The 5 Best Solar Pool Covers of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket

$160 at Amazon

We recommend the SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket as the best solar pool cover because it performed exceptionally well in our tests, effectively maintaining the water's temperature on chilly days. It effectively captured solar energy to keep the pool warm through six months of testing, like a DIY pool heater, according to an accurate pool thermometer we used to monitor the pool before and after installing this cover.

We installed the cover on our pool in southern California in early spring and were impressed with its ability to maintain the water temperature at a very comfortable 71 to 73 degrees even on chillier days. On one day, when the outdoor temperature was in the low 50s, we measured the pool water at 71 degrees, so this cover definitely allowed us to use our pools on days we wouldn't have otherwise.

When the summer heat arrived, we found ourselves using the cover less often. It actually made the water too warm if we left it on during hot, sunny days, so we only used it to keep debris out at night and on cloudier days during the hotter part of the year. The cover also helped prevent evaporation since we didn’t have to add any water to the pool when we otherwise would have.

Our only problem with this cover was some packaging issues since the way it was rolled up in the package prevented us from unrolling it bubble-side down, as the instructions said. We ended up having to unroll it with the bubble side up and then carefully (with two sets of hands) flip it over when placing it on the surface of the pool.

After initially having trouble installing the cover, we didn’t have any trouble removing, folding, unfolding, or reinstalling it. We had previously used a Blue Wave NS530 on the same pool, and we found this one to be much easier to handle and much lighter while providing the exact same warming effect. The Blue Wave is thicker than this one (14 vs. 12 mil), but this cover worked just as well despite being thinner.

In addition to being easy to handle and keeping our pool comfortably warm, we also like how customizable this pool cover is. We have a rectangular pool that didn’t require any customization, but you can easily cut this cover to fit if none of the available sizes are quite right or if you have a kidney, oval, or custom-shaped pool.

_{Type: Solar blanket | Size: 12 x 20, 12 x 24, 14 x 28, 15 x 30, 16 x 24, 16 x 32, 16 x 34, 16 x 36,  18 x 36, 20 x 28, 20 x 36, 20 x 40 feet | Shape: Rectangle | Thickness: 12 mil | Material: Polyethylene | Weight: 15.07 - 40.4 pounds | Warranty: Not provided}

Best Heavy-Duty

BigXwell 1600 Series Solar Pool Cover

$320 at Amazon

Heavy-duty pool covers are good for cooler climates because they help retain more heat and withstand the elements better. This cover from BigXwell is our favorite heavy-duty solar pool cover because it features solid construction and a substantial 16 mil thickness, and despite its extra bulk, it’s still easy for two people to deploy.

Prior to installing this cover on our pool, we used a floating thermometer to check the water temperature. We then checked again after six hours of having the solar pool cover on, and found that the water temperature had risen two degrees despite already being quite warm.

We didn’t experience any chilly weather while testing, but we were quite satisfied with how well the cover retained heat, blocked debris, and prevented evaporation. We had used another similar cover on the pool in the past, and this one felt much more durable and strong. The ultimate test of durability will require further testing, but this pool cover feels like it will hold up quite well.

We used this pool cover without a reel, and we didn’t have any trouble installing or removing it with two people working together. However, if you want to handle it with just one person, we recommend using it with a reel because it is quite heavy and bulky (especially the larger sizes). Using a reel would also solve our only real complaint about this cover, which is that it’s so bulky when folded up for storage.

Another minor issue is that while this cover comes with clips to connect it to a reel, it doesn’t include any instructions for attaching them. That won’t be an issue if your reel comes with its own clips and instructions, but you may need to do some experimentation if you already have a reel and need to figure out how to use the included clips.

_{Type: Solar blanket | Size: 12, 18 feet (round), 12 x 24, 12 x 32, 16 x 24, 16 x 32, 18 x 36, 20 x 40 feet (rectangle) | Shape: Round, Rectangle | Thickness: 16 mil | Material: Polyethylene | Weight: 11.13 - 67.9 pounds | Warranty: Not provided}

Best UV Protection

In the Swim Rectangle Premium Plus Pool Solar Blanket

$612 at Amazon View on Intheswim.com

Exposure to UV rays can negatively impact your pool’s water chemistry, reducing chlorine levels. If you don’t want to compensate by adding more chemicals, look for a dark-colored solar pool cover that will block UV rays from the water below. If that’s your priority, we recommend the Premium Plus Solar Blanket from In the Swim.

