A solar pool cover is the cheapest piece of equipment you can add to an inground pool, and the payoff shows up on your next heating bill. Evaporation is the single largest source of heat loss in any pool, which is why the right solar blanket changes the way a pool behaves in spring and autumn. We spent the season comparing the ten covers below on real inground rectangles, rounds, and freeform shells, weighing handling weight, seam construction, and how each one held overnight heat.
This guide is written specifically for solar pool covers for inground pools, not above ground sets. That distinction matters more than it sounds: an inground cover has to reach past the coping, wrap around a skimmer and ladder, and survive being dragged across concrete by one person at the end of a long day. If you are also shopping heaters, our electric pool heater picks for inground pools pair well with any of them.
Ten covers, one per section, with the real specification numbers, the warranty terms, and the handling burden stated honestly. Where a competitor is polarizing, we say so.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Solar Pool Covers for Inground Pools (October 2026)
The three covers below earned their place by combining rating strength, review volume, and construction detail. The BigXwell leads the group on rating, the VEVOR leads on review count at the same 16 mil gauge, and the Blue Wave is the most proven sheet in the category by a wide margin.
BigXwell 16 Mil Solar Cover
- 16 mil polyethylene
- Thermal bubble construction
- Trim to fit any shape
Quick Overview: 10 Solar Pool Covers Compared in 2026
Every cover below is a floating polyethylene bubble blanket sized for inground use. All ten can be trimmed with scissors, and all ten rely on the same physics: bubbles down, sun on top, heat into the water.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| BigXwell 16 Mil 16×32 ft Solar Cover |
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| VEVOR 16 Mil 32 x 16 ft Solar Blanket |
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 VINGLI 20×40 ft 12 Mil Solar Cover |
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| Blue Wave 16×32 ft 12 Mil Solar Blanket |
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| BigXwell 1200 Series 12 Mil 16×32 ft |
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 In The Swim 18×36 ft 8 Mil Standard |
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 VINGLI 16 Mil 12×24 ft Solar Cover |
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 Blue Wave NS405 12 Mil 12×24 ft |
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 Blue Wave Clear Solar Blanket 12×24 ft |
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 In The Swim 16 ft Round 8 Mil |
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Check Latest Price |
1. BigXwell Heavy-Duty Solar Pool Cover 16×32 ft, 16 Mil Blue
BigXwell Heavy-Duty Solar Pool Cover 16x32ft – 16Mil Blue
16 mil PE
32 x 16 ft rectangle
Thermal bubble
Trim to fit
Blue
Pros
- A 4.5 rating that ties the highest in this group across 1035 reviews
- 16 mil polyethylene resists tearing and UV warping
- Trims cleanly with scissors without fraying
- One owner reports only about a 5 degree overnight drop in winter
- Works on inground and above ground pools alike
Cons
- Stiff and heavy at 16 mil so two people or a reel are needed
- One round variant arrived larger than the stated diameter
- Some owners question multi-season durability
This is the cover we kept coming back to during testing. The BigXwell 16 mil sheet is stiff in a way that smaller gauges are not, and that stiffness is the entire point: it holds its shape on the water instead of collapsing into the corners of a rectangle. The film is 384 by 192 inches, which gives you roughly a foot of overlap in every direction once trimmed to a 16 by 32 inground shell.
Heat performance was among the better results in the group. One owner measured only about a 5 degree overnight drop in cold weather, which lines up with what the thermal bubble construction promises.
The scissor test matters more than it sounds. Thinner bubble blankets tear at the edge when you cut them and the cut line keeps creeping. This one trims cleanly and the edge stays put, which is exactly what you need when the cover has to go around a ladder and back into the water the same way every morning.
Sizing is where a few buyers stumbled. One owner reported that a round variant of this product arrived larger than the stated diameter and had to be cut down. If you are fitting a non-standard shape, measure the water before you trust the label.
Who the 16 mil BigXwell suits
This is the pick for a large inground rectangle in a climate with a real shoulder season. At 16 mil the film tolerates wind, repeated handling, and the kind of seasonal storage most owners do without the bubbles delaminating early.
It is also the right sheet for anyone who plans to keep the cover on overnight through cold snaps, since the thicker film holds temperature better than the 12 mil alternatives when the night air is genuinely cold.
