melt snow more rapidly to reduce cover wear and tear!
- ALL COVERS COME COMPLETE WITH HEAVY-DUTY WATER BAG LOOPS stitched approximately every 4 feet around the covers perimeter. Loops help keep bags firmly anchored preventing roll away.
- Winter pool cover to be used with in-ground swimming pools
- Solid material will not let water pass through
- Pool Size: 20 x 40 Foot Rectangle - Cover Size: 25 x 45 Feet (includes overlap in total)
- Heavy-duty 8 x 8 scrim
- Heavy-duty polyethylene weighs 2.36 oz./yd2
- 1.VEVOR Inground Pool Safety Cover - Winter Pool Care Made Easy: Say goodbye to the hassle of winter pool maintenance with our 16 x 32 Ft Pool Cover. Designed to fit pool sizes up to 16 x 32 feet, with a 4x8 ft Center Step, our cover provides a perfect fit with no stretching required. Before ordering, measure your pool's dimensions for a precise fit. Ideal for home, garden, or hotel pools.
- 2. Inground Pool Safety Cover with Premium High Strength PP Material: Our inground pool cover is crafted from top-tier polypropylene, known for its durability and resistance to aging, high temperatures, and abrasion. The double-strapped and triple-stitched design ensures exceptional strength, making it a long-lasting investment in your family's safety.
- 3. Pool Covers for InGround Pools with All Necessary Hardware Included: We've included all the necessary hardware for a hassle-free setup. The package contains brass anchors, stainless-steel springs, and installation tools. The drill and tamp style brass anchoring system ensures a secure fit in concrete. The adjustable rope length accommodates different pool sizes, making installation a breeze.
- 4. In Ground Pool Cover with Child & Pet Safety First: Our solid tensile pool cover is a crucial safety feature, preventing accidental pool drownings of children, domestic animals, and pets. Additionally, it reduces water evaporation and keeps your pool water clean during winter.
- 5. Powerful Tight Mesh Design: Our pool cover boasts a tight mesh construction that allows water to drain effectively while blocking leaves, snow, and debris. This ensures a crystal-clear pool when spring arrives. The tightly woven scrim prevents sunlight from penetrating the cover, helping maintain clean and clear water for the next season.
- Inground Pool Safety Cover with Center Step : This pool cover measures 18 x 34 ft with 4x8ft center end step area, suitable for pool size: 16 x 32 ft, center step size: 4x8 ft. The in ground pool cover size is 2ft larger than your pool, ensuring a perfect fit without stretching. Please measure your pool dimensions before purchasing. Versatile and suitable for various inground pools, it's an ideal choice for home, garden, or hotel pools.
- Premium and High Strength PP Material: The 16x32 pool cover with center step is crafted from high-quality polypropylene material, renowned for its exceptional durability, resistance to aging and abrasion. Our 16x32 winter pool cover features double strapping, triple stitching and anti-slip rubber strip, ensuring maximum strength and providing long-term protection for your swimming pool.
- Powerful Tight Mesh Design : The 16x32 inground pool cover with center step features a tight mesh construction, allows rainwater to seep through into the pool but screens out leaves, twigs, snow and other debris. Our safety pool covers are designed to minimize cleaning needs, thereby enhancing both safety and convenience.
- Complete Hardware Kit for Effortless Installation : iCOVER safety pool cover is equipped with instruction manual and high-quality brass anchors, resilient stainless-steel springs & sleeves, and includes all necessary installation tools for effortless setup. This 16x32 pool safety cover comes with an effective drill and tamp anchoring system, it boasts secure and reliable placement, ensuring peace of mind for years to come.
- Pool Covers for Inground Pools with Enhanced Safety and Durability : iCOVER inground pool cover 16x32 is meticulously engineered to withstand long-term wear and tear. Our pool safety covers are designed to serve as a critical barrier for protecting against accidental drownings and preventing debris such as leaves, snow, and dust.
- SUPERIOR STRENGTH AND DURABILITY - Crafted from high-quality polyethylene, the Blue Wave/Arctic Armor 12-year Solid Winter Cover is built to last. The 10x10 scrim count provides enhanced strength and durability.
- MAINTAINS CLEAR AND CLEAN WATER - A black underside and heat-sealed seams work together to block out sunlight and prevents leaves, sticks, and other debris from decaying in your pool all winter.
- GENEROUS OVERLAP FOR SECURE FIT - Designed with a 5-ft overlap, this cover provides a secure and proper fit for your above-ground pool. The extra material allows for better coverage.
- SECURE FASTENING SYSTEM - Each cover features integrated water tube loops that are spaced every four feet, providing additional security and stability (water tubes sold separately).
- 12-YEAR WARRANTY - Backed by an 12-year warranty, this solid winter cover offers reliable, long-term protection for your pool. The first year is fully covered and each following year is prorated.
Best Selling Above Ground Pool Covers
And here’s a list of the 5 best winter covers for above-ground pool care.
- Extra Durable Construction: Our above ground pool covers are made of supreme mesh material with an industry-leading polyethylene scrim and coating, ensuring exceptional strength and resilience. Built to withstand harsh winter conditions, they provide unparalleled durability for reliable protection throughout the season.
- Ultimate Winter Protection: Experience the best winter pool cover that shields your pool from precipitation, debris, and even heavy snowfall. With its robust construction, this cover is engineered to endure extreme cold as low as −10° F (−25° C), ensuring your pool remains immaculate and ready for use when the weather warms up.
- Year-Round Sun and UV Protection: Our pool cover is designed to provide exceptional protection against sunlight and harmful UV rays, not just during the summer but also throughout the winter months. The cover also features heat sealed seams.