We installed this pool cover on our 24-foot above-ground pool in New Jersey and were pleased with the easy setup. Two people were needed to drag it over the pool, but one person was able to remove it to open the pool without any trouble. The cover would have been easier to install and remove with a roller, but we were able to use it throughout the summer without one.

When we first placed this cover over our pool, we measured a water temperature of 70 degrees that increased to 74 degrees after just a few hours. That allowed us to use the pool on cooler days when we wouldn't have otherwise, and also let us keep the pool open well past the date we would normally close it for the winter..

We were impressed with how thick this cover is, at 12-mil (about as thick as poster board). It's an aluminized cover, which means it's manufactured with an aluminum alloy that gives it a reflective quality. That's what allows to to minimize UV exposure while maximizing solar energy transfer (trapping heat from sunlight) to the water below. According to the manufacturer, you can expect up to a 15-degree rise in water temperature, which is similar to our best heavy-duty pick.

This pool cover is available in 12 different sizes to accommodate various pool sizes and shapes. If you don't find the exact size you need, it's easy to trim it to the right size. If you’re unhappy with your pool cover, it’s covered with a 7-year warranty (the longest on our list).

_{Type: Solar blanket | Size: 16 x 32 feet, 4 x 8 feet, 12 x 24 feet, 14 x 28 feet, 15 x 30 feet, 16 x 24 feet | Shape: Rectangle | Thickness: 12 mil | Material: Polyethylene | Weight: Not listed | Warranty: 7 years}

Best Round

Doheny's Clear -Tek Micro-Bubble Solar Cover

$91 at Amazon

If you have a round pool, we recommend using a round Clear-Tek Micro-Bubble Solar Cover from Doheny’s. This is one of the easiest covers we tested, and we were thrilled to find that we could install and remove it with just one person. After just a few hours, we noticed an increase in water temperature, and it also helped keep debris out of our pool.

We had some initial trouble installing this cover because of the way we tried putting it on (we had to lift the whole thing up and over the pool filter). After that proved difficult, we started from the other side, and it was easy for just one person to pull up and over.

Most solar blankets (including this one) are designed to be cut to fit, but it’s easier if you start with the right shape. This one is available in a variety of sizes from 12 to 33 feet to fit most round pools (with oval options available as well).

Our pool fell into an in-between space, so the cover we tested was a little big. That resulted in the cover puckering up, but we actually liked it better that way since it was very effective at keeping debris out of the pool, keeping heat in, and preventing water from evaporating. We got a lot of rain during testing, so it’s hard to judge the impact it had on evaporation, but we think it should be effective because it completely covered our pool.

_{Type: Solar blanket | Size: 12 feet, 15 feet, 18 feet, 21 feet, 24 feet, 28 feet, 30 feet, 33 feet | Shape: Round | Thickness: 8 mil | Material: Polyethylene | Weight: 15 pounds | Warranty: 3 years}

Best Liquid

Natural Chemistry COVERfree Liquid Solar Blanket

$30 $26 at Amazon $27 at Walmart View on Lesliespool.com

We haven't had the opportunity to test this one yet, but we think it’s a great option if you lack the time or ability to regularly remove and replace physical pool cover. It works especially well in dry climates where evaporation is a big problem since it creates a liquid "cover" that helps reduce pool water evaporation by 85 percent (only 5 percent less than our best overall) and heat loss by 70 percent, according to the manufacturer.

The most significant advantage of using this liquid solar pool cover is that it saves you the time and hassle associated with removing and replacing bulky physical pool covers. However, it is worth keeping in mind that this solution will not protect your pool from UV rays or debris that may blow into the pool. Therefore, you will need a pool cleaner to keep your water free of leaves and twigs.

The Coverfree Liquid Solar Blanket comes in a 32-ounce bottle. To use it effectively, you will need four ounces of the solution for every 20,000 gallons of pool water. For best results, Natural Chemistry recommends using it weekly by adding it to the skimmer while your pool pump is running.

_{Type: Liquid | Amount: 32 ounces | Dosage: 4 ounces per 20,000 gallons (667 square feet) of pool water per week}