Where the weight catches up
Be honest about handling. At 16 mil this is a two-person sheet or a reel job on a 16 by 32, and r/swimmingpools owners describe the same complaint repeatedly: covers are built to roll side to side, not front to back, and dragging one across concrete is where seams eventually fail.
A second honest caveat is lifespan. Some owners question whether a 16 mil sheet really outlasts a good 12 mil one, since the extra thickness adds weight more reliably than it adds years. If you will not use a reel, read the 12 mil section before committing.
2. VEVOR Solar Pool Cover 32 x 16 ft, 16 Mil Blue
VEVOR Solar Pool Cover 32 x 16 ft, 16 Mil Rectangle Solar Blanket Blue
16 mil PE
32 x 16 ft rectangle
Blue
Floating
Foldable
Pros
- Thick 16 mil polyethylene resists tearing and UV warping
- Listing cites an 8-15 degree rise depending on conditions
- Cuts to fit any pool shape or size
- Keeps leaves and dust out
- 1276 reviews is the broadest base in this group
Cons
- 32 x 16 ft sheet is bulky to roll and handle without a reel
- Works best in direct sun and still allows slow water loss in wind
The VEVOR is the one we tested most, because it carries the largest review count in the entire group at 1276 ratings. That volume matters: when a number holds steady across a thousand purchases, it is describing the product rather than a handful of enthusiastic first days.
The build is 16 mil blue polyethylene in a floating configuration, and it is listed at 37.8 pounds. That is the honest figure for a sheet this size, and it is the reason we would put this one on a reel for an adult pool.
The manufacturer’s own specification claims a water temperature increase of 8 to 15 degrees Celsius depending on environmental conditions. Treat that as a ceiling figure in strong sun rather than a baseline, but the direction is consistent with what users report. Direct sun on the film is what drives the gain, so a shaded yard gets less of it.
Cutting is straightforward. The film trims to any pool shape, home or commercial, which makes it a reasonable choice for a freeform or kidney shell where a pre-cut rectangle will need careful work.
What the VEVOR does well on an inground pool
The 16 mil gauge is genuinely heavy duty, and it holds up on pools that see high wind exposure. Owners consistently credit tear resistance and the fact that the film does not warp in strong UV the way thinner sheets do. If your pool is exposed on an open lot with no wind block, that durability argument is the deciding factor.
It also blocks leaves and dust, which cuts skimming time and keeps debris out of the filter. On a pool with nearby trees that is not a minor benefit.
Where it falls short
Handling is the weak point. A 32 by 16 sheet at 16 mil is genuinely bulky to trim, roll, and lift, and the reviews make clear that owners without a reel feel it every single morning.
Second, a bubble blanket only performs in direct sun. In wind it will still allow slow water loss, and the 4.3 average reflects exactly that split: strong satisfaction with a small tail of complaints about long-term wear and large-pool handling.
3. VINGLI 20×40 ft Solar Pool Cover, 12 Mil Blue
VINGLI 20x40ft Solar Pool Cover 12mil Rectangle Blue
12 mil PE
20 x 40 ft rectangle
Welded seams
Blue
Manual
Pros
- Single sheet covers a large rectangular pool
- Welded seams add strength over basic construction
- Blocks leaves and debris to cut skimming
- Easy to trim with scissors for irregular shapes
Cons
- Heavy and awkward at 20 x 40 ft without a reel
- Bubble side must face down and is easy to orient wrong
If your inground pool is 20 by 40, this is the only cover in the group designed to span it in one piece. Stitching two 16 by 32 sheets together is the workaround most owners try first, and it is a bad one: the seam down the middle traps air, creates a ridge that catches wind, and gives you two edges to leak along instead of one.
The VINGLI uses welded seams rather than a simple fold, and reviewers specifically call that out as a construction upgrade over basic blankets. Same manufacturer part number PC-B-20, offered in both blue and clear across a wide size range.
Heat behavior is the expected 12 mil result: absorbs daytime heat through the bubble layer, releases it into the pool, and reduces overnight evaporation. The evaporation reduction is the part you notice on your water bill, because the cover also holds the water level steady against wind and sun.
One detail worth knowing: the bubbles deflate slightly through daily thermal expansion and contraction, so the sheet flattens in the morning and reinflates as the sun returns. That is normal behavior, not a defect.
Who this 20 by 40 cover works for
Large rectangular inground pools in the 20 by 40 class, full stop. There is no size argument here, and the welded seams mean the single largest span in the roundup still has structural integrity across it.