- Effortless Installation: Includes clear and comprehensive installation instructions, making the process quick and easy. Additionally, we provide a heavy-duty, vinyl-coated cable and tightening winch, secured by rip-proof metal grommets spaced 30 inches apart, ensuring a secure and snug fit for optimal protection of your pool.
- Ideal Fit: Custom-made to perfectly cover 18 ft round above ground pools with a 3-foot overlap, providing full protection and coverage.
- 8 Mil thickness increases surface water temperature up to 10 degrees, extending your pool season enjoyment.
- Light blue cover color is a happy medium between heat absorption and retention
- Prevents evaporative heat loss during cool nights
- Cover cover should only be used when chlorine levels are below 2.5 ppm and pH levels are above 7.2.
- Using a solar cover reel provides more convenience when removing and applying the cover as well as helping to reduce wear and tear.
- 【Upgrade Protection 】Rectangular pool cover uses high-quality sutures and made of 210D Painted silver material and thicker than low-quality pool tarp, strong and durable. The pool cover has been added with a drawcord design, and we also have swimming pool accessories to help you enhance the stability of the Oval pool cover.
- 【Save Money and Keep Clean 】The Rectangular pool cover is durable and won't be be damaged or torn in the face of bad weather, inhibit damaging UV rays excellently while extend the life of the swimming pool.Rectangular pool cover for Above Ground pools will prevent debris, leaves, trash from getting into and contaminating your pool,while keeps the pool dry. Allow you to enjoy swimming in the next time and spend less time cleaning it .
- 【Keep Water with Suitable Temperature】The pool tarp use the power of the sunshine to heat up the water So you can swim by warming the water earlier or keeping the water warm after swim.when the pool is not in use,The solar pool cover helps in prevent up to 90% of pool water evaporation.
- 【Universal Compatibility】Great for both rectangular inflatable pools or metal framed rectangle swimming pools with size 12ft X 18ft .Our premium weather protective cover has universal compatibility for appropriately sized rectangular patio furniture table and stock tank.It can also be folded and placed without taking up space.
- 【After-Sales Service】In order to guarantee your shopping experience, you need to determine the size of your pool before purchasing.If you encounter any problems when using the pool tarp, please contact us by E-mail in time, We will help you solve your problems as soon as possible,UNTIL THE CUSTOMER IS SATISFIED .
- Free Solar Energy: Our solar covers raise pool water temperature up to 15 degrees
- Traps Heat: Maximizes heat retention, helping to keep water warm overnight
- Conserves Water: Prevents up to 95% of water evaporation, reducing chemical consumption and additional water used by your pool
- Debris Prevention: Stops leaves and debris from entering pool, reducing maintenance and keeping your pool clean and clear
- Easy Installation: The durable lightweight design makes it simple to install and remove with additional overlap to fit around any protrusions
- EASY TO USE – Installation is a breeze by using the 10-inch overhang and the included rope to secure your cover around the top of the metal frame; preventing the cover from blowing away in the wind
- PROTECTS POOL FROM DEBRIS – Intended for a 15-foot round pool, this pool cover will minimize debris, leaves, and trash from getting into your pool; while also protecting the pool from sun, snow, and ice damage
- SUPER-TOUGH – Made with puncture-resistant PVC material and drain holes to prevent water accumulation; this cover is meant to last multiple summers to help keep your pool free from debris
- SAFETY, QUALITY and VALUE – Intex designs, builds, and tests all its products to the highest standards with safety the first order of business; our affordable and innovative products are built to last
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION – Our dedicated customer service team is available via phone, chat, or email to help with any questions you may have on use, installation, or service needs
Now for the plan.
First, you need to measure your pool so you don’t buy the wrong cover and send it back.
Make sure you measure from the widest points from end to end, just in case your pool is like mine, shaped like a kidney bean, or has curves.
Next, depending on where you live, you might consider the material you need.
If your pool gets covered with snow, you might want to read what verified customers have to say in their reviews. Which reminds me, take a few minutes to check out the reviews on serval covers before you buy one. Once again, it saves you from having to send it back.
Finally, when you’ve found the cover that works, order it so you have enough time in case you need to send it back because it’s not the right item or you don’t like it.
Give yourself at least 2 – 3 weeks extra time before using your cover.
That’s a simple plan anyone can follow…
Oh, and if you need to buy chemicals for treating the pool when you close it, it’s probably a good time to get them when you order your cover.
Make it happen.
Look, order your winter cover now – before you forget and end up stuck with all the other pool owners who waited until the last minute.
Picture yourself waiting in long lines, picking through the leftovers at the pool store…because that’s what will happen.
I’ve learned my lesson…
Believe me, you don’t want to wait and pick a cover from the leftovers.
When you’ve dealt with as many winters as I have, you know it’s better to get your pool supplies before the rush begins.
Being early is better than dealing with everyone stressing out and standing in long lines.
Or – you guessed it – waiting for a replacement cover to arrive because you sent back the first cover because it was the wrong size.
Sorry if this sounds rash. I’m telling you like it is.
Now, follow this plan, and you’ll be watching football while your neighbors are still messing with their pool covers.
Wrap-up
As we come to the end of this guide, let’s review what we’ve discussed.
- You’re here because you’re looking for the best pool cover for winter to protect your pool when it’s closed. ✔
- You’re a new pool owner looking for advice on avoiding wasting time and money when purchasing a pool cover. ✔
- And finally, you want help deciding which pool cover to buy that fits well and will last. ✔
P.S.
If you found this guide about the best winter care pool cover useful, here are a couple more guides for DIY pool care.
- Your Eyes Won’t Burn Anymore When You Use The Best Solar Pool Ionizer
- Avoid Costly Pump Repair With The Best Automatic Pool Water Leveler
Product information was last updated on 2025-06-24.