We’ve researched the 20 best inflatable pools of 2021 that are highly rated in overall quality, structure and design so you can enjoy your time outside and kick back this summer. From chic lounge pools for adults including a bougie heart-shape and greek evil eye design, to cute kid inflatable pools, it’s no wonder these inflatable pools are trending right now. So turn up the summer fun for the family and scroll down to discover your new favorite inflatable pool. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Best Inflatable Pools
1. Intex Swim Center Family Inflatable Pool, $59.99 at Kohl’s
Dimensions: 120 " X 72 " X 22 "
Listed as a best-seller at Kohl’s, this inflatable pool by Intex is 120" X 72" X 22" so it’s big enough for the family to enjoy together and spend some quality time. It also comes with a drain plug and repair patch for your convenience!
2. FUNBOY Tropical Palm Splash Pool, $59.00 at REVOLVE
Dimensions: Diameter:66" Height: 18"
An awesome option for all ages, this palm-tree printed inflatable pool by FUNBOY is made of high-quality vinyl and has a water capacity of 120 gallons. It rapidly inflates so there is minimal setup time and you can get your summer party started ASAP. You deflate it just as quickly and can store it away in the garage once summer is over.
3. Intex 57190EP B01E0W4L58 Family Lounge Pool, 6x20x20, Blue
Dimensions: 88 " L x 85 " W x 30 " H
4. Intex Kids Inflatable Candy Zone Swim Play Center Kids Splash Pool w/ Waterslide, $94.99 at Walmart
Dimensions: 116" x 75" x 51"
Come on, you know your kids will go crazy when they see this Inflatable Candy Zone Swim Play Center. It has an adorable built-in water slide, two inflatable lollipops and side rails for games.
5. The Pool Greek Eye, $60.00 at Sunnylife
Dimensions: 62.99 " x 51.18 " x 15.35 "
If you’re renting a shore house or going on vacation, pack this inflatable pool that’s in the shape of a trendy Greek eye and elevate your stay. With azure blue Grecian vibes, this pool will put you in summer mode automatically.
6. FUNBOY Heart Splash Pool, $99.00 at REVOLVE
Dimensions: 70’’ L x 65" W
This inflatable pool screams bachelorette vibes to me! Or if you’re a girly girl like me and love pink, you can already picture yourself taking Instagram selfies in this FUNBOY inflatable heart-shaped pool.
7. Family Pool Inflatable Swimming Pool,Family Lounge Inflatable Pool with 4 Seats and Backrest
Dimensions; 90" X 90" X 18"
8. Q-Max Large Outdoor Inflatable Family Swimming Pool with Electric Pump, $117.99 at Overstock
Dimensions: 117 " L X 68 " W X 22" H
This option by Q-Max on Overstock is ideal for kids and playdates! Strong and sturdy for the rambunctious little ones, check out the 117” inflatable lounge pools with 170-gallon water capacity—it fits a family with two adults and up to four kids.
9. Minnidip The Amalfi Luxe Inflatable Pool, $70.00 at Bloomingdales
Dimensions: 66" W x 21" H
Get your backyard an upscale inflatable pool and opt for the modern Italian tile patchwork pattern inspired by the Amalfi Coast. This blue, yellow and white pool can fit up to 2-3 adults and is made of heavyweight soft-touch PVC material so it has a super nice texture to it.
10. Intex Swim Center Inflatable Above Ground Pool (2 Pack) (Set of 2), $249.99 at Wayfair
Dimensions:7.5 Ft X 7.5 Ft X 22 "
Head on over to Wayfair and scope out your new favorite inflatable pool for your kiddos. For $249.00 you get a two-pack of 7.5 Ft X 7.5F t X 22" Inflatable Above Ground Pools so your kids can have side-by-side pool parties with their buddies.
11. Teamson Kids Inflatable Castle Kiddie Pool Play Center with Sprinkler Blue with Pump
Dimensions: 82 " x 82 " x 85 "
This adorable inflatable kiddie pool in the shape of a castle will make your little girl feel like a princess! It has elegant arched doorways and white windows so you can guarantee summertime will feel that much more magical this 2021. Also, dad can assemble this inflatable pool in no time with the built-in sprinkler feature and accessible water connection.