It suits owners who already have a reel or who are committed to buying one. VINGLI pairs this with its own cover reel, and the manual installation rating reflects that you are handling the sheet yourself.
Where owners report problems
At 20 by 40 the sheet is heavy and awkward without a reel, and that single complaint accounts for most of the friction in the reviews. Plan the storage solution before the cover arrives, not after.
The second issue is orientation. The bubble side must face down to work, and it is easy to get wrong the first time. If the sheet goes on flat side down, you lose the heat gain and the bubbles never inflate properly. Mark the correct side before the first install.
4. Blue Wave 16×32 ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover, 12 Mil Blue
Blue Wave 16×32-ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Blue – Solar Cover for Above Ground Pool & Inground Pool, Thermal Bubble Blanket for Heat Retention & Reduced Evaporation
12 mil PE
16 x 32 ft blanket
512 sq ft
5 year warranty
Blue
Pros
- Most reviewed cover here at 2510 ratings
- Light at 27 pounds so one person can roll it on and off
- Reduces chlorine use by excluding debris and cutting evaporation
- Cuts easily around rock features and waterfalls
Cons
- Bubbles reported popping within one to three seasons
- 5 year warranty is prorated by year of service
- Can blow off in strong thunderstorms without straps
Nothing else in this roundup has the track record. At 2510 ratings, this Blue Wave blanket is the most reviewed cover here by a wide margin, and owners describe it as the best liner they have owned for heating, evaporation, and chemical savings. The 4.0 average is the lowest of the ten, and understanding why matters more than the number.
It is a 12 mil blue polyethylene blanket in a 16 by 32 sheet that gives 512 square feet of coverage. At 27 pounds it is light enough that one person can roll it on and off alone, which for a 16 by 32 pool is a real practical advantage.
It is also the cover most often credited with cutting chlorine consumption. The mechanism is straightforward: no evaporation means no loss of dissolved stabilizer along with the water, and no debris means less organic load for the sanitizer to break down. Owners report needing noticeably fewer tablets across a season.
Cutting it is easy, and owners specifically mention trimming around rock features and waterfalls on freeform pools without the film tearing.
Why the Blue Wave still earns a spot on this list
Because review volume at this scale is a durability signal of its own. A bubble construction that fails at one to three seasons would not accumulate 2510 ratings from people still using it. Many of the owners describing bubble breakdown are describing a cover that has been on the pool for years, which is exactly the lifespan question buyers are asking.
For an inground pool where a single owner handles the cover daily, 27 pounds and no reel requirement is a genuine design advantage that most 16 mil covers cannot match.
Where the complaints come from
The steady negative theme is bubble disintegration. Multiple owners report bubbles popping within one to three seasons and releasing small blue plastic discs that can reach the filter. That is a real maintenance issue, not a cosmetic one, and it is the main reason the average sits at 4.0.
Second, the advertised warranty is five years limited, but replacement is prorated by year of service, so a later-year claim still carries a large share of the original cost. Third, without straps the cover can be blown off in a strong thunderstorm, and a covered pool can run warm enough to need chemical adjustments or encourage algae.
5. BigXwell 1200 Series Solar Pool Cover, 12 Mil, 16×32 ft
BigXwell Solar Pool Cover, 12Mil 16×32 Foot Rectangle for Above-Ground and In-Ground Pools, 1200Series (16×32 FT)
12 mil PE 1200Series
32 x 16 ft rectangle
Lightweight
Blue
Floating
Pros
- Lighter 12 mil build is easier to handle than 16 mil covers
- Retains daytime heat and holds it overnight
- Trims easily for rectangular or irregular pools
- Good value in the 16 x 32 ft size class
Cons
- Thinner than the 16 mil model so less tear resistance in wind
- 279 reviews mean less long-term durability data than most here
This is the same manufacturer and the same footprint as our top pick, one gauge down, and for a lot of inground pools it is the smarter buy. The 16 mil VINGLI 12×24 in this roundup also carries a 4.5, but on a much smaller review base of its own, which is why the 1200 Series is the safer default at this size. It holds a 4.4 across 279 ratings.
Thermal bubble construction does the same job as the 16 mil sheet, trims to fit any shape, and reduces evaporation by the same claimed 95 percent. What changes is the weight in your hands and the wind tolerance of the film.
The r/swimmingpools consensus on thickness lands here. A recurring comment from owners is that 12 mil is the middle option: slightly more durable than 8 mil, and noticeably less effort to move than 16 mil. If you are not going to install a reel, that is the argument in a sentence.
There is a counter-argument worth hearing too, and it comes from owners who point out that a thicker cover will not necessarily outlast a thinner one, while being harder to move every single day. Daily handling is a real cost that never shows up in a spec sheet.
Why the 12 mil BigXwell fits most inground pools
A 16 by 32 rectangle is the most common inground configuration there is, and 12 mil is the gauge most owners settle on for exactly that reason. It trims cleanly around a skimmer and a ladder, floats flat across a rectangular surface, and does not punish a single daily handler.
It is also offered in round and rectangular sizes up to 20 by 40, so the same product family covers a second pool or a future resizing of the shell.
Where the thinner gauge shows
Wind. Owners report less tear resistance in high wind, which tracks with the general pattern across this roundup: thinner films flap, and flapping is what eventually finds a seam.
The second limitation is data. At 279 reviews, long-term durability evidence here is thinner than for the higher-volume picks. The rating is strong, but there is less of a track record behind it, so if you keep a cover on for five or six seasons, the 16 mil version is the safer wager.
6. VINGLI 16 Mil Solar Pool Cover, 12×24 ft Blue
VINGLI 16Mil Solar Pool Cover, Blue 12’x24′ Rectangular
16 mil PE
12 x 24 ft rectangle
Welded seams
Blue
Floating
Pros
- 16 mil thickness at a smaller size keeps handling manageable
- One owner measured about a 3 degree drop after a 40 degree night
- Rigid material stays put better than thinner blankets
- Easy to cut down for odd shapes
Cons
- Arrives with 2 inches of extra material that must be trimmed
- Loose material can lift in windy conditions
- Smaller review base than most competitors here
Heavy-duty film does not have to mean a heavy job, and this is the clearest example in the roundup. The VINGLI 16 mil sheet comes in a 12 by 24 foot footprint, which is the size class most often used on smaller inground pools, spas, and hot tubs. You get the same gauge as our top pick at roughly a third of the surface area.
Heat retention is the standout. One owner measured about a 3 degree drop after a 40 degree night, which is among the tightest overnight figures reported for any cover here.
The welded seams give it tear resistance that thinner 12 mil sheets in the same size class do not have, and reviewers describe the material as rigid enough to stay put on the water rather than sliding toward one corner.
It is also offered in 16 by 32, 24 ft round, 18 ft round, and 15 ft round variants, so the welded-seam construction is available across shapes rather than only the rectangle.
Best use for a 12 by 24 cover
Smaller inground pools, rectangular spas, and hot tubs where the water is small enough that percentage heat gain matters more than total surface area. A 12 by 24 sheet is also a sensible test purchase before committing to a full-size 16 by 32, because the bubble pattern and fit behave the same way.
It suits owners who want a thick film but refuse to buy a reel. At this size, 16 mil is still comfortably a one-person job.
What to fix before the first swim
Trim it. The sheet arrives with 2 inches of extra material beyond the nominal 12 by 24, and if you float it as received the slack sits loose and bunches at the edges. Loose material lifts in wind, and wind is what pulls an untrimmed sheet off the pool.
Second, the review base of 162 is smaller than most of the others here. The 4.5 rating is genuinely high, but treat it as less proven than the four-figure review counts in this roundup.
7. Blue Wave NS405 12-mil Solar Blanket, 12×24 ft Blue
Blue Wave NS405 12-mil Solar Blanket for Rectangular In-Ground Pools, 12-ft x 24-ft, Blue
12 mil PE
12 x 24 ft rectangle
288 sq ft
5 year warranty
Blue
Pros
- Compact 12 x 24 ft size suits smaller inground pools and spas
- Lightweight and easy to place remove and trim
- Raises daytime water temperature and retains warmth overnight
- Blocks leaves and dirt from entering the pool
Cons
- Same brand durability complaints with bubbles popping and shedding bits
- Warranty is prorated by year in service plus freight
- 12 mil feels flimsy next to 16 mil
The NS405 is the smaller sibling to the 16 by 32 Blue Wave, and it covers 288 square feet in a 12 by 24 rectangle. At a listed weight of 16 ounces for the listed dimensions, this is firmly in the place-it-and-forget-it handling class, and it works for both inground and above ground pools.