12. Pool Central Multi-Striped Translucent Wall Swimming Pool, $74.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Dimensions: 73.5 " D x 20 " H
A basic round inflatable pool with an eye-catching rainbow design in brightly colored rings, you literally can’t go wrong. This vinyl pool has a 163-gallon water capacity with a drainage plug. Just note, the air pump is not included.
13. Intex 28405E PureSpa 4 Person Home Outdoor Inflatable Portable Heated Round Hot Tub Spa with 120 Bubble Jets, and Built in Heat Pump, $749.99 at Target
Dimensions: 58 " X 28 "
If you’re looking to go all out this summer 2021, you should splurge on this insane inflatable heated round hot tub spa. On sale for $749.99, this bad boy has a built-in heat pump and a whopping 120 bubble jets! “Worth every penny” explains a 5-star reviewer. " Easy set up, no leaks, no issues."
14. WDERNI Inflatable Above Ground Swimming Pool - Easy Set Kiddie Pool for Adult and Family
Dimensions: 10 Ft X 30"
For something more spacious, give this inflatable above-ground swimming pool a try. The dimensions of this big inflatable pool are 10 ft x 30" so measure ahead of time and figure out where it will fit best in your yard. This WDERNI pool has super-tough laminated side walls that are triple strong due to three separate layers of material for extra strength and durability.
15. FUNBOY X MALIBU BARBIE™ DREAM KIDDIE POOL, $59.00 at FUNBOY
Dimensions: 66 ’’ Diameter X 18 ’’ Height
This the hottest kiddie pool around right now. The Malibu Barbie Dream Kiddie Pool is a limited edition inflatable pool just for summer 2021 and is available at FUNBOY for an affordable price of $59.00. As if the exclusive Malibu Barbie™ print wasn’t cool enough, it also has a massive Barbie logo on the floor.
16. Inflatable Pool for Kids Family Oxsaml Kiddie Pool with Splash
Dimensions: 98" x 71" x 22 "
17. Mylle Inflatable Pool, $115.00 at West Elm
Dimensions: 65" Diameter x 15" H
Available in three fresh patterns including this multi-color speckle, this chic inflatable pool is suitable for adults or kids. This comes packaged in a matching vinyl envelope with snap closures so you can store it away nicely. It holds up to 105 gallons of water and works with a standard electric inflator pump or handpump.
18. INTEX Sun Shade Pool, $44.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Dimensions: 62" L x 62" W x 48" H
This inflatable pool has a removable shade top to protect your children from getting too much sun. Its whimsical sea animal design along the base makes this inflatable pool even more unique. With dimensions of 62" x 62" x 48", there’s enough room for you to pop in the pool with your kid.
19. 4 Size Inflatable Swimming Pool Home Thickened Adult Kids Pool Marine Ball Pool, $75.25 at Wish.com
Dimensions: 180 cm X 140 cm X 50 cm
“Arrived early,” “good materials,” and “perfect to cool down” are what customers say to describe this basic square inflatable pool. This 4-layered inflatable pool costs under $100 so you don’t have to break your bank.
20. Members Mark Elegant Family Pool 10 Feet Long 2 Inflatable Seats with Backrests. New Version
Dimensions: 10 Ft x 2 Ft
On a blazing, hot summer day you’ll want to hang in this inflatable family pool all afternoon. It’s 10-feet-long and includes two inflatable seats with backrests. We love how the inside pattern resembles real pool tiles, too!
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Inflatable Pool
Size & Shape
Figuring out the right size of your blow-up pool is the most important factor when it comes to your decision. If you have a bigger, spacious backyard, a larger inflatable pool is an option for you – at their largest size, inflatable pools typically can be as wide as 13 feet (or more) and around 4 feet deep. When it comes to shape, blow-up pools come in standard circular shapes and rectangular shapes, as well as more unique trendy designs like heart-shaped. Plus, there are smaller and shallow kiddie blow-up pools that are usually circular and a few feet in diameter. Activity water play centers are becoming more popular for children and they come in a ton of irregular shapes and designs. The most important thing to do is measure your backyard space to ensure your inflatable pool can fit nicely.
Material
Inflatable swimming pools are typically made of a thick, puncture-resistant vinyl material that helps to form an airtight seal. If you’re looking for a large inflatable above-ground pool for your yard, these have a thicker laminated PVC material on the sidewalls to better hold the gallons of water.