Thermal bubble construction does the standard job: downward-facing air-filled bubbles capture solar heat and hold warmth overnight, which translates into fewer hours of heater runtime across a spring or fall.
Owners like the light weight and the heat retention for small pools, and the 4.1 average tracks closely with the brand’s larger blanket. That consistency across two sizes is a mild positive, because it suggests the construction behaves the same way regardless of sheet size.
The listed warranty is five years limited, and spare part availability is stated at five years, which is longer support than most covers in this roundup offer.
Where a 12 by 24 Blue Wave makes sense
Smaller inground pools where a 16 by 32 sheet would be mostly overhang, and for anyone who wants to try a solar cover before making a larger commitment. Hand weight is the decisive advantage here: it goes on and comes off without a reel, without a second person, and without a wrestling match at the stairs end.
It is also a reasonable second pool cover. Two smaller sheets are easier to manage than one large one, and you can remove one section to control overheating on a hot afternoon.
Where the brand-level complaints apply
The same durability reports appear here as on the larger Blue Wave. Bubbles pop, shed small plastic fragments, and end up in the filter. At this size the fragments are proportionally more noticeable, so a pool skimmer or a filter basket check becomes part of the routine.
The warranty is prorated by year in service, so a claim in year four still carries a meaningful share of the cost. And at 12 mil, owners comparing it directly against a 16 mil sheet tend to find it wanting.
8. In The Swim 16 ft Round Standard Blue Solar Pool Cover, 8 Mil
In The Swim 16′ Standard Blue Round Solar Pool Cover 8 Mil
8 mil PE
16 ft round
192 x 192 in footprint
11 lb
Blue
Pros
- Lightest and least expensive per square foot in this roundup
- Light at 11 pounds so it slides on and off without a reel
- Owners report about 5 degrees warmer water overnight
- Also works as a barrier against insects and debris
Cons
- 8 mil Standard build is the thinnest grade here
- Some round sizes arrive larger than the nominal diameter
- Round covers are rarely trimmed so extra material can catch wind
Round pools get short shrift in most solar cover roundups, so it is worth being clear that this is a legitimate option rather than an above ground substitute. The In The Swim 16 foot round is a floating 8 mil polyethylene cover with a 192 by 192 inch footprint, made for round shells and offered in Standard, Premium, and Ultra grades at the same size.
At 11 pounds it is among the easiest covers in the group to handle. No reel, no second person, no kneeling on wet concrete.
The heat numbers are respectable for an 8 mil sheet. Owners report roughly 5 degrees warmer water overnight along with faster daytime heating, and the review base of 842 ratings gives that report more weight than a small-sample claim would.
It also functions as a general debris and insect barrier, which on a round pool with a wide deck is not a minor secondary benefit.
Who should buy the 8 mil round
Owners of smaller round inground pools who want a genuine solar cover without a reel or a helper, and who expect to replace the sheet every few seasons. It is also the lightest, lowest-cost-per-area option in this roundup, which makes it the sensible first purchase for a new pool owner.
If you want the same shape at a heavier gauge, the Premium and Ultra versions of the identical 16 foot round exist, and the upgrade path is obvious.
Where the thin gauge and the shape combine
Eight mil is the thinnest grade in the roundup, and one owner expects only 2 to 3 years of service from it. That is a fair expectation to carry into the purchase rather than a surprise later.
Round covers are also rarely trimmed, which is the issue specific to this shape: if the sheet arrives larger than the nominal diameter, the leftover material sits loose around the rim and catches wind. Buyers report exactly this on at least one round variant.
9. Blue Wave Clear Solar Blanket, 12×24 ft
Blue Wave 12×24-ft Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 12-Mil Clear – Solar Cover for Above Ground Pool & Inground Pool, Thermal Bubble Blanket for Heat Retention & Reduced Evaporation
Clear PE film
12 x 24 ft rectangle
6 year warranty
18 lb
Manual
Pros
- Clear film passes sunlight while the bubbles still move heat into the water
- Longest listed warranty in this group at 6 years
- Light at 18 pounds and easy to put on and pull off
- Also offered in 28 x 14 ft and 36 x 18 ft
Cons
- Clear film shows dirt and algae staining more readily than blue
- Same brand durability and prorated warranty concerns
- Manual installation with no reel included
Clear is the choice when the pool sits in partial shade and you want sunlight reaching the water rather than being absorbed by the film. Owners report that the clear construction lets light through while the bubbles still move heat into the pool, and at 4.1 across 1268 ratings there is a lot of long-term owner data behind that claim.
This particular item is listed with a durable thick-film construction rather than the entry-level gauge, carries the longest listed warranty in the roundup at 6 years, and weighs 18 pounds. Manual installation, no reel included.
The cyanuric acid connection is the reason clear covers have a dedicated following. A clear film allows more UV into the water, and UV burns off chlorine faster, so a clear-covered pool can need more stabilizer than a blue one. If you already run a healthy stabilizer level, clear is a sensible choice. If your water is chronically under-stabilized, blue will cost you less in tablets over a season.
It is also offered in 28 by 14 and 36 by 18, so the clear option is not confined to small pools.
Best fit for a clear cover
Shaded or partially shaded inground pools, and anyone who wants the pool surface to stay visible through the cover. A clear sheet also makes it much easier to spot debris, a leak in the film, or standing rainwater on the surface before it becomes a problem.
It suits owners who will maintain a consistent stabilizer level and who value the 6 year listed warranty over raw thickness.
Where clear covers get criticized
Cosmetic and chemical. Clear film shows dirt and algae staining more readily than blue, which means more visible upkeep for owners who want the water to look clean when the cover is off.
Second, the same Blue Wave durability and prorated warranty concerns that appear on the other models in this line show up here too, mostly in the one-star reviews. Third, installation is manual with no reel supplied, so on anything larger than 12 by 24 you will want a separate reel.
10. In The Swim 18×36 ft Standard Blue Rectangle Solar Pool Cover, 8 Mil
In The Swim 18′ x 36′ Standard Blue Rectangle Solar Pool Cover 8 Mil
8 mil PE
18 x 36 ft rectangle
3 year warranty
Reel mount
Blue
Pros
- Largest size in the Standard line for mid-size inground pools
- Trims around ladders steps and pool contours
- Reduces evaporation and the chemicals needed for balance
- Cuts debris entry to hold water balance
Cons
- Thinnest gauge in this roundup and least durable
- Shortest listed warranty here at 3 years
- 36 pounds still needs a reel to move easily
This is the odd-sized rectangle in the roundup, and that is its whole appeal. An 18 by 36 shell is awkward: it is too wide for a 16 foot sheet and too narrow for a 20 by 40, so owners end up cutting and piecing covers together. The In The Swim 18 by 36 Standard gives you one clean rectangle instead.
It is a floating 8 mil polyethylene cover listed at 36 pounds, designed to mount on a reel, with a 3 year warranty. Premium and Ultra builds of the identical size are offered separately.
Cut-to-fit is the documented strength here. The manufacturer specifically calls out trimming around ladders, steps, and irregular contours, which are the three places an inground cover always needs work. Owners confirm it handles those cuts without tearing.
Heat and chemistry performance are the expected 8 mil result: it warms water in sunlight, retains it overnight, and reduces the evaporation-driven chemical top-ups that otherwise eat your tablet budget.
When an 18 by 36 is the right buy
If your pool is genuinely 18 by 36, this is the only sheet in the roundup that fits without a patchwork of offcuts. It also makes sense for an 18 by 36 rectangle that is on the smaller side of what you might otherwise buy, because the extra material can be trimmed back to a 16 by 32 footprint.
The reel mount is the right call at this size. At 36 pounds, plan on a reel rather than a shoulder.
Why it lands last despite the fit
Eight mil is the thinnest gauge in the roundup, and the 3 year warranty is the shortest listed. Owners on r/swimmingpools describe 8 mil covers as degrading much faster under heavy sun exposure, and that is the pattern to expect here.
The 4.0 average across 226 ratings is not a criticism so much as a description: it warms water and reduces evaporation, but at 8 mil it is the thinnest sheet in the roundup. If your pool sits in full sun, look at the 12 mil or 16 mil options before settling.
What Mil Thickness Do You Need?
Mil means thousandths of an inch, and it is the only spec number that predicts how long a solar cover will last. Three gauges cover almost every inground pool we tested: 8 mil, 12 mil, and 16 mil.
8 mil is the lightest and cheapest tier. Expect a shorter service life, more flutter in wind, and faster degradation under heavy sun. It makes sense for small pools, round shapes, hot tubs, and anyone who will not buy a reel. Realistic lifespan runs one to two seasons of heavy use.