Safety
Inflatable swimming pools are all about fun, but safety should be a priority. If you’re a parent with toddlers especially, you should always have a cell phone close by the inflatable pool in case of an unexpected emergency. It’s imperative you tell your kids the rules of the pool which are no diving, jumping and running to prevent accidents. If you have a kiddie pool or baby pool, it’s smart to turn them upside down and empty them after each use to prevent drowning or choking accidents.
Maintenance
You need to make sure the water in your inflatable pool is always clean to ensure safety. The easiest way is to purchase a pool skimmer to scoop out leaves, bugs and debris. If you have a larger inflatable pool, you can invest in a pool vacuum or water filter to guarantee your pool water is fresh. Another useful tip is to purchase a pool cover for off-hours when you’re not using your inflatable pool.
Setup
The best part about being an inflatable pool owner is that the setup is much easier compared to permanent pools. First off, make sure the location you choose for your blow-up pool is leveled and grounded. It’s a smart idea to lay down a tarp on the ground beneath the inflatable pool’s location before your fill it up with water. A tarp serves as a protective layer for the pool’s vinyl bottom lining and avoids sharp objects like rocks and sticks from piercing the material, causing an unwanted leak. When you’re ready to blow up your inflatable pool, do not physically blow it up yourself because it can cause dizziness (and will take way too long!). An air compressor is worth purchasing to speed up the inflation process. Some inflatable pools come with an air pump as well so make sure you read the product description closely. Once you fill up your blow-up pool with air, make sure you secure the air valves tightly. Then, grab your hose and start filling it up! Inflatable pools can take are little as one hour or as long as one day to fill up with water depending on the size. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s manual and setup guide for detailed directions.
How do I keep the inflatable pool water clean?
You can always drain your pool water or if it’s a smaller inflatable pool, toss it over and replenish it with fresh hose water. But if you choose to add chlorine, there is another step of pool maintenance. For sanitary purposes, monitor the pH levels and chlorine levels on a daily basis with test strips. Chlorine assists in the sanitization process of the pool water, the pH levels determine the feel of the water (if it’s too acidic it can provoke irritation on your skin). Experts in the pool industry recommend 1 to 3 ppm (parts per million) of chlorine. It’s a smart idea to consult a professional before adding chlorine in your inflatable pool water since it’s a strong chemical.
How often should I change the water in an inflatable pool?
In general, inflatable pool water should be changed once every two weeks. If you are not adding chlorine to kill bacteria and just using water from your garden hose, the pool water should be drained once every two days.
How long do inflatable pools last?
Inflatable pools tend to last anywhere from two to five years. It all depends on how well the inflatable pool owner maintains their pool and how often the family is using their pool. The blow up pool’s type, material, and size are three other factors that determine its longevity.
How do you properly store away an inflatable pool?
First, you have to drain the water out completely. Once you’ve dumped out all of the water, it’s smart to use a towel to wipe down any residue — this will prevent mold and unwanted residue when you pack up your inflatable pool. Next, you have to deflate the blow-up pool entirely. Open the valves, and have a friend or family member squeeze the sides to expedite the deflation process. Next, fold up the inflatable pool the same way as if you were folding a set of sheets. Some inflatable pools come with a pouch or protective sleeve to store it away nicely. If not, it’s smart to place the deflated pool in a protective bag so it stays safe and doesn’t get damaged. Store it in your garage and it will be ready for next summer!
What is the best feature to look for in an inflatable pool?
Some inflatable pools come with a built-in water-filtration pump that helps keep the pool water clean – this is key! If you’re looking for an inflatable pool and see it has a water-filtration feature, it would be a smart choice to get it.
What accessories do inflatable pools have?
You have many options for fun accessories in the inflatable pool department. Some blow-up pools come with blow-up benches and seats built into the sidewalls – they also have comfortable headrests. Inflatable pools also can have features included like a cover or pool ladder if it’s on the bigger side. There are kiddie pools and water play centers that come with fun built-in slides, sprinklers, and more! The small kiddie pools tend not to have a drain plug because they’re small in size, but most above-ground inflatable pools usually have a convenient drain plug. Up next, host your next pool party and try these 22 pool party treats to impress your guests.