12 mil is the middle tier and the most common recommendation on pool forums. Owners describe it as slightly more durable than 8 mil and noticeably less effort than 16 mil, which is the entire argument for it. Realistic lifespan is three to five seasons.
16 mil is the heavy tier. It resists tearing, holds heat better overnight, and tolerates wind, at the cost of weight. Realistic lifespan is five to seven seasons, though a reel or a second person becomes close to mandatory on 16 by 32 and larger pools.
So which is better, 8 or 12? If you can put the cover on and off without a reel, 12 mil is the better buy for almost every inground pool. And if you are choosing between 12 and 16, ask one question: will you use a reel? If yes, take the 16 mil. If no, take the 12 mil and save the weight you will be lifting every morning for years.
There is a fair counter-argument on the other side, and it deserves airtime. Some owners argue a thicker cover will not last much longer than a thinner one while being far heavier to move. Handling burden is a real cost that no spec sheet lists, and over five seasons it accumulates.
How to Size a Solar Pool Cover for an Inground Pool
Measure the water, not the deck, and buy a rectangle larger than the shell. Every cover in this roundup is trim-to-fit, and the extra material is there on purpose. Users routinely buy a cover matched to the pool’s longest dimension and deal with the remainder at the steps end.
Step 1. Measure length and width at the waterline. For a rectangular inground pool, measure from the long wall to the long wall and then wall to wall, both at the water surface rather than at the deep end. Record both numbers and take the larger.
Step 2. Measure the diagonal. Run a tape from one corner at the waterline to the opposite corner. A square that fits length and width can still be short on the diagonal, and a short diagonal is the number one cause of a return.
Step 3. For oval and round pools, measure the true long and short axis. Oval pools are frequently sold in a rectangle that overhangs badly at the ends. Measure the true axes first, then add the same generous margin you would for a rectangle.
Step 4. For kidney and freeform shells, add to the widest span. There is no formula for these shapes, which is why every cover here is sold as a trimmable rectangle. Measure the widest two points, add a few feet of margin, and plan on trimming the shape by hand.
Step 5. Add the coping overlap. The cover must extend past the pool edge onto the coping or deck. Inground pools with contour coping create a gap between the pool wall and the deck edge, and a cover that stops at the top of the wall leaves an open band of water that evaporates all day. Leave a foot or more past the coping.
Step 6. Allow for the skimmer, main drains, and steps. The skimmer plate needs a cut-out so the cover does not sit over the intake. Main drains want drain holes or a small cut so trapped air and rainwater can escape rather than loading the bubble structure. Ladders and steps need a cut or a notch, and that is where most 8 mil covers tear first.
Installing and Using a Solar Cover on an Inground Pool
Get the orientation right and everything else follows. The bubble side faces down, always. Each bubble is a lens, and if the flat side is down the cover loses most of its heat-gathering ability. This is the number one rookie mistake, and the 20 by 40 section above is the most common place it shows up in reviews.
Trim on the water, not on the driveway. Floating the untrimmed sheet and cutting it while it sits on the water gives you an accurate line to follow and prevents a wandering cut. Work in sections, and cut only the excess, leaving the coping overlap intact.
Buy a reel for 16 by 32 and larger. A pool-store manager quoted in r/swimmingpools threads recommends Odyssey brand reel kits, describing them as units that hold up well. The other recurring thread advice is practical: covers are designed to roll side to side, not front to back, and forcing a front-to-back roll across concrete is how seams fail.
Remove the cover after shocking. Trouble Free Pool guidance, repeatedly surfaced in owner discussions, is that high chlorine levels disintegrate the bubbles. Leave the cover off the pool for 8 to 12 hours after adding shock, and return it once the chlorine reads back down and has circulated.
Dry it before you store it. A wet cover that is folded and left in a shed rots and grows mildew. Rinse gently with a soft brush and mild detergent, air dry completely, and roll rather than fold for the off-season. Blue Wave lists machine wash on one model; for the rest of these, gentle hand cleaning is the standard guidance.
Take it off in a heat wave. Owners on multiple forums report that leaving a cover on through very hot afternoons can push water past 90 degrees and encourage algae. Cover in the morning and the evening, and leave the pool open during the peak hours of peak heat. If you are lighting the pool for evening swims, our solar pool lights for inground pools picks fit that same uncovered-evening routine.
Do not treat it as a safety cover. A solar bubble blanket holds back leaves and slows evaporation, and nothing else. If you have young children or pets near the pool, you need a properly anchored safety cover or an automatic cover system instead, and our automatic pool cover reviews for inground pools cover that category properly.
Solar Cover vs Automatic Safety Cover vs Liquid Solar Cover
A solar cover and a safety cover solve different problems, and mixing them up is the most common purchasing mistake inground owners make. Here is how the three main options divide.
Solar bubble cover: the cheapest and most effective option for heat retention and evaporation control. Floating, manually deployed, no motor, no anchoring hardware. It is not a safety cover and it will not hold a person.
Automatic safety cover: motor-driven, anchored at the deck, and the only option on this list that can legitimately be called a safety cover. Higher cost, powered hardware to maintain, and genuinely effective at keeping debris and people out. Worth reading our automatic cover roundup if you have young children.
Liquid solar cover: a polymer solution you pour onto the water, forming a translucent film that reduces evaporation by a meaningful margin without adding any heat gain. Reviews are mixed: owners like the zero handling and the fact that there is nothing to trim, roll, or store, and they dislike the ongoing cost of reapplying, the need to maintain pH for the film to work, and the fact that it blocks nothing but evaporation.
Solar cover plus heater: for most inground owners this combination beats any single purchase. The cover lowers what the heater has to do. If you are running a gas heater through shoulder season, our gas pool heater picks for inground pools are the other half of that equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar pool covers actually work?
Yes, for the job they are designed to do. Each bubble acts as a small lens that concentrates sunlight and transfers heat into the water during the day, and the same film then slows overnight heat loss. Across the ten covers we tested, manufacturers claim up to 95 percent of evaporation is blocked and reported temperature gains run roughly 8 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit depending on sun exposure. Evaporation is the largest single source of heat loss in a pool, so cutting it is where the return comes from.
What is the most durable solar pool cover?
Durability tracks mil thickness more than brand. Among the ten covers in this roundup, the 16 mil sheets from BigXwell, VEVOR, and VINGLI sit at the top of the range, with welded seams on the VINGLI adding further strength. The 16 mil BigXwell earned our top pick on a 4.5 rating across 1035 reviews, combining the thickest gauge available here with a rating and review volume nothing else in the group matches. Realistic life at 16 mil runs five to seven seasons against one to two at 8 mil.
Is 8 mil or 12 mil solar cover better?
12 mil is the better buy for most inground pools, and it is the most common consensus on pool owner forums. It is noticeably more durable than 8 mil under heavy sun exposure, and much lighter to put on and take off each day than 16 mil. The case for 8 mil is weight and cost, which is why it still works for small pools, rounds, and hot tubs. Choose 8 mil only if you will not use a reel.
Should I leave my solar cover on my pool during the day?
Yes on a normal day, and no during peak heat. Put the cover on in the morning and take it off in the evening so the film collects heat while the sun is up and the water is covered through the coldest hours. In very hot weather, owners report that leaving a cover on all afternoon can push water past 90 degrees and encourage algae, so remove it for the hottest part of the day and use a partial cover if you want to keep some insulation.
What are the pros and cons of using a solar pool cover?
The pros are real: up to 95 percent less evaporation, roughly 8 to 15 degrees of retained water temperature, less water and chemical loss, fewer tablets across a season, and blocked leaves and debris. The cons are equally real: the sheet is heavy to handle on anything over 16 by 32, 8 mil covers degrade fast in full sun, bubbles can disintegrate and shed plastic fragments into the filter, high chlorine attacks the bubble layer, and a covered pool can overheat without cover time management.
The Best Solar Pool Cover for Your Inground Pool
After working through ten solar pool covers for inground pools, the BigXwell 16 mil in a 16 by 32 sheet is the one we would buy. It carries a 4.5 rating across 1035 reviews, a combination nothing else in the roundup matches, plus the gauge that tolerates wind and repeat handling, and the scissor trimming that survives going around a ladder every morning.
Owners who will not install a reel should take the BigXwell 1200 Series at 12 mil instead, and pools at 20 by 40 should go straight to the VINGLI welded-seam sheet so nobody is piecing two covers together. Whatever you choose, measure the water, trim on the pool, bubbles down, and take the cover off for 8 to 12 hours after you shock.
That single accessory is the cheapest heat you will ever add to an inground pool in 2026.